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Pre BOARDING FOUNDATION

PHASE 1 is the Foundational work before board and train. In this phase I give exercises to improve structure and boundaries at home. Often (Not always) there is a couple week lead time to your board and train date and it is during this time that parents are doing a lot of learning and implementing to help set dogs up for success during their board and train. I want dogs to have an at home structural foundation before board and train so that when they arrive for their 3 week stay, the mini boot camp involving structure and boundary implementation isn’t completely jarring for them.

Board and train is an investment into your dogs future, it is the most successful and popular program because most of the behavioral work and securing of skills is done during their stay, however the longevity and retention of skills is up to the owner. Similar to fitness and health and almost anything, what you put in is what you get out.

This is why I like to have owners learning the training concepts before and during their dog’s stay with me so that these new concepts and habits aren’t heard and practiced for the first time when their dog comes home.

phase 2 is the actual boarding period. your dog will spend three weeks with me in home and this is where they’ll learn all of their on leash obedience in any setting, foundation of off leash obedience, and reliable verbal commands. This is also where we Rehabilitate any undesirable learned behavior like people, dog, or leash reactivity*. Responding to name, sit, down, heel, come, stay, leave it, place, house. Your dog will learn how to be crated, have a few hours of training a day, and get plenty of exercise. After their 3 weeks we then do about a 2 hour training session together when you pick up your dog and I teach you everything they’ve learned and make sure you feel confident in your own skills as well with your dog.

During phase 2 you will also have homework to work on and read a short book provided by me on humans impact on dog behavior and their instincts. I’ll also provide tips to set you up to retain your dogs skills when they come home.

*Adjustment to length of stay for any of these behaviors will be determined during evaluation. We never want to rush a dogs progress or push them past a threshold too soon

Phase 3 is all proofing and securing your dogs skills with you at home. I like to refer to this phase as protecting your investment. For 30 days after board and train, starting day 1 when they get home you’re going to be staying extremely consistent to make sure your dog retains all of their skills and that you feel secure and confident in what you’re doing and making it work for your lifestyle.

This does not mean you can’t have fun with your dog and be silly. This just means for 30 days after board and train your daily habits are going to look a little different than they did before you brought your dog to training. If you follow the same habits that you did before board and train…then you will yield the same results that got you looking for a trainer in the first place.

I’m there for questions every step of the way and to make sure you feel you know how to handle each moment. At the end of the 30 days you’ll take a final exam for level 1 of obedience to make sure you’ve stayed on it. This exam is pass fail and if you fail you are able to retake the exam for a small fee. Passing the exam is really for you to feel proud of your skills with your dog and see your own progress and you will receive a certificate of completion for passing!