Showing posts with label dog training crate. Show all posts
Showing posts with label dog training crate. Show all posts

Tuesday, November 6, 2012

Dog Health Questions: I can I stop my dogs attacking each other when they see another dog? HELP?

I own a Male Staffy X & a Female Staffy. When they see other dogs the female barks & then the male attacks her. Both are 6 years old, desexed & have never been to dog training school.For the first2years of their life they grew up with 2 other dogs&got along great. I have moved back into a house with the same 2 dogs they grew up with&fenced off a section,however they keep fighting with each other&with the other dogs through the fence (the other dogs are placid)..I have heard you can use a remote zapping collar & use it when they are fighting, however I work mon-fri & cannot be there to supervise.. I am desperate for some ideas as I don't want to get rid of them!!! HELP

Puppy and Dog Training



Recommended Answer:
Separate them for now and walk them separately too. Have a behaviorist come in and watch the behavior so they can give you more ideas.

No one here can tell you what to do without seeing the behavior.

Dog Training Part I


  • I strongly recomend you watch Cesar Millan on You Tube he has a few videos on this, very helpful all of them, this however will take some time to be resolved, and he wouldn't recomend that collar.
    Call Cesar, he takes calls, he may be famous, but has to work.
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kNA8JbnKU…

  • It's called dog reactivity. Is it worse on leash than it is off-leash? That's quite often the case.

    You need to work with them separately. Take just the female out somewhere where there's a few dogs but not many. Sit down and wait. When you see a dog coming towards you start shovelling treats into her mouth. Keep going until the dog has passed and then stop. Repeat every time a dog comes past. She'll soon learn that a dog means yummy things from you and start to immediately look at you when she sees another dog. At that point you can slow down the rate of reinforcement, so a treat every few seconds rather than constant treats. As she gets better you can slow down the rate even more until she's just getting a few treats for seeing another dog. This may take a few weeks.

    Then do the same with the male.

    If you find they start paying attention to the other dogs again then you've slowed down your rate of reinforcement too much and the other dogs are now more exciting than you. Up the rate again.

    Then try taking them out together. When they see another dog they should both look at you for their treats. Give a huge heap of rewards for Being such good dogs!

    Just stay away from Cesar Milan and dominance theory training. The whole theory has been debunked over and over and over again and yet people still spout it like it's true. It's not and it's actually downright dangerous to both you and your dog.
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Friday, September 14, 2012

Dog Health Questions: How to stop my indoor dog from pooping by the door?

My 2 and a half year old dog who was perfectly potty trained for a couple years has started to poop by the front door after I got my carpet cleaned. He's a small dog, trained to poop on dog pads for years, and all of a sudden he picked up this habit. When this would happen before I would show him where his dog pad was, and praise him when he went where he was supposed to go. Fine, everything worked. But now it's not having the same effect. He doesn't care. This has been going on now for 2 months! I live in an apartment, so I tried crate training him but he barked while I was gone and I got a notice from the office that the next time I'll get kicked out. I've lost patience, he's 2.5 years old, not a puppy, when I come home he runs straight to his traveling crate so he knows he does wrong. If this doesn't get fixed soon, he'll be on petfinder next. HELP please!

Thanks.

Dog Training Collars - A Helping Tool



Recommended Answer:
"If this doesn't get fixed soon, he'll be on petfinder next".

REALLY.

You train your dog to "go" inside. On a peepad, whatever. Its still *inside*. And you're going to get rid of him for doing what you taught him to do?

Keep training the dog. Its not his fault that you spend more time worrying about your carpet then you do training him. Get a dog-walker to come by halfway through the day to let him out if that is what needs to be done. You are committed to this dog, and don't think for one second that it is acceptable to burden a shelter with your 'problem'. This untrained dog is no ones problem but your own.

Dog Training - Tips For Consistency


  • That sure would be a shame to get rid of a family member because you didn't want to stick out his training.

    Try limiting his access to a single room with a potty pad. BTW, this is a great reason why pads should never be used.

    ADDED: Let me get this straight; you solved the problem by putting pads next to the door and its not good enough? The dog can't have two spots? What's the difference? If he had 5 spots at least its not on the carpet. And whats more, you blame the dog and then threaten to get rid of him because of your ignorance. You're a piece of work.

  • well get dog pads aand put a lot of them in front of the door.

  • take him outside, he might want to go outside

  • do you have a family member friend or neighbor that can take him out during the day?
    take him out for a long walk before you leave and don't leave him any food or water out till you get home.
    can you make a trip home at lunch?

  • try not leaving food down while you are gone. Feed the dog first thing in the morning, wait a half an hour, then walk it or let it out into the yard so it can do it's duty. The dog is trying to tell you something. Maybe you are gone too long. It is using poop as an attention getting devise perhaps. Or you could spend a weekend training the dog to his crate properly.Feed it , take it out play with him, and confine it to the crate. Pretend you are going out, when he starts to bark or whine, come back into the apartment and do not yell, but tell him to be quiet. When he is , give him a very small treat. then leave again. When he barks, throw the door open, say "hi" to him. Sit by him and talk for a minute and leave again. you may have to do this five or six times for him to get the hint that you are coming back and he doesn't have to bark. But he will. When you can stay outside the door for 10 minutes at a time without his barking, you are on the right track. After you spend a couple of hours training him, take him out of the crate, put him directly on his leash and take him outside to do his duty. You might even leave him in the crate while you are at home doing housekeeping. Let him sit in it, not as a punishment, but as a treat. Give him treats while you do things around the house and he is in the crate You should repeat this performance on Sunday, Crate him, leave, come back, praise him, leave, come back, walk him. He should get the message. So by monday, you can leave him for much longer times because he knows you will come back.

  • Oooo myyy LORD!

    I FULLY agree with Ty and Hello Sunshine!! You want people who tell it like it is to get it together??! Well I hate to tell you this little MIss, but they're RIGHT.

    You taught your dog to eliminate INSIDE. And he's doing exactly what you've taught him to do... it's not his fault you're clueless when it comes to the proper way to housetrain your dog. He's AT the door! What more of a bigger hint can he possibly give you??

    There are ways around this, and putting YOUR problem on someone else is NOT the answer.

    Don't feed him in the morning, and only feed him 2 hrs. before bedtime. And place those stupid pads everywhere, seeing as that is all he knows. Solved.

  • My chihuahuas are piddlepad trained. The only time they ever "miss" is if I've forgotten to change the piddle pad in a timely manner. They don't want to walk in it anymore than I do.

    Have you tried putting a piddlepad by the door where he goes? If so does he go on it? Or pick a new spot. If he goes on it, that's great and can be worked with. If not, he's being spiteful for some reason and you need to figure out why he's unhappy.

    Ok, if he is going on the pad by the door. That's great, means he's simply become confused for whatever reason. Leave the pad there for a week or so, changing as necessary, but always putting it back in the same spot. Once he's become accustomed to going on the pad there, you can start moving it. Every 2-3 days, you pick up the icky pad, throw it away, replace with a new one, only you move it about 2-3 feet closer to the old pad. He should follow the pad, pooing on it at will. If he doesn't, put it back, and try again. Be sure to clean any misses thoroughly. If he does follow it, continue slowly moving it towards the old pad, until they are side by side, and you can just put one down.

    My female chihuahua, as a pup was determined to potty at the end of the hall, this is how I got her to use the piddlepad in the bathroom that I put down for my male. It took about 2 weeks. Alot less stressful for both of us than other potty training methods I've heard of, and tried before.

    Edit: Forgot to mention, his pooing by the door makes me think he's not used to being left alone, and isn't happy about it. If that's the case, it's not a matter of "oops I forgot where to go" but another problem all together. All I can recommend to this, is try and make up the lost time he feels he missed out on while you were gone. When he's happy again, he'll stop this nonsense.

    Good luck! And if you have a chihuahua, it's most likely him being pissy, as opposed to him simply having forgotten. I have two, they can be a handful.

  • "when I come home he runs straight to his traveling crate so he knows he does wrong."

    Why do people think that a dog cowering or running away when the owner comes home means the dog knows he/she has done something wrong? What it means is that the dog has been conditioned to associated you coming home with a negative consequence and he wants to get away. All that really shows is that the dog is afraid of you.

    There are many reasons that the dog may be going on the carpet. In my experience with pee-pads the dog can often start to associate other things on the floor with pee-pads and start urinating/defecating on these things. The simple fact is that it is a lapse in training that has resulted in the situation you have now and this is something you have to correct.
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Thursday, August 30, 2012

Dog Health Questions: Unsocial/nervous-aggressive lone dog problem. Would this help?

We have a 4 year old neutered male border collie x chow.
He's affectionate, great with kids, non destructive, pretty obedient - basically the perfect dog, other than the fact that he's getting increasingly aggressive with other dogs. He's a problem to take out for walks (although obviously we still do) because he confuses other dogs by looking all friendly at first. So if they're off-leash, they approach him (he's giving off no aggressive body language) but then when they get too close it's as though something switches inside him and he'll suddenly snarl/growl at them.

Sorry this has got so long. What I'm asking is whether any of you have experienced this, and if so, whether you think us getting another dog would help make him more dog-friendly or whether this would be likely to (a) make him more friendly with that particular dog, but still act the same with strange dogs - maybe even worse if he feels he needs to "protect" the newcomer, and (b) whether it's most likely that he would pass his neurosis onto a puppy and we'd end up with 2 unsociable dogs instead of one!

We live in a remote rural area (3 hours drive from the nearest city!) so we have no dog training classes or anything like that available to us. He seems to have picked out which of our friends' dogs he'll tolerate and which ones he can't stand the sight of, with no obvious differences in the dogs' behaviour towards him...

He's also *just* started barking constantly when left in the local boarding kennels if we go away for a few days, which he never used to do until this last time we left him (last weekend). His behaviour in that respect is deteriorating along with his increasing grouchiness towards other dogs.

He's in good health and has no medical issues that could be causing pain - and has not become any less people-friendly in that same time period.

So, any views on the new puppy idea? And do you think he'll quieten down in the kennels with company, or just train the second dog to bark too? I know there's no definitive answer - just interested in your opinions.

Thanks in advance!

How To Use Dog Training Collars



Recommended Answer:
He seems to be pretty scared so have you tried using his favourite treats to change the defensive behaviour?

As another dog approaches him, and he is near to you, when he is still in his calm state give him a treat and tell him what a good boy he is. Then move him away from the approaching dog hopefully with his attention still on you. Try not to let him become aggressive by moving him before this happens!
Over time allow the approaching dogs to get closer and closer still giving him the treat when he is calm and praising him until the day when the new dog is next to him when he gets the treat.
He should start to link the new dog with the nice treat and stop seeing them as a threat.
Well that's the theory anyway. Good luck

Dog Training Basics


  • I'm not sure. Sorry...

  • do NOT get a new PUPPY. get a dog about his age,probably female. slowly introduce him to other animals like cats and dog. mabey hes protective of you?

  • I know its tough when you live in a rural area, but I believe your dog's this way because of lack of socializing and corrections when he misbehaves. He sounds like he's insecure, perhaps a little afraid of other dogs, and that's bringing out his aggression.

    I think bringing in another puppy is a huge mistake. Yes, he'll teach a new puppy to bark. But he's also going to teach him how to behave towards other dogs. Dogs learn from each other amazingly well. A puppy would copy him and you'd have twice the trouble. He might not accept the puppy either, then what would you do?

    I think you need to find a way to correct his problems first. There's a great training book with accompanying DVD by Brenda Aloff called "Get Connected With Your Dog". Following a lot of the exercises in that book should help bring your dog around.

  • Although it may be difficult or time consuming at first, I really believe that you need to consult a professional dog behaviorist before this problem gets any worse (it will). Call a vet (or several) and ask for referrals to dog behaviorists. Often, the behaviorist will come to your home. Do not get a puppy until this issue has been completely resolved.

  • My dog does this too probably for a different reason though because a lab came up to him one day off leash their owner in their house saying that their dog was friendly and it came being nice and then it started attacking my dog he is a very small mutt and the lab was very big and it took 5 minutes before the owners came out and got their dog...ever since then my dog has been very aggresive at dogs in dog park and on walks...i dont recommend getting another dog because that could turn out to be bad if your dog doens't get along with them, im just going to take my dog to a trainer who specializes in dog aggression
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Saturday, July 14, 2012

Dog Health Questions: How to build a pigeon hutch?

I want to build a bird hutch for keeping pigeons for dog training. Can anyone refer me to a site with some free plans, or explain the best way to build a hutch (as in expensive and easy as possible)? I want to build something small, as i will not be housing more than 6-12 birds at a time.

Proven Dog Training Methods



Recommended Answer:
Step 1Build holding pens that are 2 feet high and 3 square feet. Each of these pens will hold 15 birds comfortably. If you have more birds, build another pen and stack it on the first one. These pens can be situated on legs at any height.

Step 2Make the floor of your pens out of 1/2 foot of plastic wire mesh. The sides of the cage should be made from 2 by 4 wire fencing.

Step 3Add perch boxes 2 rows high. Also nail 2 by 4's end to end in the shape of an "I" to the floor. This gives the pigeons a place to perch and sleep at night.

Step 4Place a piece of cardboard and a plastic slip sheet in between the stacked pens. This will allow you to clean the area without hassle. Once a month, simply pull the slip sheet out and dump it into an empty feed back. Wash it or scrape gently and your cleaning is done.

Step 5Use a pressure washer to clean the cages. Make sure the pigeons have been moved to another cage while you wash them. You could severely injure your birds if you do not remove them from the cages prior to washing.

Step 6Consider the great features of your pen. By housing them in this manner, they are always outside. This is perfect for their health because they get constant sunlight and fresh air. This set-up also allows for easy bathing of the birds. Once a week, you can simply spray the birds down with the water hose and cleaning is complete.

The Significance of Dog Training Videos


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    Saturday, June 23, 2012

    Dog Health Questions: Becoming a dog trainer?

    I'm just wondering if anyone know how someone could get into dog training/rehabilitation? Kind of along the *tv shows* Dogtown or Dog Whisperer line. What if any schooling goes into it and how would someone go about getting a job at a dog rehabilitation center?

    Dog Training - A Systematic Approach



    Recommended Answer:
    The woman who ran the rescue where we adopted out last dog went to college or animal behavioral science (aka animal psychology). She completed her internship at a rescue and training facility.

    Advanced Dog Training Exercises


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      Tuesday, June 19, 2012

      Dog Health Questions: How do i find pro dog trainer Billy Sargenti ? I know he"s in no. Ca. Oakdale Escalon area maybe?

      Interested in buying a dog trained by Billy Sargenti of no.Ca. I would like to have Billy Sargenti train my dog. Need to talk to Billy Sargenti in reguards to dog training in no. Ca. Phone number address Billy Sargenti please? Thank you very much

      How to Use Dog Training Books to Reinforce You Dog's Good Behavior



      Recommended Answer:
      Look him up online...

      Dog Training - How To Train Your Dog In One Evening


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        Friday, April 6, 2012

        Dog Health Questions: Dog training answer for u about potty training?

        our dog trainer says use chicken liver as a treat when they potty outside with alot of praise. when u take him out and she does go praise her and give a treat to her if he goes inside don't give her anything. Use the kennel when u take her out of it take her out right away when she is done eating or drinking take her out and before u put her back into the kennel. Use the kennel to train when done playing with her take her out then when u bring her in put her in the kennel take her back out with in a half hour to see if she goes but use alot of praise and a treat when she does go outside. give also time for food to digest and for her to go outside before u put her in for the night cut off the water and food at a certain time

        Common Tools Used In Dog Training Schools



        Recommended Answer:
        And the question is what? Is that a good method? sure. Cutting off water isn't something I am willing to ever do but since I assume your dog doesn't have water in it's crate then whatever works. Positive reinforcement is always the best route to take.

        Considering a Dog Training Career


        • that sounds good, I do pretty much about the same with my bulldog pup, except for the potty treat, i just gave praise.

        • yes you can do all of that. i don't think that dogs should go in a kennel though. when it is a puppy i would cut watter and food at around 7:00. take it out after every meal and when it wakes up and before it goes to bed try to take it out every hour just in case it need to go. when you give a treat it is telling the dog that it did a good thing
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        Saturday, January 14, 2012

        Dog Health Questions: I need Dog training tips :(???

        I need some help with training my dog
        hes a mixed breed...and not too old...about 4 or 5 months well ive taught him how to sit (yay me! :D)
        but he still jumps on me and he'll bite me but its not like hard bite its like nawing bite
        but i'm going to get him a bone to see him that helps with that
        but as for the jumping i just dont know what to do

        And im trying to train him for agility
        like the high jumping and running thru the tubes and the poles
        but since im still saving up to get the actual agility course peices i just made a makeshift one in my backyard
        i started with the high jump and it was so hard trying to get him over it and to do any of the things
        this is my first time trying to train a dog
        so i need all the advice and information i can get
        Thanx! :D

        Dog Training Tips



        Recommended Answer:
        For basic obediance training watch "It's me or the dog" on the Animal Planet channel. For extreme problems watch "The Dog Whisperer" on National Geographic channel. And for teaching tricks, CBS is currently running a series called "Greatest American Dog" or America's Greatest Dog" - something like that.

        Find Out About Purchasing Yourself Some Dog Training Books, They Could Really Be Quite Helpful


        • Well what you can do about the jumping is when ever he gets ready to jump on you just lift your knee and gently place it in his chest but hard enough to make him back off keep doing that until he stops jumping it may take a little bit but it does work.
          About the biting you cant just give him a bone and expect him to quit biting. When he does bite you then pop him on the nose but not to hard just hard enough to stun him a little bit it may take a little bit but it still works.
          Now with the agility all you have to do is get basic training down first then you can go to agility. But to help you out with doing agility all you have to do is when you get ready to do the high jump you need a leash on him and put him on one side of the jump and you on the other side with the leash over the jump, use his favorite food like hot dogs as bait and when you get ready for him to jump say over give the leash a gentle tug and have him try to jump it. All of it may take a little bit but as he gets older it will stick with him and you both. For the pole weaving have him on leash use bait and walk him through it and he will learn what you want him to do. When you get ready to do the tunnel just put him on a long leash and say come use the leash and guide him. Need anything else just email me @ wolf19825@yahoo.com I will be more than to help.

        • First of all if your dog is only 4 t0 5months old you shouldnt be jumping him at all. You could injure him severly and have a huge vet bill. Check out the town where you live and see if they offer a obedience course. Most towns offer one fo a small fee.
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        Wednesday, January 11, 2012

        Dog Health Questions: Dog Training..i need help?

        im in the process of training my dog. He is a 3year old minature pinscher and he is a VERY hyper dog. Its really hard to get his attention sometimes. Is there any tips you guys can give me to get his attention?..any websites.videos.would help

        PS. if it possible..can someone refer me to a good website that teaches you how to train dog basic obedience?

        ...thanks :)

        Understanding the Differences Between Various Dog Training Courses



        Recommended Answer:
        I'll pop some sites up.

        http://www.rewardingbehaviors.com/forum/

        http://www.clickertraining.com/library

        http://clickersolutions.com/

        http://www.youtube.com/user/kikopup

        You might also look up some classes in your area. Here is a good locater for that...http://www.apdt.com/po/ts/default.aspx

        GL

        Dog Training - Avoiding Common Mistakes During Dog Training Sessions


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          Monday, October 17, 2011

          Dog Health Questions: Good dog training places or videos?

          My dog is over a year old and he is absolutely CRAZY. I've tried to train him myself, but he's just too hyper and it hasn't worked. Know of any good training classes or videos that you have had success with? I don't want to have to pay an arm and a leg, either.

          Dog Training - Avoiding Common Mistakes During Dog Training Sessions



          Recommended Answer:
          You can visit http://www.dogstraining.info .It provide you with the most popular and easiest dog training Guide

          Dog Training Tips and Tricks - Ways to Make Dog Training Easy For You and Your Pet


          • go to petsmart they might have lessons or books

          • I found Uncle Matty's training videos helpful.( about $30)
            http://www.unclematty.com/
            The animal channel on cable runs Good Dog U. It often has some helpful tips and information. check your local listings.

          • Unfortunately, "Uncle Matty" encourages people to hit their dogs and force them to do things. Not recommended!
            PetSmart is a good place to begin, do 8 weeks of Beginner there and then see who's around your area. Check out Agility, Obedience and Rally places. To find them, go here:
            http://agilityevents.net/
            and do a search for events by state, and/or do a Google search for "dog agility" plus your town, or the largest town closest to you.
            Videos are great but nothing beats a real live instructor. It's tricky to manage a wild dog (!), treats, the leash, and a clicker AND also remember what you need to do!

            Videos:
            http://clickerdogs.com/books.htm
            any of these would be good but Crate Games would be the best
            and
            http://www.cleanrun.com/index.cfm?fuseac…

            Good luck!

          • Go to www.akc.org or www.ukcdogs.com Look in their club listings. You should be able to find a local obedience club. Their class fees are generally less than Petsmart/Petco and they train in a full sized ring, not a small enclosed area.
            The instructors will be people that have trained for a few years before they became instructors and have showed their dogs in obedience trials. Most clubs require that the instructors earn the obedience title for the level they are teaching.
            The club I belong to, www.tulsadogs.com have several instructors with 20+ years of experience. A few of our instructors are licensed AKC or UKC obedience judges.
            The instructors at the clubs are not paid to teach. They do it for the love of dogs and to pass their knowledge along.

          • This is my methodology of how to get your dog in balance and to listen:
            S.C.A.L.E©

            S.ocialization – Meet all kinds of people, animals, and start habits (brush teeth same time each day)

            C.ommunication –2 second rule – all feed back within 2 sec
            Voice tones; command voice and praise
            Commands are one word only, no repeats

            A.ffection – Health of the dog and affection from Dogs view

            L.eadership –
            NO FREE LUNCH
            NO DOGS ON FURNITURE
            LIMIT ACCESS TO THE HOUSE
            HUMANS THROUGH DOORS AND STAIRS FIRST

            E.xercise – Dog must have enough physical and mental exercise
            Physically means more than walks; a dog often needs running and dog to dog off leash play (dog parks). Some dogs need 1 – 2 hours.
            Mental – Dogs need dog puzzles and interactive toys

            The book -SIT, DOWN, STAY; DOG TRAINING SO EASY A HUMAN CAN DO IT
            teaches more about this methodology, and it was written by a dog.
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          Monday, September 19, 2011

          Dog Health Questions: Dog Training?

          I just got a new puppy but he is not potty trained and insists on going on the carpet. I cannot get a doggy door because I also have a cat. I am out about 8 hours a day. How can I at least get him to go on the wood floor or better yet wait until someone gets home.

          Dog Training - How to Train Your Dog Successful



          Recommended Answer:
          First: How old is your puppy. Typically, puppies can "hold it" 2 hours for every month they are old. Get your puppy on a feeding/drinking schedule and remember that your puppy will need to potty after eating, drinking, playing, chewing and waking up. He will usually need to go 10-30 minutes after eating & drinking. Do you have a trusted family member or friend that could stop by and let him out during the day? Also, are you using a crate? If not, I highly recommend crate training your puppy. Buy a crate just large enough for him to stand up, turn around and lie down comfy. Dogs usually will not go where they eat and sleep. It will take time, just be patient and don't punish your puppy for potty mistakes-he will learn to "hide" them!

          Dog Training Aids - Best Tips for Using Crates


          • You could try litter training him..

            Honestly though, you shouldn't have gotten a dog, let alone a puppy, if you're away 8hrs a day.
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          Monday, August 29, 2011

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

          I was thinking of enrolling my puppy into the Petsmart dog training. Good idea or Bad idea?

          Need Help With Dog Training? Help is at Hand



          Recommended Answer:
          I have on occasion watched their classes in the store and they are pretty bad. They have a tiny little area right in the middle of the store and the instructors are not good for the most part.

          If you want good training for less, go to a training club as they are not for profits & the instructors are the people who compete in dog show obedience & agility etc trials & they know what they are doing! They will also have large fully matted & padded rings. The best training for your buck plus they are not trying to get you to buy stuff from a store.

          To find one go to: http://www.akc.org/events/obedience/trai… or you can use google too.

          Easy Dog Obedience Training Can Be Done at Home With a Do it Yourself Dog Training Program


          • If your dog has any issues, forget it.....they cant deal with it.

            For basic puppy training they could be okay, depending on the trainer. The one in the store near me is pretty good, but she had her own training business before she started working there.
            The trainer before her was also good, but the girl who took her place when she had a medical leave was an idiot.

            Go watch a few classes and see what you think of the trainer you are considering.

          • I've watched several PetsMart/PetCo classes over the years and I'm not impressed. First, in most cases the area is too small for the amount of dogs in a training class. At least four feet between dogs is the safest way to keep dogs apart especially those that may be aggressive or are very rambunctious. I also have some concerns about the trainer's qualifications. Most have gone through a training course. However passing a course doesn't mean that you can train just any dog. So the lack of true experience and working with dogs really kind of concern me. Since you have a PetsMart in your area, there are most likely more qualified experienced trainers in your area. Below are some websites that list qualified trainers. Just because a trainer is not on one of these lists doesn't mean that she is unqualified either. It is best to observe a class before putting down your hard earned money. Most trainers will let you observe a class or two without your dog.

          • Petsmart puppy classes ARE FINE!! The main point of the puppy classes is SOCIALIZATION. Enroll! You should be able to teach the basics yourself, and puppy class is a great place to practice with distractions... but the main purpose is absolutely socialization at petsmart or anywhere else. You want to get puppy play time and practice simple commands in a setting of distraction. I wouldn't take an advanced obedience course there but, come on now folks.

          • Find a private trainer that has been doing dog sports and dog training for years and has experience with multiple different breed. Look it is possible a Petsmart trainer might be okay at there job it just is more likely you will find a better trainer somewhere else. Usually a dog daycare will do training classes at night so look there first.

          • Hi, i think you would be better spending £10-£20 on a training manual rather than Petsmart as you would get a lot more out of it. I bought 3 books when i got my Boxer dog 1 month ago and found the best was The ABC of Dog Keeping http://www.train-yourdog.com which is a downloadable ebook which only takes 10 minutes to get, that had everything i neeed and was really enjoyable for my dog and me. It also has an Amateur Veterinarian chapter which has saved me lots of money on vets bills, whatever you decide to do good luck!!

          • I am just finishing up. Its a little fast-paced and can be chaotic, depending on your classmates. Be ready to buy a LOT of treats. But they use tried and true techniques and positive training. Its more for you than the dog, they teach you how to train a dog. Your puppy may not come out of class a superstar, but you will have the tools to train it.

          • Well, my personal thought of putting your dog in training at petsmart is that they don't really spend that much time with all of the dogs. Remember, there are plenty other dogs at the petsmart dogtraining. Some of them might be aggressive toward your dog. It's hard for a dog to concentrate on one thing to do when there are tons of other dogs around them. It would be easier and faster for you to train your dog yourself. Ofcourse, you could hire a personal trainer. You can look for personal trainers on craigslist.com. That's what I would do if I didn't want to teach my dog myself. Only if you get a personal trainer or even go to petsmart, you will still have to help train your dog. If I were you, I would train my do myself. There will be no aggresion, and the dog will listen to you more. You will also not have to spend money. I taught my dog myself and she learned great. She now knows how to sit, lay down, beg, rollover, come, stay, shake, and plenty others.

          • Don't waste your time or money. I am a previous obedience trainer, and observed one of their classes. The trainers know squat. Call your pup's breeder and have them refer you to the local kennel club whose lessons are taught by qualified judges and trainers.

          • I would never get my dog trained there. I don't feel they are qualified and also after I heard two dogs fighting for quite a bit of time, at least two minutes or so and no one doing anything about it, that's what did it for me.

          • I took it with my german shepherd I had when I was in 5th grade and it helped. Shelearned sit stay come heel and some other stuff. Go ahead and take it its a good learninr experience

          • i think Petsmart dog training is very stupid because all they do is train them to sit and that crap. So just train them your self and they will learn after a while.

          • Bad idea. I do not feel as though they are qualified to train a thermos. Never observed a PetSmart trainer that I thought was good, or knew what they were doing.

          • Why would you pay someone to train your dog? Just do not coddle it and it you have to hit it to train it yourself.
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