Basic to Advanced Obedience
- Savannah Nordhaus
- Dec 24, 2025
- 3 min read
Obedience Training That Actually Works
Tired of yelling your dog’s name on walks? Struggling with door-dashing or leash pulling? Wondering how to go off-leash safely? You’re not alone, and obedience training is the answer.
At S.N.K9 Dog Training, we teach them how to think, listen, and trust. Especially when the world around them is exciting, chaotic, or overwhelming.
This page covers everything you need to know about obedience training, including:
What Is Obedience Training Really About?
Obedience is how your dog understands and navigates your world. We focus on creating a dog that:
Listens the first time
Looks to you for leadership
Responds calmly under pressure
Is reliable in real-life environments, not just in training sessions
We train for lifestyle, not just performance.
What We Teach (Across All Levels)
Every obedience program is customized, but generally includes:
Sit, Down, Place, and Recall (Come)
Leash manners / Heel (on and off leash)
Doorway thresholds
Calm state of mind/neutrality around distractions
Crate training and impulse control
Focus and engagement with the handler
Whether you're raising a new puppy or starting over with a rescue, obedience is the foundation that supports every other behavior.
Our Obedience Training Levels
We offer obedience training at all stages of your dog’s life and development:
Basic Obedience
Ideal for: Puppies, rescues, or dogs new to structure
Focus: Foundations and communication
Skills Taught:
Name recognition & engagement
Sit, Down, Place
Intro recall & leash guidance
Calm indoor behavior & crate routine
Outcome: Your dog learns the rules, understands your expectations, and starts to work with you, not against you.
Intermediate Obedience
Ideal for: Dogs who “know” commands but ignore them in real life
Focus: Distraction-proofing & public reliability
Skills Taught:
Structured heel (on leash)
Reliable recall
Commands with duration (stay on Place)
Neutrality around people/dogs/sounds
Real-world proofing
Outcome: Your dog listens in public, respects boundaries, and stays engaged even when life gets distracting.
Advanced Obedience
Ideal for: Off-leash goals, control under stress, prepping for service or sport
Focus: High accountability, freedom with trust
Skills Taught:
Off-leash heel and recall
Long-distance obedience
Emergency stops
Send-away and long-duration Place
Off-leash neutrality in parks, stores, or chaotic environments
Outcome: Freedom. You can trust your dog anywhere with confidence, calm, and control.
Common Problems Obedience Training Solves
If your dog struggles with any of the following, obedience training will help:
Pulling on the leash
Jumping on people
Not coming when called
Door dashing or bolting
Selective hearing
Barking or lunging at distractions
Overexcitement or restlessness in the home
Ignoring basic cues unless you’re holding food
Obedience training is the first step to solving deeper behavior problems like reactivity, anxiety, or aggression, and we’ll help you choose the right next steps.
Our Approach
At S.N.K9, we use balanced, real-world training that focuses on structure, communication, and clear expectations.
Personalized training plans
Calm, professional, no-nonsense coaching
Progress built on confidence and trust
Designed for long-term results (not temporary fixes)
You’ll learn just as much as your dog, and together, you’ll both gain clarity and peace of mind.
How to Get Started
Every dog starts with an evaluation, our options include:
In-Person Evaluation
Come to our facility in Paragould, AR for a meet-and-greet, behavior assessment, and personalized training recommendation.
Virtual Evaluation
Live via Zoom. Perfect for out-of-town clients or quick guidance on behavior, obedience, or routines.
After your evaluation, we’ll recommend the best fit:
Board & Train (2, 4, or 6 weeks)
Private Lessons
Group Classes
Virtual Private Lessons