Petsmart vs training club? - Page 2

**Red_Storm** · 06-09-2008, 07:05 PM

Since you're already enrolled I would stick with Petsmart at least for the time being. Bo will learn and listen, it just takes time. It really was a great place to take Storm. We all had lots of fun, met great people, and she made a lot of new friends.

I have heard positive and negative things about training at Petsmart. Since my wife has a weekend job there and we know the girl that was doing the training we went there. We just finished Storm's first course and she is a totally different dog now. When mutt wonder first started she knew how to sit but would look at me like " I don't wanna" and would ignore me most of the time and be unruly. Now, she listens very well with little to no hesitation and acts much more well mannered now. When she wants something she will automatically sit without me telling her. It was well worth it to my wife and I.

If turd ball here can do it I'm quite sure Bo can

dobegal · 06-09-2008, 07:17 PM

I enjoy the classes at the AKC club in my area. I went for a few times to a vet sponsored class and did not like that mostly because I had gone through the AKC club and the trainers there were more in tune with so many breeds and I like their style of teaching. What I am trying to say is go with your gut. If it fits for you OK

hrd2gt · 06-09-2008, 10:56 PM

I have heard good things about Petsmart myself, but I just recently found out how expensive they are! But like mentioned before, its indoors and a/c. I found the local training places are cheaper... but outside here. I actually started right into agility with all my dogs, I just taught basic stuff at home.

When I went looking for a place to do agility, I actually went to all the available places (all three..) and watched a class in action... I have a strong personality and didnt want to worry about conflicts with the trainer

I highly recommend you check out places before you jump in.

As for your pup testing you...I use a mindset of 'say it once, make it happen'. So if I say sit darnit you better sit or I will sit you! hehe, of course when they sit its followed by cheer and treats. My dogs may be spoiled rotten, but I am pretty strict.

I have one italian that I tell everybody is my rebelling teenager... he ALWAYS tests my limits!!! But I refuse to let him get away with murder, my friends are interested to see how my kids would turn out if I ever have any

**JenTN** · 06-09-2008, 11:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Red_Storm

Since you're already enrolled I would stick with Petsmart at least for the time being. Bo will learn and listen, it just takes time. It really was a great place to take Storm. We all had lots of fun, met great people, and she made a lot of new friends.

I have heard positive and negative things about training at Petsmart. Since my wife has a weekend job there and we know the girl that was doing the training we went there. We just finished Storm's first course and she is a totally different dog now. When mutt wonder first started she knew how to sit but would look at me like " I don't wanna" and would ignore me most of the time and be unruly. Now, she listens very well with little to no hesitation and acts much more well mannered now. When she wants something she will automatically sit without me telling her. It was well worth it to my wife and I.

If turd ball here can do it I'm quite sure Bo can

LOL...she's a cute turd ball!

2RescuedDobies · 06-11-2008, 01:07 AM

I did not have a good experience with Pet Smart and spent months undoing the damage. But there are good trainers everywhere and I am sure there are some good trainers at PetSmart too. I did not like the fact that the trainer I had was reluctant to handle my dog. I joined a SChutzhund club and have my girl has done phenomenally well. go with your gut and change if it does not work. Only you know what's right for your dog.

Leroythedobe · 06-11-2008, 05:22 AM

JenTN...did you go to petsmart off morrell rd?

**JenTN** · 06-11-2008, 09:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Leroythedobe

JenTN...did you go to petsmart off morrell rd?

Yup

LPacker79 · 06-12-2008, 05:03 PM

The problem with Petsmart classes is that they are cookie cutter. A great instructor can make a world of difference, but the basics are really all the same.

The store I work at has 3 instructors. 1 full time and 2 part time. Of all 3, the only one I would have any confidence in is one of the part timers. She does competitive obedience with her Shelties and her and I just "mesh" on many things (feeding, vaccine schedules, behavioral stuff). However, since she isn't allowed to go outside of the Petsmart boundaries she's not allowed to use all of the knowledge she has. I think she actually is on the verge of quitting because of this. Nobody's seen her since her last class ended 3 months ago.

I think for Joe Schmoe who doesn't really know what he's doing the Petsmart classes are fine if you do the homework at home as well. That goes for any type of training of course, but I've seen too many people with an unruly ill mannered puppy/dog who says "I don't know what the problem is, he's been through the puppy/beginner classes here!"

I'm all for positive training, but it's not all sunshine and rainbows. When push comes to shove if I need to give a small correction I don't want to be the class pariah. Hell, Poseidon is 11-13 and still tests his boundaries when it comes to obedience. He's a Sibe after all LOL.

I'll be looking for training other than Petsmart when I finally do get my Dobe in the next couple years.

The funny thing is I was just asked last week by one of the managers if I'd like to take the dog training course and pick up a few classes. I said no.

LPacker79 · 06-12-2008, 05:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kimbertalkls

I know several people with dogs that have AKC obedience titles who applied at the local petsmart for work. They were turned down for the training posoition because the petsmart here, I do not know if this is store policy, wanted to train the employee to train only their method.
As a trainer for 30+ years I would say no one method will work on every dog. I have attended symposiums but Koehler, several dog clubs, etc and if you read a new tarining book and get two things that work out of it I figure it was worth the buy.
My suggestion is to call around for any training classes, go out and watch a couple of classes and find a trainer who is not excessive, gets results and gets a positive reaction from the dogs. If the owners are dropping out each week and you see something you wouldn't do with your dog, go elsewhere. If you ask the trainer a question and they do not give you a reasonable answer or if you tell them you tried what they said and they can not give you an alternative, then I would look elsewhere. For puppy kindergarten I have had pups gop to petsmart and the people were happy so again, each must be evaluated. Good luck. Anne

Yep, Petsmart policy. They want only their methods taught. I forget the exact length of the class, but it's something like 30 hours of bookwork. Don't quote me on that, but it's definitely not enough to be called a "dog trainer" in the true sense of it.

Excellent post, very informative.

reddobes · 06-12-2008, 08:40 PM

A good trainer is one who knows how to do what works for THAT dog.
I'm not a big fan of Petsmart classes, although if that is your only option, it is certainly better than nothing. Most of the trainers have little training or experience.
I am lucky in that we have several excellent training facilities in our metro area and a really good one moved in right next door to our clinic. I like places that offer more than just your basic obedience and trainers that have experience and actually participate in/achieve titles on their own dogs.
In Isabel's beginner obed. class, there was a rescue Dogue de Bordeaux who had been abused. While he participated in the class, the instructor often modified what she had his owner do with him because of his extensive fears. By the end of the 8 weeks, he was a different dog he was standing wagging his tail and would even sniff a stranger. When he started, he clung to the floor, hid behind his owner and could hardly walk on the leash.
A good trainer and a willing owner can make a world of difference. On the same token a bad trainer and/or an owner not willing to put in the effort can create new problems or worsen existing issues.