How much does dog training cost?

Whether you’ve got a young fur baby or an older pooch, training your four-legged friend is an important part of being a responsible pet parent. Not only does it teach them to mind their manners, but it also helps to provide mental stimulation and create a bond between dog owners and their fur babies. But how much does dog training cost? We’ve done our homework on the price of dog training - and some factors you might want to think about before you make the investment.  

Do you need a dog trainer?

You might be wondering why you need to know the answer to “how much does dog training cost?”. Surely you can just do it yourself (for free!)? While training your dog yourself is a great idea as long as you do your research, having the help of a professional dog trainer should ensure you stick to a proper training regime. From housebreaking to “give me paw”, dog trainers can help pet parents and dog sitters teach their pups basic obedience and simple tricks to make everyone’s life a little easier in the long run. 

Things that affect the cost of dog training

So, how much does it cost to train a dog? It’s a tricky question to answer, as the cost of dog training depends on a number of environmental factors as well as the type of training you choose. Specialized training and private sessions are likely to cost more than group training sessions, and the cost of these classes may also be dependent on your pup’s needs. The number of training hours you clock is another big factor, but you may be able to get a discount for multiple sessions. Chances are, you’ll pay a higher fee for dog trainers with multiple credentials and years of experience, but that doesn’t always mean they’re better (more on that later). Finally, environmental factors like the cost of living, inflation, and everything else that’s going on in the world can also affect the cost of dog training. 

Different types of dog training and classes

When it comes to professional dog training, it’s not a “one size fits all”, there are numerous training options and it’s important to choose the right one for you and your pooch pal. If you opt for a series of private dog training sessions you’ll get the opportunity to work on your pup’s individual skills, although this does come at a cost of roughly $40-$200 in the US and £65 in the UK. These private sessions will take place either at your own home or at the trainer’s facility, and can be particularly beneficial for pups that don’t get on so well with other pooch pals. Group dog training classes bring down the cost to around $50 in the US and £20 in the UK, but you won’t get as much one-to-one time with the trainer. They work well for young pups who need to practice their social skills and they provide pooch pals with an opportunity to learn from other well-behaved buddies. 

The most expensive dog training option is known as “Stay and Train” or “Board and Train”, setting you back an average of $90-$200 per day in the US and £175 in the UK. Pups stay at the boarding house or with the dog trainer for a number of consecutive days, following a strict training program that pet parents are expected to keep up with once their pup returns home. This method is controversial for obvious reasons, and although it may seem like a good option for pet parents who don’t have time to train their pup themselves, if this is the case for you, it’s worth considering whether you’ll have enough time to dedicate to your four-legged friend in general. If you can’t find a local dog training class, online training sessions run by animal charities and professions are likely to offer the most reasonable training packages, plus they’re easy to access and flexible. 

What to look for in a dog trainer

When investing in your pup’s training you want to know you’re getting the best bang for your buck, but finding the right dog trainer is not only important in terms of cost. People are not required by US law to list themselves as professional dog trainers, which means you need to be careful who you’re getting your training advice from. So aside from asking “how much is it for dog training?”, in this unregulated world of dog trainers, how do you pick a good one?

For starters, professional dog trainers in the US will be certified with the CCPDT, IAABC, or PPAB, and in the UK, acronyms such as IAABC, PPAB, and the APDT signify the trainer has undergone hours of professional education. As well as being certified, a good dog trainer is likely to attend and present at conferences and have a ton of experience under their belt. That being said, don’t be afraid to go with a newbie who may seem to have less experienced, as they’re required to go through hours of practical training before they can become certified. 

Look for a trainer that specializes in your pup’s area of need, and be sure to choose a professional whose ethics and training techniques align with your own. If your four-legged friend has particularly problematic dog behavior, you may be better off with an animal behaviorist or a behavior consultant rather than a dog trainer. Behaviorists are trained to deal with more complicated problems such as aggression, anxiety, and reactivity, but they are generally more expensive due to their specialization. 

Avoid dog trainers who promise a quick fix to problems - training takes time, and difficult behavior can’t be resolved in a day. Stick with trainers who use science-based training methods and positive reinforcement rather than harmful techniques like choke chains, shock collars, and sharp tugging.