Trainer Question
I've contacted two trainers, so far, that are in my area to inquire about classes and the cost of training. I am, to say the least, very discouraged. Perhaps I was wrong from the start, but I was thinking that a class would cost somewhere in the $100-200 range for about six sessions, with a higher price on the more advanced obedience and specialty courses (like agility or herding.) Instead, I've been told that they "don't do puppy classes" as they are too distracting for the puppy to learn anything. Worst of all, the lowest starting price (beginner obedience) between the two is $350 for just four sessions.
Is it normal to have to pay nearly $100 per session with a trainer in a group setting? I admit it's been a number of years since I last attended a dog obedience class, but have the prices really gone up that much?
There is only one other trainer in my area and I'm waiting on a call back for pricing, but I am not holding my breath. For those who have used Petsmart, how was your experience with their training classes? They are the only other option within a half-hour drive for me. Once Ellie is older it won't be as much of a problem. There's a trainer about an hour from here that I plan on using for herding or agility. I'd just rather not have to drive that far for a puppy socialization class...
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Sam Tsang on
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Hi Jen, I've had 4 petsmart trainers, 1 was absolute top notch, she have since moved on to bigger greater things, every trainer is different, if i was in your situation, I would observe a few classes with different trainers and see which one you're most comfortable with. yeah, it's kinda like human pre-school :)
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Permalink Reply by Rebecca Marie O'Bryan on
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hi Jen=), that trainer is charging way to much. i am a dog trainer at petco and for our classes they are 120. its a 6weeks course and u choose when to come in during the week, plus puppy play time during the weekend. i dont why that person told u that about the puppy classes. they are meant for you to socialize pups and honestly the distraction during the class is a good thing because if u just teach only indoors and away from other dogs/people and then try to make her sit outside then yes it will be to distracting for her(hope that makes sense) puppy classes are extremely important and i cant stress that enough to everyone. if not properly socialized u have a fearful dog and with possible aggression problems. after she has had all her shots, everyday take her out to new people, places, dogs, areas with different sights and smells because theres a "window" where puppies fear nothing but once it closes it will be harder to introduce new things and it closes at about 15weeks
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Permalink Reply by Yuki & Ellie on
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Oh good, so my original price range was fairly accurate! And I agree that socialization is important. Yuki never went to puppy classes (or obedience classes, either) and he's far less confident outdoors than I'd like him to be. I was hoping to get him into an obedience class (to work on obeying commands while there are distractions) and was told that I would have to get one-on-one behavior modification instead (which costs an astronomical amount, of course.) :/
Looks like I'll be heading to Petsmart soon to check out their trainers in action. Ellie can already do sit, down and shake, but she'll really love the play time!
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Permalink Reply by Kim Ales-Yan on
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Bento is signed up for puppy classes. It's $175 for 5 one-hour group sessions. This program was on the higher end of pricing compared to other puppy classes.
Here's their link: http://www.bravopup.com/
The website also lists the prices of other classes. For the most part, the price for other sessions are ~$175.
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Permalink Reply by Jane on
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The puppy class at my vet was $110 for 8 weeks I believe. Another place we've used for other classes is $105 for 6 weeks.
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Permalink Reply by Melissa and Franklin! on
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That is REALLY expensive! I was able to get a 1 hour private lesson for Franklin and if I wanted to 1 hour private agility training sessions for $60 per session. Most places around here (Sacramento) and where I used to live (San Francisco) ran about $180-$200 for 5-8 week sessions. If things are costing that much for you I would just do a petsmart training. They are usually around $120 and it would be good exposure for your pup. The trainers are usually just people starting out in training, and honestly your average joe probably knows more about dogs than some of the trainers they have, but just ask how long each trainer has been teaching and choose one who has been around a while. The exposure and socialization would be totally worth the price even if you got a trainer who wasn't all that great. I would never pay $350 for only 4 sessions. We paid less than that for a certified Search and Rescue trainer to drive 2 hours to come and work with our dogs. Sounds like somebody is trying to rip you off.
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Permalink Reply by Karen Dadisman on
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Check with your local kennel club or breed club. Our offers training classes in various levels. The members teach the classes and the money goes to the kennel club. They are reasonably priced.
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Permalink Reply by Jane Christensen on
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Well, I live in rural MN and our AKC classes run $80.00 for 8-1 hours sessions with no increase as we do more. I got my 1st phamplet from our vet and the looked up AKC Kennel clubs as I wasn't sure how far I wanted to go but wanted what I believed would be the best route to go on. I did ask if I could stop in and watch a session since it was held at the kennel club and I really wanted to see before I decided. It wasd worth every penny there. Good luck!
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Wow, $80? I wish I could find a place like that! Unfortunately, the kennel club is over an hour away from me so that isn't an option. I'm sort of in the middle of nowhere as far as pet services are concerned. There is a training club that meets about a half-hour from here, but they don't do puppy classes, either. I may take Yuki there, though, to work on his outdoor obedience. The club meets in a field behind a church so there are lots of potential distractions that I could train him to ignore.
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Did you check with your local humane society maybe? Mine doesn't offer puppy classes but they do offer a puppy specific play group on Saturdays, and usually can point you in the right direction for training.
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also, make sure its a POSITIVE trainer u are going through. any trainer that uses negative reinforcement, stay clear from them!
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Permalink Reply by Atlas & Trinity on
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http://apdt.com/petowners/ts/default.aspx
Sam is right, All trainer are different, I'm an area trainer for Pet Smart aka I train trainer to be come trainer. Every one of my trainee have different styles and personality, some more down to earth then other. A good trainer will let you watch a class before you decide. Ask people in class how they feel about the trainer
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