More than 63% of all United States' households have pets. That's 65 million households reporting in 2005 approximately 73 million dogs and 90 million cats, plus 148 million fish, 16 million birds, 11 million reptiles, and 18 million small animals.

Obedience training is generally limited to dogs, and is something incredibly important for a number of reasons. Training establishes a social hierarchy and tells the dog its owner is the leader. Dogs are pack animals and benefit greatly from knowing their owner holds dominance. The training a dog receives helps them feel like a vital part of the pack. Training together promotes a sense of teamwork and companionship between dog and owner, which helps a dog feel important and loved. Training helps a dog develop problem solving and thinking skills, and is also very important for safety.

Competition training can be a fun activity for both a dog and owner. Agility trails are the fastest-growing dog sports, according to the American Kennel Club. Competitions are great ways for dogs and their owners to bond and receive exercise. Hunting, herding, obedience, and other competitions are available for dogs as well.

The resources here at ObedienceSchools.com can help a dog owner navigate the process of choosing the right training program for both the dog and the owner