Staci Lemke 00:00:00 When it comes to training your beloved dog, you have several options. You can sign up for group classes. Opt for private one on one training or send your dog away to a boarding train. Now, the last option may sound like the ideal solution for you. A professional dog trainer takes your dog for a few weeks, works with them, and voila, you get back a fully trained dog. Unfortunately, that’s rarely the case. In this episode of The Well-Mannered Mutt Podcast, I’m going to talk to you about board and train programs, what they are, what they work best for, and what they don’t. How to choose a board and train program if that’s the direction you’re leaning in and what to be aware of. Hello and welcome to The Well-Mannered Mutt Podcast. I’m your host, certified professional dog trainer, and registered veterinary technician, Staci Lemke. Join me as I discuss all things dog, from canine wellbeing to basic training to modifying problem behaviors. Whether you’re a first time puppy parent or have had dogs your whole life.
Staci Lemke 00:01:05 This podcast will help you have a better relationship with your best friend. My passion is to help you have the well-mannered mutt you’ve always dreamed of. Now let’s dive into today’s episode. The phrase board and train. You’ll also hear it called Boot Camp, is a type of training plan where your dog resides or boards with a trainer in their home, or at a training facility for a set period of time. Board and trains can range in length from 2 to 6 weeks depending on the program. During their stay, the dog receives training, usually daily or several times a day. When done properly, the setup allows for concentrated training experience with a skilled professional who has the time to set up frequent training sessions to help build desired behaviors. It can be an effective option for some pet owners. However, like any training method, it has its advantages and disadvantages. Let’s first discuss the advantages. You get an immersive environment. The dogs live with the trainer or at the training facility, allowing for constant training and supervision throughout the day.
Staci Lemke 00:02:13 The dog receives consistent professional training without the distractions of daily life. This immersive environment helps accelerate learning. You get customized training. The trainers will tailor the program to address each dog’s specific needs and behavioral issues. You get a structured curriculum, a strategic training program with clear goals, and a plan to teach necessary skills. Trainers can establish basic obedience and good manners, which the owners will maintain afterwards. You may get socialization opportunities depending on the program. There may be interaction with other dogs and people in a controlled setting to promote positive social behavior. You’ll get expert trainers access to experienced trainers who can handle complex behaviors with different breeds of dogs. Trainers can address specific issues such as aggression and leash reactivity that can be difficult for owners to tackle alone. Time saving convenience owners don’t need to actively train their dog daily during the program, and this is ideal for busy people who may have no time to commit to daily training sessions themselves, and you get follow up support at the end of the program. Trainers typically conduct a session with the owner to demonstrate the dog’s progress and provide guidance on maintaining the training.
Staci Lemke 00:03:29 Now let’s look at the downside of the boarding trains you get. Lack of owner involvement. The dog may learn behaviors at the facility, but struggle to generalize them to the home environment without the owner’s participation. Separation stress. Dogs who are anxious or prone to separation anxiety may struggle with being away from their family. Dogs can’t learn if they are too worried about their environment. Variable quality not all board and train programs are created equal. Some may use outdated or harsh methods which can harm the dog emotionally or physically. Later in this episode, I’ll discuss some specific things to look for and to look out for. When you’re shopping for a board and train program cost. These programs are often expensive, making them inaccessible for some pet owners. These programs can range between 2000 and $6000, depending on the length of the stay. The trainers experience the type of training, so basic behaviors versus issues such as aggression. Ethical concerns. Owners have less visibility into how their dog is treated during the program, so researching and vetting trainers is crucial.
Staci Lemke 00:04:38 And this is a biggie for me. You never know exactly what’s going on behind closed doors. When you’re shopping for a board and train program, it’s imperative that you do some research. So let’s talk about that first. First, you must be very clear about your goals for the training. Are you looking for basic obedience behaviors, such as sit down and walking nicely on a leash? Or does your dog have specific issues like leash reactivity or aggression? Or maybe you’re interested in specific skills, such as tasks that a service dog would perform. What do you hope to accomplish with the training? Is a board and train the right choice for you and your dog? Some issues can be successfully worked on in a board and train situation, while others are better worked on in the home with the dog’s family. In my experience, the easiest behaviors to train are typically basic obedience commands like sit, stay, calm down, and leash walking as they can be consistently practiced in a controlled environment with frequent repetitions allowing for rapid learning and a solid foundation.
Staci Lemke 00:05:41 But other behaviors that can be effectively trained in a board and train program include crate training, establishing a comfortable routine with the crate, basic manners like waiting at doorways, greeting people politely, and accepting handling desensitization to stimuli, so gradually exposing the dog to triggers like other dogs or loud noises while managing their anxiety and focus and attention. Teaching the dog to maintain eye contact and respond to cues, behaviors that are not well suited for training in a board and train program include severe separation anxiety, aggression directed at specific people or situations within the home, complex anxieties triggered by specific environments and behaviors heavily reliant on the home environment or home routine, like house training in young puppies. And we all know that potty training is probably one of the most exhausting parts of raising a puppy. And while you might feel that passing this task off to a trainer at a boarding train sounds like a good idea, it doesn’t tend to help much because potty training is extremely location specific for young puppies. Once you’ve determined your training goals, you’ll want to research the program.
Staci Lemke 00:06:50 The first thing you’ll want to know is what are the trainer’s credentials. And you’ve heard me say this in past episodes. There is no mandatory certification process for dog trainers. Anyone can say they’re a dog trainer with no qualifications whatsoever. Those trainers who have qualifications, like me, have chosen to further their education by attending seminars, workshops and other educational events because they want to be the best trainers they can be. Look for certifications such as Care and prior Academy certified training partners. They focus on positive reinforcement and clicker training. Graduates are extensively trained in science based, force free training techniques. A certified professional dog trainer. Knowledge accessed. This is issued by the Certification Council for Professional Dog Trainers. A broad understanding of canine behavior, learning theory, and positive reinforcement. This certification requires at least 300 hours of training experience and passing an exam. The International Association of Animal Behavior Consultants certifies dog behavior consultants and certifies professional canine trainers. They have a comprehensive knowledge of animal behavior, training and welfare with a positive approach and Victoria Stilwell Academy for Dog Training and behavior.
Staci Lemke 00:08:08 They use positive reinforcement, humane training practices, and building a trainer client relationship. Ask about their training methods and be very specific. I recommend programs that use positive reinforcement techniques rather than punishment based techniques. Ask about what training tools are used. Tools like shock collars and prong collars should only be used if explicitly discussed with and agreed upon by you. Ask how they address problem behaviors such as aggression or reactivity. Avoid programs promising to fix deeply ingrained behaviors within a short period of time, as it usually means they are using harsh training techniques to suppress the behaviors rather than addressing the underlying issues. Long standing issues require a long term plan involving the owner. And I’m going to attach a handout in the show notes with a list of specific questions to ask a trainer. If you’re looking into a board and train program for your dog. Next, you’ll want to research the facility. It should be clean, safe, well-maintained with secure fencing and appropriate sleeping arrangements. You should experience a calm and organized atmosphere. The dogs in their care should look relaxed and comfortable.
Staci Lemke 00:09:24 There should be a good mix of training, relaxation, playtime if applicable, and enrichment activities. If playtime is included in the program, it should be well supervised by qualified personnel and you should also be able to observe a training session to see how the trainers interact with the dogs. You should be able to tour the facility and see what it’s like behind the scenes. Other things to consider might be what is their communication process. Will you receive periodic updates on your dog’s progress? Many facilities will send photos of videos of your dog during the training. You’ll want to know what follow up is provided for you. Once your dog learns new behaviors, you’re going to need to be able to keep the training going at home. And finally, what are their policies with things like cancellations, refunds, payment methods, and so forth? Overall, board and train programs for dogs can be a good option for those dog owners who are committed to continuing training for long after the program ends. Because a board and train can be a major financial investment, it’s important to make sure you’re choosing the right program to meet the needs of you and your dog.
Staci Lemke 00:10:32 However, dog trainers are not magicians, and a board and train program still requires intensive owner commitment, daily repetitions to keep up behavior, and a long term dog training plan. Behavior change does not happen overnight. It doesn’t happen in 1 or 2 weeks. Training your dog is a lifetime commitment. A board and train program can certainly jumpstart your dog’s learning and get you where you want to be faster than group classes or private lessons, but you need to be committed to the training program for the long haul. Be sure and check out the show notes and download that checklist of questions to ask. If you’re looking for a board and train for your dog. Thank you for taking the time to help your dog become a more well-mannered mutt. If you have questions about today’s episode, or if there’s a topic you’d like to learn more about, come connect with me on Facebook and Instagram at Manners for mutts. You can also find any links and resources mentioned in the show over at Manners Formats. Com. If you enjoyed this podcast, head over to iTunes and leave us a review.
Staci Lemke 00:11:39 I’d love to hear what’s been helpful for you and your canine friends. See you next time!