Types of dog training: which one fits your dog?

Board and train

Your dog stays with the trainer for days or weeks. It can give a fast start on obedience and manners, but it is the format where the trainer and the environment matter most, because your dog lives there. See board and train for what a good program includes.

Private 1-on-1 training

A trainer works with you and your dog together, in your home, a training ground or real-world locations. You learn the handling, so results tend to carry over to daily life. See 1-on-1 dog training.

Virtual training

Live video coaching where the trainer watches your dog and guides you through each exercise at home. It suits foundations, manners and everyday problems, not serious aggression. See virtual dog training.

Group classes

One trainer teaches several dogs and owners at once. Group classes are good for socialization and for practicing around distractions, and usually cost less per session. They are a weaker fit for behavior problems, since the trainer cannot focus on your dog alone.

Day training

Your dog goes to the trainer during the day and comes home at night. It gives some of the benefit of board and train without your dog living away, and the lessons at pickup matter just as much.

Comparing the formats

Franchise training vs an experienced independent trainer

Training is not a licensed profession in most places, so anyone can use the title. Large franchises and chains can be convenient, but the experience of the person who actually trains your dog varies widely, and some programs lean on junior staff and busy, crowded facilities. An experienced independent trainer is usually the one doing the work and answering your questions. This is a general pattern, not a rule, so judge each trainer on the answers below rather than the brand.

• Who will personally train my dog, and how long have they been training dogs?
• How many dogs do you train at once, and how many are in the building overnight?
• Where exactly will my dog sleep and spend the day? Can I see it?
• Will my dog be in a crate or kennel for most of the day, or living in a home like mine?
• Do you train in the real world, such as walks, stores, visitors and house rules?
• How will I learn to handle my dog, and what follow-up is included?
• Do you guarantee results? (Be careful. Nobody can honestly guarantee behavior.)

Red flags

• Guaranteed results or a fixed timeline for every dog
• No lessons for you at pickup
• You cannot see where your dog will stay or how they train
• Pressure to sign up on the spot or pay for a large package up front
• Heavy reliance on harsh tools or punishment, with no explanation
• The person selling you the program is not the person who trains your dog

How we match you with a trainer

K9PN is not a franchise and not a directory where anyone can pay to be listed. We refer dog owners to experienced, independent trainers, and we look at the things that decide whether training works in real life:

• Real experience. How long the trainer has worked with dogs, what kinds of dogs and problems, and whether the person who trains your dog is the experienced trainer or a junior hire.
• Where your dog actually lives. A dog that spends the program in a crowded kennel room or a stack of crates does not learn to settle in a normal home. We favor trainers who keep few dogs and train in realistic settings.
• Training in the real world. Walks, public places, visitors and house rules, not only drills in one room.
• You are part of it. Lessons at pickup and follow-up, so the results last once your dog is home.

Read more in our guide to the types of dog training and how to choose a trainer.

Common questions

What is the best type of dog training?

There is no single best type. Board and train gives a head start if you are busy, 1-on-1 training gives you the handling skills, virtual coaching is convenient for foundations and group classes help with socialization. The trainer matters more than the format.

Is board and train better than 1-on-1 training?

Not always. Board and train can speed up foundations, but the results only last if you learn to keep it going. 1-on-1 training puts you in charge from the start and works well for problems that happen in your daily life.

Are franchise dog trainers bad?

Not necessarily, and experience varies by location and person. What matters is who trains your dog, how long they have been doing it and where your dog stays, so ask the questions on this page of any trainer, franchise or independent.

How do I know a trainer is experienced?

Ask how long they have trained dogs, what kinds of dogs and problems they handle, and who will personally work with your dog. Ask to see where your dog will stay and to watch a session, and be wary of guarantees.

Is K9PN a dog training company?

No. K9PN is a referral service and does not train dogs. We pass your request to a professional trainer we work with who offers the kind of training you asked for and serves your area. It costs you nothing to send a request, and you decide whether to work with the trainer who calls you.

Related

• Board and train dog training
• 1-on-1 dog training
• Virtual dog training
• Dog training in Tampa, FL
• Dog training in Knoxville, TN