PetSmart training

[Net4n6]

This is my first puppy (9 weeks old mini schnauzer). I want to take him to training class. I signed up for training class at local PetSmart store. 8 weeks for $99 beginner class. Has anyone experience with PetSmart trainner? Should I go on with the class (the class will start in 2 weeks) or find a better trainer somewhere else?
Thank you for your advices.

 

[Alex]

Every trainer is different, doesn't matter where they are.

Do you like the trainer you signed up with? Did you ask them about their experience? Have you watched any of their classes?

Again, doesn't matter where they train, it's how they train.

 

[Net4n6]

I don't feel "that comfortable" with the trainer that I talked to. She was too "pushy" for me to sign up for the class. I guess she get pay by commission for the training session.

 

[PoodleMommy]

I had a bad experience at Petsmart, I ended up pulling my dog from the class after two sessions and lost all the money.

I would look elsewhere for a better trainer, in the long run you will save money.

Good Luck

Elissa

 

[otch1]

I second that, Alex. Petsmart has really gotten a 'bad rap" in my area for training, primarily because of the kind of competition trainers we have here, behaviorists, and a well established training community. Some of us in the business for many years. I agree it's important to be open minded and do your homework when selecting a trainer. Finding "the best" doesn't always mean you'll get along with them or be happy in their class, as you see from other posts. Someone you can communicate well with, trust with your dog, that has a safe work environment, is equally as important as their training experience. (Some trainers are great with the dogs, not as efficient at teaching the owner how to achieve the same results/response that they do from the dog. Some are great teachers, communicating info well to students, but not very experienced in dog handling.) Hopefully, you find a good trainer/instructor all in one package. Good luck with your Schnauzer, Net!

 

[Net4n6]

Thank you very much for your advice. I will go get my $ back today. I should go with my first instinct.

 

[Alex]

I had a bad experience at Petsmart, I ended up pulling my dog from the class after two sessions and lost all the money.

I would look elsewhere for a better trainer, in the long run you will save money.

Good Luck

Elissa

Elissa, you threw that money away. PetSmart guarantees all of the training 100%. It is clearly written on the enrollment form that you signed and paid with.

If you don't like your PetSmart experience, especially after only two classes, TALK TO SOMEONE and get your money back.

And just because YOU had a bad experience at one Petsmart (Out of more than 500), doesn't mean that everyone else will.

 

[kalija]

I took Zuki to petsmart puppy class, and it was great. Zuki had a lot of "stranger fear" but the trainer was very patient and helped out a lot. I guess it just depends on the trainer; I would try to watch a class first before you make up your mind.

 

[~Dixie's_Mom~]

We're signing up Dixie in the puppy training at petsmart. I personally really like the trainer there. She's very sweet, and she helps me out everytime I go there, and when I found out she taught the puppy class I had to sign up. Dixie loves her, and the training is 100% guarenteed, so what's to lose? I'm trying to get $100 so I can sign up, so it'll be a week or two. (I have a check coming in for $165, but $50 of it is going towards buying my fence. Good luck with training! If you don't like the trainer at that petsmart look for another in your area. There are 3 petsmarts within 20min of my home.

 

[PoodleMommy]

Elissa, you threw that money away. PetSmart guarantees all of the training 100%. It is clearly written on the enrollment form that you signed and paid with.

If you don't like your PetSmart experience, especially after only two classes, TALK TO SOMEONE and get your money back.

And just because YOU had a bad experience at one Petsmart (Out of more than 500), doesn't mean that everyone else will.

I understand all petsmarts are different, I always tell people to talk to the trainer at their store first however, the OP made it clear that they already had misgivings about their trainer.

Also, I would have had to finish ALL the classes in order to get my money back. I did not think that my money was worth possibly ruining my dog and making it harder for a future trainer.

Elissa

 

[Alex]

Also, I would have had to finish ALL the classes in order to get my money back. I did not think that my money was worth possibly ruining my dog and making it harder for a future trainer.

Elissa

Not true. lol don't believe me? Talk to one of the managers at the store. Maybe you just ended up with a bad egg.

All you had to do was tell the store that you were not satisfied with your class and you were choosing to seek other options. They would have refunded you in full. That is not the trainer's choice, that is corporate policy.

 

[PoodleMommy]

Not true. lol don't believe me? Talk to one of the managers at the store. Maybe you just ended up with a bad egg.

All you had to do was tell the store that you were not satisfied with your class and you were choosing to seek other options. They would have refunded you in full. That is not the trainer's choice, that is corporate policy.

Thats not what I was told and its too late now this was months ago.

Oh well, I am happy with my current trainer, thats all that matters.

 

[Spirit2010]

I have, it helped, but, now Hershey is 6 years, almost, and he doesn't listen to a darn thing I say, because my mom got him during the school year, where I had a lot of homework. I don't think it works that great either, because they use treats a lot! I mean just a little bit, but, you won't always have a treat on hand. And your dog will expect a treat everytime. So try not to use many treats when you are on your own time. But thats what Hershey expects everytime now. But I think your puppy will do fine with a lot of work. ) Just what the others have been saying though. I hope this doesn't discourage you. But this is <b>my</b> experience with the Petsmart thing. Hes a sweet dog, but just not the listening type. xD Hes more of the run and play type. xD But much luck with your puppy!!!!

 

[Net4n6]

Thats not what I was told and its too late now this was months ago.

Oh well, I am happy with my current trainer, thats all that matters.

It is not true that you can get your $ back if you are not happy. The policy said that if you are not happy, you can retake the class again.

 

[PoodleMommy]

It is not true that you can get your $ back if you are not happy. The policy said that if you are not happy, you can retake the class again.

I thought it was something like that

I am not going to sit here and fight with someone for an entire thread though, so I let it go.

Elissa

 

[elegy]

i havent been impressed with the trainers at the petsmart near here. one is very nice but totally reinforced my crazy dog for hideously obnoxious behavior (she was screaming and carrying on at another dog and he came over and said aww you don't have to be scared blah blah blah and petted her etc. she wasn't remotely scared and even if she were, that's a crappy way for a trainer to respond to it. i was not that happy). the other came up to me while i was standing in line to pay for some fish and told me i was a cruel person for using a prong collar on my dog. (the rest i haven't had any interaction with)

i'm told there are some gems out there in the petsmart world. i've yet to meet one.

petsmart also charges more than the training clubs around here and hold their classes in a cramped ring in the middle of a busy store with tons of distractions. it's not an environment i'd want to start working a dog in. if i were there *for* distraction work, that'd be one thing, but i don't think your basic beginner class client is looking for that.

 

[CanadianK9]

You know I get asked the same question all the time "who is the best trainer in the area" and my reply is

"whoever you see as the most competant and who you fit with best, what might be good for one might not be ideal for another, scout them out and make your choice, no harm in looking into something before you purchase"

 

[Beanie]

I know there are good trainers at PetSmart... the girl who WASN'T teaching Auggie's class was really wonderful and knowledgable (she subbed one night when our regular trainer was ill, and is often wandering around the store.) Unfortunately, Auggie's trainer was pretty crappy. I try to tell myself "Well, at least he got some socialization" but that's just a lie to make myself feel better about the $100 I wasted. He didn't get socialized either.

I also read in the policy that the 100% guarantee means you can take the class over... but that you cannot get a refund in cash. Too bad I only hear now I could've gotten a refund... I would have yanked Auggie out after the very first class. It was really a pretty awful experience. =/

IMHO... if you can go elsewhere, go elsewhere.

 

[Jules]

I took T-Bone to the PetSmart puppy class asnd it was good. The trainer seemed to know alot, and we just learned the first couple of commands. Then I enrolled her in Intermediate and when I had some problems with T-Bone he more or less shrug his shoulders and couldn't help me anymore. I doubt I'll go back there. But- their trainers are different everywhere I guess.

 

[cindr]

I am not going to knock their training what so ever. Although I will state the only thing that I found okay was the socilization aspects of the game.

The dog gets intervention when having so many differant things happening around him. I just think they need more room to move rather than that 4 x 4 box they call a training area.

The trainers seem eductated, although have spoken to a few and they had received a 1 week training course supplied by Pet Smart and that was all the trianing they had. I personally think that it takes a lot more than that to become a dog trainer. My veiws and mine alone. But I guess some one has to start some where