[TrishB]

Obedience classes offer an environment that you cannot easily create at home. You need situations where there are other people, other dogs, noises, smells - all of these distractions so that they can learn to work with the distractions around them.

I know of people who have trained their dogs and very nicely I might add, without any formal classes. Either due to lack of availablility or transportation, etc. However you need to be very diligent on creating situations where the dog learns to be confident and trust in your judgement - regardless of what is going on around them.

Classes are a wonderful place - because you are surrounded by other doggy people with the same goals. So they'll understand if your dog is hyper at the beginning of class. Whereas strangers in a park might not be as understanding.

Positive Obedience classes are the way to go. All is not lost if you can't get to them - but your work load is much more difficult. There are many books (just do a search for books here on the forums) that can help you if you can't get to classes - please look them up!

Best of luck.