Obedience Classes

Question
Which Obedience DVD/Book do you recommend or do you think a class is better? We have a 12 week old LAB.

Thanks!

Answer
I have long been a fan of the Monks of New Skete, http://www.dogsbestfriend.com/  I am not sure they are keeping up with the trend toward more and more positive methods.  Look at http://www.patriciamcconnell.com/ too.  She uses positive methods without getting into the advanced psycho babble some others do.  With somebody the right age in the family, 4-H dog training is a great idea. In my area, clubs form soon after the first of the year. Even many urban areas have 4-H. For info look in your phone book under government listings for extension or cooperative extension offices. Ask specifically about a dog or canine club. The dogs see all the people and dogs in the household as a pack with each having their own rank in the pack and a top dog. Life is much easier if the 2 legged pack members outrank the 4 legged ones. You can learn to play the role of top dog by reading some books or going to a good obedience class. A good obedience class or book is about you being top dog, not about rewarding standard commands a treat.

I would rather see a 12 week old work at home until 2 weeks after its last shot.  One big advantage of a class is that a dog learns to stay on task around other dogs.  An experienced instructor will see things you can't describe over the net too.