How much does pet training cost?

Almost every pooch can benefit from some type of dog training. Whether you have a puppy who needs an obedience-training program, a rescue dog with poor socialization skills, or a problematic older dog who needs to unlearn bad behaviors, professional dog trainers can help.

But dog training can be for owners, too. You’ll learn certain training tools—such as positive reinforcement and redirection—to help you continue your dog’s education, and be a better pet parent, when you’re at home. 

Although dog training is by far the most common type of pet training, services for cats, birds, and other pets are available as well. In most cases, these are private sessions intended to help solve common behavioral issues. 

Read on to learn about the typical costs of professional pet training.

The national average cost of a dog-training session is $29 for an in-person group class, or $90 for a private session. 

Your specific cost will depend on a variety of factors, including the type of training program your dog needs.

The main factor in dog-training prices is the type of class you choose. Here are the most common options.

Group training courses. These can be a good choice for dog owners who want to teach their pet basic obedience skills, including manners (such as not jumping on people), basic commands (sit, stay, wait), and new tricks (such as shaking hands or rolling over). Because you’ll be around distractions like other pups and pet parents, group classes can also help prepare your dog to behave in real-world scenarios. Group classes cost less than private classes, at a typical price of $23–35 each. But they’re usually bundled into a series of weekly sessions, with an average cost of $139–350 for a 6–12-week program. 

Private training sessions. These personalized, one-on-one classes are ideal for owners whose dogs need extra help or don’t play well with others. They can also address specific dog-behavior problems, such as separation anxiety or potty training. Average cost: $45–250 per session at a training facility, or $150–250 per private lesson in your home.

Virtual training. An increasing number of companies offer online dog training, in which you interact with the trainer (and sometimes other dogs and owners) through video chat from home. Average cost: $35–70 for a virtual private class, or $90–140 for a package of 4–6 virtual group classes.

Training bootcamps. These are intensive programs that can teach skills quickly, and are sometimes recommended for dogs with challenging behavioral issues. They’re conducted without the owner present, and usually include several one-on-one training sessions throughout each day. Options include board-and-train programs, in which your dog stays at the facility the entire time, and “day schools,” where your pooch comes home every evening. Average cost: $1,105–4,997 for a program lasting 2–4 weeks.

Training for other pets, such as cats and birds, tends to focus on improving behaviors such biting, scratching, or peeing in the wrong places, and making the pets more comfortable with other animals and people. This work may be done by pet trainers, animal behaviorists, or veterinarians.

Sessions tend to be private, and last 30–90 minutes. Average cost: $100–350 per session.

The following issues can affect the cost of dog–training or pet–behavior classes.

Here are some ways to reduce the cost of dog training or pet training.

Is it worth it to send a dog to training bootcamp?
For most dogs and dog owners, private or group classes are effective, at a much lower cost. However, if your dog has advanced training needs or challenging behavioral issues, the intensive dog-obedience training a bootcamp offers could be worth the price tag (which is typically $1,105–4,997 for a 2–4 week program).

What affects the cost of a private dog trainer?
Private dog training rates vary according to a professional trainer’s experience level, education and certifications, and the typical prices in your area. You can sometimes get a package discount by paying for multiple training sessions in advance.

How many training sessions does a dog need?
That depends on the individual dog (and owner). For basic puppy training, or to help improve an adult dog’s skills, a few private or group lessons (at a typical cost of $139–350 for a package of 6–12) might be enough. An untrained adult dog, or one with behavioral issues, will often require more sessions. During any type of dog obedience lessons, the owner should also be learning training tools—that way, they can continue teaching the dog good behaviors on their own.

Find professional dog training, cat training, or pet training in your area.

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