I want to enroll my puppy in a dog training course at either one of these places. Here's my deal, okay so my brother in law manages the Petsmart closest to my home and he says tha they are much better. The Petco by my home is much much closer and they claim that they are better. They are both about the same price but I don't know who's telling the truth and who really has certified trainers. If you know please help me out! Thanks!
I work at Petsmart and before people heckle me about anything I want to say, I won't boast. It really is personal preference. Even private trainers who are "certified" can still be bad trainers and people who aren't certified can still be the best trainers. I cant speak for petco but Petsmart actually trains their people and makes them work with an experienced trainer. Unless that particular store has people with questionable morals, most people don't take on classes on their own unless the experienced trainer feels they're ready. At my store there have been quite a few trainers I don't care for and only one I recommend people to.
pets question and answers,www.5d2d.com
Also, certification differs greatly with pet training. People disapprove of various methods all the time. I've had people argue with me that shoving a dog's face in it's feces is the best potty training method and hitting a dog when it "acts out" ; is the best way to control them.
I just pray you don't go to someone who uses aggressive methods to train dogs. I have had a family member take his dog to a private trainer that used spiked training collars and shock collars to train his dog. Before working at petsmart I took my dog to a private trainer that treated the dogs very well and only used positive reinforcement.
You need to set up a meeting with any trainer of your choice and have them show you their methods of training. Also take into consideration the trainer his/herself. See if they can be stern but non-aggressive and make sure they're not too sweet or shy as they may not be able to handle the dog.
Of course they will boast about themselves .... No good business will say "we suck."
pets question and answers,www.5d2d.com
With either place it's literally a shot in the dark, a crapshoot if you will - some places have decent trainers who know what they're doing, others have crap trainers that learned to train by watching a couple of videos. Either way they tend to focus on ONE training method (which is the petsmart/petco approved method) and won't even consider trying another even if your dog doesn't respond.
If i where you i would try looking for accredited trainers that are associated with your local kennel club, or at least someone who has years of experience with various training methods.
Honestly, they are about the same. There really isn't an accredited certified trainer program. People go through programs and think they can call themselves "certified trainers" but it's really just BS. Both will claim they are better because they want the business. Either will be fine to teach you and your dog basic house manners.
I prefer to look for dog training clubs or independent training centers as the folks there typically practice what they preach. I would rather have a trainer who has trained her dog into the upper level of competetive obedience/agility/rally teach me about dog manners than some "certified trainer".
hmm .. around here, PetSmart doesn't have trainers but PetCo does. These kinds of trainers are not certified nor had any real canine psychology training. They have been through the "PetCo" trainers training and basically take already good puppies and teach them to sit. I actually get the referrals from many of our local PetCo trainers when the issues fall outside of their comfort zone. They can't and won't deal with anything other than perfect puppies and do not have the skills to deal with behavioral issues or more complex issues. I would highly recommend you find a certified trainer and spend your money there. Of course good trainers are a crap shoot so use the "find a professional" link on the IACP (http://.canineprofessionals.com) to find one. Good luck.
It depends ...
pets question and answers,www.5d2d.com Mostly on the trainer that the store happens to employ. I work at petsmart, my store has a GREAT trainer who is very flexible with techniques. He has used snapple lids to clicker train shy sensitive dogs (regular clickers were too loud!) Using 100 % positive reinforcement only to using leash corrections/prong collars for more difficult dogs. He's been training for over 18 years and actually trained for the US Army. Outside of his training in petsmart he is very active with Search and Rescue training new dogs and he works his own dog. On the flip side there is a store in my district who's trainer has never even owned a dog.
Long story short - you have go and meet with the trainers talk to them both before you decide.
They're both pretty piss poor. The reason is that the trainers are basically given a big handbook to teach from. They are not allowed to deviate from that handbook, which is impractical because all dogs are individuals with their own unique problems and ways of learning things.
