When your dog begins showing undesirable or concerning behaviors, it is natural to begin looking into professional training options. One of the most popular professional training programs is a board and train program. But a question many owners ask is “is it actually worth it?”.
What Is a Board and Train Program?
A board and train program is when you leave your dog with a professional trainer for an extended period of time. Most programs last anywhere from 2-6 weeks depending on the dog and the severity of the situation. Unlike weekly private lessons, a board and train program allows your dog to receive structured daily training with professional handling, allows for controlled exposure to distractions and real world scenarios, and provides them with a more structured living environment.
For example, in our 5 week program, dogs typically master the following skills
- Leash Walking
- Sit / Down / Stay
- Impulse control
- Calm neutrality to stimulus
- Recall
The daily consistency and repetition from a professional provided to your dog is what helps cultivate the transformation.
Now that we’ve explained exactly what a board and train is, what are the benefits to enrolling?
- Your dog receives daily training with a professional dog trainer during the time of their board and train program. This helps to create clarity for your dog as they are practicing the correct behaviors multiple times throughout the day. This helps to overall reduce confusion which speeds up the learning process.
- Many training issues stem from inconsistency at home. During a board and train program while your dog is working with a professional, commands are clear, timing is correct, and unwanted behaviors are not accidentally rewarded or reinforced.
- Board and trains are especially beneficial for dogs who struggle with more complex behavioral issues such as leash reactivity, aggression, failure to respect boundaries, and lack of impulse control, as the structured environment and training helps to bring clarity to a clouded mind.
- Board and train programs allow for your dog to safely be exposed to new people, public areas, interactions with other animals, and real world scenarios.
It is important to keep in mind that a board and train is not a magic fix. During your training program your trainer helps to lay a solid foundation but you as the owner have to understand how to maintain it. Without adequate maintenance and transferring the skills learned during their stay to home, your dog is likely to regress. If your dog returns home and is allowed to engage in previous behaviors, progress deteriorates quickly. Consistency is key in ensuring your dog continues to make progress after returning home.
When a board and train program is completed successfully, the result goes far beyond just “better obedience”. You will have a dog who has much more clarity, confidence, and is overall more enjoyable to live with. If you’re wondering whether or not a board and train program is the right fit for you and your dog, we recommend reaching out to a trainer to discuss your dog’s issues more in detail to formulate the best course of action.
