Choosing a trainer
How to choose between two dog trainers
Two trainers can sound alike on the phone and work very differently in practice. The easiest way to separate them is a simple comparison sheet with the same rows for both. Fill it in from what each one tells you and publishes, then look for the blanks. Below are the rows we would use, with our own answers filled in for reference.
Last reviewed October 4, 2026
Build the comparison
Five rows that separate two good-sounding trainers.
Row one is method: how is a new skill taught, and how are tools chosen? Row two is inclusions: daily training, equipment, owner lessons. Row three is the handover: is there a lesson that shows you how to keep the habits going at home? Row four is follow-up: how many sessions, and is there ongoing support? Row five is the full price, with tax noted.
Our column, as an example. Method: markers and rewards first, tools matched to the dog and taught to you. Inclusions on On-Leash Foundations: two weeks of daily training, a slip lead and training collar, a free follow-up session and lifetime phone and email support. Handover: an owner lesson when your dog comes home. Price: $1,865 plus GST. Fill in the other column the same way, line for line.
- Same rows for both trainers
- Equipment included or extra
- Follow-ups counted, not assumed
- Tax shown on the price
Reading the gaps
When the cheaper quote is not the smaller one.
A lower headline price can hide a shorter program or missing pieces, so compare like with like. On-Leash Foundations is $1,865 for two weeks, which by simple arithmetic is $932.50 a week. Day Training is $650 a week, Monday to Friday, and your dog sleeps at home, with a one-hour go-home session each week. Neither is better in the abstract; they are built for different households.
The other gap to watch is whether a trainer ever suggests less. We recommend the program at the consultation, and if Private Training at $150 plus GST a session, with a written plan for the week, would cover your situation, that is what we will put on the table. A trainer willing to shrink the quote is giving you a useful signal about the rest of the sheet.
Asked and answered
The questions people ask us.
How do I compare two dog trainers?
Use the same rows for both: method, inclusions, handover, follow-ups and full price. Fill them in from what each trainer says and publishes, then look for blanks.
Should I pick the cheaper dog trainer?
Only after you check what the price covers. Compare length, equipment, owner lessons and follow-up support before deciding which quote is really lower.
What if two dog trainers recommend different programs?
Ask each one why. A clear reason tied to your dog's behaviour is worth more than a confident tone, and it is fair to ask whether a smaller option would do.
Does Northline K9 include follow-up sessions?
Yes. Every board and train includes a handover lesson and free follow-up sessions, with two listed on Advanced Off-Leash and Behaviour Rehab. On-Leash Foundations also includes lifetime phone and email support.
Keep reading
Add us to your comparison
Book a consultation and fill in our column with real answers about your dog, including whether a smaller option would do.
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