Adopting a dog is one of the best things you can do – you’re getting a companion that will love, play, and bond with you over the course of their lives. While adding a dog to your family is a great idea, you need to go about it properly or your doggy dream can turn into a nightmare.
This is because dogs need proper training in order to be well-behaved and that starts with investing in the right dog training options. That said, dog training isn’t free unless you do it yourself, and that’s not always the right idea if you have no experience.
So, how much should you spend on dog training? Unfortunately, that depends, but we help you arrive at the right number in this article.
Should You Spend Money on Dog Training?
Before we get into the costs, it’s a good idea to consider whether or not paying for dog training is worth the investment. While it may seem like you can train your dog yourself, that’s not always a good idea if you’re a first-time dog handler or someone who doesn’t have a lot of time on their hands. This is especially true if you have a dog that’s stubborn or an adult dog that has learned bad habits already.
If you’re looking to save money and want to handle the bulk of the training, it’s worth it to consider online training courses to aid you. Overall, we recommend making a small investment into the foundation of your dog’s training routine.
How Much Does Dog Training Cost?
It’s important to understand how much dog training costs. On average, you can expect to pay around $50 to $6,000 depending on the training program. While that gap may seem huge, it’s because each type of dog training varies greatly in cost.
The best way to break down the costs of dog training is to look at each training method.
How Much Should You Spend on In-Person Dog Training?
The most popular type of dog training is in-person dog training because people have been training dogs this way for centuries. In-person dog training tends to include private lessons at your home, a training facility, or sometimes at a dog park. While in-person dog training is effective, it tends to cost around $50 to $100 per hour.
You can often find better deals on packages but this is how much you should spend on in-person dog training if you’re going the private lesson route. It’s also important to note that group lessons may be available, which is great for socializing your dog and saving money.
How Much Should You Spend on Online Dog Training?
Online dog training is an affordable way to train your dog without having to worry about commuting or inviting a stranger into your home. For these reasons, it’s a great place to start your dog training journey.
Most online dog training courses are split into different classes you can buy for a single price of around $100 to $350. While the cost upfront may be higher than hourly in-person dog training, it pays off in the long run and you can keep coming back to your favorite courses. You can also opt for one-on-one lessons via video calls, which tend to cost $30 to $75 per hour, so slightly cheaper than in-person dog training.
What’s more, some group sessions may also be available and that can bring the cost down even lower.
Board-And-Train Programs
Last but not least, there are board-and-train programs. There are programs that require you to send your dog away for a week or two. During this time trainers will socialize your dog, train them, house them, and keep them fed. While this may seem like a great hands-off experience, it comes at a price – expect to pay between $2,500 and $5,000 for board-and-train programs on average.
Unfortunately, there isn’t much that can offset this cost. The best way to bring the cost down is to limit how many days you’re boarding your dog. Otherwise, you can look into the trainer and see if they offer in-person or online lessons.
Spend the Right Amount on Dog Training
In-person dog training and board-and-train programs tend to be effective but that doesn’t mean they offer the best bang for your buck. In-person lessons offer a medium ground between online training and board-and-train programs, but they’re still expensive and may require you to leave your home.
For these reasons, we always recommend online dog training to get the most value out of your training courses. The costs are lower, and with the right training, it’s just as effective as the other methods we covered in this article.
