One of the concerns that a lot of clients come to me with is the fear that their dog will be sad or lonely during one of our board-and-train programs. They wonder if they’re being mean by wanting to send their dog off to “doggy bootcamp” and worry that their pets won’t be happy in a new environment.
Luckily, I have experienced quite the opposite during my time training dogs, and today I hope to dispel some myths and address some of those common concerns.
Do Dogs Get Sad on Board and Train?
Dogs may get somewhat stressed early on in a new environment, but dogs to not typically show signs of prolonged “sadness” during training.
Usually, and largely depending on the dog, the first day or two of a board-and-train program are going to be a little stressful. They are in a new environment, and things are usually quite different than they are at home. During this time, it’s important that your trainer respects that your dog is likely overwhelmed, and gives them time to decompress.
When new dogs come in for a board-and-train, we make a point of giving a good chunk of decompression time. “Day zero,” as we call it is mostly made up of quiet time and potty breaks; dedicated training starts after the dog has settled in and calmed down.
That said, I have yet to see a dog who displays a prolonged “sadness” during a board-and-train program. After settling in, most dogs adjust to their new environment and are ready to get playing, training, and learning.
Will My Dog Miss Me at Board and Train?
In my experience, dogs are generally happy during board-and-train, and are much more focused on what’s in front of them than moping about their people. Dogs are very in-the-moment types.
While I have no reason to think that dogs “miss” their people in the way of pining and feeling lonely, they are almost always elated to see their people again when it’s time to go home.
I typically ask owners ahead of time to refrain from hyping their dog up when they reunite, and to simply wait until the dog is calm in a sit before calling them over. This is because it’s a pretty consistent pattern that dogs will recognize their home or their person and, more often than not, become excited and wiggly.
So while dogs really don’t worry about it in the moment, your dog will absolutely remember you and be happy to see you again when training is done.
Is Board and Train Good for Dogs?
Board and train is usually a great option for dogs to get an immersive experience and a chance to learn all that they can from a trainer.
Every trainer or business does things a little differently, but at Lugaru K9 Training we have a very 24/7 type of training style. Dogs live in-home with their trainer, get to work on their specific goals and behaviors, and go out into the real world on a regular basis. This type of training is engaging and attentive, and is beneficial for a lot of different dogs and training goals.
When is Board and Train a Good Idea?
Board-and-train is a good idea when a dog has “chunkier” behavior concerns that the dog owner may not be confident about handling themselves. For example, we handle things like aggression, reactivity, and other unwanted behaviors that can be difficult or even dangerous for less experienced handlers and dog owners. Being able to board your dog for a few weeks and get them back with significantly improved behaviors is not just a good idea, it’s the safest option for the dog and owner.
Board-and-train is also a great option for dog owners who don’t live close to their preferred trainer or training facility, as the additional cost of a board-and-train program is often offset by the savings of time, gas, tolls, and other factors. Many of our clients at Lugaru K9 Training come from the Seattle area or out on the Olympic Peninsula, where private lessons to Kitsap County are simply not realistic; a one-time drive to Port Orchard for drop-off or arranging pickup of their dog is much easier than managing distance with lessons.
It’s also a great idea for busy dog lovers who just realistically don’t have the time to front the initial training period their dog may need. People who work a full-time job outside of training, a family to tend to, or other “life happens” events that need attention, all benefit from hiring someone else to do the bulk of the work for them.
We also get dog owners ready to head off on an extended vacation who already need boarding for their dogs hiring us for board-and-train. As long as you can provide your trainer with a solid emergency contact that will be available while you are away, this is often a great chance to set your dog up for success while you have to be away anyway. Coming back from vacation to a well-behaved dog is a vacation all its own.
When is Board and Train a Bad Idea?
Board-and-train may not be a great option for everyone. Some dogs might display certain behaviors only in relation to their owner; in these cases, it is better for the owner to be doing work on themselves, the structure of their household, and their relationship with their dog, as well as rewarding or correcting the right behaviors.
That said, the two concepts do not have to be mutually exclusive. Many of our clients have bundled a board-and-train with a few extra private lessons (in addition to the ones you get included in your board-and-train package) so that we as trainers can help do that initial training while the owner studies and prepares for their dog to come home. Then, they get to work in-home with the same trainer that handled their board-and-train to make sure they stay on-track and get the most out of their training.
