Petsmart "Trainer" gives me advice..vent

[ponyfarm]

So, I took Tim for our weekly shopping at Petsmart and he was being his usual perfect self. No pulling, minding his own, being sweet.

The PetsMart trainer happens to be between classess..and I have watched a few! He just yells at the dogs...its pure chaos! Nice gentleman, but totally clueless!

Anyway, he stops to say "hi" and notes that Tim has on a prong. Well, He says no way should this dog be on a prong. He is too well behaved. I mean, he didnt even bat an eye when the other dogs were lunging at him. He says he should be only on a nylon flat collar.

I thanked him for his compliment and told him the reason he is so well-behaved is that I have worked with him and the prong keeps him safe from the crazy dogs that frequent Pets Mart. He , of course, insisted I should never use a prong and that it is a bad way to train.

I had to excuse myself and keep shopping! Whatever!!

[gsdraven]

I would have put him on the spot and asked him why it was a bad way to train. I find that the majority of people that are against prongs and similar training devices actually don't have a clue how or why they work. Good for you for being able to walk away.

[codmaster]

Ditto! - ask him why they are not a good option. (and also if he has ever used one)

[Rerun]

Too funny....always blows my mind that people think calm dogs should be on flat collar only. It apparently doesn't occur to them that the reason they are so well behaved and trained is BECAUSE they are on the prong collar....

[onyx'girl]

PetSmart doesn't let you use a prong when training do they? Or is this Petco that I'm thinking of.
I remember one of those chains not selling them and against them as a training collar.
I would also have asked him his reason for his opinion.
But then again, I probably would not want to waste my time, and just walk away from it too.
I have the same opinion as him concerning a choke chain slip collar, it is a collar I don't think should be sold and has no use in training "no dog should be on a choke chain"

[Jax's Mom]

If the dog is well behaved, what's the problem with the prong?
If anything, it just sits there more comfortably, does less damage to their fur (at least in my opinion) and allows air flow that a flat nylon wouldn't... Not that nylons are that awful, but if you're comparing the two...

[Rerun]

Originally Posted by onyx'girl

PetSmart doesn't let you use a prong when training do they? Or is this Petco that I'm thinking of.
I remember one of those chains not selling them and against them as a training collar.
I would also have asked him his reason for his opinion.
But then again, I probably would not want to waste my time, and just walk away from it too.
I have the same opinion as him concerning a choke chain slip collar, it is a collar I don't think should be sold and has no use in training "no dog should be on a choke chain"

Petsmart doesn't allow them, but both chains sell them.

[Jax08]

Why are people shocked when a petsmart/co trainer approaches them? That's their job. And 99% of the time they same something that the person doesn't agree with. It is what it is...

[onyx'girl]

I don't really shop at either of those stores...I don't like the food sales reps either.
I always cringe and bite my tongue when walking by and overhear their sales pitch. If they confront me I just say I feed raw and it stops them from saying more.

[Rerun]

Originally Posted by Jax08

Why are people shocked when a petsmart/co trainer approaches them? That's their job. And 99% of the time they same something that the person doesn't agree with. It is what it is...

I can honestly say they've never approached me with anything other than compliments and petting of the dogs, asking their name...etc...

Curious which petsmart this was OP?