Puppy training classes at Petsmart?

[Shianne Mack]

Hi, so my puppy is at the age where I can take him to puppy training classes and I was wondering if Petsmart is a good option? Has anyone ever taken their dog there and if so how did you like it? Thanks!(:

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

This is just my opinion, but in our area, PetSmart classes are pretty worthless if you really want your dog to learn anything other than socialization with minimal skills.  We took them with two of our dogs, did all of our practice, so got something out of them, but really wasted our money because other classes teach much more, especially if you are a newbie. For example, PetSmart classes don't really instruct you in the difference  between your dog  performing a behavior in your home and extending the lessons to different settings and distractions.  Their trainers are not usually skilled in working with any difficult behaviors.  The actual skills taught are minimal for each series so you need to take LOTS of classes before your dog is trained.  They are better than nothing, but if you have choices  . . . .   And I see that you ARE in my area! :-}

[Debb, Lucy & Oscar]

I think it really depends on the particular Petsmart store and the individual trainers. Lucy went to a well-regarded local trainer for her first round of obedience training, and then we followed up with advanced obedience at Petsmart. We got more out of the Petsmart series than the other. In fact, I took Oscar to the same trainer at Petsmart and he learned so much... We had 'dropped out' of the other trainer's class (not associated with Petsmart) due to a very large Huskie pup that fixated on Oscar and would not leave him alone during 'free play' time. That whole episode just frustrated DH and me, as the trainer did nothing to stop it or avoid it. So we left and went to Petsmart instead. I wouldn't go to any other trainer at Petsmart, though. Always the same gal.

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

Debb, I totally agree with you that is why I put the IMO and in my area.

[Debb, Lucy & Oscar]

Nancy, I wasn't trying to contradict you in the least. More like agreeing with you :-)

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

I know someone in Las Vegas loved their Petsmart classes, but also with a specific trainer.  I think that what my  two greatest criticisms of Petsmart classes is that their curriculum for each session is so limited and that if you want a well-trained dog, you have to go to classes for a long time - which amounts to more money, and that they don't 'teach' that the students need to expand their practice to other situations and settings in order for the dog to practice taught skills.  I also never saw that they extinguish their treat mode to just praise - but I may have missed that in the subsequent classes.

[Deeann Roesser]

We took Ginger to Pet Smart and she did very well.  She is now signed up for Advanced and we are very pleased with her progress.  It depends on the trainer, though.  I have talked to other people who were disappointed in their trainer from Pet Smart.

Good Luck!

[Joani, Skadi & Elli]

Skadi did many many classes at PetSmart.  We learned quite a bit from the beginning classes, altho I did not agree with some of the teaching, I thought the instructor was fairly well informed and willing to work with us when we had questions.Skadi and I enjoyed those classes.  Several of the puppies dropped out of the class right away.   The advanced classes were also pretty good, we had the same instructor.  Skadi received her CGC certificate and they included that fee with the class.  Then we took a couple refresher courses with a different trainer and I was not impressed...in fact the last course was a total waste of money.  Personally I would ask around your area.  I have had 2 other trainers for Skadi and both were much better than the last trainer at Petsmart.  We lucked out with our first instructor at Petsmart...so, I guess you never know...This is Skadi at 10 months...she'd already finished the advanced course and was headed for her CGC.