Are Board And Train Programs A Luxury Or An Investment?
A Board and Train program is a program offered by dog trainers where they do just that – board your dog(s) for a pre-determined amount of time and train them during that time. From basic obedience to more advanced training, board and train programs provide structure, consistency and focus with your dog(s) that you may not be able to – due to lifestyle, work, etc. Our trainers are on-site everyday – rain or shine – and can fully devote their energy and focus into ensuring your dog is equipped with the obedience needed to live a happier and freer lifestyle.
During the training period, the dogs are introduced to socializations and distractions that they will likely encounter post-graduation, but in a controlled environment. Highland Canine Training also has a School for Dog Trainers. Having a campus with students who are beginning their dog training journey provides the opportunity to socialize your dogs with other animals and people with the comfort and reassurance of knowing that it is completely controlled and supervised.
Introducing your dogs to off-leash recalls and distractions is crucial and can even be lifesaving. The ability to confidently recall your dog back to you in any and every situation could thwart a potential fight with another, less-obedient dog, or even a person who does not fully understand boundaries. Furthermore, vacations, camping trips, hiking, etc., can become more enjoyable when your dog is equipped with the freedom and obedience to experience them to their full potential with an off-leash recall.
Dog training can test every ounce of patience you have, and it absolutely is time-consuming, but having a well-trained, obedient dog is worth its weight in gold – not only for them, but for the entire family. It requires daily consistency to maintain but enrolling them in a board and train program sets and fine tunes the foundation while establishing and introducing new behaviors (usually six weeks for advanced, off-leash obedience training). Six weeks may seem like a long time to be away from your dog, but six weeks of intense, focused training that will provide them with a more fruitful lifetime of happiness, adventure, and bond strengthening between your dog and family, is so short in the grand scheme of things.
Board and Train programs also save money in the long run. When you begin planning a vacation, you need to consider finding a reliable, trustworthy pet sitter (and pay them) or a reputable boarding facility. However, if you have a well-trained dog, you can include them on your family vacations, saving the money is costs to board them or hire a dog sitter. Additionally, having a fully trained dog saves money when you can avoid potential vet bills, new furniture, etc. because the days of them chewing out of boredom and rebellion are in the past. It is infinitely easier and more enjoyable for everyone when you need to ask a friend to watch your dog if they are already trained and obedient. No one wants to watch a dog (that does not belong to them) knowing there is a chance that their home and possessions will get destroyed or that they will engage in a battle of will with their new, temporary canine companion.
The cost of our six-week board and train program (in North Carolina) is $3,550.00 which includes six-weeks of focused, hands-on training, training tools, and post-training instruction/lessons with the family to ensure they are familiar with the tools and commands that have been taught. Depending on your lifestyle and typical travel/vacation time, the board and train program truly pays for itself. On average, trustworthy dog sitters charge anywhere from $50-$60/dog/night. Regardless of their reliability, most dog sitters are not focusing on maintaining the training and obedience, instead ensuring they are fed and taken care of. While that is, of course, important and appreciated, it is also not as advantageous and beneficial as being equipped with the tools which will allow you to no longer need to hire a dog sitter in the first place. Furthermore, having a dog that is not familiar with the heel command is not only causing a strain on the frequency and enjoyability of walks and outdoor adventures, but it affects your health as well. From back problems to knee issues, constantly pulling a dog to regain a semblance of control is not only emotionally taxing but can be financially taxing as well should surgery be required.
Too often, I hear from clients that, because of their dog’s behaviors, their friends and family are refusing to come to their home because their dogs have become too unruly and uninviting. After making the investment of the board and train program, your lifestyle will become more rewarding, and you will be able to create priceless memories with your dog, friends, and family in the comfort of your own home.
To go back to the initial question, are Board and Trains a luxury or an investment? The answer is simply (and not-so-simply) both. It is a luxury to have your dog professionally trained by a dedicated and devoted trainer who can give them the time, attention, focus, structure and consistency required to ensure they are fully obedient, but it is also an investment – to both you and your dog! It is an investment for a more enjoyable and adventurous lifestyle and a way to ensure they are truly part of the family, and a financial investment which will provide the life both you and your dog deserve.
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