I agree with you with the birds, but I'm not even sure I think people should own birds that are never allowed to fly, it just seems so inhumane to me. I think a fish in a tank would be happy his whole life, but a bird in a cage, just doesn't seem right to me.

I didn't have a problem with people owning birds, until I got a quaker parrot, and I feel guilty regularly for him. He seems happy enough and I take pride in taking good care of him, but I don't think it should have been an option to own him in the first place. It seems cruel. I do have him flighted, but he go out once and he was terrified, he made it back to me the next day but it really brought light to the situation. It's so unnatural for them. People are selfish though. If I had the chance to teach my bird to be wild, I swear I would make a trip to brazil and let him go be a bird.

What a touching story. I don't want to make anyone feel bad about owning a bird, but this is one "pet" whose life seems like they would be better off in the wild. Some people feel that way about all animals, but for me, it’s only true of birds.

Hi there. Coco and I did the beginner and intermediate training at Petsmart and I was pleased with the classes for several reasons: 1) we spent time in a structured environment 2) she had an opportunity to interact with other dogs, all which were bigger than her, but she held her own and 3) it taught ME how to teach her when at home. She was always the perfect student in class.

My vet also commended me for taking her through training. In 30 years of practice, he says she's the only small dog he's aware of that's being formally trained and with that, she sat on command - and got applause from vet and assistant :)

I plan to enroll her I a click 'n trick class in February.

How about Petco classes? I live a lot closer and chances are
better that we will actually complete them if they are easier to get to.

They are probably very similar to Petsmart, and it really depends on the instructor. Joey's first instructor knew less than I did about training and she was actually a trainer in training. We switched classes and I was very satisfied with the knowledge of the new instructor. Remember, the instructors are actually training you to train you dog, so it’s important that they know more than you. :p

Chloe and I have taken 2 classes now and at different Petsmart stores. We've been successful at both and I would recommend them. We were lucky enough to be the only ones taking the class at the time, so it literally was one on one training. Our stores even guarantee that we can take the class free again if we aren't satisfied with the results. This last trainer gave us as many extra classes as we needed to complete the training, gave me her personal email in case I ever wanted to she would block some time for Chloe to come in and she'd work with her, and asked us to come in again right before we test for therapy dog and she'd do a refresher with her.

In my opinion, Petsmart goes above and beyond.

If you don't like the trainer , you will not enjoy the class!
 

I did Miley's with two diff petsmart store. The first one which was the beginner class , I did'nt care for the trainer, but we did finish, and the puppy were way bigger than poor Miley and the trainer yell at my baby cause she would run betweeen my legs all the time. I ask for her not to yell or we would have a problem, she never did again, but that did it the class was not fun at all.
On the intermediate at another store I went in when she was having a class and I watch the whole time. Than when the class was over I saw she went to each furparent and told them what to work on and what needed to be done b4 class so it would help the pup get thru it, She said if u think you need to redo the class it is free.
So I talk to her and she put Miley in the intermediate class with small dogs.
And I can say we did learn allot , me and Miley.
I'm sure you can find classes in a Jr college, or somewhere closer to home. Just made sure you meet with them b4 and if you go early enough you may be able to talk to some of the furbabies parents and see what they think of the class and the trainer. If you don't like the trainer you're not going to like the class.
When we move to Florida , I told my girlfriend that got a new pup to check out the trainers at petsmart b4 she took the class and she too was very happy with them.
Good Luck !!! Happy training LOl !!!!!