Every dog should get obedience training. Use a gentle hand, be kind, use tons of praise and small cookies. Make it fun. Don't make it work. I don't know of any "dog people" who would advise against obedience, but if someone did indeed say such a thing to you, disregard it. They obviously are not dog people. You lab may get big. He may start to like to pull you around on the leash, and he may think that he has to jump on someone in order to say "hi" to them. That's one thing for a 3 pound dog, that's quite another for a lab. It will strengthen the bond between dog and handeler...I guarantee it! He will have a new found respect for you, he will get a chance to prove his love to you, he will have a better time around other dogs, as it also teaches dogs how to socalize properly with one another.

If and when you do obedience, use a gentle hand. Just keep that in mind. Make it fun. That's all that you have to remember. If you are not having fun then chances are Goblin is not having fun either and that will defeat the purpose of obedience. Just make it into a game with TONS of rewards. Most of the obedience places I have seen focus on having fun. Just research it a bit and make sure you find a place that does positive reinforcement training (with praise, lots of cookies etc.)

Hey, find a good training school, sign up for a class and in 3 weeks, if you don't find it fun and you don't enjoy it and Goblin hates going to class and hates learning things to better his behavior then just stop going and forget what we all told you I am willing to bet tho, that if you do sign up for a class and take him to class that you will both enjoy it very much and you will be glad you did it.