| sandmama |
| Posted 4/20/2006 4:37:49 PM |
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Active: 06-08-2005
Posts: 406
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I am looking for feedback from anyone who has taken the Petsmart training classes.
What are their pros and cons? Is it very basic obedience training, like sit and stay, and then they send you on your way, or are they qualified enough to help with problem areas, like excessive barking?
Thank you! |
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| pochiandabhy |
| Posted 4/20/2006 7:48:28 PM |
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Active: 01-28-2006
Posts: 244
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I took Scruffy through those classes. I have been having problems with him so I went to a more qualified trainer this week and he said that the petsmart training methods were part of his problems. We are going to start over now. He said their methods helped lead to his dominence problem in the family. He is the only Dog I took to them and the only Dog I have ever had problems with.
It probably depends on the Dog too but I wouldn't risk it. |
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| elliesdad |
| Posted 4/20/2006 7:58:09 PM |
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Active: 04-20-2006
Posts: 61
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My dad took his little dachsund to the classes and has had excellent results!!
Tom
http://www.pupspot.com |
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| jboth91 |
| Posted 4/20/2006 8:02:34 PM |
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Active: 03-20-2006
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I've taken both my dogs to a licened private breeder. They turned out great!(well, Lady is still going through them, but doing good!) Chloe knows almost any trick you can think of, except flips due to the fact that it's dangerous and i don't know how to teach her that. lol. I'd just go with a professional if I were you. |
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| FunnyBunny |
| Posted 4/20/2006 8:30:47 PM |
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Active: 02-17-2005
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I believe it is just basic obedience training. Sit, stay, lie down, that kind of thing. I would probably go for another trainer. Many of the trainers I have seen in Petsmart are rather young so I can't imagine they would know everything about training, and the training classes are very basic in an enclosed area. From what i've seen anyway. You would probably have much more success through a professional/private trainer. That is what I do and I have taken clients away from Petsmart because of the fact that they don't know how to correct many problems that occur with these dogs. Dominance, aggression in different areas, etc. I wouldn't suggest taking a Dog with a problem to Petsmart as they would most likely work on obedience, rather than correcting the problem that you are having, in this case excessive barking. |
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| emlee3 |
| Posted 4/20/2006 8:42:01 PM |
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Active: 02-11-2006
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Quote sandmama: I am looking for feedback from anyone who has taken the Petsmart training classes.
What are their pros and cons? Is it very basic obedience training, like sit and stay, and then they send you on your... |
well it depends on your petsmart. my mom took her Dog there and she learned a lot..it's mostly basic training (sit down leave it) but the lady who taught the class was an expert on dogs..she even knew about jindos which not a lot of trainers knew how to handle..but you have to check around. i know where i live the petsmart trainer is pretty young so i doubt i take my Dog there. i actually remember all the things they taught me so i taught my Dog all the stuff i learned from petsmart. it's not really that hard..if your having behavior problems then i suggest calling a professional.. |
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| sandmama |
| Posted 4/20/2006 11:37:45 PM |
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Active: 06-08-2005
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Thank you all, that is just what I needed to hear! I may just our new puppy to the puppy socialization class, but go to a trainer in our area for everything else.
While the thread was being approved, I found a trainer that I was able to check references on in my town and their class fee covers lifetime! More expensive but sounds like it is worth it!
Thanks again, the employees that I spoke with about training did seem quite young! |
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| 04chance |
| Posted 5/17/2006 9:11:27 PM |
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Active: 05-17-2006
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Quote sandmama: I am looking for feedback from anyone who has taken the Petsmart training classes.
What are their pros and cons? Is it very basic obedience training, like sit and stay, and then they send you on your... |
Hi there I am actually a certified Petsmart trainer. I do greatly appreciate your interest in our training and I'm not just saying this because I work there but we do go through an extensive training program involving animal behavior, ethology, learning theory etc. We are qualified to train dogs and train people to train dogs. Now depending on where you go the trainers are young. I, myself, am 20 however I have 3 years experience training dogs. 1 of those years was spent training bully breeds. My last 3 jobs I worked with dogs. Also, because your issue was continuous barking I want to tell you several people sign up for my classes for this and have been satisfied at the end of the 8 week program. |
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| maoseger1010 |
| Posted 5/17/2006 10:03:36 PM |
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Forum Moderator
 
Active: 02-20-2005
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Quote sandmama: I am looking for feedback from anyone who has taken the Petsmart training classes.
What are their pros and cons? Is it very basic obedience training, like sit and stay, and then they send you on your... |
I have seen mixed results with Petsmart trianers. A great deal of your outcome depends on two factors, the quility of trainer teaching the class and your ability to take what you are taught and follow through with it at home. I have met some wonderful trainers working at Petsmart and I'm met some ok trainers. So go watch a class or two and see who you like. Not every trainer works for every person/dog. The truth is 98% of all Dog training is training the owner not the dog. Good trainers know that.
Good luck to you. |
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| _Dogs_Rule_ |
| Posted 5/20/2006 10:46:14 AM |
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Active: 05-12-2006
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Instead of Petsmart, loom for a Dog training club in your area. They are many times netter than Petsmart, in the fact that they cover more things than sit, stay, down, they also do chewing, urinating in the house, and any other behavioral problems, in fact there's one near me that goes all the way up to Utility Dog training.Look around, find what fits your dog, and your budget... Oh, did I mention that many times Dog training club classes in time are cheaper than Petsmart. |
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| sandmama |
| Posted 5/20/2006 1:09:41 PM |
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Active: 06-08-2005
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| Quote 04chance: Hi there I am actually a certified Petsmart trainer. I do greatly appreciate your interest in our training and I'm not just saying this because I work there but we do go through an extensive training program... |
Do most of the trainers have on the job experience and not have just gone through training program? Is the training program provided by Petsmart or a program that you went through before being hired by Petsmart?
A class starts June 5th that is $185 and last for lifetime training. I can take the class 2 or 3 times or take it again in 2 years if I need to. I have a friend that went through it with her Boxer that had lots of issues and he has come a long way.
My only concern with the class is that there are 2 times to choose from and you can mix and match which time you want each week. So I am wondering how can he gives the dogs/owners the time they need if one of the times has too many people in it. Shouldn't there be a limit on a ratio?
Our Chi is 1 and I am worried about his response to training because I haven't gotten very far with him on my own. I am worried I will need extra help with him or might need to take extra time.
The classes are only for 6 weeks though and I have to drive a little farther than I would like.
On the other hand is Petsmart for only $99 which has a few extra classes and classes can be made up? I guess before the 5th I should go to observe a Petsmart class and the other trainer before I stick some money into it.
Thank you for all your responses.
Our 4 month old Golden has been doing great on housetraining and sitting so with him I am not so worried about finding training with extra help. I am sure Petsmart classes will be just perfect for him. I am just worried about my stubborn, hyper little Chi!!!! |
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| bestfriend10 |
| Posted 5/23/2006 6:00:04 PM |
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Active: 05-23-2006
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do their do training for bad manners? Like chewing on the carpet and very aggesive to other dogs? |
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| chance04 |
| Posted 5/23/2006 8:07:34 PM |
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Active: 05-23-2006
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| Quote sandmama: Do most of the trainers have on the job experience and not have just gone through training program? Is the training program provided by Petsmart or a program that you went through before being hired by... |
Hi there sorry for the name change. Actually yes all of the trainers have to have some type of training experience but we do go through the Petsmart training as well. However, I ve been told that the AKC does sponser our training. It is all positive reinforcement and we do train dogs in all behaviors not just sit and down. We also go over potty training, nipping, chewing, biting, loose leash walking, heel, come when called, stay, grooming basics, barking, aggression, the list could go on but I think you get the idea. And your absolutly right you should go check out a class first but I think you will really be suprised. Something else you may want to do is ask your Petsmart trainer if they have a demo dog. If they do ask if you can see him/her in action. Our demo dogs are trained the Petsmart way.
I saw that another problem you were faced with was you Chi maybe needing more time if you were to sign up with a Petsmart trainer Im sure they would work with you before and after classes, during the week etc. I know personally I have several students who need extra help and I try to always meet with them when we both have extra time. |
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| DoggyPassion |
| Posted 5/23/2006 8:12:21 PM |
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Active: 02-13-2006
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| Quote FunnyBunny: I believe it is just basic obedience training. Sit, stay, lie down, that kind of thing. I would probably go for another trainer. Many of the trainers I have seen in Petsmart are rather young so I can't... |
It depends on what class you take. There is puppy, basic, advanced, and one harder, but I forget what it is called. They teach sit, heal, "park it" (go to your bed), down (lay down), beg, paw, and so much more.
They teach advanced and basic training. It worked WONDERS for our dogs, and now I have made up tricks of my own using ones they'd learned in the class. I have so much fun with the tricks with them!! Good luck! PetSmart classes are awesome. Two |
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| sandmama |
| Posted 5/23/2006 11:22:10 PM |
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Active: 06-08-2005
Posts: 406
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Thanks Chance04 and Doggypassion!!!!
I found by looking online at Petsmart that after the training session if you are not completely satisfied, you can retake the class! That makes me feel better in case Chewy isn't catching on. He is such a bouncy little thing, even at 14 months old, I can't imagine him wanting to follow directions easily! It also doesn't feel very natural for me to show him the commands. I didn't have any animals growing up and so I am learning so much.
I did go to the local trainer I was thinking of yesterday. There is no way he is able to give much individual attention during class. I also felt like the class size was too big.
I will check out Petsmart now.
Thanks again! |
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| rottwild4ever |
| Posted 3/2/2008 10:29:56 PM |
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Active: 03-02-2008
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| Quote DoggyPassion: It depends on what class you take. There is puppy, basic, advanced, and one harder, but I forget what it is called. They teach sit, heal, "park it" (go to your bed), down (lay down), beg, paw, and so much... |
I have to agree. It does depend on what classes you take and what you are willing to put into it. It does little good to go to a class and never practice your skills at home. Training is a 24 hour a day process. Every time I speak to or interact with my dogs they are learning...that can be a good or bad thing depending on whether you are thinking like a person or a dog. You need a trainer that thinks like a Dog and can open up your pets mind and teach them to think.
Can you get this in a Petsmart training class???
Well yes you can...BUT... It depends on your trainer and there are a lot of great trainers at Petsmart. There are mediocre and inferior ones too so it is up to you as a responsible pet parent to go watch some classes and find out for yourself. You can find all kinds where ever you go. I have had some renowned behaviorist make stupid mistakes that I have been able to correct easily. And yes I was a Petsmart senior trainer for 4 years before that I had 20 years experience with confirmation, agility and obedience trials. So please do not judge a trainer by where they work. Judge them on their own merits. |
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| ccrper |
| Posted 3/3/2008 9:24:48 AM |
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Active: 10-22-2007
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I took my Collie to pet smart. It was for basic training, sit, stay proper leash,no jumping, etc. She was good and I thought the training was very worthwhile. I also liked the evening hours which worked for me. |
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| rottwild4ever |
| Posted 3/3/2008 10:13:52 AM |
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Active: 03-02-2008
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Quote sandmama: Thanks Chance04 and Doggypassion!!!!
I found by looking online at Petsmart that after the training session if you are not completely satisfied, you can retake the class! That makes me feel better in... |
Your pup sounds to me like a perfect candidate for clicker training. You will be amazed at how fast he will catch on. Once you load the clicker and start doing your attention training your pup will focus on you and love to work. You will form a unique and wonderful bond and your Dog will look forward to going to class. Please throw out the old idea's that any correction done properly does not have to be repeated. This is training through pain and it does not give you a friend that works willingly. It will not give you a Dog that can think on it's own.
You only have a 1.5 second window to tell your pet that he has done the right thing. With the clicker you can hit on exactly the behavior you wanted and your pup will have to think about what he was doing when you clicked. You click and reward the behavior and your Dog will have to think about it and will try to repeat the behavior that brings the reward. Yep how easy is that???
Also please go in with a positive attitude. Believe he can do it and he will. If you have positive energy your pup will feed off of that and he can do anything.
Ok I was too long winded but I really try to impress on people that wherever you decide to take your best friend please be sure to use positive reinforcement.
Remember fairness in all things is important.
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