I have a 10 month old chocolate lab/greyhound mix (female) my husband and I adopted from the Humane Society in February. She already understood "No" and "sit" when we got her. She was already mostly potty trained. She learned "lay down" and "shake" in one day. However, her one "flaw" was that she was incredibly skittish around humans, so she isn't very obedient out in public. She's VERY friendly and playful with other dogs. But people are her hang-up.
Anyway, we decided that obedience classes may help her open up. There are only 3 places in my town that offer dog training in our price range. Petsmart sounded like it would be the most "bang for the buck". We consulted with one of the trainers and she said that our dog needed to be in Beginner training. So we paid for 8 weekly one-hour sessions.
Sunday was our 3rd class. The trainer has started at least 10 min. late every time and ends early each time. And she hasn't taught us anything new or useful except to tell people to approach our dog from the side. Yes, that was her solution to socialize our dog. There is only one other dog in the class, so we thought it would be pretty personalized. WRONG. All we've covered is stuff she knows (sit, lay down, and the introduction week).
And our dog chews things aggressively, so the trainer told us to buy a "Nylabone". So we did. And the first week that we had it, our dog broke one of her permanent teeth at the gum line (chewing it) and now I have to pay $300 to have it surgically removed!
It's ridiculous. The trainer is unhelpful and now she's cost us a total of $418 (useless training + Nylabone + pulling the dog's tooth). What should I do? Can I make the manager refund us or move us to a more advanced class?
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Recommended Answer:First, thank you for adopting and sticking with your pup through all of this! I can tell you love her and you are a good owner!
Complain to the manager. This is very unprofessional of the trainer. You paid for a full 1 hr class and you deserve a full one hour class. If that doesn't work, send an email or a letter to their corporate head quarters.
Petsmart isn't known for having a great training program, but considering the inconsiderate behavior on the part of the trainer, you deserve a refund.
I found a link for you on a website that I reference frequently. I believe this can help you http://www.wonderpuppy.net/canwehelp/beh…
Try the Kong products. You can fill them with peanut butter, canned dog food, yogurt or pureed meats and veggies and then freeze them. The frozen aspect feels good on the dogs gums and provides lots of chewing opportunity.
Write a letter or email to the makers of Nylabone with a copy of your veterinary bill.
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- Talk to the manager, if you are not satisfied with the results, contact customer care at 888-839-9638. After you take it up an notch like that more tends to get done to satisfy customers.
- Why don't you ask Petsmart?
And yes, the hard Nylabones are notorious for wrecking teeth. I would also inform the trainer about that fact so she doesn't continue recommending them to people. I have a vet friend who recommends them with the disclaimer "they have been known to damage teeth." DRIVES ME NUTS!
From what I understand there is a nylabone that isn't as hard so isn't so detrimental to dental health. I guess that would would be recommended with a "choking hazard" disclaimer.
But, back to the real issue -- I would talk to the general manager of Petsmart. If you don't get satisfaction there (and my guess is that you will), I would call Petsmart Corporate and file a formal complaint.
- http://pets.groups.yahoo.com/shy-k9s
Try this group - they're a group of very knowledgeable and concerned people who can give you real and useful info on helping your dog.
Someone should have told you that Petsmart trainers have no real training, know exactly nothing about dog psychology and aren't equipped to help a dog with any kind of problem. (I have no idea if they'll refund your money, but I really doubt it.)
There's plenty you can do to help your girl. Start by counter-conditioning her whenever you take her out. You know her threshold and when she gets scared of approaching strangers. You need to feed her tiny pieces of a high value treat BEFORE that happens and keep feeding her till the scary person has gone by. Then the treats stop.
It takes time, but she'll start to associate strangers with a good thing. Don't ever allow anyone she doesn't know to approach her or make eye contact, nothing. She needs to be the one to decide when she feels comfortable initiating any kind of contact.
Patricia McConnell has a great booklet out called "The Cautious Canine" which would also be invaluable. She's a very skilled dog behaviourist.
Please don't subject your dog to another session of Petsmart classes - she needs a qualified instructor.
- If you are unhappy with your class they offer you the chance to re-take it. Since you are looking to be moved into the more advanced course (and all courses cost the same) I am assuming that they would happily switch your dog.
I have only been to one class so far (puppy, not beginner) there were 7 dogs including mine and we also started 10 mintues late / ended 10 minutes late. What I did find considerate was that the store was closing but the trainer offered to ring us through if we wanted to purchase anything after. What I didn't like was the lack of socialization... we were basically sitting around the walls of the room and the puppies couldn't play with each other. I hope this will change as the classes progress because that is the entire reason I enrolled my puppy! He is really eager to play with other pups and basically cried the whole class because I was just restraining him from going to sniff the other dogs the whole time. The crying got him a dose of the spray bottle from the trainer, too. It seemed like the other dogs weren't as ticked at the situation because it was a puppy class and most of them were between 10-16 weeks - 3 out of 7 had NEVER even seen another dog after they were taken into their homes! I think the class would be a greater benefit if some of the dogs could play and socialize for 10 to 15 minutes. Rant over.
- Sounds like PetSmart. Their trainers all go to their 'training academy'. They teach one approach and very few have any knowledge of dog training beyond that one approach. Occassionally people get lucky and a good trainer is actually employed at their local PetSmart that has experience beyond their 'academy', but that obviously is not the case here. While people with a 'normal' dog with zero issues and no prior baggage usually do fine in one of these cookie cutter classes, for those of us that live in the real world, the classes are mostly useless. The trainers usually don't know how to work with dogs with problems, and they recommend products sold by the store (because they are paid to do so). You can sure ask for a refund, but you may not receive one depending on whether they offer a guarantee of some sort or not. Do not take a transfer to a more advanced class- it won't be any better than the one you are in, and in fact is probably the exact same instructor- and if she can't customize her approach for you with one other dog in the beginner class, she sure won't do it in the avdanced class either. So, ask for a refund and try out a private trainer or behaviorist with a lot of experience that is willing to customize their approach for your dog. With a shy dog, a behaviorist would probably be a better choice, since they focus more on the why behind the behavior and how to correct the underlying issue rather than training the dog to react in another way.
I adopted a very shy dog last year that had spent her first 4 years in a cage, and consulted both a trainer and a behaviorist to help her get over her issues, it was well worth the investment. Mine was an extreme case, and would totally shut down when outside her comfort zone, refusing to move or take food, and would drool. She spent 2 weeks hiding under my bed when she was first brought home, had never seen carpet, grass, or furniture. A year later, she is outgoing, happy, and will approach strangers without a problem. I've included some tips below that were very successful for me & my dog, I hope they are helpful to you as well!
Have lots of patience! Realize with some fearful dogs, it can take months or years before they are anything resembling 'normal', depending on their background and natural temperament. Don't give up if, after a month or two, your dog is still shy and fearful. Don't force her to do anything, let her decide when she's ready. So, if she hides, don't drag her out, leave her there. When she chooses to come out, give treats and attention. Don't reward or coddle fear. When the dog is acting confident and/or curious, give treats and attention, otherwise, ignore her. Don't let her lean against you for confidence and comfort, make her stand on her own, so when she leans into you, step away or push her back upright. You want her to have confidence in herself, not rely on you for it. When she's willing, take her out and about, in small steps, so first have her comfortable in your home, then the driveway, etc. Progressively add more stressful situations, treat for confident behavior and ignore fearful behavior.
- well you can either take it to a dog whisperer or to a real dog trainer. my dog went to a real dog trainer but does not do any thing but sit. don't take that as a bad thing she is just stubborn. seriously consider this. your dog can do that
- I think you had a bad trainer, and that is a bummer. I did Petsmart training, and there was like 6 or 7 other dogs in the class, so it was good for socializing. The trainer was like an animal psychologist or something. It was great. He was sooo good with the animals, and he had answers for everything and anything. My dog was definitely better behaved after "graduation." I understand how those first few weeks drag on, but they are just trying to build your dog a routine of learning about a trick a week... even if they already know sit & down.
ADD: Reading some of these other messages, the fact that I had a good trainer at Petsmart must have been a fluke. Like I said, he was some sort of animal psychologist, and he was working on the police dog training program or something. He even brought his own dog to the class to prove his methods do work. Obviously, this isn't normal for Petsmart to have a good trainer after reading everyone else's experiences, so I agree, I would find a new trainer. Also, I would compain to the manager about her unprofessionalism about being late and leaving early. That doesnt relate to any of her training techniques, but you did pay for an hour.
- Many different sources told me to never consider Pet Smart for training. So, I found somewhere else, that isn't too expensive.
I doubt they would be willing to refund your money, however, I would definitely ask to be moved to a more advanced class. As for the vet bill, I doubt they would be willing to cover that, but you could try. I think they would ask for proof that it was the Nylabone. Perhaps, you should contact Nylabone, see what they are willing to do, but again, you would need some kind of proof, I would think.
Sorry about your luck.
- Go to a different school, you will just get more of the same if you continue with petsmart. I would not hold the trainer responsible for the dog breaking it's tooth on a very popular toy. See what your vet, boarding kennel and local nonpetsmart/petco pet/feed store suggests. Often it is difficult to find the really good trainers because they market themselves as primarily word of mouth.
- I would find another dog training class. Ask your local vet if they know of anybody. I suggested in an earlier post that sometimes local Community College's have dog training classes for cheap. Have you tried your local paper? Or Craigslist? Sounds like you have a bad trainer.
- I was going to sign up my pup for classes there, but I guess it all depends on the trainer/store.
I would definitely request a refund from the class, not sure about the doctor's bill.
Its funny about the Nylabone. I got one and my puppy will play with everything but that. Its just a piece of hard plastic. No scent or taste to it...it doesnt bounce or squeek. He doesnt like it at all
- The Nylabone thing sounds like just pure bad luck. You might consider contacting the company that makes them, and let them know your experiences. (Heck, they may offer some compensation, who knows?).
Anyways, as far as the training goes, this obviously isn't a 'beginner' problem, but I'm not sure where I'd put you. You aren't really looking for obedience, you're looking for some confidence building exercises. (Maybe a 'trick training' class?). I'd talk to the manager and see what they have to say about it. (It never hurts, right?).
For my own part, I was very satified with the Petsmart training I went to. Lots of attention from the instructor, lots of socialization chances, lots of time working on things, no pressure to buy anything. Of the three training courses I've been through with my dog, I'd say the Petsmart one was the best, but obviously, so much depends on the instructor, which they can't really 'standardize' very easily.
- I would talk to the manager of the store and tell them everything that has happened especially the trainer being late and leaving early. She/he is being paid to be there a certain time. And from what I can tell you could have bought a 5 dollar book for what she has taught you. First the classes really aren't for the dog they are for you. For you to learn how to teach your dog to do what you want him to do. And I would try to get something for the tooth. Don't know if you will. But it's worth a try. Do your self a favor buy a training video or book. Half of those so called trainers don't know their butts from a hole in the ground anyway.
Your pup yes pup is 10 months old he may be still teething on things. And doesn't know his own strenght especially in his jaws. She needs not something hard but fairly tough and kind of soft really. like something leather. Rawhide is good. Big enough for the dog to chew on but not threw. So it will take a while. Don't let him chew on anything else only what is his. Chewing is a natural thing for any animal including humans. But think of your dog as your child you will be able to train her yourself.
- It's possible that you could have them move you to a different class as you got flawed advice from the trainer. Even I could have told you that a socialization problem (skittish behavior) is not a beginner training problem. Beginner training is basic obedience which your dog clearly already knows. So I would speak to the manager and request that they put you in a more advanced class that can actually deal with the problem. It's doubtful that they would issue you a refund unless they have a guarantee on their training services.
Add: As for the Nylabone, I personally think they suck. There is nothing appealing about them. My brothers American Bulldog has one, and not only does she not chew on it, but she doesn't play with it at all. It's just a huge, heavy, and hard lump.
- Do you really want to go to an advanced class? I'd talk to the manager of the store and ask for a refund, then take your dog to a real trainer. We took our pooch last year and although it was fun, he didn't really learn anything more than he already knew. I had trained him as a little puppy and he knew all the basic commands by about 12 weeks old, plus some really cute tricks. Your dog needs alittle TLC and extra attention to get her over her skiddishness.
- i have 5 dogs and 4 of them love nylabones. Especially my 2 five month old labs.
I was very unhappy with PetSmart training also. I took 2 puppies in and I don't like clicker-training. (while I am "clickering" good behavior for one, the other one is acting up and still hearing a clicker, it didn't make sense to me). Yes our trainer was late, dismissed us early and spent the first session without puppies just talking to the owners. everything was scripted and had nothing about the individual puppies.
only your vet could advise you on whether or not the nylabone was the cause of your dog's tooth break, but my guess is that Nylabone would be responsible for you bills, probably not the store that sold it. If you don't complain to PetSmart about the trainer they will never know how awful it is. I think you should ask for your session money back. Good luck.
- you should try its always were a shot
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