Dog Health Questions: Which has a better training program for dogs, PetCo or Petsmart?

I would like to put my 6 month old dog in dog training, but Im not sure which store has a better program. If you've taken your dog to either, or work there and know about their program, please tell me what you know!

The Evolution of Dog Training

Recommended Answer:
Honestly? neither. Most of classes run by Petco or Petsmart are run by 'trainers' with no real behavioral qualifications or experience.

Instead, look for an independently run training school with qualified, experienced instructors. The trainers could be certified by The Association of Pet Dog Trainers (APDT) AND have the relevant practical experience to back it up.

Look here for a list of certified trainers in your area:

http://www.apdt.com/

Best of luck!

Dog Training Aids - Do You Know How Safe The Methods Used For Dog Obedience Training Are?

• Neither.
  Get a real trainer for the best results.


• I agree with Gail neither store provides a good program. If you really want to train your dog properly find a trainer in your area that has real ability. I have watched the store program and I have found that some of there methods are not right. Private trainers train dogs full time and usually have taken courses and have bred dogs. The trainers at the store just train part time and don't care as much as a real, trainer I think.
  
  But that is great that your taking your dog to school.


• Neither


• My puppy did training at Petsmart and we both enjoyed it. I did not pick it because it was Petsmart. I actually looked online for a certified trainer where I live and she happened to work at Petsmart. All of the trainers are not certified. Just check that first, and then pick from on of those.


• Please go to a reputable trainer for your dog. The cost is about the same and at least you and your dog will be learning from some one who has had real experience.
  Both the places you have mentions rarely have qualified trainers, only store employees that have gone through a 6 week training program with minimal experience. I have been in both store while their so called training was in progress and walk away either laughing or shaking my head in disbelief. It was really bad.


• Yes, it would be better to go to a private kennel with obedience classes by a professional trainer with decades of experience. That being said, I should make the point that, at least where I live, PetSmart "trainers" are store employees who've had a short training session to learn to teach obedience, but Petco actually invites a professional trainer from outside the store to come in and do classes at the store.
  
  If that's the way it is where you live, Petco would by far be better than Petsmart. It still would not be as good as going to that same trainer's location, though, because the distraction level inside a pet store is HUGE for a dog just learning obedience.