Sometimes a dog needs more than weekly sessions—they need a fresh start. The Best Buddy Dog Training board-and-train program offers an intensive, immersive experience designed for dogs who need a meaningful behavioral transformation. Whether your dog is struggling with aggression, chronic disobedience, anxiety, or socialization challenges, our program provides the focused, full-time attention it takes to create real and lasting change.
This isn't a traditional boarding kennel where your dog waits in a crate between meals. Your dog joins our pack and spends each day actively learning—in parks, stores, neighborhoods, and other real-world environments—so the skills they build carry over to everyday life when your dog returns home.
How the Board-and-Train Program Works
Step 1: Pickup and Evaluation
Every board-and-train journey begins with a thorough evaluation. Shawn will pick up and deliver your dog; that way he can see exactly what the dynamic is in your household between humans and dogs. He'll discuss with you your dog's history, temperament, specific behavioral issues, and your goals as a family.
Step 2: Immersive Daily Training in Real-World Settings
During their stay, your dog receives daily, hands-on training in the kinds of environments they'll encounter in real life—busy parks, shopping malls], neighborhood sidewalks, and public spaces. This approach builds reliable obedience that holds up under real-world distractions, not just in a controlled training facility.
Our methods are rooted in trust, clear communication, affection, and balanced corrections. We don't use treat-based methods, shock collars, or harsh techniques. Instead, your dog learns to be calm and responsive through a relationship built on mutual respect and consistent leadership.
Step 3: Reintegration and Follow-Up Sessions
Training doesn't end when your dog comes home. We include three optional dedicated follow-up and reintegration sessions to help you seamlessly take over as your dog's leader. During these sessions, Shawn works with you in your home environment to transfer the skills, commands, and communication techniques your dog has learned—so the transformation sticks for the long term.
Is Board and Train Right for Your Dog?
Our board-and-train program is an excellent fit for dogs and families facing challenges such as:
- Aggression toward people, other dogs, or animals
- Resource guarding and possessiveness
- Severe leash reactivity or pulling
- Excessive barking, anxiety, or fearfulness
- Dogs who have not responded to previous training methods
- Families with busy schedules who need an accelerated path to a well-behaved dog
If you've tried group classes, treat-based training, or other approaches without lasting results, our immersive board-and-train program may be the breakthrough your family needs.
Board-and-Train Program Details
- 4-6 weeks of intensive, full-time residential training
- Daily real-world training sessions in parks, stores, and public spaces
- Customized behavior modification plan for your dog's specific issues
- 3 follow-up and reintegration sessions at your home after training
- Lifetime phone and video follow-up support at no additional cost
What It Costs
Every program is priced for the dog in front of us: a 4 to 6-week stay for a large dog with a bite history is more work than 4 weeks of obedience for a puppy, and the price reflects that. Programs typically run $2,500 for small dogs and basic obedience to $5,000 for large and/or aggression rehabilitation.
Board and Train Service Areas
Best Buddy Dog Training's board-and-train program is available to families throughout the Northeast:
- Connecticut - Serving Hartford, New London, Fairfield County, and communities statewide
- Massachusetts - Greater Boston, Central MA, the South Shore, and beyond
- Rhode Island - Headquartered in Warwick, serving all of RI
- New Hampshire - Southern and central New Hampshire
- New York - New York City metro area and surrounding regions
What Board-and-Train Clients Are Saying
I am now able to better enjoy my time and my life with Joy. Shawn at Best Buddy Dog Training changed my life for the better.
We were ready to give up a couple of times... Shawn was the one that kept us going.
How nice to walk down the street with my dog trotting slightly behind me on a loose leash.
Shawn is a one of a kind trainer who really knows his stuff.
he is great with the grandkids and protects the home when we are away, a direct result of Shawn's professional training.
The first step toward a calmer, more obedient dog is a phone consultation. Contact Shawn today to discuss your dog's behavior, learn more about the program, and find out if board and train is the right fit for your family.
No charge, no obligation.
Best Buddy Dog Training serves these cities and surrounding communities in New England and Eastern NY
Rhode Island: Barrington • Bristol • Coventry • Cranston • Cumberland • East Greenwich • Middletown • Narragansett • Newport • Pawtucket • Providence • Smithfield • South Kingstown • Warwick • Westerly • Woonsocket
Connecticut: Bridgeport • Danbury • Greenwich • Groton • Hartford • Litchfield • Middletown • Mystic • New Canaan • New Haven • New London • Norwalk • Norwich • Stamford • Torrington • Waterbury • Westport • Windsor
Massachusetts: Attleboro • Beverly • Boston • Burlington • Cambridge • Framingham • Gardner • Groton • Hingham • Natick • New Bedford • Newton • North Andover • Quincy • Salem • Shrewsbury • Somerville • Tewksbury • Worcester • Wrentham
New Hampshire: Bedford • Concord • Derry • Dover • Durham • Exeter • Hampton • Hanover • Keene • Laconia • Lebanon • Londonderry • Manchester • Nashua • Portsmouth • Rochester • Salem • Wolfeboro
New York: Beacon • Bronxville • Brooklyn • Chappaqua • Cold Spring • Kingston • Mount Kisco • New Rochelle • New York City • Newburgh • Nyack • Poughkeepsie • Queens • Rye • Scarsdale • White Plains • Yonkers