Board and Train Programs
When I started dog training years ago -- Board and Train seemed to be the be all end all.
Trainers can charge you a lot more money for board and train -- like a lot more. Did I say a lot more?
I get that it has value to many who claim to not have time, want it done fast, or even those who have dogs with troublesome behavioral issues that really need to be rehabbed first.
But there are a couple of issues with that.
Does Your Dog Need A Board and Train
Who trains you-- and how much training do you get, for how long into the future.
Your dog with Separation Anxiety is almost guaranteed to regress into old ways when you send them home -- you will still have lots of work to do.
Your dog with aggression or reactivity will still create a pit in your gut the first time you walk that dog alone for the first time or have company come over. Did they take you for a real-world outing to help you learn?
Even the happy-go-lucky dog who went off to board and train will perform excellent skills for the trainer, and we have countless videos to show you- but the moment they leave your dog acts like they learned nothing.
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Why??? You are not yet confident. In fact, you may still be very stressed. You still have muscle memory for your old habits and your dog's old behavior. You aren't trained.
You didn't go through the layers of progress and see the incremental results. The setups, setbacks, recoveries, and major wins your dog made while away from you.
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Most training programs do NOT spend enough time with YOU in your training. Oh they will say call me if you need me -- but most of you don't.
And if you do -- it's not ok for the trainer to come demo themselves working your dog -- it's necessary for them to teach you to find technique, skills, and confidence to work your dog.
I'm tired of seeing people spending fortunes on training programs and the owner still feeling like their dog does not listen to them, that they can't get the results.
If you do board and train -- make sure there is a very specific aftercare program for you.
If you can and will -- consider going through the training with your dog -- doing the homework between -- sending your trainer videos of your progress or setbacks, and having a relationship that lasts beyond your 6 week program.