The Case Against "Board and Train"
The Case Against Board and Train: What Dog Owners Need to Know Before Sending Their Dog Away
On paper, board-and-train doggy bootcamps seem ideal.
You drop your dog off with a professional trainer, they come back well-behaved, and life gets easier — right?
Not quite.
At first glance, these programs appear convenient and promising. But behind the slick marketing and hefty price tags, board and train programs often fail to deliver lasting change — and worse, they can have serious unintended consequences for both the dog and the owner.
Before you pack up your dog for a few weeks away, here’s what you really need to know.
1. Dogs Don’t Understand “Temporary” — They Feel Abandoned
When you leave your dog at a training facility for weeks on end, you know you’ll be back.
Your dog doesn’t.
All your dog knows is:
They were dropped off somewhere unfamiliar
With strangers
And you didn’t come back
This is especially traumatic for rescued or adopted dogs, who may already carry emotional scars from abandonment or neglect. For a dog who just settled into a new home, suddenly being sent away to a kennel-like facility can reinforce the worst message possible:
“I’ve been left again.”
The result?
Some dogs shut down. Some stop eating. Some regress completely, undoing weeks or months of progress. And before training can even begin, the trainer is left trying to deal with anxiety, depression, or shutdown behavior — none of which were the issues you sent your dog away to fix.
2. Most Dogs Don’t Get the Attention You Think They Do
We all know dogs are deeply social creatures. They need connection, affection, and leadership. Without that, behavior problems often escalate — or new ones emerge.
While some boutique board-and-train programs offer personalized care, the reality is most facilities are packed with dogs because that’s how they stay profitable.
This often means:
Dogs are left in crates or kennels for hours at a time
Minimal one-on-one interaction with a trainer
Limited (or no) supervised socialization with other dogs
The result? A stressed, overstimulated, or shut-down dog who may leave the facility “obedient” — but emotionally checked out and completely disconnected from their real handler: you.
3. You Don’t Know What Kind of Training Is Really Happening
Here’s a tough truth: when your dog is away at a board-and-train facility, you’re not there to see how they’re being trained.
Is your dog being overcorrected or ignored?
Are they being forced into situations before they’re ready?
Are shortcuts being taken just to get them to comply?
Even the best facilities can struggle with staff turnover, overcrowding, and inconsistent handling. And unfortunately, there’s little oversight.
You may come home with a dog who appears “trained” in the moment — but you have no idea how that training was done, or how to maintain it.
4. The Owner Is the Missing Piece — and That’s a Big Problem
Here’s what most board-and-train programs get fundamentally wrong:
They train the dog, but not the owner.
That’s a huge reason why we hear this almost every single day:
“I tried everything. I even sent my dog to board and train — and nothing changed.”
Why?
Because your dog was trained, but not by you.
And when the trainer isn’t there to reinforce rules, your dog reverts — fast.
Obedience doesn’t “stick” if you don’t understand what your dog needs from you. True training isn’t just about what your dog learns — it’s about how you show up as a leader. And that part can’t be outsourced.
5. The Reality of “Training” at These Facilities
Many people imagine board-and-train programs as a kind of immersive dog bootcamp — structured schedules, lots of hands-on work, consistent routines. The reality is often very different.
Some dogs spend more time in crates than they do training
Staff members may rotate, leading to inconsistent handling
There may be little to no communication with you during the stay
And when you do get your dog back? You’re handed a short debrief, maybe a few commands, and sent on your way — expected to maintain results with no real education or support.
6. Even the Best Results Don’t Last Without Owner Leadership
Let’s say you do get results. Your dog comes back behaving better than ever.
But here’s the catch: your dog isn’t responding to you — they’re responding to the trainer’s structure. If that structure doesn’t exist at home, your dog will quickly go back to what’s familiar.
If you haven’t been trained to set boundaries, reinforce leadership, and communicate clearly — the progress unravels.
Behavior follows leadership.
And leadership isn’t something a dog transfers from one person to another — it’s something you must establish yourself.
Why Our Approach Works When Board and Train Fails
At Team SamIvy, we don’t “fix” your dog for you — we train you to fix the behavior.
You don’t need to send your dog away. In fact, you shouldn’t.
Because the bond, structure, and respect your dog needs?
That comes from you, not us.
We work directly with you and your dog from day one — in your home, your real-life environment — and teach you how to lead. And unlike in-person programs that rely on the trainer being present, our virtual method keeps the focus where it belongs: on empowering you.
Our clients often say:
“I tried board and train. It didn’t work. This did.”
Final Thoughts: Don’t Outsource Your Relationship
Sending your dog away may seem easier. But if you want long-term results — the kind that transform your life and your dog’s — you need to be the one in charge.
That doesn’t mean you have to figure it out alone.
It just means you have to be involved.
Because a well-behaved dog isn’t just the result of training — it’s the result of leadership, clarity, and respect.
And no one can give your dog that but you.
