Anyone EVER take the petco or petsmart training classes?

[Magwart]

I watched classes at a local Petco in California a few times. To me, it looked like a trainwreck--lots of out-of-control little dogs on retractable leads, in an space far too small for big dogs.

The store's trainer saw us watching and then tried to come and sign us up. Amused, I asked her about her background. She had never titled a dog in anything (or even earned a CGC)--and she didn't know what it meant to "title" a dog. She explained that she was a cashier at Petco who had been "promoted" and attended a weekend-long seminar to learn the Petco dog training method. She'd been doing it for about 3 months. I can't say whether she's an exception or typical.

I agree that it's better to go there than not train the dog, though. Or if you just view it as a socialization hour, that's okay too.

You might try Googling "[your town/county/state] obedience club" and see what pops up. Some training groups have weekly socialization hours for people who are training with them and "alumni."

[msvette2u]

I've seen classes at a few of our places, the Yakima Petsmart seems to have the best area and all at this point. It's kind of enclosed off so the distractions are at a minimum.
No retractable leashes there, either

[llombardo]

Originally Posted by pancake

Thanks! So for those who have attended or taught, how would you say the socialization is for the puppy class? I read somewhere they dont allow the dogs to interact or play at all. .

In the puppy class the dogs were allowed to play in the last 5-10 minutes of the class. My trainer brings 2 of her dogs with her to class and uses them for demos, she has two Rotts and a pug. My golden was the first dog I brought there. About half way through the classes he was attacked by a Rott in the dog park. Instead of pulling him out of classes, we decided to move forward and I truly believe because of the socialization in that class plus the teachers Rott being present got my dog through with no side effects from the attack. Socialization doesn't have to be the dogs playing, dogs being in the same area goes a long way. It gets dogs used to having other dogs around. My GSD is very good with other dogs and I can bring anything into the house with no problems. Prong collars and retractable leashes are not allowed.

[jocoyn]

Watch the instructor you are interested in. I went in once because I got Cyra in the summer and the kennel club had no sessions until the Fall. I knew what I wanted - some basic motivational obedience and socialization so it was good.

[Jim Brewer]

We did one at pet smart. The trainer was the best for our boy.


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[Meeka]

I'm w/u pancake! My pup knows all the basic command and some but when she's outside of the house and neighborhood, all she wants to do is sniff and pull! and when she sees other dogs she would bark up a storm but I know that's only because she wants to play. I just enrolled in a petsmart puppy class just for your same reason! I'm starting Thursday so ill let u know how it goes!


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[ShelbyCD]

We just started puppy class at petsmart with our 3 and half month GSD, Shelby. There are 3 other puppies in the class. The trainer has been training dogs for 30+ years. She doesn't let the puppies play because she said they're there to learn. Trust me, even though they aren't playing, it makes a huge difference just being 5-15 feet away from other dogs/their owners and having to focus on skills. We have only been to two classes but our trainer has already noticed what each dog needs work on and incorporates it into the class for all of the puppies and owners to work on. Shelby is very hyper, so she's taught us specific ways to help with to control that. Each location will be different, but I have nothing but positive things to say so far.


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[julie87]

Mine went to Petsmart puppy training, the trainer had 8 years of dog training experience, she was horrible. she made it clear she doesn't like GSD because they can be so stubborn and needy, she was losing her patience all the time, and she would talk about her own dogs more than she would talk about the ones in the class. Also, the store is not ideal place for training, its crampped, lots of people are peeking to see whats going on in class which causes even more distractions, my dog didn't learn anything new other than walking on leash .... spent $110 for nothing. But each store will have their own trainers...I suggest get a GSD trainer.

[llombardo]

Originally Posted by julie87

. Also, the store is not ideal place for training, its crampped, lots of people are peeking to see whats going on in class which causes even more distractions, my dog didn't learn anything new other than walking on leash ....

This would be the point. If one can train their dog in the middle of this, then they are getting a good start. I don't know about everyone else, but I take advantage of any distractions I can get. In my golden's class the dogs were on a 3 minute down stay when someone walked into the store with their dog off leash...not one of the dogs in training moved, I think that is pretty good.

[julie87]

Originally Posted by llombardo

This would be the point. If one can train their dog in the middle of this, then they are getting a good start. I don't know about everyone else, but I take advantage of any distractions I can get. In my golden's class the dogs were on a 3 minute down stay when someone walked into the store with their dog off leash...not one of the dogs in training moved, I think that is pretty good.

In a more advanced obedience class distractions are welcome, but not for the first time puppy class. It takes too much of dog's attention away from the trainer.