What is a Fair Price for Training?
You have a dog and everything is going great! They are acclimating to the home, adjusting to your schedule, and you are both bonding well. Or maybe you aren't, maybe there are problems cropping up, setbacks that you didn't expect, maybe you and your dog just don't seem to be on the same page. Regardless of which end of the spectrum you are on, you decide that it is time to search for a trainer to help grow and expand your experience with your pup. That is all great and wonderful, but what should you expect to pay? What is a fair price when on the hunt for a dog trainer who can get the job done? What effects cost?
The average cost for dog training is generally anywhere in the ballpark from $75-$5000. Why such a huge gap? Why would you EVER choose the $5000 option? There are many reasons, and deciding which price range is most appropriate to you is very important for the longevity and solidity of your training.
Types of Training
The first thing to understand is different types of training will have different price margins. Any trainer you choose is giving you their time and their experience on any given occasion. You have to know what style you are looking for, before you can compare any sort of price. With something like a board and train, you as an owner are fairly hands off. It is wonderful and easier on many fronts because you get back a fully trained dog after the promised time! However, you are putting the efforts of caring for, cleaning up, AND exercising your dog onto the trainer. The price will have to reflect that, it is no longer a quick hour or so session, it is an all-day ordeal for the trainer. There is no clocking in and out for us during this time, so the price will have to reflect all of that extra effort and energy. Board and trains tend to be on the higher end of the price spectrum, but the results are often times faster and more uniform from dog to dog - since the dogs never leave experienced hands until the very end. For standard obedience, you are almost guaranteed to get a fully functional, fully trained pup at the end of it all!
If you prefer, or you feel it is more beneficial to you, to remain more involved in the training, in-home may be the better option for you! This will usually fall into the middle-of-the road in regards to the price spectrum. Where there is more work put on you with things like homework and the like, there is the added travel time on the trainer's end. They are expected to schedule that day around your time that they've allotted and - depending on where you are in comparison to them or a previous class - drivetime will eat into their day as well. What you are paying for here is the convenience of training in the environment your dog will be in regularly. You will be working where you need it most; in the house, on your street, in town. For some people, that's a hard offer to beat, even at the mid-range price.
The cheapest option most trainers provide is standard classes in their facility. While this will get you more classes for a decent price, more work is out on you. Trainers can stack classes quickly and get more done because all of the work comes to them. You are expected to show up on time, work with them in the session and then go home with homework. While many people like this option, trainers included, sometimes this isn't the most functional for you. You aren't always seeing your dog in a true functional environment since everything is staged, and some things can't be mimicked in the real world. At a facility, it is hard to mimic a stranger trying to interrupt your session, an out of control dog trying to distract yours, a car or truck passing by. Classes are great for foundation, but for more advanced and more functional work it can be hard - not impossible - but hard. Knowing all of this before deciding is very important as you are deciding your range.
Experience of Trainers
Alongside style, one thing you are also paying for is the experience of the trainer you choose. Some trainers rely on their big names or prestigious to bolster their price. However, prestigious backgrounds and old styles do not always spell quality training. The best thing for any dog and owner is a trainer who will listen and respond to what you want, sometimes a trainer with a police background or championship
background isn't what you want or need. The price may not reflect the quality because their style does not mesh with your life. Considering younger companies and younger trainers may be more up your ally if you want an obedient dog, but not a subservient one. If you want the fancy walking, the viral videos of hard-core obedience - those names might be more beneficial to you. They are excellent trainers, who have been doing it for years. So much so it is like breathing to them, but again, in an evolving world where dogs are family and not companions - that style can feel outdated or even harsh.
Quality vs. Quantity
One of the final things to affect your price point is do you want quality training, or do you want mass-produced training. Large companies that franchise out may give you your best deal, because they are bringing in hundreds to thousands of dogs a day they can charge you less. However, with that comes the fact that you are a number, the trainer you work with may care about you, but they have a quota to reach. When quantity of dogs comes before the solidity of obedience, quality suffers. For some dogs that only need a little work, that is OK, you may get what you want out of it, for a lower price. For others that want more advanced work, or have problems they need to resolve, you probably want a quality trainer. You want someone who is willing to put in more time for you and your dog. While they won't get as many dogs in a given day, month, or year as those big names. The dogs and owners that leave them walk away with more understanding and a more solid relationship with their dog because more time was put into making sure that you have a strong foundation and real comprehension of what you've been working towards.
Knowing what you want and understanding the cost that will come with it, will benefit you and your dog. When you consider that the higher price reflects many other factors, and you know that beyond training - you will be getting a resource for life who is willing to work with and help you as you continue your journey is worth every penny. With Final Call Dog Training we want you to know what you're getting is worth the price we give. Giving your dog the best walk through life with you that we can to ensure the most open and honest communication between everyone.
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