Will my dog listen to me when they come home?
That's what pickup day is for. You'll spend an hour running your dog through everything while we coach you. After that, 5 to 10 minutes of practice a day keeps it going, and your follow-ups never expire, so they're there whenever you want a tune-up.
My dog is reactive, or has bitten. Can you help?
Lots of our board and train dogs start out reactive. Jaidyn's and Dominick's stories above are two of them. They still practice around other dogs, mostly our own, in small steps: far enough away that they stay calm, and closer only as they're ready, so they never get to the barking-and-lunging point. Tell us everything on the call, including any bites, and we'll tell you honestly whether board and train is the right fit.
Will my dog be around aggressive dogs?
Never up close. We get this question a lot, and it's a good one. Dogs with aggression live in their own separate area, and dogs never play off-leash together. When they're learning to be around other dogs, they mostly practice with our own. If they ever work near yours, it's from a distance with a fence between them, and we'd never put your dog anywhere they could get scared. We'd rather be overly careful than sorry.
Why does board and train cost more than lessons?
With lessons, you get an hour a week with a trainer and do the rest on your own. With board and train, your dog lives here and works with our crew every day for weeks, and then we teach you how to keep it going. More of the work is ours, so it costs more.
Do you guarantee results?
No, and be wary of anyone who does. Dogs aren't machines, and every dog moves at their own pace, so not every dog reaches every goal by the end of their stay. We do as much as we can with the time we have and the dog in front of us. What you can count on: training every day, updates you can see, a handoff lesson where you learn it all, and follow-ups to keep it going.
What if my dog gets sick or hurt?
We call or message you right away, every time. Our next-door neighbor is Kritter Kamp, an emergency and general vet we work with regularly, so care is never far. In an emergency, your dog gets care first (you authorize that when you enroll). If it isn't urgent, we ask what you'd like before anything is done. In the middle of the night, we use a 24-hour emergency hospital. Vet bills go to you, at the vet's normal rates.
What do I need to bring?
Enough of their food to last the whole stay, plus any medication, and a muzzle if they wear one. Their bed is welcome too, but some dogs treat beds as chew toys, so bring one you won't miss.
How old does my dog need to be?
Usually at least 16 weeks. Younger pups are welcome once they've had their shots. Puppy training works a little differently from adult training, and we'll explain how on the call. Seniors are welcome too.
Where are you located?
Our home base is in the San Diego County hills. Most of our families drive in from Orange County and LA. Board and train takes two trips, drop-off and pickup, and your follow-ups fit in whenever you're down this way. We'll go over everything on your free call.
Can you just board my dog, without training?
Yes. Boarding on its own has a 3-day minimum for new clients. Just mention it when you reach out.
