The primary focus of our board and train program is off-leash basic obedience. Our program also includes walking on a loose lead, heel, sit and coming when called (here). Puppies may also be crate trained.

The rate for our board and train program is $600 per week plus the overnight rate for boarding accommodations. For dogs that play well with other dogs, group play is included at no additional charge. If group play is not a good fit for your dog, Mike will recommend leisure and exercise activities that may be better suited for your dog. Fees for these activities will be charged at our standard rates. This balanced approach provides your dog with the best opportunity to learn while staying with us.

The length of stay for our board and train program typically ranges from two to four weeks and is determined by Mike based on how your dog responds to training, which is typically driven by age, breed, and temperament. Prior to your dog’s graduation from board and train, you will have the opportunity to participate in a training session with Mike to ensure you know how to reinforce the training at home.

Participation in our board and train program is available for puppies who are at least five months old, as well as for adult dogs.

We understand puppies can be a delightful challenge! If you have a puppy who is not yet five months old and you want a head start on training, we can help with puppy training once he or she has completed our vaccine requirements, which is generally around four months of age. Please call Mike to discuss a training plan customized to meet your needs and the needs of your puppy.

Leave the puppy to us! Mike and Kari will bring your puppy into their home and raise him or her for you from seven weeks old until training is complete at about six months of age. Space in this very special program is limited to one puppy at a time. Please call Mike for more information.

With the foundation already in place from the initial board and train graduation, private training can help you and your dog work together more effectively, or help you master a specific command. For private training, Mike works with you and your dog at our facility or at your home. This type of training is exclusively for dogs that have previously completed off-leash training with Mike at Dobbin Dog Ranch or at another facility. Each session is one hour, and the cost is $125 per hour at our facility, or $300 per hour at your home.

The board and train philosophy at Dobbin Dog Ranch is focused on creating a nurturing and fun environment for your dog to learn in. The relationship between trainer and dog is the foundation of our training, much like a coach and player relationship. Mike first earns your dog’s trust and builds his or her confidence in unfamiliar surroundings, then embarks on training. Through a consistent daily approach, Mike shows your dog what is expected, and as each concept resonates, he introduces another, all at a pace that maintains a positive attitude.

Dobbin Dog Ranch tour hours are from 11 am to 3 pm, Monday through Friday, and Sunday, excluding holidays. Appointments are not required to tour our ranch during these hours; however, if you are interested in dog training, we recommend that you schedule an appointment with Mike to tour the facility and visit with him about our training program. During holidays and peak seasons, special lobby hours may apply, and tours may be suspended to allow us to devote our full attention to overnight guests.

If you would like to bring your dog with you, please forward a copy of current vaccination records to us in advance and contact us to confirm. We will only be able to receive your dog into our facility, even for just a meet and greet, with advance receipt of vaccination records.

On holidays and other days when our lobby is closed, we are fully staffed, and guests enjoy the same attentive care, training, and fun leisure and exercise activities that we provide at other times. It is our pleasure to ensure your pup has a wonderful time during their holiday stay with us!

The length of time required to complete our board and train program is based primarily on age, breed, and temperament, with age, or maturity, being the foremost factor. Mike will determine the length of training that is best for your dog based on these factors. One of the primary keys to successful training is getting a dog to focus, or in other words, to listen, and much of the initial training involves teaching focus. A mature adult dog typically takes less time to complete the training program than a puppy because an adult dog generally has a longer attention span. Each dog has a unique personality and there will be exceptions to this generalization.

You are welcome to visit your dog while he or she is attending our board and train program. Dobbin Dog Ranch visiting hours are from 11 am to 3 pm, Monday through Friday, and Sunday, excluding holidays. Appointments are not required; however, if you would like to discuss your dog’s training progress during your visit, we recommend that you schedule an appointment to meet with Mike during this time.

We require a credit card to be placed on file and a $100 deposit for board and train reservations, per dog, when the reservation is booked. At check-in, a training deposit of $500 per dog is required. These deposits are applied to your final bill upon check-out. Please see our training policies for additional details.

You may request reservations through our online portal using the “Request a Reservation” link at the bottom of the page. Or, if you prefer, give us a call at 281-203-0300 and we will be happy to assist you. We look forward to caring for your pup and ensuring that your furry family member has a blast learning and living the dream at Dobbin Dog Ranch!