I have been to this PetSmart many times before and have never had any issues. Except for this visit. My family and I went to purchase a few things for the new, now healthy, puppy we just adopted (or should I say a puppy whose life we saved from euthanasia due to a life threatening contagious virus.) One of the items purchased was a prong collar. If you look up the definition of this collar it reads, a prong collar is a training collar used to teach dogs leash manners. Prong collars are different from choke collars in that they use prongs rather than metal links so when the collar contracts the loose skin around a dog's neck is pinched in the process. I have never used one before (I was planning to use the harness at home.) In case the harness wouldn't do the job, I was going to use this. Everyone in the world has their own opinion on Pit Bulls. My opinion is, any breed of dog can be aggressive but it is how the dog is treated and what it is exposed to by its owner that results in bad behavior. The purpose of this purchase, is to teach a very playful not leashed trained puppy not to pull or lunge while on leash so other people and pets aren't afraid of her. At the register, I asked the cashier Sarah where to attach the leash at and how you unhook it to put around the dog's neck. Sarah was unsure so she called a manager over to explain. The first manager, Elizabeth, comes to the register with squinty eyes and a confused look on her face. She asks me what breed of dog am I using this on? I respond a pit bull. She then asks what age she was and why I thought it was a good idea to use this collar. Before I could answer her, she gives me her unwanted opinion. She says to me "you want to train a puppy with anger, hate, and pain?" I was shocked and thought to myself, this lady thinks I'm a heartless bitch and has no clue what I do for a living or the fact that I save lives every day and educate the community not JUDGE them. I was livid. I responded, very pissed off, that I did not ask for her opinion, on how I was treating my dog, I simply asked how to use the collar. Now, if she would have explained how to use it first, then followed with you know this isn't a highly recommended training tool, do you mind if I show you other items we have on the shelf before you purchase this one, my response would have been different and much nicer. Elizabeth never showed me how to use the collar. I told her I would ask someone else and to give it to the cashier so I could check out. I spent $90 this visit. The cashier herself couldn't even talk after this incident. I asked if that really was a manager? She quietly responded yes. I said how was that a way to respond to a customer? Does she not realize this is an item on the shelf, that even on the tag says for "training purposes." Is this how she would respond to everyone this way that buys one? Let me judge you for a second, Elizabeth. My opinion is, as a manager you should be able to control yourself with customers, keep your opinions to yourself and pick and choose your battles. My opinion is, you could use a prong collar yourself. Also, question? I purchased a toy duck. Would you have rather I bought a beaver?! Hope you get that joke. My family and I left the store very pissed off for how she treated us in front of numerous other customers. I thought to myself, I just spent all this money and I'm not going to leave without an answer. I went back inside to request another manager. The cashier pointed to a lady standing next to Elizabeth, and Sarah, at the previous register I was just at. She said that is Sam, she can help you. Sam came over and once again I asked to please show me how to use this collar. Her first response was the same as Elizabeth's. "I don't think you should use this collar." I looked at her and I said I just spoke to the other manager about this I'm not asking you your opinion. I'm simply asking you how to use a product you sell on your shelves at the store you manage. Sam showed me how to use the product and I thanked her but went on to say judging your customers is not what you are here for. Answering our questions and helping with items you sell is what your job is and too keep the customers happy. Neither one of the managers this night did that at all. Sam's final response to me was, "Okay good luck with that ma'am." She then rolled her eyes and walked off. To both of you, I hope you learn from this and will receive proper education on customer service. I really hope future customers will be treated better than I was today. I hope no one else will have to defend themselves when it comes to purchasing items at this store. read more