Tips on finding a good training facility

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If you are like most pet parents, you love your dogs, you spoil your dogs and you think of them as just another member of the family. At least, we hope you do.

At the same time, it sure would be nice if they didn’t pull you down the street when you take them for a leash walk, right? When guests come to your home, how awesome would it be if your dog didn’t bark like mad and then jump all over them?

We all know that training our dogs to be good household citizens is very possible. However, most of us don’t do it because we simply do not have the time to invest in the hours of training it takes to produce those desired behaviors.

That is why “board and train” programs have become so popular — especially over the summer when most of us are doing a little bit of traveling and would be paying to board our pets anyway.

“Board and train” programs are tailored to exactly what you wish your dog to be trained to do. These programs allow you to enroll your dog in a boarding/training facility for about three weeks. During that time, at least at the most reputable facilities, your dog will be trained to reach the goal behaviors and have a ball doing it — daily play group with other dogs included.

However, not all training programs are equal. While there are many amazing facilities out there, owners should research them all to find the best fit for them and their dogs. 

Here are some tips that we suggest to help you in your evaluation process. Find out the facts:

  1. Are there customer reviews of the facility and are they positive or negative?
  2. Are you able to meet with a trainer face-to-face to discuss your dog’s individual needs and, at the same time, get a feel for the cleanliness of the facility, before enrolling your dog? 
  3. If you enroll your dog, how often will you receive communication about your dog’s progress? Will you receive pictures of your dog engaged in training on a regular basis? 
  4. Will you and your family receive private lessons, at no extra charge, following your dog’s completion of the program to ensure that your dog’s new skills easily transition into your own home?
  5. Does the training facility have a policy offering you refresher lessons for life in case those are needed from time to time?

While it is important to get the answers to those question, perhaps the most important tip we can give dog owners is to simply follow your gut. When you meet the trainers and staff at any given facility, you will know intuitively if they are the kind of people who genuinely have love and affection for the dogs in their care.

Investing in three weeks of training may be the best thing you can do for you and your dog — so you can enjoy each for a lifetime.

Chanin Rivera is head trainer at Jet Set University, Beaches Jet Set Pets. For more information, go to www.jetsetpets.net, call 904-383-8043 or email Info@jetsetpets.net.