One said to the other..."The thing I hate about obedience school is you learn ALL this stuff you will never use in the real world."
I've heard several trainers say, that it's not about training the animal, it's about training their person. Dogs don't fail training; it's the handlers who give up.
Just like when humans learn a new habit or method, consistency is the key. Our dogs rely upon us to be consistent with them, so they learn that what we are teaching them is important. If, when we learned how to drive, we never heard another instruction or saw a street sign after the initial teaching, our driving would be chaos. We would run through intersections; speed through construction zones; drive on the wrong side of the street and park in the oddest of places (if we actually were able to arrive in one piece). Consistent teaching and reminders help us, and our dogs, to learn how to live safely.
I hear comments every day during my walks with my dog. From the lady next door who has her dog stop and wait at every corner before crossing the street on her command, to the one across the street who is constantly yelling "no!", and "I don't know why he forgot all his training." The lady next door and her dog appear to walk leisurely (or run when she's exercising); and they both appear to be enjoying their time together. Across the street, she appears haggard and frustrated and her dog appears confused. He cowers each time she yells. They both appear to be experiencing stress.
Enjoy your dog and your time together with consistent training - for both of you. Learn and use methods that work without the use of force, aggression, gadgets, choke chains or fear. You simply convey your status of leader in a way that your dog understands and you will both be less stressed.
Before buying a pet, consider saving a life instead - adopt from a shelter. They are not "used" or "less than perfect" animals; they are perfect little furry angels with open hearts looking to share love.
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