Dog Health Questions: Would you recommend AKC training clubs?

I live in Nashville and I want to take my 12 week old Lab/Boxer and Daschund mix to puppy school. My research found that PetSmart isn't very reliable for pet training, so I found the Nashville Dog Training Club, which is an AKC affiliated training club. However, I believe they are non-profit, so most of their trainers are volunteers. Has anyone ever taken their dog to an AKC Training Club? Have any input? I want her to be trained correctly, but I also love the cost benefit of these Clubs.

Overview of Dog Training

Recommended Answer:
The best training there is! I belong to one and have for years. The training you get at petsmart/petco is pretty much just socialization and manners, not real training. AKC kennel club affiliated training is that -- real training at a great price!

And no, mutts are welcome and non-akc dogs. In competition, must be AKC, but training is open to all

How Good Dog Training Makes For a Happy Dog

• I have never personally used one, but a friend of mine out of town did and said she would recommend it.. but she was busy so I couldn't ask anything else about it, just wanted to relate what she told me.


• Unless your dog are registered with AKC I don't think you are getting in to any special training clubs there may be if any. What type of training are you looking for just basic obedience or what.


• Ash I'm just outside of BG, KY...and let me tell you there are NO shortages of Grade A dog trainers and schools in our area. Google local trainers, schutzhund clubs and trainers blah blah, there are a ton of quality trainers here (why? I have no idea).


• Yes, I definitely recommend an AKC Training Club. Yes, the trainers are usually volunteer members of the club, but that doesn't mean these people have little or no experience. All of these volunteer trainer/club members are people who have trained their own dogs, usually numerous dogs, and actively compete in Dog Obedience, Rally Obedience, Agility, Tracking, etc, etc. I know at my AKC Obedience Training club I am currently taking 2 classes, with 2 of my dogs, from a club member who has 40 yrs in dog training, is an AKC Obedience/Rally judge, and has put a few OTCHs (Obedience Trial CH) on different dogs & has numerous UDXs. She is also somebody who actively competes with her own dogs in Obedience, Rally & Agility. And she keeps current by going to training seminars given by some of the top trainers/handlers in the country. This person is just one such individual at our AKC Training Club. There are several others with the same amount of experience & just as impressive a resume. Why do people like this volunteer their training talents to a club? Because dog training is their passion. Because they are truely committed to sharing their knowledge & helping people train their dogs not only for competition or to be wonderful companions. A whole lot different than a kid trained by watching a few videos about dog training & paid minimum wage to do so. Don't get me wrong, any training is better than no training. But if you are serious, an AKC Training Club is the way to go. I promise you you'll get more bang for your buck too.
  
  Edit: Pamela, our AKC Training club has trained purebred dogs & mixed breed dogs alike for over 50 yrs. Annie don't forget..... as of tomorrow 4/1/2010 Mixed Breed dogs will be competing with Purebred dogs at AKC Obedience/Rally/Agility Trials!!!!
  
  Source(s):
  Obedience Trainer/Competitor 23 yrs
  Rally Obedience Trainer/Competitor (since before it was an official AKC event)
  Agility Trainer/ADDICT over 10 yrs
  Volunteer Trainer/Club Member at an AKC Training club for 20 yrs