Puppy training @ Pet Smart ?
- Thread starter awoww
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Cami
Boxer Insane
I don't have any personal experience with Petsmart training and can only provide 2nd hand knowledge based on my clients experiences. I don't specifically think "location" matters so much as the person doing the training. Puppy classes too are much more about teaching the owner how to teach their pup the basics. The classes will only be as good as the trainer is and from my "experience" (2nd hand) there are better choices (at least in my area).
Distractions are a given when you are dealing with puppies in general. Factor in the atmosphere of the store (shoppers with and without pets, children making noise, squeaking toys, music/PA system being used, etc...) and it seems that a lot will be going on over and beyond what might take place in another setting. That being said, depending on time and location of the set-up in the store you might be able to have a class where some of those distractions are lessened.
Could totally be human error but ALL of my clients pets who were "trained" via Petsmart classes could for sure use additional help!
As with anything else there will be exceptions to the rule and I am sure these classes have been a great resource for a good many people. This has been discussed previously here on BW. If you do a search using "petsmart" I'm sure you will find previous threads about it.
If you've been given multiple referrals to this particular trainer from people you trust and know their dogs are doing well in the training department then go for it!
Distractions are a given when you are dealing with puppies in general. Factor in the atmosphere of the store (shoppers with and without pets, children making noise, squeaking toys, music/PA system being used, etc...) and it seems that a lot will be going on over and beyond what might take place in another setting. That being said, depending on time and location of the set-up in the store you might be able to have a class where some of those distractions are lessened.
Could totally be human error but ALL of my clients pets who were "trained" via Petsmart classes could for sure use additional help!
As with anything else there will be exceptions to the rule and I am sure these classes have been a great resource for a good many people. This has been discussed previously here on BW. If you do a search using "petsmart" I'm sure you will find previous threads about it.
If you've been given multiple referrals to this particular trainer from people you trust and know their dogs are doing well in the training department then go for it!
johann
Boxer Insane
We did puppy class and then the intemediate and advanced obedience classes at Petsmart. The trainer in our local store was excellent and only used positive reinforcement.
My only complaint with the puppy class was that we were teh only ones in the class, so no socialization time.
Having taken many, many classes at a training facility now (somewhat addicted to dog classes
), the Petsmart classes gave us a decent foundation. And, Johann is always super, super well behaved in pet stores.
Good luck with your puppy.
My only complaint with the puppy class was that we were teh only ones in the class, so no socialization time.
Having taken many, many classes at a training facility now (somewhat addicted to dog classes
), the Petsmart classes gave us a decent foundation. And, Johann is always super, super well behaved in pet stores. Good luck with your puppy.
I took two of my previous dogs to PetsMart, but then chose a different option for my current puppy.
My first experience was actually when I was in middle school, and it did a decent job of teaching me to teach my dog. As a female middle school student with a 85 lb dog, I was able to walk him around the subdivision by myself, which I thought was pretty good at the time.
My last experience kind of soured me on petsmart. I took my last dog there and just felt like they were constantly trying to sell me stuff. They are a large chain store so they are out to make money in the end. I think a lot of it has to do with what trainer you get. I don't feel like I got near as much out of it. I've found an issue where the trainer(s) at petsmart will teach you their normal by the book way to train the dog, but if you have any issues or your dog is more dominant, decides to be stubborn, or sometimes the owners personality just doesn't work with that specific style, they don't really have the in depth knowledge on how you should work through it with the dog and owner.
This time I took my dog to another facility, where I was invited to come out and watch a class, they were willing to provide contact information for other clients they had if I wanted to talk to them, and overall just came across as more open. The price of the class also included all training equipment (leash, collar, treat bag, etc). If I decided to change collar types or anything he wanted me to come back to him so he could make sure I understood how to use it and fit it correctly. When I got frustrated with something during practice at home I could e-mail or call him and he always responded and provided hints and specific ideas based on my dogs personality. I don't recall any of my petsmart trainers being that open or knowledgeable. My trainer said he actually took one of his more stubborn dogs to petsmart just because he wanted to see how and what they taught, and he found much the same as I did they if your dog wasn't catching on with "their" way, they didn't individualize it for that dog and trainer or know how to help you work through your specific issues.
Overall I think petsmart is definitely better than nothing, and a lot of it will be based on who your trainer is. I personally think there are better environments for training, but a lot of it depends on where you live and what options you have. All in all I would look more into the specific trainer, and not the place (How much experience do they have? How much experience do they have with your breed? What type of certifications and/or affiliations do they have? Did they have to be invited to where they trained, pay a lot of money to get trained, or were they just in one of those train the trainer classed?, etc). If your comfortable with the trainer and how they teach, than that's the important part.
Sorry didn't really plan to be that long winded. I just finished with one of my best training experiences ever, and apparently am super passionate about this at the moment. Good luck with Puppy Class!
My first experience was actually when I was in middle school, and it did a decent job of teaching me to teach my dog. As a female middle school student with a 85 lb dog, I was able to walk him around the subdivision by myself, which I thought was pretty good at the time.
My last experience kind of soured me on petsmart. I took my last dog there and just felt like they were constantly trying to sell me stuff. They are a large chain store so they are out to make money in the end. I think a lot of it has to do with what trainer you get. I don't feel like I got near as much out of it. I've found an issue where the trainer(s) at petsmart will teach you their normal by the book way to train the dog, but if you have any issues or your dog is more dominant, decides to be stubborn, or sometimes the owners personality just doesn't work with that specific style, they don't really have the in depth knowledge on how you should work through it with the dog and owner.
This time I took my dog to another facility, where I was invited to come out and watch a class, they were willing to provide contact information for other clients they had if I wanted to talk to them, and overall just came across as more open. The price of the class also included all training equipment (leash, collar, treat bag, etc). If I decided to change collar types or anything he wanted me to come back to him so he could make sure I understood how to use it and fit it correctly. When I got frustrated with something during practice at home I could e-mail or call him and he always responded and provided hints and specific ideas based on my dogs personality. I don't recall any of my petsmart trainers being that open or knowledgeable. My trainer said he actually took one of his more stubborn dogs to petsmart just because he wanted to see how and what they taught, and he found much the same as I did they if your dog wasn't catching on with "their" way, they didn't individualize it for that dog and trainer or know how to help you work through your specific issues.
Overall I think petsmart is definitely better than nothing, and a lot of it will be based on who your trainer is. I personally think there are better environments for training, but a lot of it depends on where you live and what options you have. All in all I would look more into the specific trainer, and not the place (How much experience do they have? How much experience do they have with your breed? What type of certifications and/or affiliations do they have? Did they have to be invited to where they trained, pay a lot of money to get trained, or were they just in one of those train the trainer classed?, etc). If your comfortable with the trainer and how they teach, than that's the important part.
Sorry didn't really plan to be that long winded
. I just finished with one of my best training experiences ever, and apparently am super passionate about this at the moment. Good luck with Puppy Class!
ELubas
Boxer Insane
I agree. We had a great experience with our first boxer at Petsmart but as luck would have it the instructor was a seasoned pro. She had titled her dogs, had formal schooling etc. So I guess I would check out the credentials of the trainer. Also be sure there is a good mix of pups in the class as the best thing about puppy class is the socialization. I dropped out of a puppy class once as they did not allow playtime-disgraceful
Good luck!Sherri Artz
Boxer Pal
I had taken my female puppy boxer to Pet Smart and our trainer was Nikki . She was awesome. We had just one other couple with a golden retriever. She gave us so much one on one which I thought was wonderful. I did not go back for any other classes, but myself and my husband always went together and we learned alot . We were extremely happy. I thought with the section they have just for the training and the puppies can run and play is great. Laila is know 2 1/2 yrs old.
Good Luck .
Sherri & Laila
Good Luck .
Sherri & Laila
elgerdes
Completely Boxer Crazy
Personally, I've never gone to puppy class at Petco or PetSmart. But with Zoe, we might take her to the "social hour" they have. No training just time for her to socialize with other dogs and people. I will be searching for a "real" trainer for Zoe, as I have already noticed- Boxers are stubborn!
LILYLARUE
Boxer Insane
I had one good and one bad experience at Petsmart. What I would suggest as a better option (that petsmart doesnt offer) is Off-leash puppy class. This is better for socialization AND it gives the trainer plenty of on-hand experiences to teach you and the pup proper play and behavior. I work with a trainer in one of these classes and have got to say, the at-the-moment training experience is absolutely invaluable!!! The owners were so pleased that they got to experience behaviors with the trainer there, instead of a boiler plate "what-if" scenerio type of discussions.
Wouldn't hurt to stop in during each of the trainers sessions and observe.....then if you decide to do petsmart, you know which of the trainers have the best session for your dog and your needs. If you sign up without the observations, its a crap shoot on the quality trainer you may end up with. They are not so keen on giving a refund or switching to another class. And I found they are a little profit hungry when it comes to "selling" their products.
Wouldn't hurt to stop in during each of the trainers sessions and observe.....then if you decide to do petsmart, you know which of the trainers have the best session for your dog and your needs. If you sign up without the observations, its a crap shoot on the quality trainer you may end up with. They are not so keen on giving a refund or switching to another class. And I found they are a little profit hungry when it comes to "selling" their products.
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