Board and Train or Lessons with My Dog?
Board and Train or Lessons – which is the best one to pick? We often are asked, “Is it better for me to do lessons with my dog or the 2-Week Board and Train program?” Our answer: “it depends.”
It depends on what is most beneficial based on your life, specifically with time and availability. When we do lessons in Christiansburg or Vinton, the lessons are an hour private with the trainer and ideally spaced one or two weeks apart. In between lessons, you will practice daily with your dog, to reinforce training. The minimum time we ask clients to practice daily with their dog is 45 minutes, which can be broken up into two or three sessions per day. However, the time commitment varies per dog. Lessons are structured as four sessions for the basic package and eight sessions for basic and advanced. If this option fits your lifestyle, lessons are a great way to learn alongside your dog and take your dog outside to practice with distractions.
If you are well intentioned, but just do not have the time per day to allocate to training, we recommend our two week Board and Train in Christiansburg, VA or Vinton, VA. Your dog lives with the trainer during this time, as we simulate an in-home environment. To see our transformations and success stories, check out our YouTube Videos. We practice and work with your dog in a variety of environments and distractions, such as other dogs, people, noises, etc.
This training is for dogs who are at least five to six months old, potty trained and not aggressive or reactive to other dogs or people. Aggressive or reactive dogs are better suited for our Basic and Advanced Package. We send daily updates during training, so you can follow the progress of your dog. At the end of training, there is a turnover which lasts approximately two hours. We show you what your dog has learned and how to reinforce the commands. A common question we are asked, “Will my dog listen to me at the end of training or just to the trainer?” Your dog will listen to you and your family members as we explain how to properly give the commands and maintain the same level of obedience displayed during training. We have you practice the commands in front of us, to make sure you are comfortable and know what to do. The Board and Train comes with a Lifetime Training Warranty, meaning if you ever need a refresher, it’s free for the life of your dog.
In summary, the best training option is whichever program is best suited for your lifestyle. We always recommend the Board and Train if you are busy (as most people are), but still want to achieve the best results for your dog. If you have the time each day, lessons might be the path to consider. Give us a call or send us an email if you have any questions. (540) 750-1955 or blacksburg@offleashk9training.com.
