The Basics on Dog Boot Camp Programs

If you want your four-legged friend to learn new skills, enrolling in a dog boot camp in Portland can be an effective approach.

Also called dog board-and-train programs or immersion training, boot camps are designed for pet owners who lack the time and patience for dog training. Some professional trainers – including the team at Blackwood Canine – also offer camp programs for dogs who need help resolving behavioral issues. 

How Dog Boot Camp Training Works

 With a board-and-train program, your dog will stay with professional trainers for a period of time – typically between four and ten weeks. Immersion training is highly customized, and after learning about your specific needs and goals, the trainers will create a plan to achieve results.

While at boot camp, your dog will take part in multiple training sessions throughout each day. There’s plenty of downtime, too, and your pooch will have opportunities to catch naps, go for walks and participate in supervised group play.

To ensure that the lessons learned during the boot camp program aren’t forgotten at home, many professional dog trainers in the Portland area include private follow-up lessons. Take advantage of these, and you’ll learn how to work with your dog to maintain and enhance their training.

What Dogs Learn at Boot Camp

As we mentioned, Portland dog board-and-train programs are customized, so the skills and behaviors the professional trainers work on will depend on your unique needs and overall goals. During immersion training, your dog may learn:

·       Basic commands, such as sit, stay, come and down

·       General in-home manners, including how to act when guests arrive

·       Crate training, potty training and housebreaking

·       Loose leash walking without pulling, even with distractions

·       Proper socialization and dog-to-dog interaction

Professional trainers can also focus on behavior modification to bring bad habits to an end. A board-and-train program can be effective in stopping your pooch from:

• Running out the door

• Jumping up on people

• Barking at every sound

• Grabbing food from the table

• Resource guarding

• Nipping and biting

Immersion training can help with other behavioral challenges as well, including fear issues, separation anxiety, and aggression. You can also find Portland board-and-train programs that offer specialty training for agility, competition, and therapy work.

What to Bring to Dog Boot Camp

When you enroll your pooch in boot camp, the professional trainers will let you know what to bring. Don’t expect a long list, however, as most board-and-train facilities have just about everything your dog will need during their time away from home.

You may be asked to send food for your furry family member, as a sudden change in diet can be stressful. You might also want to bring a favorite toy or, perhaps, a worn blanket or t-shirt to provide a familiar scent and help your dog feel at home.

Other than that, you’ll need to make sure that your dog is wearing a collar with an I.D. tag and, preferably, a microchip that holds your current contact information. The professional trainer will also want your veterinarian’s information. These are simply precautions, like those you would take if you were leaving your child with a babysitter.

What to Expect When Your Dog Comes Home

Many pet owners are worried about the transition between the board-and-train facility and home. When a dog returns from boot camp, they need to understand that their new skills must apply at home, too – and there’s a concern that this won’t happen.

Fortunately, professional dog trainers recognize this, and most will provide you with the advice and guidance you need to get your pooch to listen to your commands. Your trainer should also let you know how to motivate and reward your four-legged friend in different situations.

If the trainers you choose use positive reinforcement to promote proper behavior, your dog should be eager to respond to your commands at home. And if you experience any issues, your professional dog trainer can address them during your private follow-up lessons.

How to Choose the Right Dog Boot Camp Program

People often assume that anyone who runs a dog boot camp has met the industry requirements – but the problem is, the industry is completely unregulated. As a result, choosing the right board-and-train program can be a challenge.

To make the best decision for your beloved pet, look for a professional trainer who has made a point of seeking out certifications, apprenticeships and continuing education. These types of qualifications show dedication to the profession, an important trait in a dog trainer.

You’ll also want to consider the dog trainer’s approach, as professionals who employ a balanced approach – with positive reinforcement and clear communication – are more successful in changing behavior. Look for a boot camp where your dog can have fun while they learn, and you can achieve your training goals.

Looking for a Quality Dog Boot Camp in Portland?

Positive reinforcement and reward-based training techniques result in happy, well-behaved dogs – and if you choose our Portland dog boot camp, you can count on the professional trainers at Blackwood Canine to use these methods in teaching your pooch.

Along with immersion training, we offer a puppy jump-start program and private lessons – either at your home or our state-of-the-art facility in Scappoose. We work with tail-waggers of all breeds and ages, and we’re proud to be the preferred trainers of local veterinarians, shelters, breeders and rescues. For more information on the Blackwood Canine team, or to discuss the benefits of enrolling in our dog boot camp in Portland, Oregon, contact us online or give us a call today.