Do you feel frustrated or overwhelmed by your dog’s behavior? If so, you may be considering sending your dog to a dog training program. These programs are frequently advertised as an easy solution to training problems. Unfortunately, not all dog training programs are effective and some can easily lead to dog abuse.
What is a dog bootcamp?
Sometimes called “board and train,” a dog boot camp is a dog training program where dogs are sent away from home and family to receive training from a dog trainer. Bootcamp programs for dogs, as the name suggests, can be militaristic, which can often mean a heavy reliance on punitive and aversive training methods, which have been scientifically proven to be harmful. for dogs.
Dog training in the United States is an unregulated industry. This means that anyone can call themselves a dog trainer, regardless of their experience. One of the big challenges with dog boot camp programs is that you can’t see how your dog is being treated. While you’re at boot camp, your dog is no longer in your care, which can lead to abuse, such as dogs being trained harshly, kept in crates for too long, or handled roughly.
Does my dog need a dog boot camp?
In most cases, there is no reason to send your dog to training, even if you are having serious training issues. Generally, it is most effective for dog owners to attend group and/or individual training classes with their dogs by working with an experienced dog trainer or animal behaviorist. By training with your dog, you not only learn new skills, but you also learn how to be an effective handler.
Training the dog is only a small part of training; an essential part of dog training is to train the owner in handling the dog. The dog owner must learn to support and manage their dog in a wide variety of situations, which is difficult to do if the dog is sent for training.
Does the dog bootcamp correct bad behavior?
Dogs that struggle with reactivity or aggression are often targeted with boarding and training programs, and the success of these dogs will be mixed. Some bootcamp style programs inundate or overexpose dogs to triggers associated with aversive training methods such as shock/collar and spike collar corrections. This leaves some dogs calm and closed, but it only masks their underlying discomfort, which has not been resolved. Reactivity and aggression are often deeply rooted in fear, so being sent to boot camp can not only make difficult behaviors worse, but can also damage a dog’s relationship with its owner.
One of the big challenges with bootcamps is that dogs don’t learn in set periods of time. Just as it may take one person just a few lessons to learn how to solve an algebraic equation, it may take another person months of one-on-one math tutoring to grasp the same concept. Just because a dog learns something at bootcamp doesn’t mean the training is over or your dog will generalize that skill when he comes home. Beware of any boarding and training program that guarantees it will “cure” or “fix” your dog within weeks.
What do dogs learn at dog camp?
If you send your dog to bootcamp, what he learns will be determined by the type of program. Most bootcamp or boarding programs for dogs will have a particular focus, for example on specific behavioral issues such as reactivity or aggression. Others take a more holistic approach to teaching good manners. Other bootcamp programs focus on specialized skills for service dogs, hunting dogs, or other specific specialty training. The most effective dog bootcamp programs will also have an owner training element to ensure that dog owners also learn the handling skills that match the training their dogs have been working on.
Bootcamp or send-off templates aren’t always bad. Some daycares and dog boarding facilities will have a stay-and-train option where dogs who are boarded while their owners are on vacation can continue to work on practicing cues and basic skills, so they don’t take delay in training. These programs may also offer “day training” options where dogs can get one-on-one training support while at daycare. The dogs that can benefit the most from a camp are dogs that are trained as service dogs at established and highly respected training schools. In these cases, dogs are trained and then paired with a disabled handler.
Where to find dog training camps
If you feel overwhelmed by your dog and think the only option is to send your dog to boot camp, there are ethical and humane trainers who run boarding and training programs. Here are a few things to do before choosing one:
- Carefully research any trainer and program you are considering. Research the trainer and company name to find online reviews or news articles about allegations of abuse or mistreatment.
- Ask the trainer for references and speak with past clients.
- Meet the trainer and ask about your dog’s daily routines during training.
- Some bootcamps are running out of kennel facilities, while others are running out of dog trainer homes. Either way, take a full tour of the facility, including any other areas where your dog will be spending time.
- Make sure you understand who will be caring for your dog and what the protocols and procedures are for accessing veterinary care if your dog is injured while in the care of trainers.
If you’re going to send your dog to bootcamp, have realistic expectations of what your dog will learn while he’s away. Always check the references of any trainer and establishment in addition to visiting it before leaving your dog in their care. Dogs are not robots that can get their software updated at bootcamp. Even in the best-case scenario where you send your dog to bootcamp and they learn new skills, you will also need to learn how to manage your dog and continue to reinforce those new behaviors once they come home.
