Getting your dog to listen can sometimes feel like an impossible task, but experienced dog parents would tell you that with the right techniques and temperament, it can be done. There's plenty you can do to help your dog develop into a disciplined and well-mannered companion.
Obedience training is not just an exercise to teach manners to your dog, but also an important tool for strengthening the bond between you and your pet. But should you hire a professional trainer, or does home training work? How is it different from behavior training? What techniques work best? And what kind of results should you expect?
This blog will help you answer all these questions.
Dog Obedience Training: Introduction
Obedience training, as the word suggests, is about teaching your dog how to obey your commands. Basic commands include sit down, stay, come, heel, etc. The commands can either be verbal or in the form of hand signals.
How is it different from behavior training?
The goal of behavior training is not to teach the dog how to obey commands, but instead, how to react to certain kinds of stimuli. It is needed for situations like when the dog is alone at home and ends up chewing on furniture because of separation anxiety.
Now, before we dive into the costs of dog obedience training, you need to know if you even need professional training, or if you could do with home training.
Professional vs Home Dog Obedience Training
Professional Dog Obedience Training
Professional dog obedience trainers bring expertise, experience, and patience (lots of it) along with them. This results in faster and more reliable results. Some professional classes also include behavioral correction and socialization. This improves your dog’s behavior in public and interaction with other dogs.
Professional classes are needed, especially for dog breeds that are more prone to being stubborn. They include Siberian Husky, Akita Inu, Shar Pei, etc. These dogs are highly intelligent, but highly independent as well. They sometimes need a confident leader in the form of a professional trainer who understands their independent nature and can motivate them effectively.(4)
Large, powerful, and protective breeds can also be difficult to train at home. They include breeds like German Shepherds, Doberman Pinschers, Belgian Malinois, etc. And then there are certain breeds that get distracted very easily. They include Border Collie, Sighthounds, Beagle, etc.
Home Dog Obedience Training
Professional obedience training can benefit all dogs, but some dog breeds are naturally more independent and less prone to behavioral issues. For such dogs, home obedience training may be enough, if done using the right techniques.
They include Basset Hound, Shih Tzu, Dachshund, Mastiff, etc. Apart from these breeds, the ones that are usually low in energy may also not require professional training. (5)
Having said that. behavior, temperament, and energy levels can vary from dog to dog, even if they belong to the same breed. The pet parent may have to take a call based on their dog’s personality and his/her experience with dog training.
Types of Professional Dog Obedience Training
Professional dog obedience training can come in multiple formats, including –
Puppy kindergarten – This typically includes basic commands and socialization in a group setting.
Basic training – Basic training includes fundamental commands like sit, come, and heel, and is often limited to 3-4 dogs at a time.
Advanced training – Advanced training includes skills like off-leash work and perfecting recall, offered in small groups or private settings.
How Much Is Dog Obedience Training?
Puppy Training: Puppy training classes typically range from $15 to $125 per session, with group classes often being more affordable than private lessons. The duration of the training program can also influence the total cost.(1)
Adult Dog Obedience Training: Basic obedience training for adult dogs can range from $500 to $3,000 for a multi-week program. Private lessons generally cost more than group classes, but they offer more one-on-one attention and can focus on behavioral issues specific to your pet.(1)
Board and Train Programs - You can also find board and train programs that will take your dog for a few weeks, typically 1 - 4. The dog will stay with the trainer during that time and receive professional training daily. These programs can cost between $1,500-$4,500. These programs are recommended for dogs that need significant behavioral adjustments.(2)
Lastly, you can even look for an online dog obedience training program. Thanks to COVID, they have now become popular. Dog trainers usually charge around $50-$200 per hour.(3)
Tips Before You Start Dog Obedience Training
Start early – The younger the pup, the easier it is to mold them. The recommended age is 8 weeks for socialization and 12-16 weeks for actual training classes.
Don’t skip home training – Even if you’ve appointed a professional to train your dog, it is important to reinforce the training at home. Think of it as homework for you and your dog.
Use positive reinforcement – Rewarding good behavior is always better than punishing bad behavior.
Be consistent – Keep the sessions short and regular.
Start with a quiet environment – Find a time and place with the least distractions
Use clear commands – Use short and the same commands every time.
The most important tip is to make the training fun for both you and your dog. Treat training as an opportunity for play and bonding time between you and your dog.
Does Pet Insurance Cover Dog Obedience Training?
Pet insurance policies do not cover the cost of training our dog. However, if your dog gets injured or is affected by a medical condition during training, an accident-and-illness insurance plan can help cover the cost of treatment, helping you get up to 90% of the related expenses. With Spot Pet, you can get reimbursed up to 90% of the costs related to medical treatments, alternative therapies, behavioral problems, specialist vet visits, and more.
More About Spot Pet Insurance
Dog Insurance can help provide financial assistance for eligible veterinary care in case of unexpected accidents, illnesses, or injuries. Our plans can help pet parents manage the eligible costs of covered veterinary care and help ensure that their pets can receive the best treatment possible. Here are some ways that Spot pet insurance plans can help:
Covers Unexpected Veterinary Costs: Spot pet insurance plans help cover the eligible costs of unexpected veterinary treatments, such as emergency surgeries, X-rays, and prescription medications for covered conditions.
Customizable Plans: Choose your annual limit, reimbursement rate, and deductible from a range of options, and create the plan that will fit the needs of your pet and your budget.
Peace of Mind: With Spot pet insurance plans, pet parents can know that they can provide the best care for their pet with less worry about the cost.
To learn more about Spot Plans or to get a free quote, click here.
I’m Charlie: canine enthusiast with a knack for figuring out why my dog, Dallas, is more infatuated with tennis balls than me. My lifelong passion for dogs has created a dedication to help other pet parents better understands their furry family members!
Schifano, J. (2024, June 10). Dog training cost: What you need to know. The Academy of Pet Careers. https://www.theacademyofpetcareers.com/blog/dog-training-cost/
Therapy dog training cost: a complete breakdown. (2024, October 25). The Dog Alliance. https://thedogalliance.org/therapy-dog-training-cost/
Parekh, S. (2023, December 20). Best online dog training courses in 2023: A Comprehensive guide. Modern Dog Magazine. https://moderndogmagazine.com/articles/best-online-dog-training-courses-in-2023-a-comprehensive-guide/
