PetSmart Training Classes

ORIGINAL: sheprano

ORIGINAL: Dulce Pit Bull


The question you asked was if we thought petsmart was good or not.

ooh I seemed to have missed that key question. I gess if I had to say wether Rory learned things from the class itself  I'd say no. It was more me incorporating the exercise's they showed us ONE TIME and teaching her at home.

Thank you, this is helpful, as were many other posts from other members, I think I will just continue to train her on my own, and hang out in petsmart where the other dogs are hanging out until the weather gets better, thank you everyone[]

ORIGINAL: jjsmom06

Ok, now you're just being rude. I'm done explaining myself.

[sm=lol.gif]  ok...sorry for apologizing to you for my misunderstanding!

Good luck with training your pupper Lilea![]

JJsmom and pollypuzu, thank you for your help and for trying to explain what I meant by my original question
I took Spiritdogs advice and got a book on how to train small dogs that I think is going to be very useful to me.  I haven't had a chance to apply anything from the book yet but I have taught Tasha to sit and shake on my own.  The next task is to teach her "on me"  from the book. 
I just really wish the weather was better so we could go out :/
 
OH, and I would love to see pictures of your pug-zu Polly
 

I took Spiritdogs advice and got a book on how to train small dogs that I think is going to be very useful to me.

OH GOOD!!!  Anne always has some very helpful suggestions when it comes to training! []

[&:]  I wouldn't knock the PS idea as long as you're recognizing it for what it is.  When it comes to many high-traffic animal-related businesses I've often had good results simply by taking aside an employee and politely asking them which trainer they would reccommend.  When I did this at PS the young lady thought for a moment and then told me quite frankly that I wouldn't want person X or person Y, but that person Z's class is much better structured. 

The PS classes in my case were to provide a training routine for my roommate with the dog, and to have the dog go through the routine in a high-traffic, completely new location.  It was really just to teach both of them how to interact better.  I find it's easier for a stranger to tell someone close 'no, no, don't do it that way' than it is for you to.  For my $80 they both got some training.  []

I would like to add that taking your dog to group classes is a great thing to do to socialize your dog after he's gone through obedience training in your home first. A dog or puppy needs to be trained first in an area where there are no distractions then with distractions. I love Petsmart and spend lots of  money there but I have watched some of the trainers and most are kids who don't know what they are doing. Even for a 'seasoned' trainer trying to teach a group of puppies is just chaotic. Most pups just want to play and like I said, that's fine after the dog has been trained.

ORIGINAL: Dulce Pit Bull

I personally hate petsmart trainers because I've seen them yell at the dogs, LOUDLY, and physically hurt the dogs. (Yes, I said I've seen physical harm)

 
If you see this happening again, report it to the manager.  This is very against what they've been taught.  They're only allowed to use positive techniques.
The classes really just depend on the trainer.  Some are good, some are not so good.  Personally, I'd just find another training place because I don't feel that my dogs can learn very well in such a distracting environment.  But the classes could be great if you're looking for different ways to practice what you've already taught and to bullet-proof them.