Pet Smart Puppy Class
So, I took Bella with me to Pet Smart for the first time today and here's how it went... One lady that worked there came over to see Bella and asked if she was my first corgi (yes) and if I knew anything about the breed (now I'm sure there are people that would buy a dog without knowing anything about it but I was a little insulted as I've been researching them for over a year--but she didn't know that) She then asked if she started herding things yet (told her not too much), asked if I had her in classes yet (no-wasn't sure if I was going to or not as she's doing pretty well) and that was that. As we were leaving another woman that worked there came over and was so happy to see a corgi. In one motion she says she has to show her to someone and picks her up and wisks her away to the Grooming window. The guy inside grooming apparently breeds corgis so she wanted him to see her--no big deal. She comes back and as she hands me Bella, Bella barks at her (I'm thinking Bella was telling her "Don't steal me away like that again!") So, she aggressively trys to get me to sign up for puppy classes. The first woman comes over and she tells her "She needs classes, she already tried to bite me" and they proceed to tell me I have to get her in class because they're a very strong-willed breed, blah blah blah. I told her I'd talk to my husband and took her paperwork and we left and now I'm feeling a little put off by her aggressive behavior. I think there's someone on here that works for Pet Smart and I'm sure there are people on here that have taken the classes so I'm wondering what you guys think. I'm not sure if I'm even going to bother with puppy classes because Bella is doing very well with all her commands (can sit, give paw, "up", lay down, come, stay, walks well on the leash, learned her "bite-control", etc). I know she can learn socialization skills in class but she is around other dogs, cats, and other animals all day long at home, I also take her to parks and public places where there are strange dogs. So, as I want to do what's best for her I also don't want to spend $100 and commit myself to 8 weeks of classes if we're not going to learn anything we don't already do here. That sounds selfish, huh? What do you guys think?
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Comment by Dawn on May 16, 2008 at 12:05am
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I agree. I do not want to write off Petsmart because of one woman. And, I agree that a kind, caring approach will have better results that being pushy. Intimidation and fear don't getcha too far! My husband brought Bella to work to visit and while I was holding her a customer came over to pet her. Bella excitedly and happily licked and kissed the man and we joked at how she's supposed to be the vicious biting monster (I know I'm exaggerating the experience but it was funny!) Anyway, it just reaffirmed how off that woman's comment was. Ok, I'm over it and moving on!
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Comment by Tracie & Emmy on May 15, 2008 at 7:35pm
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I thought I should add to Cindi and all that I frequent two of my local petsmart locations very regularly. This was an isolated incident, and all of the other employees have always been wonderful. Like I said this individual is now at petco, so who knows... maybe he was dismissed for his less than admirable behavior. I in no way want to shy anyone away from petsmart or their classes.
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Comment by Cindi on May 15, 2008 at 2:02pm
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As trainers, we are pushed to sell classes. We have quotas. However, I've always believed that if I have the best interests of the pup and pet parent in mind, the sales will take care of themselves. Anyone who's been in my classes will tell you I don't sign on for just 8 weeks. I sign on for a lifetime with your dog. Sales are important to our jobs, but being an excellent trainer is, to me, more important. I have my share of repeat clients, referrals and private lessons. I've been blessed. But I believe that blessing comes not from being pushy, but by being caring.
Seems kind of cheesy, but it's true.
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Comment by Charlie on May 15, 2008 at 11:03am
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I took Charlie to PetSmart last December to have his photo taken with Santa. The store was very busy with people and lots of dogs. Boxer Rescue was there that day too. The large crowd of people/dogs was very exciting for my then 6 month old and I had put him in the shopping cart. Trying to be center of attention, Charlie got barky..."Look at me! Pet me! Here I am!" One of the employees did approach us and ask me if I wanted info on their training classes. I just chuckled and said that I could teach their puppy training classes. He made a couple more comments which I thought was a bit pushy, but not as bad as Dawn and some others' experiences. Anyway I just figured the kid was doing his job trying to sell services.
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Hey Cindi, i understand the "corgi illness", before I got Bella I would get so excited when I saw one. I made my mom come with me when I first picked her out because whenever I'd see a corgi my adrenaline pumped and my brain got cloudy and all I couldn't think of anything else! I'm much better now :) And thank you for the apology, you didn't have to do that. I knew this was an incident unique to this woman and I won't write off all of Petsmart. You all have made me feel better though, thanks a million!
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As a PetSmart trainer, and one who insists that our associates are professional and caring in their handling of others' dogs, I am appalled at what you experienced at your PetSmart. Please allow me to apologize. It is company policy to NEVER address a customer's pet unless one asks first. And NEVER to remove or hold a customer's pet without their permission.
That being said, I'm a corgi FREAK. When I see one, you can hear me holler "CORGI" all over the store. It's now a hoot because the other employees actually let me know when one comes in the store. There are a couple of PetSmart customers who are on this list because I hunted them down and gave them the mycorgi website. But I would NEVER take a dog from a customer. However, I have been known to lie down on the floor and play like a toddler with them!
So, I am a FREAK. Some folks go nuts over people babies. I go nuts over doggie babies. It's an illness. :-)
So, please accept my apologies. I would appreciate it if anyone who has had an unpleasant experience with our trainers would jot me a note off-forum and let me know. I can tell you with confidence that PetSmart doesn't want that behavior to continue.
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Comment by Bridget on May 15, 2008 at 6:59am
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Boy, what an experience! I am so glad you told me since we have been all looking forward to taking our new puppy (which we pick up on MONDAY!) shopping at our Petsmart in a few weeks! It may not happen to us (fingers crossed!) but it is always good to be prepared.
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Comment by James on May 15, 2008 at 4:00am
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I cant add much about the Petsmart class but Thanks for posting this, I was considering such a class and yourself and others brought up some good points.
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That's awesome that you are rubbing your well behaved dog in his face, he was not nice. I thought I might do that as well. Yeah, it almost felt like she was insinuating I had a bad dog that needed training. I couldn't believe she told the other woman Bella tried to bite her, she did no such thing and has never done that to anyone. Thats exactly what they were doing, trying to scare me into taking classes and I'm not falling for it. My aunt has a beautiful little cocker spaniel and she said she's afraid to take her to Petsmart because several times their people have negatively commented on her dogs coat (oh, it needs a trim, she shouldn't look like that...) and she's a beautiful dog. They're just a little over zealous for business I guess. Oh well.
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Hi Dawn, I find your story very interesting. While I have heard many good things about the classes at petsmart, I had a VERY similar experience when Emmy was 8 weeks old. So similar in fact that I now wonder if they train their staff to try to scare puppy owners into signing up for their classes. I had Emmy with me at petsmart after she had been "moved in" for a few days and I just wanted to get her used to car rides and get some socialization. At the time I ran into the trainer I had Emmy in my arms. He very agressivly reached from behing her back to roughly "pet" her head in that manner that men use to lovingly mess up a childs hair with their full fist. (Sorry guys) Anyway she was startled and he did not "approve" of her reaction. He very abruptly told me in front of everyone in the aisle that had gathered around to awe at the corgi cutenss that she should absolutley not behave that way at her young age, and that I better get her into classes ASAP or I was going to have an extremely agressive dog. Now I am a research goddess, and believe me I had done all possible research. I was horrified and literally had to fight back tears as I stood in the aisle with my adorable "evil" puppy. As much as I do like petsmart as a store, I never quite got over how that man made me feel that day. I took pleasure in seeing him time and time again on our visits to petsmart and letting him see what a wonderful well behaved, polite, friendly dog I had, that was trained at another facility. I still see the loser, he has now moved to Petco, and I still show off with a new trick for him every time we see him. :-)
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