Dog training cost: How much do trainers charge?

Ever tried teaching your dog to stop digging up your prized garden or lunging at other dogs during walks? While YouTube tutorials and DIY methods might seem wallet-friendly at first, many Australian pet owners discover that amateur puppy training attempts can actually reinforce unwanted behaviours, creating more expensive problems down the road.

Professional dog training in Australia provides structured, consistent guidance that addresses your pet's specific needs. The average cost of group dog training is $30 to $220 per session and $45 to $150 per session for private lessons. To help you budget for this service, read below the breakdown of costs and factors to consider. 

Dog training price list

Wondering what you’ll actually pay to train your four-legged friend? Professional dog training varies significantly depending on what your dog needs to learn and how they’ll be taught. The table below shows typical training cost ranges to help you budget appropriately before booking a session.

A woman holding out treats to train a french bulldog. (Source: iStock)

Factors that affect dog training costs

Understanding what influences dog training prices can help you budget effectively and find the right service for your furry companion. 

Type of class

Dog training prices vary significantly based on class structure and the trainer-to-dog ratio. Private training sessions offer personalized attention but come at a premium, typically ranging from $45 to $150 per session. 

For more budget-friendly options, group puppy and adult dog classes cost between $30 to $50  per session while still providing essential training fundamentals. When your dog needs ongoing supervision, services like a dog sitter can reinforce training principles between formal sessions.

Age of the dog

Your dog's age plays a crucial role in determining training costs. Puppy training classes generally have lower price points than adult dog training because younger dogs typically learn new behaviours more readily. Many pet owners complement puppy training with dog daycare services where their young pets can practice socialization skills in a supervised environment. 

Some trainers maintain consistent pricing regardless of age, so it's worth asking about their specific rate structure.

Type of training

The specific skills or behaviours you want to address significantly impact pricing. Whether you're looking into basic obedience, socialization classes, or specialized behavioural modification, each training type carries different costs. 

For dogs requiring extended training periods, dog boarding facilities that incorporate training programs can provide immersive learning experiences, though these comprehensive services typically command higher prices than standard training sessions.

Training location

Location dramatically affects pricing structure. Residential dog training services (where trainers come to your home) typically cost more than facility-based group classes due to travel time and personalized attention. 

If local in-home services exceed your budget, many trainers now offer online classes as a cost-effective alternative. Virtual training can be particularly beneficial for reinforcing skills between in-person sessions, helping you maximize your training investment.

Types of dog training classes and their costs

Puppy training

Generally, puppy training is the cheapest type of training, starting at $120 to $250 for a full course. In these sessions, dogs will learn good behaviour and how to socialise.

Adult training

Adult training is slightly more expensive than puppy training at around $50 per session, climbing up to $175 to $600 for an entire course. In these classes, both dog owners and dogs are taught about dog obedience. Enrolling your dog in three to ten training sessions is recommended to educate your pet successfully.

Taking care of our dogs goes beyond feeding and grooming them. Aside from obedience, adult training also teaches proper behaviour at home and how to deal with chewing, biting, and digging issues.

Aggressive behaviour training

Aggressive behaviour classes are most expensive at around $100 to $170 per session. It’s ideal to enrol your dog in more than ten behaviour sessions to address aggressive behaviour and help them deal with fears, anxieties, and past trauma your dog might have experienced. Keep in mind that some trainers charge an additional fee of $40 to $80 for handling more aggressive dogs.

Therapy or assistance dog training

Aside from obedience and behaviour training, dogs can also be trained to support people emotionally and perform different services. Dogs that are trained to give therapeutic support to humans are called therapy dogs. While companions that perform specific tasks like hearing or mobility guides are called assistance dogs. The different types of therapy or assistance dogs are:

• Guide dog
• Personal protection dog
• Therapy dog
• Signal dog
• Hearing dog
• Search and rescue dog
• Seizure response dog

A professional dog trainer teaching a command. (Source: iStock)

How to save on dog training costs

Dog training prices can get expensive. Don’t get discouraged, though! There are ways to save up on costs and make it more budget-friendly.

• Check if your trainer is offering dog training packages, which are often cheaper. 
• You can also sign up for group classes instead of private ones. The minimum cost of group classes is $20 per class.
• Since weekends are usually the busiest for dog trainers, try asking if they offer alternative prices for less busy days like mid-week afternoons.
• Consider either meeting your trainer online or driving to them instead, as going to the trainer may be cheaper than in-home dog training prices.

Finding the Right Dog Trainer

Ready to improve your pet's behaviour but not sure where to start? Airtasker connects you with qualified local dog trainers matching your needs and budget. Simply create a detailed task describing your dog's training requirements, set your budget based on the above price ranges, and review offers from experienced dog trainers in your area. 

Whether you need puppy training, behavioural correction, or specialized training for specific breeds, you'll find professionals ready to help your furry friend become their best self.