Why You Probably DO NOT Want A Board & Train / Doggy Bootcamp Program

For the vast majority of dogs, this is not the answer to your doggy woes.

What Is A Board & Train Program?

Board and train program is when you send your dog to be trained under a professional trainer for x # of weeks to work on specific behavior issues.

Why Would My Dog Need a Board and Train Program?

Board and train programs, if done properly, can help train your dog to do (or stop doing) specific behaviours.

99% of the time, private one on one sessions involving the owner is a more effective long term option because the owner learns how to make the necessary changes needed to help their dogs behaviour for the long term.

99% of the time, private one on one sessions involving the owner is a more effective long term option.

When Is A Board &Train Recommended?

Board and train programs are usually recommended when the dogs behaviour issues put their household family members in danger, and the owners do not feel safe around their dog OR the dog is presenting with a problem that is too challenging for the average person to try to work on with the guidance of a trainer.

Typical behaviors or training needs that could warrant a board and train program would be:

  • Aggression when putting on a collar, leash or muzzle.
  • True separation anxiety (see blog on separation anxiety)
  • Dog to dog aggression and socialization issues (if the goal is for the dog to be social with dogs in the future)
  • Any other behaviour that causes the owner to be incapable of handling their dog safely (even with the help of certain tools).
  • E-collar training

The issues above are still often very trainable in one on one sessions, but typically is something that should be assessed by a professional trainer first before making a decision to do a board and train. 

Rottweiler with a muzzle and leash on in a down at a board and train program.

Why A Board & Train Might NOT Be The Answer To Your Dogs Behaviour Problems

Many people look to a board and train program when their dogs are misbehaving. The problem is that completing a board and train program alone does not always address the root causes for your dogs behaviour issues. 

Example 1: Leash Reactivity

Leash reactivity is almost always rooted in the dog believing its their job to protect their family. This occurs due to a common miscommunication that typically occurs multiple times a day. If a dogs owners are constantly unintentionally telling their dog that they need to be protecting them, even the most timid and fearful dog will eventually take on the job.

Because most board and train programs rely on obedience training, and do not address relationship building with their owner, I have worked with countless owners who’s dogs have completed a board and train for this issue, and within 5 days of coming home, the reactivity starts again. 

Example 2: Destructive Chewing

Dogs chew things due to two different reasons: 1. They don’t understand its not theirs to chew 2. They are board and frustrated and haven’t gotten adequate exercise.

While a board and train program can teach dogs to stop being destructive to a certain degree, it would be impossible to teach the dog EVERY item in the dogs household, meaning, if this stems from lack of clarity, it will not be fixed when they come home if the owners are not on top of their dog and teaching them what is and isn’t theirs. 

It would also be up to the owners to continue with crate training and proper exercise if the destructive behaviour was coming from a place of frustration or boredom.

Board & Train Programs DO NOT Solve All Training Issues

A dog surrounded by destroyed things after completing a board and train.

The following issues often DO NOT work or translate well after a board and train program ends and the dog is back at the family home:

  • Potty training
  • Destructive chewing
  • Incessant barking out the window or at noises outside
  • Issues with children in the home
  • Issues with other dogs in the home (unless all dogs are taken in for the board and train)

The issues above are specific to your home environment and relationship to you as the owner. Regular one on one training sessions are recommended to help fix these issues.

Kristina, owner of award winning dog training company in Toronto Hairy Tales, in the forest with her two rescue dogs Batuk and Foxy.

For decades, board and train bootcamps that rely on obedience training have been the foundation of dog training. While teaching obedience commands can be useful for keeping your dog out of trouble, I’ve learned through years of experience that lasting behavior change starts with the relationship between your dog and YOU! Before obedience, dogs need to understand respect, clear communication, and consistent rules and boundaries. These are the keys to building a calm, well-behaved dog—not just one that follows commands.

Kristina Rapson
The Hairy Dogmother

Board & Train Programs Do Not Solve All Training Issues

While a board and train program can help teach obedience commands and enforce rules, relying on this alone often misses a critical piece to helping your dog with their issues. Your relationship and communication with your dog is the MOST critical piece. Unfortunately, most dog owners unintentionally miscommunicate in “dog language,” which can lead dogs to believe they are the leader instead. When your dog sees themselves as the leader and protector, it creates a leadership mindset that makes daily life harder. Your dog may feel responsible not only for their safety but yours as well, causing behavior challenges that go beyond simple obedience issues.

The Science Behind Leadership In Dogs

Learn more about the science behind the importance of leadership with dogs.

How Do I Book a Board and Train for my Dog?

Owners must show their commitment to keeping up with the training when the dog goes home, otherwise the board and train will not stick, and the dogs behaviour will quickly regress back to what it was before.

This is why Kristina requires 2 one on one sessions to be completed before deciding on whether a board and train program is right for your dog. An initial consultation and meet and greet needs to take place first, and a second follow up session to assure your commitment to your dog’s training. At this point MOST clients are already seeing enough improvement that they decide a board and train is not necessary.

What does a board and train cost?

Board and train programs typically start at $1000 per week. Most behaviour modification cases require at least 3-4 weeks to be successful.

  • On rare occasions, Hairy Tales will take on a board and train, however owners must do a few sessions first to show their commitment to their dogs rehabilitation before starting the board and train.

Still Not Sure if You Need a Board and Train?​

I offer free 15 minute discovery call to answer any additional questions you might have.

Book A Free Discovery Call
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  • My 2 yorkies used to love each other, but two months ago they started fighting every day, it was a stressful situation at home. Kristina was the second trainer to try to fix this dog agression situation. She solved 70% of my problem in ONE DAY. Check the picture of my yorkies, they are together in the same room without killing each other!!!!! It happened literally 2 days after we started doing what Kristina told us to! I am looking foward to the next session, I am really confident that they will become the most polite dogs in the world

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  • My husband and I had an excellent first meeting with Kristina., with our two dogs. She gave us valuable additional insight and recommendations with how to respond to certain situations. Already, within the first week after the visit we are experiencing significant improvement with both dogs, in their respective areas of need i.e. better walking with one, and less reactivity in the other. Thanks Kristina for a great start, and we will be coming back for follow up sessions!

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  • Kristina did a wonderful job with my dog, Simon. After just one session I have already noticed a difference in his behaviour. His anxiety has noticeably gone down, and he is much more calm than before. She also gave me some great tips to potty train him and get him to stop pulling on his leash when we are out for walks. She really understands dogs and how they think and she knows how to get to the root of the issues you're having with them.

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  • After only 2 sessions with Kristina, the owner of Hairy Tales, my 3 year old 'COVID' dog is well on his way from being a hyper, anxious, reactive leash-tugger to a loose-leash, non-reactive, well mannered dog. Let's be honest - most training is 'training the owner' on how to take control and manage their dog but the benefits I see in my own dog is amazing. I could not have come this far without Kristina's guidance. My dog is now calmer, less reactive to squirrels & other dogs and is well on his way to learning how to behave when visitors come into our home. It's about consistency, having the right tools and having a great teacher. Kristina takes the time to understand you and your dog; explains and teaches how to modify their behaviour (and your own) so that your dog can be a dog and not a pest. Every day, the improvements are amazing and I couldn't be more impressed. My only regret is I didn't know about Kristina earlier. Thank you Kristina for changing my life with Finnegan - AND Finnegan thanks you too!

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  • Had our first consult with Kristina and she is amazing! Very knowledgeable in what she does and is providing us with the right steps to help our dog. Looking forward to the remainder of our sessions with her. Already feel like we have a better understanding of our dog and his behaviors from Kristina’s help

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