annoyed - took Smokey to PetCo

[Ashley V]

I went to one of those free seminar things at PetCo for behavior and manners for Smokey. They really didn't tell me anything I didn't know how to do already... my problem is getting him to do it. Smokey is very... unique. During the seminar thing, she told me I need to use a collar on Smokey instead of a harness. I told her I don't because of the trachea problems that come with owning a yorkie. She told me to put it high around his neck and then he'd be fine. :mad: I felt like a lot of it was trying to sell the puppy classes, which I was interested in, so I did go to check it out... well as I was leaving she said, if you sign him up, he HAS to have a collar. :mad::mad::mad: Not even a gentle leader... ONLY a collar. I am NOT putting a collar on that dog. I'll just wait until March and take him to the same place I took Chip, where they actually don't mind you using harnesses and gentle leaders.

[MaxJack'sMom]

Good for you girl. Sound like they don't really care about the health of the dog. When we took Jack to his classes at PetsMart, our instructor told us to make sure Jack had a good harness on him. She said not to have a collar on him because of the problems it can cause.
You are right to not want to go back there and are wise to just wait and get a good instructor.

[JesBred]

Wow! You would think working at a PET place they'd be aware of all types of training methods. Especially when their trying to sell a product you don't tell someone they HAVE to do something.

I don't even use collars on Jake (and he's 65 lbs) for training/walking, just a gentle leader or his harness. He only wears collars for cosmestic purposes (mommy likes pretty pups). His collars are always big enough to slip right off his neck, he mainly wears bandanas anyways. He loves to dress up... and of course Mitzy hates it :lol2: I've never trusted collars. Not even for ID

Good for you Ash standing up for Smoke's health

[Ashley V]

Someone once told me to put a choke chain on him. I told them they were crazy.

[Tcarnagie]

Glad you are doing what is best for him and taking him somewhere that will allow a harness instead of a collar.

[Morkie4]

I only used the collars for travelling for ID purposes but harnesses for potty. I did use a pinch collar on Toby for the classes but it wasn't needed after the first pinch..........he was a quick learner but the first two classes I used a gentle leader which worked out fine but did not curb the aggression.

[Tucker'sMom]

Good Fur Baby Momma!

[LilPosh]

I am glad you stuck with what you believe is best for your baby! I have been trying to find a good trainer in my area for Diddy. He needs it bad! He has aggression problems with things like paper, or anything he is not suppose to have.

[Zo zo's mom]

Good for you for standing by what you know is right. When Zoe was in classes, she wore a harness. They said during orientation that collars were preferrable, but was up to the owners. They one thing they were adamant about (with good reason) was no flexi-leashes. There was alot of training where the leash dragged behind the dog and even exercises where we had to stand on the end of the leash.

I just got collars for both girls because Zoe heals better when I walk her with a collar (Abbie is a naturally and doesn't pull, but I wanted her to have a collar that matches her big sis). I got them from Luvmyfurbaby.com (which is a great store).:wink5:

[Miss Melanie]

Good for you. That person needs to be reminded that "one size does not fit all".

[Ashley V]

Thanks everyone! I'd rather have a dog that pulls and goes ballistic than have a dog with a collapsed trach because some know it all said I HAD to use a collar.

[Ashley V]

Oh yea - this woman also irritated me with her attitude too. About 5-10 minutes into this thing, she said kind of snippy "If you could get him to sit still, that would be great. Does he even know how to sit?" Yes, I know he can get a little annoying with his constant moving around like he does, but if you are a dog trainer, you need to be patient. So he wouldn't sit still and after trying for a few minutes to contain him, I just put him on my lap and he was still. She turns around to me and said (snippy again) "Well I was hoping you would have him be still on the floor". Geez, woman just shut up and do your class. I ended up just holding onto his harness and holding him in place the whole time just to keep that woman quiet.