board & train
Board & Train is a unique service that SideKick Dog Training is proud to offer! We're one of just a handful in Wisconsin who offer this service with force-free, reward-based methods!
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Sending your dog for a Board & Train stay with us is similar to sending a kid to Summer camp: you may not be here with them, but you can rest assured that your SideKick becomes one of our trainer's own during their stay, getting personalized, one-on-one attention and having lots of fun! We board a maximum of two dogs at a time to optimize the time spent with your dog and customize their experience to your goals and family.
During your dog's Board & Train stay, they will get lots of affection and cuddles (from Leann and her husband), playtime, daily walks or hikes, multiple small training sessions throughout each day, and lots of physical and mental stimulation! You'll never question what your dog is up to because you'll be receiving updates through text check-ins, photos, and videos! The time your dog spends with us will be efficient, goal-oriented, safe, and FUN!
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Should you choose to send your dog for a stay with SideKick Dog Training, Leann will be your dog's trainer, guiding them and supporting them through their learning journey on her 2.75 acres in Helenville, WI.
It's really important to note that Board & Train is not a quick fix for you, your dog, and your family; and not every dog is the best candidate for this program! But, below are some common examples of dogs who may benefit from a Board & Train stay with us!
Puppies!
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Need help jump-starting your puppy’s socialization?
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How about working on their tolerance of handling and husbandry, introduction to the crate, sociability with other appropriate adult dogs, and potty training?
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Puppies will be perfect for this program and Leann welcomes the opportunity to give your puppy the very best start!
Adolescent dogs needing training refreshers!
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Does your adolescent doggo seem to have selective hearing...?
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Have you noticed some regression in your dog’s skills, such as basic manners, recalls, and leash walking skills?
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Does your dog get overly excited when seeing other dogs out and about in public?
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Leann can help your dog become their best self with daily experiences meant to meet their social, emotional, physical, and mental needs with a balance between fun and structured training sessions!
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Newly adopted dogs without much training under their belts!
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Leann worked in a shelter environment previously and understands that many adoption agencies and rescues transport dogs from other states - and many of the dogs have unknown backgrounds that may or may not include previous training or behavior concerns. Often, there's little evidence that the dogs have had much exposure to training and know very few functional cues.
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Leann can help your dog learn some of the basics – sit, down, wait, come when called (recall), and polite leash walking…just to name a few!
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Leann is also happy and equipped to work with behaviors and behavior concerns you may not know what to do with: dogs with various fears, who overreact to other dogs or people on walks, who struggle to share their prizes, who are really worried about the car or loud noises, etc. Leann can help by starting your dog on a training and behavior modification journey that she can loop you into and help all of you head in the right direction!​
DETAILS & PRICING
We offer two different programs to address a wide variety of goals and behavior concerns!
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Board & Train
Cost: $175.00/Day
This program is best for dogs with goals falling under the categories of basic manners and life skills: polite greetings, leash walking skills, Recalls, Wait at the door, mat/place work, Leave it, Drop it, counter surfing, jumping, etc. This option is open for dogs who do not have a history of any form of aggression directed at other animals or people. ​Included in this program and program cost is the following:
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A SideKick Starter Kit (treat pouch & other small goodies)
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Picking up your dog from your home and returning your dog at the end of their stay
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Daily walks, hikes, enrichment, play, and training sessions
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Multiple updates throughout each day via Telegram (texts, photos, and videos)
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30-minute progress check-ins over Google Meet each week of your dog's stay
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Instructional videos of the training exercises your dog participate in
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A 90-minute Transfer Lesson when your dog is returned home
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A 60-minute Follow-Up Session for checking-in and troubleshooting
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On-going support after the program ends to maintain the training and navigate any issues that come up​
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Behavior Modification Board & Train
Cost: $250.00/Day
This option is best for dogs whose goals are specific to a behavior concern (or concerns) that requires additional and more careful support, effort, and approximations for safety; this can include reactive behavior, resource guarding, "stranger danger" in public, difficulties with medical care and grooming or husbandry, fear-related behaviors, struggles with novelty (lack of confidence in new environments, for example), etc.
Aside from the behaviors and concerns addressed in the different programs, there are a couple of pieces that make the Behavior Modification Board & Train program different.
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This program option includes a three-week minimum requirement as it may take longer for these dogs to settle in and an additional week (or more) will offer Leann a deeper dive into your dog's behavior and the behavior modification strategies she'll use to address them!
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A 90-minute Assessment ($200.00) is required prior to registering your dog for their Behavior Modification Board & Train stay. The purpose of the Assessment is to ensure there aren't any surprises - make sure your dog is comfortable working with Leann, provide Leann the opportunity to observe your dog and the behaviors you'd like her to work on, and help her accurately determine if, in fact, your dog and their behavior concerns are a good fit for our program!
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Included in this program and program cost is the following:
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A SideKick Starter Kit (treat pouch & other small goodies)
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Picking up your dog from your home and returning your dog at the end of their stay
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Daily walks, hikes, enrichment, and play
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Training sessions and field trips tailored to your dog's specific behavior concerns (most notably, this includes enlisting the assistance of helper dogs and/or people to safely and appropriately work with your dog's behavior)
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Multiple updates throughout each day via Telegram (texts, photos, and videos)
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30-minute check-ins over Google Meet each week of your dog's stay
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Instructional videos of the training exercises your dog participates in
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A two hour Transfer Lesson when your dog is returned home
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A 60-minute Follow-Up Session for checking-in and troubleshooting
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On-going support after the program ends to maintain the training and navigate any issues that come up
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Note: In order to stay with us for either Board & Train program, dogs must be able to be crated or safely confined in a dog-proof room (if you suspect that your dog has separation anxiety, they will likely not be a good fit for our program, but we're happy to help you and your dog with our Separation Anxiety assistance).
LET'S GET THE (TENNIS) BALL ROLLING!
If you have questions or are interested in registering your dog for one of our Board & Train programs, please click the button to complete the Board & Train Inquiry Form!
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The information collected in the form will provide us with some basic information about you, your dog, and your goals or concerns! We will, then, touch base to share more details about the Board & Train program, discuss whether or not Board & Train is a good fit for your dog and goals, and provide an idea of availability!
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Note: This is a popular service and it is often booked out well in advance; if you're looking for a particular timeframe (because of a vacation or specific goal, etc.), we encourage you to reach out several months in advance!
