PetSmart Training vs. Independant Trainer

why not just train it yourself and save some cash. these bulldogs are the easiest to train.

 

Because there's a LOT more money involved in - not your average cashier made trainer -- because that's what 90% of the trainers at Petsmart ARE - I'm not doubting that - some just choose it because it pays the bills and feeds the dogs, not everyone has the financial means to run their own facility and often times feeding ones own dogs and taking care of one's family. Is it the most reputable place to work? No. But it's rather hard to set up your own facility and not fold around here with the way things have been going in this state. And sometimes, the odd diamond in the rough is found at a crap-tastic Petsmart who truly DOES know how to train dogs and isn't some idiot teenager from off the street, which is what 90% of them are (as I said above).

And that being said, not every single non-commercial facility is all that reputable either - that's why I suggested INTERVIEWING the trainer and checking out the facility. There's quite a few in Michigan and states abroad I wouldn't mind seeing gone on that principle alone.

Sometimes it's nice to have the guidance of someone who is experienced in working dogs for areas that you'd have difficulty with. My dogs are 90% trained by me, but we still attend classes for the exposure to other distractions - like for competitive obedience - and to learn new/better ways to correct behaviors/actions - 99% of which are handler created.

 

I did the PetSmart training for both of mine.. GARBAGE. The trainer had previously worked with several PitBulls with sucess in the past & owned two rescue Pits herself..seemed a good idea at the time:rolleyes: But now, I have two 9month olds, and my male is easily trained, & a perfect companion...the female is biligerant, and impossible. She won't even come when called when there's food involved.. short of getting rid of her, which I don't want to do, what methods could I use for her? Is she too old to go with a trainer now? If not, any reccomendations in Greensboro, NC?

 

Any recommendations in the Atlanta/Douglasville, Ga area?

 

Never too late for training. We took a five year old, neutered male who was an absolute heathen and managed to get a CGC on him despite the fact that he's INCREDIBLY dog aggressive.

I would, for both you and Mathematic - check out the Association of Pet Dog Trainers. While you may have to search a bit harder for a APBT-savvy trainer, this is an association for trainers that actually does do something with dogs.

Association of Pet Dog Trainers - Dog Training Resources

 

Go with the indapendant trainer.

 

i'd say stay away i gave a pup to a friend in mass it caught parvo so did 5 others at that store acording to the mass department of agriculture

 

WOW, what a great link! It brought up 4 within 10 miles of me! Thank you SO much! ..and glad to hear it's not too late! I can't wait to talk to the trainers. I just wish I hadn't wasted $400 on the stupid clusterf*ck PetSmart crap

 

for some additional help im gonna have a self help book out soon titled "Do You Wanna FU#K With Me Dog?!?!" which will cover some additional methods like teaching your dog that the closet is his/her "safe zone" if the door is shut and they dont make a sound. i ll show you how to select a good 2x4 for driving nails thru and wrapping with barbed wire to take with you on walks for some "positive reinforcement" and keeping him/her in line. look for it at your local book store or hit me up thru PMs

 

nobody biting this morning? this thread needed spiced up a bit

 

LOL!!! 2x4 w/ barbed wire. That cracked me up Lee D! I feel like that sometimes, but training with treats and lotsa exercise have solved 99% of my behavior problems. That and my boy just isn't allowed to have any dog friends.

RJ

 

Not a problem. I did the Petsmart employment for a while. I couldn't stand the cookie-cutter method of training dogs. There ARE Petsmart trainers that know what they're doing, unfortunately, it takes seeing through Petsmart's "all happy dogs learn through cookies and clickers!" smoke screen. Sometimes a little bit of a correction IS needed.

Always interview the trainer and inquire about the titles their own dogs hold. Typically, a trainer worth their salt will actually do SOMETHING with their dog - even if it's not in the obedience field.

 

take my advise keep your dogs especially pups away from the place if you don't belive me call the mass dept of agriculture and ask them how many dogs died a week latter after gooing into their store