Intensive Board and Train
Study Abroad by Traction
Board and Train in Austin, Texas
and Colorado
Study Abroad is Traction Dog Training Club’s intensive board and train program in Austin, Texas, and Colorado. Your dog lives in a professional trainer’s home, with training tailored to their behavior, your goals, and everyday life. Most programs last three weeks and include written training goals, progress updates, and coaching so you can use the new skills at home.
For owners seeking a Texas board and train program, the Austin team can discuss options even if you live outside our in-home training service area. Schedule a free consultation to discuss your dog and travel requirements.
Choose your region: board and train in Austin, Texas or board and train in Colorado.
Structure
Start with a free phone consultation with our Head Trainer. A free in-person evaluation will be scheduled prior to booking a Study Abroad program. This ensures you and your trainer are on the same page before embarking on your journey together.
After the evaluation, you’ll receive a detailed written goals sheet specifying exactly what your dog will learn during their board and train program and what to expect at pick-up.
On the first day of training, you’ll drop your dog off at your trainer’s home, where they’ll be living and training around the clock. Drop off will be quick and casual for your dog’s benefit.
Most Study Abroad programs are 3 weeks long, although sometimes a shorter or longer program is recommended in the Study Abroad behavior evaluation.
You’ll receive report cards with updates on your dog’s board and train program about every 3 days.
For most programs, we require at least 1 visit per week. This means we may bring your dog home for a visit, have you come visit your dog at their trainer’s home, or you may meet your trainer at a public place to see your dog’s progress around distractions.
This allows us to maintain owner involvement and better develop your communication and relationship with your dog!
For programs with owner visits: You’ll bring your dog home with you after a graduation visit if you feel confident in using the skills you and your dog learned!
If you were out of town during your dog’s program or did not schedule visits, you’ll most likely spend about 3 hours with your trainer at pick-up learning exactly how to use your dog’s new skills and maintain consistency for them. Sometimes this is one long session, and sometimes this is 3 shorter sessions.
You’ll have specific instructions for implementing new behaviors in your home as well as step by step written instructions and oftentimes a library of video tutorials recorded with your dog.
In some programs, you will have up to 3 sessions with your trainer to over-practice the new skills or take field trips to challenging environments together.
Maintain and fine-tune skills with Varsity maintenance training. Ask about follow-up options and service-area requirements if you live outside Austin or Colorado.
When the Study Abroad Program is Best
- Dogs in off leash training
- Parents that want a clean slate for their dog’s behavior
- Dogs with difficult learning styles or quirks that require a big-picture approach to training
- Physically powerful dogs or parents with physical limitations
specialized trainers
Study Abroad is led by trainers who specialize in board and train. Your dog lives in their home, allowing skills to be practiced in daily routines as well as focused training sessions.
Meet our board and train trainers:
- KT Tong (Austin)
- Dalton Krisik (Austin)
- Tina Chavez (Colorado)
Your consultation and evaluation help match your dog with an appropriate trainer. Read client reviews and learn about our training approach.
What Can a Board and Train Program Work On?
Goals are set during your evaluation. Depending on your dog, training may focus on everyday obedience, leash manners, recall, advanced obedience and off-leash skills, or aggression and behavior concerns. The written goals sheet explains what is planned for your dog and what to expect at graduation.
Traveling for Board and Train in Texas
You do not need to live inside our Austin in-home service area to discuss Study Abroad. Owners from elsewhere in Texas can ask about an Austin training stay. Before booking, coordinate the evaluation, drop-off, owner visits, and graduation coaching with your trainer.
Most programs include at least one owner visit per week. If you will be away or traveling from farther away, discuss your availability before booking so your trainer can explain the appropriate owner-coaching arrangements.
Board and Train Questions
How much does board and train cost?
The listed three-week Study Abroad program is $3,990. Program length is recommended after evaluation. See pricing and payment options.
Where does my dog stay?
Your dog stays in the personal home of a professional board and train trainer, where training is integrated into daily life.
Is owner training included?
Yes. Owner visits and graduation coaching teach you how to use and maintain the skills. Your program includes written instructions, with video tutorials available in many programs.
Can an aggressive or reactive dog enroll?
We evaluate behavior concerns individually. Discuss triggers, history, and goals during the consultation. The evaluation determines suitability and the recommended plan.
How is this different from regular boarding?
Study Abroad is an intensive training program built around written goals and owner coaching. Regular boarding provides care for eligible trained dogs, with optional training sessions.
How do I get started?
Book a free phone consultation, then complete the recommended in-person evaluation before booking.
