Frequently Asked Questions

Potty training is an issue that ultimately must be done in your home. That being said, we lay the foundation and instructions for you to successfully potty train your dog. During the training program, puppies and dogs are crate trained and introduced to a potty schedule where they learn to go potty when taken to a potty area. If potty training is one of your goals, you will receive detailed instructions as to how to continue the potty training in your home. You must follow the instructions given to complete the training.
Older dogs with potty training issues may have other underlying issues. Dogs raised in dirty conditions as puppies can be a challenge as they started life used to being dirty. This is a common problem with dogs rescued from puppy mills or hoarding situations. If your dog is urinating frequently, it would be advisable to first take your dog to the vet to check for a urinary tract infection and general health check before training.

Training starts as soon as you get your puppy! Puppies start learning as soon as they open their eyes and start exploring the world. Most people get their puppies between 8 to 10 weeks of age. We strongly recommend not taking a puppy younger than 8 weeks old away from its mother and siblings. Depending on your puppy’s age, you can participate in different programs.
PUPPY KINDERGARTEN: Puppies can start puppy kindergarten class at 8 weeks old after their first shots with the understanding that you are balancing a calculated risk of disease with the need to properly socialize your puppy during critical developmental periods. While risk of exposure to diseases such as parvo and lepto are limited when attending a puppy class, there is always a risk. On the flip side, not exposing your puppy to the world for a month while waiting on the next set of shots may negatively impact the puppy’s mental development. Most veterinarians clear puppies for full activities after the second set of shots generally given around 12 weeks of age.
PUPPY BOARD AND TRAIN: Puppies must be 12 weeks of age and have had two sets of shots before coming for boarding.

Yes, but only if owners follow instructions properly. Digging and chewing are symptoms of a bigger problem, namely a bored dog. We are aware of “quick fix” methods using harsh compulsion to stop digging and chewing without addressing the underlying problems, however we will not use those methods as it is completely unfair to the dog and can cause aggression as a side effect. We will be happy to fix digging and chewing problems with owners who are willing to accept their role in improving the life of their dog, making changes, and executing proper management.

Our programs range from group classes $150 to our day school, board and train obedience programs that range from $1300 to $3000, to our 6-8 week programs for dog and/or aggressive dogs that range from $3000 to $7000. Private lesson packages are also available.

Yes. Nipping and biting are issues that tend to run with the underlying problem of a dog with no basic knowledge of rules, boundaries, or impulse control. It is also indicative of understandably inexperienced owners who have acquired a dog with more energy, intelligence, and drive than they are prepared to handle. We teach the dogs obedience skills and alternate behaviors to replace these undesirable behaviors. Also key to the process is training the owners how to properly handle their dogs and continue the training. There is NO training program that does not require full participation from the owners.

We will review with you your goals and clearly set forth our program goals to reach and foreseeable limitations. That being said, dogs are living, breathing creatures, not robots, and the process of training and behavior modification is a team effort, therefore lasting results are dependent upon the cooperation and dedication of the owner as well. We will give you the instructions and guidance to create a positive and healthy relationship with your dog and will continue to work with you to achieve your goals, however you must be part of the process and put in full effort with us. If, for whatever reason, you do not feel we were a good fit for you and your dog and your expectations were not met, we have a refund policy for the training portion of your dog’s stay.

There is no training that can exist in a vacuum without owners willing to follow instructions, make changes in their own behavior, and learn how to better the lives of their canine companions. We choose to work with owners willing to do their part in improving the lives of their dogs alongside us. Those looking for a quick fix without effort on their part are not a good fit for our program and would be better suited for a quick-turnaround, compulsion-based program elsewhere.

Yes, absolutely. Good leash manners are a part of all of our board and train programs. In our obedience programs, we teach the dogs both informal loose leash walking as well as the more formal “heel” and sit on halt.
Can you stop my dog from barking and lunging at other dogs?
Yes. Again, you as the owner must continue the training after your dog leaves our program. Most dogs that display this behavior are “reactive” rather than truly aggressive and the behaviors can be modified very successfully in our program.

Most simply put, a reactive dog is a dog that generally overreacts to stimuli in its environment. Reactivity almost always stems from insecurity and fear. Reactive behaviors are generally caused by one or more of the following: lack of proper socialization, genetic weaknesses, bad experiences, insufficient training, and lack of impulse control. Reactive dogs generally are not initiating any actions to harm or bite anyone, rather reacting in a way to keep away whatever is in the environment that makes them uncomfortable. Because reactive behaviors are based in insecurity and fear, a reactive dog will choose to avoid conflict before instigating a fight, however if a reactive dog feels trapped or backed into a corner, it very well could bite. Additionally, if left unchecked, some reactive dogs may progress to aggression.

Aggressive dogs may be perfectly stable companions in the correct hands, or very dangerous liabilities in the wrong hands. Aggressive dogs have the intent and desire to bite and cause serious harm to humans or other dogs. Some dogs are aggressive toward other dogs, but not toward humans. Dogs that are aggressive toward humans are the most difficult and dangerous to handle and train. We will help you determine whether your dog is truly aggressive, the level of risk associated with the dog, and honestly guide you through your options.

A typical day for your dog when staying for a board and train program is a balance of work, exercise, potty breaks, and rest. First thing in the morning, usually starting around 6:30am, all the dogs are given time in turfed runs to stretch their legs and potty. These potty breaks are done several times all day long, the last breaks being between 9:30pm and 11:00pm. Training dogs are also taken outside on training walks as well as indoor training sessions. How many sessions and length of sessions depend on what your dog is working on that particular day. Some days there may be one long session, and another day 2 or 3 short sessions. Dogs in training require time to rest and to process what they are learning. Quiet time for them is extremely important for the learning process.