Dog Board and Train Program |Published 06-19-2023
Training your dog is a task that takes time and dedication. Finding a method that works for you and your pup makes all the difference, and if you have the support of a trainer, it makes it even better.
Two weeks may not sound like a lot of time for training your dog, but you would be surprised at the outcomes trainers can accomplish in fourteen days with your dog. Board and train programs are great ways to jump-start your dog’s training and become familiar with an effective method that works.
What do Board and Training Programs Entail?
Most people hear about training classes with their canines. However, there are other ways to train your dog that may work better with your schedule.
At-home lessons or board and train programs are growing in popularity due to the flexibility of scheduling and the personal, one-on-one interaction from trainers.
A dog board and train program allows you to send your pup to a training facility for a specific amount of time, typically two weeks. During those two weeks, your dog receives training on behavior issues you identified with the trainer in your pre-training conversation.
The trainer uses time with your dog to practice one-on-one training methods and create a routine for rewarding and correcting your dog’s behavioral outcomes.
Your dog will stay at the facility day and night for the full two weeks. When the training is complete, the trainers will review the course and methods with you so that you can continue the instructions at home.
Your dog will have the routine down before training ends and know what to expect when you implement it into your daily life.
When you choose a dog board and train program, you commit to being without your dog for a while and spending money on their housing, food, and training. With the expense of a board and train course, you will want to see positive results.
Going into the training time with a specific plan for your dog’s learning lets you set appropriate expectations. Here are some things you can expect when you send your canine to two weeks of board and train programming.
7 Reasons Why Dog Board and Train Programs Work
1. Solid Training Foundation
An excellent reason to send your dog to a board and train program is to gain a solid foundation in the best training method for your canine.
Trainers have unique systems they use to instruct dogs.
They can lay a solid framework for the training structure and steps when they have unlimited time with your dog. Two weeks is enough time for trainers to work with dogs on setting routines and emphasizing positive rewards for good behavior.
Your dog will know what is coming when it goes home and continues to follow the training routine as you implement it.
2. Your Dog Looks Forward to Positive Rewards
Training has the best effects when it brings positive rewards into the lessons. Dogs love treats, verbal praise, and gentle pats. They love hearing that they did a good job and recognize when their owners are happy with them.
Training programs all have an aspect of positive correction in their makeup. When dogs come to board and train programs, trainers instill positive accolades into the training as often as possible.
The rewards and praise encourage your dog to look forward to training and quickly learn that behavior changes earn praise or reward treats.
After two weeks of showering your dog with positive correction, your pup will continue its appropriate behaviors and look forward to showing you its progress.
Training programs have rewards to help your dog rewire its thinking and actions to start acting in ways that produce a positive response from you and others around it.
3. Obedience Training and Following Simple Commands
As trainers instill positive and negative corrections into training and spend time teaching your dog how to behave appropriately, it will begin learning to obey simple commands.
When you drop your dog off for training, you will have specific behavior modifications for trainers to teach your dog. Board and train programs are great for teaching all behaviors, such as:
- Sit
- Stay
- Leave it
- Reduce excessive chewing or biting
- Reduce Excessive barking
As the two weeks of training are underway, your trainer will spend specialized time with your dog to teach those behaviors. Your dog will receive one-on-one training to learn how to act appropriately and follow commands.
When training ends at the facility, you will take the same method of training home to continue teaching your dog. It will know the commands and their meanings when it leaves the dog training facility.
All you have to do is keep the routine in your day and use rewards to establish a regular pattern for using the instructions
4. Socialization
A natural occurrence with dog board and train programs is the interaction of dogs at different times. If your dog does not get along with other dogs when it enters training, that may not be the case when you come to pick it up.
Dogs learn social skills while attending boarding programs because of their time around the other dogs. Even if they have one-on-one training time and are in an individual kennel, they will still have time around other dogs when training in the yard or outside for playtime.
Trainers do a great job of teaching dogs general social skills while at the facility. The socialization training helps keep your dog calm while away from you and teaches them how to respect other dogs. When training is over, you should be able to take your dog to the dog park without any issues.
5. A Clean and Friendly Place for Your Dog
While your dog is away at training, you want the assurance that it is in a healthy environment. Visiting the facility before signing your dog up for training will give you peace of mind when your dog is there.
A clean facility is essential, so you know your dog will stay healthy during training. After seeing the facility and meeting the staff, you will feel confident that your dog is well cared for and watched by trustworthy people.
6. Routines
Your dog will be on a routine when it comes out of training. It will know that in the morning and evening, it goes outside to use the bathroom, and it will learn the other times throughout the day that you create into regular potty breaks.
It will learn to eat when provided food at a specific time. There will be a time during the day set aside just for training. Your dog will look forward to this special time of the day with you when you continue training at home.
7. Hugs and Licks
If your dog has the behavior of tearing things up in the house, a two-week training program may be an excellent time for you to have a break.
However, when you come to pick up your dog from training, you will be greeted by a very happy canine who just wants lots of hugs and licks for a few minutes. Your dog loves you and wants you to be happy with its new behaviors.
What to Look for in a Board and Train Program
Sending your dog away for two weeks can seem like a long time. You want to feel safe leaving your dog in the care of another company and person. It is good to look into your training site before scheduling your dog for training.
Here are some items to look for when choosing a training program.
- How do you pick up and drop off your dog? Will the facility come and get your dog and bring it home for you?
- Is the training for your dog individual, or is it all group learning with other dogs?
- What is the facility’s reputation and reviews?
- Can you pre-visit the facility to meet the trainers, look at the grounds, and ask questions about food, medications, etc.?
- Does the facility offer additional services like grooming, vacation boarding, vet services, etc.?
- Do they offer a satisfaction guaranteed policy for the board and train program?
- What methods of training do they use to help dogs learn good manners?
- What behaviors do they train?
Find a Board and Train Program Near You
Dog Board and Train programs are a great way to start training your dog with specific methods and behaviors in mind. The programs allow professional trainers to do the hard part of introducing the commands and modeling the appropriate behavior.
Once you get your dog home, you will continue implementing the commands and rewarding their positive behaviors. Whether you are teaching your dog to sit, stay, or potty outside, you can successfully train and build a deeper relationship with your dog through board and train programs.
Search for training in your area today to find the best place for your dog to learn basic commands and general manners.
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