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Specialty & Behavior
Board & Train Program
This program is tailored for dogs who need extra support with behavioral or emotional challenges. It is ideal for dogs struggling with fear, anxiety, reactivity, or confidence issues, as well as older puppies who missed early potty and crate training. With a lower trainer-to-dog ratio and individualized plans, this program focuses on building trust, easing sensitivities, and helping dogs feel comfortable and capable in a variety of settings.
Program Information:
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The Specialty & Behavior Program is best suited for dogs six months and older who need extra support beyond basic manners. This program is designed for dogs who may be struggling with fear, anxiety, reactivity, or confidence issues, as well as older puppies who did not have the opportunity to fully develop reliable potty or crate training during their early stages. Our goal is to give these dogs the tools, confidence, and structure they need to feel safe and thrive at home and in the world around them.
In this program, we focus on building confidence through safe, structured exposure and carefully tailored desensitization exercises. Training may include addressing reactivity on leash, easing sensitivity to handling or noises, and teaching coping strategies for anxiety. We also work on impulse control and household manners, such as calm greetings, reducing barking, and respecting boundaries. Because every dog in this program has unique challenges, the plan is customized to fit their specific needs and progresses at their pace.
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As with all our programs, dogs stay in the home of one of our professional trainers, where they receive individualized care and daily structured training. Families are provided with resources before, during, and after the program, detailed report cards to track progress, and ongoing support after graduation to help maintain consistency at home.
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The Specialty & Behavior Program begins at three weeks, though many families choose four or more weeks to give their dog the time needed to build trust, create positive associations, and establish new habits. Six weeks is our most popular option, as it allows us to thoroughly address behavior concerns and minimize the risk of regression once your dog transitions back home. For dogs with more complex behavioral needs, an eight-week program may provide the most stability and long-lasting results.
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It’s important to remember that every behavior change takes time, consistency, and reinforcement. The longer your dog stays with us, the more opportunities we have to carefully practice, proof, and reinforce new skills, reducing the risk of setbacks and setting your family up for lasting success.
What is Covered:
The Specialty & Behavior Program is designed for dogs who need extra support with fear, anxiety, reactivity, or confidence issues, as well as older puppies who may still be struggling with potty or crate training. Because every dog in this program has unique needs, training is highly individualized and progresses at their pace. Our goal is to build trust, create positive associations, and give your dog the tools they need to feel safe and succeed both at home and in public.
Reinforcement of Potty and Crate Training
For older puppies or dogs who did not fully master potty or crate routines earlier, we revisit and reinforce these critical skills. By establishing predictable schedules and positive crate experiences, we help build a solid routine for success at home.
Commands
We build reliability with essential commands such as sit, down, place, stay, and recall, while working on duration and consistency. This ensures that obedience holds up even under distraction or stress.
Individualized Behavior Plans
Because no two dogs are the same, every Specialty & Behavior Program is customized. We design specific strategies for your dog’s challenges, keep you updated with detailed report cards, and provide ongoing support so you can continue progress after graduation.
Socialization & Desensitization to Triggers
Whether it’s loud noises, new surfaces, handling, or household stressors, we gradually introduce and desensitize your dog to their triggers in a safe and supportive way, helping to reduce fear and anxiety over time. We also support socialization by introducing your dog to new people, other dogs, and new environments at your dogs pace, ensuring we build a positive association.
Leash Training
​We teach your dog to feel more comfortable and controlled on leash. For some, this means easing leash sensitivity or fear; for others, it involves reducing reactivity and learning to walk calmly without pulling. Our goal is to create safer, more enjoyable walks where both you and your dog can feel confident.
Obedience
We reinforce calm greetings, boundaries with furniture, leaving food or counters alone, reducing inappropriate chewing, and eliminating excessive barking. These lessons help your dog develop better self-control and predictable behavior in everyday life.
Program Lengths:
Every dog’s behavioral needs are different, and the right length of stay depends on the severity of their challenges, how quickly they gain confidence, and your household’s goals. In general, the longer your dog stays with us, the more opportunities we have to create positive associations, practice calm behaviors, and reduce the risk of regression when they return home. Shorter programs are a good way to introduce structure and begin addressing challenges, while longer programs allow us to make meaningful progress with reactivity, fear, or anxiety. As always, consistency at home after graduation is essential for lasting success.
Three Weeks
Minimum
A starting point for addressing behavior concerns. We begin building trust, introducing structured routines, identifying triggers, and laying the groundwork for progress. This option is best for families who can continue closely reinforcing the work at home.
Four Weeks
Extended Progress
Four weeks allows us to make more noticeable progress with behavior modification. This time frame is especially helpful for dogs with moderate reactivity, anxiety, or confidence issues, giving us the opportunity to repeat exposures and reinforce calm responses.
Six Weeks
Most Popular
Our most popular option for behavior cases. Six weeks provides enough time to address more complex challenges, build stronger coping strategies, and create a reliable foundation for long-term improvement. Families who choose this program want the added security of deeper, more consistent progress before their dog returns home.
Eight Weeks
Comprehensive
The most immersive program, designed for dogs with significant fear, reactivity, anxiety, or for severe potty training issues at an advanced stage of development. Eight weeks gives us the time to carefully pace desensitization, strengthen positive associations, and build lasting habits. This option provides the greatest opportunity to minimize setbacks and maximize your dog’s confidence and stability when transitioning back to family life.
