have any of you taken your adult dog to obediance classes at petco or petsmart. how was it did you feel satisfied with the training. what was the pricing like. also do you have any training groups you like that are great with a very anxious dog.
Honestly, I'd choose a program through a local humane society or animal shelter before ever bringing my dog to a retail store. Then again, that could just be me and my issues with those two establishments in particular.
Barkbusters is amazing! They are a national chain...check their website for locations near you. They also have great articles and send helpful newsletters. They were more expensive than PetSmart but I like that they come to the house, work with you one on one and with your dog in your natural environment under 'real' circumstances. For example, with our 2-year-old lab, she was jumping on the kids as soon as they came through the door...one visit and that stopped. Had we taken her to PetSmart and taught her to sit on command (or for a treat), would we have been able to apply that to getting the dog to not jump at home? Probably not. Can't recommend them highly enough!
I have worked at PETCO as a trainer in the past and currently own my own training business where I do private, in home consults. I would agree with Marda; with both PETCO and PetSmart you will find a huge range of skill and competency among trainers. I would suggest you at least call and/or meet with the trainers at each place. I think in general that PetSmart has a better program, especially for anxious dogs.
I would not suggest Barkbusters for an anxious dog as their method uses behavior suppressants that may seem to work great for dogs like the exuberant lab that Danielle mentions, but are not a great fit for fearful or anxious dogs.
However, although it will be more expensive, you may be much better off having a private instructor come to your home for an issue like that. Next best would be seeking out an experienced trainer who does their own group lessons. Check out www.apdt.com to search for a trainer in your area.
All the best,
S. Walker, CPDT-KA
www.sidebysidetraining.com
Petsmart, in general the employees at petsmart are more knowledgeable and friendly.
I took one at Petsmart and was not very satisfied for 2 reasons. First, the trainer spent a lot of time showing us products we could buy at Petsmart while we just held onto our dogs. Boring for us, uncomfortable for the dog. Second, and more important, we were dealing with a timid dog, too, and the store was very noisy. The trainers voice was very loud and booming in order to be heard over the top of the echos in the store. We went to 3 of 6 lessons I think, and every time we came home, our dog would run inside his crate and stay there for the night. So we stopped going and I asked my vet for the name of a good independent trainer. We still attended group sessions with the independent trainer, at the same cost as Petsmart ($100 for 6 lessons) that were held at a community center in a room sort of like a classroom. Much quieter atmosphere. Our dog did so well that I continued training with him and now he is a certified therapy dog. If I were you I would ask your vet. Good trainers market to vets.
We took our very anxious puppy there for training. We thought they did a great job and gave us some good idea to try at home... however, our anxious dog seemed to mellow out throughout the weeks of training, but it was b/c he got used to being in that room and going to the classes. When we took him somewhere new he still was anxious - just his personality I guess. We still love him and don't worry too much because he has never become aggressive. GOOD LUCK!!
I agree with Sarah W. that not all trainers are equal. Meet with the trainer at each location and talk to him/her. Observe a class being taught. Take your dog to meet the trainer too. Then choose the one that you like, that interacted with your dog well, and that you think is the most knowledgeable.
When we got our puppies I talked to 5 different trainers at Petsmart and Petco, but only one Petsmart had a trainer that I really liked and was good with my very high-strung puppy (other puppy was laid back & very calm). Long story, but we ended up not doing the classes and just trained them ourselves at home. But as Marda P. said the people will give you advice. When I talked to the trainer about not doing the classes she was still helpful. Not all dogs respond to the same training methods and she gave me advice for different training methods for each of our puppies. I know without her advice and help our training would not have been a success.
If you don't want to or can't do the training yourself at home, the most important thing is to find a trainer that you like and that your dog likes. Talk to the trainers, explain your dog's behavior and any issues, and just go from there.
Good luck
The training is only as good as the instructor. I suggest that we cannot comment on such a general area as that provided by a store. I suggest that you call the store you're interested in using and ask them about the instructor and their training and experience as well as about their prices. I would ask to meet the instructor before signing up for the class.
I've noticed classes in session at PetSmart and they seemed effective. I've also seen customers talking with clerks about training. They've had their dog with them. PetSmart is a friendly store, open to questions and providing information.
