We have little documentation prior to World War One(WWI). When we review our history it is easy to see why. Dogs were not valued as highly as they are today. Dogs were not viewed as beloved pets. That is what leads us to believe that there was no need for the formal dog training that exists today. Before the first World War(WWI), Dogs were active and responsible contributors to the family. With very important jobs. Dogs worked farms by herding, guarding/protecting livestock, were exterminators of vermin, took part in the hunt by tracking or even catching prey, pulled carts, provided personal perfection, and even located lost people. The dogs became trained by living and working within their family environment. Dogs needed people and many people needed dogs.

During (WWI) Dogs had a different purpose. Many canine served their country on front lines next to brave men and women. Due to casualties, service dogs were in demand. Armed forces would fill that by training a new generation of dogs to replace fallen combat service dogs. This need brought about the first generation of formal dog trainers.

This need for dogs created compulsion training(for more on compulsion training view"Training theory" lecture) a large number of dogs were able to complete this intense training style, but many could not. The dogs that fell out were considered inferior, unsound or lacked the ability to learn. This created a theory that only the hardest, most alpha dogs could be well trained.

After the end of the first world war military trainers returned to civilian life. These trainers educated in fast pace compulsion training methods had found a demand for these skills due to the fact that many families at this time were transitioning from working farms to factories. because families were not home working farms, family dog had more opportunities at home alone to get into mischief. The owners of these dog were now in the market for some one to train there dogs.

During post WW1 newly discharge military dog trainers were available to fill the need of the families to have there dogs trained. At the time it was socially acceptable to use punishment as a learning tool. The theory that family dogs needed strict punishment based obedience training soon became the social norm of the time. This is not to say that cruelty was common. Post war life was not for the faint of heart. the school of hard knocks was standard practice. As a society the people of the time thought punishment was how social order was held together and maintained. Some people could not excel in this environment and some dog could not complete standard compulsion training.

Late 1930's, American Kennel club (AKC) brought obedience training to United States. During World War Two (WWII) Most Obedience competitions were held, organised, and sanctioned by the AKC. Post war compulsion training had gained a strong foot hold in the dog community. Compulsion training was the common method used to train dog for legitimate obedience competition.

During the second world war dogs were called upon once again to serve and so service dogs were lost to combat and more soldier were trained under compulsion training method to refill the ranks.