Cost of Dog Training by State

The cost of training a dog to be a service dog varies by region. We’ll help you choose the right service by comparing the prices of different training options and giving you an estimate based on your state or region. Keep in mind that sometimes the cheapest option might be right across a state border for things like doggy camp (aka “board and train”). Other times, you might find a good out-of-state dog trainer online who will help you train your dog at home, so the best option isn’t necessarily the one closest to home.

Training costs vary by how hands-on the professionals are

When looking for training programs or classes, keep in mind that not all trainers offer the same services. Generally, dog trainers fall into three types:

1. Professional trainers who teach self-training (the handler trains the dog with the help of the professional trainer)
2. Professional trainers who train the dog themselves (whether through private sessions, group sessions, or “board and train” programs)
3. Professional trainers who train dogs and sell already trained dogs (without offering training services for the dog you may already have)

In this article, you’ll find an overview of the first two types of trainers and their costs. The first option, self-training, is more affordable, while the second option, professional training, is more expensive. The third option (paying for an already-trained dog) usually starts at $25,000 but can go higher. However, we will only look at training services, not trained dogs for sale. The hourly rates below are calculated on the basis of 48 hours per training program. Self-training costs are calculated by estimating the price of online trainer involvement or an online self-training interactive guide.

To find dog trainers near you, check out this page. 

Prices vary by level of your participation and professional involvement

Overall, self-training a dog with the help of a professional has lower-end prices from $40 to $100 an hour because you are hands-on and actively involved throughout the process. If you want to be less involved in the training, you can expect higher-end prices from $200 to $600 an hour. One of the most common hands-off training types is board-and-train programs, where you deliver your dog to the trainer for on-premises training at the facility. The higher-end prices are similar for private and/or group sessions that don’t require your involvement.

Dog training can take weeks or months

We used 48 hours of training as the baseline to estimate hourly rates to make them comparable, but each trainer and each program have varying durations. This number is based on an average of select programs from reliable trainers across the country.

The duration of training depends not only on the individual trainer but also on your dog’s age. The younger the dog, the quicker the training will be, and the more trainers will be willing to accept the dog into their training program. Additionally, large dogs are considered easier to train than small dogs, and certain trainers only work with specific breeds. However, all breeds of dogs are trainable, and the notion that “only certain breeds are good for service dogs” is a myth.

Some dog trainers offer a basic package that involves around 4 sessions of basic training and 2–4 sessions of more advanced training, with the following sessions priced on a per-session basis (anywhere from $50 to $100/hour). These sessions are spread over the course of weeks or months, taking anywhere between 9 months and 2 years, depending on the skill level the dog will get and how old the dog is when starting the training.

Example 1: Cascade Service Dogs in Washington (state) estimate that self-training your dog takes around 9–12 months. Programs that only last a few weeks usually only provide basic training, which doesn’t guarantee that the dog will pass a public access test. Read more on the public access test here.

Example 2:  Faithfully K9 in Colorado charges a flat $85/session or free for Active Duty and Veterans, but as a nonprofit, they acknowledge that this covers only half the cost of the training and that the total cost (to them) comes out to $10,000 per dog. Other trainers specify a total duration for the whole training (for example, 8 weeks) or recommend a certain number of training hours for you and your dog (usually several hundred hours if done entirely at home).

Example 3: Take Certified Canine Services in New York — they start with a 6-week basic service dog program before moving on to task training, which is more individualized and tailored to your specific dog.

Many trainers don’t list their prices publicly (and prices vary by dog)

Since every dog is different, many experienced trainers have different prices based on your dog’s age, size, and breed. Most dog trainers offer different types of training, including non-service types like obedience training and non-psychiatric service training. For this reason, they don’t write a blanket price for all training on their website and prefer that you reach out to them so they can understand more about the tasks you would need your service dog to perform and what kind of dog you have. Don’t hesitate to reach out and ask if you don’t find the information you need!