Routine Boarding Overview/FAQ

We will only accept 1-2 routine boarding dogs at a time. Routine boarding dogs stay in a different part of the house than any Board & Train dogs - they will NEVER interact with any other clients dogs during there stay!

Where will my dog sleep?

Each dog has the option to sleep in a dog bed or crate at night. A dog must exhibit no destructive behaviors to sleep crate free at night.

What will their day look like?

If your dog is dog friendly, we are fine with them roaming around the house during the day - please note- our dogs are free in our home, so they may interact. Our dogs are very friendly towards all dogs and people - even with free roaming privileges, dogs will NEVER be left alone together without supervision. If nobody is home - boarding dog will be in their guest room.

Each day of boarding includes 1 walk & 2 outside play sessions in our fully fenced backyard in addition to potty breaks throughout the day.

Board & Train FAQ

What does a typical day of training look like?

All dogs are let out individually around 6am. During the day, your dog will receive about 3 hours of working time, broken out into 30 min. or 1 hour sessions depending on the program selected & the pace in which your dog learns. They will also have periods of state-of-mind work, which includes working on duration for the place command & relaxing while “free” in the home. All dogs will be taken out into our fenced backyard for multiple bathroom breaks throughout the day as needed. They will also have kennel time (no more than 2 hours at a time) which is part of the training process, quiet time in the kennel helps dogs to start to understand a strucuted schedule. Dogs eat throughout the day during their training sessions. Bed time/ final bathroom break is between 9pm-10pm.

Where will my dog sleep for Board & Train?

All Board & train dogs sleep in crates in the kennel area of our residence. The kennel room is a quiet and stress-free room for dogs. A max of 2-3 dogs are boarded and trained at a time, which will eliminate any stress that can be associated in training centers/kennels with a high volume of dogs. While dogs are in a crate at night, we aim to make them feel as at home as possible throughout their stay.

What should I expect when my dog comes home?

A "go-home" lesson where the trainer shows you how to maintain and reinforce the training. Expect a transition period while your dog readjusts to your home environment. Reach out to trainer post program if you have any questions on how to maintain commands & set up structure for your dog.

What should I bring when dropping my dog off?

1. Food/Snacks (enough for the full stay)

2. Medications (if any)

3. Vaccination records
   

What is an e - collar & should i select that as a training option?

That depends on what you are looking to achieve … if you want the highest level of training and reliable commands every time, we would recommend e -collar training

Quality e-collars today use very low-level stimulation — more like a muscle twitch or a tap on the shoulder, not a painful jolt or shock as some might think.

• E-collars also use vibration, tone, or static depending on the training style - talk to us, we will always only use a communication method the pet parent is comfortable with

• Important to know**Not all dogs will listen to the same communication method - we will need to make a plan that works for each individual dog - think a 10 pound poodle may only need tone or vibration in comparison to my Doberman that needed Stim to focus in training.

• The brand we use offers 100 levels for super fine-tuned communication.

• Goal: Act as a communication tool, like a wireless leash, not a punishment!

How big does my dog need to be in order to use an e-collar?

The brand that we use for e-collar training is safe for dogs 5 pounds or larger. It also can be used with only vibration, tone or stim or all communication methods - lets make a plan that works for you & your pet.

My dog was e-collar trained — do we have to use it all the time?

No, you don't have to use the e-collar all the time! However, we like to compare it to wearing a seatbelt — you might not need it every day, but it's that extra layer of safety just in case something unexpected happens. If your dog ever gets spooked, distracted, or needs a reminder, the e-collar gives you a way to quickly and clearly communicate with them when it matters most. The first few months, while your dog is still adjusting to the new lifestyle, we would recommend using an e collar for that added layer of communication when off leash. In time, you will see - your dog will be just as responsive with or without the e-collar.

My dog is boarding with you while I travel, can you take them hiking for exercise?

We will only bring dogs to the park for off leash hiking ect. on a case by case basis. This is because we want to ensure that whatever we do with your dog, its done safely. If we have e-collar trained your dog and we are confident in their recall ability, we are always HAPPY to take your dog to the park. Otherwise - we can walk your dog on leash or allow them play time in the backyard.