Questions for Board & Train facilities treating aggressive dogs:

(See problems with Board and Train solutions)

Are the other dogs in the facilty's care vaccinated, including any personal pets?
When dogs are away from home, their stress level rises. What does the facility do to help ease the stress? How does stress effect treatment?
What are the consultant's methods over food aggression?
Does the consultant allow the animals to gorge so that they “get used to” having food around to treat food aggression? [1]
Is water or food ever withheld for training purposes? [2] Can you confirm what goes on behond closed doors?
Is the dog going to be taken for walks outside the facility? If so, who by?

How many staff are there and what are their qualifications for handing the animals? Will other dogs be present?

Are the dogs walked on or off leash – if on - leash what kind of leash? How many dogs at a time and for how long and how often? This may give you some clue whether they are under staffed or not, or whether they are getting adaquate care.[3]

During extreme weather, where dogs cannot be outside, where will they be housed?
Will training continue during extreme weather?
When the dogs are outside, will someone be with them at all times to ensure that they are not too hot or cold?
Will they ever be left outside tied up?
If the animal becomes sick or injured while at the facility, who will pay the vet bills? [4] Will you be provided with an incident report?
If the dog bites a person or another animal while at the facility, what are the repercussions to your dog and to you?
What is the likelihood of an injury?[5]
If your dog needs medication, who will administer it? Will you be able to talk to them directly?
If your dog is on a special diet, will the dog have an opportunity to get into anything but his own food?
How will the food be administered?
Is kibble available at all times? (If so, your dog will more than likely get into it).
If the dog is on a raw or cooked diet, do they have freezing facilities enough to store the required amount?
What are the facility’s hours of operation?
When will you be able to contact the consultant about your dog?
What time frame can you expect to receive a response if you leave a phone message?
When will you be able to visit? Does the facility provide written daily progress reports?
How much notice does the facility need to visit with your dog?
If If the consultant is going to be unavailable at any time, can you obtain the name and phone number of the person who will be in charge of your dog?
Ask for a general outline of how the consultant/training facility will deal with your dog’s issues.
- Will the dog be in touch with other dogs?
- What problems do these dogs have?
- Will the dogs wear shock collars, e-collars, prong collars etc. at all? Remember that local pain will often increase aggression in a dominantly aggressive dog.
- If you have issues with any of these things, do you trust the facility enough to leave your dog there?
If, for any reason, a scheduled visit has to be canceled by the consultant/training facility within 24 hours, will you be reimbursed for costs (gas, motel room if you are staying overnight)or in the event the facility can’t reach you.
Where is garbage stored? Can the dogs get into it?
Will there be unexpected extra costs at anytime (such as the need for "extra" food, transportation costs, extra staff, "special" training, extra equipment, etc.)?
Will the facility sent you a contract ahead of time before dropping your dog off so you have time to look it over, and discuss with a legal representative if necessary?
How will you be trained for follow up training? What are the details of this? (i.e. number of sessions, duration, one-on-one counselling, etc.,) Is there a limit to the follow-up support you can get stated in the contract and how well is it details (i.e. in-person support, email or telephone support)?
What kind of detail do they require for a behavioral history?
If it doesn't seem professional, it probably isn't. Don't be taken in.

Go on instincts. If something about the consultant or facilities doesn't feel right, it's probably reason enough not to leave your dog there. Many Board and Train services are scams, and in the cases that they are not, you will not know what is happening to your dog. You will know know if the treatment your dog is receiving will make your dog worse.

Often there is very little you can do should your dog be mistreated, unless there is physical evidence that your dog was mistreated and you can verify this with your vet, or proof that anything actually happened. You are your dog’s only advocate.

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[1] Some dogs can get bloat from this, so if the consultant deals with food aggression in this manner, reconsider leaving your dog with him.

[2] Some trainers may not admit to this. However water especially should NEVER be withheld, especially while the dog is under stress and the possibility of dehydration is real.

[3]The dog should be on a 6’ leash at all times while in an insecure environment.

[4]In any case you want copies of the records from the vet. This should be in the contract unless he contacts your vet. Once you get your dog home you'll want to give a copy of the records to your own vet so that he's aware of the injury/illness.

[5] This might indicate the safety of the facility. Is the training facility responsible (it should be)? Get this in writing. Find out what local bylaws say as sometimes they hold the owner responsible, the owner of the property or whoever is harboring the dog.

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