At Greenside Canine Training, we pride ourselves on offering a wide variety of dog training programs for our clients. Whether you’re looking for a group class, one-on-one private lesson training, or a specialized program, we believe we have a program that will achieve your dog training goals.
We offer several dog training options for a very important reason – every dog (and every owner) has unique circumstances that means one style of learning may be more beneficial compared with another. It depends on many factors – and this is a discussion we frequently have with prospective clients before they begin a training program. We ask dog owners to consider the following questions – what outcomes are you looking for from your investment in dog training? Are there behavioral concerns that mean the need for training is particularly urgent? As their owner, how much time do you have available to work with your dog outside of training sessions? The answers to these questions can help shape the structure of your dog’s training program.
Dog owners often have questions regarding our Board and Train programs, which are delivered out of our training facility located north of Indianapolis. People typically want to know the reasons why our Board and Train programs may be beneficial – so in this article, we’re going to outline some of the key factors that may dictate this as the best option for training their dog.
First up - what is a Board and Train program?
A Board and Train program involves your dog staying with a professional dog trainer for a set period of time, where they will be trained on a daily basis to achieve desired dog training goals.
Prior to the program beginning, you and the trainer will discuss your training goals and the objectives. Once the dog is at the facility, the trainer will work with your dog every day to help resolve undesirable habits and teach your dog the behaviors that align with the training goals.
Board and Train programs can vary in length and complexity. At Greenside Canine, we offer three Board and Train programs, lasting two, four and six weeks respectively. Our two week program primarily covers on-leash obedience; our four week option has an off-leash component; and our six week program is designed for dogs with no history of formal obedience training and who may have significant behavioral issues, like fear or aggression. All of our programs also include two private lessons (one at pickup, and the other a couple of weeks afterwards) so that you have full confidence in your dog’s new skills.
Reasons why a Board and Train program may be a good fit
As we outlined at the beginning of this article, certain dog training programs will be preferable for different dogs, depending on a range of factors. Here are a few reasons why you may choose to enroll your dog in a Board and Train program.
You are a time-pressed dog owner
Many other forms of dog training require your active participation as an owner. For example, with private lessons, there is ‘homework’ that you must complete between sessions to ensure that your dog continues to move towards its training objectives. If you’re short on time – perhaps you work full-time, or you have to juggle duties around the home with caring for your family – there may not be sufficient time in your schedule to work with your dog in between sessions.
With this in mind, a Board and Train program can be a great solution for dog owners with a busy lifestyle. You simply drop your dog off on the dropoff date, and pick them up a few weeks later. Professional dog trainers will ensure you go home with the information you need to continue to reinforce your dog’s new traits, and should follow up once the dog has settled back into their home environment to check on progress.
More one-on-one time with a professional trainer
In a private lesson or group class, your dog will typically interact with the trainer for approximately an hour. After that, it will be a full week before the trainer works with your dog again. Even with the best of intentions as an owner, resolving some behaviors requires a serious time investment. Additionally, teaching your dog some skills requires timing skills that can realistically only come from a professional with a foundation of education and knowledge.
In a Board and Train program, your dog will spend lots of time one-on-one with their trainer. The trainer will be able to systematically teach and proof new behaviors by working on them, day after day. Little and often is a great approach for learning many new skills. Dog trainers will often structure training sessions in several shorter bursts to ensure the dog is able to focus and retain the information.
Your dog has a serious behavioral problem
If your dog is exhibiting aggressive or fearful behavior, it is likely that it will take plenty of time to diagnose and resolve the issue. A group class is definitely not the ideal setting to achieve this goal; even private lessons present some limitations, because trainers have a finite amount of time to work with the dog each week.
Serious behavioral problems can be tackled more effectively in a Board and Train setting. Your dog’s trainer will have sufficient one-on-one training time to ensure that the training is successful.
You are heading out on vacation
This is an often overlooked reason for signing your dog up a Board and Train program! However, it makes total sense. After all, if you are planning on heading out-of-town and will already need to find a dog sitter or boarding solution for your pup, why not combine the boarding aspect with a training program? Not only will your dog have a vacation themselves, but it is a great opportunity for them to learn new skills or iron out any problematic behaviors.
Professional expertise and care
When your dog spends time at a training facility for their Board and Train program, they are under the supervision of a professional dog trainer for their entire stay. This is a far more preferable solution to an inexperienced hand at a boarding only facility, particularly if you have a dog who isn’t always perfectly behaved. A knowledgeable trainer can pair your dog with other dogs staying at the facility to set up training scenarios with distractions, and they will also understand how to properly socialize your dog around other animals and humans.
Is a Board and Train program right for your dog?
Ultimately, as a dog owner, you have several options for your dog’s training. Some dogs will only require a straightforward group class to pick up their obedience commands; others, with more complex behavioral needs, will truly feel the benefit from a stay at a dog training facility. Your own personal and family circumstances should also factor into your thinking.
At Greenside Canine Training, we’d love to discuss the best training option for your dog with you! Our dog training facility is located just north of Indianapolis, and our Board and Train programs are popular and effective. To speak with one of our trainers, simply call (317) 558-9145 or email train@greensidecanine.com.