Delaware Board & Train Programs

“Dogs will be dogs”—true, but that doesn’t mean they have to be out of control! All of our dog training services are designed to address behavior problems, and to teach your dog reliable basic obedience and stellar household and leash manners. We train all dogs in the board & train format, and we offer both a basic program and an extended program.

“the basics” BOARD & TRAIN Program

This is our most popular option! This program provides a thorough dog behavior transformation. It also includes 6 private lessons with your family to make sure you know how to keep this good behavior going after your dog returns home.

hybrid board & train program

The “hybrid” option is a board & train program where your dog comes to stay with me for the week, but returns home to you on the weekends! Each week you will learn a little more about how to implement their new good behavior at home.

“The Basics” Board & Train Program

This 3-week board and train program is a comprehensive training program that helps transform your dog from chaotic to calm. Your dog will come to stay with me at my home and during that time will be fully immersed in a 24/7 lifestyle training program.

Your dog will learn:

• The 5 basic obedience commands (sit/stay, down/stay, heel, place, recall), all proofed for use in real life contexts

• A calmer overall state of mind that helps bring out the best in your dog

• Manners such as greeting manners, crate manners, and overall household manners

• “Real world” skills like walking politely on leash in crowded places, and calm, polite behavior at dog-friendly cafes

• The skills for off-leash freedom

The program also addresses basic behavioral issues like jumping, barking, hyperactivity, counter-surfing, mouthing, etc. (Note: For dogs with more intense behavioral issues, please see our extended board & train program.)

Investment: $3,000 - price includes:

• 3 weeks of boarding & training in my home (your dog stays with me for 3 full weeks)

• 6 private lessons:

  • 3 private lessons with you + your dog during the board & train (you’ll get to see your dog about once a week for these lessons)

  • 3 private lessons with you + your dog after the board & train (30, 60 and 90 days after your dog graduates, all scheduled in advance)

• A detailed go-home plan so you know exactly what you need to do to keep your dog’s behavior in a good space long-term

• Training tools: prong collar, e-collar, long line

• A copy of Sean O’Shea’s book The Good Dog Way: Love Them By Leading Them

• Alumni benefits (weekly pack walks, lifetime email support, etc.)

Applications for the board & train program are closed at this time.

Hybrid Board & Train Program

The hybrid board & train program is essentially a combination of a board & train program and training in your home. Your dog comes to stay with me Monday through Friday, and returns to you on the weekends!

The hybrid program is very similar to the basics board & train option described above. Monday through Friday, your dog is immersed in a 24/7 lifestyle training program here at my home with me. On Friday, you’ll do a brief lesson with me to review what your dog has learned during the week, and then your dog will return home with you for the weekend.

We created this hybrid program to give families an opportunity to learn with their dog. This makes their final transition home MUCH easier! By the time your dog graduates from training and returns home for good, you and your household will already have a good idea of how to maintain your dog’s new good behavior. This best prepares you for long term success!

Your dog will learn:

• The 5 basic obedience commands (sit/stay, down/stay, heel, place, recall), all proofed for use in real life contexts

• A calmer overall state of mind that helps bring out the best in your dog

• Manners such as greeting manners, crate manners, and overall household manners

• “Real world” skills like walking politely on leash in crowded places, and calm, polite behavior at dog-friendly cafes

• The skills for off-leash freedom

The program also addresses basic behavioral issues like jumping, barking, hyperactivity, counter-surfing, mouthing, etc. (Note: For dogs with more intense behavioral issues, please see our extended board & train program.)

Investment: $2,600 - price includes:

• 3 weeks of boarding & training in my home Monday through Friday (your dog returns home each weekend)

• 6 private lessons:

  • 3 private lessons with you + your dog during the board & train (every Friday before returning home)

  • 3 private lessons with you + your dog after the board & train (30, 60 and 90 days after your dog graduates, all scheduled in advance)

• A detailed go-home plan so you know exactly what you need to do to keep your dog’s behavior in a good space long-term

• Training tools: prong collar, e-collar, long line

• A copy of Sean O’Shea’s book The Good Dog Way: Love Them By Leading Them

• Alumni benefits (weekly pack walks, lifetime email support, etc.)

Applications for the board & train program are closed at this time.

Extended Board & Train Programs

(Note: We are not accepting applications for the extended board & train programs at this time.)

The extended board and train programs are designed for dogs who have more complex behavioral issues that require a little more time to work through. They teach everything covered in The Basics program (detailed above) while also addressing your dog’s behavioral issues.

This program may be appropriate for dogs with behavioral issues such as:

• Leash reactivity

• Resource guarding

• Anxiety

• A bite history (biting humans or dogs)

The extended board & train program can last 4 or 5 weeks, and dogs are accepted on a case-by-case basis. Please fill out the board & train application and I will let you know if your dog qualifies for this program and how long it will be.

4-week board & train: $4,000 - includes:

• 4-weeks of boarding & training in my home

• 7 private lessons:

  • 4 private lessons with you + your dog during the board & train (you’ll get to see your dog about once a week for these lessons)

  • 3 private lessons with you + your dog after the board & train (30, 60 and 90 days after your dog graduates, all scheduled in advance)

• A detailed go-home plan so you know exactly what you need to do to keep your dog’s behavior in a good space long-term

• Training tools: prong collar, e-collar, long line

• A copy of Sean O’Shea’s book The Good Dog Way: Love Them By Leading Them

• Alumni benefits (weekly pack walks, lifetime email support, etc.)

5-week board & train: $5,000 - includes:

• 5-weeks of boarding & training in my home

• 8 private lessons:

  • 5 private lessons with you + your dog during the board & train (you’ll get to see your dog about once a week for these lessons)

  • 3 private lessons with you + your dog after the board & train (30, 60 and 90 days after your dog graduates, all scheduled in advance)

• A detailed go-home plan so you know exactly what you need to do to keep your dog’s behavior in a good space long-term

• Training tools: prong collar, e-collar, long line

• A copy of Sean O’Shea’s book The Good Dog Way: Love Them By Leading Them

• Alumni benefits (weekly pack walks, lifetime email support, etc.)

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