Abel's First Day of School

[Colleen & Abel]

Today we took Abel to his first day of beginner training at Petsmart. I wasn't planning on taking him to Petsmart cause I really don't know how good they are but I talked to the trainer and the hours worked the best for us. Plus, Abel is a pretty good puppy (well he is nine months old now), and we just need to work on him controlling himself in excited situations. He will listen to us when the mood is right but add anything into the mix and he lets his curiosity and excitement take over.

In his class there is a one year old Goldendoodle, a cattledog mix, and a daschund. I love that there is another goldendoodle but my doodle is still getting used to him as he is very in your face. He keeps sticking his nose in my doodles ear which kind of annoys him haha. I think they will end up being friends though. The cattledog is a little shy but seems like a good, smart dog. The daschund is another story. Within the first ten minutes Abel got a chunk of hair torn out of his face and the cattledog got a bloody nose!!! He is aggressive towards other dogs and should be in a differn't class I think. He also pooped on the floor! It's owner has some handicap so he probably hasn't had proper training. I am a little worried about having that dog in the class :S

All in all though it was fun and Abel seems pretty tuckered out! We'll see how it goes next week.

[Frannie & Callie]

If you say something to the trainer or the petsmart manager, they will remove that dog. They are terrified of liability issues there! Callie did her her basic obedience training at our local petsmart. We started out with 4 dogs in the class...three were mellow (Callie was the most rambunctious of that lot) and then there was one aggressive dog. After the first class, they asked him to come in for private lessons, or said they would refund their money. A basic obedience class isn't for dogs with serious issues - it should just lay the foundation so your dog can be a solid citizen. (I got friendly with the trainer and he told me all that stuff). After he was gone, the class was terrific and Callie learned everything she needed to (she never really got "shake" down, but since that's a trick vs something that I NEED her to do (like sit, stay, or leave it) I just let that one go.

[BG and Gavin]

We are in intermediate class at petsmart too. We did puppy and beginner classes in different setting with reputable trainers, however we needed to up the distraction level. He is great at all of the basics except when there is another dog going by, children passing, squirells..well you get the idea. What I love about petsmart is that our training takes place on a Saturday morning, so the store is busy with staff, customers and lots of other dogs. We do the bulk of the training in the isles amid all the bustle plus toys, food and everything else. Boy thats really what you need to show you that your 3 minute sit/stay in the house does not translate to "real life." Not sure where else you could get such real life experience. I admit I was a bit of a snob in the beginning thinking that their trainers likely were not all that qualified or experienced, but our training experience at petsmart has changed my attitude. I am sure it would be different though if I had a dog with "issues."

[Lucy & AnnaBelle's Mom]

We took 3 sets of classes from Petsmart. In two of the classes on the first day there was a dog with issues. The first beginner class it was a German Shephard. This dog had so many issues that it took our trainer 20 mins just to be able to get the dog into the classroom and seated with its owners. It was trying to bite her. She had to physically take it head down to the floor twice. I personally was scared to death and ready to leave the class (Lucy and Sophie were asleep on the floor). Dog was not there for the 2nd class, after our first class she told them they needed private sessions. In Intermediate class, there was another dog and I can't remember the breed, but same thing, come second class it was no longer there (private lessons). So, hopefully the same will happen for you guys. I would think it is a liability for Petsmart so I would hope that is their policy. If not, I would definitely speak to the trainer.

[Jane, Guinness and Murphy]

It does sound like a fun time, especially with another Doodle in your class. If you're concerned, you might try talking to your trainer offline about whether or not he/she feels that this other dog's aggression can be controlled so that your dog will feel safe in class.

[Camilla and Darwin]

How exciting! Darwin loved his obedience classes. How fun that there was another doodle!