I sat in on the
I sat in on the Basic Class at the Joyce Morgan’s Dog Training Center. I'm not sure this is the right place for us. It was kind of depressing: it's in a building in an industrial park that has seen better days. I'm sure the instructors are OK, but it had this tired and old feeling to it. A lot of the people in the intermediate class seemed to be total show geeks. Plus the dogs didn't seem to have much fun (I'm not sure if they're supposed to).
I did get to meet a neat Bernese Mountain Dog named Titan. He reminded me of Switzerland (and how much cooler the weather there is...)
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Yeah - I will admit - Joyce's center is no "show place" for the eyes. But you see - the only thing that matters to the people there is their dogs, and the great training that they get there.
Rents are just too high in Austin for places big enough to hold 2 to 3 dog training classes at once, for 5 to 20 dogs and handlers per class. If Joyce went some place more expensive, she would have to charge training fees that are much higher than the classes at "PetSmart" and other "subsidized" training locations. When Joe off the street compares a $45 class at PetSmart and a $45 class at an independant training center, he often doesn't think about the difference in experience level of the trainers. Just how much it will cost to teach "Fluffy" to behave.
If you knosw of any nicer places that are at least that big, will allow lots of dogs, and don't charge an arm and two legs to rent - Joyce would love to know about it.
By the way, I am glad you liked the Bernese Mountain Dog, Titan. He's my dog.
I assume the primary consideration in attending training is to learn and teach your dog obedience. In that case, Joyce Morgan and resident instructors are well qualified for the task and do an excellent job. If you are looking to attend a fashionable, color coordinated site to meet hip, cool people, then you are better off selling the dog and heading downtown.
Keep in mind that every one is a geek in some way. Just because their hobby doesn't coincide with yours, doesn't justify the slam.