I have a 1 year old Boxer-Mutt Mix who needs training and I was wondering who had cheaper training courses.

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• Not mutt it's a Mixed Breed. Petco.


• I do not know. But petsmart is usually 100 to 70 $$$$ a dog


• I would say pets-mart


• I have no idea since I don't live in the US but you shouldn't be looking for the cheapest training classes, you should be looking around for the best.


• Its not the price that should concern you but the quality of training that your going to receive. So far neither PetSmart nor PetCo have really experienced trainers. You'd be better off to try and find a local not for profit training club. these places are usually run by volunteers and they have been training and competing for years. Plus they don't get paid so your money goes to maintaining the training club not the business behind them. I've worked for PetSmart and their trainers only knew the bare bones basics. Same for the people at petco. Just some open book knowledge, nothing real world though i could be wrong but if your a good trainer people will seek you out you don't have to work for the big corporate monster. Look up obedience training clubs in your area, I'll bet you can fine at least one. If not best of luck with the Pet Company people.


• Well I used to work at Petland (the same as both you mention)and let me tell you that today what they do is sell a kit (which comes with the dog you are buying) with a DvD and a 1-800 number to call for training, on side of that I don't think they do, at least not in the store I was working on.


• You pretty much are going to get what you pay for.. You want cheap, you get cheap.. What is wrong with good training ??


• I am sure they are both comparible with price, and you get what you pay for.
  The problem is, somebody doesnt even have to know anything about dogs to be a trainer there.. It is a short course and a test.. If it were me I would suggest trying to find a local breeder with some good references, and some training specialties.
  Petsmartco is better than nothing if location doesnt allow other options. (just like taco bell will fill you up if thats all there is)


• You want a cheap and good trainer, then pay yourself to train the dog. If you take your puppy to Petco or Petsmart then it will be busy trying to play with the other dogs for the first 5 to 10 minutes, it will be best to just train it at home and when you are walking it to do what you want it to do. I been training my dogs at home all my life and haven't needed to take any of them to a place to get them trained. I can walk my dog without a leash and I can take him out the front while I put out the garbage and recyling stuff without worrying about him running away now.


• Most of what I have heard about these kind of places is that they aren't really very good and tend to be rather expensive. They can manage the "puppy kindergarten", but for serious training, I would seek elsewhere.
  
  My advice is to find your local Kennel Club, Obedience Club, Training Club, or Agility Club (you may not be interested in agility, but most start in obedience and will know some trainers they can suggest). These clubs take their training seriously and don't mess around with any of the "pet supply store" training, cuz it's just not good enuf. I was referred to my obedience trainer from the president of our local agility club. She's excellent, has been doing it for 25+ yrs and her prices are much better. I only pay $50 for a 7 week class. She doesn't have a "facility" which keep her costs down, and that makes her much more affordable. A lot of good trainers aren't the kind you will "find" in the local yellow pages.


• *You*.
  
  Head to the Library. Dog books are in the 636.x section if they're using the Dewey Decimal System...I don't remember what it is for the Library of Congress classification. Sample the training books there; check one out that fits you (that doesn't ask you to do anything to your dog that you're not comfortable with). Go home, read it thoroughly, purchase any necessary equipment, and have at it.
  
  The biggest advantage to training your dog yourself is that it really, I mean *really* strengthens the bond between you. How many dogs come home from those training academies knowing only how to respond to their trainers? The behavior experts actually make most of their money teaching the *owners* how to communicate with their dogs. You can learn this on your own. It's not hard; I've done plenty of it, including training my first dog up to the Utility level in obedience trials (equivalent of a Master's degree). And, surprise--it's even fun!
  
  Good luck, whatever you decide!