blueeyedghost wrote:

I think it's really unfair to issue blanket statements about a company on training. Not all Petsmart or Petco locations have lousy trainers, and not all trainers outside of those stores are good. Yes, you have had less than stellar experiences with them, but plenty of people on here have had awesome experiences. Just as Jason had good luck, we had two incredible trainers at our Petsmart in podunk FL and I would absolutely go back to a Petsmart and at least evaluate their training program to train another dog. Our trainers were both sent to a months long training program before they were allowed to work in the store, and we had nothing but success with them. Honestly the worst problem I had was the private trainer that we had to bring in for CGC and therapy testing, she was a huge flake. It's fine to share negative experiences, I honestly think it's necessary so that people have enough information to make a decision, but to say "all ______ training programs are worthless" is a little out of line.

Thank you! I agree 100%

My neighbor works for Petsmart as a trainer and I would absolutely take a class from him. As with anything you should demand to meet the trainer beforehand and talk with them and sit in on a training session. If they won't let you do either of those things run but you should look at the situation before just declaring all chains are bad.

Well we did not start with puppies but we did find a trainer that worked with wolf packs and huskies and did 2 sessions with him.
I don't think saying all store trainers are bad is fair either, you should meet with them see how they feel about huskies and make up your mind then.

We weren't going to, Korra knows all her basics too, she can sit, down, stay etc. But recently I signed up for a class so we'll see how it goes. I guess we want to practice our stuff with more distraction than she normally gets at home and in the yard.
If you don't want to do a class, but want to socialize him more (and meeting other dogs is fine as long as they have all their shots, like others have said), a lot of places that offer classes also offer puppy socialization hours for a fee. Some of them will let puppies that aren't enrolled join the fun if you ask ahead and bring their shot record and a recent fecal. We went to one last weekend and had a blast So that's something you could look around for. I've actually been to a few, and I have to say it's a nice way to see how the trainers there work too.

I just wanted to add that besides the socialization and training, classes offer a great way to bond with your dog... and tires them out We adopted both of our dogs well-past the puppy stage, but training classes with Alice have helped her and I become very close, offer me new ways to approach the same issues, and mean that when we come home, Alice is worn out for an afternoon.

Our first training course was all female dogs, and the first day was a bunch of yipping, humping, and generally nasty behavior from many of the girls involved. Alice was such a jerk, but she got told off by some of the older dogs, and it really helped slow her roll a bit.

If you want to do just socialization I heard yeaterday while I was picking up some treats at unleashed by petco that every week they do puppy play time. If you have one near, look into ans give them a call to see when your weight class is. They let puppies up to 15 months come.unleased by petco focuses only on doggies and kitties, so no fish or birds etc. They seem to have more of the natural/holistic foods then a regular petco. Or so if seemed the 2 times i have been.