Petsmart Trainers :HELP: really need advice

• 03-07-2008 9:35 PM

  BlackLabbie Joined on 01-27-2008 South of Boston Posts 991 Points 170

  Petsmart Trainers :HELP: really need advice Reply Contact Has anyone ever used a Petsmart Trainer?? We met with one today, I really liked her, and told her the only issue we can't get through is Apollo's leash reactiveness towards little dogs...she said she could help and since he knows basic obedience, we *should* only need a 1 hour private session, if we need more we can always add on. She said no prongs/chokes/gentle leaders were allowed...only flat collars. That's fine, except Apollo has pulled out of a flat collar before to get to another dog when we first got him...so what should I use to get him into Petsmart if another dog is there? No treat/toy could get his attention when he sees another dog...he's fine once he's off the leash with the other dog but sometimes on leash he can be a beasty . I'm going to book a time when it's least busy, so we're not going Saturday afternoon, lol. Also, anyone know what she's going to recommend for us?? Any ideas??

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• 03-07-2008 11:14 PM

  In reply to BlackLabbie

  spiritdogs Joined on 09-10-2007 Posts 9,997 Points 715

  Re: Petsmart Trainers :HELP: really need advice Reply Contact Well, you could use an Easy Walk Harness to get in, then just switch the leash to the dog's collar for the session.  If any aversives, such as leash corrections are suggested, run the other way.  Training the leash reactive dog involves gradual desensitization, and always working at a distance from the other dogs that your dog can tolerate without reacting.  So, your dog gets rewarded copiously (preferably with food that is extremely high value to the dog) for not reacting when the other dog is 200 yards away, then 190 yards, then 170 yards, etc. until you can have your dog within a couple of feet and he doesn't react.  Takes time and patience, but well worth it.  The 200 yards is not an actual figure - it just represents the distance you must be away from the other dog so that your dog doesn't react, however far that distance is. Good books on reactive dogs: Emma Parsons' "Click to Calm", Ali Brown's "Scaredy Dog", and Patricia McConnell's "Feisty Fido".   Regional Director for Massachusetts, International Positive Dog Training Association Director, SeniorCare Pawsitive Connections Program AKC CGC Evaluator #3669 Therapy Dogs, Inc. Tester/Observer Sioux, CGC, TDInc. Maska, CGC, TDInc. Sequoyah, CGC Fergie, Retired Lap Dog, Age 19 Dancer, CGC, TDInc. (1989-2006) #1 Heart Dog "If you talk to the animals they will talk with you and you will know each other. If you do not talk to them you will not know them and what you do not know, you will fear. What one fears, one destroys." - Chief Dan George "The fidelity of a dog is a precious gift demanding no less binding moral responsibilities than the friendship of a human being. The bond with a true dog is as lasting as the ties of this earth can ever be." ~ Konrad Lorenz

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• 03-07-2008 11:58 PM

  In reply to spiritdogs

  Pwca Joined on 09-10-2006 Dallas, Texas Posts 1,315 Points 310

  Re: Petsmart Trainers :HELP: really need advice Reply Contact I would talk to her and ask about a martingale (premier) collar- they're not inherently aversive and are MUCH more secure than a flat buckle collar.  Some Petsmart trainers are great- I have two locally who are newish but knowlegable dog people who are stewarding at my rally trial in May, and our regional coordinator is excellent. But some of the others are really awful- sounds like you have one of the good ones.

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• 03-08-2008 7:19 AM

  In reply to BlackLabbie

  FourIsCompany Joined on 07-30-2007 Posts 4,735 Points 1,135

  Re: Petsmart Trainers :HELP: really need advice Reply Contact From what I've read (I have no personal experience with them) PetSmart uses only "positive trainers". Personally, if someone told me that they wouldn't allow me to control my dog in the only way I knew how and didn't offer a viable alternative, I wouldn't hire them. Did you express your concerns? I would call them ahead of time and ask them for an alternative.   LSTM (Laughing Silently to Myself) Click Daily to Give Free Food and Care to Animals: http://www.theanimalrescuesite.com/clickToGive/home.faces?siteId=3

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• 03-08-2008 8:14 AM

  In reply to FourIsCompany

  Jewlieee Joined on 03-23-2007 MI Posts 5,566 Points 4,170	Re: Petsmart Trainers :HELP: really need advice Reply Contact If it were me I'd put him in a martingale and not even mention it to the trainer.
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• 03-08-2008 12:08 PM

  In reply to FourIsCompany

  BlackLabbie Joined on 01-27-2008 South of Boston Posts 991 Points 170

  Re: Petsmart Trainers :HELP: really need advice Reply Contact I did and she said, don't worry- I'll meet your at the door, and we'll walk in together with just the flat collar and a leash. But I really am not sure about it, I'm so nervous he'll get out, I told her how big he was, and this was the only thing I did not like about her, she said "i don't know about that number, thats pretty big for a lab"....he's over 100lbs, not fat either, he's obviously mixed with something large though.

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• 03-08-2008 12:55 PM

  In reply to BlackLabbie

  FourIsCompany Joined on 07-30-2007 Posts 4,735 Points 1,135

  Re: Petsmart Trainers :HELP: really need advice Reply Contact Try not to be nervous. He'll pick up on your emotions. Make sure his collar is tight enough that he can't slip it and give her the leash. Maybe SHE needs a lesson. LOL She may not know he's mixed with something else. LSTM (Laughing Silently to Myself) Click Daily to Give Free Food and Care to Animals: http://www.theanimalrescuesite.com/clickToGive/home.faces?siteId=3

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• 03-08-2008 4:01 PM

  In reply to Jewlieee

  BlackLabbie Joined on 01-27-2008 South of Boston Posts 991 Points 170	Re: Petsmart Trainers :HELP: really need advice Reply Contact Jewlieee: If it were me I'd put him in a martingale and not even mention it to the trainer.   . I think thats what I'm going to do. Just for the security factor. I found a really nice plaid one...  http://regalhound.com/store/cart.php?m=product_detail&p=271
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• 03-08-2008 5:37 PM

  In reply to FourIsCompany

  spiritdogs Joined on 09-10-2007 Posts 9,997 Points 715

  Re: Petsmart Trainers :HELP: really need advice Reply Contact FourIsCompany: Try not to be nervous. He'll pick up on your emotions. Make sure his collar is tight enough that he can't slip it and give her the leash. Maybe SHE needs a lesson. LOL She may not know he's mixed with something else.   Actually, it doesn't matter how tight you make a collar - a dog can still slip it.  The martingale is a better idea, and you can change to a flat once inside. BTW, most Petsmart stores have no secure area where the lessons are held.  The one near here had a dog escape out the door onto a major highway, so now (afterward -ugh) they are putting real gates up, not just the flimsy ring gates.  There should be a double door safe system anywhere you train.  Otherwise, escapes are possible, and you can't safely do any off leash play or work.  Not acceptable in my book. Petsmart uses what they call positive trainers, but I have seen their trainers using leash corrections to teach "heel", and not allowing puppy play time, so their definition of positive isn't the same as some others.  Investigate - go watch a class before you sink your money. Regional Director for Massachusetts, International Positive Dog Training Association Director, SeniorCare Pawsitive Connections Program AKC CGC Evaluator #3669 Therapy Dogs, Inc. Tester/Observer Sioux, CGC, TDInc. Maska, CGC, TDInc. Sequoyah, CGC Fergie, Retired Lap Dog, Age 19 Dancer, CGC, TDInc. (1989-2006) #1 Heart Dog "If you talk to the animals they will talk with you and you will know each other. If you do not talk to them you will not know them and what you do not know, you will fear. What one fears, one destroys." - Chief Dan George "The fidelity of a dog is a precious gift demanding no less binding moral responsibilities than the friendship of a human being. The bond with a true dog is as lasting as the ties of this earth can ever be." ~ Konrad Lorenz

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• 03-08-2008 5:48 PM

  In reply to spiritdogs

  BlackLabbie Joined on 01-27-2008 South of Boston Posts 991 Points 170

  Re: Petsmart Trainers :HELP: really need advice Reply Contact spiritdogs: Actually, it doesn't matter how tight you make a collar - a dog can still slip it.  The martingale is a better idea, and you can change to a flat once inside. BTW, most Petsmart stores have no secure area where the lessons are held.  The one near here had a dog escape out the door onto a major highway, so now (afterward -ugh) they are putting real gates up, not just the flimsy ring gates.  There should be a double door safe system anywhere you train.  Otherwise, escapes are possible, and you can't safely do any off leash play or work.  Not acceptable in my book. Petsmart uses what they call positive trainers, but I have seen their trainers using leash corrections to teach "heel", and not allowing puppy play time, so their definition of positive isn't the same as some others.  Investigate - go watch a class before you sink your money. That's my #1 concern, because if he did slip the collar he's OK with other dogs, it's just the highway is right there, and even though he has good recall I don't want there to even be a chance of him getting hit by a car....thats my worst nightmare... This Petsmart has an enclosed area, and the trainer said she only uses positive training, so I'm not sure what she's going to show me exactly, but since I only signed on for a 1hour class I'm not too committed.

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• 03-08-2008 7:22 PM

  In reply to BlackLabbie

  jennie_c_d Joined on 09-10-2007 Southeast Georgia Posts 8,577 Points 75

  Re: Petsmart Trainers :HELP: really need advice Reply Contact Use a martingale. Your dog's safety is important. They are allowed in the Petsmart training classes, and the trainers at my store often recommend them for dogs who slip their leashes. Emma wears a fabulous, rolled leather martingale. I love it! She has flat collars, too, but she can slip them. If we're going somewhere that's not totally safe and controlled, she's on a martingale or a harness. Mischeif N Miracles, CGC, RE (PRT, 10/13/2003) Libby's Monkey N The Middle (Chinese Crested, 1/26/2008) Teenie Weenie at the Bridge (Dachshund, ???-12/28/2007)

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• 03-15-2008 9:26 PM

  In reply to BlackLabbie

  Workingdoglover Joined on 05-22-2007 Posts 354 Points 0

  Re: Petsmart Trainers :HELP: really need advice Reply Contact Don't know if you're still trying to figure something out, but you could always just have a flat collar on him, then put a small nylon slip collar and attach the live ring and the D-ring on the flat collar to the leash.  That way you're really only using the flat collar, but if he does end up slipping his flat collar, you have the slip there to catch him.  That's what we do with prongs, because they have been known to pop off at very crucial moments.

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• 03-16-2008 1:58 PM

  In reply to Workingdoglover

  BlackLabbie Joined on 01-27-2008 South of Boston Posts 991 Points 170

  Re: Petsmart Trainers :HELP: really need advice Reply Contact No, we haven't gone yet...but I did get a martingale and I love it...I feel way more secure with it. Honestly, I'm a little uneasy bringing him to a Petsmart trainer. I've done everything by myself with him; sit, stay, down, etc, etc. And I kind of feel like if I just work at him getting over being leash reactive a little more I can do it myself...I mean, we've been making allot of progress, so I'd rather stick it out a little longer.

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• 03-16-2008 8:32 PM

  In reply to BlackLabbie

  Workingdoglover Joined on 05-22-2007 Posts 354 Points 0

  Re: Petsmart Trainers :HELP: really need advice Reply Contact I would be too.  I'm really leary about using trainers anyway, especially those from Petco or Petsmart (not that they're all bad, I'm sure there are good ones out there, but ours are horrible!).  If it were me, I would probably keep going by myself until I could find a really reputable trainer that works with this kind of thing.  That way you can be sure that the trainer isn't just going to make things worse.  :)

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• 03-19-2008 4:00 PM

  In reply to FourIsCompany

  AgileGSD Joined on 09-16-2007 Posts 391 Points 0

  Re: Petsmart Trainers :HELP: really need advice Reply Contact FourIsCompany: From what I've read (I have no personal experience with them) PetSmart uses only "positive trainers". Personally, if someone told me that they wouldn't allow me to control my dog in the only way I knew how and didn't offer a viable alternative, I wouldn't hire them.   I have to agree with this! Buckle collars are not ideal for out and about walking any way IMO because of the safety issue - dogs can slip them or in the case of the plastic buckles, they can pull apart. They also give the handler next to no control at all. Is there a better place you could take lessons in your area? Or a better private trainer? Overall I am not real impressed with chain store trainers - some may be good and knowledgeable but many have never worked with dogs prior to starting at Petsmart. In the case of the no prior experience instructors - there is just a short training in how to instruct classes/dog behavior/methods and are "certified" and are teaching classes within a couple months. Not real good if you have a behavior problem you are trying to work through IMO.

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