My puppy is the most dominant ever according to trainer at Petsmart

Cobalt · 08-18-2007, 10:13 PM

Could this be true?? She had a private lesson to make up for the first lesson she missed. There was another dog in the area that was barking non-stop and she was distracted.

The trainer was showing us what to do if Mia mouths and put her down on her side. I know how to do this but hadn't done it much because Mia's been doing great. Mia would not settle and the trainer said she was "the most dominant puppy she'd ever seen".

So when we got home we all tried it with Mia and we had no problems. Mia settled right away.

Tomorrow is our first group lesson, what should I say to this trainer if she says this again? Should I have her try with Mia again or just ignore it? I suppose it doesn't really matter but it feels like this trainer is a bit harsh. She said that my daughter's were spoiled because she could tell and that we needed to get Mia's crate out of our bedroom! My daughter's 19 and 21 just looked at her. She thinks they are spoiled because they had Gap sweatshirts on. Sure glad they didn't wear Banana Republic lol!

Thanks

Mdawn · 08-18-2007, 10:24 PM

If it were me; I would first make a complaint to management and secondly I'd find a different trainer. I'd make the complaint to management because she made a personal comment about your daughters that had no bearing on the situation with your puppy. I'd find another trainer because if you think the trainer is too harsh, your probably right and the trainer could cause more harm to your puppy than benefit. Yep, I'd find a different trainer after I told this one what I thought and making that complaint to management.

Dakota Spirit · 08-18-2007, 10:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mdawn

If it were me; I would first make a complaint to management and secondly I'd find a different trainer. I'd make the complaint to management because she made a personal comment about your daughters that had no bearing on the situation with your puppy. I'd find another trainer because if you think the trainer is too harsh, your probably right and the trainer could cause more harm to your puppy than benefit. Yep, I'd find a different trainer after I told this one what I thought and making that complaint to management.

I agree.

PetSmart employees go through very little training before becoming an instructor. More then likely you would be better off training on your own then listening to what they have to say.

Find someone who doesn't work for a chain organization. I'd say that’s your best bet.

Cobalt · 08-18-2007, 10:47 PM

thanks, this girl said she worked 70 hours a week and was likely stressed so I feel bad complaining. How about if I just say that Mia is ill, (she is having a bout of mom switched my food too fast).

That way I can get my $ back without having to complain. I never complain, it's hard for me to do so. I guess what I do is worse for a business because I don't go back and they never know why.

I thought that the dog club in town had closed but I was spelling the name wrong in my search. It has a puppy class starting the first week of september. Mia will be 12 weeks by then, is that too old?

Thanks for your help, I appreciate it. And, I am aQ (Mia is helping me type) relieved that you didn't think Mia was a beast.

Durbkat · 08-18-2007, 11:23 PM

No, you need to complain. Otherwise she will continue to do this. She needs to be talked to by her boss or fired because she shouldn't be insulting customers and their dogs. I would complain and get your money back, that way you can go to a real trainer.

FilleBelle · 08-18-2007, 11:43 PM

I agree with Durbkat. You need to tell management what happened. This is not complaining, this is responsible dog ownership. If one of your girls had had a teacher who regularly abused the students, you would need to report that as well.

I do not necessarily agree with Dakota, however. PetSmart's trainers vary wildly from store to store and from individual to individual. You obviously hit on a bad apple, but the whole barrel isn't spoiled, yet! You should totally find someone new, but don't be down on EVERY PetSmart trainer just cause this one was lame.

My last dog did all her obedience through our local dog club and it was awesome. Ten weeks shouldn't be a problem. That seems to be a pretty average age for most classes to start accepting puppies, actually.

Also...that same last dog was a Dobe/GSD mix with more dominance issues than I have ever seen in a dog, not to mention she was too smart for her own good. We had a trainer who eventually suggested rolling her over on her side until she settled, as the PetSmart trainer told you to do. Cameo would struggle for a bit, then finally go quiet. Once we thought we'd won, so we let her up and she ran around behind my mother (who had been restraining her) and bit her on the butt.

Your dog is NOT a beast!

Dakota Spirit · 08-18-2007, 11:48 PM

I suppose you are right Fille, in that there are the exceptions that turn out to be experienced trainers. However, I would not choose a main-stream training class in a pet shop as my first option.

Different strokes, though

.

Curbside Prophet · 08-18-2007, 11:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cobalt

Tomorrow is our first group lesson, what should I say to this trainer if she says this again?

Where did you get your behaviorist degree from?

cshellenberger · 08-19-2007, 12:54 AM

Get a different trainer NOW!!!!! There is NEVER a reason to put a pup on it's side, that's pure voodoo dominace training and 20 years outdated. Your pup is NOT dominant, it's pup and just learning the rules. Look in the training forums for some great training techniques you can do at home. I HIGHLY reccomend the Doggy Zen ( but it's written by a friend of mine.

)

Here are some sources for a good positive based puppy K.
http://www.iaabc.org/
http://www.apdt.com/

Here is the BEST way to teach your pup bite inhibition
http://www.jersey.net/~mountaindog/berner1/bitestop.htm

Lorina · 08-19-2007, 07:30 AM

If you feel uncomfortable talking to management, write a letter or email, stating that you signed up for the class to teach your dog, not to have your entire family personally insulted by a trainer overstepping her bounds. Her training methods and saying a puppy is bad for just being a puppy are bad enough, but bringing your family into it? What a b-word.

Cobalt · 08-19-2007, 08:59 AM

You are all right, thank you for your help! I really appreciate it.

Before we paid for the class I asked this trainer if they use positive training methods and she said yes.

I will go in when they open and let the manager know how we were treated.

Cobalt · 08-19-2007, 04:27 PM

Success! We went in and did what we had to do. Thanks for the cyber kick in the butt.

Durbkat · 08-19-2007, 04:29 PM

What did they say and do when you told them about what she said?

sydney-the-cattle-dog · 08-19-2007, 04:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cobalt

Success! We went in and did what we had to do. Thanks for the cyber kick in the butt.

That's great.

You hopefully saved many a dog owner from a negative and discouraging training experience. Did you sign up for that other puppy class you mentioned?

Cobalt · 08-19-2007, 04:46 PM

The manager was helping us and when I said what she said and he said sorry and asked if I wanted to go the other trainers class. I said, "you mean the girl with the long brown hair that yells"?? He just said sorry again and processed the refund. I was such a chicken but I also told him that we were dreading going to puppy class and that it should be a fun experience. I also said that maybe part of the problem is that this girl is working 70 hours per week. I'd be cranky too.

So now we can sign up for classes at the dog club. They have been teaching for years. I'll make sure it's positive and not old school.

Durbkat · 08-19-2007, 04:48 PM

Way to go! You kicked manager butt!

Ella'sMom · 08-19-2007, 05:10 PM

Calling your daughters spoiled because they had Gap sweatshirts on???

I had a bad trainer once. My beautiful pure bred lab and I went to a highly recommended trainer for puppy kindergarten and the trainer kept saying he "must be a puppy store dog". I have no idea why! I kept telling her that I got him from a reputable breeder but each and every class she would insult my dog. Finally I had enough and told her so and left. There is no excuse for this kind of behavior in my opinion.

cshellenberger · 08-19-2007, 07:33 PM

There is NEVER a good reason for a person in the service or retail industry to be insulting. They are selling a service/product to YOU, they should be accomdating to a degree that provides excellent service to you. I've been in the retail an service industries my whole working life, the trainers actions are outragous and she should have been fired.

heavyjay · 08-19-2007, 10:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cshellenberger

There is NEVER a good reason for a person in the service or retail industry to be insulting. They are selling a service/product to YOU, they should be accomdating to a degree that provides excellent service to you. I've been in the retail an service industries my whole working life, the trainers actions are outragous and she should have been fired.

This is, unfortunately, what we deal with because of corporate America's attitude of entitlement. There are so many consumers willing to patronize a business that treats them like crap, the occasional demanding (and rightfully so) customer is looked upon as a PITA and is not missed when he/she takes their business elsewhere.

cshellenberger · 08-19-2007, 10:42 PM

LOL, Yep, and those PITA customers are MY favorites. I enjoy taking those people and turning the experience around for them!!!!