Obedience Training for 22 month old Choc Lab

**KING157** · 06-24-2011, 04:11 PM

Hello Everyone! Does anyone have any experience with obedience training through a petsmart/petco type of atmosphere ($100 for 6 sessions) vs. private instructor ($50 for one session)? With the latter being obviously more expensive, I have no problem paying more money if choosing this route proves to be more "effective." Any advice would be greatly appreciated....

**HersheyK's Dad** · 06-24-2011, 04:40 PM

Personally, I would search for someone that does small group training. Although some Petsmarts and Petcos have a decent trainer leading the classes, I haveheard too many stories that most of their stores do not really have qualified trainers.

**Tanya** · 06-24-2011, 05:04 PM

are those the ONLY two options?

group classes are best for general obedience (one one is great for at home issues or specific problems wiht the dog, not for general improvement of obedience). So for your needs I recommend group classes but...not at petsmart.

the best places for training classes are training clubs. they offer small group classes and are generally better educated (to ask though, they are not all equal). From my understanding, petsmart and places like that do a very brief training for hte "instructors" so they are not usually very dog savy (and know very limited training "tools"). not to say you NEVER run into great instructors there but that just isn't usually the case. Meaning, if your dog isn't "getting" the way they show you to teach a command, they have no suggestions for "other" ways. There are LOTS of ways to train a dog as they all learn differently, a good trainer will spot that out and give you other options.

So look around (google, ask around) for any other places that offer classes. Some doggy daycare facilities have classes, depending on the size of your city you may have plenty of options. Some instructors will hold classes in community centers as well.

**BigBrownDog** · 06-24-2011, 05:56 PM

Where are you? If you can find a Lab club or an all breed club in your area that has their own obedience classes - that is the best choice. Its a crap shoot when you go to Petsmart as to whether the trainer is decent or an idiot.

**KING157** · 06-24-2011, 07:41 PM

Thank you all! Just found an all breed club down the street and what perfect timing, they are just about to begin a 9 week course starting tomorrow!!! I'll keep you all updated on OUR progress..... Have a wonderful weekend!

**KING157** · 06-27-2011, 05:01 PM

UPDATE* Attended first obedience class training this past Saturday and everything went perfect! Thank you all again for the advice... WE greatly appreciate it.

**BigBrownDog** · 06-27-2011, 05:23 PM

Great news! Congrats!

**KING157** · 07-14-2011, 01:31 PM

**UPDATE** After 3 weeks, the Trainer is shocked with Yogi's progress (I know, I know, my kids begged me to change his name because he looks like a bear, haha, but he's loving his new name!!!)....... Anyways, the Trainer has complimented me and tells me Yogi is a complete 360 from his 1st encounter with him which was only 2 weeks ago. He tells me that he can tell I've been walking/running/training Yogi alot (boy is that an understatement, try 24/7!) and that he is a "natural" heeler. I'm so proud of my big boy!!!! And to think, when I started this thread, I felt hopeless. Yogi can heel, sit, stay, down-stay, come-fore, and stand for examination.....and we have 6 weeks left to only get better from here. I have you all to THANK!!!!