Obedience training is critical and one of the most important thing you can do for your puppy. A well trained puppy makes for a happier, healthy dog because a dog that is better trusted requires fewer restrictions. The more reliable the dog proves itself to be, the more freedom he is given.

Training is just for the puppy's benefit it is good for both puppy and owner, strengthening the bond between a puppy and his owner by building communication, understanding, and mutual respect. It also subtly but effectively demonstrates to your puppy that you're the leader of the pack (i.e. "The Alpha Dog"). If your dog doesn't learn to respect you as his leader, you may both be in big trouble, particularly if his breed is a bit rowdy or dominant by nature.

Obedience training gives you the voice and, in some cases, hand control needed to prevent a wide variety of potential accidents and problems. For instance, a dog slipping out of his collar near a crowded road can be safely heeled and controlled. A dog running out an open door can be called back to you using the recall command.

Without proper training, many dogs misbehave and when owners allow their dogs to misbehave, everyone suffers: The owner, because living with a problem dog is difficult at best, the dog, because he is distrusted, under constant restriction or simply ignored; the dog owner's neighbors, because living next to a difficult dog is no one's idea of fun; and ultimately every dog owner, because each incidence where a dog creates a nuisance increases anti-dog sentiment, and contributes to the likelihood that tough legal restrictions will be placed on all dogs.

A well-behaved, obedience trained dog is a pleasure to own because he can go virtually anywhere without being a risk or nuisance to others. And don't we all want a dog who exhibits appropriate behavior in a crowd, good manners when we have guests in our home, is reliable around children, and who doesn't threaten other dogs or passers-by.

The bottom line is that dog obedience training truly benefits everyone.