Want a more intensive training program?
Our Board and Train program involves your dog staying with us on-site throughout the duration of their training.
Each board and train program is customized to suit your dogs needs and your training goals. We understand that every dog is different, so we customize each program to set your dog up for success. A Board and train program is ideal for dogs with behavioural issues, and for owners who would prefer a more intensive training program. Depending on the dog and the goal of the training, the duration of the stay can vary. Some dogs may only need one week, while others might need four or more weeks. We will discuss all of this prior to booking your dog in for a Board and Train program. Behavioural issue dogs will require a longer training period than dogs that just need obedience training.
As we are a small facility, Rolly Canine only take a small number (2-3) of Board and Train dogs at one time. This allows us to spend lots of quality time with each dog. Dogs can enrol for a Board and Train program from 12 weeks of age. You will get regular updates about your dog and their progress. You are also welcome to come visit your dog while they are staying with us.
Please note: Food is not included. All food and medication must be provided by the owner.
We are NOT a boarding kennel. We only do BOARD AND TRAIN programs.
Board and Train programs can be useful for training the following:
- Aggressive behaviours towards people or dogs (particularly dogs with bite histories)
- Reactivity towards people, dogs, moving objects etc
- General obedience and manners
- Socialization skills with other dogs
- Food/resource guarding
- Anxiety/fear based behaviours
- Leash pulling/lunging
- General focus work around distractions
General information
Our philosophy is all about setting good foundations, then building on those foundations to proof behaviours in challenging environments. We go at the dog’s pace, hence why every Board and Train program will be different. Some dogs simply take longer to build up confidence than others. If we suspect that your dog is going to take longer than we originally anticipated, we will contact you. There’s no such thing as a “quick fix” in dog training.
The training doesn’t just end when you pick your dog up, hence why we have an extensive handover session where we provide you with all the information you need in order to maintain your dog’s good behaviour. It’s awesome that your dog has a great relationship with us, but the goal is for you to be the one that your dog values and listens to, hence why we continue to provide support after your dog has completed our program. We offer 2 free follow up sessions, where we can give owners a refresher to ensure those good training habits stay in check. Our group class is a great place to practise those new obedience skills in a distracting environment, and it helps enhance the relationship between you and your dog. We also provide support via phone and email, so if you forget something or need a point in the right direction just reach out.
At the end of the board and train, your dog should be confident, calm and well mannered, even in challenging situations. You as the owner should be in control and comfortable handling your dog. The relationship between you and your beloved pet should be stronger than ever!
Price
Consultation
Muzzle conditioning and crate training:
All dogs with aggression issues must be muzzle conditoned before their stay with us. We are happy to provide muzzle conditioning training sessions. Crate training is also a requirement for all dogs undergoing a Board and Train program, as your dog will be crated during periods of their stay. If either of these are a concern for you please contact us.
Included in the Board and Train program:
- Hand over session. To show you how to handle and manage your dog and to discuss any questions you may have.
- 2x follow up 30 minute training sessions to check in to see how things are going.
- 1x free place in our obedience group class
- lifetime support over the phone and via email
How to book?
If a Board and Train program is something you would be interested in, please complete the form and we will be in touch.
The Process
The first step of Board and Train is getting in touch with the Rolly Canine team.
You can fill in the form above or email us at info@rollycanine.co.nz to enquire about our Board and Train service.
We will arrange a time for you to come visit us for a consultation.
While an in person consult where we can meet your dog is preferable, for people based outside of Canterbury we can do a consultation over the phone.
Once we have organized a plan for your dog, we will provide you with dates we have available for Board and Train bookings.
During your dog’s stay we will provide you with regular updates about how they are going. Your dog’s stay is not 100% training, they get to go out on walks and have lots of fun. Some dogs may also be included in our daycare groups
We are very flexible with days and times for pick-up. When you come collect your dog we will have a quick chat about how they went.
The handover session can be done either at our facility or at your home (depending on where you are based).
There are 2x 30 minute training sessions included in the Board and Train program. These can be booked in whenever you wish.
1 free spot in our group class is also included. We will let you know when our next group class is scheduled. Please note that this is only for our OBEDIENCE group class.
Rolly Canine offers lifetime support over the phone and via email, so feel free to reach out anytime if you have any questions or concerns.
Board and Train FAQ’s
We can only estimate how long the training will take, as every dog learns at a different pace. It also depends on the goal of the training, and the severity of the dog’s behaviour.
We can only do so much within the time frame we are given. The longer your dog stays, the more work we can do, and the more improvement you will see.
Dogs with behavioural issues (fear, aggression, reactivity) will need to stay longer than dogs who just need manners and obedience training (leash pulling, listening around distractions, controlling excitement etc).
The goal of the Board and Train is to desensitize your dog to their triggers, and to give them the confidence and skills to be able to cope and not feel the need to react negatively. Some dogs may never love playing with other dogs, or meeting new people, but they should be able to walk down the street without lashing out and/or practising unsafe behaviour.
You as the owner must also put in the work after the Board and Train is finished, in order to maintain your dog’s good behaviour. This is why we have an extensive handover session and offer ongoing support. We will show you how to handle your dog and set you up with the right skills and tools.
Yes, we do.
We work with human aggressive dogs, including dogs that have bite histories. If the aggression is serious, we recommend doing private training before booking a Board and Train to help your dog get used to the Rolly Canine team first. This reduces the dog’s stress when they stay with us.
No, all food and medication must be provided by the owner. We do provide treats and enrichment (stuffed kongs, cow hooves etc).
Any dog with a bite history, or that has injured another dog, will have to be muzzled.
Dogs with any sort of reactivity or aggression towards humans must be muzzle conditioned. This is for staff safety.
Dogs with aggressive behaviour towards other dogs will also need to be muzzle conditioned. This is because your dog will be living near other dogs, and it allows us to make faster progress with the training.
Your dog will not be muzzled throughout their entire stay. They will only be muzzled during training sessions or when in close proximity to triggers.
Absolutely! You are welcome to visit and/or take your dog off-site if you wish.
Riley – Alaskan Malamute x Lab
Meet Riley, a 6-year-old Alaskan Malamute cross Labrador who struggled with some pretty intense fear-based dog reactivity. Being such a large dog at 50+ kgs, it was crucial to get her reactivity under control to make her owner’s lives a whole lot easier.
Riley started off with our Behavioural Training, where we gave her owners the knowledge and skills to manage her and work on building her confidence around dogs.
Riley then came for a Board and Train program, where she stayed with us for 2 weeks to work on her reactivity. Within these 2 weeks, we managed to get her socialising happily with smaller dogs, and tolerating seeing larger dogs at a closer distance.