Is Board and Train Right For My Dog?

When choosing a dog training program it is important to make sure that the structure, curriculum, and style is a good fit for you and your dog.  One training option that is offered by a lot of dog trainers is a board and train program.  As we all know, a typical board and train program consists of your dog staying with a trainer for a scheduled period of time.  During this time, the trainer does all of your dog’s training with your dog, and then returns the dog to you and your family.  Sounds great, right?

In theory, a board and train program sounds like the perfect solution for those of us with busy and hectic lifestyles, but in reality there is much more to this type of training program.  You should understand that your dog will respond and listen great for the trainer, but in the end, it is your dog!  You must first realize that when your dog is returned to you, he or she should not be considered “finished”.

• After your dog is returned to you, YOUR training begins.  You must understand that the work that you do on the back end of the training program is going to determine the success or failure of the board and train program.
• At the time your dog is returned back to you, his newly learned skills may not be totally “permanent” just yet.  You and your family have to continue to practice with your dog and make his training part of his daily life.
• Timing is critical in dog training.  If your timing is off, you will not get the best out of your dog.  You will have to learn to read your dog and know how and when to respond based the actions of your dog.
• Upon return to your home, your dog may resort back to familiar surroundings and expect that he can act the same as he did before leaving for training.  It is up to you and your family to remain consistent and follow through with the training.
• Dogs feed off of body language before verbal commands, and of course things you do with your body will be different from that of your trainer.  Your dog will need an adjustment period before fully matching up to your style and working fluently for you.

In order to account for all of these factors, make sure your trainer has a sufficient “human training” program that accompanies your dog’s board and train program; and there should NOT be an extra cost for this!  Make sure your trainer will work with you, and make sure that you understand as much as your dog understands.  Make sure they answer your questions and fully explain what you have to do in order for your dog to respond to the commands of you and your family.

When deciding if an Austin board and train program is right for your dog, make sure your expectations are realistic and your realize that you will have to do some work upon your dog coming back into your home.  If the proper structure and support are present on the back end of a board and train program, this may be a very desirable option for you and your family.  Now you have to ask yourself if you can bear to be away from your dog for that many days…..

If you would like more information about this or any of our other programs, please call us or use our contact form.

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22 Comments

• 
  A. Hampton October 28, 2010 at 4:28 pm

  I would like to get a quote on your board and train program. We have a “problem” dog and she is a mix breed. I believe she is a border collie mix and is quite smart and very very “bad”. She chews on things and is yet to be trained to potty outside. She is about 10 months to a year old. Could you please email us an estimate of the cost to train her in your boarding program and the requirements.

  Thank you

  A. Hampton
• 
  Paul October 28, 2010 at 4:39 pm

  Thanks for contacting us, please check your email for more information.
• 
  Wendy November 29, 2010 at 7:54 pm

  I would also like to get a quote on the board and train program. We live in the Cedar Park/ Leander area. Our dog is sweet and really wants to please but seems to sufffer from severe anxiety/ excitement and becomes crazy everytime we try to take her on walks, get her around other dogs, have a visitor etc. We could really use some help!!!
• 
  Paul November 29, 2010 at 8:06 pm

  Wendy, a PM also sent to you as well. Thanks!
• 
  Tracey January 4, 2011 at 5:40 pm

  Please email me pricing for board program and home manners.
  Thanks
  Tracey
• 
  Joel January 13, 2011 at 12:12 am

  I would also love more info and rates please.
• 
  Paul January 13, 2011 at 2:00 pm

  Thanks Joel, please check your email for a message.
• 
  Erica February 20, 2011 at 7:39 pm

  Do you take puppies in the board and train program? If so, how old do they have to be for the to participate? We are looking at getting a lab puppy and were wondering if this would be an option for us.
• 
  Paul February 20, 2011 at 7:56 pm

  Hey Erica, I just sent you an email with more info. Let me know if you have any questions, thanks!
• 
  Mini March 4, 2011 at 10:12 am

  Hi
  I have a 2 year old mutt (possibly German sheppard mix). He my trouble maker…sigh. He freaks out when he see’s other dogs or people walking by. With dogs he’s playful but still drags me to get to them. With people he can be aggressive. He will circle them and bark and snap. I’m afraid that he will bite someone or try this on a kid (by some miracle he has not had a chance to try it on a child). Its the weirdest thing because he is friendly if the people are friendly to him but how many people are friendly to a huge dog charging at them? I dont want to give him up because i love him and I know he would die to protect me. Please let me know if he can be helped and how much the cost is.
• 
  Mini March 4, 2011 at 10:14 am

  Btw I would like to do board and train.
• 
  Lexi March 14, 2011 at 3:29 pm

  I would like pricing on the board and train. I have a 3.5 year old Chiwennie, that knows some commands like sit and down, but is easily distracted and the barking gets out of hand. Can walk on a leash, but often times can jet after a leaf if that happens to pass by him. Can sometimes control him and sometimes I can’t. I am willing to try anything.

  Thanks
• 
  Zach Brooks May 6, 2011 at 7:05 pm

  I am interested in your board and train program for my 3 year old German Shorthair. Can you please send me information.
• 
  Paul May 6, 2011 at 7:18 pm

  Thanks Zach, email has been sent!
• 
  Sandy June 4, 2011 at 6:13 pm

  Need info. Have 2 and half puppies that are driving me crazy. They need manners and everything else!
• 
  Paul June 6, 2011 at 11:41 am

  Email has been sent Sandy, hang in there!
• 
  Monica July 21, 2011 at 11:17 am

  I have a 6 mos old boxer that could use some manners. I would like to know more about the pricing of your programs. Thanks Monica
• 
  Beth July 21, 2011 at 5:20 pm

  Could i get a quote for this board and train, one dog, one human upon return of dog. Thanks, beth
• 
  Saji and reeba August 26, 2011 at 10:23 am

  Hi Paul and Tracy,
  This is our first time having a dog/ puppy. W e have a collie puppy born on June 17 th so he is about 10 weeks old now. We are a family of five people. My husband , my mom and 2 kids (7 and 9 year old girls). Qwe got the puppy at around 7 weeks and he has been biting ever since. It was not a problem as his bite was not hurting and we thought it’s from teething. But he is growing big faster and is biting and jumping at kids and if you run or move he chase you and jumps and bites and hangs on your cloth and growls. I’d he too young for board and train . He also tries not to look into your eyes when giving commands. Please advise the best package. I am getting nervous and anxious and afraid to let the kids play alone with him … It’s just getting worse. Please advice on best available package with pricing .
  Thanks.
  Reeba
• 
  Gabrielle August 26, 2011 at 8:21 pm

  I would also like a quote for the board and train program please–thanks!
• 
  Marta Traweek September 1, 2011 at 10:12 am

  We have an 8 week old lab puppy and are interested in your board and train program. We did this with our pom puppy in Houston and were very pleased with the results. At what age do you take them and what is the cost?

  I look forward to hearing back from you.

  Thanks,

  Marta
• 
  Paul September 1, 2011 at 2:22 pm

  Hi Marta,

  Very exciting to have a young puppy, what kind of puppy did you get? 8 weeks is definitely too young for this program because of the intensive nature and expectations put on the dog. I absolutely recommend starting training your pup right away but your curriculum needs to be very different from that of the board and train. There are two options we can offer you at this point.
  Those options are setting up an in-home puppy consultation and the other would be downloading our Puppy Manual.

  As for the board and train program, it depends on the maturity level of your dog but we usually start them anywhere between 4-5 months or so. Please let us know if there is anything we can do for you. Enjoy your puppy!!