They solve different problems.
This is the most common question we get: “Should I do in-home training or board and train?”
The honest answer is that they’re not interchangeable. They solve different problems for different dogs in different situations. Here’s how to figure out which one is right for you.
Board and Train: the full reset
Board and Train means your dog lives with us at our Stouffville facility for 2 to 8 weeks. We train them daily, proof them in real-world environments, and hand them back to you with a detailed plan for maintaining the results.
Best for:
- Severe reactivity or aggression that needs intensive intervention
- Dogs that need a complete behavioural reset
- Owners who don’t have the time to train consistently
- Puppies who need foundational structure fast (Puppy Start Right)
Cost: $2,995 (2 weeks) to $4,995+ (8 weeks) Timeline: 2 to 8 weeks
The biggest advantage of B&T is speed. Your dog gets 6-8 hours of structured training per day. That’s more training in one week than most dogs get in a year.
In-home training: results where they matter
In-home training means a senior trainer comes to your house. We work with your dog in your actual environment on the specific issues that happen there.
Best for:
- Doorbell and guest reactivity
- Separation anxiety
- Resource guarding at home
- Dogs that trained well at a facility but regressed at home
- Owners who want to learn alongside their dog
- Clients who value privacy and discretion
Cost: $625 per session (60 minutes) Timeline: Most clients see significant improvement in 3 to 6 sessions
The biggest advantage of in-home is context. Your dog learns where it actually needs to perform. No transfer problem.
The decision matrix
| Factor | Board & Train | In-Home |
|---|---|---|
| Speed | Fastest (2-8 weeks, done) | Gradual (weekly sessions) |
| Owner involvement | Minimal during program | You learn alongside your dog |
| Best for aggression | Yes, especially severe cases | Good for guest-specific aggression |
| Best for separation anxiety | Limited (dog isn’t at home) | Yes, the only way to train it properly |
| Best for doorbell reactivity | Limited | Yes, we’re at your door |
| Privacy | Dog is at our facility | Complete privacy in your home |
| Cost for severe issues | $3,995-$4,995 total | $625/session x however many you need |
Can you do both?
Yes. Some of our best outcomes come from combining the two. Board and Train first to build the foundation, then 2 to 3 in-home sessions to transfer the results to your specific environment.
This is especially effective for reactive dogs. We break the reactivity at our facility, then proof the results at your front door, on your walking route, and around your specific triggers.
How to decide
Ask yourself one question: Where do the problems happen?
If your dog’s issues are everywhere (pulling, ignoring commands, reactivity on every walk), Board and Train is probably the faster path.
If your dog’s issues are location-specific (doorbell, guests, separation anxiety, resource guarding at home), in-home training will get better results because we’re training exactly where the problem occurs.
Not sure? Call us at 437-778-5273. We’ll tell you straight.
- Anesh