Puppy Classes

milliegrace · 03-05-2011, 08:50 PM

I was wondering if anyone here has ever done the puppy classes at Petsmart? I can't find anything specific on the classes or reviews. I have some other choices here. Our humane society has puppy classes as well. Petsmart is closest though so am hoping someone has had a good experience there.

Mikey T · 03-05-2011, 10:13 PM

I would tend toward the humane society however each should allow you to observe a class if they are unwilling run not walk away. Comparing classess form one petsmart to another is rather useless because the do not have their own independant training of trainers so quality of callses between locations varries a great deal.

what to look for in a puppy class from the founder of puppy training classes Ian Dunbar
puppy training
text book

MollyMcFrecklesMom · 03-05-2011, 10:29 PM

I actually took Molly to Petsmart puppy class. She started at 10 weeks old (minimum age, I believe) and to be honest, we struggled to get through it. She has such a stubbornness about her and she lagged behind the other dogs (a Cocker Spaniel and a Labradoodle). They teach basic commands: sit, lay down, come, stay, loose leash walking. I could get Molly to follow the commands at home, but it didn't translate in class. I think the distraction was too much for her, but Molly is an easily distracted dog. Because she was slow to learn, her trainer kind of gave up on her halfway through the course. She (the trainer) was more hands on with the other dogs and would make comments to the effect that Molly was not learning, cooperating, etc. She was much less attentive to Molly and never really offered much in the way of help in solving problems. Honestly, I don't think she had much experience with bassets and was less than patient with her. I'm sure many would agree that it takes patience, patience, patience to teach a basset.

Maybe check if you can observe a class and see if it's something that might work for you and your dog. I may have just had a bad experience and much of this may be due to Molly's personality. So, take my experience for what it's worth. I know the others in my class had more success than I did.

Mikey T · 03-05-2011, 10:43 PM

Quote:

They teach basic commands: sit, lay down, come, stay, loose leash walking

hence the problem a puppy kindergarten should be off leash it is not the proper venue to start teaching loss leash walking. After a complete session of puppy classes then perhaps. classes that are overly focused on obedience and manners and light on socialization dog dog v dog comunication skill are depriving the dog the most imporant aspect of such classes. Puppy kindergarten should be off leash an mixture of obedience training an play that basical occur simultaniously

The way puppy training classes should be run
available as on demand from amazon as well.

MollyMcFrecklesMom · 03-05-2011, 10:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mikey T

Puppy kindergarten should be off leash an mixture of obedience training an play that basical occur simultaniously

I 100% agree with that! They did some off leash training, but it was way too heavy on loose leash walking. There was no play involved and socialization was not emphasized. Molly learned to walk correctly on her leash from practice - going for walks, with me teaching her (and using the Sporn harness). Again, go spy on a class at Petsmart and see how they run things.

Ogilvy · 03-05-2011, 10:56 PM

I also took Elvis to the 8 weeks at petsmart.

You learn the basics, and like Molly Elvis was very distracted in the store setting.

But the one thing that made it worth spending the time was the socialization with all the other dogs, he loved it. and even now he's great with other dogs, he plays with our daughters pitbull and then plays with my sister in law's dachhound.

Unfortunately, Elvis needs obedience training, but not due to Petsmart. Petsmart was fun.

milliegrace · 03-06-2011, 07:37 AM

Thank you for the responses everyone. It sounds like the Humane Society class may be a better choice. From what I know it is mostly off-leash playing and they do one command a week. I am mostly concerned with getting her around other dogs. We had a dog growing up that hated other dogs and it was tough!

Annie714 · 03-06-2011, 01:15 PM

It will definitely help if, when you take Millie to puppy classes, you remain as calm as you'd like her to be. These crazy cute hounds have a knack for picking up on their human's emotions and echoing them. So if she knows that you are cool, calm, and confident, she will be more likely to exhibit those qualities also. (IMO)

Tuesday · 03-06-2011, 05:04 PM

Look into clicker training. Starting that with my dog was the best decision I ever made! Puppies can learn a ton just from socializing with other puppies/dogs.

shallhb · 03-06-2011, 08:58 PM

If possible, find an obedience training club near you, and go with that. Most clubs offer puppy classes, and you are likely to get people with years and years of dog training experience. I think the advice to observe a class first is good advice for *any* training venue. So, if you do find a club, do ask if you can observe a class, and see if it looks good for you. Good luck!

03-05-2011, 08:50 PM	#1 (permalink)
milliegrace Junior Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Posts: 17	Puppy Classes I was wondering if anyone here has ever done the puppy classes at Petsmart? I can't find anything specific on the classes or reviews. I have some other choices here. Our humane society has puppy classes as well. Petsmart is closest though so am hoping someone has had a good experience there. __________________ ~* Shannon *~ http://pdgm.pitapata.com/9uT5m4.png http://i55.tinypic.com/2ik6420.jpg

03-06-2011, 07:37 AM	#7 (permalink)
milliegrace Junior Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Posts: 17	Thank you for the responses everyone. It sounds like the Humane Society class may be a better choice. From what I know it is mostly off-leash playing and they do one command a week. I am mostly concerned with getting her around other dogs. We had a dog growing up that hated other dogs and it was tough! __________________ ~* Shannon *~ http://pdgm.pitapata.com/9uT5m4.png http://i55.tinypic.com/2ik6420.jpg

03-06-2011, 01:15 PM	#8 (permalink)
Annie714 Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Huntington Beach, CA Posts: 1,164	It will definitely help if, when you take Millie to puppy classes, you remain as calm as you'd like her to be. These crazy cute hounds have a knack for picking up on their human's emotions and echoing them. So if she knows that you are cool, calm, and confident, she will be more likely to exhibit those qualities also. (IMO) __________________ Blog about the antics of Annie and I. http://thechickandthehound.blogspot.com

03-06-2011, 08:58 PM	#10 (permalink)
shallhb Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: San Francisco, Ca Posts: 1,348	classes If possible, find an obedience training club near you, and go with that. Most clubs offer puppy classes, and you are likely to get people with years and years of dog training experience. I think the advice to observe a class first is good advice for any training venue. So, if you do find a club, do ask if you can observe a class, and see if it looks good for you. Good luck! __________________ Sharon Hall Grace (puppy in training) Bella, UD, VER, TD, RE, CGC Pearl,UD, TDX, RE, CGC (Waiting at the Bridge) Samantha, Theodore, CGC, Louella, Zeke and Arty, Bassets All; (All Waiting at the Bridge)

03-05-2011, 10:13 PM	#2 (permalink)
Mikey T Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2000 Location: West Warrwick, RI Posts: 7,729	I would tend toward the humane society however each should allow you to observe a class if they are unwilling run not walk away. Comparing classess form one petsmart to another is rather useless because the do not have their own independant training of trainers so quality of callses between locations varries a great deal. what to look for in a puppy class from the founder of puppy training classes Ian Dunbar puppy training text book

03-05-2011, 10:29 PM	#3 (permalink)
MollyMcFrecklesMom Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Southeast PA Posts: 1,182	I actually took Molly to Petsmart puppy class. She started at 10 weeks old (minimum age, I believe) and to be honest, we struggled to get through it. She has such a stubbornness about her and she lagged behind the other dogs (a Cocker Spaniel and a Labradoodle). They teach basic commands: sit, lay down, come, stay, loose leash walking. I could get Molly to follow the commands at home, but it didn't translate in class. I think the distraction was too much for her, but Molly is an easily distracted dog. Because she was slow to learn, her trainer kind of gave up on her halfway through the course. She (the trainer) was more hands on with the other dogs and would make comments to the effect that Molly was not learning, cooperating, etc. She was much less attentive to Molly and never really offered much in the way of help in solving problems. Honestly, I don't think she had much experience with bassets and was less than patient with her. I'm sure many would agree that it takes patience, patience, patience to teach a basset. Maybe check if you can observe a class and see if it's something that might work for you and your dog. I may have just had a bad experience and much of this may be due to Molly's personality. So, take my experience for what it's worth. I know the others in my class had more success than I did.

03-05-2011, 10:56 PM	#6 (permalink)
Ogilvy Junior Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: New York Posts: 4	I also took Elvis to the 8 weeks at petsmart. You learn the basics, and like Molly Elvis was very distracted in the store setting. But the one thing that made it worth spending the time was the socialization with all the other dogs, he loved it. and even now he's great with other dogs, he plays with our daughters pitbull and then plays with my sister in law's dachhound. Unfortunately, Elvis needs obedience training, but not due to Petsmart. Petsmart was fun.

03-06-2011, 05:04 PM	#9 (permalink)
Tuesday Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Posts: 160	Look into clicker training. Starting that with my dog was the best decision I ever made! Puppies can learn a ton just from socializing with other puppies/dogs.

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