So I take my dog to Petsmart with his prong collar on him. I went there to purchase a hypoallergenic shampoo. Upon looking at the different shampoos, one of the store trainers there approached us and tried to pet my dog. I got in between and said that I am sorry but, I don't allow others outside of my family to pet my dogs. She then saw the prong collar (I kind of wished she hadn't.)

She then started reprimanding me for being so cruel to my dog. To make matters worse her other buddy trainer checked up to see the situation. Her buddy simply pointed at the prong, then she started screaming at me too. Both told me that people who abuse their dogs are not allowed into the store. A big scene started to unfold at this point. Other consumers started to side with the trainers. So at this point, it seems like it's 10 vs. 1.

I at this point started to get agitated. But I kept my cool and kindly said to them " You know, you're all right. Look how unhappy he looks (my dog obviously wagging his tail) How could I be so cruel to such a happy animal? I wish he'd stop putting his tail between his legs always cowering away from me (my dog actually doing a perfect downstay wagging his tail)"

I then started to ask that if they were so against this method of training, why does Petsmart sell prong collars in the first place? Both look dumbfounded at this point. The looks on their faces was priceless. I then tell my dog to let's go, him so willingly with tail wagging the whole time.

To make a long story short, the manager at Petsmart actually gave me the bottles of shampoo free, for all the troubles I went through. I hope the two trainers are there next time I need more shampoo <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

Well considering to be a petsmart trainer all you have to do is watch a 4hour video, your story doesn't suprise me.

Congradulations! Another win for reasonable people.

Very funny story Adam. Here we have 2 farely large PetSmart's. They have trainer's at both of them. I like to walk my dog over to their little circle and make them sit and I'll watch as they try to teach these people's dogs' and it's the funniest damn thing. My 3 always have a prong collar on while their out in public and/or training. No one from PetSmart has ever said anything to me about the prong collar nor asked to pet my dog. I think I have "I bite but they bite harder" written on my forehead. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/tongue.gif" alt="" />

I often take my dog to Petsmart to work on distractions. I try to time it so there is one of their classes going on. It is absolutely hilarious to listen to some of the advice the "trainers" give. Once I had my dog at attention in heel position when the trainer walked by with a beginning class and pointed to me and said, "If you work hard, at the end of this class your dog will be able to do this." Not bloody likely with the advice she had been giving <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

The sad thing about the Petsmart near our place is that, they always have a good amount of people enroll for the training classes. I think the price is at about $80/dog for eight weeks. What a waste of money. You get so much more and accurate info from Ed's basic obedience tape/dvd at about half the price. It's truly a shame <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" />

Adam let me help you out here. I think that due to your embarrassment and hurt feelings you suffered, not to mention the fact you now no longer feel comfortable coming into your local Petsmart you need MORE COMPENSATION!! Forgot the free shampoo. My wife manages a Petsmart salon-top 1% in the nation makes close to 6 figures a year..and she hates the Petsmart training program too.
But here is the info you need-Petsmart will fill your truck with dog food, supplies free whatever....if you complain. My wife hates it because the customers who know this and are dirtbags make up lies because they want in on the free stuff.

But in this case you actually deserve it. Call the store manager back and say you feel you are going to have to file a complaint with corporate. Or just file a phone or online complaint with corporate. The store will get a notice of this and will be required to "fix" it by making you happy. Plus maybe those mutt trainers will get fired. The store director gets bonus money taken away if customers complain to corporate so milk this for free stuff if you want. Heck you want to talk animal cruelty....look at some of the crappy dog food Petsmart sells...that is being cruel to animals. Plus Petsmart sells the very prong collar you were using most likely in addition to some basic electric collars. Now if used properly we know they are great tools. However in the hands of these underqualified Petsmart hacks they might be cruel tools. Good Luck and get some free gear

Yeah, I'd say for starters I need a new Prong collar, this one's getting a little old! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

My girlfriend's father is a corporate pilot in Florida. His one (and only) client is the owner of PetSmart. REALLY nice guy, actually. Too bad the trainers at his stores are knuckleheads.

And Adam, perhaps you should have put your dog in a "Watch!" command. You were, after all, being surrounded by a (seemingly) unruly crowd of people. You MAY have been in fear for your own safety, as well as that of your dog.

Funny, people bitch when I'm out with my dog in public with a prong collar on (and I'm in civilian clothes.) Yet, the same people just LOVE me and my K-9 partner whenever we're out in uniform <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/mad.gif" alt="" />