11/16/2024
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For weeks now, I’ve been wrestling with whether or not to speak publicly about an issue that has been weighing heavily on my heart. After much thought, I’ve decided it’s time to address it because it’s something dog owners need to hear. This is about the risks and realities of dog board-and-train facilities.
Let me start by saying this: not every board-and-train facility is bad. There are many incredible trainers out there who genuinely love and care for the dogs they work with and achieve amazing results through humane, thoughtful methods. I have deep respect for those trainers. However, the unfortunate reality is that not all facilities operate this way. Over the past several months, I’ve seen an alarming rise in stories of abuse, neglect, and even cases where trainers have been arrested for animal cruelty.
These stories are heartbreaking, and they bring up a critical issue: just because a trainer has a great reputation or glowing reviews doesn’t necessarily mean they are trustworthy. Reviews can be bought, social media can be curated, and anyone can make themselves look professional online. I’ve had countless people ask me, “Why don’t you offer board-and-train services or train other people’s dogs?” My answer is simple: I don’t have the time, and I would never want to risk compromising the quality of care my own dogs receive.
My dogs are my responsibility, and their needs come first—daily cleaning, feeding, providing water, attending to their healthcare, and ensuring they live happy, enriched lives. So when I see trainers taking in four, five, or even more dogs for board-and-train programs on top of caring for their own dogs, I can’t help but wonder: how do they manage it? How can they possibly provide the attention and care each dog deserves?
Sadly, the answer often lies in cutting corners—and not in ways that are harmless.
I want to share a story about a trainer I once trusted wholeheartedly. This trainer charged $4,500 for a three-week board-and-train program and regularly took in four or five dogs at a time. At first, I admired what I thought was their ability to handle so much responsibility. But as I dug deeper, I began to see cracks in the façade.
The reality is that behind closed doors, many board-and-train facilities operate very differently from what they advertise. In some cases, dogs are left in kennels for most of their stay, receiving little to no actual training. Worse, when the time comes for the owner to pick up their dog, the trainer might resort to quick fixes to create the appearance of progress. This often involves using an e-collar to deliver harsh corrections, instilling fear in the dog, or withholding food to make the dog more “responsive” in those final days. What the owner sees is an obedient dog, but what they don’t see is the trauma, hunger, and stress the dog has endured.
This isn’t training—it’s cruelty.
And then there’s the issue of flashy marketing. Social media is flooded with videos of trainers showing off “amazing” transformations set to upbeat music. But the truth is, these videos are often nothing more than smoke and mirrors. Let me tell you something: it takes me five minutes to teach a puppy the basics of food luring. With just a few short sessions, I can make a puppy look like a superstar—jumping into heel position, sitting, and lying down on command. It’s not rocket science. But the difference is that I do it ethically and with the dog’s well-being in mind, not for show or to justify an exorbitant price tag.
To be clear, I’m not saying every trainer is bad. There are phenomenal trainers out there who are dedicated to their craft and genuinely care about the dogs they work with. But the reality is, you need to be extremely cautious about who you trust with your dog.
I want to take a moment to address a red flag I’ve seen repeatedly: trainers who claim they’ve worked with police or military dogs. This is an incredibly common claim, and while some trainers may genuinely have this experience, it’s not as widespread as you might think. Unfortunately, many people use this as a marketing tactic because it sounds impressive. But think about it: if every dog trainer in the United States trained military or police dogs, the numbers wouldn’t add up. Don’t be swayed by these claims—dig deeper.
Another major red flag is a lack of communication. If you drop your dog off at a facility and don’t receive regular updates—photos, videos, progress reports—go get your dog. I understand that trainers and breeders can’t always provide constant updates, but a complete lack of transparency is unacceptable. As a dog owner, you have every right to know how your dog is doing.
If you feel like you absolutely need a trainer, I strongly recommend one-on-one sessions where you can be present with your dog. This approach not only allows you to see exactly how the trainer works, but it also strengthens the bond between you and your dog. Training isn’t just about the dog learning commands—it’s about building trust and understanding between you and your pet.
There are too many horror stories of dogs being starved, hurt, or traumatized by irresponsible trainers. These stories are devastating, and they highlight the urgent need for accountability in this industry. We, as dog owners, need to demand better. We need to do our research, ask questions, and never hand over our dogs to someone we’re not 100% confident in.
Our dogs rely on us to protect them. Let’s not let them down.
