I have a 4 month old puppy. Any ideas on Petsmarts 8-week Puppy training program?

Question

I WANT TO SIGN UP MY 4 MONTH OLD PUPPY WITH PETSMART PUPPY TRAINING. IT'S LIKE A EIGHT WEEK (8 DAYS TOTAL) PROGRAM FOR LIKE $108. DOES IT REALLY HELP. HE'S REALY HYPER @ NIGHT AND LIKES TO CHEW ON "EVERYTHING" FROM ROCKS TO SOCK:/

Answer 1

YUCK YUCK YUCK

Petsmart is a bit of a rip off.

They take 4 of these 8 week classes to cover what I did in my basic obedience class lasting 10-12 weeks and all the dogs in my classes 'got it' - it ws the owners who needed more than 4 weeks!

Lets drag it out for the money why don't we???

Then they hire these people who "think" they are trainers and can teach obedience but have never set foot in an obedience competition ring in their loves! Nothing like proving one's ability by competing at the thing one claims to teach

Lets add to it that Petsmart insists upon using those weird head halters and martingales and harnesses - all of which are ILLEGAL to even use to walk a dog on the grounds of an AKC show , let alone compete in obedience which is restricted to a flat buckle collar or a slip/choke chain.

The primary reason all those gadgets are banned for even walking the dog on the show grounds is that the dog is still fundamentally out of control and has learned nothing about behaving once those things are removed.


Petsmart is the watered-down, fast food version of training - it is pablum for the masses who don't know what good training and instruction are.

(Hmmm.. what would give you the idea I think they are incompetent, eh???)

Ask the trainer how many dogs they have trained to their CD, CDX, UD and OTCH (Those are the real AKC obedience degrees - 3 levels each getting more difficult.) If they tell you that they got a "Rally" title - yawn, that is a huge joke. I have my students doing that stuff in 2 weeks. Did they get AKC tracking titles... what, none of those either? How about Agility degrees awarded by the AKC ....hmmm, not that either .


Ask the Petsmart trainer if his/her doggy do a drop on recall, retrieve work by sight and by scent, hand signals for all commands, go-outs; directional patterns; hold a sit or down stay off leash in a line of dogs with mass confusion for 5-10 minutes, heel off leash through crowds out in public; track someone or something with no known starting point .... Hmmm, didn't think so.

Now you may not need all that for your pet, but if someone is going to teach elementary school, they themselves better be able to do college level work.


Now you definitely need to take the puppy to school as soon as all the shots are finished - around 5 months is best.

Now you both need a GOOD obedience class - and that is NOT Petsmart or Petco.

GO here to find contacts in you area that can help you locate and obedience trainer who works with all breeds and who does AKC obedience competitions competing at what they claim to teach – no proof of ability like winning:

http://www.akc.org/clubs/search/index.cf...

http://www.akc.org/clubs/search/index.cf... (set on all breeds)


http://www.akc.org/clubs/search/index.cf...

Even it they are an hour or more away, they will know other people all over the state.

Answer 2

I have a Border Collie and they are very hypper. I started her in Puppy Training at PetsMart, when she was 5 months old. I was very glad I did. It only cost me $100. for the 8 weeks, once a week. The lady I had was very good. My dog is 2 yrs now and walks beside me and doesn't bark at cars or people anymore. As for chewing on things take away the item and give him/her a toy in place of it and say "leave it" and they will learn very fast.

Answer 3

I don't know how good petsmart trainers are so I can't comment on something I have not experienced. I took our dog to a training facility that had certified pet trainers that were certified through the association of pet dog trainers. it cost us $160 for 8 weeks. was it worth it?....it sure was!!!!
as for your dog being hyper it sounds like your pup is is need of some serious playing and walking to burn off that energy. and they will chew anything and everything.....teething has lots to do with it as well as boredom

Answer 4

It all depends on the trainer and technique. Personally, I think 99 for a 8 week course is really good.(Well the one I work at is 99 for 8 weeks, plus I get a discount) I'm more than likely going to sign up my 5 month old puppy soon.

But you can also teach them on your own. My pup knows the basic commands (sit, down, stay), and a trick (shaking hands), but I want to get her into the class so she could do it while being distracted, and to also socialize.

Answer 5

Hi, I understand that you are looking for some advice or resources to help fully train your dog or fix behavior problems. If a professional dog trainer is not an option at this time, or if you want to trt training your dog on your own (a great way to bond), I'd suggest you https://bitly.im/aL1lW

A friend recommened it to me a few years ago, and I was amazed how quickly it worked, which is why I recommend it to others. The dog training academy also has as an excellent home training course.

Answer 6

I think it really depends on the trainer that is working with the dogs.

I am sure that it wouldn't hurt your puppy. He is bound to be a better dog with some professional training.

Look up the Petsmart that you want to go to and see if you can find some reviews regarding the puppy classes at that particular store.

Good luck!

Answer 7

Puppy classes and socialization is critical if you go to a good program.

Yes - Petsmart would be a good place to start

RK Anderson Puppy Socialization Letter:
http://www.diamondsintheruff.com/RKanderson.html

Sirius Puppy Training
http://www.siriuspup.com/

Answer 8

All puppies will chew things up- I think programs are great, especially because it will help with socialization as well. Make sure you are giving your puppy toys, get a bunch of toys and give him/her like 1 or 2 at a time, and make sure you are rotating them, and not giving them to the pup all at once. Crate training may help as well and will keep pup out of chewing things up. I went through a ton of wires (from my keyboard, to lamp wires, to mouse wires, to dvd wires)- and brand new shoes, pants, panties, you name it, my puppy chewed it!! I think you should also keep an eye out for the show "the dog whisperer"- he will teach you a ton of things for behaviors as well.

Answer 9

It def. doesnt hurt, and its cheap, but if youre serious about obedience I wouldnt reccomend petsmart. Id find a local training facility. To stop him from being hyper you have to exercise him. Once a week obedience school wont reduce his energy level.

Answer 10

Buy it a chew toy or bone and put it in a kennel at night. Maybe you need to play with it more also.