Country Life K9 Training

Country Life K9 Training offers several board and train programs. The 3-Week Basic Obedience Board & Train Program is for dogs aged 6 months and older without major behavioral issues. Dogs are immersed in the trainers’ home 24/7, learning crate manners, household manners, and commands such as recall, sit/stay, down/stay, place, heel, polite car riding, and waiting at thresholds and for food. It also addresses minor issues like jumping, mouthing, counter surfing, trash digging, and excessive barking. This program includes E-collar conditioning for on and off-leash reliability, public outings, a 30-minute drop-off consultation, a 2-3 hour go-home lesson, and training supplies.

The 4+ Week Behavior Modification Board & Train Program is designed for dogs with more serious issues like dog-to-dog aggression, resource guarding, extreme anxiety or fear, extreme leash reactivity, handling problems for vet/groomer, or house soiling. The program length is customized based on the severity of the dog’s issues, allowing time for acclimation, repetition, and exposure to triggers. It includes all basic commands and skills, focusing on rehabilitation and teaching coping mechanisms. This program includes a 30-minute drop-off consultation, training supplies, a mid-session lesson at the 3-week mark, and a final graduation lesson conducted at a public park.

A 1-Week Refresher Board & Train Program is available exclusively to past graduates, offering a tune-up for specific areas of struggle or public manners, and includes a 1-hour go-home lesson. Vacation Boarding is also offered to past graduates, ensuring consistency with their training while owners are away, including training walks and supervised playtime.

Pricing Summary

The 3-Week Basic Obedience Board & Train Program costs $3,000. The 4+ Week Behavior Modification Board & Train Program costs $4,000, plus $700 for each additional week. The 1-Week Refresher Board & Train Program, available only to past graduates, costs $700. Vacation Boarding, also for past graduates, is $50/day. The drop-off day is billed at the full boarding rate regardless of arrival time, while the final day is free if picked up during the morning window; afternoon pickups incur the daily boarding rate. Credit card payments are subject to a 4% service charge.

Policies

Country Life K9 Training does not allow owner visits during the board and train program, as they believe it can hinder progress. However, they provide updates via social media and direct contact. They do not offer a 100% guarantee due to variables like owner commitment, but they strive for consistent results. A free optional 1-hour follow-up lesson is offered a few weeks after graduation. For boarding, dogs must be on monthly flea/tick preventatives and current on rabies, bordetella, and distemper vaccinations; leptospirosis and influenza are highly recommended. Owners must bring the dog’s E-collar, remote, and sufficient food. Payment can be made via Zelle, cash, check, or credit card (with a 4% service charge), and is due at pickup.

Country Life K9 Training offers comprehensive board and train programs designed to bring out the best in your dog and teach owners to be effective pack leaders. Their philosophy emphasizes effective communication, teaching humans to ‘speak and understand dog’ by focusing on body language cues and verbal communication. They believe in lifestyle training for the real world, making it easy for owners to apply new skills practically in daily situations without needing dedicated ‘dog training time’.

They are a ‘Balanced Trainer’, using both positive reinforcement (food rewards, praise) to teach new behaviors and corrections to stop unwanted behaviors. This ‘YES/NO’ approach aims to provide clear messages to dogs, accelerating learning and behavior transformation. The training is based out of the founder’s home, providing 24/7 immersion into a structured routine with personal dogs, ensuring consistent results regardless of breed, age, or issues. Owner success post-training is their utmost goal.

Accomplishments

Lauren is the Founder & Lead Trainer at Country Life K9 Training. Her personal dogs, Roxanne and Xena (a Rottie she fostered and adopted), assist in training client dogs. Lauren’s inspiration for dog training came from transforming Xena, who was a stubborn and untrained 1-year-old, by immersing herself in dog training philosophy and taking classes with well-known senior trainers specializing in Rottweilers. Sarah serves as the Assistant Trainer, holding a bachelor’s degree in Sociology from St. Mary’s College of Maryland (2011) and possessing over 10 years of experience as an equine veterinary assistant. Sarah also trains her German Wirehair Pointer for waterfowl retrieval and plans to compete in retrieving field trials.

How to Get Started!

To begin the process, prospective clients are advised to review the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) and familiarize themselves with the training philosophy. An application form is available online for interested individuals to provide details about their dog and training goals. If a response is not received within 48 hours, clients are encouraged to check their spam folder and send a follow-up email to countrylifek9training@gmail.com.