Board & Train
Postive Reinforcement, supportive training
Integrated training during your dog’s boarding stay
Our Board & Train program provides professional training sessions while your dog is staying with us for boarding. Training takes place during the day, within your dog’s appropriate daycare pathway—so learning happens with structure, rest, and real-life context rather than isolation or pressure.
This isn't your traditional "bootcamp" board-and-train
Training is integrated into your dog’s daily routine—supporting confidence, emotional regulation, and skills that actually carry over.
Welcome to The Happy Hound Play Park Dog Day Care
Training During Daycare
Balanced Days & Overnight Care
Training During Daycare
Training sessions take place during the day between your dog's participation in their assigned daycare pathway—Social, Confidence, or Personal Play.
Skills with Context
Balanced Days & Overnight Care
Training During Daycare
Training sessions are conducted one-on-one with a professional trainer, while incorporating real-world elements to reinforce success.
Balanced Days & Overnight Care
Balanced Days & Overnight Care
Balanced Days & Overnight Care
Learning is supported by structured rest, professional supervision, and calm overnight accommodations—essential for retention and emotional wellbeing.
Board & Train is well suited for dogs who benefit from:
Board & Train is well suited for dogs who benefit from:
- Consistent daily training repetitions
- Learning within a structured routine
- Professional handling across multiple days
- Support with foundational obedience, manners, or confidence
- Reinforcement of skills alongside daycare participation
This program is not designed for rapid behavioural “fixes” or suppression-based training. Progress is measured through confidence, understanding, and reliability.
Is Board & Train the Right Fit?
Families consider Board & Train for different reasons. For some, it’s driven by frustration—training feels stuck, progress feels slow, and day-to-day life with their dog feels overwhelming. For others, it’s practical—if their dog is already boarding, they wonder whether training can be layered in productively.
Both perspectives are understandable. What matters most is whether this format genuinely supports your dog’s learning and wellbeing.
Board & Train can be a good fit when:
- consistent daily training will reduce stress rather than increase it
- professional handling and structure will support clarity and confidence
- learning benefits from repetition within a predictable routine
- training needs to happen alongside rest, supervision, and emotional pacing
- your dog is comfortable in a boarding environment
Board & Train is not intended as a last-resort solution, nor is it simply “extra training added on.” It works best when goals, expectations, and pacing are thoughtfully aligned.
That’s why we don’t ask families to decide on their own.
During your Meet & Greet, we’ll help determine whether Board & Train, Day Train, private sessions, or another approach is the most appropriate next step for your dog, and for you.
Thoughtful placement leads to better outcomes—for dogs and their families.
Program Structure
Minimum Committment
Individualized Progress
Individualized Progress
Board & Train requires a minimum stay of five nights, which includes five training days and a one-hour private training session scheduled within one week after the end of the Board & Train. This ensures a bare minimum of sufficient time for learning, repetition, observation, and meaningful progress.
Individualized Progress
Individualized Progress
Individualized Progress
Longer stays or continued training may be recommended depending on goals and your dog’s progress. All recommendations are guided by readiness—not timelines.
Every Board & Train Program includes
- Initial consultation and goal-setting
- Daily professional training sessions
- Integration with daycare and boarding care
- Ongoing progress updates and regular videos
- Final transfer session to support carryover at home
Board & Train is structured around your dog’s daycare pathway—Social, Confidence, or Personal Play—to ensure appropriate handling, pacing, and supervision.
Before you get started
A few important details about how our Board & Train program is structured.
- Board & Train begins after a Meet & Greet and initial day of daycare
- Placement into a daycare pathway is required (Social, Confidence or Personal)
- Training goals are collaborative and individualized
- Follow-up training or Day Train sessions may be recommended
How Board & Train Pricing Works
Board & Train pricing is determined by three factors:
Board & Train pricing is based on:
- Your dog’s daycare pathway (Social, Confidence, or Personal Play)
- The number of training sessions per day selected
- The minimum five-night / five-training-day stay
Final pricing is confirmed after your Meet & Greet to ensure the training structure matches your dog’s needs.
Board & Train Packages
Essentials Program
Intermediate Program
Best for: Dogs who benefit from consistent daily reinforcement and foundational skill-building while maintaining a balanced boarding routine.
Programs starting from $749
Minimum five nights / five training days
Intermediate Program
Intermediate Program
Best for: Dogs who benefit from consistent daily reinforcement and foundational skill-building while maintaining a balanced boarding routine.
Programs starting from $909
Minimum five nights / five training days
Intensive Program
Intensive Program
Best for: Dogs who require a higher level of training focus, faster skill progression, or additional support to work through more complex or long-standing challenges.
Programs starting from $1069
Minimum five nights / five training days
Extended Stays
Additional days are available and are priced per day based on your dog’s care pathway and training structure. This is discussed during your Meet & Greet to ensure the plan is appropriate and effective.
Our goal is progress—not rushing. We’ll recommend additional days only when they meaningfully support your dog
DO I HAVE TO SEND MY DOG AWAY FOR GREAT TRAINING RESULTS?
You don't! A board and train is great if you do need boarding or don't live locally, but you don't have to give up your dog to a board and train! Learn how our Day Train program can help change your life while keeping your dog close to your heart and in your home.
REady to Book a Board & TRain?
Set up an Account
Call to Book a Training Consult
Call to Book a Training Consult
You can do this online at the link below, or can call us at 587-787-3713 and we can set you up with an account.
An account is required to make any bookings.
Call to Book a Training Consult
Call to Book a Training Consult
Call to Book a Training Consult
A 30-minute Training Consult is a great first start if you have questions or want to discuss curriculum or firm up board & train plans or a schedule.
A Training Consult Call or In-Person Meeting is $30 plus gst.
Frequently Asked Questions
Please reach us at info@thehappyhoundplaypark.ca if you cannot find an answer to your question.
Required vaccinations
Puppies under 24 weeks old require:
- two completed sets of Distemper combination vaccine
Dogs over 24 weeks old require:
- three completed sets of Distemper combination vaccine
- Rabies vaccine
Suggested Vaccinations
- Bordetella
- Flea, tick and lice preventive treatment
Your dog does not need to be spayed or neutered. Female dogs in heat are not able to attend a board and train until 30 days from the beginning of their heat cycle.
Yes, absolutely! We encourage the people who will be working with your dog day-to-day to be present.
A Board & Train begins with five nights/days. You can book any number of days after the initial five days at the per-day board and train rate.
We follow and teach science-based positive reinforcement practices and methodologies.
Cancellation policy
If cancelled more than fourteen days in advance of the Board & Train program start date, the deposit less 3% admin fee and 3% credit card processing fee can be refunded. If cancelled less than seven days in advance of the start date, there is no refund or transfer or credit. Please see our Training Services Agreement for full details.
The Happy Hound Play Park
Changing lives and transforming relationships one day and one dog at a time.
Positive-reinforcement daycare, boarding and training.
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