Is Professional Dog Training Really Worth The Money?

It’s no secret that dogs can be very difficult from time to time. It may even be impossible to train your pet all by yourself, no matter how much effort and time you put into it.
As dog owners, one of the most important decisions we’ll ever need to make is whether or not to enroll our pets in a professional dog training program. Keep in mind that dog training isn’t just simply teaching our dogs to perform tricks. It also has socialization and behavioral benefits.
Some additional benefits of professional dog training include:
Professional dog trainers can easily point out any behavioral issues the dog is exhibiting that the owner may not have previously noticed.
Professional dog trainers can provide you with important advice that’s beneficial for both you and your pet.
Professional dog trainers can help the owner shorten the training time.
Professionally trained dogs are less likely to exhibit behavioral problems.
One of the main questions many dog owners ask about professional dog training is, “How much does professional training cost and is the cost really worth it?”
Just like any other professional service, the cost of professional dog training really depends on the location.
To give you somewhat of an idea, here are some average costs:
Group Training ñ 4 to 6 weeks / $50-$125
Private Lessons ñ One Hour / $50-$100 per hour
Boarding Kennel ñ 2 to 4 weeks / $1,000-$2,500 for several hours of one-on-one daily attention.
So, what is it exactly you’ll get for the money? There are different types of training classes available and each class concentrates on different areas of your dog’s obedience. Keep in mind, the more money you pay, the better service you’ll get. After all, you get what you pay for!
The following are three different training classes and what they each focus on:
Puppy Classes - Puppy classes are for dogs that are 2-5 months old. These classes focus on socialization and housebreaking. The class also addresses biting, chewing, digging and barking.
Basic Classes - Basic classes are for dogs that are older than 5 months, and these classes repeat the training from the puppy classes. Basic classes also cover hand signals and commands.
Advanced Classes - Advanced classes repeat the skills that were learned during the basic classes. These classes also practice obedience in complex situations with distractions. For example, your dog may learn to come to you when he’s off a leash.
I recently spoke with two dog owners whose dogs were professionally trained. Here is what they had to say about professional training programs:
With my work schedule, I just couldn’t give Jack - my rescue dog - the amount of training he needed. I enrolled him in a basic training class and started seeing improvements in his behavior after only two weeks. The cost was very well worth it! - Janet
My dog, Sadie, used to be out of control. Not only did she always destroy the house while I was away at work, but I couldn’t even walk her around the neighborhood without her getting out of control. Knowing very well that I couldn’t do anything to change Sadie’s behavioral problems, I decided to sign her up for some private training lessons. The results have been amazing, and I would definitely recommend professional training to anyone whose dog is out of control. - Cristy
If you plan to have your dog professionally trained, be sure to ask your veterinarian or local humane organization for a referral.
I suggest sitting in on a training class. Just remember to ask for permission first. While evaluating the class, you can see if you’re comfortable with the trainer’s methods. Be sure to stick around after the class so you can ask him/her any questions you may have. This will also be a great time to ask the trainer about his/her past experience, and even a list of references will be beneficial as you decide whether or not you want to hire this trainer to work with your dog.
So, to answer the initial question, is professional dog training really worth the money?
Absolutely!