My puppy Bagel is 14 weeks old today. He gets his puppy shots in earlier April, which they require you have for the PetsMart training. He can already sit when I ask him too, and if he's walking or running and I say sit, he (usually) does quickly. I was wondering if PetsMart puppy training sounds like a good idea for when he's older and vaccinated? I know its not the best, but I'm just thinking about basic training (and socalizing him with the other pups) that I can re inforce. Its only the basic puppy class, which focuses more on fun and socalization, so if I dont like it I dont have to continue to the next level of their training. But does it think it sounds like a good idea, because I would really like a dog that would stop if I asked it too when it was running off, a dog that would stay with me off leash instead of running off, and a dog that was fun to have around other dogs, not a nightmare like my three dachies. So, again, does this sound like a good idea? Anyone tried PetsMart training before?
PetsMart training. What do you think?
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I think your going to be expecting too much out of it. Even if you have a ton of great high cost training you shouldn't always trust your dog to be off leash and expect it to come when you call. A lot of dogs just can't do that. If that is your ultimate goal I would suggest some intense training somewhere one on one.
Actually, I think its very easy to train your dog to stay with you off leash. Most all of my friends dogs can do it, and one of my dachshunds can. But anyways, I was just asking about the first stage of their puppy training. Its more for socalizing and the basics, sit and stay. Bagel is only 14 weeks, so of course I wouldnt get all of that out of puppy training, I understand that.
I think it's a wonderful idea. I don't know anything about petsmart training. We don't have one around here. But it's always a good idea to socialize your pup. Always follow your instincts. If you don't like the trainer or you think he/she is doing something wrong or something you don't like then say something. That's the only advice I can give.
As for getting your dog to follow you well... right from day one Maverick followed us. We didn't really give him any choice. He adored us and we'd play off leash and just keep walking down the trail and he'd follow. Still does. He explores and does his own thing but he's always around. They want to be with their pack.
You have to teach them that somewhere safe though. It's harder in a city. We were lucky living in Vancouver. We lived right by English Bay and we'd take him there at night. The tide would be out and we'd have the ocean on one side and the sea wall on the other. There was no where for him to go. He did get excited about some seagulls once and took off. That freaked me out. But I ran the other way from him calling him playfully and he came back. I'm not a trainer and don't recommend that but it worked for us. lol
As for getting your dog to follow you well... right from day one Maverick followed us. We didn't really give him any choice. He adored us and we'd play off leash and just keep walking down the trail and he'd follow. Still does. He explores and does his own thing but he's always around. They want to be with their pack.
You have to teach them that somewhere safe though. It's harder in a city. We were lucky living in Vancouver. We lived right by English Bay and we'd take him there at night. The tide would be out and we'd have the ocean on one side and the sea wall on the other. There was no where for him to go. He did get excited about some seagulls once and took off. That freaked me out. But I ran the other way from him calling him playfully and he came back. I'm not a trainer and don't recommend that but it worked for us. lol
PetSmart's great. Their trainers aren't allowed to touch your dog without your permission and they use positive reinforcement, so there's no damage done even if the trainer is incompetent. Their prices are fair, too. Usually the trainers are kind of...untrained...but that doesn't really matter. Dogs don't really learn much in group classes anyway. The social lessons they learn are important, so I take all of mine to group obedience. But if you really want to teach him something, you have to do it yourself. It's like they say, if you want something done right...
So yes, I highly recommend PetSmart's puppy kindergarten, if just for the socialization. You can't put a price on a well-socialized dog!
As a side note, I never take my dogs off-leash except in a yard or in the fenced-in dog park. It's not that I don't trust them. It's other people I don't trust. I trained a small mix once whose owner let him off-leash in the park every day. One day a huge stray came strolling through the park and killed him, just like that. Like he was a rabbit. The stray broke the little dog's back and he died almost instantly. His mom had been too far away to stop it. I keep my dogs close to me because other people don't. I don't want something to happen that I'm too far away to prevent. I know my dogs will always come when I call, but if they're being attacked by a person or another dog they can't really come. That's why it's illegal almost everywhere to have a dog off-leash in public. Something to think about.
So yes, I highly recommend PetSmart's puppy kindergarten, if just for the socialization. You can't put a price on a well-socialized dog!
As a side note, I never take my dogs off-leash except in a yard or in the fenced-in dog park. It's not that I don't trust them. It's other people I don't trust. I trained a small mix once whose owner let him off-leash in the park every day. One day a huge stray came strolling through the park and killed him, just like that. Like he was a rabbit. The stray broke the little dog's back and he died almost instantly. His mom had been too far away to stop it. I keep my dogs close to me because other people don't. I don't want something to happen that I'm too far away to prevent. I know my dogs will always come when I call, but if they're being attacked by a person or another dog they can't really come. That's why it's illegal almost everywhere to have a dog off-leash in public. Something to think about.
I dont know how big Bagel will be, but he should be a little larger than a Beagle. Were not really sure though. He's going to be tall, but stay small otherwise I think. His legs are pretty long, though his feed arnt too big. He's already outgrown my tweenie dachshund. (Tween. Inbetween Miniature and Standard)
And yeah, I only take my dogs off leash at the fenced dog park too, Its just a really big park.
And yeah, I only take my dogs off leash at the fenced dog park too, Its just a really big park.
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I've heard bad stories about training at PetSmart stores. A bulldog person on another board witnessed a trainer telling the owners to let their dogs get to know eachother, and when two dogs weren't getting along, the trainer said it was OK and to let them sniff eachother. The bully owner told the owners to move their dogs before they got into a fight. Those two owners followed her out to her car where she forwarded them to a responsible trainer.
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My two bits...
My pup Murphie was quite shy and inhibited around other dogs. I'm taking her to puppy kindergarten (not at PetsMart but only because another class was closer to me) and she has improved TONS. It's fun for her, fun for me and no we don't actually learn much in class, but we are learning the basics to practice at home. I am doing lots of research and reading on puppy training and simply take or leave what they teach in this class, but the most important thing has been the socialization for Murph. I have not had any problems like the ones described above, but if a "trainer" ever suggested anything I was not comfortable with (with respect to training or safety or whatever), I would simply say NO. My dog, my dollar, my decision, right?
All the best with Bagel!
Mona
Ps. Our previous dog Banjo (rest his precious soul) was often off-leash when the environment permitted and he always stayed close and came when called (I do recall a couple "incidents" when he was a pup tho), however I know of some otherwise well-behaved dogs that do not. So is it the dog or the training or both?
My pup Murphie was quite shy and inhibited around other dogs. I'm taking her to puppy kindergarten (not at PetsMart but only because another class was closer to me) and she has improved TONS. It's fun for her, fun for me and no we don't actually learn much in class, but we are learning the basics to practice at home. I am doing lots of research and reading on puppy training and simply take or leave what they teach in this class, but the most important thing has been the socialization for Murph. I have not had any problems like the ones described above, but if a "trainer" ever suggested anything I was not comfortable with (with respect to training or safety or whatever), I would simply say NO. My dog, my dollar, my decision, right?
All the best with Bagel!
Mona
Ps. Our previous dog Banjo (rest his precious soul) was often off-leash when the environment permitted and he always stayed close and came when called (I do recall a couple "incidents" when he was a pup tho), however I know of some otherwise well-behaved dogs that do not. So is it the dog or the training or both?
Training classes are a good idea, especially if you have never been to one yourself. Dog training is reallly owner training. You learn how to train your dog. I attended a clicker training class the past summer with my puggie sis, Lanie. I was going to sign Riley up for a obedience class but $90 for the basic obedience I can teach him myself is a bit ridiculous. I attended the class and have the booklet plus am doing a lot of research on the web. I want Riley to do agility so I know he has to listen very well.
If you haven't attended a class or don't remember anything from one you attended a long time ago it is a great idea...take notes and make a folder than next time you get a pup you can try you own training....
If you haven't attended a class or don't remember anything from one you attended a long time ago it is a great idea...take notes and make a folder than next time you get a pup you can try you own training....