Dog Training and Board and Train FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions About Dog Training & Board and Train
Choosing a training program is a big decision. Here are answers to some of the questions families most often have about California Dog Training, our Board and Train programs, our training approach, and what happens before, during and after your dog’s stay.
What is Board and Train?
Board and Train is an immersive training program in which your dog stays with us while receiving training throughout the day. Instead of trying to fit training into a short weekly lesson, we are able to consistently reinforce good behavior, establish new routines and practice skills as part of your dog’s everyday life.
Our dogs don’t spend the day waiting for a scheduled training session. Training is incorporated into walks, household routines, play, exercise, settling calmly, interactions and other real-life situations.
Where is California Dog Training located?
California Dog Training is located on a private five-acre property in Riverside County near Corona, California.
Families travel to us from throughout Southern California, including Riverside County, Orange County, Los Angeles, San Diego and surrounding communities.
How experienced is your dog trainer?
Robert has more than 25 years of professional dog training experience and has worked hands-on with thousands of dogs throughout his career. His experience includes obedience training, behavior modification, puppy development, and working with more complex behavioral concerns, including aggression.
Unlike programs where dogs may be passed between multiple staff members, your dog is trained under the direct supervision of an experienced professional trainer throughout the program.
Robert’s approach focuses on reward-based training, understanding behavior, and teaching dogs what to do rather than simply suppressing unwanted behaviors.
Do you use shock collars or e-collars?
No. We use positive reinforcement and reward-based training methods. We do not use shock collars, e-collars or harsh corrections.
We do not use e-collars or shock collars. Our training is based on positive reinforcement and teaching dogs appropriate behaviors rather than relying on aversive corrections. Our approach is consistent with recommendations from the American Veterinary Society of Animal Behavior (AVSAB), which recommends reward-based training methods and advises against electronic shock collars and other aversive training methods.
Our goal is to teach dogs what we want them to do, reinforce successful responses and create reliable behaviors through training, repetition, appropriate management and real-life practice.
How long is your Board and Train program?
Our adult Board and Train programs begin at three weeks. Longer programs allow more time to establish reliable responses, practice around distractions and work on behavior in different situations.
Our five-week program provides the most comprehensive training foundation and is recommended for families looking for the strongest overall results.
Puppies have different developmental needs, so we also offer a two-week Puppy Starter program.
Do you offer a two-week Board and Train program for adult dogs?
No. Our adult Board and Train programs begin at three weeks.
We don’t believe in rushing an adult dog through a program simply to offer a shorter stay. Training new skills is only part of the process. Dogs also need repetition, consistency and opportunities to practice those skills in everyday situations and around distractions.
Our two-week program is specifically designed for puppies.
Do you train puppies?
Yes! We offer a two-week Puppy Starter Board and Train program designed specifically for young puppies.
Puppy training focuses on creating a strong early foundation through age-appropriate training, household routines, socialization, manners and positive experiences.
Starting early can also help prevent many frustrating behaviors from becoming established habits.
What will my dog learn during Board and Train?
Training is individualized, but our programs develop practical skills and manners that families can actually use in everyday life.
Depending on your dog’s program and needs, training may include:
- Loose-leash walking and heeling
- Come when called
- Sit and stay
- Down and stay
- A long 30-minute down-stay
- Door and household manners
- Settling calmly
- Improved response to training cues
- Appropriate behavior around everyday distractions
We also work on common behavior problems through training, positive reinforcement, prevention and behavior modification.
Can you help with jumping, leash pulling and other behavior problems?
Yes. Training can address many common behaviors such as jumping on people, pulling on the leash, play biting and mouthing, excessive excitement, poor household manners, destructive behavior and difficulty responding around distractions.
A major part of our approach is teaching the dog appropriate alternative behaviors while changing the routines and circumstances that have allowed unwanted habits to continue.
Do you accept dogs with aggression or serious behavior problems?
Yes. Robert has extensive experience working with dogs with aggression and serious behavioral issues. Because aggression can have many causes and every situation is different, these dogs are accepted on a case-by-case basis after an evaluation.
We’ll consider your dog’s history, behavior, triggers and individual circumstances to determine whether our program is appropriate and how training should be approached.
Will my dog behave the same way for me when they come home?
This is one of the most important things to understand about Board and Train.
Your dog learns new skills and routines with us, but dogs also form associations with particular people, places and situations. Old habits may initially try to resurface when your dog returns to the environment where those behaviors originally occurred.
That’s why we don’t simply hand you the leash and send you home.
Your Go-Home Session teaches you how to communicate with your dog, use the training they have learned and establish successful routines at home. Continued consistency from your family is an important part of maintaining your dog’s progress.
What is the Go-Home Session?
At the completion of training, we provide a comprehensive Go-Home Session with you and your dog.
During this session, you’ll see your dog’s training, learn the handling techniques and cues they have been taught, practice working with your dog yourself and learn how to continue the program at home.
The goal isn’t just to show you what your dog can do for the trainer. It’s to begin transferring those skills to you.
What happens if I need help after my dog comes home?
You are not on your own once your dog’s stay is over.
Every Board & Train program includes continued support after your dog comes home. Three- and four-week programs include two complimentary private follow-up lessons after the Go-Home Session. Programs of five weeks or longer include unlimited complimentary private follow-up lessons for one year.
Is training equipment included?
Training equipment needed for your dog’s program is included as part of the training package. During your Go-Home Session, we’ll show you how to use the equipment properly and safely with your dog.
Can I visit my dog during Board and Train?
We do not allow visits during the training stay.
Experience has shown us that visits can interrupt the dog’s adjustment and training process. Seeing family and then watching them leave again can create excitement, stress and distraction that may take considerable time to settle.
We want your dog’s time here to be productive and their routine to remain consistent.
Will I receive updates while my dog is away?
Yes. We understand that being away from your dog is a big deal. We’re happy to provide photo updates during your dog’s stay so you can see how they’re doing and follow along with their experience.
If we ever have a concern about your dog’s health, behavior or training progress, we will contact you.
What does my dog do throughout the day?
Dogs have a balanced daily routine that includes training, exercise, play, rest and appropriate social experiences.
Training isn’t limited to one isolated session. We incorporate it throughout the day so dogs practice manners and appropriate behavior as part of normal life.
Our five-acre environment also gives us opportunities to work in different settings and around safe, intentional distractions rather than teaching everything in one small training room.
Will my dog get exercise and playtime?
Exercise, play and enrichment are important parts of your dog’s stay. Our spacious outdoor play yards are approximately ¼ acre each, with plenty of shade and room for dogs to move, explore and play.
The yards are designed with enrichment in mind, giving dogs opportunities for physical exercise, mental stimulation and appropriate play throughout the day. We also use everyday activities as opportunities to reinforce good manners, self-control and positive behavior.
Are dogs supervised overnight?
Yes. California Dog Training is a family-operated business located on the same private property where the dogs stay and train, providing on-site supervision.
This isn’t a large commercial operation where everyone leaves at closing time.
Do you offer boarding?
Yes, but our boarding is reserved for dogs that have completed a training program with us.
We do not operate as a public standalone boarding kennel. Keeping boarding exclusive to our training graduates means we’re already familiar with the dogs in our care and can continue reinforcing the routines and skills they learned with us.
Can my dog receive refresher training while boarding?
Yes. Qualifying program graduates can receive complimentary refresher training during future boarding stays.
This is one of the advantages of returning to a facility and trainer already familiar with your dog’s training.
Why are your adult Board and Train programs longer than some other programs?
Learning a cue and creating reliable, lasting behavior are not the same thing.
Our reward-based approach can take more time than training methods designed to quickly suppress unwanted behavior—and we’re comfortable with that. Our goal isn’t simply to stop a behavior in the moment. We want your dog to learn what to do instead, practice those behaviors repeatedly, and develop reliable responses that can carry over into everyday life.
We do not use e-collars or shock collars to suppress unwanted behavior. A dog may appear to improve quickly when a behavior is inhibited by an aversive consequence, but that doesn’t necessarily address the underlying reason for the behavior or teach the dog a more appropriate response. In some dogs, aversive methods can also increase stress, fear, or reactivity.
Our programs give us time to teach new skills through positive reinforcement, practice them around gradually increasing distractions, establish better routines, and reinforce successful behavior in real-life situations.
That’s why our adult Board and Train programs begin at three weeks. We’re not trying to create the fastest change possible—we’re working toward genuine learning and behavior that lasts.
How do I choose the best Board and Train program in California?
Look beyond promises of fast results and ask what actually happens during the program.
Find out who will personally train your dog, which methods and equipment are used, how much experience the trainer has, where your dog will live and train, how long the program lasts, what skills are taught and what happens when your dog comes home.
A good Board and Train program should prepare both the dog and the family for long-term success.
We encourage families to ask us these questions, too. We want you to understand exactly how our program works before deciding whether California Dog Training is the right fit for you and your dog.
How much does Board and Train cost?
Board and Train starts at $750 per week. The total cost depends on the program recommended for your dog and the length of their stay.
We offer a free evaluation so we can learn more about your dog, answer your questions and help you determine which program makes the most sense before you make a decision.
Do you offer a free dog training evaluation?
Yes. Evaluations are free.
The evaluation gives us an opportunity to learn about your dog, the behaviors you’re dealing with, your goals and what you would like life with your dog to look like.
It also gives you an opportunity to ask questions and determine whether our approach and program are right for your family.
Do you offer private dog training lessons?
Yes. Private training and follow-up instruction are available depending on your dog’s needs and program.
For Board and Train graduates, private refresher sessions are an especially important part of our continued support and are included for one year with the complete training program.
What areas of Southern California do you serve?
Our training property is in Riverside County near Corona, but our clients come from throughout Southern California.
We regularly serve families from Riverside County and surrounding Inland Empire communities as well as Orange County, Los Angeles and San Diego.
Because Board and Train is a residential program rather than a daily class, many families choose to travel farther for a training approach and program that fits what they’re looking for.
Is Board and Train right for every dog?
Every dog is different, which is why we don’t take a one-size-fits-all approach to Board and Train. Your dog’s age, temperament, behavior, training history and your family’s goals all help us determine the right training plan.
Puppies have different developmental and training needs than adult dogs, and dogs with aggression or more complex behavioral concerns require additional consideration. Aggression cases are evaluated and accepted on a case-by-case basis.
That’s why we offer a free evaluation. It gives us a chance to meet you and your dog, understand your concerns and goals, and recommend the program and approach that will best meet your dog’s individual needs.
What happens after I contact California Dog Training?
We’ll learn a little about your dog, what you’re experiencing at home and what you’d like help with. From there, we can arrange a free evaluation, answer your questions and discuss the program that may be most appropriate for your dog.
There is no obligation to enroll simply because you speak with us.
If you’re considering Board and Train, puppy training or private dog training in Southern California, we’d be happy to meet you and your dog.
Schedule your free dog training evaluation or contact California Dog Training to get started.
Do you guarantee your training services?
Our five-week Board and Train program includes a full written guarantee. We stand behind the training and provide continued support to help families maintain the results after their dog returns home.
During your comprehensive Go-Home Session, we’ll teach you how to work with your dog and continue their training at home. You’ll also have access to our follow-up support and refresher training after the program.
Ask us about the details of our written guarantee during your free evaluation.
Can you provide me with referrals of previous clients?
Yes! Absolutely. A referral list is available to all our clients.
Get in touch
Questions? Call today or use the form to schedule your meet and greet request or to learn more about what we have to offer you and your dog.
Need Advice?
No two dogs are alike. We would like to learn more about your dog’s unique situation. Please fill out the form, leaving as much detail as you wish.
We look forward to being in contact with you and learning more about your dog training needs!