PetSmart Training Classes

I think it depends on what u are looking for.  I took my puppy there and it was 8 weeks.  Just basic training or tricks really, sit-stay-shake-lay down- watch and stuff like that.  If you are having problems with your dog and looking for that sort of training, then i do not recommend petsmart.  It is also good for socialization.

I would advise you to get a personal trainer; one who can come to your house and train YOU to train your dog. I am a dog trainer and that's what I do for my clients.

PetSmart has some good trainers and some not-so-good trainers. I took Floyd when I first got him. He was very nicely trained already but had some fear issues so it was very good for him to realize that the crowded, noisy situation wasn't going to hurt him.

I think it also depends what you are looking for. They are probably OK for learning the basics with a dog that doesn't have issues, but I wouldn't go there expecting to resolve fear aggression roblems or dog aggression problems etc.

I was in Petsmart buying fish for our tank and happened by the training ring in time to see my BF watching the lesson and smirking.  He has now lived with a trainer long enough to know crap when he sees it LOL.  Not saying all the PS trainers are bad, but more often than not, in this neck of the woods, they are not the best available.
Better than nothing perhaps, but if you live where there aren't good trainers, you can buy a clicker and go here:
www.clickerlessons.com for free help.  Also, the most important reason to go to puppy class is so the pups socialize with other pups that they don't know.  So, if there's nowhere else, go.

I really wasn't impressed with Petsmart training. If anyone had any questions beyond just "how to teach sit", the girl was clueless. I switched to an experienced trainer who works on her own and I loved how much information we got from her, and how knowledgable she was.

I really wasn't impressed with Petsmart training. If anyone had any questions beyond just "how to teach sit", the girl was clueless. I switched to an experienced trainer who works on her own and I loved how much information we got from her, and how knowledgable she was.

 
I had the same experience at Petsmart. The instructor was very nice, but she was clearly not experienced. She was constantly checking her manual and would have been completely lost without it. I'd also recommend an experienced trainer who can do one-on-one training sessions. It's well worth the extra cost, especially it you're dealing with more difficult problems.

I don't believe petsmart "trainers" are qualified to deal with a lot of the issues some people have.
 
Anyone can teach a dog basic commands, such as "sit" or "down", but it takes a special person to teach more complicated things like "staying" and heeling, and off leash work.
 
IMO, the trainers there are just as qualified as the "pet expert" people who know NOTHING about the section they're in, wwhether it be fish, reptiles, dogs or cats.
(I am NEVER helped there)
 
But that is just my own experience, and may just be that particular store.
 
But I think you;re better off spending your money on a better qualified trainer, with great references, and experience, and if you've heard them from word of mouth.
 
What area are you in? I can help you find one if you'd like.

We went through PetSmart, and we were lucky to get an experienced and a talented trainer. I didn't always agree with her methods, but she took extra time after class to personally talk to me and answer all my questions. I think, is an exception rather than a rule...

One of the problems with these kinds of classes is that instructors move at a general pace, and not at the learning pace of your dog, which is very important. Without successfully learning step A, you shouldn't proceed to step B *with* distractions.

Another issue I saw was that there was no mention of dog-to-owner *communication*. Nothing about how and why we should listen to them *during training*, nothing about dog's body language - all about conditioning.

The purpose of these classes, I think, is to introduce you to dog training. Puppy class was a good introduction, further on, I would suggest taking classes elsewhere.

The best thing I got out of it, was giving my dog an opportunity to socialize with other dogs and kids (there are plenty of both in PetSmart), and opportunity to practice self-control.

My dachshund Shooter & I are in a Pet Smart puppy class now.  I am there only for the socialization as I clicker train & this particular trainer has no knowledge of clicker training.  The trainer does seem very knowledgable & is humble enough to tell before I paid for classes that she was not qualified to help me along with clicker training.  The socialization is helping Shooter immensely and we are way ahead of the exercises that the rest of the class is performing.  I think if you want to socialize, petsmart is ok, but if you want to truly train the dog, then you are probably best served elsewhere.

 10 years ago I couldn't get on an electrical job (wrong sex!) so I started grooming at Petsmart. Their grooming instruction was totally nuts, and they were just starting to offer dog training. I expressed interest and was astounded by how lame their requirements were! Read the book, presto changeo you're a dog trainer!At that time I had been involved with training dogs for over 20 years, and they said they didn't think  I could do it. As for the grooming, the person in charge of groomer training told me once that I was grooming a Cairn Terrier completley wrong. The owner had come to me and asked if I could make his pet look like a Cairn  and I did. The man had been satisfied for six months, but this woman, who had never seen a properly groomed Cairn, had the moxie to tell me I didn't know what a Cairn should look like. People would request that I groom their dogs, and I was told that Petsmart didn't like people to ask for a particular groomer, as they wanted all dogs done the Petsmart way! I'VE ALWAYS TRIED TO SATISFY THE INDIVIDUAL! Long story short, in the few months I worked there, I was constantly disappointed. Most days, 90 percent of the groom clients asked for me, but I had to tell these folks that other groomers would be doing their dogs, and most of those groomers had one haircut they knew how to do. A #10 STRIP!

ORIGINAL: TinaK

We went through PetSmart, and we were lucky to get an experienced and a talented trainer. I didn't always agree with her methods, but she took extra time after class to personally talk to me and answer all my questions. I think, is an exception rather than a rule...

One of the problems with these kinds of classes is that instructors move at a general pace, and not at the learning pace of your dog, which is very important. Without successfully learning step A, you shouldn't proceed to step B *with* distractions.

Another issue I saw was that there was no mention of dog-to-owner *communication*. Nothing about how and why we should listen to them *during training*, nothing about dog's body language - all about conditioning.

The purpose of these classes, I think, is to introduce you to dog training. Puppy class was a good introduction, further on, I would suggest taking classes elsewhere.

The best thing I got out of it, was giving my dog an opportunity to socialize with other dogs and kids (there are plenty of both in PetSmart), and opportunity to practice self-control.

 
 
This was my experience as well, with Peanut.  I tried to take a beginners class with Draico for the same reason, but found that trainer had left, so decided to look for another trainer in the area.

ORIGINAL: Dulce Pit Bull

I don't believe petsmart "trainers" are qualified to deal with a lot of the issues some people have.

Anyone can teach a dog basic commands, such as "sit" or "down", but it takes a special person to teach more complicated things like "staying" and heeling, and off leash work.

IMO, the trainers there are just as qualified as the "pet expert" people who know NOTHING about the section they're in, wwhether it be fish, reptiles, dogs or cats.
(I am NEVER helped there)

But that is just my own experience, and may just be that particular store.

But I think you;re better off spending your money on a better qualified trainer, with great references, and experience, and if you've heard them from word of mouth.

What area are you in? I can help you find one if you'd like.

I really just thought it would be good for the socializing and basic training, especially since its too windy and rainy to go outside.  She doesn't necessarily have any problems.  A trainer like you are talking about would be great but I really dont think I could afford it.

Then what's the problem?
 
You said your dog "seriously needs help".
 
If she doesn't have any problems, and it's only for
socializing, then take her to a park.
 
I pay $120 for  a month of classes at the TOP trainer in my area and it's fantastic. Just about the same as PetSmart, but WAY better. So it IS possible to find something better.

She didn't say her dog "seriously needed help," what she said was she didn't want to take her dog unless it would "seriously help her dog."  I think that can mean two different things entirely. 

I've paid top dollar to have a certified master dog trainer train both my Eskies, and it was necessary because this breed can be difficult and I don't regret spending the money one bit. Also, two weeks ago I got a 9-week old pug-zu (mutt) myself and she is way easier to train so far than my other dogs were.  However, I do not think it is as necessary to spend tons of money with a dog who primarily needs socialization and basic skills.  From what I've read, this dog is not going to be shown or bred, and it is not the type of dog that needs excessive exercise or obedience training, as other breeds do.  Therefore, in my opinion-and I stress, this is my opinion, basic obedience and commands are adequate.  And if your still unsure, go an observe a PetSmart class and then decide if it's what you want for your dog.