Many dog owners often say, "It's too expensive" as an excuse to avoid hiring a dog trainer. If working with your dog in 2025 is one of your goals, this blog post might be for you.
No doubt, you can find a variety of free resources, such as online videos, articles, and community workshops, that provide valuable training tips and techniques at no cost. However, be aware that the "one-size-fits-all" approach often found for free may not cater to your dog's unique needs.
While it is undoubtedly beneficial to invest in professional dog training, as it can save you money in the long run, there are other things you can do to make dog training sustainable for the best dog ownership experience.
#1. Choose the breed that suits your lifestyle
Selecting a dog breed that matches your lifestyle can significantly impact your happiness and financial well-being. Opting for the wrong breed, because of its looks or idealized dog companion, can lead to frustration for both you and your new furry friend. When a dog's needs don't align with your lifestyle, unrealistic expectations may arise, resulting in wasted time and unnecessary expenses as you struggle to adapt them to your life.
Based on the clients we’ve helped in the past, these are some of the questions you want to ask yourself before getting a dog:
Do you have grandkids? | How often do you travel? |
Can you bend over easily? | Are you in good physical health? |
Do you like to host parties often? | Are you single/married/complicated? |
Do you already have other pets? If so, how many? | Do you have a backyard where your dog can play safely? |
Making an informed choice now can pave the way for a rewarding relationship with your future dog companion.
#2. [Dog adoptions] Consider a shelter that trains their resident dogs
Many animal shelters make a concerted effort to train the dogs in their care before they are available for adoption. This training often focuses on essential obedience commands such as "sit," "stay," "come," and proper leash walking, as well as socialization skills that can enhance the dogs' chances of being adopted. The level of training provided can vary based on the resources and expertise of the shelter staff, but these efforts are crucial in helping the dogs find loving and suitable homes. Adopting a dog from these shelters can often result in cost savings in training.
#3. [Dog adoptions] Find as much as possible about the dog’s background
When adopting from a shelter, it's important to consider a dog with a known background. The less uncertainty there is about the dog's past, the lower the likelihood of encountering challenging behaviors. This knowledge can help you identify specific training or intervention areas for your new dog.
How does this connect to cost savings? If you later find that the dog you adopted doesn’t get along with kids, or other people, or still hates your husband, you will inevitably need to invest in resources to help the dog adjust to your home. Effective behavior intervention can take weeks, or even longer if medication is required. It's essential to anticipate these costs right from the start.
#4. Don’t expect unwanted behaviors to resolve itself
Animals (that would be me, you, or your dog) are constantly looking for reinforcement. So, the stronger the history of reinforcement of a single dog behavior, the more need for resources to change the picture. Therefore, inaction, based on the assumption that the behavior will resolve itself, may end up costing more money in dog training or behavior intervention. You may have been fortunate with previous dogs, but understanding this concept can result in cost savings in the future.
This principle also applies to health issues in dogs. Just like in human healthcare, addressing a health problem promptly can prevent complications and lead to a faster recovery.
#5. Management is your budget buddy
This point ties in with point #3 we discussed earlier! Management is a wonderful way to help change any reinforcement patterns for behaviors that might cause problems, like aggression, excessive barking, or chasing after cats. Essentially, the goal of management is to adjust the environment that can trigger those unwanted behaviors in your dog. This can be a great approach while you're searching for the right trainer to work with!
One friendly tip for management is to gently control your dog’s actions to help prevent unwanted behaviors, like jumping on people or stealing food off the counter. This way, you're setting both your dog and yourself up for success!
Here are some alternatives to address common issues, tailored to different budgets:
Management Strategies: | Helps with … | Approx. Cost |
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| $18.99 - $69.99 |
|
| $17.57 - $100.00 |
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| Free - $4.99 and up |
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| $18.00 and up |
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| Free - $0.12 per mile (medium engine vehicle) |
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| $4.00 and up |
You’re welcome!
#6. Trust positive-reinforcement methods
Positive reinforcement dog training can save money by reducing the need for costly behavioral interventions in the future. This training method helps create a strong bond between the dog and the owner, leading to better obedience and fewer destructive behaviors that could result in property damage or require professional help to address. By teaching good habits early on, you can avoid potential issues that might necessitate more expensive solutions down the line.
The American Veterinary Society of Animal Behavior recommends positive reinforcement methods for animals because of their long-term benefits. It is a common misconception that "positive" training means completely avoiding any form of negative feedback; however, this is not accurate when the methods applied are relational instead of transactional (more on this in a separate post).
Conclusion
There are many reasons a dog's well-being might be at risk, and financial limitations can be a significant factor. While we understand the costs associated with hiring a professional dog trainer, it's our honest desire to coach dog owners with sustainable dog training they can replicate anywhere.
The cost of dog training can vary considerably based on several factors, including the trainer's experience, location, type of training offered, and the duration of the program.
Here are some reasons to consider hiring a certified professional dog trainer:
They can provide insights you might overlook due to your emotional attachment to your dog.
They help facilitate accountability in your training efforts.
They have experience working with many dogs that have similar issues.
Wishing you a wonderful 2025 filled with opportunities to strengthen your relationship with your dog!
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