Dog Care
Is Dog Training Worth the Investment?
Jan
What Dog Training Actually Costs in Australia
Prices vary by location and trainer experience. Here’s what you can realistically expect to pay.
Group Classes: $150–$300 for a 6-week course
The most affordable option. You’ll typically meet once a week with 4–8 other dogs and their owners while a trainer demonstrates techniques and provides feedback.
Best for: Basic obedience, puppy socialisation, owners who want structured guidance without a massive price tag.
Limitations: Less individual attention. If your dog is reactive or easily distracted, group settings can actually set back progress.
Private Training: $80–$150 per session
One-on-one sessions with a trainer, either at their facility or your home. Every minute focuses on your dog and your specific challenges.
Best for: Dogs with specific behaviour issues, reactive dogs who struggle in groups, owners who want personalised coaching.
Limitations: Adds up fast. Six private sessions at $120 each is already $720—and complex behaviour issues often require more.
Board-and-Train: $2,000–$5,000+ for 2–4 weeks
Your dog stays with a trainer full-time, receiving daily training sessions and structured living.
Best for: Significant behaviour problems, owners without time to train consistently, dogs who need intensive intervention.
Limitations: You still need to learn how to maintain the training. Dogs sometimes regress because their owners haven’t learned the skills to reinforce what was taught. Quality programs include “owner transfer” sessions—ask about it before booking.
The Hidden Costs of NOT Training
Training has a clear price tag. But skipping training? Those costs are less obvious until you’re paying them.
Damaged Property
Untrained dogs chew, dig, scratch doors, and destroy furniture when bored or anxious.
Replacing a couch: $1,500+. Repairing scratched hardwood floors: $800+. We hear these stories regularly. One client told us their dog had destroyed over $4,000 worth of property before they finally hired a trainer. The training cost $600.
Veterinary Bills From Preventable Incidents
Dogs without solid recall get into trouble. They eat things they shouldn’t. They run into traffic. They get into fights because their owners couldn’t call them back.
Emergency vet visits start at $500 and climb rapidly. A single dog fight requiring surgery can cost $3,000–$5,000. One moment of “he’s usually fine off-lead” can become the most expensive decision you’ve made.
Rehoming and Surrender
This is the cost nobody wants to talk about.
Behaviour problems are one of the leading reasons dogs end up in shelters. Owners reach breaking point—the constant pulling, the destruction, the inability to have guests over—and feel they have no other option.
Professional training early on costs far less than reaching the point of surrender.
Quality of Life
An untrained dog doesn’t just create problems. They miss out on experiences.
They can’t come to the cafe with you. They’re too reactive for the dog park. Walks are a chore rather than a joy. You wanted a companion. Instead, you have a management project.
Training opens up possibilities rather than closing them off.
Benefits Beyond Basic Obedience
When people think about dog training, they usually think about “sit” and “stay.” But the real value extends further.
Stronger Bonding
Training is quality time—focused attention, clear communication, shared achievement. Dogs who train with their owners develop deeper trust and understanding. The relationship shifts from managing behaviour to genuine partnership.
Mental Stimulation
Dogs need mental exercise as much as physical exercise. Training provides structured problem-solving that tires out their brains. A mentally stimulated dog is a calmer dog, less likely to invent their own entertainment (which usually involves destroying something).
Safer Outings
Solid recall means off-lead walks in appropriate areas. Impulse control means passing other dogs without drama. Training expands what you can safely do together.
Easier Veterinary and Grooming Visits
We notice which dogs have been trained. The ones who’ve learned to accept handling and stay calm in new environments have better grooming experiences. Less stress for them, easier work for us.
If you have a puppy, early socialisation is crucial—check out our puppy socialisation guide for the foundations.
Choosing the Right Training Type
Choose group classes if: Your dog is reasonably social, you’re working on basic obedience, and budget is a primary concern.
Choose private training if: Your dog has specific behaviour issues, struggles in group settings, or you want personalised coaching.
Choose board-and-train if: You have significant time constraints and the behaviour problems are severe—but commit to follow-up sessions to learn what your dog has learned.
Getting Maximum Value From Training
Training is only expensive if you don’t follow through.
Practise Between Sessions
A weekly lesson means nothing without the other six days of practice. Most trainers will tell you: the session is for teaching the owner. The homework is where the dog actually learns. Budget 10–15 minutes daily.
Consistency Across the Household
If you’re teaching “no jumping” but your partner encourages the dog onto the couch for cuddles, you’re undermining your investment. Same commands, same rules, same responses. Every time.
Ask Questions
Good trainers want you to understand why, not just what. If something doesn’t make sense, ask. The goal is your success, not their ego.
Warning Signs You’re Wasting Money
Outdated Methods
Trainers still using choke chains, shock collars, or punishment-based methods are behind the science. Modern training is force-free and healthy dog treats-based—not because it’s “soft,” but because it’s more effective.
If a trainer talks about dominance or being your dog’s “pack leader,” find someone else.
No Progress After Reasonable Time
You should see at least some improvement within a few weeks of consistent effort. If nothing’s shifting, either the approach isn’t right for your dog or the training quality is lacking.
Guarantees and Quick Fixes
Anyone promising to fix your dog in one session is overselling. Dog training is teaching—some students learn faster than others, and complex issues take time.
The Maths: Calculating True ROI
Scenario: Six private training sessions at $120 each = $720
Potential prevented costs:
- One emergency vet visit from a dog fight: $1,500
- Replacing furniture destroyed by anxiety: $2,000
- Boarding costs because your dog can’t be trusted with a sitter: $300/week ongoing
Non-financial returns:
- Walks you actually enjoy
- Guests who want to visit
- Peace of mind off-lead
- A calmer household
The $720 investment looks different when you consider what it prevents and enables.
Training isn’t a cost. It’s insurance against larger costs and an investment in a better life with your dog.
The Honest Answer
Is dog training worth the cost?
For most dogs and most owners: yes. The question isn’t whether you can afford training—it’s whether you can afford the consequences of skipping it.
That said, training isn’t magic. It requires your time and consistency. A trainer gives you the tools and knowledge, but you do the ongoing work. If you’re not prepared for that commitment, you might not get full value from the investment.
Start where you can. A single consultation might be enough to point you in the right direction. Group classes work well for many dogs. Private training makes sense when specific issues need addressing.
The worst option is doing nothing and hoping problems resolve themselves. They rarely do.
A Note From Your Groomers
We’re a our professional grooming services, not a training facility. But we see the results of good training every day.
Dogs who’ve been trained handle grooming with less stress. They respond to cues, accept handling, and trust that unfamiliar situations will be okay. It makes our job easier and their experience better.
If you’re looking for trainer recommendations in our area, we’re happy to point you toward professionals we trust. Get in touch and we’ll share what we know.
Training is one of the best investments you can make in your dog’s life. And your sanity.
Questions about how training affects grooming experiences? Ask us at your next appointment.
Healthy Training Treats
Nutritious treats perfect for training and rewarding good behaviour.
