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Before drop-off

How to prepare your dog for board and train.

What to pack, what to tell our team, and what to stop doing the week before drop-off.

Scout, a white Lab, sitting in front of pink flowers on arrival day

You have booked the program. Here is how to make the first day easy for your dog, and how to give our trainer everything they need to customize the plan.

What to pack

  • Your dog’s regular food, enough for the stay plus a few extra days. Switching food on top of a new environment is a recipe for an upset stomach.
  • Any medications, with written instructions.
  • Current vaccination records.
  • A flat collar with ID tags. Our team will advise on training equipment on the call; you do not need to buy anything in advance.
  • Leave the bed, toys and the giant bag of treats at home. Your dog will have everything they need.

What to tell our team

Everything. The bite you are embarrassed about, the thing that only happens when your father-in-law visits, the fact that the dog is fine with your neighbor’s dog but not the one on the corner. Detail is what makes a program customized. There is nothing our trainers have not heard.

The week before

Keep things normal. Do not cram in a week of intense training or a day of exhausting play; a tired, over-stimulated dog arrives stressed. A normal routine, a normal walk, and a calm drop-off is best. Most dogs settle into the home within the first day, which you will see in the Monday, Wednesday and Friday updates.

If you would rather not drive

The $250 transportation service picks your dog up from home, returns them at the end, and includes the first lesson in your home. It is included in the VIP program.

Best Dog University crest

Written by

Best Dog University Team

Board and train trainers in Cypress, Houston. 16+ years, 900+ dogs. About our team

Halloween sale · 20% off all Board & Train programs

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