At T3, in home training is $120 an hour, with packages from $575 for 5 hours to $2,000 for 20 hours. A four week board and train is $3,000, and protection training is $200 per session. Around St. Augustine, what you'll pay depends mostly on the format: group classes, private lessons, board and train and specialty work are all priced differently.
Dog training prices can be hard to pin down. A lot of trainers don't publish them, and every program is set up a little differently. So here's how pricing works in general, what ours is, and what you should expect to get for your money.
What drives the cost of dog training
- Private or group. Group classes cost less per session but split the trainer's attention across the room. Private sessions cost more and are built around your dog.
- Where it happens. Training at your home costs more than training at a facility, because the trainer travels. It also works on problems where they actually happen.
- How serious the problem is. Basic manners take less time than aggression, reactivity or protection work.
- Program length. Board and train programs around Northeast Florida run anywhere from about a week to a month. Longer programs cost more, and they also give a dog more time to lock in what it learns.
- Experience. Trainers who handle aggression cases or work with law enforcement dogs usually charge more than beginners, and for hard cases they're usually worth it.
T3 K-9 prices
| Program | Price | What it covers |
|---|---|---|
| In home training | $120 per hour | Obedience, puppy and behavior training, 1 on 1 at your home |
| T1 Foundation | $575 | 5 hours, used within 60 days |
| T2 Reliability | $1,100 | 10 hours, used within 120 days |
| T3 Off leash | $2,000 | 20 hours, used within 6 months |
| Board and train | $3,000 | Four weeks with Zac, video updates and a one hour handoff. Free consultation. |
| Protection training | $200 per session | Weekly for 10 to 12 months, starting with a paid evaluation |
There's no travel fee anywhere in St. Johns County. For homes outside the county, travel is $2 per mile. You can see the full breakdown on our training and rates page.
What you should get for your money
- A clear plan for your dog, not a generic script
- Training for you, not just the dog. If you can't keep it going, it won't last.
- Homework you can actually do between sessions
- Honesty about what's realistic for your dog and how long it will take
- A way to get help after the program ends
Questions to ask any trainer
- What does a typical session look like, and who will actually train my dog?
- What exactly is included in the price, and what costs extra?
- How will I be taught to keep the training going?
- What methods and tools do you use, and why?
- What experience do you have with dogs like mine?
- What happens if we're not seeing progress?
Red flags
- Big promises in very little time, especially for aggression or protection work
- No handoff or owner training at the end of a board and train
- Prices that only show up after a long sales pitch
Questions
Is board and train worth the money?
For busy owners and dogs that need daily repetition, it can be. The key is the handoff. A board and train only lasts if you learn how to keep it going at home.
Is private training better than group classes?
For basic manners, a good group class can be enough. For behavior problems, reactivity or dogs that struggle around other dogs, private training at home usually gets faster, more reliable results.
Do you offer a free consultation?
Yes, for board and train. For in home training, your first hour is a real training session at your home, so you leave with progress and a plan.
