You don’t have a lot of money, but do you need dog training help? Unfortunately, no matter how well you budget for your dog, unexpected training issues can arise that must be addressed.
The good news is that there are plenty of resources available online and new tools available that can make training your dog more affordable.
Below are a few tips to help you train your dog on a low budget.
Learn at an animal shelter by volunteering
A local animal shelter is a great place to give back to the community and learn about animals. Larger shelters often have volunteer orientation and animal shelter training programs to teach you basic animal handling skills. In addition, shelters sometimes offer workshops or seminars that cover more advanced behavior issues.
Obtaining the knowledge necessary to help resolve your dog’s issues truly will require a degree of commitment.
The classes and workshops are only offered once a month, so it’s not an immediate solution. But, in addition to getting free insight into dog behavior, you can also help out shelter pups and contribute to your community!
Additionally, while you don’t want to take resources away from shelter dogs in need, spending time at the shelter may allow you to meet a more experienced trainer or dog behaviorist.
There are even shelters with teams of behaviorists on staff, in some cases, significantly larger ones. It may be appropriate to consult with them or enlist their assistance in training. But, again, you may be able to get discounted help if you’re friendly and have built up a relationship.
Learn more about dog training with our articles
We’ve collected many dog training resources that address the most common canine challenges, from training a leash-reactive dog to socializing a puppy (and even training an aggressive dog).
Take a look at our favorite resources for dog owners and get started exploring!
Learn how to train your dog online
The internet has tons of dog training tips – some are good, some are bad, and some are even downright dangerous!
A collection of the best free dog training videos online can be found here. As well as the free options, there are some paid options, which are well worth your time and very affordable. A behaviorist in person can quickly charge the same (if not less) than an entire online dog training course.
Online Trainers or Behaviorists Can Help
In just a few short years, the internet has opened up some unique opportunities that weren’t even possible ten or even five years ago. For example, some dog trainers and behaviorists offer consultations online to expand their client base without having to drive to and from a client’s house.
Consult your veterinarian
Some practices offer information on common issues affecting puppies and dogs, such as pamphlets or other materials.
In addition, veterinarians will have suggestions for good dog trainers and behaviorists in your area. So feel free to reach out to your vet if you need any (although your vet may not be able to enact a discount, some trainers may have a discount agreement with your vet).
Petco or PetSmart offer group classes
Petco and PetSmart are two dog shops offering affordable group classes regularly (usually around $100-150 for 6-8 weeks). Some of the classes are devoted to basic commands and training, but others are focused on training a therapy dog, mastering advanced tricks, and other topics (although these courses are less frequent).
Group classes are cheaper, but you can’t bring a reactive dog with you. In addition, these trainers are unlikely to be capable of dealing with more serious behavioral problems.
Are there any tips you can provide on how to get low-cost dog training? Share anything we missed in the comments!