Board and Train for Dogs in Seattle & San Diego
- Our Board and Train Program
Let us jump-start the work for you
Our Board & Train program is designed to give your dog a strong foundation through customized, science-based training in a loving family home environment. Using a whole-dog approach and positive reinforcement methods, we focus on building skills that last—while keeping your dog’s wellbeing and joy at the center of the process.
Whether you have a puppy, an adolescent, or an adult dog, our program offers a jump-start to training that fits your dog’s unique needs and personality. During their stay, your dog lives in a real home, ensuring comfort, structure, and daily practice in real-life situations.
Start With a board and train consultation Right at Home
A strong training plan starts with clarity. Before we bring your dog into our home, we’ll meet in yours. This session allows us to observe your dog’s behavior in their everyday environment, learn about your goals, and design a fully customized Board and Train program.
90-minute consultation – $250
- Includes personalized advice, next steps, and a realistic training roadmap
- Required before enrollment in Board and Train
Bonus: A complimentary pre-boarding visit to Colleen’s home is available (by appointment) to help your pup get familiar with the new setting.
Why Dog Owners Trust Us
Communication with owners is at the heart of our programme. You’ll receive regular updates, progress notes, photos, and videos throughout your dog’s stay.
At the end, we provide a full handover session, equipping you with the knowledge and tools to continue at home. Ongoing support is always available, whether through follow-up sessions or advice as your dog matures.
Our goal is to help both dogs and human to feel confident continuing the progress and to strengthen your bond, so that you succeed—together
A True Home Environment — Not a Kennel
Dogs thrive in calm, nurturing environments where they feel safe. That’s why our puppy board and train and adult dog programs take place right in Colleen’s home—not in a facility. Your dog will enjoy:
- Daily enrichment and play
- Walks and social exposure
- Rest and structure in a peaceful home
- Love and attention as one of the family
Why the Board and Train Program Works
Communication and consistency are key in building new habits and behaviors with dogs. In Colleen’s home every interaction she has with your dog or puppy is carefully chosen to reinforce the behaviors we want to encourage, and to not reinforce the behaviors we want to extinguish. Developing impulse control in your dog is the foundation of all training. Day in and day out these little interactions build a momentum of new habits, and lasting behavioral changes when treated with consistency and care.
Training doesn’t stop when your dog comes home. We include post-board-and-train coaching sessions with you, so you’ll feel confident continuing the progress and strengthening your bonds succeed—together.
Life at Colleen’s home:
- Short, positive training sessions tailored to their age and stage
- Foundations such as recall, leash manners, and calm behaviour in the home
- Introductions to grooming, and handling
- Opportunities to socialise with calm role-model dogs and explore new environments
- Plenty of rest and downtime to recharge, ensuring training is effective and never overwhelming
- Exercise and enrichment tailored to your dogs needs
Common Skills & Behaviors Addressed in Board & Train
We want to make real, lasting change, and not quick fixes. That’s why your dog’s training plan is tailored to your unique goals and their specific personality.
Whether you need basic manners or more advanced behavior modification, we’ve got you covered. We use only force-free, science-based methods that focus on building trust, confidence, and real-world reliability. Training may include:
Basic Obedience Training
- Sit, down, stay, and settle
- Coming when called (reliable recall)
- Loose leash walking (no pulling)
- Place/Mat training (relax on a spot)
- Wait at doors and thresholds
- Polite greetings (no jumping)
- Drop it / Leave it
- Crate training & household manners
- Focus and engagement around distractions
Behavioral Issues & Real-Life Manners
- Puppy foundations (potty training, alone time training and socialization)
- Impulse control (barking, overexcitement)
- Polite Greetings
- Separation-related concerns (mild to moderate)
- Confidence building for shy or fearful dogs
- Leash reactivity (barking/lunging at other dogs or people)
- Resource guarding prevention & management
- Settling in public places (cafés, patios, vet office)
- Social skills with people and/or other dogs (as appropriate)
- Testimonials
Why Clients Love Us
From wild to well-mannered—our clients are seeing real transformations, and you will too.
George Simons and Lisa Syme
Otto is a rambunctious and mischievous Labradoodle puppy. Colleen accepted his challenging behavior, saw the positive in his character, and performed wonders. In teaching both Otto and me the foundational attitudes, techniques, and skills, he has grown to be a loving and joyous partner in life. Otto loves the continued training and boarding Colleen offers.
Thanks, Colleen!
Ready to Jumpstart Your Dog’s Behavior training?
Book your 90-minute consultation today to get started with Board and Train dog training in Seattle or San Diego. We’ll learn about your dog, design a plan, and help you take the next step toward your well-mannered four-legged friend.
