Dog obedience classes are beneficial for dogs of all ages and stages of life. They help dogs socialize, learn commands from their owners, and build skills that promote safety. For puppies, classes focus on housebreaking, socialization, and preventing bad habits, while older dog classes reinforce basic commands and advance training. While self-training is possible, classes have the advantage of allowing owners to get expert guidance tailored to their individual dog's needs. Provided the owner is consistent and the whole family participates, dog training works to improve a dog's behavior.