PetSmart and Dog Training in Show Low.
If you're looking to have your dog trained in the Show Low area, you have very few, if any options. One of those choices is Michelle Denton, who is associated somehow with PetSmart.
Dog training is essentially people training; the trainer should teach you how to train your dog, but you're not going to get this from Ms. Denton. No curriculum, no outline, no notes, no lesson plan, nothing that you can learn from. You will get no personal instruction and there is never time to speak with her, as she has an assembly line of classes; one after the other. You are paying for the privilege of walking around PetSmart. She doesn't have any kind of pamphlets, handouts or any written material of ANY kind that would help you learn what you might need to buy or what exercises you could practice with your dog during the week, unless your end goal is to walk your dog inside PetSmart.
You will meet at PetSmart and walk your dog around the store with other people for about an hour once a week. This is at best socialization, but little else. You are paying simply to have your dog near other dogs. And the dogs are constantly distracted by other customers and the sights and smells of dog treats, dog food and every other conceivable distraction. It's not a good environment for basic training, but I imagine that it's a free meeting place for Ms. Denton, so that's why you meet there.
You can do this at home for free. She is simply taking your money and providing almost nothing. Spend time with your dog at your own home; take them for a walk and invest the time. You can teach a dog to sit in 15 minutes. Dogs are amazing; they reward you for every minute you invest in them.
A good instructor knows that one praises in public and criticizes in private, but you'd better be prepared to be criticized and humiliated publicly in front of the others in the class. I can't figure out what her assistant does; he just sits there and grunts and/or criticizes.
She might be a nice lady, and she might be a good dog trainer, but Ms. Denton will do you very little good if you're looking to learn to train your dog. She takes your money and gives you almost nothing in return.
Don't waste your money with Michelle Denton. PetSmart should be ashamed of associating with this lady. A complete rip-off. If she had any competition, she would probably not be in business. You are not paying for training; you're paying for the illusion of training.
I RECOMMEND YOU DO NOT WASTE YOUR MONEY. read more