Homework remains key to obedience training

Q: I am writing in response to your short article on obedience training. As a person with some experience in training my own dogs, I am surprised that you did not mention the single most important thing contributing to successful obedience training: the commitment of the owners.

I am shocked to see too many people that have dogs that are uncontrollable, and a danger to whoever may be walking them. When asked about obedience training, they reply that they paid a fortune to “have an expert train them.” They seem to have no idea that any training, in class or in private, is only as successful as the follow-through; indeed, it is only the starting point. You would be doing a service if, in some future article, you could get this point across. — Patricia H., Palm Coast, Fla.

A: Patricia, you got that point across better than I could! But I’ll take a stab at it: Folks, obedience training is more than just a couple of hours a week in a group class or with a private trainer. Your pet, as smart as he or she is, won’t retain the commands taught in class unless you follow up with regular, daily training. (Especially if your dog is brilliant at getting into trouble!)

Schedule one hour each day to work one-on-one with your dog, in an area with few distractions (for either of you). Review the basic commands taught in class, rewarding your pet when he or she follows them correctly. If you can’t find a full hour in your day — schedule half an hour. But do it every day.

In a few months’ time, you may just build such a good relationship with your pet that, as the two of you stroll down the sidewalk, a passerby will remark, “You must give me the name of your trainer.” And, if you so choose, you can just smile mysteriously in reply, and stroll on.