Review Summary

Bringing home a new puppy can be a challenging time for the whole household. It takes time for everyone to adjust to the new addition, and although puppies are very cute and fun, they’re also a ton of work. Training a puppy can be quite difficult, especially if you don’t have experience with training dogs or you’re a first-time dog owner. If you’ve brought home an adult dog, you may find yourself in the same boat. Thankfully, there are resources out there to help you during this time.

Petco offers multiple types of training classes to help you train your pup into the best dog they can be. Since they have around 1,500 locations across the US, you’re likely not far from a Petco that offers training services, but they also offer online training courses. If you’re considering using Petco’s training services for your new addition, keep reading for more information.

Petco Dog Training – A Quick Look

Specifications

Value and Pricing

The cost for Petco’s training services varies between the classes, with private lessons costing more than group training sessions. When it comes to dog training, Petco’s classes are often less expensive than the cost of hiring a private dog trainer, providing you with excellent value for the money. And thanks to their wide selection of classes at different price points, there are classes offered for almost every budget.

Service Options

Petco offers nine different courses between their in-person and online options. Some of their classes are age-specific, so it’s important to ensure your dog’s age falls within the class requirements. They offer classes for dogs of all ages, though, so there’s an appropriate class for every dog. While group training can help with socialization and train your dog to pay attention to commands in exciting situations, some dogs don’t do well around other dogs, making the private lesson options more ideal.

Locations and Accessibility

With roughly 1,500 locations in the United States, there are convenient Petco locations near most people. If you don’t live near a Petco location, like those in rural areas, then you have the option to use Petco’s online training classes. While the online training experience will be different from in-person training, this still gives you a great way to get professional support while training your dog. The classes are designed to be easy to understand and follow, making them suitable for many people.

Service Quality

Although the training services at Petco are typically very high quality, the quality of the service can vary between individual locations. The stores often hire people with dog training experience, but there’s no guarantee that the trainer for your classes will be an excellent one. Because of this, it’s a good idea to check the reviews or talk to people that have taken classes from your local Petco locations to get a feel for the quality of services you might receive.

Risk of Disease

Petco requires all dogs in their in-person classes to be fully up to date on their vaccines. However, they do accept puppies as young as 8 weeks in some of their classes, which means that these puppies will have likely only received their first set of vaccinations. This means that these puppies are not only susceptible to picking up diseases that sick dogs may have, but they also can be vectors for disease if they are sick. Make sure to talk to your vet about vaccines, risks, and benefits before entering your pup into a class.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

How Long Do the Classes Last?

The length of the classes varies based on the course and package you purchase. Most of the class packages that Petco offers are 4–6 weeks long. You can also purchase one-time classes.

What Happens if My Puppy Ages Out of Their Course?

If your puppy ages out of their puppy courses, it’s best to talk to the individual store about your options. Oftentimes, they will let your puppy finish out the classes, but they also may move them to the next age group’s class. You can also call your individual Petco store to ask them before you sign your dog up.

Can Aggressive Dogs Attend Training Classes?

Check with the store before attempting to sign your aggressive dog up for classes. Depending on the type of aggression, they may allow them to do private lessons in person, but some dogs are too great of a liability for Petco to allow them into the store at all.

What the Users Say

While we think that Petco’s training options are good, you don’t just have to take our word for it! We’ve searched to see what other people are saying about the training sessions. Most people whose dog or puppy went through training courses felt that the courses were successful, although they may not result in a “perfectly trained” dog. They’re a good option for training your dog to focus on you, but some people say that their dogs are too excitable to properly learn in group classes.

When it comes to the price, most customers are happy with the quality and cost of the programs that Petco offers. For many people, these classes are a more budget-friendly option than private trainers in their area.

Conclusion

Training your new puppy or dog isn’t going to be easy, even with someone to help you out, but Petco’s training services aim to make the process easier, as well as accessible and affordable. There are many benefits to your dog taking classes through Petco, whether you opt for in-person classes, online classes, group classes, or private lessons.

Make sure to discuss vaccine requirements and potential risks with your vet before taking your dog to these classes. Although Petco works hard to keep the dog training areas clean, there is always a risk of disease spreading in areas where many animals frequent.

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Featured Image Credit: Duncan Andison, Shutterstock