Will enrolling your dog in an immersive board and train program help them learn to behave as you desire at home? Absolutely! Immersion learning works for people, so why not dogs?
Immersion is a popular method for people learning new languages. In an environment where only the new language is spoken, the student is supposed to learn faster and more thoroughly. Research suggests that students may be more cognitively, emotionally, and behaviorally engaged.
In board and train programs, dogs receive training away from home for several weeks. They are submerged in an environment filled with distractions and are taught how to focus and obey commands despite what’s happening around them.
Let’s look at the board and train concept and how it benefits both dog parents and dogs.
What Is Board and Train Dog Training?
In a board and train program, your dog typically stays at a training facility for two to three weeks for comprehensive, one-on-one training with professional trainers. There is plenty of time for several training sessions per day with multiple trainers. Your dog can learn much faster than a typical training program in this immersion-style program. They can be observed all day, so there is more time to identify and address any issues that need more attention. Upon completing the program, you will learn to reinforce the new, improved behaviors through an in-home follow-up and future group training sessions.
Board and Train Is Different for Each Dog
Because of the ample time available, dog trainers in a board and train program can tailor your dog’s training. They conduct an evaluation to determine what issues the dog may have (e.g., separation anxiety, reactivity, or sensitivity) and what needs to be done to build a more confident dog. The average training time is three weeks, though that varies by the needs of each dog.
Requirements for Board and Train
Age
A puppy’s board and train can start at about six months of age. Younger puppies are not mentally developed enough to handle the hours of training. There is no upper age limit, though, and no such thing as too old! We’ve trained dogs over 10 years old.
Health
All dogs need to be up to date on health requirements: vaccinations, rabies shots, etc. We don’t want any parasites or illnesses that can be passed on to other dogs at the facility.
Aggression
Some dogs may be turned away if they have a history of biting. It’s not an automatic decision, however. We investigate the individual dog’s situation. What triggers biting? Why has the dog bitten people or other dogs? We make our decisions on a case-by-case basis.
Who Uses Board and Train
Some dog parents choose regular sessions (e.g., weekly) or a dog training camp, which they attend with their canine companions for several days in the company of other dogs and their humans. The dogs learn the desired behaviors, and the parents learn how to train their dogs and maintain good behavior after training is over.
But not everyone has the hours to devote to this kind of program. In addition, the dog’s behavior may be too challenging for some parents to handle independently. They need the help of a professional training program.
A board and train program is equipped to handle severe behaviors and provide a solid foundation for which some dog parents cannot put in the required time.
What Dogs Learn in Board and Train
As mentioned earlier, the training program is tailored to the dog’s specific needs. But in general, the dog needs to learn to give you their attention and not be distracted by the many things the real world puts in their way—people, animals, noises, smells, and interesting objects. The dog must understand that you are the pack leader, the one in control.
Typical behaviors learned (on and off leash) include:
- Coming to you when called
- Walking on a leash and heeling
- Not jumping on or lunging at people or other dogs
- Car behavior (getting in and out of a vehicle on command)
- Waiting (to “Sit” and “Down” and hold those positions until released from
- them)
- Not biting, chewing, digging inappropriately
- Any other problem areas for the specific dog
Choosing a Board and Train Program for Your Dog
Choosing any professional training for your dog should not be a quick decision. Unfortunately, the dog training world is not well regulated, so anyone can claim to be a great trainer. Your best bet is to ask for recommendations from people you trust, such as other dog parents and your veterinarian. There is also plenty of information online, so you can start with a search for “board and train dogs near me,” “board and train dog trainers,” or “board and train programs near me,” for example.
Look for programs that don’t promote a one size fits all approach. Every dog and dog parent is different and has specific needs. When you have a few candidates on your list, contact them and ask if you can go to their facility and observe for a short time. If they say no, strike them off your list. When you attend, look for staff that answers your questions satisfactorily, patient and knowledgeable trainers, and happy dogs.
A Parting Reminder
An immersive board and train program has the advantage of allowing your dog to first learn new behaviors in an isolated setting before having to perform them successfully while surrounded by the usual distractions of their home environment. It is also beneficial to a dog parent who may not have the time or knowledge to provide intensive training that some dogs need.
For more information about our K9 Basics Board and Train program, we invite you to visit our website and contact us to learn more.