I like the Petsmart trainer better - comments?

[JoJo]

Since joining this forum I have learned so many things and my perspective has really broadened. I feel now that I am 10x better of an instructor now that I know so many different tactics to go about handling things. That is why I ask questions all the time!

Too bad PetSmart doesn't PAY for the training you are getting here! You should spread the word on where you "really" get your training from.

I won't step in a PetSmart just on principle. They breed discriminate for their puppy day care.

[Zumie05]

Originally Posted by JoJo

Too bad PetSmart doesn't PAY for the training you are getting here! You should spread the word on where you "really" get your training from.

I won't step in a PetSmart just on principle. They breed discriminate for their puppy day care.

That is weird! I boarded my Gary at another Petsmart by me that has the hotel and daycare and they take in any breed.

Here in Washington I really don't get a lot of people who seem to hate or be afraid of rottweilers and pit bulls. At Petsmart I see a lot of people with pits and rotts who come in and all of the employees just love on the dogs and customers do too. Some places ban breeds though, in Everett (I'm in Lynnwood) there is a ban on pitts. Sad stuff.

[Nishasmom]

All Petsmart day-CAMPS (where they interact w/ other dogs) do not allow pit bulls or "bully breeds".

[lengel]

What happens if you report that your Rott took training classes at Petsmart?

[Nishasmom]

Originally Posted by lengel

What happens if you report that your Rott took training classes at Petsmart?

People assume the Petsmart classes are poor in quality; that they are a joke as training classes go. A lot of trainers are inexperienced, so the education you get from them is limited.

It has been discussed here that this depends on the trainer you get; Petsmart does have SOME good, even fabulous trainers. Interview them, watch how they interact with dogs, and see how their dog behaves BEFORE signing up....but this goes for any trainer really .

[Shane]

Originally Posted by Nishasmom

Interview them, watch how they interact with dogs, and see how their dog behaves BEFORE signing up....but this goes for any trainer really .

That's exactly what I was thinking. There are crappy trainers everywhere.

[keller27]

I was a PetSmart trainer for alot of years. I came from a obedience trial exhibitor, so I had at least some background before working there. The company does not train the new instructors like they should be trained. There are nothing to further their education. Neither will PetSmart help instructors pay for seminars that they go too. Most of you know how expensive they are to go too. I went to a seminar acouple years ago, and I was so excited about what I had learned. I saw my district services manager and I was all excited and the first thing out of her mouth was, "Don't bring it here" in a stern voice. I want to help my student as some of them really need help and then I couldn't help them. I dealt with alot of frustration after that. I am glad that I no longer work for them and can really help the dog owners. I am going to a seminar next weekend for the three days. I am very excited. A PetSmart trainer friend of mine is very good on what she does. She is out of curiculum, but where I was having alot of eyes on me with cameras, etc. I had to be very careful about it.

[Snow]

Originally Posted by Nishasmom

People assume the Petsmart classes are poor in quality; that they are a joke as training classes go. A lot of trainers are inexperienced, so the education you get from them is limited.

I can attest to what other people - trainers in particular - believe about Petsmart. We took our girl there and did the full 3 levels of training, I had thought to give her the basics/socialization there and then move on to full obedience training after, turns out that was perhaps a mistake. Although the trainer was great while we took Isis there, now that we are trying to get her in more disciplined classes it is quite hard. A few of the schools that i have tried to get her into have been extremely negative about her earlier training and unwilling to take her on, with others not even returning my calls (perhaps because I said Rottie?) course the main negative school I disregarded anyway because they advised me to start choke-training my 7mos old pug ... no thanks.

We now have her almost in with a great positive reinforcement trainer who has met with her and taught me some basic obedience to get her started, with the aim to get her into classes soon. The trainer is bending her rules of no adult dogs admitted that haven't been through her puppy classes, for Isis to be admitted - I think she really liked her and saw her potential. Can't wait to get started, they also do agility there as well!

[Cdn1050]

Originally Posted by Snow

I can attest to what other people - trainers in particular - believe about Petsmart. We took our girl there and did the full 3 levels of training, I had thought to give her the basics/socialization there and then move on to full obedience training after, turns out that was perhaps a mistake. Although the trainer was great while we took Isis there, now that we are trying to get her in more disciplined classes it is quite hard. A few of the schools that i have tried to get her into have been extremely negative about her earlier training and unwilling to take her on, with others not even returning my calls (perhaps because I said Rottie?) course the main negative school I disregarded anyway because they advised me to start choke-training my 7mos old pug ... no thanks.

I've noticed this too when calling different schools, but none have ever refused me obedience training for my dog. When you contact a trainer for the first time and they hear the words Rottweiler, they immediately begin to think that they will have to deal with some form of severe aggression. As there are those who have in their mind their own form of how a dog should be trained and then it backfires on them, and they end up with more problems. I had one trainer last summer tell me when I arrived the first day of class with my dog, that he was surprised at how well mannered and friendly my dog was. That he was expecting me to show up with an aggressive dog. Maybe the trainers you contacted are subtley trying to tell you that they have no training experience with working breed dogs.

[AmyinLV]

Just throwing in my two cents. I currently work for PetsMart and I agree with pretty much everything everyone has said.

Just as all trainers are not equal not all store managers are equal. Some will allow things that others wont. In my area we have a couple of really good trainers. One has been training for over 15 years and the other 20 years. Both have dogs that are certified therapy dogs. Both compete in rally and other OB trials. Both attend outside classes on training and no PetsMart does not pay for those. At the stores in my area the demo dogs have to be CGC at the very least or they cannot be the demo dog, period!

When people ask me about classes at my store I tell then if you are looking for the basics it's ok. If you want to do Rally or more advandanced training then this isn't the place for you. I also tell them hang around and watch a class. Ask some of the students after the class, outside of the store, and see what they think. Ask them if they will continue training here or plan to go somewhere else when this current class is over.

The bottom line is do your homework!!! It's much easier to train than to re-train

[4zenuff]

I had a GREAT experience with my Petsmart trainer. My dog was a fear aggressive nervous reck deamed by others as a menace and a lawsuit waiting to happen. The trainer I had helped with my nottweiler even on her own time and for free. My Petsmart trainer was geniunely interested in his well being. As for Marli (14 week old rottie), I have an at home trainer for now, but will enroll her shortly with the same PS trainer just for the socialization and brushing up on her skills.

I agree that it totally depends on the individual trainer. I just lucked out!!