Does anyone have experience with petsmart puppy kindergarden classes? - YorkieTalk.com Forums

sunamand · 06-10-2008, 10:00 PM

Has anyone gone through the petsmart training classes? I'm trying to see if it's worth the money to enroll my baby. Or, is there another training class you'd suggest? I live in the SF bay area. Thanks!

daniellealberta · 06-11-2008, 08:23 AM

Spike and I did the beginner and intermediate classes at PetSmart and we loved them. Spike learned a lot and we both really liked the instructors we had.

If you go into the store, you can take your dog with you. Call ahead and see if the instructor is working that day so you and your dog can meet him/her. Then you can decide if the class and the instructor are right for you. I hope your experience is as good as ours was!

ProfessorPeteZa · 06-11-2008, 12:07 PM

Bindi just graduated from the puppy classes two weeks ago. we had a lot of fun. it was more training me than her though since (of course) you have to work w. them a ton during non class hours.... i enjoyed it because i saw results every single class. for example, we learned how to sit the first class. she caught on after like 4 attempts. i was amazed. i just kept reinforcing the concept and now she sits when asked (if there arent many distractions such as guests)

Hansch99 · 06-12-2008, 06:34 AM

We're in the puppy class right now. I'd also recommend asking to meet the instructor before you enroll. We were lucky to get a wonderful instructor in Brookfield, WI. The only thing I didn't like: she is SO good, rookie instructors often teach our class under her supervision, and they aren't as good.

I know some people don't like PetSmart, but I've had very good experiences with our local store.

Lisa and Pic · 06-12-2008, 07:05 AM

My husband and I had a great experience with Piccolo in the puppy class. We had a good instructor. Hope this helps.

sunamand · 06-12-2008, 11:08 PM

Thanks everyone for your input - Darwin and I are signed up for the beginner class starting next Wednesday! He's growing up so fast!!

Tonilynnlynch · 06-14-2008, 10:14 AM

The classes are great because they also get your pup interacting with other puppies early. We had a great experience at our Brentwood, CA Petsmart. We got a great trainer and Yorkies are so smart... they catch on pretty good.

Also You have to spend time outside of the class practicing what you learn... That guarantees the best results!

Have fun!

NjTex · 06-16-2008, 05:07 PM

Lets face it. We are the ones who need to be trained. It is a great oppurtunity for your baby to socialize. When they are young they really need to be exposed to as many other dogs as possible. The puppy class is great for the basics but if you are having behavioral problems then I would seek a private trainer.

sunamand · 06-18-2008, 11:22 PM

So - darwin and I attended our 1st class tonight at Petsmart, and he was the bully of the class, barking and growling and snapping at all the other pups. I am so sad and totally mortified. He's usually so good and wants to be friendly with other dogs, I have no idea where this little devil side of him came from! : (

kdlmon · 06-19-2008, 01:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sunamand

So - darwin and I attended our 1st class tonight at Petsmart, and he was the bully of the class, barking and growling and snapping at all the other pups. I am so sad and totally mortified. He's usually so good and wants to be friendly with other dogs, I have no idea where this little devil side of him came from! : (

I am assuming he is the smallest dog in the class. Cooper was a bit snappy during our first class and the instructor said it was simply him feeling a little intimidated and telling the other dogs to back off. He calmed down after a few classes.

I am glad to hear positive stories about Petsmart training. I took my Jack Russell about 10 years ago and had a horrible experience. I ended up walking out. Seems like things and instructors have gotten better.

kobes mama · 06-19-2008, 01:41 PM

I'm so glad to hear positive things about the puppy classes at PetSmart. I've been thinking about taking Kobe but wasn't sure about it until now. Thank you guys for helping me make the decision.

tamandkota · 06-23-2008, 05:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sunamand

Has anyone gone through the petsmart training classes? I'm trying to see if it's worth the money to enroll my baby. Or, is there another training class you'd suggest? I live in the SF bay area. Thanks!

I did the puppy class at petsmart with my baby. It was great! We went on to take a couple other classes and now are a cgc and almost have our therepy dog certification! Of course a large part of it depends on the trainer, we had a really great one, she really went the extra mile. I suggest you meet with the trainer(s) before you sign up and see if you "click" , they can also go over what is involved. Good luck!

Reita · 06-25-2008, 07:12 PM

My daughter and I took a dog, not our yorkie, and it was terrific. A lot of the training was for us, not the dog! It really paid off today--our dog was limping from his hindquarters, pretty much couldn't walk, and I used the "settle" command that we had learned and he went right down on his side and allowed me to thoroughly check his leg/side/tail end areas out. I knew when I called the vet that there were probably no broken bones and there were no open wounds. I plan on taking my yorkie very soon!

dagibbie · 06-27-2008, 11:41 AM

I just picked up on this thread and am very glad that I did. Generally just got altered and our next step is training. I was considering not going to PetSmart as I pulled him out of the groomers, however, after reading all of this I will be signing us up for the training. Generally loves to play with other dogs it does not matter the size. He is 8 months old and about 8 pounds. He will approach and greet the largest to the smallest of all dogs. He plays with a full grown lab now and then and has worn out a small poodle. I am hoping that we can learn not to jump, pull on the leash and stuff like that.

yorkiedad2 · 06-27-2008, 09:25 PM

Yes. Definitely. We put our baby in it and she learned how to sit and stay. The best one is when you drop something you can train them to "leave it".

06-10-2008, 10:00 PM	#1
sunamand Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Emeryville, CA, USA Posts: 99	Does anyone have experience with petsmart puppy kindergarden classes? Has anyone gone through the petsmart training classes? I'm trying to see if it's worth the money to enroll my baby. Or, is there another training class you'd suggest? I live in the SF bay area. Thanks!

06-11-2008, 12:07 PM	#3
ProfessorPeteZa YT 500 Club Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Parkland, FL Posts: 688	Bindi just graduated from the puppy classes two weeks ago. we had a lot of fun. it was more training me than her though since (of course) you have to work w. them a ton during non class hours.... i enjoyed it because i saw results every single class. for example, we learned how to sit the first class. she caught on after like 4 attempts. i was amazed. i just kept reinforcing the concept and now she sits when asked (if there arent many distractions such as guests) __________________ Always wear your party hat! Proud Mommy to Bindi

06-12-2008, 07:05 AM	#5
Lisa and Pic So Happy Together... Donating Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Ft. Mitchell, Ky. Posts: 2,574	My husband and I had a great experience with Piccolo in the puppy class. We had a good instructor. Hope this helps. __________________ Lisa, Piccolo, and Viola (Vivi)

06-14-2008, 10:14 AM	#7
Tonilynnlynch YorkieTalk Newbie! Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Antioch, CA, USA Posts: 1	My Bear is a graduate The classes are great because they also get your pup interacting with other puppies early. We had a great experience at our Brentwood, CA Petsmart. We got a great trainer and Yorkies are so smart... they catch on pretty good. Also You have to spend time outside of the class practicing what you learn... That guarantees the best results! Have fun!

06-18-2008, 11:22 PM	#9
sunamand Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Emeryville, CA, USA Posts: 99	First Puppy Kindergarten Class... So - darwin and I attended our 1st class tonight at Petsmart, and he was the bully of the class, barking and growling and snapping at all the other pups. I am so sad and totally mortified. He's usually so good and wants to be friendly with other dogs, I have no idea where this little devil side of him came from! : (

06-11-2008, 08:23 AM	#2
daniellealberta Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Alberta Posts: 133	Spike and I did the beginner and intermediate classes at PetSmart and we loved them. Spike learned a lot and we both really liked the instructors we had. If you go into the store, you can take your dog with you. Call ahead and see if the instructor is working that day so you and your dog can meet him/her. Then you can decide if the class and the instructor are right for you. I hope your experience is as good as ours was!

06-12-2008, 06:34 AM	#4
Hansch99 Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: May 2008 Location: Milwaukee Posts: 159	We're in the puppy class right now. I'd also recommend asking to meet the instructor before you enroll. We were lucky to get a wonderful instructor in Brookfield, WI. The only thing I didn't like: she is SO good, rookie instructors often teach our class under her supervision, and they aren't as good. I know some people don't like PetSmart, but I've had very good experiences with our local store.

06-12-2008, 11:08 PM	#6
sunamand Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Emeryville, CA, USA Posts: 99	Thanks everyone for your input - Darwin and I are signed up for the beginner class starting next Wednesday! He's growing up so fast!!

06-16-2008, 05:07 PM	#8
NjTex YorkieTalk Newbie! Join Date: May 2008 Location: Manchaca Posts: 8	Lets face it. We are the ones who need to be trained. It is a great oppurtunity for your baby to socialize. When they are young they really need to be exposed to as many other dogs as possible. The puppy class is great for the basics but if you are having behavioral problems then I would seek a private trainer.

06-19-2008, 01:41 PM	#11
kobes mama Yorkie Talker Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Franklin Square, NY, USA Posts: 14	I'm so glad to hear positive things about the puppy classes at PetSmart. I've been thinking about taking Kobe but wasn't sure about it until now. Thank you guys for helping me make the decision. __________________ Jessica -> Kobe's Mama

06-25-2008, 07:12 PM	#13
Reita Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: May 2008 Location: Texas, USA Posts: 81	puppy training My daughter and I took a dog, not our yorkie, and it was terrific. A lot of the training was for us, not the dog! It really paid off today--our dog was limping from his hindquarters, pretty much couldn't walk, and I used the "settle" command that we had learned and he went right down on his side and allowed me to thoroughly check his leg/side/tail end areas out. I knew when I called the vet that there were probably no broken bones and there were no open wounds. I plan on taking my yorkie very soon!

06-27-2008, 11:41 AM	#14
dagibbie Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Illinois Posts: 147	Training I just picked up on this thread and am very glad that I did. Generally just got altered and our next step is training. I was considering not going to PetSmart as I pulled him out of the groomers, however, after reading all of this I will be signing us up for the training. Generally loves to play with other dogs it does not matter the size. He is 8 months old and about 8 pounds. He will approach and greet the largest to the smallest of all dogs. He plays with a full grown lab now and then and has worn out a small poodle. I am hoping that we can learn not to jump, pull on the leash and stuff like that.

06-27-2008, 09:25 PM	#15
yorkiedad2 YorkieTalk Newbie! Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: florida Posts: 2	Yes. Definitely. We put our baby in it and she learned how to sit and stay. The best one is when you drop something you can train them to "leave it".