Has ANYONE tried or heard anything about PETSMART dog training?? - Page 2 - YorkieTalk.com Forums

SONYSW · 12-19-2006, 09:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lou

Adie learned sit, down, settle, stay and come. We got a clicker from the instructor who told us to start loading up with it if we were going on. So we actually got to start clicker training too. One of the best things though was the socialization. Adie got to run and play with another little dog her size. She actually started begging to go with me the minute she saw her harness and lead. Now she starts getting excited when she sees me put on jeans! Yorkies learn fast!

I have the same experience with chelsea. I would probably take the beginner class rather than the puppy class. Yorkie is quiete a smart dog and they are pretty active. The introduction to clicker is very positive. And best of all you can always ask question including potty training etc.

Silipie23 · 12-19-2006, 09:22 AM

Has anyone ever done a petco training class? for some reason there are like 3 petco's right down the road from us, but the closest petsmart is like 20 mins away! I'm assuming they are probably pretty much the same, unless anyone has heard otherwise??

SweetCuteness · 12-19-2006, 09:35 AM

Ferdinand just graduated from the Puppy training a couple of weeks ago. I went before we started classes and spoke to the trainer to make certain we liked her. We also spoke with two other trainers at different PetSmarts, but it just happened that the one we liked best was closest to our house. I thought it was great! One thing about it though is you have to keep up on your homework. We really didn't practice much with Ferdinand, but he picked up on it really quick.

AND, he holds the record for puppy push-ups of small and large breeds at that PetSmart. Puppy push-ups are "Sit, down, sit, down, sit down..." He did 14 in 15 seconds!! The other toy breed record before him was only 3! I think the large breed record was 12.

~Yorkie~Mommy~ · 12-19-2006, 02:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SweetCuteness

Ferdinand just graduated from the Puppy training a couple of weeks ago. I went before we started classes and spoke to the trainer to make certain we liked her. We also spoke with two other trainers at different PetSmarts, but it just happened that the one we liked best was closest to our house. I thought it was great! One thing about it though is you have to keep up on your homework. We really didn't practice much with Ferdinand, but he picked up on it really quick.

AND, he holds the record for puppy push-ups of small and large breeds at that PetSmart. Puppy push-ups are "Sit, down, sit, down, sit down..." He did 14 in 15 seconds!! The other toy breed record before him was only 3! I think the large breed record was 12.

Thats cute "push ups"!!!!

~Yorkie~Mommy~ · 12-19-2006, 03:00 PM

Ok everyone I enrolled my Bailey for the training classes TODAY we don't start until Jan. but I can't wait!!! With my other dog I once had, I had started the classes but after 1 or 2 classes had to cancel so I got a little idea of what it is like but that was aboout 2-3 years ago....Hope Bailey learns well!!!

cheeselover8481 · 12-19-2006, 05:17 PM

Rosie and I learned from the training classes, but they focus a lot on selling their items. I'm going to try classes outside a dog supply store this time.

marcerella02 · 12-19-2006, 06:24 PM

Layla is a graduate from the Beginner level and we start the intermediate at the end of january! we got SO lucky with our trainer... she really focused on each of us and didn't try and sell us stuff... i think the trainer will make or break the class! can't wait to see your graduation picture

dcelmo · 12-19-2006, 07:18 PM

My daughter took her rat terrier to Petsmart for school. She was a hyper little thing and they had to take 2 rounds of classes. The instructor was very good and even offered her a 3rd class for free. Libby ended up at the top of her class and at 2 years old is very nice to be around. I think it did them both very good to learn how to work together. My daughter has taught me some of what she learned and we are using it on my dogs!

jen8203 · 12-20-2006, 06:53 PM

This is good to read because we just signed Thumper up for the puppy class a few days ago. We start on the 30th of this month. I'm so excited! We went to a free class that Petsmart had a few weeks ago and we learned so much from just that.

Erin · 12-20-2006, 07:45 PM

Petsmart is fine as long as you don't have a bad trainer, so it varies by location. Their program itself is all positive, which is good, but you might get an inexperienced trainer (or you might get a good one). It also takes place in the middle of the store so while that's good for working with distractions, you also might have a difficult time getting your dog to pay attention to you.

I had Loki signed up for petsmart but since it was a few weeks until the class started, I called around. I found an AMAZING trainer in the next town over. She has a masters degree and many many years of experience. We dropped the petsmart class and took her class, which was only like $10 more. She had small classes in a private facility and knew more about dogs than any person I had ever met. She directed me to some great books and encouraged us to continue. This was over a year ago and we are still taking classes for fun. I'm hoping Loki is ready to compete in a few months!

12-19-2006, 09:22 AM	#17
Silipie23 Donating Yorkie Yakker Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Boston, MA Posts: 56	Has anyone ever done a petco training class? for some reason there are like 3 petco's right down the road from us, but the closest petsmart is like 20 mins away! I'm assuming they are probably pretty much the same, unless anyone has heard otherwise?? __________________ Steph, Steve and Shayna

12-19-2006, 09:35 AM	#18
SweetCuteness I <3 Ferdinand Donating Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Arizona Posts: 1,444	Ferdinand just graduated from the Puppy training a couple of weeks ago. I went before we started classes and spoke to the trainer to make certain we liked her. We also spoke with two other trainers at different PetSmarts, but it just happened that the one we liked best was closest to our house. I thought it was great! One thing about it though is you have to keep up on your homework. We really didn't practice much with Ferdinand, but he picked up on it really quick. AND, he holds the record for puppy push-ups of small and large breeds at that PetSmart. Puppy push-ups are "Sit, down, sit, down, sit down..." He did 14 in 15 seconds!! The other toy breed record before him was only 3! I think the large breed record was 12. __________________ Britta ...and Ferdinand too

12-19-2006, 03:00 PM	#20
~Yorkie~Mommy~ Donating YT 3000 Club Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Louisiana Posts: 3,933	Ok everyone I enrolled my Bailey for the training classes TODAY we don't start until Jan. but I can't wait!!! With my other dog I once had, I had started the classes but after 1 or 2 classes had to cancel so I got a little idea of what it is like but that was aboout 2-3 years ago....Hope Bailey learns well!!! __________________ ~Christina~ Our human baby girl is HERE!! Luvin' My Prince Bailey Bailey's Dogster Page Bailey 's Gracie

12-19-2006, 06:24 PM	#22
marcerella02 Loved by Layla Donating Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Canada Posts: 11,257	Layla is a graduate from the Beginner level and we start the intermediate at the end of january! we got SO lucky with our trainer... she really focused on each of us and didn't try and sell us stuff... i think the trainer will make or break the class! can't wait to see your graduation picture __________________ http://misscanam.blogspot.com/ Layla 's Simon

12-20-2006, 07:45 PM	#25
Erin Donating YT 1000 Club Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Chicago Suburbs Posts: 3,306	Look around first... Petsmart is fine as long as you don't have a bad trainer, so it varies by location. Their program itself is all positive, which is good, but you might get an inexperienced trainer (or you might get a good one). It also takes place in the middle of the store so while that's good for working with distractions, you also might have a difficult time getting your dog to pay attention to you. I had Loki signed up for petsmart but since it was a few weeks until the class started, I called around. I found an AMAZING trainer in the next town over. She has a masters degree and many many years of experience. We dropped the petsmart class and took her class, which was only like $10 more. She had small classes in a private facility and knew more about dogs than any person I had ever met. She directed me to some great books and encouraged us to continue. This was over a year ago and we are still taking classes for fun. I'm hoping Loki is ready to compete in a few months! __________________ Erin, Sammy & Loki Sewing patterns and tutorials @ www.dogundermydesk.com

12-19-2006, 05:17 PM	#21
cheeselover8481 Donating YT 1000 Club Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: knoxville Posts: 1,537	Rosie and I learned from the training classes, but they focus a lot on selling their items. I'm going to try classes outside a dog supply store this time.

12-19-2006, 07:18 PM	#23
dcelmo Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Victorville, CA Posts: 181	My daughter took her rat terrier to Petsmart for school. She was a hyper little thing and they had to take 2 rounds of classes. The instructor was very good and even offered her a 3rd class for free. Libby ended up at the top of her class and at 2 years old is very nice to be around. I think it did them both very good to learn how to work together. My daughter has taught me some of what she learned and we are using it on my dogs!

12-20-2006, 06:53 PM	#24
jen8203 Yorkie Yakker Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: KY Posts: 55	This is good to read because we just signed Thumper up for the puppy class a few days ago. We start on the 30th of this month. I'm so excited! We went to a free class that Petsmart had a few weeks ago and we learned so much from just that.