Anyone gone through PetsMart pet training?

[chadfromdallas]

Have a wild and crazy (just about) 2 year old Pomeranian that needs to be trained before I move into my new apartment. Im wondering if anyone of you folks have any knowledge or personal experience with it.

Was it any good?
Did your pet come out like you wanted him/her to?
Should I look elsewhere?
Do they try to get you to buy other things while the class is going on?

He will be taking the Basic Education portion of it.

 

[msteddom]

My dog Jake and I went though the puppy class that PetSmart offers. I really enjoyed it. It is more about teaching you how to communicate with your dog than anything else. It was fun getting to socailize with other puppies and it was a great bonding time for Jake and I. I would reccomend their classes.


Melissa

 

[nkjzmom]

My brother is taking his Min-Pin to a class there right now. I think he, my brother, enjoys the class, but as for Diablo....not so much!

He's pretty frightened around the other dogs and refuses to walk or anything. Now, this is the dog who does all sorts of tricks at home too.

 

[WDWFAN9]

My DH and I took our golden to puppy class at PetSmart. It was great. I definitely recommend it!

 

[miste76]

As a foster home for a rescue organization... I suggest PetSmart doggy classes for people that are getting their first dog. PetSmart classes spend 1/2 the time pushing their products and 1/2 the time training. If you have an issue, it sounds like you do, you may be better off going to a private trainer. I myself use a private trainer that spends 99% of the time training and maybe 1% of the time talking about different things to buy for training issues.
Make sure that no matter which route you go, you ask the trainer about the experience and qualifications they have. I prefer to work with someone that has shown their dogs and can train for more than just pet issues... Even if you just want a 'pet', a trainer that knows more than that will have had more experience with more problems. Good Luck with your training!!!

 

[Aimeedyan]

We are currently in PetsMart puppy preschool classes, and LOVE IT. We have NEVER had their products pushed on us.

I think your exp will depend alot upon the trainer you are with. Our PetsMart has 2 trainers. I have talked with one of them frequently when in the store, and at dog parties. We attended the free potty training seminar with teh other one, and I really didn't like her much - she was very softspoken, hard to hear... it annoyed me He, on the otherhand, was very assertive and informative. So, we enrolled in his class instead and he has been great. Harley takes to him well, he's informative, funny, and runs the class great. He's never pushed products on us, is very honest in his opinions of foods and treats, etc.

Training in that kind of environment is socialization for the dog, first of all, and teaching YOU how to train your dog as well. We switch off dogs, so he learns to listen to others, practice a bit but dogs attention spans are just not that long so we're expected to do it at home too, and they have time to play together. Harley is terrified of other dogs, but each week he gets a bit more bold.

After puppy preschool, we hope to do the advanced class as well, which teaches them even more things.

I would take time to visit with the trainers at your store, maybe wander the store when classes are going on and observe, adn then decide if its what you want. =)