Puppy Training Costs

[Debbie and Cooper]

Hi Everyone, I have a 4 month old Goldendoodle and I have a Trainer coming over this week for a consoltation. I was wondering what Training should cost. I am just curious so I know if I should check arond for other trainers when she comes or not so I thought if I had something to go by it would give me a better idea.  She did not give me any costs over the phone.... She goes over all that at the consolt. She said that normaly for puppies she recommends some  1 on 1 traiing and group training.

Thanks!

[Julie and Charlie]

Group classes, for 6 one hour classes, in Portland, OR, are approximately $175. YMMV.

[Teresa and George]

I'm sure it varies a lot, but we paid $180 for 6 training sessions in our home here in eastern Virginia.  It was more expensive than traditional training classes, but for us it was worth it because we had our trainer's undivided attention and she could help us deal with George's particular issues.  More importantly for us, though, was the fact that she worked with the whole family (she required all four of us--parents and kids to be there).  That was so much better than me taking George to class and then coming back home and trying to teach everyone else.  Puppy training really is people training, after all!  

[Adina P]

There are excellent trainers that cost a lot and excellent trainers that don't.  There are also crappy trainers that cost a lot and crappy trainers that don't.  I'd be more interested in this: how much will it cost for the adequate number of lessons that will take your dog from newbie to reliable on and off leash.  That is how I'd measure it.  Because 'puppy' training is usually easy and you've barely begun.

[Kathy]

When we got a trainer for Tia we were able to find one that was our trainer for the life of the dog.  He also worked on service dog issues.  We paid about 2000$ that included once a week he came over and when we got far enough along he offered park classes.  Due to my problems I could not go to park classes so we worked that out.  I still get together with my trainer to be sure I am not getting too lazy.  For us it was well worth the money.  Our trainer no longer offers to be a trainer for the life of the dog but he is keeping his contract with us.  Tia has been trained almost four years now and I thank God every day we found our trainer.

[Amy, Cubbie & Ollie]

I think that most people typically stick with the group classes for their puppies unless they having specific issues.  Group classes are cheaper and give your puppy a opportunity to learn to be around other dogs and in unfamiliar places.  But if you don't mind paying for both a private trainer and group classes, the extra training certainly won't hurt.

[Debbie and Cooper]

Thank you everyone for your help! I appreciate it.

[Traz, Karen & Dale]

Group puppy classes at Petsmart in Sonoma County (California) are $119.00 (with a coupon $109.00) for 6 week sessions (1 hour each week).  We have completed the Beginning and Intermediate classes.  We are 1/2 way through the Advanced class.  Hopefully Traz will pass this class and receive his Canine Good Citizen certificate.  We did have another trainer come to the house 1 time and he charged $75.00 for 1 hour.  Our vet offers classes and they cost $170.00 for 6 weeks.  The vet's classes were closer to our house but we didn't want to wait to start Traz in classes when we received him at 4 months...thus we went the Petsmart route.  Good luck with your training :-)  

[Jane, Guinness and Murphy]

In our area it's about $250 for the Basic Puppy classes (a little less at Petco).  These are group setting classes where they teach basic commands and socialization.  I did these initially with the puppies, but didn't find them to be very helpful, although the Doodles did really seem to enjoy the opportunity to be out with other pups.  For in home sessions with a private trainer it's usually $75 an hour, but a little less if you have a weekly schedule.  What I like about this approach is that the trainer will go with you into "real life" situations.  No matter what you spend, it's important to get the "right" trainer...someone who has a proven track record.  The trainer should be able to talk about dogs that he/she has trained and their reliability...and provide the owner references to back that up.  Our Vet referred us to our trainer, but then he gave me names of several people whose dogs he had trained and I got to see him with his own two dogs, both rescues with pretty significant aggression issues who are now 100% reliable on and off leash. 

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Vinny, a lot of us here in this group do not agree with rewards-based training methods only for every dog, and many people here do use prong collars correctly with excellent results. There is no one best method for training every dog. And what do you mean by "science based" training? Dog training is not an exact science like chemistry or physics. There are many theories ans schools of thought, very little is 2 + 2 =4.

We also don't believe that a dog's "learning stage" ever "ends". Learning and training are ongoing for the life of a dog. Some of us here adopted adult dogs and took them from zero through CGC and TDI, so clearly their "learning stage" hadn't ended.

I would be interested to know what your background and education in dog training is.

[Jane, Guinness and Murphy]

I disagree.  Prong collars, slip leads, halters, Gentle Leaders, flat collars, e-collars, choke collars....all of these are only tools.  Different trainers use different tools and some use several depending on the dog.  The tool is irrelevant in my opinion...it is the method and the "track record of success" that are key.  A trainer who has taken a dog with severe behavioral issues and turned him around has credibility with me.  A trainer who can show me a dog that he has trained to be fully reliable on and off leash has credibility with me.  I also disagree with your comment on dominance...it is real.  There are some dogs with dominant temperaments and behavioral issues that arise from that need to be addressed through training and daily management.  I have one of those dogs.  I'm not criticizing your training method, I don't know enough about it to do that, but it is certainly not the ONLY credible method.

[DJ & Chance]

I looked at the Pet Professional Guild website but couldn't find the scientific studies you mention. Can you provide an alternative site with references to the appropriate literature? Thanks

[Jennett Pulley]

I paid about $160 for 5 private lessons with a wonderful trainer who is also a member of this forum here in southern VA.  We had an hour consult first and each lesson was to be an hour, but she always spent extra time with us.

She also catered to our needs which is a HUGE advantage with privates, and while we may not have learned all the puppy basics, we learned what WE needed to fix which is FAR more important.  We did trainings at her facility as well as at a dog friendly mall, so we could continue our work with our skittish pup.   I wouldn't change our experience for the world.