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.

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.

1. Play a game of tug inside
2. Teach your dog a new trick (here’s a link to some of our favorites)
3. Give your dog time to relax on place
4. Fill a Kong with canned dog food, freeze it, and let her work it out
5. Teach your dog to walk on the treadmill
6. Keep an eye on the weather and plan your walks for the warmest time of day
7. Set up a puppy play date
8. Sign your dog up for doggy daycare
9. Enroll in our day training program -your dog will come home trained and tired every night!

It’s never the wrong time to load up on some new dog gear. We’ve compiled a list of our favorite dog toys, training materials, and safety gear to take the guesswork out of your shopping this year. Whether you want to spoil your pup with something fun, or you need an idea to start on your training journey, we have you covered!

Whether you are looking for the perfect gift for the dog lover in your life, you want to expand your collection of dog gear, or you are bored and simply want to try something new, there’s an option here for everyone. Now the hardest part is waiting for that shipment to arrive so that you and your pup can get started on all sorts of fun new adventures!

We often hear “That dog is so well-behaved! My dog could never do that!” I’m saying, no way! Any dog can learn how to be calm and relaxed around distractions if you take the time to show them how.

Here’s Kasha, a 6 month old doodle, learning for the FIRST time how to relax around another dog. He absolutely loves people and dogs, so without boundaries, he would be in everyone’s faces trying to play and get attention. As cute as that is, it’s also pretty annoying. And rude. So we’re using the place command to teach him that he doesn’t get to be involved with everything going on around him.

Is this mean or unfair? Nope! It’s teaching him how to respect others’ space. And it’s giving him the manners he needs to enjoy life out in the world with his family.

Can you imagine bringing a dog out on a walk that is pulling and jumping and barking every time it sees a potential friend? Actually, I’m sure many of you can. But it doesn’t have to be that way. It can be so much better (and so much more fun) if you put in the work to teach your dog appropriate boundaries. Here’s how!

Training your dog is supposed to be fun! The trainers on YouTube and Instagram and out working in public make it look so easy. So why does it make you want to pull your hair out at times?

All of the theories and ideas sound wonderful until you put them into practice. Then you realize that it’s a little bit messy, a little uncomfortable, and full of ups and downs.

Even as professional trainers, we have these feelings, too! When we start to feel discouraged, it’s important to take a step back and try to ask ourselves some deeper questions:

• Am I being clear with what I’m asking right now?
• Have we practiced this enough?
• Is my dog tired?
• Is my frustration showing in my tone or body language?
• Can I try teaching this in a different way?

If you’ve taken a step back and you still feel like you’re just not getting it, take a break! There is nothing wrong with a short training session (we actually encourage it). And there is nothing wrong with ending before your frustration gets the best of you.

In fact, did you know that we keep our training sessions short on purpose, with a long nap (for the dogs) in between each session? That’s because we don’t want to overload our dogs with too much information all at once. We want them to have a valuable learning experience, and then we want to give them time to process and soak it all in. So, short sessions may be just the thing you need to keep training fun, light, and successful for everyone!

We all want a dog that can be involved in our family’s holiday activities. But what if that’s just not your pup? What if she gets overwhelmed with all of the cousins running around, or isn’t afraid to jump on the table to steal the turkey? That could easily ruin the day!

Here are some basic tips that you can do to help your dog feel calm, relaxed, and stay out of trouble this holiday season:

• Exercise your dog before family arrives. Getting that extra energy out will help her relax more easily.
• Use the crate. There’s nothing wrong with creating some space and helping your dog relax as everyone comes in.
• Place time! If your dog knows the place command, have her place while family is hanging out. She can’t jump, beg, or trip grandma when she’s on her bed.
• Set boundaries for the kids! Don’t be afraid to tell the kids to give your dog space. Too much running, yelling, and high energy can get your dog worked up which will lead to problems. Tell the kids to let the dog relax on her own.
• Take breaks to play and unwind!
• Give yourself permission to leave your dog at home. We want you (and your dog) to enjoy the day. If you will be too stressed or constantly worrying about your dog, or if your dog will simply be too overwhelmed, it’s OK to leave her out of the festivities.