Adult Dog Board & Train or Day School in the Bay Area
Adult Dog Training: Board & Train vs. Day School (What’s Included)
For dogs 17 weeks or older at the start of the program
Imagine grabbing coffee with your dog lounging calmly at your feet. Picture a beach day where you’re actually relaxing. Think about having friends over without your dog losing their mind. That’s what our Board & Train and Day School programs are all about. Whether you have an adolescent dog with suddenly developed selective listening, an adult dog who could use a refresher, or a newly adopted shelter dog who needs to be integrated into your household, our programs are designed to make everyday life with your dog enjoyable.
You choose the format that fits your life.
Board & Train: your dog stays at the trainer’s home Monday through Thursday.
Day School: drop off at 8:30 AM, pick up at 2:00 PM.
Same training, same results — just different schedules.
What Every Program Includes
No matter which format or program you choose, you get:
- 45-minute troubleshooting session each week at pick-up
- Weekly practice work so you know exactly what to do between sessions
- Two 45-minute private in-home sessions to make sure training works in your house (extra travel charge outside the service area)
- Free enrollment in a relevant group class
- 3 months of email and phone support after the program ends, because questions always come up later
Choose your starting program
For all dogs 17 weeks and older, choose the starting program based on your dog’s behavior and your training goals.
Foundation Manners:For dogs who are generally confident but need to learn reliable household manners and everyday structure. Good fit if your dog ignores cues at home, pulls on neighborhood walks, jumps on guests, or can’t settle even with minimal distractions.
Calm & Confident: Best if your dog is shy, fearful, anxious, or overexcited and needs emotional stability along with basics. Ideal for dogs who are nervous, shut down, or panic in new situations, or dogs who are overexcited, jumpy, and mouthy. Examples: fearful in new places, becomes overexcited on walks, shows anxiety in grooming or vet settings.
Foundation Manners and Calm & Confident are parallel entry points; either can lead to Advanced Manners once your dog has mastered the basics.
Puppies under 17 weeks at program should start in the Puppy Program.
Foundation Manners – Adult Dog Training Program
For puppies 17 weeks or older, adolescent and adult dogs, choose between board & train or day school
Best For: adolescent dogs, confident rescue dogs, same-household dogs who missed early training.
What Your Dog Will Learn
This program helps you teach your dog to listen reliably at home, in the yard, and around your neighborhood
- Basic Manners: Your dog responds reliably to cues like “come,” “leave it,” and “drop it,” making daily life safer and easier.
- Self-Control: Your dog walks calmly on a loose leash, greets politely, and waits patiently at doors, gates, and cars.
- Settle Calmly: Your dog relaxes while you cook dinner, respond to emails, or watch TV, giving you peace of mind.
- Greet Visitors Politely: Greet people calmly and settle on their own while you play host.
- Body Handling & Grooming: Your dog cooperates with nail trims, brushing, and vet visits, reducing stress for both of you.
Tuition & Program Options
- Board & Train: 4 days/week for 4 weeks — $5100
- Day School: 4 days/week for 6 weeks — $5100
*Note: This program does not cover leash reactivity or public manners training. Some dogs may need extra weeks to reach their goals. Weekly charges apply.
Calm & Confident – Adult Dog Training Program
For shy puppies 17 weeks or older, adolescent and adult dogs, choose between Board & Train and Day School
Best for: shy, nervous, fearful, or overexcited dogs, including rescue dogs who need to feel safe before learning reliably.
What Your Dog Will Learn
Help your shy, fearful, nervous, or overexcited dog gain confidence, learn calmness, and handle everyday situations with ease.
- Confidence & Optimism: Your dog adapts to new environments and overcomes fears while building trust and optimism.
- Basic Manners: Your dog responds reliably to “come,” “leave it,” and “drop it,” both at home and outside.
- Self-Control: Walk on a loose leash, greet people politely, wait patiently at doors and in the car, and more.
- Settle Calmly: Your dog relaxes while you cook, reply to emails, or participate in work meetings.
- Body Handling & Grooming: Low stress handling for grooming and vet exams, including brushing teeth, checking ears, paws, and more.
Tuition & Program Options
- Board & Train: 4 days/week for 5 weeks — $6500
- Day School: 4 days/week for 7 weeks — $6500
*Note: This program does not cover leash reactivity or public manners training. Some dogs may need extra weeks to reach their goals. Weekly charges apply.
Advanced Manners — Adolescent and Adult Dog Training Program
For graduates of Foundation Manners or Calm & Confident Dog Board & Train or Day School Programs
Best for: Graduates of Foundation or Calm & Confident who need a bridge before moving to Public Manners program. Great for adolescent dogs and rescue dogs to transition to Public Manners.
What Your Dog Will Learn
This intermediate program strengthens reliability in real-world settings before moving on to public access work. Through trainer-led, immersive instruction in less busy public places, your dog learns to respond consistently, and maintain composure around everyday distractions.
- Reliability: Responds to “leave it”, “drop it”,with moderate nearby distractions in less busy public places.
- Connected loose-leash walking: Walk on a loose leash in downtown areas, malls, shopping complexes etc.,
- Distance and Duration Work: Emergency “Stop” from a distance, settling on the mat for an extended duration at cafe’s.
- Advanced Recall: Responds quickly and eagerly to recall cues at greater distances, even with mild distractions.
- Polite social skills: Your dog “minds his own business” in outdoor places, walking past other dogs and people.
- Adolescent-specific support: Channels teenage energy and testing into predictable responses and cooperation.
Tuition & Program Options
- Board & Train: 4 days/week for 5 weeks — $6000
- Day School: 4 days/week for 7 weeks — $6000
Public Manners – Adult Dog Training Program
For graduates of Adult Dog Board & Train or Day School Programs
Best for: graduates of Advanced Manners who are ready for high-distraction, real-world Bay Area access.
What Your Dog Will Learn
This advanced program prepares dogs for success in busy public spaces. Training focuses on composure and confidence in Bay Area cafés, parks, shopping areas, and other real-world environments, so your dog becomes a calm, well-mannered companion wherever you go.
- Urban Loose-Leash Walking: Navigates busy streets, markets, shopping malls while remaining calm.
- Public Impulse Control: Ignores food, wildlife, or sudden commotion until directed.
- Reliable Long-Range Recall: Returns promptly at distance and through heavy distractions.
- Calm Public Settling: Settles quietly at cafés, patios, and outdoor venues for extended periods.
- Polite Public Greetings: Approaches or passes people and dogs with predictable manners on cue.
- Pass-by Proofing: Walks past dropped food, groups of dogs, bicycles, and street noise with confidence.
- Venue and Transit Confidence: Moves through markets, lobbies, or crowded events with resilience and composure
Tuition & Program Options
- Board & Train: 4 days/week for 4 weeks — $6,000
- Day School: 4 days/week for 5 weeks — $6,000
What Our Clients Say
“I took several classes with D For Dog and loved all of them. I really enjoyed that many of the classes were held in different locations around town so your pup gets to practice the skills in the real world.”
Kelly L, Mom of River & Kaylee, Pitbull puppie“The one thing that sets Kaajal apart from other trainers is that she uses Positive reinforcement methods and is remarkably good at training humans in how they connect with their puppy as that sets the right foundation.”
Mikkin P, Dad of Munchkin, a Labradoodle Puppy
