Valley shelter offering dog training for National Train your Dog Month

PHOENIX, Ariz. (FOX 10) - How well does your dog listen? If you've been having some trouble getting your pet to listen, you're in luck. January is National Train your Dog Month and a Valley shelter is offering all levels of classes for dogs of all ages.

It's an age old question, can you teach an old dog new tricks? Arizona Humane Society says absolutely yes.

"Its' all about hot dogs, smelly treats, really hig value treats," said Breatta Nelson with the Arizona Humane Society.

Breatta Nelson says treats are a huge motivator, but it's the relationship between the dog and owner that guarantees success.

"We really believe in positive reinforcement so what the owners will do is they will bring the treats that they would have at home and then our trainers will have even higher value treats like chicken and hot dogs, cheese things like that ," said Nelson.

The Humane Society offers a variety of training classes from beginner to advanced to specialty.

Dog owners train their pets for a variety of reasons.

"I think they are very important in regards to him being a good citizen when we take him out to the park interacting with other people so we want to make sure that he is well behaved," said Jamie Lee.

Training includes a series of four, one-hour classes per level. Arizona Humane Society is offering 20 percent off on classes through the month of January.