Training Classes at PetSmart

[lilgidget]

Has anyone taken their baby for these classes. I'm considering enrolling Gidget in these. I know a lot depends on the trainer at the time but they do offer a guarantee--if at the end of the 6-week session, more training is needed, it will be done at no extra charge. Any positive or even negative experiences?

[maxdog]

We did it with Max at Petsmart and had a very positive experience. But you are right - it all depends on the trainer

[Lovetodream88]

I did Petsmart training with my first girl Callie and that was maybe 10 years ago. I liked it then and the trainer was awesome and even remembers Callie when she sees us. When I got Joey over a year ago I found out about a more local place that had puppy kindergarten and ended up falling in love with that place and did a lot of classes with Joey there and its more like a family so I use them now and they have soooo many fun classes. It really does depend on the trainer though. I didn't have an negatives about it.

[lilgidget]

Thanks for your replies. I would really like for Gidget to become qualified as a therapy dog. I'm in a senior apartment facility and there are several other places in the area where the people would love to have her visit. Hopefully, this can be realized by next spring/summer.

[atlantis1982]

We took Sunny as a baby and he had a positive experience, but as others said, it all depends on the trainer.

[yorkiemini]

Originally Posted by lilgidget

Thanks for your replies. I would really like for Gidget to become qualified as a therapy dog. I'm in a senior apartment facility and there are several other places in the area where the people would love to have her visit. Hopefully, this can be realized by next spring/summer.

PetsMart used to offer classes through to the CGC which is the buikding blocks of therapy dogs.

[lilgidget]

Originally Posted by yorkiemini

PetsMart used to offer classes through to the CGC which is the buikding blocks of therapy dogs.

Thanks, I'll check that out. Does anyone on this board have a certified therapy dog and what are your experiences--i.e. where you do this, etc.

[yorkiemini]

My Cali is a certified Therapy dog. We have trouble, time wise, meeting with others to go places with them, but I am in the hospital seeing my own patients a out every week and she goes with me. The nurses will ask me to take her to see certain children when they see usntherr and I always try to do it. Usually it is kids that are afraid of the big dogs.

[lilgidget]

[QUOTE=yorkiemini;4734320]PetsMart used to offer classes through to the CGC which is the buikding blocks of therapy dogs.[/QUOTE

I'm going to see the trainer at PetSmart on Sunday. She'll be working that day but it will give me a chance to meet her and talk to her about the program. If I like what she says, etc., I'll start Gidget in the next Beginner Class which meets for the first time on Sat. Aug. 5. I'll keep you posted on how things go Sunday and after she starts/ends her Beginner Class. Hoping for the best!

[canana]

I just wanted to add, that not only does it depend on the trainer, but also on the dog owner.

The trainers are there to provide help to the dog owner to train the dog. There are no miracles. I think I've heard some owners complain about training classes, when they didn't put in the effort themselves to train their own dogs.

And sometimes...maybe sometimes, it depends on the dog. Some dogs are more mischievous, some may have different strengths and weaknesses.

Maybe if you can go online and go with a trainer with higher reviews??

That would be awesome to have a therapy dog! I always think that it would be so rewarding to have that experience of helping others with a well trained dog!

[lilgidget]

Originally Posted by canana

I just wanted to add, that not only does it depend on the trainer, but also on the dog owner.

The trainers are there to provide help to the dog owner to train the dog. There are no miracles. I think I've heard some owners complain about training classes, when they didn't put in the effort themselves to train their own dogs.

And sometimes...maybe sometimes, it depends on the dog. Some dogs are more mischievous, some may have different strengths and weaknesses.

Maybe if you can go online and go with a trainer with higher reviews??

That would be awesome to have a therapy dog! I always think that it would be so rewarding to have that experience of helping others with a well trained dog!

I'm very much into hands on myself with the training. I just need direction and support. I'm going to only pay for the first part (Beginning) and if I see that I need more experienced help in a trainer, then I can check into something else. How would I find a more experienced trainer--ie what do I google for that into?

[bshelley234]

Yeah, for beginning training I think they're good, but you might want to go to a dedicated trainer for more advanced things.

[Lovetodream88]

Originally Posted by canana

I just wanted to add, that not only does it depend on the trainer, but also on the dog owner.

The trainers are there to provide help to the dog owner to train the dog. There are no miracles. I think I've heard some owners complain about training classes, when they didn't put in the effort themselves to train their own dogs.

And sometimes...maybe sometimes, it depends on the dog. Some dogs are more mischievous, some may have different strengths and weaknesses.

Maybe if you can go online and go with a trainer with higher reviews??

That would be awesome to have a therapy dog! I always think that it would be so rewarding to have that experience of helping others with a well trained dog!

Petsmart training has pretty decent reviews. It is very important to do the "homework" every day.

[Lovetodream88]

Originally Posted by lilgidget

I'm very much into hands on myself with the training. I just need direction and support. I'm going to only pay for the first part (Beginning) and if I see that I need more experienced help in a trainer, then I can check into something else. How would I find a more experienced trainer--ie what do I google for that into?

Some of the trainers at petsmart are very experienced and they have different levels of obedience. Try the beginner one then if you like it continue there.

[lilgidget]

Originally Posted by Lovetodream88

Some of the trainers at petsmart are very experienced and they have different levels of obedience. Try the beginner one then if you like it continue there.

Sounds like good advice.