The dog training center nearest us has puppy classes at $90 for 7 weeks, adult dog classes at $85 (basic and intermed. obedience, rally, freestyle, agility, etc.), and reactive dog sessions at $135 for 6 weeks.

Basic obedience was $120 for 8 weeks where I go. Same price for intermediate. Puppy class was $100, but that was only 6 weeks.


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I don't want to knock Petco, but I feel better going to an owner operated training facility. In addition, the owner (my current trainer in intermediate class) and all of her trainers have been doing this for quite a while, and are very successful in the obedience ring.


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Thanks for all your replies! I'm skeptical when it comes to big chains like Petco; I'm glad I did get some opinions before going that route... Odie is 3 mos. old and very easily distracted. Should I wait, or is the sooner the better? What all is taught in these classes? Thank you!

I paid $110 for 7 weeks? *shudders* That's basic (boot camp) obedience though and Saturday classes. And of course the instructor is very experienced with obedience training (she got an OTCH on one of her dogs, etc). When we go back to classes there hopefully will only be 5-8 dogs in the class.

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I say sooner rather then later. The obedience school will let you know how early your dog can start. I made the mistake of starting Chloe at 6 months and we were the oldest puppy in puppy class .

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Wow that sounds like a great puppy class. I was paying $150 for 6 weeks taught by a trainer with no credentials other than a "certification". That is how all the puppy classes are here. Now I pay $105 every 8 weeks for our competitive obedience class with a trainer with several OTCH dogs (including goldens!). Sadly, she doesn't teach a puppy class but I will be taking my next pup straight to her and skipping puppy class..


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I pay $180 plus tax for 6 weeks of classes. For each additional class you sign up for, you get an extra 5% off, so if you take a second class, you get 5% off, if you take a third class you get 10% off and so on.

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Liberty - 10 months




Kim - Mommy to fur-baby Liberty and 2 human daughters 12 and 14 years old

I like the instructor - but you can see from my "plop" thread how our first week went and why I'm waiting a couple weeks as she had split the class....

If I didn't have Monday and Tuesday classes with Jacks, I definitely would be jumping right to comp obedience with my regular Wednesday instructor (the Tuesday utility classes will be with her) who has multiple OTCH's, has published training books, is a rally and obedience judge, and does various seminars every year.... and would only have cost me $85 for 7 weeks.... <- You see why I'm quibbling about the $110 for a boot camp class?

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I suggest looking for classes now. Think about it, a puppy class may only run once every 6 weeks. You may have to wait up to 6 weeks to start puppy classes at the place of your choosing. Plus, consider your schedule. I, for example, work long days and cannot make it to puppy classes starting on specific days or at specific times. That may limit your choice of puppy classes.

Start puppy classes sooner, rather than later. Repeat if necessary. The time and money spent now will be worth it when you have a well behaved dog for years.


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