There are so many options when it comes to professional dog training and I’m sure you will agree, it can be overwhelming.

What will work best for me and my dog?

Here is a comparison of the 4 most commonly bought professional services.

Online

PROS

+ Usually much less expensive due to being prerecorded.

+ You can learn some good foundations in obedience, play, structuring your dogs day. Even specialised tutorials like introductions to scent work.

+ You can follow along at the pace that suits you

+ It can be accessed any time and fit around a busy schedule.

CONS

- There is no one to tell you what to improve, why something isn’t working, what you are doing well at.

- Very generalised advice, the trainer does not know you, your dog and what you need from training.

- You don’t know what you are buying until you have bought it. Unfortunately, online programmes can be marketed as the answer to all of your problems. They may contain similar answers to others you have bought that did not work.

- They do not address specific behavioural problems. If they do, then the advice is generic and could also be dangerous to apply to your dog without the guidance of a professional.

- There are many options. It is difficult to know who you can trust, who to buy from.

- Limited results and progression. Without guidance, feedback and tailored plans to suit your dog’s age, breed, temperament etc. results will vary from dog to dog.

- Lack of accountability. There is no one to follow up with you or that will see the results of your training.

Classes

PROS

+ Classes are often the cheapest option per session.

+ You will meet other owners with common goals and be able to learn together. Potentially creating great relationships for future training.

+ When set up well, you and your dog can learn to cope with the distractions of other people and dogs.

+ Often there are options to progress from puppy training all the way to advances and specialised group classes.

CONS

- Classes are not normally tailored to any specific dog/behaviour/breed. Often generic advice and exercises.

- Little one on one support

- Do not usually suit reactive, anxious, excitable or loud dogs (at least not to start). Can be overwhelming for dog and owner and more risk of conflict between dogs.

- If not well organised e.g. Puppy “Socialisation” Classes, can lead to problem behaviours e.g. over arousal, reactivity, bad manners.

- Classes will be held at a facility or multiple locations throughout a block. If the owner does not have transport, it may be difficult to attend.

- Some exercises may not work with your dog, but the class must go on.

1:1 Training Sessions

+ Training is tailored to both the owner and dogs needs.

+ Usually, direct contact with the trainer for additional support between sessions.

+ For a lot of people, 1:1 sessions help them to feel more accountable and adhere to their schedule and homework. They know the trainer will see how they have been doing at their next scheduled session.

+ Training is taken at an individual pace as opposed to set lessons e.g. an aggressive dog may need longer to feel comfortable with the trainer.

+ The dog and owner can learn in a low distraction environment until they feel confident to start training in busier environments.

+ More can be covered in one session when the focus is solely on one dog/pack and owner. 

+ When the trainer can assess the dog, ask more questions and watch your dogs behaviour more closely, they will likely be able to give better advice and exercises for your dog.

+ Progress can be fast when training is focussed and tailored.

+ Often trainers will travel to your home or local area, so specific behaviours can be addressed. So little to no travel.

+ Coming to your home means the trainer can get a better idea of how your dog behaves in their normal environment, when strangers visit and how you currently handle these situations. 

+ Your trainer may offer to pick your dog up for some sessions to work through some problems at a better pace and offer “catch up” sessions with you. This suits people with busy lives.

+ Avoiding other dogs with similar behavioural problems can help prevent further reinforcement of those behaviours.

+ Puppy 1:1’s prevent over socialising, more effective at creating a calm dog.

CONS

-  Some companies only offer 1:1’s from their facility which can make it harder to work through specific behavioural problems based in the home/garden.

- Less controlled access to stooge dogs. If your dog is dog reactive for instance, training will be done with the trainer’s dogs and stranger’s dogs in public. In classes there is more variety (though may not be as suitable/calm).

- You may not feel comfortable with the trainer coming into your home.

- Costs more than classes

- A huge variation in prices depending on the trainer and experience level. Trainers range from £25-£250+ per hour.

Board and Trains

PROS

+ Excellent option for those that are going on holiday or a work trip and want to come back to a much better behaved dog

+ Trainer(s) will be able to create and follow through with a much more detailed plan. Often covering a lot and making huge progress.

+ Environments and distraction level can be well managed, working from low distraction to high due to access to multiple dogs, bikes, cars and even sometimes livestock.

+ Trainers can focus on safely handling even extreme dogs without worrying about owners unintentionally driving up tension or the dog guarding their owner.

+ When done well, board and train packages will include regular updates, video footage of sessions with your dog and follow up 1:1 sessions to make sure the training can be kept up at home.

+ Dogs will be exercised and challenged multiple times per day in a way that is right for them.

+ Dogs will become comfortable on their own in their own space. 

+ There are options such as kennel based board and trains or from a trainers home.

CONS

- It can be difficult to be away from your dog for a prolonged period.

- There have unfortunately bee some cases of abuse and neglect from “trainers” that should not be offering advice, much less board and trains. Please, always choose a well researched and reviewed trainer or business that is transparent and communicative throughout your dogs training.

- Without proper follow up, dogs behaviour more often than not will regress at home. Owners will not know how to continue training their dog and the familiar environment will bring back familiar behaviour patterns.

- Some dogs are not well suited to a kennel environment, though a board and train from the trainers home might work well.

- For mild behavioural problems or behaviours related to the handler, training away from home will not likely help.

- This is the most expensive option available, ranging from £500-£2000 per week. Most dogs benefit from 2-6 weeks, so this could be a huge expense.