Dog Health Questions: HOW TO STOP MY DOG BARKING!!!?

My dog is a cocker spaniel she is 11.5 months. When i leave my dog in the house (on her own) she starts squealing and barking and she scratches the door... She barks when my family goest to the shop and we stay out.. She already has 3 reports... Im 13 i really love my baby puppy as i saw the letter about my dog has to be gone on Oct. 18 I STARTED TO CRY and i promissed i would try to stop her bark... BUT SHE DOESNT LISTEN... My parents dont have any money for special dog training lessons is there anything for free that could help my dog?

PLEASE HELP MY DOG TO STAY... Thank you very much from Maria.

My email: maria.douglas1997@hotmail.co.uk

Dog Training - Tips For Consistency

Recommended Answer:
You could try a device that was meant especially for training a dog to stop barking. These devices use ultrasonic sounds to make stop the dog from barking. You can train the dog with the device and after a while you can command it to stop barking or to start barking. These devices are harmless to dogs and to humans.

Dog Training: To Have Or Not To Have A Trainer

• Do you train her daily to get her brain working?
  
  How often do you walk her? She needs long walks daily to get rid of all that energy.
  
  Do you leave a toy such as kongs behind when you leave in her crate with her?
  
  Could very well be seperation anxiety. Look it up and sort it out.
  http://www.dog-pictures.co.uk/dog-care-a…


• your dog has separation problems. you can try stepping out of the house for a few minutes then back in. trying to teach your dog will not be left behind. you can try leaving a tape recording of your voice behind or the radio on. both of these on batteries.


• go and buy a no bark collar. you can get them over the internet for about 19.95. what every time the dog barks the collar disrupts them


• Man has been searching for this answer ever since dogs have been domesticated.


• Since this is a pretty dire situation, like you have had lots of complaints, consider a corrective collar. The electric ones work best, but I hate them becuse they can unfairly correct your dog. I would not go for a cheap-o one, they don't work as well as the nicer, and more expensive ones. Also, if your dog has true separation anxiety, it might make the situation worse. VERY FEW DOGS I HAVE COME ACROSS ACTUALLY HAVE TRUE SEPARATION ANXIETY. Most are just spoiled and the barking is a learned behaviour, and will go away with consistent correction and redirection.
  
  A more long term solution would be to crate train the dog so that he is not anxious about being alone in there, and keep the crate in an interior room should he begin to bark while you are away, cutting down on outside noise.


• Okay you can try to use the startle method- when she starts barking blow a whistle or shake a can full of coins. When she stops barking to see what the heck the noise is, praise her and give her a treat. Repeat until she learns that stopping the barking will get her rewarded.
  
  If she only barks when you're leaving, don't make a big deal about leaving or coming home. In fact, just ignore the dog when you walk in or leave for a few minutes. You can try walking out of the door, and then coming back in a few seconds. Keep doing this until she learns that you WILL come back. After she learns this, start to stay outside the door until she stops barking. Once she stops, come back in. This way she learns that you will come back when she stops barking.
  
  Don't use bark/shock collars, they can be dangerous and confusing for the dog and many times will just make the barking worse!
  
  Also, dog training and animal behaviourists are often a lot cheaper than people think. I would look into it. If your parents agreed to let you have a dog, they really should invest in a trainer. Tell them you will pay them back with housework or as an early birthday present. It's not fair to you or the dog to not take care of her.


• supposedly leaving an old t-shirt or a toy you have rubbed in your hands will help stop this behaviour (known as separation anxiety) also leaving things like bones or hiding treats in different places around the house or garden. im knot sure but i saw the movie grown ups and they got their dogs vocal chords cut and it stopped it from barking ( loudly that is but it sounded kind of like a turkey) it my not be possible but its better than it being sold or put down

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Dog Health Questions: My dog has a issue with peeing...help!!!!?

ok i hav a a pug/chihuahua and everytime i leave the house and come home she gets overly excited to see me. she wangs her tail and is happy to see me and pees on me. shes is 7 months so i have learned to pick her up and run to take her outside before she pees inside the house. i got dog training pads and she uses them. so we have another pug/chihuahua and he doesnt do what she does. what is the problem? how do i fix it?

Dog Training Tips - Negative Reinforcement Vs. Positive Reinforcement - Which Is More Effective?

Recommended Answer:
Why Does My Dog Urinate When Excited?
Extreme emotion can elicit some powerful physical responses - adrenaline rushes through the blood stream, there's changes in muscle tone, the heart rate hastens. A loss of bladder control in dogs is one physical response that's commonly seen in a dog who's experiencing intense emotion, usually fear or excitement.

Dogs who experience extreme excitement to the point where involuntary urination occurs tend to be dogs who experience very high "highs" and very low "lows." Dogs who become incontinent and urinate when excited tend to be submissive and less confident by nature; this promotes excitement urination because the dog lacks the ability to maintain a steady emotional state on his own. Instead he looks to humans and outward sources for confidence and happiness, leading to a great fluctuation in mood, with very high "highs" and very low "lows."

How Do I Stop My Dog from Urinating When Excited
A dog who urinates when he's excited does not do so intentionally - it's an involuntary action that's beyond his control. Therefore, a dog's excitement urination problem is not a traditional behavioral problem like housebreaking where the dog can be trained to stop urinating at a certain time and place.

The key to resolving a dog's tendency to urinate when excited involves lessening the amount of extreme excitement that the dog experiences through changes in human habits and through boosting the dog's confidence level.

Step One: Boost the Dog's Confidence Level
A dog who is confident will be better equipped to regulate his emotional state. Confidence in a dog helps him to remain mentally stable, without the extreme fluctuations in mood that are seen in dogs who lack confidence. Dogs who lack confidence tend to rely on humans for happiness and a sense of well-being, so when the dog's human family members are not present, the dog's mood dips into feelings of anxiety and unhappiness. A confident dog will have a more stable mood and he'll be less apt to become incontinent when excited.

The most effective way to increase a dog's confidence level is through training. Obedience training provides the dog with an opportunity to interact with the owner in a positive way where the dog learns a command and then receives a reward for performing the command. Three or four ten-minute training sessions per day are the simplest and most effective ways to improve a dog's confidence.

Notably, improving a dog's confidence level will also help to resolve issues stemming from submission. Submissive urination is a separate, but related problem and many dogs who urinate as an act of submission will also urinate when excited.

Step Two: Make Exciting Events Less Exciting
Greetings are the most common time for excitement urination. Therefore, family members and guests must work to make the greetings less remarkable for the dog.

When returning home, verbally acknowledge the dog in a calm voice, but avoid physical contact. Physical contact such as petting during a greeting can send a dog's excitement level through the roof, leading to involuntary urination on the dog's part. Use of an excited voice should also be avoided, as the dog picks up on this as a cue that says "This is a time to get excited!"

Once the initial excitement of the family member or guest's arrival has waned - usually after five to ten minutes - it is acceptable to physically pet the dog for a physical greeting.

Meal times are another time where a dog's excitement is high. Feeding more frequently with three or four small meals per day will help the dog to feel less hungry, which will remove some of the excitement. Preparing the meal and putting the food down when the dog is not present is another way to eliminate some of the excitement that's associated with the anticipation of the meal.

These measures should resolve problems of excitement urination in the vast majority of dogs. In cases where there's little or no improvement, dog owners should contact an experienced trainer to assist. A visit to the veterinarian is also helpful in these cases, as an underlying physical problem like a urinary tract infection may be to blame for the dog's bathroom accidents.

Top 10 Successful Dog Training Tips

• oh dont worry bout it, all puppy's go through that stage. there is a powder you can buy at the pet store that makes a smell that we cant sence but it makes them stop peeing inside. just put it on the carpet and HEY PRESTO

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Dog Health Questions: Dog training?

What is the best way to train a puppy not to do his bussiness on the floor in the house and to go out side? Is there a website that has videos or articals that teach how to do this?

Top Dog Training Tips

Recommended Answer:
There are plenty of websites that offer excellent tips for house breaking along with ton's of books in your local pet store.

You have to let your puppy know what the outside is for by showing him. When you take him out first thing in the morning, be sure to take treats with you Leash him up and take him to the spot you want him to go (this should have been done the first day you brought him home before ever entering the house) walk him in circles using a command word, eventually they will associate this word with eliminating and will learn to go on command. Once he squats to pee, praise him really well saying "good potty" or "good pee pee" and give him a treat, he will understand that what he did pleased you so he'll want to do it again. Then keep circling again until he poops and repeat with the praising and treats. And stay outside until he does go, it might take 5 minutes it might take 30 minutes. Remember, you want your dog to suceed. Be patient and most of all be CONSISTENT, do it the same way EVERY time don't keep changing your methods it will screw him up, pick a method and stick with it.

When done bring inside and confine to either the kitchen or a crate. Make sure the area in the crate is big enough to turn around in but not big enough to be able to pee in. Dogs don't mess where they sleep so they learn to eventually hold it. But remember a puppy can only hold it for 1 hour for every month in age 4 months = 4 hours.

Puppies must be taken out immediately when they wake up, this means before your cup of coffee, immediately after playing and after napping and about 30 minutes after each meal. then 1-2 hours in between all that.

It's important that if he messes on the floor that you don't punish. They cannot associate the act of going with the mess they made. You punish they will think you are mad at the mess and so they will learn to hide the mess so you won't be mad. Just clean it up really well and ignore. If you catch them in the act of going, clap your hands and say OUTSIDE. Pick him up and take him immediately outside to finish, when he does praise him and reward with a treat. Soon he will learn what the outside is for.

Go to google and type in "housebreaking puppies" you'll get a lot of websites that will offer helpful tips, and the next time you are in PetSmart or Petco pick up a book on Housebreaking and crate training.

Good luck

Dog Training: What Is Dog Training?

• Crate training and do not let him roam the house unsupervised.


• Schedule his water and amount of it. Realize the size of his bladder and you should be fine. Any dog with this in mind should be house broken in 2 to 3 weeks.


• I've had the most success by using a crate to put the pup in whenever you can't be right there and when it is out of the crate be really vigilant for signs that it has to potty. I take mine outdoors as soon as I open the crate and bring them in when they have pottied after lavishly praising them and using words such as "good boy/girl..good potty" and "oh my, good peepee. Mine both understand the words for the function and now will pretty much go on command when taken out. They have also learned to tell me but that is different with each dog. One just stands and looks at me and the other whirls in circles in front of the door.


• When your dog pees gently spank her and put her outside again. If your dog is having trouble learning give her some pottie pads or newspaper. Go outside with her and if she goes give her a treat until she understands going outside is a good thing.


• You need to teach your puppy what is okay, and what isn't. The very best method of housebreaking is crate-training, it works with the pups natural instinct not to mess where they sleep, and cuts down on accidents in the house.
  
  It's important to balance crate time with supervised play times and lots of one on one attention. Try to limit the opportunities your puppy has to 'make mistakes'. Buy a good enzymatic cleaner (such as Nature's Miracle) to remove all traces of odor from any area where he has an 'accident'.
  
  Choose a crate that is just big enough for him to stand up, sit down, lie down and turn around without touching the sides. Anything bigger and he'll find room for a sleeping spot and a potty spot in his crate!
  
  You can find tons of free information on potty training, crate training and all other aspects of puppy care at the website below. Best of luck with your puppy!


• Who Else Wants To know everything you need to know about dog training Without reading pages of boring text? ***I'm going to show you how you can quickly and easily train your dog with ease in as little as the next two weeks! I know that sounds hard to believe...But it's 100% true. Please continue reading... This online dog training course will show you:How Your dog tugging on his leash can be conquered in one single step! The number one Dog Training secret revealed shows you how to get rid of your dog not obeying your commands! A simple Dog Training idea that you can start using tomorrow to teach your dog neat tricks! The biggest reason behind your dog having "accidents' in your house and what you can do to House Train/Potty Train! And much much more. This is a complete fun, effective guide to training your dog and achieving maximum results.Go ahead, try dog-training-online at risk-free for a full 8 weeks. If it doesn't pay for itself many times over, you can send an email receive a complete, no-questions-asked refund! http://www-marketingpros.com/online_dog_training

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Dog Health Questions: Will this effect my dogs training? (please help!)?

Hi, I am about to adopt a cattle dog x border collie and am going to try and train her well. We have another dog in the household who is a not so well trained poodle who my family got when i was about 9. I am now 13 and have researched dog training a lot. Will our poodle effect my dogs training?
Thank you

Small Dog Training - Obstacles You Need to Know About

Recommended Answer:
It can certainly affect training having an untrained dog in the house.
Now that you have researched into training- why not train your poodle, as well?
The two dogs together will be difficult to work with- so its important to set time aside each day to train each dog individually.
Some basic things you can do to keep your Poodle calm and encourage the new dog to behave is to :
Make the dogs sit, and stay in the sit command when you open the door- only allowing them to leave when you give them a release command. (verbal corrections work very well here- if the dogs start to try to move a simple 'aah' is usually enough to stop them... then you get them to sit again and not move until you tell them to.)

Make the dogs sit before you feed them, and dont allow them to eat until you give a release command.

Make the dogs sit before you pat them, or interact with them, etc.

This is a very basic way to train a dog- but it is very effective.
Muti dog households are much harder to run- so you need to ensure that you are in charge of both dogs, and that you are always in control.

Taking both dogs to obedience will also help.

Cattle dogs and Border Collies are both very active, intelligent dogs- so this pup will make sure you have your work cut out for you!
Good luck with them- and good luck training your dogs!
(I started training my old dog in Obedience when I was 14- its great fun!)

Dog Training: To Have Or Not To Have A Trainer

• No. Just incorporate the Poodle with the train of your new dog. Never too late for a dog to learn.


• It's possible. Then again, it's possible that it might help the poodle. I took my dog to a friend's house and was showing my friend all the tricks she can do, and my friend's dog started doing what my dog was doing.


• Why not start trainning your poodle? Its NEVER too late to train a dog, in fact it is EASIER TO TRAIN AN ADULT AS THEY HAVE LONGER ATTENTION SPANS, Why not enrol in dog obedience classes? Simple commands use a food item there work wonder for dog trainning
  
  A badly behaved dog can be disasterous on another dog.


• i think it will, because the dog will encourage the dog to follow in his footsteps. and if the new dog is a puppy, it will look up to the poodle, just like a 1st grader would look up to you. i am 12 yrs old and have never had a dog, but like you i have done LOTS of research and i definnitely think the poodle will affect your dogs training


• Hi there...
  A great way to help the situation is to incorporate the poodle in your training, after all maybe he will learn a bit from the training.

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Dog Health Questions: Dog Training Help Please?

Hi-
I have a little Peakenese Shetzuh (not quite sure how you spell it) and he barks very loud when we have company over, or even when he thinks there is someone there. But he is fine when the company says hello and pets him. How can I make this stop? Also, I have a Husky Westie Mix and I like to walk him, only he literally drags me down the street! Any suggestions?

Thanks so much!

Dog Training Commands - How to Successfully Train Your Dog to Do Certain Commands

Recommended Answer:
If possible, you could try to block your dogs vision or access to the area where these people pass by.

Dog obedience training is the best solution to this type of excessive barking. Once you have your dog properly obedience trained, you will be able to communicate to him that this is unacceptable behavior.

You have the wrong collar/harness. There are effective antipull harnesses and collars. For a large, muscular dog that lunges, a prong collar is best.

If that doesn't work Obedience training is always another option.

Dog Training Collars - A Helping Tool

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Dog Health Questions: I need some reeeally god dog training tips!?

I am getting samoyed puppy, I want her to be as well behaved as possible!!!! No jumping, nipping, howing, come when I need her, stay when i need her to, leave it, and any others that you can think of. thank you!

Dog Training vs Horse Training

Recommended Answer:
Training: I would respectfully suggest you read a couple of books and watch some videos on raising and training dogs. Also, I recommend two TV shows, "The Dog Whisperer" with Cesar Millan on the National Geographic Channel, and "It's Me or the Dog," with Victoria Stillwell, on Animal Planet. Both programs are very instructive and often deal with the issues you raise here. Good luck!

3 Steps for Teaching Fido the Basic Behavior Dog Training

• I have a pittbull and I baught treats and when she did as told I treated her and now she does as told when told. If that don't work tale her to a trainer.

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Dog Health Questions: Dog Training Questions and Tips?

These are my questions:
1. How do you become a dog trainer?
2. Would people hire a 13 year old for a dog trainer?
3. TIPS?

I love working and training dogs. I've trained our dogs to be obedient as well. Also, I trained a fearful westie that my sister adopted. He's now a great family pet. Thanks:)

The 5 Best Dog Training Tips For You and Your Dog

Recommended Answer:
The only way to get "years of experience" as they put it is to continue training dogs. Maybe offer a local service, or to take someones pet to 4H, volunteer for Dogs for the Deaf or Guide Dogs for the Blind. I started training at your age and got a job at a dog kennel at 15. :) You gotta start somewhere

Improve Your Training Sessions With These Dog Training Tips - Part 1

• You can't even really work until you're at least 16, and no they wouldn't hire you. Just because you love dogs and trained family dogs, doesn't mean that will get you a job. People look for experience, and work history when considering hiring a dog trainer. Not to mention, a 13 year old would be too big of a liability to have working with dogs. What if the dogs are aggressive and you can't control them. The risk is too great. Wait a few years, get an entry level job at a dog training place (like as a secretary) and work your way up to a trainer.


• Well to become a dog trainer you have to make sure that you are stricked but dont kick or hit them. the only way at that age to get hired is friends or elderly people. I suggest becoming a dog walker or something like baby sitting it is easier and more people will hire you. you can get payed pretty good too.


• Try google.com
  
  You can't be a dog trainer until your older.


• You don't. No one is going to hire someone who hasn't trained/judged dogs for years.

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Dog Health Questions: Has anyone every used "The Bark Busters" dog training?

What were the pros and cons of using them. They are really expensive.

Beyond Canine Basics - Advanced Dog Training Methods

Recommended Answer:
we signed up for barkbusters. we've already had one session and have yet to schedule a second session. partly because both my husband and i are having some doubts about the effectiveness of the methods. a lot of reviews will read like this: "oh we saw results immediately and whenever we had an issue our trainer was always available to come back."
well, the second part is true. the first part unfortunately is not. now i suppose it does depend on the dog (or dogs, in our case). but i had an easier time training our dogs to do simple things like SIT and DOWN by watching trainers on animal planet. i'm not a huge fan of the growling (because it seldom works with our dogs) and i don't feel comfortable with the special leash and collar (similar to a choke chain). we use prong collars when we walk becuase otherwise they will drag us around.
the idea is that by growling, you are communicating in a way that the dogs are familiar with since they use growling to "talk" to other dogs. what i think that most dog owners, if not every dog owner, will tell you is that dogs do recognize certain english words. they obviously aren't able to understand the word but they do understand the sound (and what it means for them).
our experience with BB is that for the first few days afterwards, our pups were confused and anxious. we have barking issues and some biting issues that we wanted corrected and our trainer has not addressed either of these. her advice was this: "if you see them perk up RIGHT BEFORE they start to bark, then growl and they should behave." my reaction (in my head): "unless you want me to sit by the window forever keeping a lookout for anything that might ignite a barking spree, then please offer a solution to make them STOP barking."
they are expensive. because of that we had expected MAJOR results. but just remember, training takes a ton of patience. your dog is learning about the world around him and learning how humans want him to behave as opposed to how he--as a dog--would behave.
i hope that this helps! good luck!

Dog Training Jobs - How to Become a Professional Dog Trainer

• We used them and while their techniques do work - I wouldn't spend the $$ on them again. It could be the specific trainer that we had but she never bothered to even follow up after our initial session.
  
  Save your $$ and take your pup to a class at a local obedience school. I wish we had.
  
  Ultimately though - successfully training your dog has more to do with you and your consistency than anything else!


• Most times the dog AND THE OWNER need training. Buy some decent dog training books.

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Dog Health Questions: Help with deciding on dog training ? Agility or what?

Well i have 2 yr old shepard, chow , collie mix. So he's big, smart, athletic and easily bored. I feel i need to give him a task or a challenge but living in the suburbs their is a shortage of herds to wrangle.

so i was wondering about getting him into agility training or something like it , but have no clue as to where or how to start. If anyone has some tips, sites, or suggestions on similar things that would be great.

Dog Training Aids - Get The Right Tools For The Job

Recommended Answer:
I was in the same boat last summer. I wanted to find an agility trainer, but nothing listed in the local yellow pages in my area. So I did some research and found out there was a local Agility Club. I contacted them and asked for recommendations on trainers. Since my Border Collie was just a pup at the time, I couldn't really persue proper agility training for a while, so I got into a confirmation obedience class. Obedience training is really good to have down when you do get to agility, or while you're working on agility. My breed gets bored easily too, but I have found that even tho we've not begun agility yet, the daily work on Obedience has really helped with that. It gives her something to focus on.

So search the net for your area and see if you can find an Agility Club. Contact them and they will be able to put you in the direction of some trainers (I'm sure some members will be).

Good Luck finding a trainer... it's such a fun sport and I can't wait to start my classes with my Border Collie soon!

Dog Training Made Easy - Find Out How

• Contact local all breed clubs, check in the yellow pages of the phone book, look at postings at your vet's office, you should be able to find agility training advertised. And yes, it sounds like it would be great fun for you and your dog!


• Start with a Basic Obedience course at your local training school. You will have to go on to an advanced course because the dog must be off leash controlled in order to participate in any of the other training classes that are available.
  I love agility it's fast and competitive and fun for both the dog and the owner. There are also lots of competitions around.
  What ever training school you go to (make it a better one as opposed to the pet store types) the trainers will be able to direct you to a good trainer in whatever activity you choose to pursue.


• yes,it is difficult to start ,i have the same experience with you ,but at last i find a gorgeous book that help me to train my labs ,and i no longer need to send them to the clubs,.
  
  You'll get everything you need to know about puppy and dog training in some quick, no-nonsense, get-to-the-point-fast lessons.
  
  that is http://dogstraining.info , i recommend it for you,
  hope you like!

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Dog Health Questions: What do you think about Petsmart dog training classes?

I would like to say that I went to the 8 week class and wasn't impressed at all.

opinions?

Dog Training Has Many Benefits

Recommended Answer:
Petsmart obedience training isn't necessary what it suggests. They only teach tricks and how to walk on a leash. I am a big fan of the dog whispherer and I believe what he says. It's all about energy, the dog reacts to how you are feeling and is looking for you to be the pack leader. You can teach your dog to do anything that these trainers at Petsmart attept to train with a little pateince and the right mind set.

Clicker Training as an Effective Dog Training Tool

• The quality of the training at PetsMart is highly variable, depending on the actual experience of the instructor. Many of their "trainers" are ex-cashiers who went through PetsMart's Training Instructor Course -- mostly a binder full of reading material and a couple of hands-on shadowing opportunities. IMO they are more interested in people who can *sell* classes, rather than actually teach them.
  
  However, I do know some experienced dog people who teach/have taught for PetsMart. They have actual experience and expertise, which leads to a better quality class.
  
  I always recommend people find a dog training club in their area for classes -- those are usually taught by people who have trained and/or put obedience titles on dogs, and have experience with a variety of methods.


• As others said it is highly variable.
  Their puppy class is good for socialization, just because they allow younger puppies than most places and I know the dogs are vaccinated becuase you have to show proof.
  For basic obedience classes I prefer an experienced training class. Many cities offer them thru parks & rec. or you can call animal control for recommendations. Many of these are actually less expensive than petsmart.
  
  All training classes depend upon the work you put in during the week in between class.
  
  I also want a trainer with more than a "train to be a trainer" course as my trainer. There are many dogs and many situations that only years of experience can prepare you for. A 20 year old trainer with a single certification course is not going to do it for me.


• Honestly, it is hit or miss. It depends on two things: the trainer and how much you are willing to put into training. I think of the PetSmart training as sort of a community college education. It is affordable and you can have a wonderful experience and learn much, but you must put much into it as well.
  
  I have taken the classes with two different dogs. I observed the classes and met the trainers. I have been fortunate to have taken classes with wonderful trainers who were truly interested in my dogs, but have seen other trainers that I would not have taken the classes with. Do your research before enrolling. Know what is available in your area and the costs. Compare these and make your decision. I do believe you are allowed to retake a PetSmart class. If your experience is not what you want, request another trainer. (Oh, and I'm not knocking community colleges--I have an associate's degree I worked my tail off for.)


• it relly depends on how you work with your pet. I had a good experience with my daschund when i took him there. It was 8 weeks, but the secret is to take what they teach you and keep teaching the dog through the week. After the first 4-5 weeks it becomes much easier and by the end you will probably not need the class. Though it is fun to finish up with the class that you started with. I met a really good person there and our dogs meet up a couple of times a month now.
  
  I had a wonderful experience there. But it really depends on how you are with your pet and how much you actually spend training them. It is not like 1 week there and the dog will go and do its homework, you really have to bear down on them.


• Not impressed. The same people who teach your class are also stocking shelves and ringing up customers when there isn't a class going on.
  
  Contact your local training club, you'll be much happier. They usually offer a multitude of classes with trainers who are certified by the pet dog trainers association.


• I took my dog to Petsmart and actually it worked and I'm happy with the outcome. My dog got some great socialization and learned his basic commands.
  
  It probably depends on where you live. I live out in the country. Petsmart just opened a couple years back (if that long) and there was really no other place to go. I've never seen any other place advertise obedience before petsmart came around. Now of course it seems like everyone is advertising for it.


• My boyfriend is a manager at petsmart. All employees get a free puppy class. I use to work there as well, so I did classes with my boy, and we just put our new pup through classes.
  
  I did it 100% for the socialization, and that was it. I do all their training on my own. But for a breed like a german shepherd, it is very important to get them out there as puppies, around other puppies. I would never PAY for it myself, but to any inexperienced dog owner, I always recomend petsmart simply for the socialization, but only because petsmart is cheaper then most. We just spent over 300$ putting our pup through private classes with an experience training school in our area. Of course, I send them to stores that I know have good trainers. There are 3 stores in my area, with three trainers that are pretty good, and I recomend them.
  
  There was a trainer at my old store that I loved. She was great, and had a lot of experience with my breed. Unfortunatly, when it came time to do classes, my room mates talked me in to doing it at another store. I HATED that trainer. And she was the area trainer for all the other trainers in the district. Go figure. My older boy, although he has never been a huge barker as far as german shepherds go, went through a barking stage at 11 weeks old where he barked at everything. When he did it one time in class, she used her feet to shuffle him to a corner, and told the class "just ignore him, it's what they do". No advice on how to correct it or anything.
  
  With my pup, we did classes at a store way up north, with another trainer who was an area trainer as well. She is a GREAT trainer in basic obedience, but that is it. Our pup had fear aggression issues. 6 weeks through, and he got kicked out of class. Was it his fault? No. Another puppy had him backed under a chair, and would not leave, so he freaked out, ran out and nipped at the pup, and ran back under the chair. She stood the watchng the whole thing. She said she wanted to see how far the pup would take it. How far do you think he would take it?
  
  Petsmart trainers are also all forced to follow one training method, which is 100% positive reinforcement. while I think that is a good way to start, sometimes other actions need to be taken. I now have both my boys in private training with a very experienced trainer, who does use some old school methods. She was APPALLED at the thought of choke chains and at correcting the younger pup when he barked. Under her training, he only got worse, and nipped at several people. Under the new trainer, he is a different dog, and has made huge improvements.
  
  IMHO, to view only one way of training as the right way is very ignorant. As a trainer, you should accept that what may work on 90% of dogs won't work on every dog, and that is what most petsmart trainers DON'T accept, as that is how they are trained. If you have a dog with no problems and just want some good basic obedience, a lot of the trainers are decent. With a dog with no problems, our last trainer at petsmart would of been great. But with problem dogs, a lot of them just can't handle, UNLESS they've had previous experience outside of petsmart.


• I have clients that complain about the same thing, so they end up calling me. LOL
  But maybe it is because Pet' smart is using kids to do the Dog training. It take time and experience to train dog's
  There is also a lot more to it than it used to be.


• Not impressed with their training classes at all either. They don't have professional trainers, just interns. I left after the second class and enrolled in a community education class (town sponsored) and was much happier with the information and training.


• It completely depends on the individual trainer. My local Petco had a trainer that also did SAR and tracking, so was really good, however she moved on, and her replacement is a total novice that can't even do the CGC class.


• You know what, THAT is a very good question! I was wondering that myself, seeing as that in a few day's, my pup is going to those very same classes. I guess it all depends on the trainer.


• There ok i guess just signed my pup up for the course what type of doggy you got you can email me .


• you can train them yourselp or you can go there or get a privete trainer thats what my family did


• I didn't like it they were no help at all. I would ask a question and they would not answer them at all. So like you i was not impresssed at all.


• Fine for certain tempered dogs, for basic manners.
  
  That's it.


• ya petsmart people suck.... train your dog urself and it will like you more any way.


• Better than nothing, but not by much.


• Waste of money.
  
  A real trainer is a much better value.

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