Is petsmart a good place for training?

[mainevent]

Hi i am wondering if petsmart is a good place to take my 5 month old to go obedience training?

[debbiej]

I've never tried pet smart for training. I've watched classes a few times though. My opinion is that there would be better places to go. I suppose it depends a lot on the individual trainers and what you are expecting from the class. If socialization and exposure to other dogs and people, and basic dog manners is all, they could be better than nothing. most I've seen are in a very small space. hardly room to teach a dog to heel or sit and stay from any distance at all. I'd look around for something more for my money.

[ACERSMOM]

Try looking for a local dog training club, as the will probably offer much better training than your local Petsmart. Petsmart will be very limited from what I have seen. They space that they have to work with is small and the instructors are not the greatest.
Visit the clubs first and watch some classes to see if their style works for you and your dog.

[BrandiJ]

Originally Posted by debbiej

I've never tried pet smart for training. I've watched classes a few times though. My opinion is that there would be better places to go. I suppose it depends a lot on the individual trainers and what you are expecting from the class. If socialization and exposure to other dogs and people, and basic dog manners is all, they could be better than nothing. most I've seen are in a very small space. hardly room to teach a dog to heel or sit and stay from any distance at all. I'd look around for something more for my money.

Debbie has a really good view of it in my opinion, for the most part. Most people automatically will tell you that PetsMart should be avoided for training. But I feel the same way, you should take into account the individual trainer. I am taking my girl to PetsMart for one class, because I really like the trainer there. He worked with dogs in the military, and has owned only working breeds. He loves my little girl, and uses positive training, but knows how to handle a working breed. Also, it IS in a very small space, but in ours, you stay in that space while the trainer explains, then you spread out in the store to train your dog. The trainer comes around with us watching how we're doing and helping if needed. I know there are better environments to train, but it is nice for us, because it's very distracting for Gia to see toys in the aisles, people shopping, and other dogs, and we get to train her around these distractions. I would recommend really looking around at all of your options, but I would never tell you to automatically assume PetsMart training is a bad idea.

[mawilli]

I have never been to petsmart but I take my pup Bo to Specks pet store to get him trained. He has done great!

[poohbearsmom]

While there *may* be a trainer at a PetSmart somewhere who can effectively teach you to teach your dog, I'd suggest you attempt contacting a local all breed club for references to training classes. You'll likely get better results in the end.

I have not been impressed with any of the PetStore trainers I've come across, and the rules the stores place on the trainers (what tools they can use) are limited. Having seen the trainers 'training material', anyone with reading comprehension skills can read can pass their 'course' to train, and THAT does not make a qualified trainer, in my book. I've watched classes in session, and cringed throughout the entire class.


((putting on flame retardent suit now))

[natesmom14]

We had an excellent trainer for our Basic Obedience class for Nikki at PetSmart. She had a special fondness for Nikki and worked very well with her. I also liked it because Nikki started off being a big pain in the butt about barking and lunging at other dogs as they walked past the training area and w/ our trainer's help, we were able to break her of that behavior by the end of our training period. Nikki was for the most part able to stay focused on what she was to be doing and the times she wasn't (as mentioned, barking when a dog walked by too close to the gated off training area) it was a good time to work on training out THAT particular behavior- so, for us, it was a benefit for it to take place in a real store where she would be presented with distractions, etc. and she aced her final obedience test- that took place amid customers, other dogs ,etc. up and down the store aisles.

I agree that it all depends on the trainer- we had a VERY positive and helpful experience there.

[natesmom14]

BTW, before classes started there, I had already been reading/posting on this forum and found that our trainer was right in sync w/ many of the training ideas here- and firmly believe in NILIF, etc. and was also very good w/ the strong breeds (Rottweilers, Pit Bulls, etc.) and worked really hard to dispel the negative thoughts that others in our class held about Nikki when we first arrived there- especially of the one crazy lady w/ a horribly behaved and spoiled Beagle Mix who thought Nikki would eat her dog and therefore sat across the training area from us (which I will admit Nikki did temporarily reinforce when she'd viciously bark at dogs walking by- although never at her dog or others in our class...).

[natesmom14]

Wow- I just wrote the longest run-on sentence ever.

[BrandiJ]

Originally Posted by poohbearsmom

While there *may* be a trainer at a PetSmart somewhere who can effectively teach you to teach your dog, I'd suggest you attempt contacting a local all breed club for references to training classes. You'll likely get better results in the end.

I have not been impressed with any of the PetStore trainers I've come across, and the rules the stores place on the trainers (what tools they can use) are limited. Having seen the trainers 'training material', anyone with reading comprehension skills can read can pass their 'course' to train, and THAT does not make a qualified trainer, in my book. I've watched classes in session, and cringed throughout the entire class.


((putting on flame retardent suit now))

I don't think you'll need the suit! I actually agree for the most part. I just think that not every trainer there only became qualified THROUGH petsmart, although I'm sure most did. I just mean that if the OP cannot find other training, Petsmart can potentially be great, (also it can potentially be worthless). Just depends on the individual trainer. But you're also right about the limits placed on them by PetsMart. I love our trainer, but I don't think I would want to always train there. I'll be doing something else after this course finishes out.

[work-n-show]

I completely agree with BrandiJ.

My dog did great at PetSmart; the trainer was excellent.

It's certainly not the pinnacle of dog training, but it's certainly a start. It totally depends on what your individual goals are and the trainer you end up with.

[ElsasFamily]

I've used PetsMart for two training classes. I think it all depends on the instructor and the breed of dog. The instructor we had was very experienced. Both of her dogs were therapy dogs, and had many certifications. She owned Labs. She also was the head training instructor. And the classes were very small, only four of us.

With that all being said, I am now waiting for classes to begin at a local obedience club. I found the local obedience club is much less expensive. And they help with bigger issues you may be having. At PetsMart they will not allow any collar other than a flat buckle, and believe in only rewarding good behavior and ignoring bad. That’s not going to work well for an obnoxious 80+LB Rottweiler. You will get more bang for your buck at a good training club.

For early on basics such as puppy pre-K they are fine, and maybe even good for other breeds. But with Rottweilers they and you will eventually need more.

There are many members here that live in Sunny CA so maybe they could point you in the right direction for an obedience club.