What is a reasonable price for OB training?

[Stacer]

We've been looking for a good trainer at a reasonable price and I came across a guy in Guelph that sounds fantastic. Here's his website.

His level 1 obedience is $350+tax. His credentials seem great.
Is this reasonable? I'm of the mind that I'd pay more if it's done right the first time rather than cheap out and end up paying more in the long run because the training sucked.

Also, has anyone heard of this guy or used him?

[Spatx]

Personally the price seems a bit high to me for only 6 weeks. I've paid from $90 - $190 for different types of dog classes (6 or 8 weeks in length). I have no knowledge of the trainer, so I can't be of much help there.

[luckypenny]

Hi Stacer . I find that the website alone doesn't offer much info. Not the kind I'd be interested in knowing anyways . Have you asked to sit in a class or two to observe? I don't think a good training school would object. Because this is your first experience, I would strongly recommend you shop around and ask lots of questions.

Have you considered Flying Dog in Guelph? They are very upfront with respect to their training methods (eg. clicker & positive reinforcement) on their site and also invite people to come and see for themselves. Sounds like a great school to me.

http://www.flyingdog.ca/classes.php

In regards to prices, classes here run anywhere from 250-500$. We pay 100$/hr for private consults with our behaviorist with unlimited email/phone contacts. Although she's over a 2 hour drive away (in Ottawa), she's worth every Penny<----------pun intended .

[SnowDancer]

Not to appear to dumb here, but would you have to make 6 trips to Guelph or is this a "board and train" type of facilty. Personally, as much as I love Guelph's Small Animal Clinic - as I really do - I hope never to have to see it again - particularly at midnight - which means I do not want to be on the Toronto to Guelph road again!

[Stacer]

Thanks LP, I sent them an email and I'm going to go tomorrow to sit in on a session.

Snowdancer, I actually don't live in Toronto anymore (too lazy to go to the user CP and change it!), I live on the west border of Mississauga :sad: I'm only about 20 minutes from Guelph.

[SnowDancer]

Well then Stacer, you might well frequent the Small Animal Clinic at Guelph. When we were there for follow-ups to our beloved mini Dachshund's surgeries there were many "patients" who went to Guelph for routine visits. Seriously, I loved the place - my Jack actually ate a bun on the exam room table and kissed everyone goodbye. Just great vibes in the place. Re the price, $60 an hour for private - not sure about group.

[Kinguni]

Wow that's expensive. I think we found the best OB training here in Winnipeg, but will know for sure in 5 weeks. $85.00 for 6 classes (level 1), the first of which we attended tonight, no dogs allowed for the initial human training day. No training collars allowed either.

[Kashi]

$350 seems exceptionally high to me.

[jealma]

That seems a little high to me too. Maybe you could look at a class to join. Can't see paying that much for a group trainning. Unless you really want the one on one, but I think the instructors in a group would give everyone a little time when needed. Good luck with it

[luckypenny]

Flying Dog charges 175$ for a 6 week group class. Are you going to sit in one of their classes Stacer as well as CR Dogs' classes?

[bluesunshine]

FYI: I pay $208 for a 6-week family dog class in Ajax.

[Stacer]

We went and sat in on one of Flying Dog's classes. The trainer seemed nice. The class looked fun. We told her about our issues with Skylar and she didn't think that Skylar is ready for group classes because she isn't treat motivated on walks. She goes into a frenzy and can't be brought back with any amount of talking or treats dangled in front of her. So she recommended some private sessions first then maybe group classes once she can be more focused. Since we live in Mississauga (about 30 minutes from the training centre, almost an hour from where the trainer actually lives) she can't come to our place for private sessions, but is going to email me a list of recommended trainers in the mississauga area.

I also asked her about the CR Dogs guy and she reluctantly told me that his methods are old school and he doesn't use positive reinforcement, so we'll avoid his classes. I don't hink she was just saying it to make us go with her.

[Spatx]

I was recommended this place twice, but because it's in Mississauga it's hard for me to get to with rush hour and all. It's called Doggie Central and I've heard good things about the trainer there, she uses positive reinforcement from what I've been told. I don't have any experience with the trainer, and I have no idea how close/far that is to you, but I think it might be worth checking out.

http://www.doggiecentral.ca/

[Longblades]

$350 for a group OB lesson of 6 weeks sounds really expensive to me. The credentials look good, yes, but I have no way of knowing what most of them mean, eg, "behaviour specialist" - says who? "Internationally Certified" dog trainer, well what agency is it that does that certification and what does it mean? When was it earned? Where was it earned? Recommendations by some of the organizations mentionned would be reassuring but I checked, only a few I admit, of the testimonials and they seem to be from attendees. For that amount of money I'd want to see a Phd in animal psychology, or something, to back up the behaviour specialist claim.

To be fair, the lady teaching my class has not presented anything better in her website as far as credentials but she is only charging $115 for a six week group lesson.