DOTHAN, Ala. -- Helen Applefield thought a dog-training class would be a good experience for both her dogs and her grandchildren.

So with three of her five golden retrievers in tow, Applefield took her grandchildren - 9-year-old twins Annabeth and Alex Applefield - to the Houston County Farm Center for a Doggie Day Camp. For Applefield, it's important her grandchildren learn early how to handle and work with dogs.

"I think it takes the support of the whole family," Applefield said.

Applefield has the right idea, according to dog trainers. And proper training, they said, is as good for owners as it is for dogs.

"When you're a trainer, you don't train dogs, you train people," said Mychelle Blake, communications director for the Association of Pet Dog Trainers and a trainer herself. "You coach them on how to train their dog."

The training class the Applefields attended was geared toward children and hosted by Houston County 4-H and the Alabama Cooperative Extension System.

"Training builds such a bond," said Renee Jones-Lewis, a certified professional dog trainer and owner of K-9 Connection in Dothan. "... It overflows into other areas because they learn so much about caring for their dogs."

And what they learn will hopefully groom them to become more responsible pet owners.

"You've got to be patient ... and say 'good dog,'" said Annabeth Applefield.

Both Blake and Jones-Lewis said many dogs are turned into animal shelters each year due to owner frustration with simple problems that training can remedy. Chewing, barking, digging, house-training problems or dogs constantly jumping on people can all be addressed through proper training, they said. Behavioral problems in dogs - aggression, separation anxiety - can also be addressed with training.

"Ninety-eight percent of dogs that go to shelters all over the country, it's not because they have temperament problems, it's not because they're vicious, it's because they have training issues," Jones-Lewis said.

It's simple. Dogs do what works for them. If they get affection when they sit, they'll sit.

"You have to train in a way a dog can learn not the way we think they learn," Jones-Lewis said. "It's just learning what works for them. Dogs aren't cookie cutters - just like we're not. If one thing doesn't work for that dog, the trainer has to be able to give another idea."

And put aside the notion that an old dog can't learn new tricks. Jones-Lewis said she once trained a 15-year-old deaf poodle.

"Older dogs are often a lot easier to train because their attention span is a lot longer," Jones-Lewis said. "Older dogs, you can reprogram very quickly."

When it comes to puppies, Blake said training should begin as soon as possible. Of course, until a puppy has had its full round of vaccinations at 12 weeks, they should not be exposed to dogs in training classes. Incorporating training into play time and feeding time will keep training from becoming monotonous, she said.

Blake said since the pet training industry is unregulated, owners should do their homework before choosing a trainer. A good trainer, she said, is one that works well with people as well as dogs. Socializing a dog often is key to keeping problems in check. But, she said, socializing and training need to continue throughout the dog's life. Properly exercising a dog is also a good way to take care of some issues.

Owners should consider one-on-one training before a dog with behavioral issues - especially aggression - are brought into a class setting.

Both Blake and Jones-Lewis said people who want a specific breed need to research the breed carefully to make sure that breed fits with their family.

For example, popular breeds like Labrador retrievers and golden retrievers make great family dogs. However, Blake said, people often have training problems when the breeds aren't give the appropriate attention. Both are sporting dogs bred to fetch game, so they require more athletic exercising. If not given proper toys, training and exercise, both breeds can exhibit problems with chewing, digging or jumping, Blake said.

"People have to step back and look at the dog and think what is this animal's mental and physical needs and are they being met," Blake said. "If they aren't, you're probably going to see some of these behaviors."

Online:

Association of Pet Dog Trainers: http://www.apdt.com