I took Ziva to Pet Smart puppy classes when she was 14 weeks old.  It was 8 weeks of 1-hr per week in class time, the instructor showed and explained how to work on training for each week, then it's the owner's responsibility to work as hard as they can during that entire week to get those training things instilled in the pup before moving on to the next set of instructions.  Some people work hard, and some only worked with their puppies during that one hour of class time per week, and it SHOWED.  Puppy classes were more of a 'social hour' than hard-core training, though, which is a good thing for dobermans.  There were 6 dogs, all between the ages of 12 weeks and just under a year, in our class.  The pups are taught how to get along with the other dogs (no excessive barking mostly, since they were pretty much all on leash during each class) and had lots of interaction with the other dog owners, employees of the store, and the general public while walking around inside the store. They were taught the basics: sit, stay, down, take it, leave it, drop it, and heel on leash.  The next level of classes, which is the Intermediate Class, fine-tuned those commands and added distractions.  I loved the Pet Smart classes that we went to, but the instructor was a 'big-dog' owner and she particularly liked dobies...she used to work in doberman rescue...so we did very well in that environment.  If you are considering going to a Pet Smart for classes, visit the store first, check out the instructors and their methods, attitudes, etc. Spectators are usually welcome during classes.  Any class, whether Pet Smart or private lessons, depends on the instructor as to how far you will get.  An instructor that doesnt really have a passion for their work or has a problem with certain breeds of dogs is not worth any amount of time or money invested.

I think you are far better off if you are going to train your puppy or socialize to find a dog training facility. Some things to look for are a club that actually puts on AKC events. This will give you a heads up that they train more than just the casual puppy class. You want people that keep up with the up to date training methods and pass this on to the general public. You will get far better socialization and particular help with a QUALITY training facility than petsmart or petco types of places. I want to see people that train their dogs to a high level that teach me anything even puppy socialization. Practically any joe blow can teach a class at a petsmart or petco.

As stated above any class is what you make out of it. It is very obvious in any class you take which ones actually work with the dogs and do the homework and which ones do not.

As far as comparing to a private trainer where you go to the home. I would air on the side of caution. What does this person do with the dogs that she owns that makes him or her worthy of training? One of the benefits of attending a GOOD group session is the fact that you are providing puppy socialization as well as training.

With any training facility you must check out the classes and the instructors. I think so much more can be accomplished in a good training facility compared to the pet stores mentioned above.

Good luck in your decision, whatever choice you make will be better than doing nothing at all.

I really like the way rnd explained the differences to consider.  

If all you want to do is the basics and puppy socialization and Petsmart is the only close and local place to go, then I would use that.  I think you'd want private in-home training when your dog is older and you have a very specific problem that you need that one-on-one attention to break.  

You tend to hear people upset with how they spent their money in the private one-on-one, but I've rarely heard people who do group sessions with an instructor at a club or "dog school" complain that they didn't get what they paid for.  Just something to think about.

Yes keeping it fun is key. Group socialization classes are better with puppies to start with. Privates are great for a lot of things if you decide to use a private make sure you are also heavily socialzing. Although you should do that anyways.

Certified by the chain store. Im not against this type of training if that is all that is available. They do provide great distractions for puppies in the store and teach the basics. What they lack is space to move and the most up to date training methods. The people that teach them in most cases haven't ever titled a dog.

We are extremely lucky where I live. We have 3 clubs that teach classes. In these AKC clubs are members whom I highly look up to. When you have this available and you can see the difference between them it is huge. I realize not all communities are this blessed and if that is the case I see nothing wrong with using petco's and such. As with anything you only get out of things what you put into it.

CONGRATULATIONS to JJ for completing his classes.  Yeah, the photos w/ graduation cap might be a little 'corny' to some people, but I thought it added a nice touch....I cherish the photo of Ziva in her puppy class graduation cap.  LOL

Adorable Paul.. You and Ziva should be very proud.

Although I've not been to any training class with Sofia, I think the key to success is consistency..

You can't go to class.. learn the commands, watch how your pup responds and come home both of you all wiggly with pride then forget about it til the next week's class.. Constant reinforcement is the key..

I've noticed that here with our girl.. Mike loves to run with her.. they take off and she'll put the afterburners on like an F14... Then, guess what?? it's time for Mom to take her for a w-a-l-k. I don't run.. I have no afterburners to speak of, so if I want Sofia to 'stroll ' with Mom, it's a constant reminder... When I take the leash.. we go slow..she doesnt' love it as much.. but I sure do.

Keep up the good work. 

JJ graduated today. He had so much fun at Pet Smart. Everyone there loves him.

WOW---JJ REALLY enjoyed his classes, didnt he?  Just look at that big dobie smile!  Congratulations to both of you!

YAy Congrats Cousin JJ XOXO CISCO AND RAVEN!!!!

Ziva I love that graduation photo!!!

Pet Smart classes have been amazing for us. We were very unsure about it after reading reviews. But we got a AKC certified/CGC trainer that does PetSmart training. I am not going to lie- it gets boring. Laith gets really bored with the treats and what we learn after about 15 minutes. He gets it immediately and then we just add on to it at home. Like others said- it gives you a foundation and YOU HAVE to do it outside of class. 

Others in our area do not provide training with other dogs (just in home/ in studio, privately held). I like the socialization and especially the distraction training. Laith is very protective and has his eyes on EVERYTHING in a room at any given time. This week he sat in the middle of the floor in petsmart. His leash was laying by his side. 6 people, 2 with dogs walked past him. I was in another aisle where he could not see me. And my trainer threw canned and bagged food everywhere. He did not flinch until I said OK Laith, here. He came and found me. I was in shock. ha-ha. 

It's all about the time you put in and who you trust. 

I'm using Petsmart as well.  My only other option that I could find as far as group classes made me uncomfortable as they were being held in a park next to a busy road.

Fancy has the same problem that Laith has, she gets totally bored, and it's no longer fun.  But she sure gets excited the second we turn in the parking lot, she LOVES going there.  I must say that she is doing her part in educating people about how sweet these dogs can be.  She can't wait to say hello to any and everyone.  We're getting the "nice" greeting down, but it's hard to sit still when someone wants to love on you!  We had a little boy last week that was facinated with her and kept peeking around his mom to look at her.  We came a few feet away and I had Fancy just sit and wait.  His mom let him come over and say hi and give her a treat.  He was thrilled and Fancy was too.

The trainer often uses Fancy as an example on how to teach something to a dog, because she knows Fancy will get it almost immediately (and it makes her  -the trainer- look good too LOL).  I love to hear the compliments every time we go out about how beautiful she is.  I've also heard from people about how they once had a Doberman and how they loved that dog, and their eyes get a little misty...

Honestly? It doesn't matter where, it matters WHO. I go to Petsmart for a variety of reasons. First, I know the trainer and love his methods (if you haven't decided on how you want to train, you should look into that too) there are a lot of styles and everyone disagrees... It's just like teaching kids. Secondly, he trains all the way up to CGC and (individually) does Therapy Dog training/cert as well. Thirdly, there aren't a lot of option around here and one step up from him is about $300 for an 8 week course, and it's over an hour away. Fourthly, I don't have any papers on Paisley, indeed all I know about her is that she is more dobe than not, so AKC stuff doesn't matter that much to me.

Its a personal matter. Ask youself:
1. What's my price range?
2. In what style do I want to train/works for dobermans?
3. What do I want out of training? (do you simply want some pet-obedience training? do you want to compete in a sport? Do you want to show?)

If you wanted to compete in any kind of sport, I would recommend STARTING somewhere that will train you for that sport.

Graduation Day!

Amazing! Congratulations! 

Thank you all!  I'm still waiting on pictures that the trainer took to be emailed to me.  She really wants us to go on to intermediate, and I would love to, Fancy loves it so much.  She's learning alot of "off" now as she thinks she can just be wherever she wants.  I feel guilty but sometimes I just have to put a little distance between me and my "velcro" dog.  Between Fancy and her two little side-kicks (the min pins), I feel like the pied piper! 

How proud you all must feel, precious pics!!!

We're starting classes next week. We got "hooked up" through our vet... his words not mine!! lol

Well, we're going to try to do it anyway, just to go through the process.  You didn't know they taught them how to read, did you?

Isn't it wonderful to see the pride they display when they perfect a command, a trick or even just a dog thing that only they understand.

The elegance and regal bearing of the Doberman is thrilling to me.

even after all this time, Sofia STILL comes to tell me "thank you" after her meals.. she does this funny little wiggly strut.. head going from side to side, hind end, just the opposite way, ears flat and such a happy look in her eyes.. It's one of my favorite traits..  all over kibble..

we are so blessed to have them in our lives!

Yes we are! Laith blows my mind everyday! When he runs up the staircase he will wait for me to get to the top before he walks to the door. He always smiles & then nudges me. It is the little things. :)