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Anyone have experience with PetSmart puppy class? Title pretty much says it all, I'm in a rural area so options are limited. I will have to drive about 90 miles each way for class so I'm just looking for a little feedback.... Although the trainers vary I'm guessing the items covered are consistent from store to store. Thanks in advance! |
We used Petsmart classes with Ruby and were very pleased with our trainer and their program. One negative thing we experienced was, all the other dogs in her class were big breeds and Ruby was intimidated by them the first few weeks. We had to travel 45 miles for our classes, so I know what you're faced with trying to find classes nearby. |
Thanks for the feedback! What part of OK are you in? I lived there pre-kids, etc around Lake Eufaula. |
You're welcome. We live about an hour north of Eufala, we travel by there on our way to visit family in Dallas. Our nearest Petsmart is in Tulsa, and that's the 45 minute drive from us. We were fortunate to have a wonderful trainer, hopefully your trainer will be as well. |
We have done petsmart puppy classes and advanced classes. They were fine for socialization and basics. Wouldn't be my first choice but I'd take it over no formal puppy socialization/training. |
Callie's puppy class was at Petsmart and we loved it. There where three or two other puppies in our class and Callie absolutely loved the trainer. Callie is four now and the trainer still remembers us and Callie still loves her to death when we see her to say hi. |
We took Gracie to the puppy class at Petsmart and loved it. We had an incredible instructor and I think that made the difference. I would try to find out who the instructor is and google them to see if other pet owners were satisfied with them. While I agree that they probably have basic elements they cover, the instructor can make it or break it. The puppy classes cover the basics which is a good starting point. |
I don't support petland, petsmart etc. I have bought one thing from petland in the last 4+ yrs. I prefer to find training classes held by the SPCA, rescues, etc. There's usually some type of local classes. If you don't have access to something local or oriented with a local pet business, then yes Petsmart should be fine :) but if your local SPCA or shelter is holding classes soon try to support them! I believe Petsmart is the One that has started pulling their puppies and are trying to stop selling them all together because of puppymills. I think it was them. |
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And yes, I did. Like I said in my reply "I have bought one thing from petland in the last 4+ yrs" which was Maci's tag. I ALWAY opt for local business and small businesses. But in the case of tags I had no idea about all the ebay places until members here gave me links and none of the small businesses/local businesses had a tag maker. So I opted for one from Petland because I needed one with MY address and number on it. All in all, I try to stay away from big corp's. Just saying if the local SPCA/shelter offers classes I would opt for those because 1. they'll have just a good a trainer. and 2. it'll support the shelter :D |
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Well I would hope people would do their own research as well. And I'm not too worried about Petsmart's reputation from what I said because it wasn't mean or belittling. And I never stated it as I know. I said I think. However sorry if it isnt Petsmart. I will say BOTH places still sell bunnies, ferrets, kittens, reptiles, fish, gerbils, mice, etc. And those are just as much likely to be from mills/brokers/byb's as the puppies are... so still I don't like buying from any store who sell animals. A little bunny coming from a mill is just as sad as a li'l puppy who comes from a mill. |
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Well then it's possible your Petsmart is an not a corporately owned store. That's how the manager at my Petsmart explained why there are such big differences from store to store. I'm also in Canada, so there's a difference there too. |
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Anyway, I was very satisfied with the trick training class we took at Petsmart, but I would interview the trainer before you sign up, some really no so little about training. Also, it might be good to see if they had a small dog class, some big puppies are so clumsy yet friendly, they are dangerous. |
There are local pet stores that will sell small amounts of fish, reptiles, small animals. We have a pet store locall that get some in everyone in awhile if I had to choose to buy any animal from a petstore I'd do so thru them. There are also TONS of small animals, fish, reptiles on kijiji, craigslist, eBay classifieds, news paper etc. Unless you are looking for a very very specific fish, snake, frog, lizard etc then why not exhaust those options too. Place want ads and be patient for awhile. Even in your own signature you say don't support puppymills... But why support ANY animal mill? Just saying I'd do my best to find other sources. And shoot if it meant not buying a specific animal because i couldn't find it then that'd be fine by me. |
I have been taking morgan to puppy classes at pet smart and i love them |
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Maybe you can go to GFCA (Gold Fish Club of America) for a breeder referral. :D |
Seriously though, back to the OP's question - If you had an option of a training facility with good, positive trainers (not that Petsmart's aren't), I would rather go that route. The setting at Petsmart isn't ideal for training. At least at ours the training "room" is a roped off section of the store. However, if Petsmart is the only feasible option to train your pup, I surely think that it would be better than not training at all. The socialization that they get is invaluable and they are bound to get at least some basics from the class. Also, I believe that it's universal at Petsmart that you will find positive, clicker training. I'd rather have positive training there than traditional (jerk and correction) training somewhere else. |
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OP....I'm sorry to be off topic for another post. Also wanted to reassure you the Petsmart classes for basic puppy training with a good trainer are very beneficial. Quote:
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Aquaworld Aquarium - Local Fish Clubs |
Okay what places did I list that are mills? If you're talking about kijiji, ebay classifieds, craigslist, hoobly, etc... those websites have TONS of people who are rehoming fish/small animals/reptiles/amphibians/birds. Sure some people might be selling fish/small animals they bred, so don't buy from them. Look for the rehomes. I'm not even sure why the debate started just because I gave my recommendation to use a training class via the local shelter/spca IF SHE COULD/had access to it. That is really the point... support the shelters and rescues before a big corp. store. I'm done arguing about it. I stand by what I believe... if I don't support puppy mills then I WILL NOT SUPPORT ANY ANIMAL MILL! All animals should be treated with love and care and from come from someone who knows what they are doing when breeding. When you buy a fish from petsmart... 10 more may take it's place. It's not like they only get the fish from ONE good breeder who has fish once a year... they have an unlimited supply coming in from brokers/mills. |
Thanks for your replies, (and the entertainment) I have always done my own training with my Aussies (4-H, reading, videos, etc), and from reading more and more about training toy breeds I think a class setting would benefit Toby and myself. There is only one trainer in the area, and although I did do an agility clinic wiith her she didn't seem really little dog friendly. Jamie |
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I've met some amazing Aussies in classes! |
During college, I worked at petsmart as a dog trainer... I may be able to answer some of your questions? Feel free to email me :o) |
and petsmart supports local animal (non kill shelters) and adoption programs. The cats and dogs you see in there on are ALL rescues. When you purchase one of them, that money goes towards rescuing and neuter/spaying more animals. So supporting Petsmart, is still supporting charities. I don't think going to local spca's or petsmart is a bad thing. Whichever is more convienent! Also petsmart takes donations. I try to buy pet supplies for kitties and puppies whenever I go in there.. they will pass them on to the rescue organizations. They also give you the option to support your local spca with a donation when your checking out. So petsmart is a good place to go. I wish they wouldn't sell birds though... I think they should implement a bird rescue situation like they have with there dogs and cats. |
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