If you've never owned a dog before and you want it trained well, take a class. Start calling around now and start planning and talk to some expert trainers about timing.

A well trained dog is so much more a treat and is a far more pleasurable pet to have around than an untrained "yapper".

Edit: Note, the class is for you, not your dog. You have to take it with your dog though. The class is to train you how to train your dog.