Step 1

BEFORE YOU ARRIVE

A little preparation goes a long way. Run through this quick checklist before you head out the door.

Feed your dog 2 hours before the session

Not right before — an overly full dog is sluggish, and an empty stomach actually increases food drive and focus. The two-hour window is the sweet spot.

No off-leash play right before

We want your dog alert, engaged, and ready to work — not checked out from a run at the park. Save the fetch session for after.

Bring your dog's current collar, leash, and any training equipment you use

We want to see exactly what you've been working with. Don't swap anything out — show us your dog's real setup.

Write down your 3 biggest challenges

Pulling on leash? Reactive to other dogs? Can't get their attention in public? Knowing what matters most to you means we can prioritize the session around it.

Come with an open mind

Some of what you've been doing may need to change — and that's completely okay. That's why you're here. No judgment, just honest guidance.

Step 2

WHAT TO BRING

The list is different depending on your program. Select yours below.

Regular Collar & Leash

Use your dog's everyday collar. No prong or e-collar yet unless we've already discussed it. A standard 6-foot leash — not a retractable.

High-Value Treats

Small pieces of chicken, cheese, or hot dogs work great. Cut them small — marble-sized. You want many reps, not a full stomach.

Water for Your Dog

If we're training outdoors or it's warm out, bring a collapsible bowl and some water. Especially important in South Florida heat.

Comfortable Shoes

We move around. Closed-toe, supportive shoes. Skip the flip-flops — you'll want to be able to move freely and confidently.

Your Dog's Food

Bring enough for the full program duration. If you run low, you'll need to deliver more or ship more directly — we don't source food on your behalf.

Medications

Any meds your dog takes, with clear written dosage instructions. Include the prescription label if applicable. Don't leave anything to guesswork.

Vet Records

Especially vaccination history — rabies, DHPP, Bordetella. A copy is fine. We require current vaccinations for all Board & Train dogs.

📞

Emergency Contact Info

A secondary person we can reach if we can't get you. Name, relationship, and phone number. We rarely need it — but we always want it.

Collar with ID Tags

Your dog should arrive wearing a collar with current ID tags — your name, phone number, and ideally a secondary contact. It's a basic safety requirement.

Step 3

WHAT TO EXPECT IN YOUR
FIRST SESSION

Here's how a typical first session runs — start to finish.

1

First 15 Minutes

WE TALK — BEFORE THE DOG IS EVEN INVOLVED

Tell me everything. The good, the bad, the embarrassing. What's been happening, what you've tried, what hasn't worked. Nothing surprises me, and none of it disqualifies your dog from getting better. The more honest you are here, the more targeted everything else becomes.

2

Middle 30–45 Minutes

WE WORK WITH YOUR DOG

I'll demonstrate first, then coach you through it. You'll see your dog respond differently than they do for you — that's completely normal and expected. It's not a commentary on you. It's what we're here to teach you: how to communicate with your dog in a way they understand.

3

Last 15 Minutes

RECAP, HOMEWORK & NEXT STEPS

You leave with specific, actionable things to practice before our next session. Not vague advice — a clear, repeatable routine. We'll also map out what the next few sessions look like based on what we saw today.

Total Session Time

Approximately 75–90 minutes for the first session

Before You Go

COMMON QUESTIONS BEFORE
YOUR FIRST SESSION

Honest answers to the things most people are thinking but aren't sure if they should ask.

"My dog is really bad — will you judge me?"

No. Every dog here started somewhere. We've seen aggression, severe reactivity, dogs that have bitten multiple people, and dogs that seemed completely out of control. None of that is permanent, and none of it reflects on you as a person. You're here because you care — that's what matters.

"Should I tire my dog out beforehand?"

No — and this one's important. A tired dog is not a trained dog. We want a mentally alert, engaged dog who has energy to focus. Save the big exercise session for after the training. A calm-but-awake dog works best.

"My dog doesn't take treats — will training still work?"

Yes. Motivation isn't always food. Some dogs are more driven by toys, praise, or real-world rewards like freedom or access to things they want. Part of our job in the first session is figuring out what your specific dog finds rewarding — and then using that.

"What if my dog bites?"

Tell us before the session — not after. We take appropriate precautions, and a bite history does not disqualify your dog from training. In fact, it helps us prepare the right environment and approach. Transparency upfront makes everything safer for everyone.

"How fast will I see results?"

Most owners see meaningful improvement within the first session itself. Real, lasting behavioral change builds over time — typically across 4–8 sessions, depending on the dog and the issues we're addressing. You'll leave the first session with things that already work. The depth of change comes with consistency.

PREPARING FOR YOUR
FIRST SESSION

BEFORE YOU ARRIVE

WHAT TO BRING

WHAT TO EXPECT IN YOUR
FIRST SESSION

COMMON QUESTIONS BEFORE
YOUR FIRST SESSION

READY TO GO?

PREPARING FOR YOURFIRST SESSION

BEFORE YOU ARRIVE

WHAT TO BRING

WHAT TO EXPECT IN YOURFIRST SESSION

COMMON QUESTIONS BEFOREYOUR FIRST SESSION

READY TO GO?

PREPARING FOR YOUR
FIRST SESSION

WHAT TO EXPECT IN YOUR
FIRST SESSION

COMMON QUESTIONS BEFORE
YOUR FIRST SESSION