Briana:
Because I write a monthly column on dogs ("Pause for Paws")for a regional
magazine, I tend to investigate many different training facilities and
training clubs in my area (it's also in my personality to be curious) -- I
do this for more than fodder to write my articles, but also because I have
learned that trainers often have cleaver (and different) ways of teaching
the basics and dogs often respond to one approach more than they do to
another -- I learned my hoola-hoop method of teaching a drop on recall that
way -- works like a charm on my dogs. My general rule for trying out a
trainer/facility is that the trainer/facility must use positive
reinforcement methods. I also reserve the right to stop going if I see
something that I feel will harm a dog in the short of long run (I have
terminated my attendance twice and told the instructors why I was leaving --
I do not just disappear (I am not passive aggressive on these things) -- I
am direct with the trainer in the hopes that they will learn and improve).
I have trained my dogs at fancy upscale, professional (for-profit) training
facilities, four different obedience training clubs, two sheep farms
(herding), the local woods with special permission from the park commission
(tracking), veterinary offices, county parks (carting), community college
parking lots, and yes, the Cranberry Commons Mall PetSmart, down the road.
The various trainers I have encountered at these places have for the most
part been certified by one or another training organization and in some
cases, they have been active AKC obedience or herding judges.
My direct experience with PetSmart puppy classes was a couple of years ago
at the Cranberry Commons PetSmart in Cranberry, PA (North of Pittsburgh,
fastest growing area in PA). The particular trainer that I used for my
puppy (she is still there) competes with her dogs (Rotties and Border
Collies) in obedience. I have recommended her to other Berner owners. More
recently, she ran a CGC test in which several of our club Berners earned
their CGCs. This local PetSmart works hard to have a good relationship with
the rescue groups around here -- both pure bred and mutt.
I called the Store today and asked several questions to be sure that what I
am saying is still correct. Petsmart uses positive reinforcement (no choke
chains or punishment in training). Their target behavioral outcome for
clients is A WELL BEHAVED PET (akin to CGC goals), NOT competition obedience
training for a CD. All PetSmart trainers are required to complete a
corporate dog training program which was developed by professional dog
trainers (they were supposed to call me with the name, but I haven't heard
back yet and wanted to get this out). At least at this particular PetSmart
store, they invite/encourage prospective puppy class folks to watch a class
or two before signing up for a class. Compared to the puppy classes that I
have attended elsewhere, the PetSmart puppy class (7 weeks) is comparable in
size, structure and methods, with the exception that the class was conducted
in the store during business hours (which may be an advantage or
disadvantage, depending on your point of view). When we took the course,
owner/puppy teams were provided with weekly handouts that reviewed the
particular topic covered for that week. As I recall, the instructor might
have shown a short (5-10 minute) video on a particular topic at some classes
(not all). Some of the PetSmart trainers that are at this particular store
went through serious CD-UD/Agility/Tracking training classes with me at what
I will describe as an "upscale" dog training facility. Of course, these
people were the more serious students who just loved to train dogs and help
others do the same -- PetSmart hired them. Admittedly, these trainers are
probably less experienced than some trainers at more expensive places, but
they were still quite competent.
I am not advocating Petsmart classes any more than I would any other puppy
class. In all these matters, an owner needs to check it out and feel
comfortable with the trainer's methods. Clearly, there is variability from
one trainer to another -- even in the more expensive professional
for-profit training facilities, I favor/recommend some trainers and not
others. I tend to believe that most beginning/puppy training classes should
focus on two things: (1) training the owner on how to train their dog and
(2) puppy socialization. If the owner gets it right, the puppy most likely
will, too. The owner's body language/voice play huge roles in communicating
to the puppy/dog what he/she should do, therefore I really think that
smaller classes are very important for puppy people (i.e., under 10 puppies,
perfect size is 7). If the class is smaller, the trainer has time to
provide real feedback to the owner on things like footwork, body position,
shaping of behavior, consistency and timing for reinforcement. These are
all things that ensure a better behavioral outcomes for any dog owner.
One thing that many of us die-hard doggie types forget when advising the
average pet owner is the role that convenient location/schedule plays in
class attendance from pet owners. My doggie die-hard friends and I think
nothing of driving over 100 miles (round trip) to attend classes from an AKC
judge. The average RESPONSIBLE pet owner has a busy NON-DOG life and so we
need to be pragmatic about what is likely to get the best out of those
people (who make up the majority of dog owners). Training classes that are
convenient to reach and have schedules that work for people tend to be the
ones that puppy owners go to and stick with.
A strategy might be for you to offer your puppy owner a "check list" for
helping her/him evaluate training programs, encourage her/him to observe at
least two different programs and make notes about what he/she sees, then the
two of you talk through which class seem to be the better fit -- considering
methods, location, schedule, etc. In doing this, both you and the puppy
owner might discover some new training possibilities.
Nancy Melone, Ph.D.
Mars, PA
