What dog training services does When Hounds Fly offer?

When Hounds Fly offers puppy training classes, foundation skills classes, reactive dog group classes, and private dog training lessons for fear, anxiety, and reactivity.

Where does When Hounds Fly offer dog training?

When Hounds Fly offers dog training at locations in Toronto, Markham, and Mississauga.

What training methods does When Hounds Fly use?

When Hounds Fly uses humane, ethical, reward-based clicker training methods designed to help dogs and their guardians learn effectively.

Does When Hounds Fly help reactive or fearful dogs?

Yes. When Hounds Fly offers private lessons and specialized training support for dogs experiencing fear, anxiety, or reactivity.

Do you offer dog training for aggressive dogs?

Yes. Aggression toward people or other dogs is one of the most common reasons clients come to us for private lessons. Our certified trainers use humane, force-free behaviour modification techniques to address the root cause. Whether it is fear, frustration, or lack of socialization, our team can help.

What's the difference between a dog trainer and a dog behaviourist?

A dog trainer focuses on teaching specific skills and cues, while a dog behaviourist addresses the underlying emotional state behind problem behaviours like reactivity, anxiety, or aggression. At When Hounds Fly, our team supports both, giving you access to highly qualified and certified dog training professionals across the Greater Toronto Area.

Where are your dog training locations in the Greater Toronto Area?

We have locations across the Greater Toronto Area, including Dundas West, Riverdale, Yonge and Eglinton, South Etobicoke, Mississauga, and Markham.

At what age should I start puppy training in Toronto?

The earlier the better, ideally before 16 weeks. This is the critical socialization window when puppies are most receptive to new experiences, people, and other dogs.

How Much Does Dog Training Cost?

How Much Does Dog Training Cost?

By Andre Yeu, Founder of When Hounds Fly — Toronto’s top dog training school, with over 20,000 dogs trained since 2010.

If you’ve been Googling “how much does dog training cost,” you’ve probably already noticed the wild range of prices out there — from $50 group classes to $5,000 board-and-train packages. So what’s actually worth your money?

After 15+ years of running When Hounds Fly and working with over 20,000 dogs in Toronto, I have some strong opinions on this. And the most important thing I can tell you upfront is this: the cost of dog training is not what most people think it is.

The Board-and-Train Trap

Every week, I talk to dog owners who have spent thousands of dollars on board-and-train programs — and are left wondering why their dog still won’t listen at home.

Here’s the problem nobody tells you before you hand over your credit card: a dog trained by a trainer is not the same as a dog trained by you.

In the Greater Toronto Area, board-and-train programs typically charge around $1,000 per week. A four-week program — costing $4,000 — might cover the basics: loose leash walking, sit, down, stay. And at the end of those four weeks, the trainer may well have a beautifully behaved dog on their hands.

But then your dog comes home.

Suddenly, they’re back in their real environment — your house, your neighbourhood, your family. And the behaviours that looked so polished at the facility begin to fall apart, because those behaviours were never generalized to you, to your kids, to your backyard, or to the distractions on your street. The trainer had great timing and great technique. Your family, understandably, does not — yet.

This isn’t a knock on every board-and-train program in existence. But it is a systemic flaw in the model that dog owners deserve to know about before spending $4,000+.

What Dog Training Actually Costs — And What It Should

Here’s a more realistic breakdown of what you can expect to pay for dog training, and what you actually get for your money.

Group Classes: $300–$500 for a full program

This is, in my opinion, the best value in dog training — and the backbone of what we do at When Hounds Fly. Our Puppy Start Right program is 5 classes for $325. Our Foundation Skills program is 7 classes for $459. Both are designed for real families, not competitive trainers.

Private Training: $125–$200 per session

One-on-one sessions with a trainer can be valuable, especially for specific behavioural concerns. Expect to pay $100–$200 per session, and plan for at least 3–6 sessions to see meaningful progress.

Board-and-Train: $1,000–$1,500 per week

As discussed, these can run $3,000–$6,000+ for a full program. They’re not inherently bad, but they carry the highest risk of producing results that don’t stick — especially if the training school doesn’t invest heavily in transitioning the learned behaviours back to you and your family.

Online Courses: $50–$300

A growing and legitimate option. Quality varies enormously, but well-structured online courses can be genuinely effective if you’re a motivated owner.

The Most Important Thing You’re Paying For (That Most People Ignore)

Here’s what I’ve learned after 15 years and 20,000 dogs: the quality of dog training has very little to do with how well the trainer can train your dog. It has everything to do with how well they can train you.

Your dog lives with you. You walk them twice a day. You feed them, play with them, redirect them when they’re about to chew the furniture. You are their primary trainer — whether you’ve signed up for that role or not.

The real question when evaluating any training program is: how much of this is teaching me?

At When Hounds Fly, our group classes are built around this philosophy. The goal isn’t to produce a dog that performs for a trainer in a controlled environment. The goal is to turn you into a competent, confident trainer who can work with your dog every single day — in your home, on your street, at the park, and at your in-laws’ house during the holidays.

That’s what creates lasting change. Not a four-week stint at a facility.

Green Flags and Red Flags When Shopping for a Trainer

Green flags:

The trainer spends as much time coaching you as they do working with your dog
They teach you the why behind each technique, not just the what
They give you homework and set expectations for daily practice
They use positive reinforcement methods with a science-based foundation
They set realistic expectations — good trainers don’t promise miracles

Red flags:

Heavy emphasis on what they will do with your dog, with little mention of your role
Guarantees a “fully trained dog” after a set number of weeks
Reluctance to explain their methods or training philosophy
No follow-up or transition plan after a board-and-train
Pressure to buy the most expensive package upfront

The Real Cost of Getting It Wrong

A $4,000 board-and-train that doesn’t stick isn’t just a financial loss — it’s a missed window during the most formative period of your dog’s life. Puppies and adolescent dogs are at a critical stage of learning. The habits and patterns built in those early months shape behaviour for years.

Compare that to $459 for a 7-week group class that teaches you how to train your dog — and then you practice every day for the next several months in your real environment. The math isn’t even close.

The Bottom Line

Dog training doesn’t have to be expensive to be effective. In fact, some of the most expensive options on the market carry the most risk of producing results that don’t last.

Here’s what I’d recommend:

For a new puppy: Start with a structured group class like Puppy Start Right. It’s affordable, social, and will teach you the skills you need to build a lifelong relationship with your dog.
For a teenage dog with foundational gaps: A program like Foundation Skills covers everything from loose leash walking to impulse control — the fundamentals that make everyday life with your dog actually enjoyable.
For specific behaviour problems: Look for a trainer who will work with you — not just with your dog. Consistency over time, in your real environment, is what moves the needle.

The best investment you can make in your dog’s training isn’t the most expensive package. It’s the one that makes you a better trainer.

Andre Yeu is the founder of When Hounds Fly, Toronto’s top-rated dog training school. Since 2010, When Hounds Fly has helped over 20,000 dogs and their families build better relationships through positive, science-based training.