The Canine Good Citizen: With a Little Practice Every Dog Can Be One Socializing and training your dog takes practice.  The more you practice the better you get and the better you get the more you practice.  How can your dog learn to behave around other dogs if he doesn’t get any practice?  How can you expect him to walk nicely on a leash if he doesn’t get any practice?  Socializing and training are just as important as food and water for your pet.  So, with a little practice your pet will behave better and get to be around you more and go more places and the more he is around you and the more places he goes, the better he will behave. If you want your dog to be a good citizen, make sure these things are true:                         1.    My dog is friendly to strangers.                         2.    My dog can sit politely while being petted.                         3.    My dog is groomed and healthy looking.                         4.    My dog can walk nicely on a leash.                         5.    My dog can behave and walk nicely through a crowded area.                         6.    My dog will sit, lay down and stay when I tell him to.                           7.    My dog will come when I call him.                         8.    My dog behaves nicely around other dogs.                         9.    My dog is comfortable around distractions and noises.                         10.  My dog can be away from me without getting upset and nervous. If your pet is lacking in one or more of these areas then you should consider training.  A good training class is a fun, social activity that helps your dog become a well-behaved, safe, and valued family member.   You are already training your dog whether you realize it or not.  Your canine friend is always learning – and this is true not only for puppies but also for older, adult dogs.  If you do not teach your pet your rules, he will invent his own.  Professional training for you and your pet allows caregivers to safely and humanely control their dog’s behavior.  Positive training enhances the bond between dog and owner, and helps ensure that your dog will respond happily to your instructions. Although puppyhood is the best time to train and socialize dogs, older dogs can learn new tricks too.  In fact, dogs of all ages can benefit from training.  Dogs between 8 and 16 weeks should be enrolled in puppy classes.  Regular classes are appropriate for dogs six months or older.   It is essential that the dog trainer you select uses humane training techniques that encourage appropriate behavior through such positive reinforcement as food, attention, play, or praise.  Look for a trainer who ignores undesirable responses or withholds rewards until the dog behaves appropriately.  A recommendation from a friend, neighbor, veterinarian, groomer, or humane society is a good place to start.  Don’t assume that a trainer’s membership in a dog trainer association qualifies him as a suitable instructor.  Not all associations’ membership criteria will meet your expectations.  Also, because no government agency regulates or licenses trainers, it’s that much more important to investigate their qualifications before enrolling in a class.  Find out how many years of experience they have, how they were educated, and what training methods they use.  Ask prospective trainers for several references from clients who completed the classes.  Ask the trainer if you can observe a class in session before signing up. Dogs are living creatures, not robots.  They have good days and not-so-good days, just as people do.   Sometimes they concentrate better than other times.  Do not expect a dog of any age to obey every command every single time.