This isn't your average board and train

Most board & trains happen at the trainer's facility or home. What HITH is providing is a speciality board & train where I stay at your home and train your pup. 

It's the convenience of a house sitter, pet sitter, and dog trainer all in one. From multi dog households that are in need of some structure, to the puppy harassing the cat, Brae can work on the basics to some challenging behaviors. This isn't about "fixing" your reactive, fearful, or aggressive dog, or making the perfect puppy in a matter of a few weeks- but instead implementing better management, training protocols, and overall harmony for your dog and the home. 

Behavior doesn't happen in a vacuum.

When addressing behaviors that you deem inappropriate for your dog it’s first critical to learn and understand what is driving the behavior; nature or nurture. Is the behavior something in your dog’s breed (DNA), or is it something your dog has learned in response to its environment? Perhaps something that is being inadvertently reinforced by humans?  

Several factors can determine how long reconditioning a behavior may take. For example, how long has the behavior been going on and how old is the dog? The longer the behavior takes place, becomes “ingrained”,  in the dog’s mind, and the older the dog gets, the more time it will take to change. Another factor is genetics. For instance, is this a behavior that the dog has been bred for? Guarding, herding, pulling a sled? Once the motivation for the behavior is understood it becomes more approachable because you understand where it’s coming from. Does human behavior need to change (nurture), and if it’s nature, how does one go about changing instinct? 

-Elsa Ellman

That being said...

You also will have to continue putting in the work too! Training, management, meeting your dog's needs, is always ongoing with our dogs. Brae will meet up with you when you return, to teach you all the new skills your dog(s) have been working on. 

But Most Importantly! You should want to train and work on building a loving, trusting relationship with your best friend! 

Housekeeping is also included, such as watering plants, taking care of small pets (cats, birds, fish, hamsters, etc) to farm animals. Trips to the vet or groomer, your local puppy social class, and more! All animals in the home will be treated with constant supervision, care, and most importantly, love. 

Exotic pets on the other hand, I will have to love from afar- 

*Note: Dogs that have severe aggression where there's a bite history with human/other pets, are unable to have someone touch them, and are not currently working with  a Vet Behaviorists are not ideal for board and train program. 

Common Puppy Skills (8 to 20 weeks of age) 

• potty training
• socialization/ body handling
• crate training/ independence training
• puppy nipping
• jumping/ chewing/ demand barking/ counter surfing
• basics (recall, stay, loose leash walking, take it/drop it, leave it)
• proper play with other dogs/pets in household
• fear/phobias
• resource guarding

Common Adolescent Skills (4 - 12 months of age) 

• continuing socialization
• basics with distractions
• jumping/ humping
• nipping/ chewing/ counter surfing
• hyper arousal- self control games
• reactivity
• demanding behaviors 
• harmony with other dogs/pets in household
• fear/ phobias
• husbandry
• resource guarding 
• anything mentioned from above

Common Adult Skills (1 year and up)

• reactivity
• basics with distractions
• fear/anxiety
• household harmony
• self control games
• resource guarding
• husbandry
• anything mentioned from above

Board and Train Services also includes:

• medications
• special requests (mail, watering plants, etc.)
• care for other dogs or small animals (cats, birds, fish, rabbits)
• daily photos of your pets 
• sniff spot adventures
• mental enrichment
• social outings
• two free follow up sessions 

*I do not offer basic pet sitting