Board and Train on Long Island, NY
Want a dog that walks nicely, listens the first time and stays calm when guests arrive? Or need help with reactivity, aggression or anxiety? Our board and train on Long Island gives your dog 2, 3 or 4 weeks of daily training with Rikki and her team, and gives you the know-how to keep the results. Get started today with a free consultation: Rikki gets to know your dog, answers your questions and matches you with the right program length.
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How Board and Train Works
Free consultation
Share what your dog is doing and what you hope will change. Rikki answers your questions, checks that board and train is the right fit and suggests a length that matches your goals.
Your dog moves in
Your dog lives on site with the Ruff Haus K9 family and trains every day on a schedule made for your dog, with time to run, play and rest in between sessions.
You follow the progress
Photos and videos arrive three times a week, and you can call or email with questions at any point while your dog is with us.
Pickup lesson and follow-up
At pickup, Rikki teaches you every command, the verbal and hand signals and the equipment, hands-on. One follow-up session after your dog is home helps the new habits settle in.
Drop-Off Day vs. Pickup Day
Every dog is different, and what you keep up at home matters, but these are the kinds of changes Long Island families come to Ruff Haus K9 for.
Before board and train
- Walks turn into a tug-of-war
- Lunging or barking at other dogs
- Ignores you when you call
- Jumps on every guest at the door
- Bolts the moment the door opens
- Chews, counter surfs or has accidents
- Wound up and never settles down
- Every public outing feels risky
After board and train
- Loose-leash walks right at your side
- Calmer around dogs on the street
- Comes back when you call
- Sits politely while guests come in
- Waits at the door until released
- Better habits and routines at home
- Settles on place and relaxes
- A dog you can bring along
Pick 2, 3 or 4 Weeks
Every program is customized to your dog. The two- and three-week options fit mild to moderate concerns, while a month or more leaves room for serious ones. Once Rikki knows your dog, she’ll tell you which one makes sense.
2-Week Board & Train
The training foundation every dog and owner needs: obedience, coming when called, leash manners, door manners, crate training and socialization.
3-Week Board & Train
Builds on the 2-week program at a more advanced level, with off-leash freedom and solutions for problem behaviors, for full control in any setting.
4-Week Board & Train
Extra time, 4 weeks or longer, for dogs with more serious obedience or behavior challenges, like anxiety, aggression or destructive habits.
Included at Every Length
Whichever length you choose, your dog gets a plan shaped around how much energy it has, what its body language says and how sensitive it is to touch. Rikki’s method blends exercise, affection and positive reinforcement with e-collar training, so your dog learns clear rules and still gets plenty of love.
Small or large, young or older, no two dogs get the same plan. Here is what comes with every board and train program:
- A training schedule customized to your dog
- Your dog’s own Educator e-collar
- Photos and videos of progress, three times a week
- Field trips to parks and busy stores
- A hands-on go-home lesson at pickup
- A follow-up session after pickup
- Phone and email support during and after
Problems Board and Train Can Address
If your dog does any of these, you’re far from the only owner on Long Island dealing with it. These are the behaviors our board and train programs are built to work on:
Living With the Ruff Haus K9 Family
During board and train, your dog lives on site with the Ruff Haus K9 family in Kings Park. It isn’t an overcrowded training facility. We cap how many dogs we take each month, so yours gets real attention, training sessions every day and a routine that feels like home.
Between sessions there’s a fenced yard with room to run, play and nap. Because your dog is with us around the clock, behavior issues get handled as they come up: the jump at the door, the nose on the counter, the bark at a noise outside. Training happens in real moments, all day long.
Want to see it first? Ask to visit before you book, and ask for references if they’d help you decide.
Practice in Parks and Busy Stores
A dog that listens in a quiet yard can still fall apart on a crowded sidewalk. So board and train dogs go where life happens on Long Island: local parks and busy stores like Target, Petco, Home Depot and DICK’S.
Around carts, strangers, other dogs and noise, your dog practices heeling, holding a stay and checking in with the handler. For dogs that react to triggers, desensitization training helps lower the emotional response step by step, so calm behavior holds up when it counts.
Is Sending Your Dog Away Worth It?
It’s a fair question, and one we hear often. Many owners worry their dog will be stressed or will forget them. A few weeks is a short stretch of a dog’s life, and dogs tend to settle in when their days have structure, exercise and affection. You can see how yours is doing in the photos and videos three times a week.
Board and train makes the most sense for families who want steady, focused progress: daily sessions with a professional, real-world practice and a dog that comes home already knowing the routine. It’s especially helpful when your schedule is full, when one behavior keeps getting in the way of family life, or when you’ve tried on your own and feel stuck.
The part that makes it last is you. At pickup, Rikki shows you the commands, the hand signals and how the e-collar works, and the follow-up session checks that everything carries over to your house and your street. The results stick when the training continues in your home. Rather learn hands-on from day one? Private in-home lessons are another good path, and Rikki will help you choose.
Ready to see if board and train fits your dog? Use the button below to request your free consultation. The form takes a minute, and on the consultation Rikki gets to know your dog and suggests the program length that fits your goals.
Skills Your Dog Brings Home
Each plan is different, but these are the skills board and train dogs work on, in the yard and out in public. Off-leash reliability is part of the longer programs.
- Heel and loose-leash walking
- Sit, down, stay and extended stay
- Come when called
- Place, off, out and leave it
- Door manners and calm greetings
- Potty and crate routines
- Socialization and focus in public
- Off-leash reliability in longer programs
Board & Train Questions
How much does a 2-week board and train cost?
The total depends on your dog, the length of the program and how much work your goals call for. Equipment, including the e-collar your dog trains with, comes with the program. After getting to know your dog on the free consultation, Rikki walks you through the options and gives you an exact quote.
Is board and train worth it?
For many families, yes. Your dog gets focused training every day for weeks, plus practice in parks and stores, which is hard to match with an hour here and there. It pays off most when you keep practicing at home, which is why every program ends with a hands-on lesson and a follow-up session.
Is it okay to send your dog away for training?
Yes, for most dogs it is. Your dog lives with the Ruff Haus K9 family, gets exercise, affection and a steady routine, and you see the progress three times a week in photos and videos. Rikki looks at each dog before recommending anything, and if another path suits yours better, she’ll say so.
How long is board and train on Long Island?
You can choose 2, 3 or 4 weeks, and some dogs stay longer. The first two weeks lay the groundwork, a third week brings in advanced obedience and off-leash skills, and a month or more gives serious behavior concerns the time they need. Rikki suggests a length that fits your dog.
Where will my dog stay during the program?
With the Ruff Haus K9 family in Kings Park, not in a crowded kennel building. The number of dogs each month is kept small on purpose, and the fenced yard gives them space to burn off energy and relax between lessons. You can come by for a visit first.
Is an e-collar part of board and train?
Yes, it’s used in every program alongside plenty of exercise, affection and rewards. Each session starts at zero, the level only goes up if your dog needs it, and settings stay low and humane for your dog’s temperament. Your dog keeps its own Educator e-collar, and you learn how to fit it, use it and take it off at night.
Will my dog still listen to me afterwards?
That’s what the go-home lesson is for. Rikki shows you each command, the spoken cue and the hand signal, and the equipment until you’re comfortable. A follow-up session once you’re settled, plus phone and email support during and after the program, helps you keep the progress going.
How do I reserve board and train dates?
Once you choose a program, a 50% deposit reserves your dates, and the balance is due on the first day of training. You’ll also fill out an intake form, so Rikki knows your dog’s history, routine and goals before day one.
What does my dog need before starting?
Your dog should be at least 5 months old and up to date on rabies, bordetella, parvo, distemper and leptospirosis. Bordetella given by nose or mouth needs to be done at least 3 days before the start date, or 10 days if given by injection. Send a copy of the vaccination records before your dog’s first day.
Which parts of Long Island do you serve?
From our home base in Kings Park, we take board and train dogs from all over Suffolk and Nassau counties. Families come to us from towns like Northport, Commack, Smithtown, St. James, Stony Brook, Huntington, Hauppauge, Islip, Brookhaven and Babylon.
Explore Other Programs
Off-Leash Training
A recall you can trust and a dog that stays with you, on or off the leash, out in the real world.
In-Home Training
Private one-on-one lessons at your home, where you learn to handle your dog right where the problems happen.
Aggressive Dog Training
Help for slight to moderate aggression, starting with an honest evaluation of your dog.
Get Started Today
Claim your free consultation for board and train on Long Island. Rikki will learn about your dog, answer your questions and recommend a program built around your goals.