Are you thinking about enrolling your dog in a Board and Train program, but aren’t sure if it is the right fit for them? Perhaps you’re wondering about the factors that determine whether this type of dog training would be beneficial, and how it differs from other programs that are available.
Here at K9 Evolutions Dog Training, we regularly receive phone calls from dog owners who know that their dog needs a training program – but simply aren’t sure of the best path forward. With that in mind, I wanted to put together a quick checklist of the benefits of one particular type of dog training program we offer – our Board and Train programs.
We offer three different Board and Train programs:
– On-Leash Basic Board and Train (3 weeks)
– On-Leash + Off-Leash Board & Train incl. E-collar training (3 weeks)
– Bootcamp Board and Train (4 weeks)
These programs involve your dog staying with us for the duration of their program. During that time, we’ll work with them on a daily basis to ensure we are able to achieve your dog training goals. Upon the conclusion of your program, we’ll show you what your dog has learned, and offer vital tips to ensure they can maintain their behavior when they return home.
While our one-on-one lesson program delivers excellent results, it is incumbent upon the owner to put in the hours and repetitions to get the dog to meet the benchmarks each week, before the dog can move on to the next module in the dog’s training. If the owner has the time, it yields excellent results! However, it is not ideal for people who live busy lifestyles and are juggling lots of things in life. There are four phases to a dog’s learning: The Acquisition Phase, Fluency Phase, Generalization Phase and Maintenance Phase. The first three phases are the most difficult as the dog learns new skills. With our Board and Train program we take on those first three phases of learning efficiently. When it is time to hand the leash back to you, they are in the Maintenance Phase; which means maintaining their training through consistency and regular practice.
Whether you’re looking to build your puppy’s foundational obedience or resolve a long-running behavioral issue, Board and Train programs are a great way to obtain help from a professional dog trainer in a way that truly helps to teach and solidify new behaviors.
What are the benefits of Board and Train Programs?
Board and Train Programs bring many benefits for dog owners – from the sheer convenience, to the training outcomes themselves. Some of the most common benefits associated with this type of training are listed below.
Great for owners with mobility or medical issues
Dog training can be a physically demanding activity for handlers and trainers – particularly if you have a larger, high-energy dog breed who incessantly pulls at the end of the leash. If you have issues with movement – for example, perhaps you are an older person, or you have sustained an injury that means you have reduced strength – handing over the labor-intensive work to a professional dog trainer in a Board and Train setting can be very successful. This ensures that the behavior can be improved, and the dog can be handed back to you in a state that is easier to handle.
Increased one-on-one-training time
One major benefit of a Board and Train program is the amount of dedicated training time we are able to dedicate to working with your dog. We can get hands-on training with your dog for several hours for a number of weeks, which improves training outcomes – particularly in instances where we are looking to resolve complex behavioral issues. When dealing with intricate problems that may arise while in training, we are able to spot those issues sooner and prevent them from becoming deep-rooted. While private training lessons can certainly be a good option (especially if, as an owner, you have the time to work on the training outside of the lessons), it’s a simple time equation – we can spend more time focused on your dog when they’re already staying with us, than when we have to do it in a one-hour session once per week. More time increases the potential for successful learning and retention of information.
Dogs are very contextual animals; another huge benefit of a Board and Train Program is a complete shift in their contextual perception. This is especially true when it comes to dogs who have behavioral issues. When they come to a Board and Train program, they are taken out of their comfort zone where the problems took root contextually. Being out of that environment with someone completely new flips their whole world upside down, and now they’re working with someone who knows what they’re doing and knows exactly what that particular dog needs.
Flexibility and quality of structured training sessions
While the quantity of training time is typically higher in Board and Train programs, it is also usually higher quality. We are able to create a training schedule that is tailored to your dog. We can pencil in several shorter sessions throughout the course of a day, rather than trying to teach the dog in a dedicated one-hour block. This means that the quality of the training, and the amount of information your dog is able to consume and retain, is typically greater than in some other programs.
Helps resolve behavioral issues
Basic obedience cues can be taught in many dog training environments, whether that’s a group class, a private lesson, or a Board and Train. However, severe behavioral issues often need several training sessions to achieve a successful resolution. These incremental gains from session-to-session are easier to achieve in a Board and Train setting, where we can get a few ‘mini-sessions’ in during the day and make solid progress.
Generalization opportunities
We’ve spoken before about the importance of generalizing canine behavior, and there are a couple of important aspects to this. The first is working around distractions – such as the distractions that other dogs can pose. At K9 Evolutions Dog Training, we are able to set up scenarios that mean we can proof your dog’s behavior around other pups. We carefully assess the suitability and temperament of dogs who will be well-suited to teach and learn from one another in these scenarios. Additionally, we are able to generalize behavior by taking your dog to other locations – such as dog-friendly stores, downtown areas, public parks, and other places – and working on their training in those spaces. This means your pup doesn’t just stay at our property for three or four weeks – they get the enriching experience of exploring other places, too.
Convenience for owners
Many of the benefits for Board and Train programs are related to actual training outcomes – but there are other upsides that are often overlooked by dog owners, too. In a world where we are constantly pushed for time, with demands from work and family often resulting in a lack of free time, some dog owners simply don’t have enough time to dedicate to private lessons. A Board and Train program eliminates the time problem for the duration of the training program – all you need to do is drop your dog off, and then pick them back up in a few weeks’ time. This can also be a great option if you are heading out-of-town on vacation or for work. Then, when you pick the dog up, we’ll show you exactly what the dog learned, how to implement commands, markers and use training tools correctly, as well as what to do to manage the dog’s behavior that is specific to your dog.
In conclusion
Choosing the right dog training program for your dog – and your personal circumstances – isn’t always straightforward. At K9 Evolutions Dog Training, we are here to help you! If you want to discuss your training options – including our Board and Train programs – please reach out to us at (612) 227-7019 or info@k9evolutionsdogtraining.com for more information.
