Pros:
- Dog is taught basic and advanced commands
- You are free to work, study, complete your projects, raise your kids, enjoy your hobbies, care for your human family without the interruptions of dealing with an untrained dog
- Your dog is exposed to other dogs, many different trainers, kennel workers of all backgrounds and cultures.
- In theory, your dog returns well trained, obedient, well mannered and now you can enjoy daily life and outings with a great companion.
Cons:
- You have little input or control of the methods used to teach your dog. Your dog may be subjected to harsh “do it or else” methods that can undermine the trusting partnership you desire, and harsher methods often have unwanted side effects.
- You dog may be treated and housed like livestock, in a large fenced area with other dogs, or your dog may be kept in a kennel and gets out briefly to potty and for training sessions.
- Your dog probably has few interactions with people that involve, promote, and refine his cognitive abilities, or increase his desires to cooperate and bond with your family.
- You are separated from your dog for days, weeks at a time. The daily events that create a happy bond between your family and your dog are deleted.
- Unless you learn and use the same methods to communicate and motivate as the trainers did, your dog may or may not perform for you. A few weeks after his return home, he is likely to be the same uncooperative dog as before.
- Board and Train is ridiculously expensive, in some situations justifiably so, but still out of reach for many families.
Alternatives to Board and Train
Knowing the pros and cons doesn’t really alter your situation. If you want a professional to teach your dog, without using harsh methods, without your dog living a kennel, the How’s Bentley FREE YOUR TIME PROGRAMS are perfect. I offer several dog boarding and training programs for Memphis, Tn area. You choose 2, 3 or 4 in home sessions a week. Your dog stays home and I come to you. The FYT168 is a platinum dog boarding and training experience for family dogs in the Memphis TN area. Your dog lives inside with me for 1 to 3 weeks. I use Syn Alia Training System developed by Kayce Cover.