Is A Board And Train Program Right For Me And My Dog?

Many people want to have a well-trained dog but when they try to train their dogs themselves they can't seem to get the results they want

. Or maybe they can't find the time it takes to work with their dog as much as they want. In some cases, maybe they don't have the desire to really do the training work with their dog. Some people take advantage of board and train programs for their dogs. These are programs where an owner takes his dog to live with a trainer (or trainers) for several weeks and the trainer does the training with the dog. Then the owner returns and the trainer spends some time teaching the owner how to take over the dog's handling.

Board and train programs have their advantages. The dog is in the hands of an expert trainer and may learn quickly. Sometimes the owner may be keeping the dog from learning so the dog may make great progress in a positive setting with an experienced trainer. The owner may also be more motivated to learn to handle and train his dog when he returns and sees the progress that his dog has made in only a couple of weeks.

On the other hand, some dogs may not adapt well to being away from home. Dogs with a "soft" temperament may pine for their owner or stop eating. Even with the best trainers, not all dogs react positively to being boarded away from home or to all training methods.

With board and train programs it's very important for the owner to make sure that he is placing his dog in the hands of a respected and reputable trainer. Owners should check out credentials and references as well as look at the premises where their dog will be staying. They should be certain that their dog will be treated well both physically and emotionally.

Another possibility with board and train programs is that the dog will be beautifully trained but that the owner will not be able to learn his part of the training when he returns to get his dog. Sometimes additional training classes are required to try to integrate the dog and the owner, or to teach the owner what he needs to know to handle the dog. Unless the owner is committed to learning what he needs to know it won't matter how well-trained the dog is. The dog and the owner will not be a well-trained team.

The success of board and train programs, as with most training, depends a great deal on the owner and the dog. The owner must be committed to learning how to handle his dog when the dog's training is finished. And the dog must have the kind of personality that will be able to adjust well to being away from home for several weeks and working with a trainer. The owner and the trainer should try to assess these variables when they discuss whether a board and train program is right for a particular dog and owner.

by: Tristan Andrews

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