I’m often asked, “Is there a best time to start dog obedience training?” My response is generally something like, “Did you start yet?” or “Yesterday is better than tomorrow.”
Dog obedience training is best begun before the puppy has been brought home. No, that doesn’t mean that I want you to ask your kids, your spouse, or your friends to roll over or fetch the newspaper while you’re waiting. Instead, I want you to be prepared for training a puppy the moment he or she peeks through the doggie door. 
Before bringing home your new addition, have all of your dog training implements ready to go. Collect your dog or puppy with the collar and leash that you’ll be using to train. Make sure there’s a clicker in one pocket, and a trove of treats in the other. At home, have bountiful back-up treats, a selection of vet-approved chew toys, and a crate waiting for its new housetraining recruit.
Give some thought to how you will fit training into your daily schedule before you bring home your new dog or puppy. Create a written schedule, visible to everyone in the household, or make the dog obedience training plan known, so that everyone can honor those special times with the new family member.
Dog training should start before the first accident appears on the carpet, before the first chair leg is chewed, and before the first hole is dug in the yard. Start dog obedience training right away, and you’ll prevent bad habits from taking root.
When you’re properly prepared, dog obedience training doesn’t have to be difficult. To be successful, you won’t have to jump through dog obedience training hoops, but you will have to jump onto the dog training wagon, without delay.
