Beware of boarding training

[Discussing Labradoodles & Goldendoodles]

I have noticed a few posts with people asking if they should send their doodles away to a trainer's facility for a few weeks.  I personally do not think this is a good idea because I think people should learn to train their own dogs... but I just wanted to share this article in my local paper about the potential risks of boarding training.  I'm sure there are some very nice and effective facilities, but you have to be very careful who you choose to hire.

The man in this article is an unlicensed trainer and took money and never trained or returned the dogs.  He even sold some dogs over craigslist or left them in filthy conditions in his house.  One dog has still not been found.

http://www.delawareonline.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=20104190331

[F, Calla & Luca]

There really are evil people out there. I'd like to think we DK folks would be wiser and that we would check references etc. There are reputable places, such as the Monks of New Skete, but I agree, I think you should train your dogs yourself.

[Allyson, Peri & Taquito]

That is one sick man in my opinion. I know there are legit places that offer this service though. For me personally, I would not want to part with my puppy during such a crucial time for bonding. Plus I have had multiple friends use services like this and have not been happy with what they got for their money.

[Adina P]

That's awful. And sure gives board and train professionals an AWFUL name.
I prefer training my dogs myself. It's hard work, but very rewarding. Training builds a relationship that's really strong. Seems like a waste to let someone else get that relationship and not me. In fact one young, very talented/skilled, amateur trainer I know once said she feels like she's married to three people because of training her three dogs.

At the same time there are some very good board and train professionals out there. Probably not many, but there are some. The trainer who helped me via phone and email (there isn't anyone local that does the program I wanted to do) does board and train in Maryland. He's transformed some difficult dogs and even fully trained a feral dog. At a training seminar I attended last year, I met a guy who, though he can train easy dogs, often takes on all the dogs other trainers won't take. He is as effective as they come with aggressive dogs and dogs whose owners have but one alternative (sending their dogs to the rainbow bridge) if it were not for this trainer. He's old school, but he does an amazing job. In fact the local animal control basically refer all their on-their-way-to-euthanasia-due-to-aggression cases to him (to give the dog's owners one last chance to keep their dog).

Nevertheless, I would recommend being as thorough in researching a boarding facility as in a sleep-away summer camp or daycare for one's kids. Get lots of references and check with vets and local dog folks in the area of the boarding facility. Actually sit down with the trainer and talk lots about what to expect.

[Jane, Guinness and Murphy]

What a terrible lesson for these people. It certainly points to the need for all of us to "do our homework". I have found training my Doods to be very rewarding and so much fun. The board and train option would not be for me. That said, I do think it can work well for some people. My trainer just finished a three week board and train with a Labradoodle who belonged to two professionals who just didn't have the time to spend on training. She actually brought this Doodle to the CT Doodle romp as a socialization experience for him. He was awesome, and it was clear that she was doing a fantastic job with his training. She did the housebreaking, crate training, socialization, and basic commands. I would only hope that the owners are now keeping up with the reinforcement training. As of this weekend she has a new Doodle that she is also taking through her board and train program. So, with the right trainer, I do believe it can be a good option for some people. I just know I would really miss the satisfaction I get from watching my guys learn and grow.

[Linda Karell]

I found that the key to training Chervil was training ME. We've been through two puppy classes, two freestyle classes, and are now in the Canine Good Citizen prep class. Each class deepens my bond with her, but I also think that if I sent her away, I'd probably not know how to keep up the training when she got back. It's me who has needed to learn the most and work the hardest!!

[Kyoko]

This is scary.... But I agree with Jane. Training the dog is not only the dog learning stuff, but also us human learning how to help our dogs learn, and learn how our dogs learn. Its a relationship buliding and trust building.....

I am so sad for the people who trusted this man and lost their pets....

[Natasha]

I'm am a proponent of boarder training - with the right environment and set of circumstances.

When Rouser was 7 months old, we were scheduled to go on a two week vacation (it was booked pre-dog). We are active (daily) trainers and didn't want Rouser to go without training. Also, we didn't want someone to train him differently than we had been (it was a critical time in our training program). We searched and searched to find the right environment - which we did and we have been training with them ever since (that's almost a year and a half).

Our trainer's program was very specific. We had to meet and do one lesson before we left so that he could see (and write down) all of the voice and hand commands that we had taught to date and how good Rouser was at them (he was pretty advanced). He then reviewed his program and let us know what he was going to be judge upon (by us) when we returned. His focus was total proficiency in sit, down, drop it, leave it, long-stay sits and downs, walking without pulling (Rouser was laying down on our walks when we didn't do what he wanted at the time so this was our #1 goal), and 100% recall on the long-lead. He also wanted the dog to be good at heeling on leash, left turn, right turn, sit in place position when the walker stops, and pretty good recall off-leash from a short distance. Everything went as planned.

The trainer also required a minimum of 3 follow-up lessons and that was included in the price. We have been doing group obedience and agility classes with him since then and we take Rouser to day camp there and board him there as well. He knows and LOVES everyone at the facility and they all know him by name as well. He loves going there and I am so glad that we found this resource.

Anyway - that was a horrible story that you posted, but I do think that training when you are away is a good thing to do if you do your homework and find the right environment for you and your dog.

[Dot, Maggie and KoKo]

I had wonderful success with boarder training with Rosie, my now 18 month old mini GD. She came back a totally different pup than the one we sent to "boot camp".

We now have her half sister Maggie, an 8 month old, who is slated to go off to boarding school within the next month.

I agree that the training begins with the owner but I guess I needed a little help. Just my opinion, but if you can find the right place to send your pup, there is nothing wrong with boarder training. Just be sure you do your research, meet with the trainer beforehand and ASK QUESTIONS.