Hiring a professional to train your dog privately is the costliest form of dog training. Because the trainer will give all their time and effort to training your dog with no other dog present, you will need to pay for the whole session. Compared to group lessons, where a trainer can train multiple dogs at once, and consequently, get paid by multiple people to reach their hourly rate, it is much more expensive.
However, this specialized attention that your dog can get from private dog training is often the most effective. The trainer will be able to pinpoint exactly what your dog needs by having more time to observe their behavior and individual needs. This form of dog training is particularly helpful for dogs struggling with severe behavioral issues and dogs that require a specific type of dog training, like service dog training for someone who is visually impaired.
Still, the financial side of all this leads many interested owners to ask, ‘how much does private dog training cost?’ In this article, we will cover the cost of private dog training so that those who plan on hiring a professional to train their dogs can have realistic expectations.
How Much Does Private Dog Training Cost? It Depends
There isn’t just one answer or price range for ‘how much does private dog training cost?’ A lot of factors go into the total cost of dog training that an owner will pay. This includes their location, the dog’s individual training needs, the expertise of the dog trainer, and the number of sessions the dog needs. Below, we cover all these points in detail.
Location
Your location is perhaps the most important factor in the cost of private dog training. For example, if you live in Michigan, as explained by online reviews, the top dog trainers in Detroit will cost significantly more than in smaller cities like Dearborn.
When budgeting for private dog training, always keep your city’s cost of living in mind to build realistic expectations. Additionally, even your neighborhood within the city can have an impact on the cost of private dog training. As for how much you should expect to pay per private session, it can range between $75 and $200, depending on the following.
Your Dog’s Training Needs
Another major influence on the cost of private dog training is your dog’s training needs. After all, addressing aggression is going to be much more difficult than teaching a dog basic commands like sit and stay. Trainers generally have different pricing based on the training needs of the dog.
The general consensus among dog trainers is that the more challenging (as well as risky) the training is, the higher the training fee. Although dogs that are more challenging to train typically require more sessions, which trainers tend to apply discounts for, it is safe to say that you should expect to pay more if your dog requires more work.
The Trainer’s Expertise
The trainer’s expertise in relation to what your dog requires is also a major factor in the overall cost. A dog trainer with years of experience training guide dogs is surely going to charge more for each private session than one that doesn’t have the same expertise.
However, this shouldn’t be a concern for dog owners who want general training for their dogs. In fact, if you’re not planning to train your dog for something specific, you should be able to find affordable dog trainers in your area, whether you’re in a major city like Detroit or a more suburban city.
Number of Sessions Your Dog Needs
This brings us to the number of sessions your dog needs to reach your training goals. For example, basic obedience typically requires four to six private sessions, whereas moderate reactivity can take up to ten sessions to address.
The more sessions your dog needs, the higher the overall cost will be, though most dog trainers offer a discounted price for packages. Also, don’t forget your dog’s trainability, as this can have a big impact on the number of total sessions required.
How Much Does Private Dog Training Cost for You and Your Dog?
We’ve covered a variety of points about how much does private dog training cost. Now, it is up to you to put everything above together and decide how much it will cost for you. Consider your location, your dog’s individual training needs, the trainer’s expertise, and the number of sessions your dog requires to get an idea of how much dog training will cost for you and your dog.
