The idea of group classes is simple and appealing: "Six-Week Puppy Kindergarten!" "Beginner Obedience Class!" For a reasonable price, you and your dog can join a group and learn the basics together. It seems like the perfect, structured solution, especially when offered by a familiar, national brand.
This is the promise of the one-size-fits-all group…
For years, the board-and-train model was presented as the pinnacle of dog training—the ultimate "fix" for busy owners and difficult dogs. The promise was intoxicating: send your canine companion away, and they return a polished, obedient partner weeks later. For a long time, I built a part of my business on this promise. I…
The numbers can be startling. In the greater Seattle area where I operate, a board-and-train program can run from $3,000 to $8,000. Private lessons can run $200 and up for a single one-hour lesson. The immediate temptation is to see the board-and-train as an "all-inclusive" vacation for your dog's behavior, while private lessons feel like…
