Dog Training Center FAQs

If you have questions about our dog training services be sure to read through these frequently asked questions! If you still have questions, feel free to contact Dog Days in Berthoud today. We will happily answer any questions you may have.

Q: WHY DO I HAVE TO PAY FOR A PRIVATE EVALUATION WITH YOU TO MEET MY DOG AND CONSIDER MY DOG FOR CLASSES OR BOARD AND TRAIN?

A: We want time to meet you and your dog, go over your questions and concerns as well as make sure that we are going to work well together. We want to make sure we are all on the same page and that this will be successful for everyone. We will bring in other dogs to see how your dog does with dogs (always being safe with all dogs involved) and to determine the best course of action (i.e. group classes, privates classes, etc.). We do a lot of off-leash work in all of our group classes so we do not let any dogs into class until they have been approved for everyone’s safety.

Some dogs will do the private lesson and we will give the owners homework to work on, and then they can join classes or be in a specialty class that is smaller. We are always aiming for the right mix of dogs in classes so you can progress at your rate, with your dog.

As for board and train, we need to make sure your dog will be successful here. If a dog is too nervous or stressed they will not learn. If a dog is too over the top and aroused, that dog may need some additional work before we will approve them for board and train. We do not want to stress out the other dogs that are here. We always want board and train to be a positive learning experience for your dog.

If we do not spend the time getting to know you and your dog, we cannot provide the best situation for your dog to learn appropriately whether it is in classes or board and train, or day stays.


Q: CAN WE COME AND VISIT OUR DOG WHILE THEY ARE IN BOARDING AND TRAINING?

A: Unfortunately, the answer is no. We need the time to get your dog working for us, and if they see their owners they go right back to baseline. Instead, we want them to get used to a new routine, working attitude, and commands and develop some coping skills that we can then transfer to the owner.


Q: WHY IS THERE A TIME REQUIREMENT FOR BOARD AND TRAIN?

A: For the first stay, there is a time requirement and the time needed depends on what we see in the private lesson/evaluation. We have found that dogs take a few days to settle into the routine and calm down with all the exercise. From there, we are able to start training and working on all of your goals. Your dog learns to work for different staff members in a variety of situations. Your dog is worked in classes and used in other private lessons so there are many situations to learn to work with new distractions daily.

*AFTER THE INITIAL BOARD AND TRAIN TIME, THERE IS NO TIME REQUIREMENT. WE ALWAYS CHARGE FOR TRAINING, SINCE WE DO NOT DO ANY BOARDING. WE WANT ALL THE DOGS HERE BEING TRAINED, SO ONCE YOUR DOG KNOWS THE ROUTINE IT IS EASY TO SLOT THEM IN SINCE THEY KNOW WHAT TO EXPECT.


Q: WHERE DO THE DOGS STAY?

A: The dogs stay in the kennel, which is right next to Laurie’s house. They are all on camera. They have runs in which they can see all the other dogs, lots of room to move around and stretch out. Each has an elevated dog bed with sheepskin bedding. The kennel is air-conditioned during the summer and heated during the winter. The dogs can see us working in the kitchen, working with other dogs and they learn to be calm with all the other dogs around. Usually, you will not hear any barking here at all. We have had contractors working here that said they would not have known this was a dog training center it was so quiet. This is due to the dogs getting so much exercise, work, and being happily settled into their runs with something really good to chew on. They are very relaxed and happy.


Q: WHAT IF MY DOG HAS AGGRESSION ISSUES AND DOES NOT QUALIFY FOR BOARDING AND TRAINING?

A: There are a lot of dogs where boarding and training is not the right option for that particular dog to learn. Instead, we can do customized private sessions to improve on any behavioral issues and go over how to set your dog up for success to improve on any interactions with other dogs or people. Some dogs may not even have aggression issues, but the activity level may be too much for that dog.

We do a lot of individual work with dogs with special needs and they can improve quickly.


Q: AT WHAT AGE CAN MY DOG COME FOR BOARD AND TRAIN?

A: We work with a lot of puppies between three and four months and they do very well. For tiny puppies, we have an option of going into a staff member’s house, to be around kids, cats, and a lovely dog that is a good mentor. Each case is individual but we can accommodate some of the little guys, or if we decide the pup is too young for the board and train program, we can look at the home option. We still need to do a private evaluation first.


Q: HOW WILL MY DOG WORK FOR ME WHEN I GET THEM BACK FROM BOARD AND TRAIN?

A: This is the most important transition and we want to make sure it is successful. We spend about an hour and a half going over everything your dog has learned. We also write up a report that goes over everything your dog worked on and how to continue. We find that most people continue in classes and this is a great way to make sure you are handling your dog correctly in distracting situations. Continuing in classes is a great way to practice in a controlled environment. We want to make sure that the owners continue to reinforce everything we worked on.


Q: MULTIPLE DOG DISCOUNT?

A: We do not do discounts for multiple dogs since we are a very small kennel and only take a limited number of dogs.

If you have any additional questions, be sure to contact Dog Days in Berthoud today!