Board & Train Overview

While every dog’s training program is customized to their training needs, your goals, and the dog’s lifestyle, the nuts and bolts of each training program are the same. The image below shares an outline of the board & train process, and we’ve also listed the steps here on this page.

Booking

If you’re reading this page, you’re likely at this phase right now! In order to reserve your dog's spot in our training program, you'll need to complete our contract and pay at least 50% of the training fee (the remaining 50% is due anytime prior to your dog’s arrival). We'll then finalize your dog's start date and share more information about preparing for the board & train.

Health

Your dog must be up to date on rabies, distemper and bordetella. If your dog is not already up to date on bordetella, then this vaccine MUST be given more than 2 weeks prior to your dog’s arrival. You'll also need to have a fecal exam (with negative results) to check for parasites/worms/giardia within four weeks of your dog's training start date. Training cannot begin without documentation that these requirements have been met.

Drop off

When you arrive for your drop off appointment we'll chat with you briefly about your dog and we'll send you home with a book to read while your dog is here. This book explains the philosophy behind the training, which will help you implement the training once your dog returns home. Please set aside time to read it. The dogs who do the best long term are the dogs with owners who have done their homework!

training

About 7-10 days after your dog arrives, we’ll email you to confirm your dog’s program length and schedule your dog’s go-home lessons.

While your dog is here at training, we'll share behind-the-scenes footage to our social media stories 3-4x/week. We'll also email you a midway update. Otherwise, no news is good news. I know you'll miss your dog, but please channel that energy into reading the book in preparation for their homecoming!

Go-home plan

After your dog arrives here, we'll email you the go-home plan and other preparation materials. Prior to your dog’s go-home lessons, please make sure that all the adults (and age-appropriate children) take time to review these in full and make any necessary arrangements for your dog’s homecoming. These materials are also helpful for future reference.

go-home lessons

The most important part of the board & train is the go-home lessons! After your dog's training is complete, we'll do two lessons with your household. We'll teach you everything you need to know to keep your dog's behavior in a good space after returning home. Your adherence to the training protocols, communication methods, and lifestyle is what will make or break your dog's long term success. Please be prepared to set aside time for these lessons.

homecoming

We'll do the first lesson here at Sadie's Rules about a week prior to your dog’s graduation. On or after your dog’s graduation date we’ll do a 2-part lesson, with the first part a field trip to a public space and the second part in your home. Your dog will remain home with you after that lesson, so that will be their official homecoming!

post-training phase

During your go-home lessons and in your go-home plan, we’ll talk a lot about your dog’s lifestyle after they return home. The most important thing to know right now is that training does not end when the board & train ends! When your dog first returns home, they’ll be doing the hard work of transitioning the skills and patterns they learned here at training to your home environment. The instructions and plan we give you are designed to help your dog with this hard work. It takes time for your dog to reset their associations with your home and with you, which is why this plan is designed to be implemented over a period of time. This post-training phase should last about 30-90 days depending on your dog’s behavior and personality. Please make sure you are able to provide a consistent lifestyle during that time window. Your dog should not travel with you, be left with a pet sitter, or be sent to board anywhere during that immediate post-training period. If you already have something planned for that time period, please talk with us now so we can help figure out a solution that does not compromise your dog’s good behavior.

long-term support

The board & train program includes lifetime email support. Please email us anytime you have a question about your dog's behavior, or if any challenges arise. We also periodically host pack walks for our alumni. These are great opportunities to practice your dog’s skills (and your handling skills!), get real-time feedback from us, and ask us questions. We are here to help! (Read more about the short and long term benefits of our board & train program here.)