06/11/2024
This article is a wonderful description about board and train-the ups and the downs. You can also click on links about why you should NOT use aversive training techniques with dogs. (positive punishment). Dogs do not learn this way. I do have have a friend that is a fabulous trainer that does some limited board and train. Limited means a dog or so at a time. I would trust her with my dogs for sure. But beyond that, I'm flooded with dogs that went to board and train and now....let's just say they exhibit high levels of fear/anxiety behaviors, other problem areas are creeping in, aggression, reactivity and a few might be able to sit on cue-but that is about the extent of what they have learned. And the owners are heartbroken they spent thousands of dollars and in many ways have harmed their dogs. I hear this consistently; enough to speak up. Of course, in this busy world, not having to work hard at something else sounds like a great plan. But if you want a great pet, bonded with you and your family, enjoying the training process for a lifetime, do your research. Look at trainers credentials. It is a science, and art AND a process. Not weeks, but a lifetime. I am happy to refer you to great trainers that have worked their lifetime to perfect their science based field.
Lately there has been an increase, in my area anyway, in “Board and Train” businesses (B & T). You give them your dog for one, two, or three weeks, and get back a dog who is . . . what? Much better behaved? Perfect on leash walks, never jumps up, and only barks on cue? […]
