Board and Train or Board and Complain?

Dog training camp, board and train, doggy boot camp, doggy school, doggy college…all different names serving the same goal, to take your dog away from you and train it without you doing ANY work. Seems like a dream come true! But when this program isn’t run correctly this dream can turn into a nightmare.

First things first, your dog’s respect will require work from you and not just a little bit of work. Dogs do not follow weak or unstable pack leaders and what is weaker than putting in a minimal effort but expecting a maximum result? Laziness and dog training cannot coexist. The problem with humans is that we expect our money to replace work. “I paid thousands of dollars for this training and got NO RESULTS!” is a common complaint about dog training camps.

Why does your thousands of dollars equate to a well-trained dog FOR YOU? Does the dog care about how much money you spent?

That doesn’t mean you shouldn’t get what you pay for BUT dog owners should educate themselves on the reality of the situation as well.

This is why I have always been such a strong advocate for in-home lessons. It gives the trainer the opportunity to work with the human as much as the dog. You are in the dog’s environment, where it lives and spends 99% of its time, with the dog’s pack, and the owner is fully involved in the training. There is very little room for error or misrepresentation. After training over 6,000 dogs, I realize this will always be the best course of action for nearly every dog.

So, is there a way to run a board and train? Yes, but let’s discuss some items to avoid first.

Avoid Board and Trains that claim the following:

*Any camp that claims to do all the hard work for you, they can set a foundation, but the hard work will still come from your effort.

*Any camp run out of random “trainers” houses, this can be illegal in many states (no kennel license) and will NEVER be a safe environment for your dog.

*Any camp that isn’t run by certified dog trainers.

*Any camp that isn’t well staffed, clean, or safe.

*Any camp that offers you a video of your dog doing the work instead of coming over and showing you how to do it...hands-on is critical for proper dog training.

*Any camp that offers other services and mixes them all into one (doggy day care mixed with dog camps mixed with boarding etc). Just like doggy daycare services, camp services should be focused on just that…camp!

*Any camp that has a duration of more than 2 full weeks. Basic training never takes longer than that and it’s not healthy for the dog to settle into environments that long only to be removed right after.

Proper Board and Trains will focus on:

*Provide owners with an in-home assessment first to make sure board and train is the best option.

*Setting up a realistic expectation with the dog owner on how board and train truly works.

*Giving the dog owner a chance to view the facility to make sure it is safe, clean, and well run before deciding on the training.

*Provide in-home lessons after board and train is completed to ensure the dog owners know how to do everything hands on and all of their training questions are answered in the dog’s home environment.

*Staffed by certified dog trainers.

Many of our locations offer a board and train option only using the proper methods mentioned above. Keep in mind that the best course of action is almost always in-home lessons though.

To get your dog trained properly and find out more contact your local Always Faithful Dog Trainer.