To train or not to train should never be the question. Taking the time to train your dog is one of the most beneficial commitments you can make for your dog and your entire family.

Leadership skills for the entire family.

Too often the dog will listen better to one person in the family (usually the oldest adult male) but not to everyone equally. Training helps balance the leadership skills within the family. Dogs look for a leader of the pack and if they cannot find one strong enough, the dog will become the leader. Every dog has a different type of relationship with each family member in the human pack family, but each person needs to be a strong enough leader, for the dog.

Communication skills are vital.

Training your puppy will start their education in life by providing the puppy with the consistency it needs in respect to communication, socialization, leadership and structure. If every person in the family is communicating differently, it will only leave the puppy confused. Even the "re-homed" dog will benefit from training, whether it had prior training or not. Training will be invaluable so that the family can be consistent with its communication and enhance relationships in the new home.

Socialization. 

The socialization of your dog is as important as him having good manners! Socialization is not about your dog getting along with the other dog/s in the house, or the dog next door or down the street. True socialization is when your dog gets along with every dog and person he meets. Socialization should be continued for the life of the dog because once socialization stops, the dog's socialization skills diminish. Unfortunately in suburbia, our dogs live like hermits, living in our houses or backyards for the most part. If we could be more like Europe with respect to
our dogs, our dogs would go everywhere with us and be welcome even in restaurants. European dogs are better socialized than American dogs. I encourage all my clients to get their dogs out into social setting as much as possible.

Structure

All dogs need structure, the same as children need structure. Learning and having boundaries, limitations, along with rules, creates a more confident dog.

Training creates a balance within the family that will last throughout the life of your dog. Each dog is as different as each of us is in respect to personality. A little time and commitment creates a happier, healthier relationship for everyone!