Obedience Training in Citrus Heights
Professional obedience training is essential for dogs and can also be helpful with some other pet types. Proper training done early in a dog’s life can prevent behavioral issues, make dogs more social, strengthen the human-animal bond, and promote a safer environment for both you and your pet.
Our Citrus Heights based clinic specializes in obedience training. We are committed to providing safe, positive, and effective training solutions for your pet. If you’re ready to begin training with our professional training staff, contact our office today to schedule an appointment.

Why Choose Family Friends Veterinary Hospital for Your Pet’s Obedience Training
At Family Friends Veterinary Hospital , we combine veterinary expertise with certified trainers and behaviorists who practice patience, compassion, and positive reinforcement when training dogs.
We understand that behavior training in animals is not a one-size-fits-all solution and that people’s goals vary when it comes to training their dogs. Our team gets to know both you and your pet to determine the best way to incorporate training for your pet’s specific needs. Our individualized training plans are developed with your dog’s breed, age, temperament, and living environment in mind to create the best possible environment that will lead to long-term success.

We realize that pet care, and chiropractic care especially, is not a one-size-fits-all solution. Our vets practice a personalized approach to ensure each pet receives the best possible care. Each animal’s unique anatomy, condition, and health history plays a key role in what types of treatment our team recommends and performs.
The Importance of Proper Training
Proper training for dogs and other pets is critical for enhancing household safety, reducing aggression, preventing pet accidents, and ensuring pets can be social and not overly territorial.
When proper training methods are followed, dedicated training can lead to substantial improvements in communication and confidence for both the pet and the owner. Early and ongoing training is key for preventing or managing destructive pet habits that can be challenging for pet owners.

Training Services We Offer in Citrus Heights
Our Citrus Heights location offers a variety of training and obedience services for your pet to help them learn and practice positive behaviors. These include:
Puppy socialization and basic commands
Intermediate obedience (leash manners, impulse control)
Advanced obedience and off-leash training
Behavioral consultations for specific issues (such as separation anxiety or aggression)

Common Behavior Issues Addressed
Professional obedience training can fix a wide range of behavioral issues in dogs and other pets. Some of the most common issues addressed during training include:
Excessive barking or vocalization
Destructive chewing or digging
Anxiety-based behaviors or aggression
Poor recall or leash manners
Territorial aggression
Separation anxiety
Failure to respond to commands

Training Methods & Tools
Our certified training staff uses a variety of training methods and tools to aid dogs during obedience training. These may include items such as clickers, treat pouches, specialized harnesses and leashes, and chew toys. All of these tools are designed to provide positive encouragement and reward-based training, so dogs associate following commands with positive outcomes.
Consistency and owner participation are also key when training dogs, regardless of age or breed. Your trainer will work with you to develop a practice plan that you can incorporate at home, replicating what was worked on at the clinic. The more you work on obedience training at home, the quicker your dog will pick up on it and learn to associate training with positive encouragement and rewards.

Payment Options for Obedience Training at Family Friends Veterinary Hospital
At Family Friends Veterinary Hospital, we offer flexible financing and insurance options for Obedience Training. Sign up today with any of our payment plan partners or contact us for specific questions about insurance coverage. Read more about our financing options here.
Frequently Asked Questions About Pet Obedience Training
Housebreaking with puppies should begin at around eight weeks of age, while verbal commands and obedience training can begin at around four or five months. The earlier you start your dog on obedience training, the easier it will be for it to be effective long-term. However, if you have an adult dog who needs obedience training, it’s still better to try it than to allow negative behaviors to persist.
More often than not, training does help dogs become more social, both around other animals and people who are not their owners. However, it’s important to note that this is not a guarantee for all dogs. Some dog breeds may struggle with social interactions, regardless of training. In these instances, your trainer will work with your pet to minimize aggression and simply have the dog 'co-exist' with other dogs and people, even if they remain anti-social.
If your dog is excelling at leash training, it may be possible to begin training them off-leash. However, off-leash training does come with risks, and not all dog behavior can be completely controlled. Talk with your trainer about the pros and cons of off-leash training to see if it’s right for your pet.
Book an Appointment at Family Friends Veterinary Hospital
New pets are always welcome at Family Friends Veterinary Hospital. Our friendly veterinary staff looks forward to providing our neighbors in Citrus Heights and surrounding communities with the veterinary care they need.
