Positive Reinforcement In Your Dog Training
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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.
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.
Would Purchasing a Dog Book Or Dog Training Book Be Useful?
- Of course they will boast about themselves.... No good business will say "we suck."
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...
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.
I would find a good, qualified trainer in your area. You might need to pay a bit more, but in my opinion if you go to either petsmart or petco you're waisting your money. You'd be better off reading a dog training book and teaching from there.
Here's a link where you can find qualified trainers in your area:
http://www.apdt.com/petowners/ts/default… - Neither. Call a few local vets and ask for reccomendations in your area. Petsmart is terrible. They carry a small supply of overpriced junk. They are corporate minded and carry products based upon money. There trainers for the most part have limited or no experience in dog training. They read a manual and simply go thru a script. My biggest peeve is that the employees will answer your questions with the wrong answer and try to act like they know what there talking about.
- I wouldn't go to either of those because they don't have the schooling for dog training they are people that think they can train dogs. Trust me my mutt named Titan was in rolled in pet smart, because he wouldn't stop biting well lets say she got bit more on the way she acted then I did. I end up training my dog with a dog trainer on the side giving me tips. That had the classes be hind her.
- NEITHER.
To be a trainer at either of those places means you flunked at restocking shelves or cashier or could not make it as the Wal Mart Greeter
Seriously.
Find an AKC obedience club near you and sign up with a real trainer who has titled dogs.
http://www.akc.org/events/obedience/trai…
Remember your dog does not need to be a purebred or AKC registered to participate in these classes. - Ugh! Go to a real dog trainer. Sure they both have certified dog trainers...certified by Petsmart/Petco.
- Neither..
- neither
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