Is Private Dog Training Worth the Investment?

If you need help with your furry friend, private dog training lessons with a seasoned canine expert in Portland, Oregon, could be an excellent option. However, the cost of working one-on-one with a professional dog trainer may give you pause to wonder if private lessons are worth the investment.

For most Portland pet parents, the answer is yes -- and when you consider the many benefits for both you and your pooch, you’ll likely agree. Here are the main advantages of arranging for private dog training.

Targeted Training

When it comes to training, every dog has different needs. And, every pet owner has unique goals. Private lessons can effectively address both, as the professional dog trainer will be completely focused on your four-legged friend.

Group classes cover common commands and behavior issues, but that type of foundational training may not be applicable to your situation. Private dog training lessons are customized, and you can expect the trainer to cover the specific skills and behaviors you need your pooch to learn.

Limited Distractions

Any teacher would tell you that the disruptive behavior of one student can affect how well another learns. This is true in the world of dog training, too – and in a group setting, another dog could keep your furry friend from concentrating.

With private dog training lessons, distractions can be minimized, making it easier for your tail-wagger to absorb new information and master new skills. Plus, when the time is right, the professional trainer can introduce distractions to help your dog get accustomed to real-life situations.

Personalized Pace

Good teachers want all of their students to learn the skills they need, so they tend to move at a pace that suits the slowest learners. Professional dog trainers are no different, and that’s how lessons go with group classes.

That might be fine if your tail-wagger happens to be the slowest in the group – if not, they won’t learn as much as you might hope. With private dog training, this won’t be an issue. The lessons will proceed at a pace that suits your pooch, giving them a better chance of understanding and mastering the material being covered.

Flexible Schedule

With group classes, you’ll have to plan for dog training on a set schedule. You may be able to choose from a few days and times, but the reality is, the classes might not be all that convenient – and attending could prove impossible.

Private dog training lessons can usually be scheduled for days and times that are mutually agreeable. Once you let the professional dog trainer know about your availability, the two of you will decide when to meet. Portland pet parents frequently opt for weekly training, but you can make whatever arrangements work for you.

Training Guidance

If you enroll your furry friend in group dog training classes, don’t expect to get much attention from the professional trainer in charge. They’ll be working with the entire group, and they won’t be able to provide much individual assistance.

Go with private lessons, and the trainer will be completely focused on you and your dog. As such, the amount of time needed for them to learn new skills and behaviors is minimized. The personalized guidance produces optimal results – and since you’ll be working with the dog trainer, too, you’ll be able to get those same results yourself.

When Do Professional Trainers Recommend Private Lessons?

One-on-one dog training can benefit just about any canine, and for busy Portland pet parents – and those who are frustrated with their own training efforts – private lessons make a great deal of sense.

In addition, group classes simply don’t suit some canines. If your four-legged friend is shy or anxious, a group setting may be too overwhelming. And for dogs with behavioral issues like separation anxiety or aggression, classes may not effective or appropriate. Before recommending an approach, however, a professional dog trainer will need to get to know your pooch and your training goals.

Where Do Private Dog Training Lessons Take Place?

Now that we’ve pointed out the many benefits of arranging for private lessons, you may be interested in this type of dog training – if, that is, the location is convenient. And we can confidently say that you will find the location to be acceptable.

How can we be so sure? Well, when you arrange for private dog training, you can choose to have the lessons at your Portland home. And if for some reason you’d rather not have the professional dog trainer come out to your property, you can find a location that works for you both. In any case, you won’t be inconvenienced.

Given all of the advantages that come with private lessons, you can see why they’re worth the money. Whatever your needs and goals, the experienced team at Blackwood Canine is ready to help – and we’d love to put your pooch on the path to becoming a happy, well-behaved family companion. For more information on our private dog training services for pet parents in Portland, Oregon, or to schedule an evaluation with one of our professional dog trainers, contact us today.