07/09/2025
A lot of feedback I tend to get about offering Board & Train programs is “I could never leave my dog for that long” but that is often the major component in the success of B&T’s - the separation of the dog and their human who have, together, strengthened unwanted habits that became difficult, or merely impossible to manage. So then clients opt for the 10 or 14 day program simply because they’re shorter and cheaper 🫣
There’s no doubt that we can accomplish and make some pretty significant improvements in our 10 and 14 day programs, but when I get dogs like Zuzu, who I spend 4 full weeks with, it’s my favorite piece of all of this. Sure, a month without your dog seems insane. Scary even. But that’s such a small fraction of their life that will have a lifelong impact on their wellbeing.
What (i personally feel) my 10 & 14 day programs often lack (and why i almost always encourage clients to consider a 4+ week program) is the ability to really, truly bond with the dog. I want to see these dogs in every possible mental state that I can get them in. Happy, calm, stressed, excited, frustrated, fearful… because I want to show them how to work through those challenging emotions to regroup back to the happy, calm, and peaceful state. When our time together is compressed, I don’t always get to see those array of emotions therefore, I don’t get to complete the level of training that I would like. It feels a bit incomplete.
There’s a lot of information out there that states a dog needs 3-6 months to adapt when going through a big change. Whether it be a rehome situation, rescue/adoption, puppyhood, moving, etc. but clients want to see flawless progress in a matter of days or short weeks, or with an hour a week of work. I simply ask for 4-6 weeks. I know there’s a lot of components to that. But I hope inquiring minds understand how much I pour into these dogs during their time with me.
Zuzu (and many others) have proven to me, time and time again, why I love these long programs.
The first week we just spend time getting to know each other. Going on walks, playing, gaining understanding and boundaries each of us have set, simple rules, simple expectations but nothing extreme. As her trust in me began to build, I was able to ask more of her and get impressive outcomes. The dog who came to me as “dog aggressive” was playing with my Dachshund today.
She was displaying some concerning behaviors towards people before arriving for training and is now walking through busy city streets, stores, and parks without a care in the world. Children are still a bit of a trigger, but she is accepting of direction and easy to manage.
There’s no possible way I would feel this good about a dog, similar to her, in any shorter of a program. I see other trainers offering “micro B&T” and I think the concept is neat, but I would struggle to feel that the time and money was well spent in such a short period of time.
Zuzu has earned freedom in my house, off leash freedom in the yard, cuddles on the couch, belly rubs, & zoomies with Sango. I love this side of her.
I share these feelings with you because transparency is important to me. I don’t tell clients to do longer programs as a sales pitch or because their dog is a “bad” dog. I believe that great things take time. I believe that dogs are creatures who prefer to move slow and will only fully trust someone who doesn’t rush the process and provides unbeatable value in being best version of themselves.
I want clients to see training as an investment that will stick with their dog for the remainder of their dog’s life and for that to happen, I need time.
Enjoy these precious pictures of Zuzu living a lavish life in training. She’s earned every second of this. We’re on the home stretch with 1 week left before she’s headed home and I tell you what, she is going to be deeply missed in this house 🤍
