How Much Does Dog Training Cost? Prices, Programs, and What You’re Actually Paying For

If you’ve Googled this question "How much does dog training cost", you’ve probably noticed the internet loves giving vague, unhelpful answers like “Prices vary depending on the dog and the trainer.”

Thanks, Google. Groundbreaking.

Here’s the truth: dog training costs anywhere from $399 to $6,800 at Canine Development and Testing, depending on what you actually need, not what you think you need.

And before you assume “Wow, training should be cheap and quick, isn’t it just a group class or a couple private lessons?” … let’s pause.

Dog training is not a punch card or a to-do list. Dog training is more like project management.

And like any real project, three things determine the investment:

Schedule

(How long is the program/project? How much time do you personally have to commit? How urgently does the behavior need to be addressed?)

Scope

(How big is the behavior problem? What are your goals?)

Cost

(Your budget, and how much heavy lifting you want us to do.)

Change one and the others shift with it.

• Reduce the timeline? The scope (what behaviors we actually resolve) has to shrink or the cost increases.

• Bigger goals or more complex behaviors? The schedule and cost need to be adjusted.

• Limited budget? The schedule (timeline of training) and scope (what we can accomplish in training) will reflect this.

This is how we keep training humane, effective, and actually successful for you.

Not sure which program fits your dog?

Book a quick call and we’ll map out the simplest, most effective path for your dog’s training.

Talk to Our Team

What You’re Actually Paying For (Spoiler: It’s Not Sit-Stay) 

After thousands of hours working with dogs and their humans, here’s what people truly want:

• A dog who is calm and coachable

• Off-leash reliability

• Calmer walks 

• A trustworthy dog you can enjoy

• The ability to handle anything that comes up without panicking

Training isn’t about teaching a cue. It’s about building a lifestyle for you and your dog.

So… How Much Does It Cost?

At CDT, our programs range from:

$399/month - PAWS Program (Monthly Private Lessons + Group Classes) 

An ideal long-term development program for motivated owners wanting routine, accountability, lifestyle structure, and progressive training.

$649 – Stay Camp (4 Overnight Stays + 2 Private Lessons)

Honestly? A steal. It’s perfect for dogs needing foundations, exposure, a skill refresher, and for owners who want coaching without a long-term commitment.

$2,500 – $6,800 – Board and Train Programs

The most time-efficient path for owners who want the heavy lifting done for them. This is where we create real, measurable behavioral change, especially for complex cases.

Every option matches a different dog, problem, lifestyle, and desired outcome. Which is why there’s no single, universal price for dog training, because there’s no single, universal dog or owner.

Case Study: The Adolescent Fear Period 

Kepler, an adolescent Border Collie, started showing early warning signs of fearfulness. His owner, experienced, observant, and proactive, enrolled him in our Stay Camp program ($649).

Over four nights and two private lessons, we worked on:

• Confidence-building

• Exposure

• A consistent communication system

• Handler mechanics 

Because his owner was committed and skilled, Kepler made fast, meaningful progress. This is the dream scenario: a strategic, cost-effective program chosen early, preventing reactivity from taking root.

Case Study: A Dog Aggression Case 

Shadow, a rescue dog with significant dog reactivity, came to us after:

• Being asked to leave group classes

• Getting nowhere in private lessons

• An owner who didn’t know the full picture of how to help his dog

  
  

Shadow entered our 6-week Board and Train ($5,100) because the scope of the behavior required:

• Intensive daily work

• High-level behavior modification

• Safety protocols

• Controlled exposure

• An owner who needed coaching and empowerment

  
  

Shadow’s success didn’t come from a single session or a magic cue. It came from a full restructuring of communication, confidence, management, and training.

His owner now lives with a dog who can safely enjoy life’s adventures.

That transformation is worth more than “six weeks of training." It’s giving someone their life back with their dog.

The Biggest Mistake Owners Make When Comparing Cost

They look at the price tag in isolation instead of the lifetime cost of living with an untrained or misunderstood dog.

Twelve to fifteen years is a long time to live with:

• Chaos

• Reactivity

• Anxiety

• Pulling

• Embarrassment

• Fear

• Aggression

• Avoiding activities you wish you could enjoy

A dog who is calm, reliable, and coachable reduces stress and increases freedom for everyone.

Value vs. Price: The Part Most People Miss

Training programs aren’t interchangeable. The value comes from:

• The trainer’s education and experience

• The process

• The frameworks

• The follow-up support

• The coaching

• The community

• The ability to transfer skills to the owner

• And yes, the results

We also recognize price is personal. That’s why we try to help by offering deposits and monthly payments for some of our programs, to make training more accessible without diluting quality.

So… How Much Does Dog Training Cost?

The honest answer:

Dog training costs whatever it takes to get your dog from where they are today to the life you want with them.

That might be $399.It might be $6,800.It depends on the project. Your dog, your goals, your timeline, and your lifestyle.

Our job is to recommend the simplest, most effective path that actually works for you and your dog, not to upsell you or waste your time. And, I certainly don’t want you to have to see 3 more dog trainers to address your problems. We’re a one stop shop. 

If you want clarity on which program makes sense for your dog, we can help you map that out in one conversat

ion. Give us a call or text 403-457-8811