Board and train is a structured program where dogs learn how to follow commands, focus, and behave reliably in daily situations. At KC Dawgz, the process starts with understanding each dog’s background, personality, and learning style. From there, we build a training plan that fits their needs and supports lasting progress.
If you are considering a board and train program, it helps to know what happens during each stage. The following breakdown explains what your dog will learn and how we involve you throughout the process.
Week 1: Foundational Skills Begin
The first week is all about teaching the basic commands your dog needs to thrive. We focus on introducing these essential behaviors in a structured environment:
- Sit
- Down
- Recall (coming when called)
- Place (staying in a designated spot)
- Loose leash walking with a heel position
By the end of week one, your dog will begin to understand the structure and expectations of training. This lays the groundwork for everything else that follows.
Week 2: Communication Tools and Conditioning
Once your dog starts picking up the basic commands, we move into week two. This phase focuses on conditioning the communication tool that best fits your dog and your comfort level as the owner.
We always ask two questions:
- What does the client feel comfortable using?
- What makes sense for this particular dog?
Whether it’s a slip lead, prong collar, e-collar, or another approach, we don’t rush the process. The goal is to ensure the dog understands how the tool works and associates it with clear, positive direction. This is a key step in long-term behavior change.
Weeks 3 and 4 (If Applicable): Generalization in the Real World
For longer board & train programs (three to four weeks), we take training into real-world environments. We want to make sure the dog doesn’t just perform commands in our facility, but also generalizes that behavior to new, more challenging situations.
Here’s how we do that:
- Trips to public parks
- Visits to stores with moderate foot traffic
- Exposure to busier areas with more distractions
This stage is crucial. It helps reinforce your dog’s ability to focus and perform in any environment—building reliability and confidence in both dog and owner.
Owner Involvement: Working Visits and Ongoing Learning
Your involvement doesn’t start when your dog comes home—it starts during the program. Throughout the board & train process, we schedule working visits with you.
Here’s what these visits include:
- Showing you what your dog is currently learning
- Explaining how your dog is learning each behavior
- Giving you a chance to practice handling skills with support from our team
These sessions help you feel more confident about continuing the training at home. They also allow us to make sure your dog is on track, and that you’re seeing the progress for yourself.
Tailored to Each Dog: No Cookie-Cutter Programs
We never force a dog through a preset system. Instead, we take time to tailor the board & train experience based on what your dog truly needs.
If your dog has anxiety, past trauma, or a history of rough handling, we take those factors seriously. Each training milestone is paced according to what’s appropriate for your dog. At the same time, we make sure you’re comfortable with the pace and progress. This team approach is what helps build long-term success—both during the program and once your dog returns home.
In Summary
If you have been wondering what happens during board & train, it all comes down to creating a personalized path for your dog’s success. At KC Dawgz, we start with basic commands, condition the right communication tools, and generalize skills in real-world settings. Throughout the process, you stay involved with working visits so you feel confident continuing the training at home. No two dogs are the same, which is why what happens during board & train is always tailored to fit your dog’s needs and your goals.
Contact us today to learn how our team can help your dog succeed with a customized board & train program.
