What to Know About Intensive Dog Training Boarding

Ever wish you had a magic wand to transform your furry friend into the perfect companion? Okay, maybe we can’t offer actual magic, but at BlackPaw Dog Training, we come pretty close! We’re talking about intensive dog training boarding, a supercharged approach to training that helps dogs of all breeds and backgrounds become their best selves.

Whether you’re in Lafayette, Boulder, Denver, or beyond, if you’ve been struggling with frustrating behaviors like pulling on the leash, endless barking, or unwelcome “zoomies” around the house, this blog post is for you. We’ll break down everything you need to know about intensive dog training boarding, from what it is and how it works to why it might be the pawfect solution for your pup (and your sanity!).

What is Intensive Dog Training?

Think of intensive dog training as an immersive learning experience for your dog. It’s like sending your pup to a focused “boot camp” where they’ll work closely with expert trainers to learn essential skills and address behavioral challenges in a dedicated environment.

Instead of weekly training sessions, intensive dog training involves daily, structured training sessions, often multiple times a day. This concentrated approach allows dogs to learn and absorb information much faster.

Why is Intensive Dog Training Typically Boarding, too?

Here’s the thing: Intensive dog training is all about consistency and immersion. By having your dog stay at the training facility (boarding), they get the most out of the experience. Here’s why:

24/7 Learning: In a boarding and training environment, training isn’t confined to formal sessions. Trainers can integrate learning into everyday activities like feeding, playtime, and even just hanging out.
Reduced Distractions: At home, your dog might be easily distracted by familiar sights, sounds, and smells. Boarding minimizes these distractions, allowing your dog to focus on learning.
Consistent Application: Trainers can ensure that the same training techniques and commands are used consistently throughout the day, reinforcing good behavior and preventing confusion.
Professional trainers: Our trainers have years of experience working on the issues you are having with your dog. We know how to handle common behavior issues with techniques that are fair to the dog and effective.
Socialization Opportunities (when appropriate): Many boarding facilities offer controlled socialization with other dogs, which can be hugely beneficial for your dog’s overall development.

Essentially, boarding allows your dog to truly “live” the training, leading to faster progress and more lasting results.

What is the Intensive Dog Training and Boarding at BlackPaw Dog Training Like?

At BlackPaw Dog Training, we believe intensive dog training should be fun, effective, and tailored to your dog’s unique needs. We ditch the “boot camp” mentality and embrace a positive, individualized approach. Here’s what your dog can expect during their stay at our beautiful farm and training center:

A day filled with learning and play: Your dog’s day starts with an invigorating pack run on our spacious farm, where they can stretch their legs, socialize with other dogs (in a controlled setting), and practice coming when called – even with the exciting distractions of horses, goats, and barn cats!
Personalized training sessions: Throughout the day, your dog will participate in focused training sessions with our expert trainers. We’ll work on essential commands like heel, sit, down, come, stay, leave it, and “place” (relaxing in a specific spot).
Real-world practice: We don’t just train on the farm! We take our training on the road to parks, hardware stores, and shopping centers, ensuring your dog can listen and behave even in busy public places.
Positive reinforcement and clear communication: We use only positive reinforcement methods, rewarding good behavior and redirecting unwanted ones. Our trainers use vibrating e-collars, similar to the technology in a smartwatch, to communicate with your dog at a distance without pain or frustration. This allows for clear communication and consistent reinforcement, even in distracting environments.
Evening wind-down: After a busy day of learning and play, your dog will retire to their own individual, climate-controlled kennel for a restful night’s sleep.

Throughout your dog’s stay, we’ll keep you updated with photos, videos, and detailed reports on their progress. We’re committed to open communication and want you to feel involved in your dog’s training journey every step of the way.

Featured Pup: Cooper

Cooper is a big, but sweet puppy. His owners were frustrated with his selective hearing and lack of impulse control. Like a lot of dogs bred to guard a flock of sheep, Cooper likes to stand outside and bark, which was causing some frustration with the neighbors. He had also begun to evade his family when being called to come inside. Fixing these issues would require pack drive development. When Cooper arrived for training, we began developing his pack drive, or desire to follow a person. Some breeds have more pack drive than others naturally, and Cooper was on the lower end of the spectrum.

Cooper’s Story

What Will Your Dog Learn at Our Board and Train in Lafayette, CO?

Our intensive dog training, aka our board and train programs in Lafayette, CO, are designed to equip your dog with the skills and behaviors they need to be well-mannered, happy companions – both at home and out in the world. Here’s a breakdown of what your dog will learn:

Essential Obedience Commands:

Heel: Walking politely by your side without pulling, even with distractions.
Sit: Sitting promptly and staying in place until released.
Down: Lying down and staying down until released.
Come: Coming when called reliably, even from a distance or with distractions.
Stay: Remaining in place (sit or down) until released, even with distractions.

Leave it: Ignoring tempting items on the ground or offered by others.
Place: Going to a designated spot (like a dog bed) and staying there until released. This is a valuable tool for relaxation and impulse control.

Beyond Basic Obedience:

Off-leash reliability: Building the trust and skills needed for safe and enjoyable off-leash adventures like Colorado dog-friendly hikes or even skiing with your dog!
Improved manners: No more jumping on guests, counter surfing or door dashing.
Calmness in public: Confidently navigating busy environments and encountering other dogs and people without reactivity.
Reduced anxiety: Addressing underlying anxiety and building confidence through structured training and socialization.
Impulse control: Learning to think before reacting leads to better decision-making and fewer behavioral “oops” moments.

Addressing Specific Challenges:

Depending on the program you choose (Puppy Head Start, Perfect Pooch, or Total Behavior Reboot), we can also address specific issues like:

Potty training: For puppies, we’ll establish a solid potty-training routine and minimize accidents.
Nipping and biting: We’ll teach puppies appropriate ways to interact and inhibit their bite.
Barking: We’ll help reduce excessive barking and teach your dog to bark only when appropriate.
Separation anxiety: We’ll work on building your dog’s confidence and independence to reduce anxiety when left alone.
Reactivity and aggression: For dogs with more serious behavioral challenges, our Total Behavior Reboot program focuses on rehabilitation, addressing the root causes of fear, fear-aggressive, anxiety, and aggression.

9 Benefits of Choosing Intensive Dog Training

Intensive dog training, often referred to as “board and train,” offers a unique and highly effective approach to transforming your dog’s behavior. Here’s why it stands out as a powerful option:

Accelerated Learning and Behavior Change:

1. Immersive Experience:

Intensive dog training programs involve daily, structured training sessions, often multiple times a day. This concentrated approach allows dogs to learn and absorb information much faster than traditional weekly lessons.

2. Reduced Distractions:

By removing your dog from the familiar distractions of their home environment, they can focus solely on learning and building new habits.

3. Consistent Application:

Trainers can ensure that the same techniques and commands are used consistently throughout the day, reinforcing good behavior and preventing confusion.

Expert Guidance and Personalized Attention:

4. Professional Trainers:

Intensive dog training sessions are led by experienced trainers with a deep understanding of dog behavior and learning. They can tailor training to your dog’s individual needs and address specific challenges.

5. 24/7 Learning:

In a boarding environment, training isn’t confined to formal sessions. Trainers can integrate learning into everyday activities like feeding, playtime, and even just hanging out, maximizing your dog’s progress.

6. Clear Communication:

Many intensive programs utilize tools like vibrating e-collars to provide clear communication and consistent reinforcement, even at a distance.

Building a Stronger Bond and Lasting Results:

7. Improved Relationship:

Intensive training helps you establish clear communication and expectations with your dog, leading to a stronger bond built on trust and understanding.

8. Increased Freedom:

Enjoy off-leash adventures, confidently navigate public spaces, and experience the joy of a truly well-behaved companion.

9. Reduced Stress:

By addressing your dog’s behavioral challenges, you can reduce stress and frustration for both you and your dog, creating a more harmonious home environment.

Better Their World to Change Yours

At BlackPaw Dog Training, we believe that intensive dog training is about more than just teaching commands. It’s about transforming lives – both for dogs and their humans. Contact us today to learn more about our intensive training programs and how we can help you create a happier, more harmonious life together.