Training a dog can greatly improve the enjoyment you derive from having or working with it. Having better control over your dog potentially could even lower your exposure to liability.
Can you do it? Training, like exercise, playing a musical instrument, or any other learned skill, requires sustained practice.
But with sustained practice, you and your dog can do it. Even wild animals at selected zoos have been trained to hold still or submit body parts for various health checks and procedures.
Question: Is it worth your effort?
Answer: It’s worth every second of effort you expend.
Having a qualified trainer to help you can be invaluable, and there is no true replacement for in-person training. However, books written by qualified trainers can provide a tremendous beginning.
One remarkably qualified, experienced and effective trainer is Brian Kilcommons. I’ve worked with him in the past. He knows dogs, seems to virtually read their minds, and trains them fairly and effectively. One of his books and another book+DVD combo are found here, on Amazon: