Dog Health Questions: Survey Questions over PetSmart Training Center - School Project, Please Help?

Posted this yesterday, but would like to get more input from new people as well. If you've been to PetSmart's Training Center, please help me out! It's for a 5-7 page English Paper, so I need the feedback! Copy pasting answers or just giving letters/numbers is all I need. Thanks!

Please answer all questions in reference to your first experience with the PetSmart Training Center for purposes of this survey. Thank you for you participation!

1.) Are you Male or Female?

2.) What is your age range? Under 18 18-25 25-45 45-65 over 65

3.) What is the age range of the dog's primary trainer in the household? Under 18 18-25 25-45 45-65 over 65

4.) Have you used an other dog training service before?

5.) What was the first class your dog attended at PetSmart? Puppy Beginner Intermediate Advanced Click-a-Trick

6.) What was your dog's age range when the first class began? Under 6 months 6 months-1 year 1-2 years 2-7 years over 7 years

7.) What were your reasons for joining a PetSmart Training Class? Please RANK CHOICES from highest priority to lowest:
A. To teach tricks B. To address a specific behavioral problem C. To strengthen your personal bond to your dog D. To strengthen overall obedience skills E. To provide your dog with socialization to other dogs, people, and places F. To teach your dog to protect you G. To build up your dog's confidence in himself

8.) How would you rate your knowledge of dog training before your PetSmart Training Class? 1: No Knowledge 2: Some Knowledge 3: Pretty Knowledgeable 4: Very Knowledgeable 5: Expert

9.) What methods do you use or believe are effective for obedience training? Please list all that apply
A: Positive Reinforcement B: Negative Reinforcement C: Punishment D: NILF (Nothing in Life is Free) E: Clicker-training F: Crate Training G: Force-Based Training H: Hands-On Training (Physically assisting dog into a position, such as sit, gently) I: Shaping J: Alpha Dog/ Pack Dominance Theory (Caesar Milan's methods) K: Aversion Techniques (Bitter spray, Bullhorns, Ultra Sonic Devices, Motion-sensored alarms, Citronella Spray bark collars, etc) L: Use of Corrective Devices such as Gentle Leaders, No-pull harnesses, martingale/greyhound collars M. Use of Corrective Devices such as prong/pinch collars, choke collars, shock collars, underground fencing

10.) Which of the above methods were recommended by your training instructor &/or were employed in class?

11.) How would you rate your trainer's knowledge of training methods on a scale of 1-5? 1: No Knowledge 2: Some Knowledge 3: Pretty Knowledgeable 4: Very Knowledgeable 5: Expert

12.) How would you rate your trainer's enthusiasm and willingness to help on a scale of 1-5? 1 being nonexistent, 5 being highest

13.) How would you rate your trainer's professionalism, salesmanship, and ability to lead the class? 1 being out of their element, 5 being remarkable

14.) How would you rate your experience with PetSmart's Training Center overall? 1 being horrible, 5 being best

15.) How would you rate your knowledge of dog training after your PetSmart Training Class? 1: No Knowledge 2: Some Knowledge 3: Pretty Knowledgeable 4: Very Knowledgeable 5: Expert

16.) How would your rate your dog's improvement after your experience with the PetSmart Training Center? 1: Regression in behavior &/or obedience 2: No change in behavior or obedience 3: “Well, he does it at home, but not in the training center!” 4: Improvement 5: Much Improvement

17.) Has your dog completed his or her Canine Good Citizenship Test?

18.) Do you find the price of classes in the PetSmart Training Center to be worth the services it provides?

19.) Have you enrolled in another PetSmart Training Center Course since your first experience?

20.) Would you recommend the services of the PetSmart Training Center to a friend?

Additional comments also welcomed. Thanks again to all who respond!

Train Your Dog - Don't Let Your Dog Train You

Recommended Answer:
1. Female
2. 25 -45
3. 25 -45
4. no
5. Puppy Beginner
6. under 6 months
7. D
8. 1
9. A, E, F, H, K
10. All
11. 5
12. 5
13. 5
14. 5
15. 4
16. 5
17. no
18. yes
19. not yet
20. yes and I have

Do a Good Job of Dog Training

• This is for a school project? I think this is a survey for Petsmart. Why be sneaky about it??


• i am sorry im too lazy to fill that all out but i will say petsmart dog obedience is crap.... reason being is they do not do any distraction for the dog to learn from
  
  example telling my dog to sit and stay ok great she will sit and stay ok thanks petsmart but what did they do to distract her and make that stronger and reinforce her to stay there???
  
  did they throw her favorite toy and correct her??? a treat or walk many other dogs around her or kids playing???? theres many flaws especially people thinking oh my dog is trained now when i leave and dont do any maintenance training (to reinforce her training throughout the years.......


• 1. Female
  2. I'm 25-45 years old
  3. I'm Tiger's ONLY trainer, so 25-45 years old
  4. Yes
  5. Intermediate
  6. 1-2 years
  7. The only reason was D., To strengthen overall obedience skills
  8. 1., No Knowledge
  9. I use positive reinforcement
  10. Prong collar, choke collar, and physical punishment.
  11. 1: No Knowledge
  12. 1., no knowledge
  13. 3.
  14. 1.
  15. 1.
  16. 1.
  17. No, because I don't know how to get him into Canine Good Citizen.
  18. NO. They DO NOT know how to train dogs, only make them worse.
  19. NO! I'D NEVER DO THAT AFTER THE FIRST CLASS!!!
  20. Not even to my worst enemy.

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Dog Health Questions: Do dog trainers get bit or attacked often?

I love dogs of all sizes and have a boxer myself. I read alot about dogs and know quite a bit about different breeds. A friend suggested I go into Dog training. Most dogs don't bother me at all but I must admit I have come accross some that have been a bit intimidating and was actually bit in the buttocks by a dog when I was a teenager. I was wondering if trainers actually do get bit often?

Schutzhund Dog Training - The Highest Level of Dog Training

Recommended Answer:
I would imagine that inexperienced trainers may, yes, often be attacked. Experienced or very well-taught trainers? Not really.

Using Reward Based Dog Training

• We try not to and most don't. If you have a lot of experience with dogs you get so you can "read" them. Also you learn how to approach a strange dog without intimidating them. As a trainer, I never had a dog go for me. As a groomer, that is a different story. We have to do things to dogs that they find unpleasant or possibly painful (e.g., accidentally clipping a nail too short) and some defend themselves with their teeth. That isn't the case for a trainer.


• *stares at big fat bandage from chihuahua*
  
  Trust me, it's a wonderful job, but you will get hurt. It's rare that it will be serious. It also depends on what type of training you do. Puppy preschool? Just pinpricks. But if you specialize in aggressive dogs, you have to be prepared.


• it depends on wat kind of dog. with bigger and more aggressive dogs we have hand and arm protection


• not really good trainers know how 2 defuse the situation and how 2 con front a dog its all about the dogs body lang is the tail wagging and btw legs head down the 1 thing i have come 2 learn is never stare a dog down that intimation as Well as never-let a dog get above ur higher than u and they now have cd cause that then makes control a lot-of trailer's use clicker as a distraction will admit i was bitten on the hand by 1 of our Shep's over 15 yrs ago but it was my fault we took her camping with us and she loved the water so we took her down 2 the water 2 cool off and i was splashing-water at her and she would bite at it well i got 2 close with my hand and i got bit the bite went all the way threw my palm Shep's have a powerful bite 1500pdspersqinch where as a rotty and dobbie are not as powerful with there bites but it was my fault i just went and put a bandage on it thabk good ness good Ness no aeks 2 heal up but i look at it it was my fault cause er2 we did not or having 2 go 2 the er or doc cause under law dog bites have 2 be reported it took a loved water and i knew that but i chalked it-up asa of well but if that's what u want 2 do just remember never stare a dog down that's threating 2 them in fact with the 1 mastiff i have here now all i have 2 do is point 4 him 2 go some where else another tip dogs only can relate 2 1 word like sit or come/ stay but if u put sit down that 2 words good luck i hope u find ur calling and remember if not the breed a lot of times its the-owners lack of attention there are-no bad dogs just bad owner's so please let me know which direction u choose 2 go and good luck i hope my answer helped out a bit lynnet :) :)

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Dog Health Questions: A good dog training book?

I have 4 different types of dogs. 3 are mixed breeds and 1 is a dachshund. The dachshund is trained already. The other 3 I need some suggestions. I have 2 outside that I need to be trained to guard the property and I have one that is inside to guard the inside of the house. If it helps I know that Furby is mixed with Great Pyrenees and we think Australian Shepherd, Bully is a mixed bull mastiff.
The inside guard dog is a mixed Collie.

Any suggestions anyone would have will be greatly appreciated. These suggestions will also be used during my volunteer time at the local pet rescue center. Thanks.

Dog Training Classes - Dog Training to Unleash Your Dog's Full Potential

Recommended Answer:
I have two pyrs and an Aussie. Pyrs don't need to be taught "how to guard". They need to understand what or who they guard. If they are livestock guardians, they are to live with the livestock. If they are property guardians, you walk them around the perimeter fenceline so they know the outer limits of their territory, and as they mature, they basically work it out to understand what they need to do.

Pyrs tend to guard by intimidation, so they bark a lot at night as they patrol. If you're in an area where this is a problem, you have to keep them close to the house and keep the yard well lighted to have any chance of less barking.

My Aussie is my inside guardian, and my pyrs are outside all night and much of the day. They are happiest when they have a job to do. They seem to know instinctually what to do. LIsten to their barks and learn what they are telling you.

You can also join a good Yahoo Pyr group to ask questions of those who know the breed.

I don't know of a good book, but others in the group do. But you don't need to train a pyr how to guard. And pyrs tend to train the other dogs in the pack how to guard. -!-

So You Want a Guard Dog, Eh? (Basic Dog Training)

• My suggestions for dog books are anything by Patricia McConnell, especially The Other End of the Leash and For the Love of Dog. While not step by step training books, they are full of invaluable information for successful training. (she talks alot about her Great Pyreness).
  I have heard good things about Ian Dunbar's training books. I read his "How to Teach a New Dog Old Tricks". That is more of a step by step puppy training, but can be applied to older dogs. I didn't love it, but again, learned alot. He uses treat training, which I didn't care for, but that was just for me and the dog I was training.
  Don't Shoot the Dog by Karen Pryor is a great training book. Again, not step by step but excellent. She is a proponent of clicker training. She also trains dolphins.
  
  I haven't read any books on teaching to guard. I have read books on teaching protection work such as apprehensions, etc. I am not sure what you mean by training to guard. If you had an understand of the basics of training, you could teach the dog to bark under certain cues. Other than that, you are getting into a territory where you need professional help, not something you can get out of a book.
  
  Some other great books are Bones Would Rain from the Sky by Susanne Clothier (loved it, has a bit about training) and anything by Stanley Coren.


• Cesar Millan, the Dog Whisperer guy, has several books and DVDs on dog training. His methods are fantastic. My in-laws have a boxer and they used his methods. I'm absolutely astounded at how well it worked. So my recommendation is to get anything from him (whether it be an ebook, hard copy book, or DVD).

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Dog Health Questions: Questions about dog breeds and dog training.?

I need help choosing the right dog, I was thinking of getting either a Golden Retriever, Border Collie, a Samoyed, a German Shepherd, a Husky or an American Eskimo Dog.

I will probably be living in a big apartment or a 2 story house with a backyard.
I will have to go to school and of course sleep daily, except on weekends.The question about dog training I had was, I did many researches and followed many of the famous dog trainers videos such as Zak George, and I've learned how he trains his dogs, but right now I found a new way to train a dog on this other website but it looks cruel (This is the website: http://www.dogbreedinfo.com/topdogrules.htm) I was really confused whether I want to follow the really kind and nice Zak George way (Connecting with your dog and teaching it tricks and being it's friend) or follow the cruel way, It's pretty confusing, because I wouldn't really like my dog to be the leader and control me or growl at me or bite me anytime he wants.

I'd like to know what breed of dogs you have and how you trained them, the nice proper way with good treatment or a pack leader way?

The Main Benefits Of Dog Training

Recommended Answer:
It all depends on the type and character of the dog.

I had a Rottweiler who was easily trained with the friendship method. The poor dog was scared senseless when we got her. The cat she used to live with would claw her so badly… she was fine after we became friend's though.

I also had a Golden Retriever who we had to use the Alpha method on. You don't have to use that method on Golden Retrievers, we weren't very cruel to the dog, it's just the dog didn't respond to the friendship method. So a simple alternative that we used is if the dog does something wrong, you say "No!" and stare at him. The dog should get the message: "I can't believe you did this! You should be ashamed!" This is what I call the Alpha method. It isn't cruel, but it can be a bit more affective than friendship can be.

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

• I own a LabXRidgeback and a SBT.
  
  I train them by using positive reinforcement.
  
  You don't have to be harsh or cruel to establish pack leader status over your dog. Things like daily grooming, making the dog sit for his food, keeping him off furniture and teaching it to walk to heel all send messages that YOU are the boss.


• So, Mohammed has never had a dog. He's going to move out and have his way. He doesn't know where he is going, but has decided that he needs to assume the responsibility of a dog. I suggest a very large dog in a studio. The sad thing is that that dog will admire and protect you. Because it does not know how to use a can opener. Are you that desperate?


• A firm no, but lots of love, encouragement and treats are my way of training dogs, they love learning new things, but yelling scares them


• Take any breed but give him daily excercise.


• First of all, none of those dogs are appropriate for apartment life. I don't care if you walk them twice a day, it's not fair if you have the option NOT to get such a large dog. All of those dogs are high energy... you're talking retrievers, shepherds, collies.. all of these dogs LOVE to run and get outside a lot... fetch, hunt, etc...
  
  If you are in the house with the backyard, it all depends what you want in a dog. Research the breeds and look at their normal characteristics, grooming time, health problems, etc... and figure out what you want.
  
  If you are going into the apartment, I would suggest a cat. Even small dogs like chihuahuas or maltese still need exercise and stimulation every day and it sounds like you won't be home often.
  
  I've never heard of Zak George.. check out Cesar Millan for training techniques.

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Dog Health Questions: Dog training help for new dog owner?

i just got a brand new, 9 weeks old chocolate lab puppy. i need some advise and tips on when i should start training him and how. any previous experience would also help.

Teaching Your Dogs The Basics Of Dog Training

Recommended Answer:
An obedience class is better than no training at all. You will have better results if you Google dog training clubs for your area. These folks will be happy to show you the way. It's a bit of effort, but a well trained dog is as fine a companion as you could ask for.

Dog Training Using Electronic Collars

• You can start training him now. Puppies are like little sponges, willing to learn whatever you want to teach them. Remember, puppies have very very short attention spans, so keep whatever your trying to teach him very short and very fun. Start teaching him his name immediately.
  
  Naturally, you will start housebreaking now. Get a crate thats big enough for him to stand, turn around and lay down. Any bigger, then he will learn to elminate in his crate. You can also buy a regular size crate for an adult sized lab and make it small with cardboard.
  
  Start taking him outside to elminate right away. Of course, keep in mind that puppies bladders are not mature enough to hold pee or poop for any length of time, so in order for him not to have accidents you have to take him out very often. Puppies are peeing / pooping machines. You will not belive the amount of liquid that come out of these little creatures.
  
  If he makes a mistake in the house, you can only blame yourself for not watching him closely enough or not getting him out often enough. If he drinks water, take him out 10 minutes later. When he eats, figure you need to take him out a 1/2 hour later. He should not have free reign in the home, unless you can give him undivided attention to make sure he doesn't get into trouble.
  
  What I found real helpful was I borrowed a friends XPen and kept the pup in the kitchen in the pen. I put paper down on one side and water on the other, this way, the pup wasn't in the crate the whole time, could move around and was in "family" area of our home.
  
  Have fun, keep learning short & positive. Oh yeah and socilize, socialize, oh and did I say socialize. At this age, he should be meeting lots of nice people. Keep him away from strange dogs. If there are other dogs in the home, I would only allow them to interact while supervised, otherwise, the pup should be in the pen or crate.
  
  Start looking for a good obedience class, one that offers a puppy class would be helpful. Visit the AKC website to find a local obedience training club http://www.akc.org
  
  Lastly, remember that puppies have sharp little needle like teeth, your pup will need to chew chew chew. He will also loose his baby teeth and get adult teeth, like human children do.


• Congratulations on the new addition!
  
  The first thing you should do is find a puppy class, so you'll have a chance to socialize and train your dog starting immediately. Check out www.apdt.com or www.ccpdt.org for a trainer near you.
  
  Next, get Dr. Ian Dunbar's puppy books (my favorite is "how to teach a new dog old tricks.) He has some great puppy stuff on www.dogstardaily.com, including a free download of one of his puppy books.
  
  If you have any immediate concerns, such as house training, play biting or socialization, there are tons of articles on dog behavior on www.aspcabehavior.org:
  http://aspcabehavior.org/search.aspx?pet…
  
  And lastly, take lots of pictures! They all grow up so fast, and I always find myself wishing I had more puppy pictures of my dogs! :) Enjoy your new puppy!


• Hi,
  
  Congrats for having a new member to your family. It's important to help your new pet acclimate to your home by being prepared and being patient. It may take anywhere from a few days to two months for you and your new dog to adjust to each other. Here's more info:
  
  http://lnk.nu/dogtime.com/wg6.html


• lol you make him sound like a car! Sign him up for obedience classes! Good Luck! <3

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