Average Prices for Training?

[Kmh1]

Hi

I recently started taking my new 10 month old Manchester Terrier to our local obedience club's beginner classes. I like getting him used to a group setting and they are 100% positive in their methods. Also,the rates are very inexpensive--$60 for 8 classes. Its a good socialization experience, but I want to get some private instruction and hopefully learn even more.
I found a training center nearby that sounds great--I'll know more once I talk to them in person and see their methods --it sounds pricey to me so I wanted to get an idea of what private instruction costs--although I'm sure it will vary widely from place to place. The price ath this place for 5 one hour sessions is $500. If I learn a lot and get good results, I'll be happy--but I just didn't want to pay outrageously over the average, without first getting an idea about what a normal rate might be....(btw, I live in Southern NJ)
Thanks for any info anyone can provide and also if anyone has any reminders about what I should be looking for when I go to this facility on Saturday, that would be great! My goals are to have a good solid basic obedience foundation and then maybe do some agility if we seem to have an aptitude for it. (if anyone want the web address of the training center to see what you think of it, PM me, thanks)

[Zoom]

The 5/$500 class sounds outrageous to me. I charge $100 for a 7 week course. Of course, if the $500 is for private lessons, then yeah, I could live with it.

[Kmh1]

The $500 is for private lessons. My only other experience is with horse trainers--not sure what the going rate is now for private lessons--but its probably about $65 or more an hour....So, if it is quality one on one instruction for an hour it might be worth it, but I am curious about what others have paid and if they thought it was worth it.....

[Gempress]

I would just go with the group lessons for now. The pup could learn obedience just as well as privately. Private lessons are usually intended for dogs who have a specific behavior problem/issue that needs personalized attention.

[Roxy's CD]

Our group lessons are $95 and privates are $35 per hour.

[ihartgonzo]

I go to a really, amazingly awesome Obedience school. I'm ok with the higher rates because I get sooo much more out of them than the average school - the trainers are way more educated than any trainers I've been to, it is held at a very nice park, they have very strict rules that make me much more comfortable (no on-leash greeting, no chokers, no prong collars, no physical punishment), plus they're all super nice and I've worked for them on & off. Website is http://www.4pawsu.com

Puppy kindergarten is $125; 16-week Obedience is around $200; In-home behaviorist is $75/hour.

[stevinski]

our group lessons are £4 a session i duno what that is in american

[dr2little]

Hi

I recently started taking my new 10 month old Manchester Terrier to our local obedience club's beginner classes. I like getting him used to a group setting and they are 100% positive in their methods. Also,the rates are very inexpensive--$60 for 8 classes. Its a good socialization experience, but I want to get some private instruction and hopefully learn even more.
I found a training center nearby that sounds great--I'll know more once I talk to them in person and see their methods --it sounds pricey to me so I wanted to get an idea of what private instruction costs--although I'm sure it will vary widely from place to place. The price ath this place for 5 one hour sessions is $500. If I learn a lot and get good results, I'll be happy--but I just didn't want to pay outrageously over the average, without first getting an idea about what a normal rate might be....(btw, I live in Southern NJ)
Thanks for any info anyone can provide and also if anyone has any reminders about what I should be looking for when I go to this facility on Saturday, that would be great! My goals are to have a good solid basic obedience foundation and then maybe do some agility if we seem to have an aptitude for it. (if anyone want the web address of the training center to see what you think of it, PM me, thanks)
This goes on all the time in my city, even though there are really only 2 of us who are certified and have Canine Behavior background. My private sessions (that are only done for dogs for which a class situations is contraindicated) are in-home always with all family members present. The first session is $75.00 for 1.5 hours and to be honest I rarely have to revisit the same home twice. I'm prepared when I go as I have completed a detailed background hist. over the phone. I leave homework and written information on how to progress with training after the session and as I meet the dog, family, other pets and see the environment during the sessions, I can tweek things over the phone at no charge if they run into questions. This of course isn't the case for more serious aggression issues and such, but I love what I do I really feel that I work for the dog. I never charge for rescue and provide discounts for people who took the trouble to call for help but may not be able to easily affort the fee.
This 5 session stuff is really a lot of bunk. I always do check ins to make sure that the training is going well and I can't imagine what could possibly take that long to address if done in a consise manor.:)

[Dobiegurl]

To me thats rediculous. Obedience classes are meant to teach the OWNER how to train their dog, not the dog itself. That is your job to practice at home in a quiet environment and gradually add distractions. I would stick to group classes and if your dog developes a bahavioral problem then think about private lessons.

[micro202]

We're taking private lessons right now. It wasn't my intention neccessarily to go private, but right now the sole APDT trainer in the area is currently only doing private lessons. She usually does group as well, but the group lessons were normally held at the local humane society which is in the process of moving into a new building. So no group lessons for a couple months.

I'm paying $30/hr which seems pretty reasonable as I've seen many private lessons that are quite a bit more as evident by what the OP was quoted.

The complete individual attention to Delia's needs and my needs as a first time trainer are the sole focus of every session. Before every lesson we sit down and talk about our progress, where we are having problems and what are the steps that would be best to take next. Then the lesson is spent working on those specific things.

Personally, I'm liking that format.

But at the same time Delia is a 15 month old recently adopted dog with no previous training and most likely moderately poor socialization so she does have more issues that need to be addressed beyond just basic obedience.

[elegy]

private lessons can be very useful depending on what you're working on. i've done several, and i'm looking into doing some more to learn things that i can't work on in a group lesson environment because my dog is dog-aggro and unreliable off-leash. i know i'll never be able to compete with her, but i'd like to learn more with her so that i can train her at home and keep her little brain busy, as well as learn how to train this stuff for a future, more-likely-to-compete dog.

right now i pay $80 for 6 weeks of group lessons. the person i priced private lessons from quoted me $130 for 6 weeks. the first lesson is an hour in order to get to know the dog and figure out what you want to work on, and then the rest of the lessons are a half hour (which for privates is fine with me).

[DanL]

I've paid what came out to 10 bucks a class for one trainer, and 20 for another.

I think classes are more to train the owner and to give the dog socialization. The real training takes place at home- it's not just a one day a week thing, it's something you have to work on every day.

[Kmh1]

Hmm...all this really gives me something to think about....sounds like the place I'm considering is way over priced....But, there are limited places to go where I live. I really like going to the inexpensive group lessons, but don't feel like I get a lot out of them. I do work with my dog at home, but just feel I need to learn more to really progress--I also want reassurance that I'm doing it "right". I'll have to see think about "shopping around" some more. I have an appointment at this place on Saturday and I'm not sure what to do....thanks for all the input, I really appreciate it. Here is the link to the training center, but please private message me your comments about it. Thanks!

http://www.1williamsdog.com/