petsmart training class

[babyshihlvr]

i was readin through some threads and it seems like some people arent very fond of petsmart training classes.

how come?

i have signed up for a puppy class that will start on monday. i have met the trainer 2 times and i have observed her traing other dogs. she seems nice like she knows what she is doing?!

im new to this and i was just wondering ,what i should look for.

[oodlesofpoodles]

As I said in the other thread, I do think the class is nice but do not recommend it. Due to the puppies not having all their puppy vaccines. There are a lot of people that do take sick puppies in petsmart to walk around and a puppy with only 2 sets of vaccines does not have enough immunity in its body to protect it from the diseases. Wait until it has all 4 or 5 sets then sign up. at 16 weeks it is still a puppy. I am sure if you talk to your vet, he will say the same thing. No public places untill has all sets of puppy vaccs. I am not against the training classes at Petsmart. They are good. Just go when your puppy has all it's vaccines.

[KYS]

I used Petco trainers twice.
(I'll assume Petco and Petsmart are about the same?)

The first was in my opinion CRUMMY!

The second Petco trainer, I used was wonderful for socializing, basic obediece and even behavior problems.
She was very confident/comfortable around all dogs,
and if a dog was a bit of a challenge she spent some extra time with the owner, while still never ignoring other's
in her class.

IF you feel "comfortable" with the training methods
and the way the trainer teaches don't worry.
In my opinion the trainer should be confident,competent,
knowledgeable, not harsh and love
what he or she does.
Their are good and bad in every field.


I hope I don't get flamed, but
I do agree with oodlesofpoodles about waiting
for your puppy to have its shots before
going to a Petsmart class.
My friend who gave me Rocky wanted me to take
him to kindergarten classes, before he got his
last shots. Breeders and trainers do seem to have
a split about the pro's and con's on when to
start puppy classes when it comes to shots.
But I ended up listening to my vet. and waited.

[kai]

I don't want to give you the wrong idea about petsmart..they can be great. Just in my experience, I didn't like them. The trainers that ran the classes seemed to depend on foods/treats. To some people, that's fine but to me, I'd rather Kai learn that I am the boss not just when I have food. The socialization wasn't that great either for Kai. He would bark on and on when other dogs were around him, he wasn't agressive but he just wanted to see them. What they did was confine him to one area...which couldn't help in any way. We didn't learn anything out of the class. I knew everything they said before I went there. And now, we're repeating the basic obedience because he can't seem to focus his attention on me. I would have expected them to help us out a bit more. They just told us...that we would be learning whatever we were learning that day...and that was it. They didn't tell us about the method....Again this was from my experience, your trainers could be alot better. Good luck!

[aly]

I don't recommend them because the "trainers" are not very well qualified. They only go through a 6 week course in order to teach the class. Dog training is an on-going process and trainers should be going to conferences and reading constantly. Anyone can call themselves a trainer so it is sometimes hard to find a qualified one. I am lucky that I am in the business so I know where all the good ones are in my area.

Also, the little area that they teach in is way too squished together and not good for learning.

If you go to a Petsmart class, you *may* get a decent trainer, but chances are you probably won't.

One of the Petsmarts here teaches "leave it" in a very confusing way to the doggies and the "trainer" is not very good at all.

[Dixieland Dancer]

Any training class is only as good as the trainer. You can find a good one in PetsMart or a bad one at a so called training club. You need to feel comfortable with the trainer and the methods being used. If your not then look for another one.

About the puppy shots, after the third set (usually around 12 weeks) I would wait about one week and then enroll in class. This gives the pup enough immunity to be protected. Consult with your vet though for their recommendations.

[wolf_Q]

Well, I could not find any other trainers in my area. There is NOTHING around here.....some in Salt Lake City, but right now, I really cannot afford to drive that far for classes...not to mention, I've never even driven up there and I'm a chicken.

So, in doing what I *can* for Nebo, I went to Petsmart. I, apparently in the minority here, actually enjoyed the class. I went through the Puppy Class, and just recently the Basic Obedience. I plan on doing the Advanced too, after he's a bit more mature.

I'm sure it varies with the trainer in each area. I had the other trainer as a substitute a couple of times, and I really did not like her.

The trainers that ran the classes seemed to depend on foods/treats. To some people, that's fine but to me, I'd rather Kai learn that I am the boss not just when I have food.

Which class did you take? For the puppy class we did rely heavily on food. I don't see what's so horrible about that. The pup is happy to work for a reward! I've always used lots of treats for Nebo. But he will work without a treat JUST FINE.....I weaned him off of them....so he does *not* have to see a treat to do what he's told, he doesn't even have to receive one at all. It's possible to use treats to train a dog and have them still know you are the boss and work for you, I promise. And I think clicker training works great!

Guess that's just my opinion though.

[Dixieland Dancer]

Originally posted by wolf_Q
So, in doing what I *can* for Nebo, I went to Petsmart. I, apparently in the minority here, actually enjoyed the class.

I have followed Amy's threads on her training with Nebo and it sounds like she found a wonderful trainer at PetsMart. The trainer (not the location) is the difference between a good class and a bad class.

I also advacate clicker training. Using food for rewards is a great way to teach. The common mistake with food that most handlers make is not taking the lure of food away once the dog understands the command. It is a gradual thing and I have found that most handlers are the ones who aren't confident reducing taking the food away when the dog is clearly ready.

[lizbud]

I attended a PetsMart Basic Puppy Manners class with Moki
and we both loved it & learned from it.We then took an Advanced
Puppy class(same instructor) and Moki & I learned even more.
It probably depends on the instructor you happen you choose to
run the class. Our instructor was excellent. I chose an afternoon
class that was less crowded (used 1 hr vacation time once a
week for classes). She has since left to open her own dog
training school. Here's what she says about choosing a trainer;

How to Select a Dog Trainer or Instructor

by Laura VanArendonk Baugh, www.CaninesInAction.com
There are many people calling themselves dog trainers, but you shouldn't trust your dog to just any of them! There is no licensing body for trainers and no formal education. Training is traditionally a trade learned through apprenticing and self-teaching, so it's important to choose your trainer carefully.

Although there is no licensing body for trainers, there are several professional organizations. Ask what professional memberships your potential trainer holds. The Association of Pet Dog Trainers offers a voluntary certification program for trainers; look for the initials CPDT.
Trainers also attend conferences and workshops to learn new techniques, practice handling different types of dogs or other animals and generally further their education. Feel free to ask what they've done lately.
Ask for references and call recent graduates to see what they thought of their experiences.
Attend a class to observe before enrolling. Most trainers will happily allow this; if you encounter a trainer who won't let you see a class without paying first, you probably didn't want him anyway. Use this time to look at the attitudes of both dogs and humans. Training should be fun! It should not resemble drill work. If the dogs are not performing well, or if they are performing well but are miserable, or if the humans are miserable, this is not the class for you.
While you're there, observe how the trainer teaches. Instructors should explain the new behaviors clearly, demonstrating with a dog from class and perhaps their own dogs. Questions should be addressed promptly and clearly, and personal attention should be given as the class practices on their own.
Your instructor should allow all family members or others who regularly interact with the dog to attend. The dog is a member of the family; allowing only one person to train is preparing the dog to fail with others in the household.
Make sure you are comfortable with the methods used. No training method should ever cause pain or endanger a dog; avoid anyone who hits, kicks, hangs, or otherwise abuses a dog. Trainers should be friendly to the owners, too – make sure the one you choose is approachable and encourages communication.
Your trainer should teach methods which your entire family can use. Each family member should be able to effectively work with the dog, regardless of age, size or physical strength.
Finally, follow your instincts. If a trainer just feels wrong, trust that feeling. When you really connect with someone, you'll feel it!


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[clara4457]

I actually recommend you contact your local SPCA or Humane Society and see if they offer classes. I also took my Leo to Petsmart first, but found that trying to train him within the store was difficult. I also didn't like the fact that he didn't get a chance to really romp and play with the other dogs, and we didn't really have much room to manuever. We went through all the classes and continued training at home so it was valuable, but a few weeks later the SPCA offered classes and they were much better -more detailed and Lynn (the trainer) also spent time going over real behavioral problems and solutions. I also liked the fact that the money I was spending helped fund the shelter (although Petsmart does contribute to rescue organizations).

Of course it is always great when people take their dogs to any training class - it benefits everyone.

Good Luck

Leo's Mom and life partner