Is Petsmart/Petco really that grand of a training place?

[bubblegumbarbe79]

I was wondering if anyone could tell me if petsmart or petco is really that good at training the dog to be obedient? I have heard some people say there good and then some people say they arent and it really depends on if you get a good trainer. So is it sort of like a hit and miss thing? I was wanting to take my pup (when shes old enough) to there for some obedient classes and as to socalize her with other puppies/people as well. There isnt too many places to take them to here to get obedience lessons and they where my only choices. But there was this other place that you can take them to and its cheaper but my dad (who'd be driving) doesnt want to go there because we dont know if it's in the dangerous part of the city (Louisville) or not. So if you have had an experiance with taking your dog to classes at petsmart or petco, please give me some feedback on it, Id truely apperciate it.

[darci]

Talk with your vet, I am sure they will be able to get you in touch with a good trainer.

[Jeni D]

I really think it's a guessing game when it comes to Petsmarts/Co. My sister-in-law took her pup there and it was wonderful, but others have said it's terrible. If these are your only options, why don't you see if you can go observe some of their classes before making a decision.

[CorgiMum]

I agree, talk to your Vet. Puppy classes are important as they are the begining of the life long lessons that you will share with Lexi. And it is extremely important that you go to a trainer that you feel comfortable with, and that your pup will be in an environment that will be safe for her. Ask if you can sit in on a class (without Lexi) before you sign up. That is not an unusual request from a perspective student, and welcomed by most trainers.

Good luck.

[bubblegumbarbe79]

Originally Posted by CorgiMum

I agree, talk to your Vet. Puppy classes are important as they are the begining of the life long lessons that you will share with Lexi. And it is extremely important that you go to a trainer that you feel comfortable with, and that your pup will be in an environment that will be safe for her. Ask if you can sit in on a class (without Lexi) before you sign up. That is not an unusual request from a perspective student, and welcomed by most trainers.

Good luck.

I doubt my dad would drive all there to just observe a class although I know many people do that. I will talk to the vet that I will be taking her to soon an ask her if she thinks petsmart/petco are good training places. The other place I was talking about is a Humane Sociaty where you can adopt a dog/cat, obedient classes, and agilty classes. Its about $11 cheaper than Petsmart but you see its in Louisville (KY) and some parts of that city is dangerous, lots of killings and such. Petsmart is also there but my Dad is familiar with the street name and isnt with the Humane Sociaty one. So Im undecided on where to take her. I still got sometime to think since shes only 7 wks at the moment.

Originally Posted by Jeni D

I really think it's a guessing game when it comes to Petsmarts/Co. My sister-in-law took her pup there and it was wonderful, but others have said it's terrible. If these are your only options, why don't you see if you can go observe some of their classes before making a decision.

Ive heard that. Ugh, knowing my luck, I'd get a trainer that isnt the greatest , thats just how lucky I am lol

[CorgiMum]

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[bubblegumbarbe79]

Originally Posted by CorgiMum

One very import thing to remember, you are training your dog, the trainer is training you. So if you end up out of necessity, working with a trainer that you don't agree 100% with, that's ok. Go with your instincts, learn all you can, and teach what Lexi needs to know, in the way that she understands.

You can also get training books from your local library to start reading so that when the time for classes does come, you will be ready with lots of questions.

And you've probably already noticed the pinned topic in this forum.

http://www.gocorgi.com/forums/dog-tr...oks-clips.html

I bought a book just a few days before I got Lexy and it has some things in it about obedience in it and oodles and oodles of tricks (like sit,lie down, shake, naming things and etc) in it. So Im gonna use that a bit too. I was just hoping that if I do go to Petsmart (I like petsmart better than petco for some reason), that I will get a trainer that knows what their doing. Ive never been to a puppy/dog class so I dont know exactly what to expect. What exactly do they teach your puppy? Socalization and the basic obedient commands?

[CorgiMum]

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[corgimom]

I agree with Jeni and Corgimum.

It would be great if you could sit in on a class, or talk to your vet to see if anyone has taken classes at PetsMart or Petco and see what they think. My dog, Cody has had two different trainers and they have different training methods. There are many different trainers and they do not all think alike.

We worked on walking nicely on a leash, learning to sit(stay) and La (stay), to "wait" while we walk through a door, to "leave it" when coming upon something on the ground you don't want them to have. We worked on the come command and the "reliable recall command" for emergencies and also the heel command and also to have their attention during distractions. These are the basics, some instructors will also go over leashes and collars, etc. I initially bought a book and began working on some of this stuff before I went to class.

Puppy classes are good for socialization and to see that others are going through the same things that you are. Also, as a suggestion, call some doggy boarding places in your area - some of them offer dog obedience classes.

Linda