Obedience Training

Petco/Petsmart VS. Dog training specialists...

What are the advantages/disadvantages?

My friend has a extremely dog aggressive 4 month pit and needs to know which one do you recommend?

 

are u asking which one will be able to work out the dog agression, or are u asking which one will work around the dog agression?

 

well I can tell you right now to avoid Petco and Petsmart. Their training isn't effective even on lesser breeds. One of our members works for one of them and was sent for a two week course to train dogs. I tested Petsmart with one of my Shar-pei. I was highly disappointed. They may be good for a socialistic aspect but not for really training dogs. Your going to have to train the dog yourself or find a professional trainer. I would suggest getting ahold of Missy16. She should be able to point you in the right direction.

WB

 

Good advice from Atilla. I , too, live in California...but am fortunate to live in the SF Bay area so I take Blue to the bad-rap dog obedience course in Berkeley. The class is all pit bulls, some of which are dog aggressive. Blue is dog aggressive and she is learning to be attentive to me and my boyfriend, we both attend and take turns handling her. You can check their website badrap.org
Google it, I cannot put the link in this post and email them to ask for pit friendly trainers in your area. they are swamped so make take some time to respond, but be patient...they will get back to you...it may take 3 weeks or more.
When I decided to train Blue I checked out some dog training clubs in my area. I just google searched for local dog training clubs. I got phone numbers and called and asked to visit their classes. Then I did. My local dog training club uses the correction method and I wanted to go with a more positive training method instead of the old Ernest Koehler "yank and crank" of jerking them around.
Blue has responded very well to her classes. She actually lay down last Saturday and looked at me while the teacher (one of the teachers) led his pit bull around her in a circle. About 2 feet away from her. That was the second time. She jumped up the first time. I was standing on her leash, however, so she didn't get far or at the other dog.
I strongly urge you to research local resources, visit the classes first and watch a class. Talk to the trainer after the class and tell her/him your dog is dog aggressive.
We (the bf and I) walk Blue daily (almost) at our local waterfront and it is getting to be a real pleasure, we can walk past other dogs without her going crazy, but we have had to put time and effort into it. She has made quantum leaps in obedience since we started attending the all-pit bull class. And we have not had to use any harsh methods. We are much better dog handlers and she is getting to be a really obedient dog. I have high hopes of getting a CGC for her in a few months.
If my bf and I were more knowledgeable when we started, she might have it now, but every class we go to makes us and her better...
You need more experienced handlers than PetSmart/ Petco. I would not recommend either of them. A well behaved dog is worth the time and effort of researching other trainers. Look in the phone book. Go to local dog shows. Talk to local people and find someone who is sympathetic to you and your dog and to pit bulls.
Good luck and keep us posted.
A ton of reading on the internet is not worth an hour in a class with pit experienced handlers and a bunch of other pits in the class. The sooner you start your research, the sooner you will be confident with your dog, or your friend's dog. and everyone will be happier. The dog can be an ambassador for the breed instead of confirmation of all the old myths about ravening monster dogs.
I am real happy with bad-rap's training methods. Yes, Blue gets corrected, with a pinch collar, but very seldom, as she has learned to be attentive and usually responds to "tone of voice." I am glad I do not have to "yank her around."
I think most pits are very sensitive to their owners and we all know they want to please their people, I hope your friends take advantage of this trait of our breed and consider positive training.