The Cost of Training Your Dog
There’s a lot that goes into dog training. From mealtime manners to socializing in public to walking on a leash, it’s common for dog owners to feel defeated and frustrated.
If you’re a new dog owner and feeling this way, you might consider shelling out some extra cash to have a dog trainer help you out. It’s probably well worth the investment, especially if they’re tearing up the house or pulling you down the street on walks.
Now, you’re probably wondering: what are the dog training programs and how much does it cost to train a dog?
Let’s break it down…
Choosing a Dog Training Program
The average cost of training your dog is between $30 to $80 per session.
This obviously depends on various factors such as the training program you chose and how much training your dog needs. For example, if you adopt a rescue with already developed bad behaviors, it could take some extra work. Puppies learn quickly but need a lot of attention and consistency, as well as socialization.
Also, depending on where you live, the costs may vary. For example, in San Fransciso you can expect the cost of dog training to be much higher than in a small mid-west town.
With that in mind, here are some programs with average costs for your perusal:
Group Training
Group dog training classes are probably the most affordable option. It’s a great way for your dog to socialize with other dogs and people, and is usually a good option for puppies. The main takeaway is gaining positive reinforcement skills to use with your dog at home.
Group training programs range between $30 to $50 per class and most classes are probably around an hour long. Most group training programs will run for about 5-6 weeks (once or twice a week) so you can expect to pay around $400-$600 for these types of training programs.
Private Training
The nice thing about private training is that it can happen at your home or at a training facility. If you want your dog to be trained specifically in your house or in your yard, this is a great option.
It’s a great option if your dog is a rescue or shows signs of aggressive behavior. The advantages of working with a private trainer are that you can tailor it to your dog’s needs or yours as the dog owner.
Hiring a private trainer to work with your dog is not the cheapest option, but it is likely a great investment. Some pet stores have great deals on private trainers, so you may want to check your local pet shops. Many trainers will offer discounts for a certain number of lessons upfront.
Private training can vary greatly in cost, but expect to pay between $100-$400 per hour/session.
Board and Train Programs
For dog owners who don’t have the time or need serious intervention for their dog, board training might be the way to go. It’s essential boarding school. Dogs are typically dropped off in the morning and picked up in the afternoon for a few weeks.
Most board and train programs charge around $100 per day, so you can expect to pay around $1,000 or more for a 2-week program.
Specialized Dog Training
Then, you have specialized training programs that are the most expensive. Maybe you want your dog to learn special skills to become a service dog or a therapy dog. Although these are higher cost programs, the benefits are often necessary for specific people and their needs.
Service dogs can help those who are visually impaired or have other physical limitations or disabilities. These training programs (or service schools) cost around $25,000 on average.
Therapy dogs are trained to provide emotional support for those that need it. Not as expensive as a service school, you can expect to pay between $250-$300 per session (about double the price of general private training).
Conclusion
So, there you have it! Now you can hopefully better asses what dog training program is best for your dog and how much it will cost you.
Remember, this is a great opportunity for you and your dog to bond and become best friends. And, if you keep up with the training skills you learn in these sessions, you’ll have a well-behaved companion at your side in no time!