Group classes and Board-and-train and Private lessons, oh my: The overwhelming amount of dog training options (and the option you didn't know you needed!)

With so many different ways to work with a dog trainer, how are our blessed clients supposed to know what's right for them and their dog?

"Board-and-train sounds great! Handing my dog off to a professional for a few weeks and picking them up with perfectly trained skills intact? Yes, please!"

"But I want to learn to train my dog myself... and group classes are so affordable. Seems like a no-brainer."

"But private training seems totally worth it. I could learn to train my dog myself with a professional's undivided attention!"

I mean, seriously: what is one to choose? In the land of rampant consumerism and near-unlimited options we live in, it's no wonder people end up making choices they later regret. The feeling of "I just need to pick one and try it," runs our lives sometimes, especially when we're sick of dealing with our dog's problems. So, in an effort to help you avoid spending thousands of unproductive dollars, dear reader, here is my best attempt at condensing each of these options into digestible analyses:

1. Board and train

Generally considered to be the most popular training option for busy clients looking for a way to throw money at their dog's problems in the hope of a long-term fix, board-and-train programs offer a number of benefits--chief among them, the fact that you do not have to train your own dog. Board and trains are usually the highest cost, lowest effort option and, for many dogs, they are a great one if you have the funds. Here's a quick rundown of the pros and cons of board-and-train programs:

Pros:

• Minimal effort for the dog's guardian/owner

• Dog guardian/owner gets a break from their hellish hound for a while (I know, you miss them while they're gone, but let's be real... this part is kinda nice).

• Possible positive socialization/enrichment experiences while at the facility.

  • This varies greatly depending on the chosen facility.

• Some facilities offer discounts on future training or other programs if a dog has gone through a board-and-train program at their facility.

  
  

Cons:

• Expensive

• While some boarding facilities are equipped to deal with "difficult" or special needs dogs, not all dogs are good candidates for boarding, for any number of reasons, including but not limited to:

  • Unique medical needs

  • Severe anxiety

  • Aggression issues

  • Not crate trained

  • They have had previous bad experiences while crated or boarded

• Your dog is learning skills in one setting, for the most part.

  • Most people don't realize that learning is very context-dependent for dogs, and many dogs require extensive "proofing/generalization" (fancy terms for "practice in lots of different places") to keep their training long-term and be able to perform certain skills in all settings. I can't tell you how many times I've heard dog guardians tell me "I sent him away to a board-and-train program for three weeks and he's still crazy." Lack of skill generalization is a big part of why this can happen.

• Obedience training is not a cure-all.

  • Another important reason I hear the "he's still crazy after board-and-train" speech is that, while obedience training is helpful and important, it is often a "band-aid solution" to an issue that requires much more extensive behavior modification. If your dog is biting strangers, for example, you may be able to get him to sit and stay in the presence of strangers after a board-and-train program, but that will not mean he no longer wants to bite them and will never try again.

• Board-and-train programs are not for you if your dog suffers from separation anxiety.

  • If separation anxiety is the main problem you and your dog are dealing with, first of all, I'm sorry--SepAnx is one of the toughest things for dog guardians to deal with emotionally. Second of all, a board-and-train program cannot fix your dog's separation anxiety and, in some cases, may make it worse. This may sound self-evident but, I promise you, it is not. Many board-and-train facilities will claim they can help your dog's separation anxiety and, because they are the supposed experts, why would you not believe them? But if they say this, please do not believe them. Virtual or in-person private training is your best chance to solve your dog's separation anxiety, especially if it's severe.

• Some board-and-train facilities are downright abusive/unethical.

  • Since you are not invited to stay at the facility with your dog during the duration of the board-and-train program, you have no way of knowing for sure what is being done to him/her in your absence. While there are many board-and-train facilities with employees breaking their backs daily to provide positive socialization, enrichment, and daily exercise for your dog, as well as top-notch training, there are many doing none of the above, and many that will treat your dog poorly on top of that. I would love to believe that all board-and-train facilities have your dog's best interest at heart, but this is simply not the case. Sadly, some will take your money while making your dog's problems worse.

Board-and-Train tl;dr : Board-and-trains are a good option for you and your dog if you have an easy-going, social dog that learns new things quickly. They may not be a good fit if your dog is struggling with separation anxiety, other severe anxiety, intense reactivity, aggression, or has any medical needs that would require a lot of extra care from a board-and-train facility.

2. Group classes

Group classes, while another popular choice for the average pet parent, are only effective for a certain demographic of dogs. They may be less expensive than other training options, but if your dog is easily distracted or not already used to the training process, group classes may provide too challenging an environment for them to retain what they learn in the class setting over time. There is also little individualized attention offered to the dogs and people in the class, meaning dogs that struggle in the class environment may not get what they need.

Pros:

• Generally low cost.

• You get to socialize with other dog owners.

• Your dog can practice their skills in a high-distraction environment.

Cons:

• More of a time/energy investment than board-and-train or day training programs.

• Group classes are not the optimal environment for a dog to learn new skills.

  • High-distraction settings can be a good place to challenge the skills your dog already knows, but learning new things amongst high-level distractions, like dogs and other people at close range, is a challenge for any dog.

• Generally only for easy-going, adaptable dogs that can learn new things easily in any environment, or dogs that already have some skills on-board.

  • Not suitable for reactive dogs, unless it's a class specifically designed for reactive dogs.

  • Not a good option if your dog displays aggression toward people or other dogs.

  • Not a good option if your dog is severely anxious in public settings.

  • Not usually a good option if your dog is brand-new to training.

• Minimal individualized attention/training recommentdations for dog or owner.

Group Classes tl;dr : Group classes are a good option for easy-going, resilient dogs that learn new things easily in high-distraction environments, or dogs that already know their basic obedience skills and would benefit from the challenge of practicing those skills around people and other dogs. They are not the best option for dogs with serious behavior issues.

3. Private Training

Private dog training sessions with a professional are a great option for most dogs, if their guardians have the means to afford them. They are sometimes higher-cost than board-and-train over time but, depending on your dog's personality and behavior issues, they may be more effective over the long term. Also, if your dog does not need more than a few sessions to solve a problem, they are much more cost effective than a board-and-train program.

Pros:

• Individualized, specialized attention for you and your dog.

• High chance of long-term success and retention.

• You get quality training along with your dog, to carry into your relationship with future dogs.

• The best option for complicated behavior problems like separation anxiety, aggression, reactivity, etc.

• Working privately with a trainer means quick answers to your questions and, therefore, quick relief from your dog's behavior problems.

Cons:

• Sometimes a larger financial investment than the previous options.

• A larger investment of time and effort than the previous options.

Private training tl;dr : Private training is a great option for most dogs and is more cost-effective option than board-and-train if your dog only needs a few training sessions to learn what you want them to learn, or if you--their guardian--think you can learn enough in a few sessions to have long-term success with your dog.

4. Day Training: The Option You Didn't Know You Needed!

One of dog training's most underutilized training options is day training. It allows for all the best features of board-and-train programs, with none of the same downsides! With day training, your dog stays living at home and a trainer comes to you to teach your dog the skills they need to know in the environments where they will need them the most, whether that be in your home or out in the world.

Pros:

• Infinitely flexible

• Generally the same price as a board-and-train program, if not less expensive.

• Low effort--you do not have to train your own dog.

• Minimal time investment

• Your dog learns the skills they need to be successful, and practices them in the environments where they will need them the most.

• You do not have to worry about the kind of care your dog may or may not be receiving in a large-scale facility.

• You and your dog receive individualized attention that board-and-train facilities cannot offer by nature of their business model.

Cons:

• No daily interaction with other dogs, if that's important to you.

  • That being said, because of the inherent flexibility of day training programs, this can often be negotiated with your trainer and, if it's something that will benefit your dog's training, it can usually be added in (sometimes for an additional cost, sometimes at no additional cost).

• No long-term break from your dog.

  • If you're looking to escape the daily struggles of dog ownership for a while, board-and-train might be a better option.

• Not always the perfect solution for challenging behavior problems that need more long-term support.

  • If your dog struggles with separation anxiety or severe aggression, private training is still a better option for you.

Day Training tl;dr : Day training is the best overall option for most dogs. It combines the best features of board-and-train and private training, at a better price point than either--with day training, you get the greatest possible value in return for your money. That being said, it is not the best option for dogs with severe behavior problems like separation anxiety or aggression--that would still be private training.

Summary

If your dog has severe, possibly dangerous behavior problems, private training is your best option. If your dog has annoying behavior problems and just needs some help with obedience, go with day training! If you have a social, happy-go-lucky dog that needs some basic obedience training, try out some group classes if you don't mind putting in a little work, or a board-and-train program if you have the money and you're looking for a break from your dog for a while. I know the options are overwhelming, and I hope this saves you some time in your search.

If you think day training or private training will work best for you and your dog, send me an email or click here to get started right away. I can't wait to hear from you!