sherry H.
No Thanks Petsmart
We took in a stray dog. We got him vaccinated and neutered and took him to Petsmart Doggie Dsy Camp to learn to socialize. Poor thing was living on the streets. You would think these guys know how to handle a shy stray dog. I even hired the Petsmart trainer. That was a waste of money. They sell themselves as experienced dog handlers but they labeled They act like they’re the experts and you are just a stupid person with a crazy dog. After a few sessions, they labeled him a bite risk and banned him. They said he bit the groomer but seriously what was the groomer doing? I only asked for a nail trim - they didn’t want to explain. I talked to a professional groomer who told me that should not happen if the groom knows what they are doing. Completely humiliating experience. I have had a dozen dogs in my life, I can handle dogs better than these guys. I think they just hire anybody who likes dogs but it requires some basic training- like don’t reach for the dog with an open hand- if you have to clip their nails, at least learn where the quick of the nail is located- and never grab or tug - land never stick a dozen dogs in a small room and expect them to all get along. At best, Petsmart is unrealistic when it comes to handling dogs. Don’t hire people who have. No experience with dog behavior. Don’t cram them in a small indoor space snd expect them to behave. I checked out a bunch more dog day camps snd they were all the same- just places where they hire people off the streets and babysit your dog - if your dog does anything they don’t like, you and your dog are out! They are not experienced dog handlers - they’re a bunch of people who pretend they are Caesar Milan. In fact, my dog was so traumatized by whatever went on there when I was away- he started going potty indoors again. He also freaks out when he sees another dog- so no thanks Petsmart.