How Much Does Dog Training Cost?

Owning a dog is super exciting. But, along with being a pet parent, it is your responsibility to train the dog also. In any dog’s life, attending training sessions is crucial to make them comfortable and safe in human space. Dog training proves imperative in boosting confidence levels, stimulating their mind and senses, and keeping your dog healthy and happy.

Another significant fact about training your dog is that it helps dogs to establish a strong bond with their human companions. So, it is not your pup alone who will enjoy the benefits of training- you will too.

Importance of Dog Training

You feel joy in successfully learning a new skill. Dogs also feel that kind of excitement. They are always eager to learn something new and do it with their human companion. Training guides the dogs to learn new skills that keep them active and safe. Proper training enables them to interact with the world in a happy and healthy way.

Some first-time dog owners find it overwhelming to decide the best time to start training. It is never too late to start training your dog. However, if you consider bringing a puppy home, start the training schedule as early as possible. Many of you must have understood by now how important it is to train your dog, but now the question arises.

What are the types of dog training, and what will be the cost involved?

Dog trainers are specialists. They are the best person to teach your pet basic skills or work on their behavior. The training costs depend upon the area or city you live in. It depends on the kind of support you expect from the dog trainer. Also, the type of training sessions you like your dog to enroll in. In the first year, you may spend around $1500 – $2000 on dog training. However, it can cost more than $4000; if you have registered for any personal trainer.

Every canine is unique. Hence, no dog trainer would guarantee how long it will take for your dog to pick up any specific skill and if he or she will excel or struggle to perform it. So how many training sessions a dog will require can be decided over time. The costs also will vary accordingly.

To a great extent, training costs also depend upon the type of training you are willing to enroll your dog. Here are some training options you can select depending on the money you would spend to train your canine friend:

Group training

In such classes, the dogs get group obedience lessons. The obedience programs include different levels. There is basic command training for the puppies and advanced training courses for the adult dogs.

This training process usually comes in a package of 6 to 8 weeks, with average costs varying between $120 to $200. It is an affordable option and can be effective if you are trying to teach your dog basic commands. However, if you expect your dog to learn something beyond basic obedience, private training can be helpful.

Private training 

A one-on-one session is expensive. Private dog trainers charge around $45 to $120 per session for a 45-minute to 60-minute class. The costs depend upon a dog’s breed, age, and size. The amount also varies depending on the location and the type of behavior you are expecting your dog to pick up from the training.

Cost evaluation before the training session starts is essential. That is how you can gain an idea of the total investment you need to make at the beginning.

Private training programs go far beyond the basic commands. A good trainer can also help to control barking, chewing, jumping up, separation anxiety, biting, digging,

Boot camps

Such a training process involves dropping your puppy or dog with a trainer. The dog can stay in that facility for some days. If you have no time to train the puppy or your dog, boot camps would be a viable alternative to private training. However, boot camps are expensive, charging around $45 to $75 per day. In return, you can expect customized training, which is effective if you need to rectify some behavioral issues of your pet or make your puppy learn basic cues and house rules. In group classes, the dog takes much longer to learn about them. 

What training program is ideal for my dog?

The selection of a training program depends on the age or the kind of goal you are trying to achieve through the training process. Based on such requirements, training programs are categorized into the following:

Puppy training

If you have adopted a newborn, puppy training programs can commence when it is seven weeks old. According to the experts, it is the best time to introduce your puppy to other dogs and people. Starting positive reinforcement training at this young age also helps your puppy learn basic commands and pick up good habits. Obedience training begins when the puppy is six months old.

Adult training 

If you have rescued an adult dog or have adopted one, it is possible to train them. With patience, dogs of any age can learn new skills and good behavior. After you bring an adult dog home, you need to understand if the dog has received any formal training beforehand. There are four types of adult training programs-beginner, intermediate, and advanced.

Based on how much training the dog will require, select a training program. Training a puppy and adult beginner dog training costs around $120 to $140 for a six-week program. However, the cost can reach up to $200 if you select intermediate or advanced courses for the dog.

Aggressive behavior training

Aggression is one of the top reasons dog owners often seek help from professional dog trainers. Aggressive behavior in dogs is not restrictive to larger breeds or some dangerous varieties. Any dog can develop aggressive behavior. If there is no underlying medical problem, you must take the assistance of a professional to find the reason behind aggression and how to manage it.

The price of training an aggressive dog depends on the kind of rectification the dog requires and how long the training needs to continue. Private training is expensive. It costs around $100 to $200 per session.

You can expect to pay around $1000-$2000 for two weeks of boot camp training for such dogs. If you have a dog with a history of biting or serious aggression problems, you may need to pay more than the usual rate.

Therapy or assistance dog training

Assistance dogs are specially- trained to assist individuals with some kind of disabilities like physical, intellectual, or sensory disabilities. These dogs can guide blind people, pull wheelchairs, alert people when the owner is having seizures, or guide people who are deaf. Dogs can remind people with mental illness to take medicines on time. Many individuals depend on these service dogs to lead their daily lives.

Unlike assistance, therapy dogs are so trained that they can provide comfort, support, and affection to the person who needs it. The person does not have to be the owner of the dog. The dog can visit disaster areas, hospices, nursing homes, schools, or wherever required to provide therapeutic service.

Training a dog to aid or prepare it for therapeutic services is another costly proposition. A professional dog trainer can charge around $150- $250 for an hour session. The average costs involved in training any dog can run into thousands of dollars depending on the kind of services you expect from the dog and how well your canine picks up those skills.

What to look for when selecting a dog trainer?

Whatever program you select, training your canine companion well, you need a well-conversant training professional. There is no rule of thumb that an expensive trainer is always better. The dog training industry is unregulated. Therefore, the prices are not always equivalent to quality. Keep in mind that training a dog needs patience and time.

When selecting the trainer for your fur buddy, try to ensure the following:

The trainers follow the reward-based training method. Instead of positive reinforcement, if the trainer uses aversive techniques or punishments to make a dog learn new habits or rectify their behavior, that makes them aggressive and fearful. It is a problem that may take years to fix.

Training dogs need lots of skills. Anybody who loves dogs cannot be a trainer. Search for a trainer who has relevant qualifications. One with a degree in animal behavior can be an ideal person. Some of the qualifications for the trainer to look for include PMCT, KPA CTP, VSPDT, CTC, and VSA-CDT.

Along with education, a trainer in this profession for a long time can be trustworthy. However, if a young professional with proper education shows commitment, you can give that trainer a chance.

Avoid those who promise a quick fix for a dog’s behavioral problems or set a timeline to make the dog learn cues.  If your dog is suffering from behavioral issues, instead of a professional trainer, consult with a behaviorist first.

Read Also: Professional Dog Trainer Academies in US

What factors affect the dog training cost? How to reduce that cost?

Dog training costs vary widely depending on the

• Age of the dog
• Dog breed
• Length of training
• A place where you stay
• Experience and expertise of the trainer

Every pet parent will accept that private or in-house sessions under the guidance of a professional trainer can work wonders for your dog. However, that is expensive. If you have a budget for puppy training or to train your older pooch, here are some tips to stick to it.

• If a one-to-one training fee is out of your reach, try semi-private sessions or group classes at a lower cost.
• If your budget does not permit the six weeks of training courses, you can consider attending seminars and workshops instead. Attend such a one-time boot camp to get experts’ advice. It is much more affordable. In such events, the professional gives the audience complete guidance on the overall subject, like obedience training, behavioral issue management, or simple cue training.
• There are numerous videos by force-free trainers available online which you can follow to teach your dog basic cues and manners. 

How long does it take to train a dog?

Several factors influence the time a dog may take to be trained effectively. Every dog is unique, and so is their learning ability. While some dogs may take many weeks to learn a new skill, others can take a few days. So, how fast the dogs get trained depends upon the goals of the training session, their behavioral challenges, their history of learning, and the trainer’s expertise.

On average, dogs can learn basic obedience training within 6 to 8 weeks. However, if you are eyeing some specialized training program, it may take months for your dog to master those skills.

Similar to humans, dogs never stop learning. A training session though exhaustive, cannot make them know everything. Thus, it is the responsibility of pet owners to reinforce the behavior they have acquired through training so they do not abandon the teachings.

FAQs:

What is the best age to start training a dog?

Dogs of any age can get trained. All it takes is a bit of patience and time. If you have adopted or rescued a puppy, start training your dog as early as possible. Puppies can learn basic cues early and socialize with people and other dogs when they are two weeks old. The obedience training programs for puppies can start when they are six months old. It is also possible to train an adult pooch with effective results.

Does pet insurance include dog training expenses?

Most of the top animal insurance plans do not cover basic obedience training. But they provide covers for behavioral issue management training. If you are trying to offset the training cost, search for an insurance provider which covers the training costs.