Guest greysonly Posted February 23, 2010 Share Posted February 23, 2010 I am thinking of taking Myles to a puppy class. I just want to socialize him more and have him learn some more basic obedience. He is very smart but sometimes stubborn :PJust wondering if any of you have used their puppy class or have known anyone who used it? Worth going to or should I look into a vet that offers a puppy class? Suggestions? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest dobiegrey Posted February 23, 2010 Share Posted February 23, 2010 My son and DIL took their Chocolate Lab puppy to Petco puppy classes and were very happy and it was a wonderful experience for Autumn their pup! Lou Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PrairieProf Posted February 23, 2010 Share Posted February 23, 2010 (edited) I didn't do the puppy class, but Beth passed Beginner through Advanced classes at Petsmart. I found it a very good experience, though the physical facilities certainly aren't ideal. It's all positive reinforcement training. I think a lot, though, depends on how experienced and competent your particular trainer is -- ours was very good and had years of experience, had competed in obedience with her dogs, etc. A nice thing is that their policy is that you can retake any class for free, even if you pass. We re-took both Intermediate and Advanced to get extra practice. Edited February 23, 2010 by PrairieProf Quote With Cocoa (DC Chocolatedrop), missing B for Beth (2006-2015)And kitties C.J., Klara, Bernadette, John-Boy, & Sinbad Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest greysonly Posted February 23, 2010 Share Posted February 23, 2010 I didn't do the puppy class, but Beth passed Beginner through Advanced classes at Petsmart. I found it a very good experience, though the physical facilities certainly aren't ideal. It's all positive reinforcement training. I think a lo, though, depends on how experienced and competent your particular trainer is -- ours was very good and had years of experience. A nice thing is that their policy is that you can retake any class for free, even if you pass. We re-took both Intermediate and Advanced to get extra practice. Oh that is cool that they let you take it again for free if you want. I think I will go there today and ask some questions about the trainer at the Petsmart here. Thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest TheUnrulyHound Posted February 23, 2010 Share Posted February 23, 2010 I have been thru one of the puppy classes at petsmart about 8 years ago and was very impressed. The trainer was very good and had been with petsmart for quite a few years and actually trained therapy dogs as well. I think it depends a lot on the trainer I have some $10 off Petsmart training class coupons (6 or 8 week classes) if anyone is interested Just PM me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Greyt_dog_lover Posted February 23, 2010 Share Posted February 23, 2010 Personally I would ask the adoption group you received your hound from. As you know, greyhounds have a unique background that some trainers dont fully understand (they may not be able to switch techniques when their standard technique doesnt work for a grey). As a bonus, if your group actually organizes the obedience classes, you will be giving back to your group. Our group here in Chicago offers basic-advanced/flyball and agility training, we are lucky. Chad Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Lovey_Hounds Posted February 23, 2010 Share Posted February 23, 2010 we did puppy classes with our greyhound pup and we liked it. she got to class with different breeds of dogs from teeny liitle guys to a husky, the trainer was great and really helped us with any issues we had. I can do my own dog training but being in a group while training was so much better it helped Chili learn that clobbering teeny dogs is bad and just because another dog looks at you doesnt mean you are going to play. our biggest issue is she gets distracted easily and the class helped her learn to listen with distractions. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
greysmom Posted February 23, 2010 Share Posted February 23, 2010 I did the Beginner Obedience Class and it was fine. It depends entirely on the trainer you get, I think. Make sure you talk to them and ask them about their experience with greyhounds. You should feel totally comfortable with him/her. Some considerations to consider include that the space is VERY loud and distracting. The Training area at our store was basically a walled in section in the middle of the store - the bottoms of the walls were solid but the upper portion was clear so people were constantly stopping and watching. This can be super distracting for a people-oriented pup. You do have to sit through some time when they're pushing their own products, but it's not overly obnoxious. Good luck! Quote Chris - Mom to: Felicity (DeLand), and Andi (Braska Pandora) siggy by Chris Harper, on Flickr Angels: Libby (Everlast), Dorie (Dog Gone Holly), Dude (TNJ VooDoo), Copper (Kid's Copper), Cash (GSI Payncash), Toni (LPH Cry Baby), Whiskey (KT's Phys Ed), Atom, Lilly Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Mooogies Posted February 23, 2010 Share Posted February 23, 2010 The other thing you can do (I worked for Petsmart) is find out when their ongoing classes are. Then you can visit the store at that time (and you can watch the class and get a feel for how the trainer interacts with the dogs and pet parents. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fionasmom Posted February 23, 2010 Share Posted February 23, 2010 (edited) I have been taking Nessa to the puppy classses at PetCo and have been very happy with them. It is always going to depend upon the specific trainer leading the class but we have had good luck. We started when Nessa was about 10 weeks old because I really wanted her to be well socialized. As someone else said, the physical set up is not ideal but I just want to learn the obedience techniques to work with her at home. I had looked into another obedience trainer but the price was much higher ($150) and there wasn't any puppy play time. Also I would have to wait several weeks for the class to start and I didn't want to wait. Edited February 23, 2010 by fionasmom Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PrairieProf Posted February 23, 2010 Share Posted February 23, 2010 Personally I would ask the adoption group you received your hound from. As you know, greyhounds have a unique background that some trainers dont fully understand (they may not be able to switch techniques when their standard technique doesnt work for a grey). As a bonus, if your group actually organizes the obedience classes, you will be giving back to your group. Our group here in Chicago offers basic-advanced/flyball and agility training, we are lucky. Chad That's great if you live in a place like Chicago, but remember that out in the sticks such options are generally scarcely to be dreamed of! And many of us live hours from our adoption groups. A good, caring, experienced positive-reinforcement trainer who can learn as she goes and modify if needed from what she sees of your dog's responses is really what a person needs, whether at Petsmart or elsewhere. Quote With Cocoa (DC Chocolatedrop), missing B for Beth (2006-2015)And kitties C.J., Klara, Bernadette, John-Boy, & Sinbad Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest greysonly Posted February 23, 2010 Share Posted February 23, 2010 Personally I would ask the adoption group you received your hound from. As you know, greyhounds have a unique background that some trainers dont fully understand (they may not be able to switch techniques when their standard technique doesnt work for a grey). As a bonus, if your group actually organizes the obedience classes, you will be giving back to your group. Our group here in Chicago offers basic-advanced/flyball and agility training, we are lucky. Chad That's great if you live in a place like Chicago, but remember that out in the sticks such options are generally scarcely to be dreamed of! And many of us live hours from our adoption groups. A good, caring, experienced positive-reinforcement trainer who can learn as she goes and modify if needed from what she sees of your dog's responses is really what a person needs, whether at Petsmart or elsewhere. Thanks for saying this because I was going to say the same thing. I too live in the sticks The adoption group I adopted Myles from is Greys Landing in PA. And the closest adoption group here in MI is 4 hours from me Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Greyt_dog_lover Posted February 23, 2010 Share Posted February 23, 2010 I apologize for comming off as being a braggart about living here in Chicago and having access to certain things. I saw from your location of Traverse City and have been through that part of MI, I thought there was a pretty good population density, sorry, just thinking of other options. Chad Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest greysonly Posted February 24, 2010 Share Posted February 24, 2010 I apologize for comming off as being a braggart about living here in Chicago and having access to certain things. I saw from your location of Traverse City and have been through that part of MI, I thought there was a pretty good population density, sorry, just thinking of other options. Chad Oh no problem I know you were just trying to help. I am close to Traverse City and it is pretty good in population density. But no greyhound groups up here. I wish there was closer adoption groups here to do that sort of thing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest zoolaine Posted February 24, 2010 Share Posted February 24, 2010 Zali went to Petsmart beginner class when she was about 8 months old and loved it. Yakima has a very high rate of parvo - so she was basically on house arrest until she was 16 weeks and had had all her shots (so she couldn't go to their puppy class) - then she broke her toe - then we waited for a supposedly fantastic local training place. We went there once and refused to go back. The trainer pretty much based everything on your dog fearing you - got mad because I refused to put a choke chain on Zali, egged Zal on to jump up on her then kneed her in the chest So I took Zali to Petsmart and it was sooooo much better. Everything was positive based training - perfect for Zali. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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