Pet training at Petsmart? - Page 3 - Maltese Dogs Forum : Spoiled Maltese Forums

**LJSquishy** · 07-28-2010, 08:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rose

Jmm, there is a cpdt in town but she's not doing classes right now. I will definitely go to her too when she starts classes again. I just want to get her started while she is young. She will be 10 weeks when the class starts.

Cheri, thanks and I love your siggie of Violet! Her before and after pics are so hilarious and adorable!

You have a good plan! Just take her to the Petsmart classes and be careful with where you allow her to walk like the others said, and consider the Petsmart classes as socialization opportunities. When she completes the Petsmart classes, enroll her with the CPDT trainer to further her obedience training since by the time you finish the Petsmart classes, the certified trainer should have a class coming up shortly after. Keep us updated on how she does!

**Punky** · 07-29-2010, 02:16 AM

Max attended three full eight week sessions at Petsmart. I think it really depends on the trainer and what you except from it also. I was very pleased with the result's. I wanted a happy, social little guy with his basics in a busy environment not to phase him, as we live in a very quite area.

I think you should go speak to the person teaching and see if they click. Max has since moved on his training but I would say he and I had a wonderful time as did my family. They admitted could not really go rather with him. PetSmart cost 1/4 of what our main trainer could do and Petsmart was a better match for his need's at the times.

Now I have titled my last 3 German Shep's in Schutzhund and my trainer's for that for Max then no would have been a horrible match, now its fine. So alot depends on the dog and where they are at mentaly also.

Max is going to be giving a shot at at Agi & Rally, this week was his first big guy start.

I wish you the best and mainly have fun with it! If you both are havinga good time then something is right.

**Rose** · 07-31-2010, 10:22 PM

I do think it's going to be good for us because of the socialization. Rosie can get a little hyper with my hyper daughter and I want both of them to be trained! Also, she is a little growely with visitors and sometimes scared. She gets along with our cats great but hasn't been exposed to dogs yet.

I really am concerned about her being exposed to parvo too though. So I'm not going to let her walk around in petsmart. I think I will talk to the trainer about their cleaning methods too. They only have the dogs training in a closed off corner of the store and this is a puppy only class and you must show proof of immunizations.

**gopotsgo** · 07-31-2010, 11:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LJSquishy

In the past I have taken a training course at Petsmart (with a previous dog, a Beagle) and although I thought the training was great at the time, there is no comparison to the trainer London & Preston are going to. Our trainer is CPDT & APDT certified, and most (if not all) Petsmart trainers are not certified other than their little "Petsmart certified" program which is likely nothing more than a few hours of on-the-job training.

The thing is, is that with Petsmart it will really depend on who you get as a trainer as far as which methods they use, etc. They have a general guideline, but each trainer tends to do things their own way. Some use clickers, some don't. In fact, when I took classes at Petsmart, we started with one trainer but then a different one subbed in and used different methods -- it was a mess.

Price-wise, I am paying $60 for London & $50 for Preston's classes, which are 6 weeks long (6 1-hour sessions). So for both dogs I am getting a certified trainer for $110. I would search for a certified trainer on the APDT website, Dog Trainer Search which is how I found my trainer.

Let us know what you decide!

I'm going to look this site up right away. I know things are more expensive where I live but the two trainers I have checked charge from $250-$350 AN HOUR! And one wanted ME to find another dog to help desensitize Nadia from her leash aggression. I will do just about anything for my dogs but I think these prices are ridiculous. When a trainer can show me that they have been through as much schooling and training as I have, THEN I will be happy to pay that price.
Regarding the Petsmart training, when we first got Lily, we went through their 8 week course and found it very helpful for first time doggy parents. But I would never take a pup as young as this one to a pretty much unknown situation. Regarding socialization, I would find and screen other young puppy parents for pup play time.

**LJSquishy** · 07-31-2010, 11:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gopotsgo

I'm going to look this site up right away. I know things are more expensive where I live but the two trainers I have checked charge from $250-$350 AN HOUR! And one wanted ME to find another dog to help desensitize Nadia from her leash aggression. I will do just about anything for my dogs but I think these prices are ridiculous. When a trainer can show me that they have been through as much schooling and training as I have, THEN I will be happy to pay that price.
Regarding the Petsmart training, when we first got Lily, we went through their 8 week course and found it very helpful for first time doggy parents. But I would never take a pup as young as this one to a pretty much unknown situation. Regarding socialization, I would find and screen other young puppy parents for pup play time.

I wanted to note that the price I am paying for both dogs ($110) is not a private class with a trainer, it's a group class with 5 other dogs. I'm not sure if I really made that part clear so maybe the prices you were quoted were for private training sessions?

**Dogwriter** · 08-02-2010, 04:39 PM

Just a note about the parvo issue... my vet warned me not to take my fluff to PetSmart, she diagnoses dogs with parvo and then sees them there!

That being said, my Corgis and some of my fosters have gone to PS training. The trainer at that time was great and they all learned a lot (and loved it). Haven't decided whether to take my wee one yet.

**vjw** · 08-02-2010, 05:44 PM

Whew! It's wonderful to see some of you coming around on the puppy socialization issue.

Most of the seasoned SM members know I have fought a long, hard battle for over two years to get the message across to SM members about the importance of EARLY puppy socialization. . . . AND it's bascially been "combat" between me and MANY opposing forces.

(For new SM members, the big debate has been about the American Maltese Association's twelve week rule for their members and their statements that "reputable" breeders don't let their puppies go to new homes before twelve weeks of age.) You can visit AMA's site to see THEIR reasoning.

That said, I don't recommend PetSmart for PUPPY classes because of the unknown health and vaccination status of the other dogs which go into their stores and Vet. clinics. It's optimal if puppy classes are conducted in a clean environment. In the DVM360 article referenced in another post in this thread, the link to ASVAB's site didn't work for me, so here's a direct link:

http://www.avsabonline.org/avsabonli...ialization.pdf

**Bailey&Me** · 08-02-2010, 07:05 PM

I agree with what everyone else has said - with Petsmart, it really depends on the individual trainer who is teaching that class. I took Bailey to puppy class at our local Petsmart and was less than impressed. It was pretty obvious that the trainer knew very little about dogs outside of the very basic job training Petsmart provides for their trainers. She couldn't answer basic questions we asked and had no structure to the class at all. She usually just focused on one or two dogs while the rest of us were on our own. She brought SOCKS for the dogs to play with during class. So yes, needless to say, I looked at this puppy class as just socialization for Bailey and worked on training him on my own. It is my fault though - I should have spoken in detail with the trainer or observed a class before I signed up! Hope you have a better experience at your Petsmart!

**Rose** · 08-07-2010, 01:55 PM

Thanks so much for all the info. I still think this trainer is going to be good, I just wonder what else I could do to prevent parvo while we're there? They have sanitizer they use for the floor, but would that be enough, or is she more likely to get it from playing with the puppies?

**Dogwriter** · 08-07-2010, 04:18 PM

The virus can live for up to a year in the SOIL. So you can get it on your shoes (say, outside the store where an infected dog went to the bathroom). You can also get it, say, in a high-traffic horse sale barn. Our horse vet told us to sanitize our shoes after visiting other barns when we have pups around.

So to answer your question, once the sick dog has been in /around the store, it's everywhere. You're probably more likely to get it from the store than direct contact with a dog (am I right? Hopefully? Because they won't bring a parvo puppy to class)

07-31-2010, 10:22 PM	#23 (permalink)
Rose Newbie Join Date: Jul 2010 Posts: 34	I do think it's going to be good for us because of the socialization. Rosie can get a little hyper with my hyper daughter and I want both of them to be trained! Also, she is a little growely with visitors and sometimes scared. She gets along with our cats great but hasn't been exposed to dogs yet. I really am concerned about her being exposed to parvo too though. So I'm not going to let her walk around in petsmart. I think I will talk to the trainer about their cleaning methods too. They only have the dogs training in a closed off corner of the store and this is a puppy only class and you must show proof of immunizations. __________________

08-02-2010, 07:05 PM	#28 (permalink)
Bailey&Me Maltese Guru Name: Nida Dog's Name: Bailey (honorary Maltese) Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Northern VA (Washington, DC area) Posts: 1,983	I agree with what everyone else has said - with Petsmart, it really depends on the individual trainer who is teaching that class. I took Bailey to puppy class at our local Petsmart and was less than impressed. It was pretty obvious that the trainer knew very little about dogs outside of the very basic job training Petsmart provides for their trainers. She couldn't answer basic questions we asked and had no structure to the class at all. She usually just focused on one or two dogs while the rest of us were on our own. She brought SOCKS for the dogs to play with during class. So yes, needless to say, I looked at this puppy class as just socialization for Bailey and worked on training him on my own. It is my fault though - I should have spoken in detail with the trainer or observed a class before I signed up! Hope you have a better experience at your Petsmart! __________________

08-07-2010, 01:55 PM	#29 (permalink)
Rose Newbie Join Date: Jul 2010 Posts: 34	Thanks so much for all the info. I still think this trainer is going to be good, I just wonder what else I could do to prevent parvo while we're there? They have sanitizer they use for the floor, but would that be enough, or is she more likely to get it from playing with the puppies? __________________

08-07-2010, 04:18 PM	#30 (permalink)
Dogwriter Member Name: Tanya Dog's Name: Piper (malt), Fella, Noelle. (Corgis) Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: TN Posts: 137	The virus can live for up to a year in the SOIL. So you can get it on your shoes (say, outside the store where an infected dog went to the bathroom). You can also get it, say, in a high-traffic horse sale barn. Our horse vet told us to sanitize our shoes after visiting other barns when we have pups around. So to answer your question, once the sick dog has been in /around the store, it's everywhere. You're probably more likely to get it from the store than direct contact with a dog (am I right? Hopefully? Because they won't bring a parvo puppy to class) __________________

07-29-2010, 02:16 AM	#22 (permalink)
Punky Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Posts: 106	Max attended three full eight week sessions at Petsmart. I think it really depends on the trainer and what you except from it also. I was very pleased with the result's. I wanted a happy, social little guy with his basics in a busy environment not to phase him, as we live in a very quite area. I think you should go speak to the person teaching and see if they click. Max has since moved on his training but I would say he and I had a wonderful time as did my family. They admitted could not really go rather with him. PetSmart cost 1/4 of what our main trainer could do and Petsmart was a better match for his need's at the times. Now I have titled my last 3 German Shep's in Schutzhund and my trainer's for that for Max then no would have been a horrible match, now its fine. So alot depends on the dog and where they are at mentaly also. Max is going to be giving a shot at at Agi & Rally, this week was his first big guy start. I wish you the best and mainly have fun with it! If you both are havinga good time then something is right.

08-02-2010, 04:39 PM	#26 (permalink)
Dogwriter Member Name: Tanya Dog's Name: Piper (malt), Fella, Noelle. (Corgis) Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: TN Posts: 137	Just a note about the parvo issue... my vet warned me not to take my fluff to PetSmart, she diagnoses dogs with parvo and then sees them there! That being said, my Corgis and some of my fosters have gone to PS training. The trainer at that time was great and they all learned a lot (and loved it). Haven't decided whether to take my wee one yet.

08-02-2010, 05:44 PM	#27 (permalink)
vjw Maltese Guru Join Date: Dec 2006 Posts: 3,363	Whew! It's wonderful to see some of you coming around on the puppy socialization issue. Most of the seasoned SM members know I have fought a long, hard battle for over two years to get the message across to SM members about the importance of EARLY puppy socialization. . . . AND it's bascially been "combat" between me and MANY opposing forces. (For new SM members, the big debate has been about the American Maltese Association's twelve week rule for their members and their statements that "reputable" breeders don't let their puppies go to new homes before twelve weeks of age.) You can visit AMA's site to see THEIR reasoning. That said, I don't recommend PetSmart for PUPPY classes because of the unknown health and vaccination status of the other dogs which go into their stores and Vet. clinics. It's optimal if puppy classes are conducted in a clean environment. In the DVM360 article referenced in another post in this thread, the link to ASVAB's site didn't work for me, so here's a direct link: http://www.avsabonline.org/avsabonli...ialization.pdf

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