One of the best ways to have fun with your puppy--or grown dog--is, yes, obedience class. You may be resistant to obedience because it reminds you of school, but your dog doesn't have bad memories of Mrs. Taylor in fourth grade. He doesn't even know he's being taught useful skills that will help him function in a foreign society (human society as opposed to dogdom). He thinks he's just playing with his favorite person, you.

Enrolling in an obedience class is a great way to meet like-minded folks, and your dog will love getting to meet other dogs. You can join a class as soon as your puppy has all his shots, and the cost is reasonable (expect to pay around $50-150 for six or eight classes, depending on the instructor's experience and the cost of living in your area). Obedience classes are often held by local animal shelters and rescue organizations as a way to raise badly needed money. Universities and community education programs sometimes offer obedience classes too, as do some kennels, vets, and pet shops. Make some calls and ask around.

For very young puppies, increasingly popular obedience classes called "puppy kindergartens" are a great way to introduce walking on a leash, being appropriately sociable with people and other dogs, and a few obedience basics such as "sit" and "stay." For older dogs, a basic obedience class is a necessary first step before going on to more specialized training, or just a fun way to spend time with your dog.