So many owners come to us because they desperately need help teaching their dog to walk calmly on leash (or how to walk in a “heel” command). Perhaps you can relate with some owners that come to us in tears of frustration as they tell us:
“He marks on something every ten feet. We can’t get anywhere on our walks!”
“She lunges and barks at every dog she sees. She sounds so mean.”
“My dog pulled me to the ground chasing a rabbit… and I broke my arm.”
We even had a woman join us for a consultation with a black eye from hanging onto the leash as her dog pulled her through the woods and straight into a tree. It doesn’t have to be this way!
My Dog Already Has a Solid Heel Command
But let’s say you already know that it doesn’t have to be this way. And let’s say you have already worked really hard on your dog’s leash skills and are starting to really enjoy calm walks together.
First of all: congratulations! We know just how hard you must have worked to teach your dog a new way to walk on leash, and you should absolutely celebrate that win. Poor leash skills can create so much tension and frustration between you and your dog, so you should be very proud of your progress.
Second of all, you’re probably asking yourself: “Now that my dog knows how to walk nicely on leash, does she always have to walk in a heel?” The short answer: no. The longer answer: no, but…
So how will you know when it’s time to release your dog from her heel command and let her enjoy some free time?
Take Mental Notes
Here’s the thing: your dog is going to have good days, and she’s going to have bad days. You’re going to have days when you’re really in sync with each other, and you’re going to have days when you feel like you’re not communicating together at all. And that’s OK! It’s part of the process.
We’re going to take all of that information that we gather from every leash walk, and we’re going to start looking for patterns. Ask yourself, “What went well on today’s walk?” or “What about that situation made it feel really sloppy?” or “What happened right before she exploded with barking and pulling at that guy?”
As you gather this really important information, you’re going to start seeing trends. Maybe she loses all focus when she sees another dog. Maybe there is one neighbor that always offers her treats and she will do anything within her power to get to him. Maybe she does really well when your attention is fully on her with treats in hand and earbuds put away. Maybe she is more relaxed when you hold the leash relaxed by your side without tension (hint: this one works!).
Start to take mental notes of these moments. Pay attention when you know that she’s going to need more help, and reward her when she’s doing really well (walking calmly on a loose leash by your side). And when she’s doing really well, one of those rewards can be free time!
Intentional Free Time on Walks
We don’t want to take away the things that your dog enjoys on walks like sniffing, potty breaks, playtime, saying “hello” to a friend. But we do want to be very intentional about when we allow her to enjoy these activities. If your timing is on point, your dog will start to learn that calm behavior earns her more freedom. And she’ll also realize that pulling does not get her the free time that she so desperately would like to enjoy.
So when your dog is calm and relaxed on leash, you’re going to do a couple of things:
First, tell her she’s doing a good job! A simple “Good girl!” can go a long way for a dog that is trying really hard to relax around all of the tempting sights and smells she comes across outside.
Stop walking and ask her for a “sit”. That means butt on the ground, patiently waiting for you to tell her what’s next.
Wait for her to give you eye contact. This one is really important, so don’t miss this step. Where your dog’s attention is tells you a lot about her motives. If she’s staring intensely at a bunny, she’s thinking about chasing that bunny. If she looks at you, she’s thinking, “Hey mom, why are we stopped? What’s next?” And that is a great mindset for a dog to have, because it shows that she’s focused on you and will be much more prepared to listen if you need her to.
After you get eye contact, release her from her sit and allow her to explore. She earned it! Let her sniff, explore, and get all of her cute little wiggles out.
What if My Dog Starts Pulling During Free Time?
Now remember, this free time has been earned by good behavior. And your dog can continue enjoying it as long as she continues to have good manners. This means no jumping, no pulling, no barking, etc. You want to keep your shoulder in its socket!
If she starts getting rowdy and pushy on her leash, we need to change things up for her. You can of course tell her “No,” and if that stops the unwanted behavior, great! But if she chooses to ignore you, it’s time to get her back into that heel command and continue on your walk. This will tell her “I don’t like that behavior. It seems like you aren’t ready for that much freedom and excitement, so I’m going to help you do something that I know you can be successful with (aka walking in a heel command, calmly by my side)”.
This sends a clear message to your dog that her unwanted behaviors have consequences. And losing that time to explore is a pretty big consequence for a dog, so it will hold a lot of meaning for her.
Test and Measure
So giving her too much freedom didn’t work that time… When can we try again?
Anytime you want! But remember, we’re taking mental notes on every walk to figure out what worked and what didn’t. So don’t forget to ask yourself what about the walk, or what about that spot, made it too difficult for her to control her energy?
And now we test and measure. We say, “I’m going to try offering her free time at that tree. Let’s see what she gives me”. If she’s calm, take note. If she’s crazy, take note. And then we try again and we say “I’m going to offer her free time ten minutes into our walk today”. Take note. “I’m going to wait until we get home and then let her play in the yard today.” Take note.
You will start to piece together a puzzle and figure out what works for your dog and what doesn’t. And in the meantime, you’re getting lots of practice with those beautiful new leash skills. So it’s a win-win!
This Seems Like a Lot of Work
That’s because it is! Nobody said that training your dog would be easy. And if they did, they were lying to you. Training a new behavior or a new mindset takes time. Think about the last time you tried to change one of your own behaviors: a new eating habit, a new morning routine, meditating. Did it come easy to you? Did you stick with it flawlessly after the first try? My guess is no, because old habits are hard to break, and new habits take time to form.
So be patient with your dog and with yourself. It is a lot of work, we are in complete agreement with you. But we also know what happens at the other end of this journey when you finally see success. Because we’ve seen it with our clients over and over again.
There’s a huge sense of pride when you figure it out together. You’ll have a stronger relationship with your dog. You’ll become better at communicating with each other. Both your and your dog’s confidence will grow. And you’ll be able to take on new challenges together.
So don’t let the hard work stop you from focusing on your goal of calmer, happier walks with your dog. Walks where you can trust that she won’t react to everything in sight, and where your shoulder doesn’t get a workout from trying to hold her back. And walks where she can happily sniff and explore all the weird smells she comes across.
Where Can I Learn More?
Want to learn more? Check out our video below! We break down a lot of these behaviors and how to know when, how, and where to offer your dog freedom on leash.
Still want to learn more? Reach out toschedule your free consultation. We’ll talk over your training goals and dig deep to find out how your dog walks on leash, what you want life to look like together, and how we can help you get there.
We work with the brand E-Collar Technologies because we believe it to be a safe, effective, valuable tool to help you communicate with your dog. But just like with any tool, there is a learning curve. And that learning curve not only includes the basic mechanics of how and when to use it, but also understanding its basic functions.
In this article, you are going to receive a to break down of the top ten most frequently asked questions we receive about the E-Collar Technologies Mini Educator ET-300. There is a complete video tutorial available for you, or you can jump to the topic that you specifically need help with. Use the table of contents below to navigate through all of the tutorials to get the information that you need.
There’s a lot to learn as you start working with an e-collar. And while there is lots of content out there showing you how to safely introduce your dog to an e-collar and use it in everyday life, this video is all about how to actually get your e-collar working and troubleshooting if something isn’t quite right.
You will learn everything from how to turn it on, what to do if your number gets “stuck,” and when to actually have your dog wear the e-collar. Take some time to really get comfortable with each of these features before you start working with your new tool. This will build up your confidence and make sure you feel comfortable handling it before you even get started with your training. Then bookmark it for later so that you can come back anytime you need a refresher when your remote or e-collar aren’t behaving quite like they should.
How Do I Turn on My E-Collar?
It seems like a simple question, but there is a bit of finesse in turning on your e-collar. Watch the video for a visual tutorial, or follow the break-down below:
Turning Your Remote On and Off
To turn on the remote, flip the remote over to the back. There is a large black button in the middle with an “L” on it, with the words “On/Off/Light” to the left.
Hold down that button for about three seconds.
The display screen on the front of the remote will flash “On” briefly, and then your display light will turn on.
Your remote is now ready for use!
To turn the remote off, hold the “On/Off/Light” button down for about three seconds.
The display screen will briefly flash “Of” for off, and your display will go blank. Your remote is now off.
Turning Your E-Collar On and Off
When you look at the side of your remote, there is a little red dot about two inches down from the antenna. You will find a matching red dot on the side of your collar next to the LED light.
Tap the red dot on your remote to the red dot on your collar briefly, for about one second.
A green light will begin flashing on your collar. You are now ready to start using it!
To turn the collar off, tap those two red dots together briefly again, for about one second.
The light on the e-collar will flash red, and then there will be no lights. Your collar is now off until the next time you’re ready to use it.
What Do the Flashing Lights Mean?
Have you ever wondered why your e-collar and remote keep flashing lights at you? Nothing is wrong (usually). It’s just the system’s way of letting you know that it’s working, communicating, or that you might need to charge it. Let’s break down the colors for you:
Flashing Green, Orange, and Red Lights
Green flashing light on remote or e-collar: your device has a full charge. The light on the remote will only flash while the display is on. This conserves battery power. The light on the collar will flash continuously while your system is on.
Orange flashing light on remote or e-collar: your device’s battery is running low, and you likely only have a few hours of life left in it. Best to charge it soon so that you don’t have a dead battery.
Red flashing light on remote or e-collar: your device’s battery is about to die (give it ten minutes tops).
Solid Red Lights
When you tap or hold a button on your remote, you’ll notice that the light on the remote and the light on the e-collar both turn red and stay red until you release the button. This simply lets you know that they are communicating with each other, and that the e-collar is receiving a message from the remote.
If you tap a button and the e-collar light does not turn red, they are not communicating properly. This could mean that your e-collar is off and simply needs to be turned on again, that your battery is dead, or that something has changed with your settings preventing clear communication. If you know that you have a full charge but they aren’t communicating, pull out your owner’s manual, or download one from E-Collar Technologies’ website here.
When Should I Charge My E-Collar?
Check out the section above titled “What Do the Flashing Lights Mean?” to see when it’s time to charge your e-collar and remote. The lights will let you know when your battery is running low.
We recommend charging your e-collar anytime the lights start flashing orange. To do this, you simply flip up the dust cover on the back of the remote, and the underside of the e-collar, and plug in the charger that was included in your box. You can expect it to take a couple hours for your system to go from completely dead to fully charged.
When on the charger, your system lights will be a solid red, letting you know that they are charging. They will turn green when they are fully charged and ready to be used again.
We also love reminding people that E-Collar Technologies has a car charger. You don’t want to get to your favorite hiking spot only to realize you have a dead collar -so charge your system on the road so you have it ready when you get there. You can snag yours here.
What Does the Display Mean for My E-Collar?
If you’re not familiar with your new e-collar, the display can look like a bunch of jibberish. But getting comfortable with the different symbols can really help build your confidence and understanding of the tool.
The number in the middle of the screen: This is the stimulus level that your dog will feel when you tap the stimulus button (the black S button on the side). This number can be adjusted by moving the dial up or down.
“1D” flashing on top of the screen: This means that you have one dog collar paired with your remote. You can set up your system to communicate with two dog collars, and then there would be a flashing “1D” on top of the screen (first dog) and a flashing “2D” on the bottom (second dog). The default and most common is for your remote to be paired to only one collar.
“C” on the right of the screen: If you receive your e-collar through us, we will program your settings so that your remote will be in “Continuous Mode”. This is what the “C” represents. Continuous mode allows you to tap a button, or to hold it continuously. While your finger is on the button, your dog will receive a continuous stimulus. Once you release the button, your dog will no longer feel the stimulus.
How Do I Turn on My Collar’s LED Light?
We love the LED light feature! Not only can you see your dog during late-night potty runs, but you can feel safer knowing that people and cars can see your dog on evening walks. So make sure you know how to use this incredibly useful safety feature.
To turn on your LED light, you need to flip your remote over to the back and locate the big black button in the middle with an “L” on it, labelled “On/Off/Light”. Tap this button very briefly. The light on your e-collar should now flash a bright white light every few seconds. If you prefer a solid light, simply tap that “On/Off/Light” button again, and the light will turn solid. Tap the button a third time and your light will turn off.
How Do I Switch Between Tone and Vibrate Modes?
Your e-collar system offers some variety in how you can use the “T” button on the side of the remote next to the antenna: tone or vibrate. So figure out which you prefer, or learn how to switch between settings quickly to use whichever feature you need in the moment!
The “T” button can either provide a tone (a high-pitched beep that comes from the collar), or it can make the collar vibrate. If you train with us, your system will be setup with the tone feature, because we use this for recall with your dog (when your dog hears the beep, she will learn to come find you). So tap that button, and your collar will beep. But let’s say you want to try the vibrate feature.
To change modes, you need to first turn your stimulus level all the way down to zero (0). Turn the knob until the number on the display says (0). Next, you will need to tap the “On/Off/Light” button on the back of the remote, followed immediately by pressing the “T” button on the side of the remote. Your remote will beep once and then quickly flash an “A” on the screen. Now if you tap the “T” button, your collar will vibrate.
To switch back to the tone feature, you follow the same process: turn the display to (0), tap the “On/Off/Light” button, and then the “T” button. The remote will beep twice, quickly flash a “T” on the screen, and you will now be able to use the tone feature again.
*Please note that the vibrate feature is actually very startling for many dogs, and we don’t recommend using this feature unless you properly teach your dog what the sensation means and how to respond to it.
Help! My E-Collar Level is Locked!
Have you ever tried to change the number on your remote’s screen, only to have absolutely nothing happen? You’re not alone, and people usually think their system is broken when this happens. But it’s actually a really nice safety feature (assuming you know what’s going on).
Locking the stimulus level on your dog’s system ensures that you don’t accidentally go too high unnecessarily. We especially like to use this feature when remotes are hidden in our pockets during cold winter walks -we don’t want to accidentally bump the dial and go too high or too low. So that’s when we use this feature!
To lock your remote’s level, simply press down on the dial for about one second. The number on your screen will flash briefly, and now your level is locked! No matter how much you turn your dial now, the number will not change.
To unlock your number, follow the same process: press down on the dial for about one second until the number on the screen flashes. You can now change the level as necessary.
What Do All of the Buttons Do?
This is probably the most important question you should be asking when you start working with your new e-collar system. You want to become a pro at using all of its features, and that means getting very comfortable with each of its buttons and knowing exactly how they work. So let’s review what each button does.
Black “S” Button
This will be your most commonly used button on your remote. This button provides a stimulus to the collar at the level in the middle of the remote’s screen. You can change the stimulus level by rotating the dial on top of the remote. So anytime you need to provide information to your dog using your e-collar system, this should be your go-to option.
Red “S” Button
The red S button provides a boost to the stimulus level present on the screen. Your system is setup by default to add 5 to the level on the screen. So if your level is currently set to 10, tapping the red button would increase the level to 15. This is useful when needing to give your dog a little more information, but a jump of 5 can be too high for some dogs, so you can change the stimulus level to be any range of numbers from +1 to +30.
Black “T” Button
The black T button can switch between providing a beeping tone or a vibrate to your dog’s collar. Please see the section above titled “How Do I Switch Between Tone and Vibrate Modes?” if you would prefer using one feature over the other.
“On/Off/Light” Button
This button is on the back of your remote and allows you to turn your system on and off by holding it down for about three seconds. If you tap the button briefly, it will turn on your e-collar’s LED light (which is really useful for seeing your dog at night).
“M/C” Button
This is the small black button on the back of your remote labelled “M/C”, and it allows you to adjust your programmable settings between momentary and continuous. Depending on which setting you prefer, the functions of your buttons will change slightly. For our training purposes, your system will be setup to Continuous Mode, and you will see a corresponding “C” on the right of your screen representing this.
Can My Dog Wear the E-Collar in the Water?
Short answer: yes! Both your remote and your e-collar are waterproof and can join you on your swimming adventures (or when you get stuck in the rain). The remote can also float, so there’s no worry about accidentally dropping it on your next kayaking adventure.
The important thing to note here is that you need to take the collar off your dog after swimming so that the fur and skin can fully dry underneath. Allowing anything to sit wet for too long is going to cause discomfort -just think about how quickly you want to get out of your wet swimsuit into some dry, comfy clothes. Leaving the collar on wet skin too long can cause skin irritation, so make sure your pup is comfortable and wait until her skin is fully dry before you put her collar on again.
How Long Should My Dog Wear the E-Collar?
This is a great question, but unfortunately the answer is: it depends on your dog.
When you and your dog are first learning about the e-collar (what it means, when to use it, how to respond to it), she should really only be wearing it when you’re actively working with her. You can have her wear it at other times to just get comfortable and familiar with it, but you won’t be using it very often at first.
Once your dog understands the e-collar and you’ve gone through extensive training in teaching her all about it, then you can, and should, have her wear it pretty much anytime she’s out of the crate.
Think of it like a dog leash. Your dog wears her leash every time you go for a walk together. It’s second nature at this point. But she’s (hopefully) not pulling on it the entire time; it’s just a safety measure to make sure that IF you need it, you have it available. But the goal isn’t to rely on your leash to keep your dog from running away.
The e-collar should become the same thing. Your dog will wear it all the time, but you shouldn’t be dependent on it. It should be a back-up for moments where she’s struggling to listen, is over-stimulated, or needs an extra reminder.
But here’s the catch: you never know when those moments are going to come. So you always want to be prepared, should the need arise. You don’t want to try putting a leash on your dog after she’s run away, and in the same way, you don’t want to try to put your collar on your dog after you need to communicate with her.
So keep that collar on. If you are still relying on it pretty heavily, that means you’re still in training mode, and there is absolutely nothing wrong with that. But as you and your dog become more proficient with the system, it will become a back-up tool for those moments when you do really need it.
Conclusion
And that’s it! That’s everything you could possibly want to know about how the e-collar works. Well, not entirely. But those are the most frequently asked questions that we wanted to cover for you. If you want to see someone actually working with an e-collar on a dog, we recommend checking out the following videos. These videos are meant to teach and demonstrate the safe use of this tool, and to demonstrate how incredibly useful it can be in everyday life:
As always, please reach out to a trainer if you’re interested in training your dog on an e-collar. While it is a fantastic training tool, it does take time, experience, and practice to get really comfortable at using it. So if you’re going to invest time and energy into your dog’s training, please make sure you have the help you need to be successful long-term.
The more traveling we do, the more we realize how fortunate we are to have so many wonderful city, county, and state parks so close to home. And you don’t have to travel far from home to feel the beauty and peace that comes with a wonderful and relaxing nature walk.
So if you’re looking for a new adventure to enjoy with your dog, we highly recommend these state parks. They’re closer than you might think!
If you’re going to be spending all day out with your dog, remember to follow proper dog etiquette so that everyone (those crazy non-dog lovers included) can enjoy their day. Check out our blog post on the best ways to make sure you’re keeping dog-friendly spaces happy and safe for everyone.
Everyone wants to give their dog off-leash freedom. It’s so fun watching them frolic and play, ears flapping in the wind. But when it’s time for fun to end, many dogs seem to “forget” their name.
So what’s the secret for a reliable recall? A leash.
Stop giving your dog freedom off-leash until you know she’ll come on leash. It’s that easy! Now go practice!
*Obviously there’s a whole lot more work that needs to go into your dog’s training than just keeping them on leash. But a leash is the best way to ensure you don’t lose your dog, and that she’ll come back when you need her to (Because she’s attached to you. There aren’t a whole lot of options for running away when you’re physically connected). If you truly want to work on your off-leash freedom, give us a call. We work on this every day and are ready to help you, too!
We often like to compare dogs and toddlers when talking about behavior training. Of course they’re both cute and cuddly and steal our hearts instantly, but they are also incredibly similar when it comes to their naptime needs…
Think about an overly tired toddler. How does she behave? She gets fussy, throws a tantrum, stops listening as well, and is not the most fun human to be around.
And a tired dog? Fussy, behaviors become more difficult and destructive, listening ears disappear, and also not fun to be around.
And what do we do for tired toddlers? We give them a nap. Where? In their bed. Why? Because it’s quiet, calm, and familiar, with no distractions. We know she’s safe, and we know it’s best for her needs.
What should we do with a tired dog? Give her a nap. In her crate. Where it’s quiet, calm, familiar, with no distractions. Because she needs it.
And once naptime is over, both dog and toddler will be happier, calmer, and more engaged with us. So don’t think of naptime as a bad thing, think of it as time to recharge and come back ready for more!
‘Tis the season to set new goals (aka New Year’s Resolutions)! But if we’re not careful about it, we’ll end up spiraling into the same old habit of giving up too soon. So how can we set some goals that we can actually meet? And how can we set those goals in relation to our dogs?
What do we mean by SMART goals? In order for goals to work, they need to be SMART. This means your goals needs to Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound. Here are a couple examples of SMART dog training goals:
Working on leash reactivity: I will do driveway drills for 10 minutes, 3 times a week, for one month.
Working on exposure: I will go to Farm N Fleet once per week this month and practice leash skills around the customers.
Working on door manners: I will have my dog wait at the door every time we go outside for the next week.
Each of these goals has a purpose and a clear method of getting there. We’re not doing anything “just because,” but rather because we want to make a specific change in our dog’s behaviors (leash reactivity, door manners, etc.). You’ll also notice the time frame -we aren’t saying “forever” or “never”. We’re saying, “I’m going to try this new thing for this specific amount of time, because I believe it will change my relationship with my dog and my dog’s view of (fill in the blank)”. This is the ultimate purpose here. Your dog needs exposure and practice, but you also need to stay sane while you practice. So make your goals something that you can follow through with, and you’ll be sure to see results!
Want to learn more? There’s a whole bunch of information out there, but we recommend starting with Indeed’s article on SMART goals here. If you want to learn how to apply smart goals to your own dog’s training, you can sign up for your FREE consultation here!
If you’re searching for the best dog trainer for your family, you’ve likely run into lots of options, including a wide range of price points. And with such a wide range of pricing options, it can be hard to decide who to trust and where to commit your time and energy. So let’s break down your options so that you can make the best decision for you, your dog, and your future.
Prefer to absorb content visually? Sit back and listen as we discuss everything you need to know about dog training programs and pricing.
Training goals
When searching for a dog trainer, it’s not a one-size-fits-all situation. Most trainers have a specialty or area of expertise. For example, our trainers are Copper Ridge Dog Training work with family dogs on basic obedience and mindset work. This means we help solve problem behaviors like jumping, barking, leash reactivity, crate training, etc., as well as teaching your dog how to stay calm and focused when they may feel stressed and overwhelmed. For the dog training industry as a whole, a trainer’s area of expertise can range from basic puppy training, basic obedience, service dog training, Canine Good Citizen training, protection work, off-leash skills, hunting, agility, and aggression/rehabilitation. There are more options out there, but I hope this gives you a glimpse into how varied the dog training world can be. Most families are simply looking to make their dog a great family dog and to stop bad habits like jumping, barking, and pulling on leash. Whatever your family’s needs are, you’re going to want a trainer that focuses on those specific skills – so make sure you ask about a trainer’s experience with any specific behaviors you need help with.
The more specialized the training style, the more you can expect to pay. This is a direct result of how much education and experience a trainer has that allows them to safely and successfully work on those behaviors. You wouldn’t want a puppy trainer (a fairly low-level skill in the industry) to help you with a dog that has bitten several people. No, you’d want a trainer with years of experience rehabilitating aggression cases with a proven record of success. And with that experience comes a higher price tag.
So when you’re thinking about your training goals for your dog, think about the specific behaviors you need to address or that you hope to achieve. The more complex the behaviors, the more you can expect to pay your trainer. And that’s a good thing -you’re paying for their expertise and their ability to help you reach those goals.
Dog training program options
Not only are there a number of unique focuses in the dog training world, but there’s also a variety of program options available to you. It can be hard to know which training program is right for you, and if you’re shopping on price alone, you’ll quickly become overwhelmed by the range you’ll see. So let’s break down the different dog training programs and how that factors into what you can expect. We’ll go from least to most expensive training program for you here:
Group Lessons
Group lessons are the most economical training option because your trainer can teach several families at once. In group lessons, you’re typically in a group with roughly 4-10 (sometimes more) dogs and their owners, meeting weekly to work on training skills. This includes things like basic leash skills, attention around distractions, sits and downs, and any other number of skills that the trainer chooses to focus on. The curriculum is predetermined, and you are joining class to work on those specific skills only. If you like to blend in with the crowd and can absorb information by watching and doing, group classes might be a good option for you. Group classes are great for very motivated people that don’t need or want a lot of guidance. They’re also a great way for trainers to help more people in a short amount of time, but you do lose that personal connection. However, if you have a dog that is easily distracted or overwhelmed around other dogs and people, you will likely struggle in group classes. They’re designed for the easygoing dog and dog owner. Group lessons are typically less than $300 for a full program.
Private Lessons
Private lessons allow you to work one-on-one with your trainer. This style of training program is going to be more expensive than group lessons because you’re paying for your trainer’s undivided attention and expertise. Think of it like paying for a tutor (private lessons) vs. joining a large lecture (group lessons). If you want the privacy and individualized attention from your trainer or tutor, you will need to pay exclusively for their time. Private lessons are also individualized in terms of what you can work on with your trainer. You have a lot more say in your training goals and desired outcomes, and your trainer should (ideally) help create a training program specifically for you.
Depending on the trainer, you may pay for a single lesson, a set number of lessons that you can use as needed, or a pre-determined number of lessons. At Copper Ridge Dog Training, our private lessons are sold as a complete program. This means you pay for five lessons, and while we do have a curriculum we tend to follow, it varies greatly between families and their training needs. We don’t offer individual lessons for purchase because we truly believe that all behaviors are related, and we value the extended time to work on the dog’s overall state of mind and relationship with the family. For example, if you want your dog to stop barking on walks, we can fix that! But we’re also going to take a deeper look into why your dog is barking and working on those deeper issues, as well, to create a more balanced and happy dog. Pricing for private lessons can start around $50 for a single lesson, and go up depending on the number of lessons, the area you live in, and the behaviors you want to address.
Day Training
Day training is a fairly new program in the dog training world, but it’s our favorite program that we offer (did you know that we are Madison’s first day training program?). We like to compare day training programs to school, but for dogs. In day training programs, you drop your dog off for a full day of training with your trainer. During your dog’s day, she’ll typically train in small groups throughout the day with your trainer, and well-designed programs should include a good mix of training, socializing, and downtime (rest or naps). Depending on the trainer, you can do a drop-in day or you can purchase an entire program that can last several weeks to several months.
In a day training program, your dog is getting the benefit of both one-on-one and small group training by professional trainers in a very structured environment. That means they can teach your dog a lot in a short amount of time, with the ability to add distractions to help your dog learn to focus in harder environments. Families also love that their dogs get to come home every night, tired, calm, and happy (as opposed to staying overnight with a board and train program). The best day training programs will also include lessons for owners so that trainers can transfer your dog’s new knowledge and training to you and your family. Because your dog is with your trainer for a full day of training, for several days or weeks at a time, you will be paying substantially more for this program than private lessons. You can expect pricing to start around $300 per week, although this does vary greatly depending on the structure of your local day training program.
Board and Train
Board and train programs are the most intensive dog training programs for dogs to go through, and therefore the most expensive. In these programs, your dog trains and lives with a trainer anywhere from one to eight weeks (sometimes longer), depending on the behaviors and skills you need help with. Dogs can live at a facility or in the trainer’s home for the duration of their stay. The goal of this program is to give your dog an intensive “reset,” if you will, where your trainer can provide constant structure, training, and guidance for your dog.
These programs are great at producing big changes, but you’ll want to make sure your trainer has a solid plan to transfer your dog’s knowledge back to you, as well as offering follow-up care and training to ensure you’re successful long-term. This is the most expensive dog training program that you will find for several reasons. First, your dog is living with your trainer. That means that they need to provide care for your dog around the clock, and that’s a big commitment on their part. Second, these programs often focus on addressing some more difficult behaviors that aren’t suited for some of the lower level programs (ie aggression, reactivity, protection work, etc.). Remember, the more difficult the behavior or rehabilitation process, the more specialized trainer you want, and therefore, the more you’ll pay. As a general rule, you can expect to pay roughly $1,000 per week of training.
Additional expenses
You’ll want to ask for clarity when it comes to what’s included with your dog training package. Some programs only require a leash (everyone has one of those!), but many require everything from treats, special training collars, dog beds, long lines, crates, and the list could go on and on.
So when you’re looking into a trainer, ask what they provide and what you’ll be responsible for bringing. Prices may be deceivingly low with a hidden shopping list attached that could cost you a few extra hundred dollars.
We don’t like those surprise fees, because we know you’re already making a big commitment with your time and finances. So our program fees include everything you and your dog will need during your training program with us. That means one price. Period. We’ll purchase your dog bed, your long line, your e-collar, your prong collar, and we’ll even have yummy dog treats on hand.
This is also a quality control move on our part because we want to make sure our clients are getting the best tools on the market. When asked to purchase additional materials, we’ve seen people buy poor-quality items. Sometimes this is to save money, and sometimes it’s simply because you don’t know what works best. So we’ve taken the guesswork out of it for you and we buy you the best of everything you’ll need.
Trainer’s level of experience
It can be hard to tell who to trust in an industry that is heavily populated with newcomers and aspiring trainers. We’ll be the first to admit: there aren’t very high barriers to becoming a dog trainer. This means that any aspiring dog lover can call themselves a dog trainer and try their best to convince you that they deserve your business. Which also means you need to do your homework when hiring someone to work with your family. Here’s a couple points you can watch for to make sure you’re hiring someone experienced, knowledgeable, and able to address your dog training needs:
Prices
If a dog trainer is charging $20 per lesson, they’re likely brand new and trying to get started in the business. On the other hand, if a dog trainer is charging $300 per lesson, they’re either very specialized at what they do, or they’re trying to appear more experienced than they are. On average, you should expect to pay somewhere between $75-150 per hour (when broken down) for a good trainer’s time. Remember, they’re factoring in insurance, rent, utilities, training equipment, continuing education, and more. You pay for what you get, so while you don’t necessarily need to pay the highest price point, you should usually avoid anyone with incredibly low rates.
Availability
A high-quality dog trainer isn’t going to be available at the drop of a hat. If you want to work with a trainer with a good reputation and background, you should expect to wait several weeks to several months to get on their calendar. If they can get you in for your first lesson that afternoon, you may want to question why their calendar is so open.
Proof
Does your trainer have proof of their training experience with other dogs? While it’s not necessary to see daily social media posts, you should expect to see videos and articles of their knowledge and successful work with other dogs and their families. This includes good reviews on Google, the ability to talk with previous clients, and even better, a YouTube page with useful content (you can find all of our training videos and tutorials on our YouTube page here, and useful blog articles on our blog page here). If a trainer has only worked with their own dog or friends’ dogs, you can be sure they’re new to the industry and likely lack the necessary experience to help you reach your goals.
Continuing education
Serious, experienced dog trainers understand and believe that there is always more to learn. We don’t put ourselves in one box or assume we have all the right answers. You should look for a trainer that is seeking new opportunities for growth through reading, classes, and seminars. And if your trainer says, “I don’t know, let me look into that for you,” that’s a good thing! That means they want to give you the best information possible and would rather research your question than give you false information.
Personal fit and company size
So many people make purchasing decisions based on your relationship with an individual or company, and dog training should be no different. Yes, you are hiring us to provide a service. But in order for us to truly help you reach your goals, we need to get to know you, your family, your goals, and what life looks like on a daily basis. So it’s important that you trust your trainer, not only to perform the work well, but with these personal details. If you feel uncomfortable or unable to open up, you may not share some pieces that could help us truly understand your relationship with your dog, and your success will hurt as a result.
For this reason, many families choose to work with small, locally-owned dog training businesses. When the training team is small, it’s easier to feel like part of the family, and ensures that you work with the same trainers every time. With larger companies or franchises, you will likely pay less, but you may lose that personal touch. We often hear that people come to us after working with larger chains because they got lost in the mix and felt uncared for. Your training goals and your life with your dog are incredibly personal, so make sure you work with someone that understands the importance of the commitment you’re making.
For our team and clients, consistency is critical for success. So our clients can expect to work with the same trainer every lesson. This ensures you build a strong relationship and trust with your trainer, and it also ensures that we aren’t wasting your time trying to catch a new trainer up on your dog’s behaviors and needs. It’s a win-win across the board!
Conclusion
In reality, we really haven’t given you a clear number that you can expect to pay when hiring a dog trainer. There isn’t a magical calculator that we can plug all of these pieces into. We’ve tried to give industry ranges where we can, but even those can be dependent on where you’re located. There are so many variables that go into the decision of hiring a good dog trainer, both for the trainer when determining their prices, and for you when determining the best fit for your family. Whether we’re talking about specific behaviors to work on, the type of dog training program, the amount of training equipment you’ll need, your trainer’s level of experience, or personal fit, you can expect a wide range of options, and therefore pricing, from each trainer. Take your time to really do your research and ask those tough questions so you know exactly what to expect before you sign the dotted line.
Oh, and one last note. When you do pick the right trainer for your family, do us a favor and dive in head first. The best success stories come from families that are fully committed to the process. If you’ve done your research, you should truly trust the dog trainer you hired. So trust them to help you reach your goals. You’ll be so glad you did!
Alright Wisconsinites. Getting your dog exercise year-round is important for both physical and mental health. But are we ever really ready for the transition to bitter cold days and our dogs’ ongoing physical demands? Sometimes it’s just too cold to get out for a nice walk or playtime, but that doesn’t mean your dog doesn’t have energy to burn. And if you don’t find a way to get that energy out, you’re going to notice it coming out in some inappropriate ways: barking, chewing, pacing, begging for attention.
So let’s talk about some effective ways to burn your dog’s energy when it’s snowy and wet and you just can’t handle the cold.
