It’s easy, around the corner and the obvious choice, right? Sure is.

Then why do I see so many people and puppies AFTER they go to the pet store classes?

Because they are impersonal, ordinary, and no comparison to my training services.

I often receive inquiries about puppy classes. People with puppies can be very impatient! They get the pup and quickly realize they don’t actually know how to house train it or stop it’s sharp bites. Families know they are getting a puppy weeks in advance, but call and need help ASAP! Like every other industry or service, there is plenty of competition, so why choose MMDT over another?

I have classes EVERY week. You can enroll at anytime as long as your puppy is at least 10 weeks, with 2 sets of shots and I have an opening.

The pet store holds a 6 weeks class, meaning you may wait 6-7 weeks to get in. They don’t take puppies until they have 4 sets of shots - around 16 weeks.

Each class is an individual topic, so you can begin immediately.

Pet stores curriculum builds, so if you miss one class, you might get confused or miss something.

Classes can be taken in any order and repeated if desired. My topics are chosen to help you get what you need quickly - jumping, biting, leash skills, sit, down, manners, focus on owners, ignore distractions and off-leash play. I teach one thing at a time, so you can focus on it and get it. I build slowly resulting in dogs that retain their learning.

Pet store classes teach - the traditional obedience commands - come, sit down, leash, watch me, take it, leave it, drop it, stay, shake. Then you take intermediate and advanced to learn the same things around distractions. Can you wait 6 months to learn how to handle your dog around distractions?

I sell a great harness for $30. You can trade it in anytime for any reason until your dog is full-grown. This is a large savings.

You can buy up to 4 harnesses in the first year to fit your puppy, but yes, you can buy one at the Pet Store - but not the one I sell. They have never heard of it.

If you forget something, I provide it for you.

At the pet store, you can buy something or go without.

You receive a clicker and a book! The book has clear instructions for everything your puppy will need from 8 weeks and beyond. My book contains information that has been updated throughout all my years of training.

You might get some inferior handouts if you have a good trainer at the pet store.

You can call me, email me, message me on social media and I will help you.

You can’t get the personal number or email of a pet store trainer.

I can come to your home if there is a problem there.

A pet store trainer will not come to your home.

You can reschedule a class up to 24 hours in advance and not lose the topic or your money.

If you miss a class, you lose a class.

My facility is clean - no one other than my clients enter the building.

The pet store allows any dog in the store and the sick ones march right up the main walkway to the vet clinic in the back.

Your kids and family are welcome at my place. I am a mom and a grandmother.

You can have family attend your pet store class too.

I am more expensive. 6 classes are $180. That is $50 dollars more.

The Pet store chares $129 for 6 classes.

You may video record the class if you wish.

Not allowed in the pet store.

I am very well educated. I hold three training certifications as well as awards and continuing education credits and have over 10 years training experience.

Your pet store trainer has 4 weeks of shadowing another pet store trainer and a book that explains how to teach each behavior.

I almost always run over, so most people get an hour and a half class!

Pet stores do not give you anything more than you pay for.

If your puppy doesn’t love it, I change things until it does!

If your puppy is scared, barky, or disruptive, you might be asked to leave, step out of the training area, or told that your dog failed the class.

I can be your dog’s trainer as long as you need me. I have adolescent classes and private sessions for ANYTHING!

Pet stores have crazy turnover. You will be lucky if you see the same trainer from puppy to the next series.

If your dog has a behavioral issue, I usually tell you! I will diagnose it and explain what needs to happen to improve it and be able to provide the training and follow through you need.

The stores will enroll a dog with a behavioral issue far beyond the skill of the trainer to increase their numbers and stats. When this kind of dog enrolls, it wastes time, behaviors get worse, and the owners feel like failures. Then people call me.

I am skilled in many methods - old, new and some you’ve never heard of.

They use luring - an old method that requires food be in your hand - people and the dog become dependent on the food rewards to do the behaviors asked.

My facility is located on the Westside - it’s not fancy, sometimes too hot or too cold.

There is a pet store near everyone.

You can read about, enroll and pay on my website.

You can read about, enroll and pay on the pet store’s website.

You can call me to ask any questions or express concerns prior to attending class, between classes or after classes.

You can call and ask questions to the person who answers the phone at the pet store.

You can ask me about dog body language, play, day care, dog parks, nutrition, behavioral problems, best toys, grooming, clipping nails…just about anything to do with a dog and if I don’t know the answer, I will find it for you. I only recommend things I trust - I owe nothing to no one and YOU provide me my income. YOU are very important to me.

You can ask your pet store trainer questions about dog things, but she has no experience with owners beyond the pet store class room and has a bias in recommending things the store sells.

You can see videos of your dog on my YouTube, Facebook and Instagram and maintain a relationship with me throughout the years.

So, if you wonder why you should choose my puppy classes over your local pet store….my answer is simple. I am better in every way.