Your dog can learn a lot in a program, but the results only last if you learn the same cues, timing and rules.
Board and train dog training
Board and train dog training: find a trainer near you
In a board-and-train program your dog stays with a professional trainer and learns while you are away, then you learn how to keep it going at home. Tell K9PN where you live and what you want help with, and we will connect you with a board-and-train trainer.
- Free to request, takes about two minutes
- Trainers in the Tampa Bay and Knoxville areas
- A trainer calls you back
Find a board-and-train trainerTell us about your dog. Include your ZIP code so we can match you with a trainer who serves your area.K9PN is a referral service and does not train dogs. By submitting a request you agree that K9PN and a participating trainer may contact you about it by phone, text or email. Message and data rates may apply. See our Privacy Policy.
What to look for
What a good board-and-train program includes
Board and train is only as good as the program and the handoff back to you.
Photos, videos or calls so you can see how your dog is doing and what is being worked on.
Written goals for your dog, what will be taught and how progress is measured, agreed before you drop off.
Ask where your dog will sleep and spend the day, whether in the trainer's home or a kennel, and how many dogs one trainer handles.
A follow-up session, check-in or message support while your dog adjusts to your household.
Vaccine requirements, what happens if your dog is sick, and what the refund or makeup policy is.
How it works
From request to trainer in three steps
K9PN is a referral service. We do not train dogs. Trainers set their own prices and programs.
Share your dog's age and breed, whether you want board and train, 1-on-1 sessions or virtual training (Florida only for now), and where you live. It takes about two minutes and costs nothing.
K9PN is a referral service. Based on what you need and where you live, we refer your request to a professional trainer who offers it.
The trainer calls you to talk through your goals, pricing and scheduling. You decide whether it is a fit.
How board and train works
You drop your dog off with a trainer for an agreed period. The trainer works with your dog daily on obedience, manners and, depending on the program, problem behaviors, then hands your dog back with a lesson on how to keep it going. Program length depends on the goal: some trainers run short head-start programs for puppies, others run programs of a month or more for adult obedience and behavior work.
Is board and train right for your dog?
It often suits busy owners, dogs with strong habits that are hard to change at home and puppies that need a solid foundation. It is not a fit for every dog. A dog that is very anxious away from home, or one whose problems come mostly from household routines that only you can change, may do better with 1-on-1 sessions where you do the work with the trainer. If your dog has a history of biting or aggression, say so in your request, because not every trainer accepts those cases.
Board and train, 1-on-1 or virtual?
| Format | Best for | Your involvement |
|---|---|---|
| Board and train | Busy owners, stubborn habits, a head start on foundations | You learn the handling at pickup and keep it up at home |
| 1-on-1 sessions | Learning to handle your dog yourself, behavior problems, puppies | You attend every session and do the homework |
| Virtual training | Foundations and everyday manners from home, flexible schedules | You run each exercise on camera while the trainer coaches you |
Questions to ask any board-and-train trainer
- Where will my dog stay, and who is with them overnight?
- How many dogs do you train at once?
- What does a typical day look like for my dog?
- What methods and tools do you use, and why?
- How often will I get updates, and can I see video?
- What is included in pickup and in follow-up support?
- What vaccines do you require, and what happens if my dog gets sick?
- What is the full price, and what is the refund or makeup policy?
How we match you with a trainer
K9PN is not a franchise and not a directory where anyone can pay to be listed. We refer dog owners to experienced, independent trainers, and we look at the things that decide whether training works in real life:
- Real experience. How long the trainer has worked with dogs, what kinds of dogs and problems, and whether the person who trains your dog is the experienced trainer or a junior hire.
- Where your dog actually lives. A dog that spends the program in a crowded kennel room or a stack of crates does not learn to settle in a normal home. We favor trainers who keep few dogs and train in realistic settings.
- Training in the real world. Walks, public places, visitors and house rules, not only drills in one room.
- You are part of it. Lessons at pickup and follow-up, so the results last once your dog is home.
Read more in our guide to the types of dog training and how to choose a trainer.
Common questions
How long is a board-and-train program?
It depends on the trainer and the goal. Some programs are about two weeks for puppies, while others run a month or more for adult obedience and behavior work. Ask any trainer what your dog needs and why.
How much does board and train cost?
Board and train usually costs more than 1-on-1 sessions or classes because your dog is with the trainer day to day. Prices vary by trainer, program length and your dog's needs, so get a written price and ask what it includes.
Will the training last after my dog comes home?
It can, if you learn the cues and rules and keep applying them. Look for a program with lessons at pickup and follow-up support, and expect to keep practicing.
Can board and train fix aggression?
Some trainers work with aggression and behavior cases and some do not. Describe your dog's history honestly in your request so we can match you with a trainer who takes those cases, and expect a vet check and careful evaluation first.
Do dogs need vaccines for board and train?
Most trainers require current rabies and other core vaccines, and some require more, such as kennel cough protection. Your trainer will tell you what is required.
Is K9PN a dog training company?
No. K9PN is a referral service and does not train dogs. We pass your request to a professional trainer we work with who offers the kind of training you asked for and serves your area. It costs you nothing to send a request, and you decide whether to work with the trainer who calls you.
Related
For dog trainers
Are you a dog trainer in your area?
K9PN passes local dog-training requests like the ones on this page to professional trainers in the area so new-client inquiries reach you without you running ads. Book a call to ask about availability in your area.
Types of dog training
Compare the types of dog training
Each format has its own page explaining how it works, who it suits and what to ask a trainer.
Private (1-on-1) dog training
One-to-one sessions built around your dog and your goals, at home or at the trainer.
Virtual dog trainingLive video coaching with a trainer, from wherever you are. Currently available in Florida.
Types of dog training comparedBoard and train, 1-on-1, virtual, group and day training side by side, and how to choose a trainer.
Ready to find a board-and-train trainer?
Fill out the request form and a trainer will call you back.
Find a trainer