puppy training at petsmart?? - Page 2 - YorkieTalk.com Forums

fourdez · 05-05-2005, 04:37 AM

I really believe it may be how each individual store conducts their training. No doubt, some stores may not be as vigilant as others. At our area PetSmart, the classes are always filled (but there is a limit to the number of trainees they accept because they will not over-fill the classes thereby keeping it comfortable for everyone). I've not heard any complaints and everyone comes back the following week.

Rem&Silkmom · 05-05-2005, 10:16 AM

thanks for the "down" command advice. I'll give this a try. I'll let you know how it goes. I have had a problem with "sit" with Silk. She will sit when I tug on her leash but will not do it off leash. I know she knows what I am asking because she will do it on leash. Any suggestions on how to get her to preform off leash? Stubborn girl

lnovack · 06-13-2005, 07:45 AM

We took Gracie there for the puppy class and it was a wonderful success! The trainer was very knowledgeable about dogs and taught us so much! It was so successful that we are going to enroll her in their basic and intermediate classes. We feel that the more Gracie is trained, the closer we are to her. It was great!

Meg · 06-13-2005, 08:25 AM

I am glad you had a good experience. I am in a Petco puppy class. I loved the trainer and so felt very good about going there. The Petsmart here (in MI) were very rude and I didn't feel like they gave me the answers to the questions I was asking.

I am planning on furthering my puppy education/training classes outside of chain stores when Keeley gets older.

TeddyBear · 06-13-2005, 08:00 PM

Starsky is in the puppy training class at petsmart and I'd have to say he is one of the smartest in there. They say Golden's are so smart. There are 2 Golden's in my class and all they want to do is play. I would have to say Starsky and a collie of some sort are the smartest! (I have learned not to ever get a Corgie, wild and don't pay attention)

Lyda · 06-16-2005, 10:00 AM

I did the Pet Smart puppy classes with my Rottie & It worked wonders. I will use them again now for my 11 week old yorkie named Rocky. Personally, he has more attitude than my Rottie!!!!

lexi'smom · 06-16-2005, 10:24 AM

Lexi Has graduation tonight at Petsmart, we took the basic puppy training class and I think it was so worth it. I tall depends how much you put into it after class, some people come to class week after week and their dogs still don't get the lesson but the owners may not work as much with them at home. Lexi loves class and gets really excited when we go, even just for odds and ends she wants to play in the classroom area. It has been great for socialization and for learning certain commands. Good luck, i would recommend taking it. Just remember you have to work at home too.

Esme's Mommy · 06-16-2005, 10:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mystify79

I'm one of the naysayers when it comes to Petsmart's training programs because I had a bad experience with the one local to me. I posted this in another thread... one of the things I forgot to mention there was that I hated the fact that the class was given in the middle of the store.. there are just too many distractions and people were always asking the trainer where stuff in the store was, when it was obvious she was doing something. For older dogs the distractions would be fine, but for puppies it makes training basics that much harder.

We did the training at petsmart and we enjoyed it because it really gave Esme a chance to socialize with other dogs. We started the classes the first week we had her and I think it really helped to quickly build our trust and relationship. I do althouth agree with Mystify, the fact that the classes are given in the middle of the store is a big negative. I wish they would do the class off to the side, or in a seperate room... I guess by doing it in the middle of the room, they are able to 'advertise.' People were ALWAYS asking the trainer questions. Also, I had a ZILLION people interrupted to ask me about Esme. What breed is she? How much was she? Has she been difficult to train? How old is she? How much will she grow? What is the name of the breeder, and the list goes on and on and on... I know I have a cute dog, but come on! They were really distracting me and Esme from the class. Overall, for $99, I think we got what we paid for, so I can't complain. Here's a picture of Esme on graduation day.

Breeze · 06-16-2005, 10:52 AM

Quote:

IMHO petsmart training is the bottom of the barrel. The trainers have no more education than watching an instructional video.

I have a friend that was a Petsmart trainer she had to go through over 120 hours of training, and learn all sorts of little things on top of the training hours. She also said they work with the head trainer to get their certification.

Kaluiah · 06-16-2005, 10:53 AM

I would love to set Ramsey up for the classes, but no one has the time. I work 2 jobs and my dad is a Fireman so he works every other day (24 hrs a day) and the days he is off he is at the fire hall fixin the computer. My mom works graveyard so during the day she is sleep. If I could ever find the time I would love to take Rams so I would say sign up for it!!

Buster'sMommy · 06-16-2005, 01:24 PM

I took my beagle to the petsmart puppy training class and she did great. She was the type of dog that wanted to run around the store and not pay attention before we took the class and once in the class she completely did a turn around. She jumped over the fence that they have up on one of the last classes and she went to the isle that we practiced the come command with all the distractions of the treats and food on the isle and when I called her she came straight to me and I was comepletely impressed. Now my parents have her because we are overseas and she still understands all of the commands and listens to everything my parents tell her and I give all the credit to our petsmart trainer for teaching me the proper way to train her. I just wish we were in the states so I could take Buster to the class. I think you should sign up for the classes because it's well worth the money!

mojo · 06-16-2005, 06:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Esme's Mommy

We did the training at petsmart and we enjoyed it because it really gave Esme a chance to socialize with other dogs. We started the classes the first week we had her and I think it really helped to quickly build our trust and relationship. I do althouth agree with Mystify, the fact that the classes are given in the middle of the store is a big negative. I wish they would do the class off to the side, or in a seperate room... I guess by doing it in the middle of the room, they are able to 'advertise.' People were ALWAYS asking the trainer questions. Also, I had a ZILLION people interrupted to ask me about Esme. What breed is she? How much was she? Has she been difficult to train? How old is she? How much will she grow? What is the name of the breeder, and the list goes on and on and on... I know I have a cute dog, but come on! They were really distracting me and Esme from the class. Overall, for $99, I think we got what we paid for, so I can't complain. Here's a picture of Esme on graduation day.

my complaint is that people would arrive 15-20 minutes late - literally and the instructor wouldn't start the class until they arrived!! Of course class ended at the regular time so i was paying for these people to waste my time. I cannot stand people being late and then on top of it it was affecting me negatively.

PZGunstar · 06-17-2005, 07:07 AM

Well when it comes to petsmart trainer, you can only work as a trainer there if you went through or learned training in there program wich lasts usually 6-12 weeks. It depends on the student. Ive often watched the trainers at my local pets mart and noticed how they let their student's do things to the dogs that will cause serious behavior problems later in life. Alot of people try to go into training cause it can be quick and sometimes people think dog trainings easy anyone can do it. But alot of factors come into play. Truthfully your puppy can start being trained to learn things as early as 6 weeks if you do it the correct way, it has also been proven these are some of the better times to teach them as well, the younger they are the more the brain will retain.

06-13-2005, 07:45 AM	#18
lnovack YT Addict Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: West Virginia Posts: 308	Pet Smart We took Gracie there for the puppy class and it was a wonderful success! The trainer was very knowledgeable about dogs and taught us so much! It was so successful that we are going to enroll her in their basic and intermediate classes. We feel that the more Gracie is trained, the closer we are to her. It was great!

06-13-2005, 08:25 AM	#19
Meg YT 500 Club Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Posts: 671	I am glad you had a good experience. I am in a Petco puppy class. I loved the trainer and so felt very good about going there. The Petsmart here (in MI) were very rude and I didn't feel like they gave me the answers to the questions I was asking. I am planning on furthering my puppy education/training classes outside of chain stores when Keeley gets older. __________________ Meg & Keeley I love my little Yorkie boy! www.dogster.com/?169319

06-13-2005, 08:00 PM	#20
TeddyBear Hey Cutie! Donating Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Colorado Posts: 1,677	Starsky is in the puppy training class at petsmart and I'd have to say he is one of the smartest in there. They say Golden's are so smart. There are 2 Golden's in my class and all they want to do is play. I would have to say Starsky and a collie of some sort are the smartest! (I have learned not to ever get a Corgie, wild and don't pay attention) __________________ Love, Leigh, Starsky and Shylah: You can never get enough Yorkie kisses!!! Proud member of the CrAzYcLuB http://pets.groups.yahoo.com/group/DenverYorkies/

06-16-2005, 10:24 AM	#22
lexi'smom YT 500 Club Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Mississippi Posts: 645	Lexi Has graduation tonight at Petsmart, we took the basic puppy training class and I think it was so worth it. I tall depends how much you put into it after class, some people come to class week after week and their dogs still don't get the lesson but the owners may not work as much with them at home. Lexi loves class and gets really excited when we go, even just for odds and ends she wants to play in the classroom area. It has been great for socialization and for learning certain commands. Good luck, i would recommend taking it. Just remember you have to work at home too. __________________ Lexi's Mom, Laura Support Our Troops Proud Wife of an AIR FORCE PILOT

06-16-2005, 01:24 PM	#26
Buster'sMommy Yorkie Yakker Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Texas Posts: 53	I took my beagle to the petsmart puppy training class and she did great. She was the type of dog that wanted to run around the store and not pay attention before we took the class and once in the class she completely did a turn around. She jumped over the fence that they have up on one of the last classes and she went to the isle that we practiced the come command with all the distractions of the treats and food on the isle and when I called her she came straight to me and I was comepletely impressed. Now my parents have her because we are overseas and she still understands all of the commands and listens to everything my parents tell her and I give all the credit to our petsmart trainer for teaching me the proper way to train her. I just wish we were in the states so I could take Buster to the class. I think you should sign up for the classes because it's well worth the money! __________________ Leslie & Buster

05-05-2005, 04:37 AM	#16
fourdez Donating YT 500 Club Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Rockland county, NY Posts: 1,306	I really believe it may be how each individual store conducts their training. No doubt, some stores may not be as vigilant as others. At our area PetSmart, the classes are always filled (but there is a limit to the number of trainees they accept because they will not over-fill the classes thereby keeping it comfortable for everyone). I've not heard any complaints and everyone comes back the following week.

05-05-2005, 10:16 AM	#17
Rem&Silkmom YT 500 Club Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Chesapeake, VA Posts: 833	thanks for the "down" command advice. I'll give this a try. I'll let you know how it goes. I have had a problem with "sit" with Silk. She will sit when I tug on her leash but will not do it off leash. I know she knows what I am asking because she will do it on leash. Any suggestions on how to get her to preform off leash? Stubborn girl

06-16-2005, 10:00 AM	#21
Lyda YorkieTalk Newbie! Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Pt. Pleasant Beach, N.J. Posts: 6	I did the Pet Smart puppy classes with my Rottie & It worked wonders. I will use them again now for my 11 week old yorkie named Rocky. Personally, he has more attitude than my Rottie!!!!

06-16-2005, 10:53 AM	#25
Kaluiah Ramsey little Devil in disguise Donating Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Here Posts: 985	I would love to set Ramsey up for the classes, but no one has the time. I work 2 jobs and my dad is a Fireman so he works every other day (24 hrs a day) and the days he is off he is at the fire hall fixin the computer. My mom works graveyard so during the day she is sleep. If I could ever find the time I would love to take Rams so I would say sign up for it!!

06-17-2005, 07:07 AM	#28
PZGunstar Yorkie Yakker Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: VA Posts: 65	Well when it comes to petsmart trainer, you can only work as a trainer there if you went through or learned training in there program wich lasts usually 6-12 weeks. It depends on the student. Ive often watched the trainers at my local pets mart and noticed how they let their student's do things to the dogs that will cause serious behavior problems later in life. Alot of people try to go into training cause it can be quick and sometimes people think dog trainings easy anyone can do it. But alot of factors come into play. Truthfully your puppy can start being trained to learn things as early as 6 weeks if you do it the correct way, it has also been proven these are some of the better times to teach them as well, the younger they are the more the brain will retain.