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Guide To Australian Shepherd Training & Care

The Benefits of Online Dog Training vs Expensive In-Person Training

By Anton Hout, author of The Guide to Aussie Training & Care

Online dog training is a fairly recent innovation but it has opened up a whole new world of possibilities for dog owners who want to get their puppy off on the right foot or need to address a particular problem with their adult dog's behavior. Whatever the particular need, you no longer have to rely on finding a qualified trainer in your area in order to get the advice you need. The training your dog needs may be as close as your computer, tablet, or phone.

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Of course, the ability to find dog training online doesn't mean that traditional in person training no longer has its place. It just gives dog owners another option to choose from and before you decide which way to go, you should carefully consider the possibility of an online training program and whether it's the best approach for your dog.

There are several distinct benefits to online dog training, not the least of which is the cost. Standard in-person training can be quite expensive, generally costing as much as $150 per session. If your dog doesn't take to the training or there are specific problems you need to address, that may require extra sessions. Before you know it, that cost can quickly add up.

The Benefits of Online Dog Training vs Expensive In-Person Training - Photo: Lady on her laptop with Australian Shepherd.

iMarzi / stock.adobe.com

In comparison, most dog training online only requires a relatively affordable monthly subscription, of anywhere from $30-$50. With that price you get unlimited access to all of the site's training materials, videos, support and other resources. It's a much better overall value for the money and you can always cancel your subscription if you feel you no longer need it.

Another benefit of online dog training is the ability to get the solution you need, when you need it. Dog behavior can vary from breed to breed and from one individual dog to another and it's important to find exactly the approach that works for you. For example, Australian Shepherd owners know that teaching obedience to this highly intelligent breed may be easy but reining in their boundless energy may be an issue.

There are many great trainers out there who might be able to give you specific direction for training your Aussie, but there are an equal number of well-meaning people who may attempt to provide training but fall short of the mark. With dog training online it can be easier to find the particular solution you need when you have many more options at your fingertips.

Guide To Australian Shepherd Training & Care

Dog Training Online Offers Many Advantages Over One-on-One Dog Trainers

One of the biggest advantages of technology in general is the convenience it affords. You can literally have any information you need at your fingertips, whenever you have the time to access it. This is certainly true for online dog training and it makes a huge difference in a number of different ways:

  • Accommodate your schedule – while traditional in person training may be effective, it isn't always easy to fit those sessions into your busy schedule. With the ability to choose dog training online you can avail yourself of the program's resources whenever it works for you, making it easier to focus on what you need to do to help your dog learn.
  • Include your whole family – one of the keys to effective dog training is making sure that every member of the family is following the same guidelines and working with your dog in the same way. Being able to access training materials online makes it easier for every family member to be on the same page.
  • Have the information you need at a moment's notice – it can sometimes be important to follow through with training or brush up on a technique at a moment's notice, i.e. when you're walking your dog and he begins pulling on the leash or if you're at the dog park and he's not behaving well around other dogs. Since you can access online dog training resources on your phone or tablet, you can literally have the advice you need at the moment you need it, something traditional training can't provide.
  • Repeat sessions easily if needed – if you or your dog are having trouble with a particular lesson, having access to training materials online can allow you to go back and repeat a session as many times as you need without spending any extra.
The Benefits of Online Dog Training vs Expensive In-Person Training - Photo: Lady walking outdoors with Australian Shepherd.

iMarzi / stock.adobe.com

More Benefits of Online Dog Training Include Ongoing Support and Access to Helpful Resources

Finally, using dog training online you can also have access to a wide range of support materials to provide essential backup. Some sites have user forums where you can ask questions and get answers either directly from the trainer, their staff, or from other dog owners who may have experienced the same issues. You might even be able to get telephone or email consultations from the trainer to help with specific behavior problems for no extra charge beyond your subscription price.

That kind of support can be invaluable to help you and your dog when issues arise. Unfortunately, it may not always be available through traditional in-person training programs. More often than not, despite the high cost of in-person sessions, once they're over the trainer can just go away and you're left to put everything you've learned into practice on your own.

There is no doubt that having a good qualified trainer can make a huge difference in the life of you and your dog, but in many ways it may make better sense for you to try an online program. After all, online programs are also taught by qualified, professional dog trainers. Online dog training can be affordable, convenient, and loaded with helpful resources. So if you're considering training, be sure to look into all of your options and find the one that will help you to have a happy and well behaved dog.

Doggy Dan, Professional 
Dog Trainer

"Doggy Dan" Professional
Dog Trainer

If you are looking for a top-notch online dog training program, I recommend the program created by professional dog trainer, "Doggy Dan". Dan's program gives you the Five Golden Rules of dog training you need to understand before you start any other training with your dog. His program is comprehensive and takes you through obedience training and dealing with just about any dog behavior problem you are likely to have. You can find out more about Dan and his program on his website here.

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Online dog training is a fairly recent innovation but it has opened up a whole new world of possibilities for dog owners who want to start their puppy off on the right paw or to train their adult dog. #australianshepherd #aussie #dogtraining #puppytraining #aussielovers

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Guide To Australian Shepherd Training & Care

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