Click to Skip Ahead
PetSmart Dog Training Review Summary
We give PetSmart Dog Training a rating of
4.5 out of 5.0 stars.
How Does PetSmart Dog Training Work?
People love PetSmart as a local place they can go to buy quality pet supplies for their fur babies, as well as grooming and boarding services. But another service they offer is dog training classes. PetSmart’s dog training classes are geared toward first-time dog owners or people who want to train their dogs but have very little experience with training.
These classes not only serve to teach your dog obedience and new tricks, but they also teach you how to train your dog in addition to being an excellent bonding opportunity for you and your pet. With that being said, if you’re an experienced dog owner who knows how to train your dog, or you would rather teach yourself than have someone else teach you, these classes might not be for you.
PetSmart Dog Training offers classes that usually range from 3–6 weeks in length and cover a wide range of training sessions, including puppy training, obedience training, and even stress relief training for anxious dogs. However, some advanced dog training classes require dogs to be at a certain level.
To take these classes, you and your dog will need to have taken other PetSmart Dog Training classes first or be able to demonstrate what level your dog is at with training. But if you’re looking for a specific skill area for your dog to master and you have the time and budget for it, these training courses can be a great resource for both you and your dog.
PetSmart Dog Training – A Quick Look 2024
- Accredited training
- Virtual training
- Training classes for all experience levels
- Special skills training, including obedience, tricks, and even stress relief
- It may not work for all dogs
- Private classes cost extra
- Some trainers may be better than others
PetSmart Dog Training Pricing
PetSmart Dog Training prices range from $25 for a 1-hour training workshop to $329 for a premium package that includes puppy or beginner training, plus one intermediate and one advanced training course. Most individual training courses cost $139 for a 6-week program. The six-week program consists of one hour-long training session per week, which averages about $23 per class.
PetSmart also offers Virtual Training for people who want the guidance of a professional dog trainer but would prefer to take the classes in the comfort of their home. Virtual Training costs $35 for one session and $126 for four sessions.
If you prefer to learn in a one-on-one setting in person, PetSmart also offers private lessons. These lessons cost $45 for 30 minutes, $89 for one hour, and $219 for 4 hours. To view all of the courses that PetSmart offers, as well as pricing and signing up, you can visit PetSmart’s Dog Training page.
What to Expect From PetSmart Dog Training
PetSmart Dog Training offers classes for dogs and their humans for all skill and experience levels. These classes are taught by an Accredited Dog Trainer in a group setting, meaning you and your dog won’t be the only ones in the class. If your dog is sociable, this shouldn’t be a problem. But if your dog doesn’t get along with other dogs then you may want to schedule private classes until he or she is trained better.
Training classes are generally broken down into five parts. This ensures that there is plenty of time to cover relevant information in addition to helping you and your dog adjust to the learning schedule. At the very least, you’ll have a general idea of what to expect each week.
For classes that last one hour, you can expect a schedule that is similar to the following:
- Part 1– The trainer introduces and demonstrates the lesson. (~ 5–10 minutes)
- Part 2– You practice your lesson in the training room with your dog. (~ 10 minutes)
- Part 3– You and your dog practice in the store itself. (~ 20 minutes)
- Part 4– Return to the training room and build on the lesson or practice previous skills. (~ 15 minutes)
- Part 5– Preview of the next lesson and what to practice at home. (~ 5 minutes)
As you can see, PetSmart training takes place in both a classroom inside the store and the store itself. This is to give owners and their dogs more space to spread out to work one-on-one without the distraction of other dogs. The trainer provides feedback throughout the lesson and even provides handouts with detailed instructions.
PetSmart Dog Training Contents
- Accredited trainers
- Virtual training
- One-on-one training
- Training for all experience levels
- Reasonably priced compared to other training programs
- Puppy training, obedience training, trick training, therapy training
Dog Training Quality
The quality of PetSmart training is very good considering all of the courses they offer and the fact that their trainers are accredited. They seem to be very knowledgeable as to what methods to use to train dogs, including using positive reinforcement.
With that being said, PetSmart training may not be suitable for every dog or dog owner, as the exact teaching styles and experience levels of the trainers can vary by location.
Dog Training Variety
PetSmart Dog Training offers a variety of training classes, including options for one-on-one or group lessons. Training classes range from puppy and beginner training, including leash training and socialization, to advanced classes including therapy dog training. While some classes do require more experience, you’re almost guaranteed to find what type of training you’re looking for.
Dog Training Effectiveness
In general, PetSmart Dog Training is very effective for most dogs as long as you as the owner are willing to put in the work to help your dog be successful. That includes working with your dog outside of training sessions to ensure that the skills learned are remembered and actually put into practice.
However, due to variances in teaching styles from instructors and learning styles of both humans and dogs, PetSmart training may not be effective for all dogs.
Is PetSmart Dog Training a Good Value?
PetSmart’s training classes are reasonably priced and a great value considering all of the classes that are offered. Based on an average price of $23 per one-hour session, this is cheaper than most dog training classes through a professional trainer which can range between $25 and $50 per class depending on location, the experience of the trainer, duration of the course, etc.
Even private courses are reasonable through PetSmart compared to other types of training programs.
FAQ: PetSmart Dog Training
- What are the requirements to attend a PetSmart Dog Training class? Dogs that attend PetSmart training sessions need to be at least 10 weeks old (even for puppy classes). In addition, dogs must be vaccinated against Distemper, Parvo, and Influenza (DPP) and rabies if they are old enough. Dogs that are deemed aggressive are not allowed in training classes for the safety of the other dogs and people in this class. Dogs that are nervous around other dogs may be asked to attend private classes. The rules for training classes can be found on PetSmart’s training information page.
- What should I bring to the class? All you need to bring to a PetSmart training class is you, your dog, and training treats, and make sure your dog has a leash and collar or harness.
- How many dogs are there in each training session? Most training classes have anywhere between 4 and 10 dogs at one time, but sometimes there may only be two or three dogs. If you or your dog is uncomfortable with that many dogs at one time, you can always schedule a private or virtual class.
- What happens if I have to miss a training session? PetSmart understands that things come up and sometimes classes have to be missed. As long as you paid for the class you won’t be penalized for missing it. However, the classes build upon one another so you will have to contact your trainer about a make-up class if you miss a training session.
- What if I’m not satisfied with the training classes? PetSmart offers a 100% satisfaction guarantee on their training classes. If you aren’t satisfied, they will work with you to come up with a solution including retaking the class for free.
What the Users Say About PetSmart Dog Training
For the purpose of comparison, we’ve gathered PetSmart puppy training reviews and obedience training reviews from people who have actually taken their dogs through one or more of PetSmart’s training courses.
Some reviewers found both the puppy training and obedience courses effective, but feel as if they could learn the same thing through online videos and teaching their dogs themselves. However, if you’ve never owned or trained a dog before, the beginner courses can be a good resource.
Other reviewers felt that some of the trainers were knowledgeable and knew what they were doing, they just weren’t the best teachers. But it’s important to remember that the trainer will be different at every PetSmart location, so that may not necessarily be your experience.
Conclusion: PetSmart Dog Training Classes
All in all, PetSmart Dog Training classes can be very effective for most dogs. With a wide variety of courses available at different prices, you’re sure to find a course that meets your needs and your budget. Or, you can pay a little extra and receive one-on-one instruction for you and your furry friend.
Featured Image Credit: Paya Mona, Shutterstock
