The Transformation
Board & Train works because it creates and environment of focus, structure and repetition. Your dog isn’t just learning commands — they’re practicing them in every day situations like walks, play with other dogs, and outings to pet-friendly spaces. This combination of professional instruction, real-world practice, and consistent routines allows your dog to build confidence, reduce stress and return home with skills you can trust.
We teach both you and your dog individually, then bring you together to train as a team. Our Training Center provides groups of friendly dogs, daily visitors, several caretakers, and unique socialization experiences such as bike rides and meeting ponies. You graduate from Board and Train working together as a team, confident and prepared to use your dog’s commands in everyday life—whether heeling on a daily neighborhood walk or responding in the moment when a delivery arrives, an unexpected dog appears, or a fast recall is needed to avoid trouble.
life after board & Train
With your dog’s Board & Train complete, you go home and begin building a new relationship rooted in trust, understanding, and respect. Every interaction—feeding, care, obedience, exercise, play, and connection—becomes part of your shared language.
What You’ll Take Home
- Access to a custom training video for quick reference and consistency at home
- Clear communication skills so everyone in your household—partners, kids, or dog walkers—can participate in the training
- A predictable daily structure your dog understands and thrives within
- The ability to speak to your dog in a way they truly understand, demonstrated by reliable follow-through
- Practical tools to gain control quickly in real-life moments
- Professional techniques, timing, and reinforcement that work both at home and on walks
- Confidence and pride knowing you are giving your dog the best life possible
What to Expect
Board & Train is not the easy way out. After graduation, you’ll continue with mapped training sessions—approximately three minutes, three times per day—along with spontaneous, in-the-moment reinforcement throughout daily life.
A Day at Board & Train
Available Programs
Give your puppy a calm, confident start. During this 3-week, on-leash program, professionals foster a night-time routine and potty basics while your pup learns daily manners, foundation obedience, socialization, and real-life skills—so you bring home to a puppy who listens and settles.
Best for: Puppies 3–6 months. We recommend starting at 3 months if house training is the main challenge, but if training is your main challenge we recommend starting between 4-6 months.
Commands: Place, sit, down, come, heel, implied stay (release command), off, quiet, leave it / drop it, crate, “better hurry” (potty command)
Life Skills: Eye contact, response to name, riding in the car, clicker trained, increased resilience to fear
Notes: All training is on the leash with many treats and praise—we’re building a world of love and trust for them!
Expect a dramatic shift in your dog’s focus and attention. With daily professional guidance and your follow-through at home, your dog will become responsive, reliable, and calm on leash. Beyond obedience, On Leash builds practical skills like crate training and potty training while easing moderate fears, anxiety, and other everyday challenges.
Best for: This program is designed for dogs over 6 months and is especially helpful for newly adopted dogs.
Commands: Place, sit, down, come, heel, implied stay (release command), off, quiet, leave it / drop it, crate
Life Skills: Eye contact, response to name, riding in the car, clicker trained, increased resilience to fear
Notes: On Leash training is not suitable for dogs with severe behavioral concerns such as aggression or reactivity. For those needs, please see our Behavior Training program.
Imagine the freedom of enjoying walks, hikes, or even just hanging out in the yard with your dog reliably off leash. In this program, your dog learns to perform their known commands without the tether —giving you trust, safety, and peace of mind no matter the environment.
You’ll learn how to use the remote training collar to communicate known commands with your dog. Families love the hands-free communication and the calm, manageable energy that results.
Best for: Dogs older than 6 months, previous graduates of Puppy Head Start or On-Leash programs, and for boisterous dogs, adolescents, addressing moderate behavioral problems and preventing behavior problems from developing and escalating. Great for busy families needing hands-free control and fun for active dog enthusiasts wanting to safely enjoy their dog off leash and under awesome control!
Commands: Place, sit, down, come, heel, implied stay (release command), off, quiet, leave it / drop it
Life Skills: Your dog will respond to commands off leash in the home, in the yard, outside and where you can safely take them off leash for runs, bike rides, play and activities your dog truly loves.aggression, severity, and dog’s age.
This is our most complete training experience — the best of both worlds. Over 6 weeks, your dog will master obedience both on leash and off leash, gaining the skills, confidence, and reliability to thrive in every setting. Build your off leash confidence and enjoy the matched trust your dog has in you!
Join our 5-star On and Off Leash Boarding program to build routines, deepen your connection, and allow your dog to discover true freedom through safety. Whether walking calmly at your side or responding instantly at a distance, your dog will learn to listen, trust, and respond with confidence.
Best for: This program is designed for dogs over 6 months and is especially helpful for newly adopted dogs.
Commands: Place, sit, down, come, heel, implied stay (release command), off, quiet, leave it / drop it, crate
Life Skills: Established routines, incredible connection, eye contact, response to name, riding in the car, clicker trained & increased resilience to fear.
Behavior Training: This is the only program permitted for dogs demonstrating behavioral problems. Through carefully formulated protocols, behavior problems are progressively reduced — not magically erased — and managed through reliable physical control and consistent obedience. The degree of change you can expect depends of type of aggression, severity, and dog’s age.
Before you Book
Trusted by Families Like Yours
frequently asked questions
Boarding
When you board your dog, you’re trusting us with family. That’s why we’ve built our program around safety, comfort, and peace of mind, so both you and your pup can feel at ease. Dogs rest in climate-controlled kennels with calming practices like ambient music to encourage quiet, restful behavior. With the Blue Ridge Mountains as our backdrop and the company of our resident animals, boarding at ADT is both safe and therapeutic.
Passionate, Professional Trainers
meet the appalachian dog training team
Pet Stylist
Kala
Kennel Specialist
Jordan
Kennel Specialist
Traci
Office Admin
Tiffany
owner & head trainer
Katie
Kennel Specialist
Madelyn
A dedicated team of trainers and caregivers committed to raising confident dogs and supporting the families who love them.