FAQ
Who will be my trainer?
The head trainer/owner, Eliza, will be your trainer and coach throughout the whole process. We know how individual you and your dog can be so we want to be able to guide you every step of the way. We want to get to know our clients on a more personal level and to be able to provide frequent communication and advice throughout the process.
Why would I choose board & train over one on one lessons? Or vice versa?
Board & Train is a more intensive and faster approach to reach your goals and also a great way to expose your dog to new experiences. Many dogs have never left home before their board & train stay which is all the more reason for your dog to experience it. The more exposure they have, the better equipped they are for real life experiences. It is also faster in the sense that they are with a professional trainer all day everyday working on new skills. By the time your dog goes home, they have a very solid foundation that you can use moving forward.
Private lessons are a great option as well but your success is almost entirely measured on the practice and commitment you put in at home. We coach you for an hour each week, give you set homework, and each week the goal is to continue on to more advanced things. This is a great option for those that have the time to work with their dog and who want to be more hands on in the process.
What do I need to bring for my dogs board & train stay?
We ask that you fill out our intake sheet and waiver and provide a copy of their bordetella and rabies vaccination records. It is not required but highly recommended to treat your dog for flea & ticks prior to their stay, especially in the summer months. Also, their food from home in a bin is ideal, and any other things they like such as blankets a few bones/toys etc. We do ask that you keep the items to a minimum as we lack the storage space.
Where does my dog stay and what is their daily routine like?
All dogs are supervised 24/7 and live in our personal home.
Ideally your dog is crate trained prior to their stay but we understand this isn’t always the case especially if that is something you want to us to address while they are here. We have specific crates for each board & train and we also have kennel run options for our larger breeds. They always have access to water and we do twice a day feedings at the same times everyday.
Their daily routine consists of multiple formal training sessions throughout the day, play time in the yard, 5-6 specific potty break times, and when their training is more advanced, we take them on field trips so they can experience more distractions. We also allow some supervised socialization with other dogs as long as it is safe and beneficial to the dogs training.
Can I visit my dog during training? How do I know how they are doing?
Visits can occur on a case by case basis and we always ask that you wait until the dog is comfortable in their new setting first. With that being said, we have seen visits be more stressful to the dog than not so most opt out of visits. This is especially because we send almost daily photos and video showing your dogs progress and explaining what we are teaching.
What does DLS mean?
DLS is an acronym for De Lupus Saevus which is our German Shepherd kennel name. Our 30 year breeding program produces amazing dogs with healthy pedigrees and outstanding temperaments. We also offer separate programs specific to our new DLS puppy owners. We are very knowledgeable and experienced with the German Shepherd breed but of course are able to train any breed and do so regularly.
What training methods do you use?
We used a balanced approach with a large emphasis on positive reinforcement to teach behaviors we want. We believe that consequences are a. natural part of life. Consequences can be both positive and negative. The most important thing is to communicate as clearly as possible with your dog while also creating a dog that is resilient to healthy levels of stress so that they can learn to overcome and become more confident in the process. Dogs that have low thresholds for stress can exhibit behaviors such as frustration, reactivity, barking, lunging, etc. It is our job as leaders to teach our dogs what the expectation is and how to handle these emotions moving forward.