When most dog owners think about training their pets, they imagine dedicated 15-30 minute sessions with special equipment, followed by a return to “normal life.” As a professional dog trainer who has worked with thousands of dogs, I’ve discovered this common approach is precisely why many dogs take months or even years to truly transform their behavior.
What if I told you there’s a faster, more effective method that professional trainers use, especially in intensive Salt Lake City dog training with boarding included programs?
The Controversial Approach That Gets Results
For a few crucial weeks during training, the most effective strategy is keeping training tools ON your dog almost all the time – not just during formal training sessions.
This advice often surprises dog owners, as it contradicts what many trainers recommend. However, after witnessing thousands of successful transformations, I’m convinced this approach is why our clients see dramatic improvements in weeks rather than months.
The typical dog training routine looks like this: put on special equipment, complete a short training session, remove everything, and return to normal routines. This clearly signals to your dog: “We’re training now… now we’re not.” Unsurprisingly, this creates a dog that only behaves during “training mode” but reverts to unwanted behaviors the rest of the time.
What Professional Board and Train Programs Do Differently
In professional Salt Lake City dog training with boarding included programs, we implement a different strategy. The fastest transformations happen when appropriate training tools remain on the dog whenever they’re being supervised, and handlers are ready to reinforce or redirect behavior at ANY moment.
For example, this means the training collar stays on during relaxation time, the training lead remains attached during meal preparation, and the long line is used during backyard time. This seamless integration of training tools into everyday life creates a consistent learning environment.
Safety First: Important Exceptions
Of course, safety always comes first. Training tools should ALWAYS be removed when:
- Your dog is unsupervised
- Your dog is in their kennel/crate
- Your dog is playing with other dogs
- There’s any risk of the tool getting caught on something
This approach is about maximizing supervised learning opportunities, not taking unnecessary risks. No training goal justifies endangering your dog’s safety.
Why This Creates Dramatically Faster Results
This 24/7 training tool approach works for several key reasons:
First, consistency becomes automatic. When the tools are already in place, you’ll actually use them. No more missed opportunities because you didn’t have the proper equipment handy.
Second, your timing improves dramatically. Perfect timing is critical in dog training, and having tools already in place means you can respond the instant a behavior begins—not after fumbling to attach a leash.
Third, learning happens continuously throughout the day. Instead of 15 minutes of training and 23.75 hours of old habits, your dog is learning consistently all day long.
“I wish I had done this from the beginning instead of dragging training out for months,” is what clients frequently tell me after seeing the results of this approach.
The Professional Training Advantage
This method is one reason why professional board and train programs often achieve in weeks what many owners struggle with for months or years. When dogs live with professional trainers who implement this consistent approach, they receive clear, immediate feedback on their behavior throughout each day.
The consistency and timing advantages of this approach are multiplied in a dedicated training environment where professionals can maintain the perfect balance of structure and freedom. This is why many challenging dogs make remarkable progress during their stays.
The Choice That Determines Your Success
As a dog owner, you face a simple choice: would you rather put in intense, consistent effort for 3-4 weeks or moderate, intermittent effort for 6-12 months?
That decision often determines whether you’ll have a well-trained dog next month or still be struggling with basics next year. By condensing the learning period through consistency and perfect timing, you reach goals faster, experience less frustration, create reliable behaviors that last, and ultimately enjoy more freedom with your dog.
If you’re currently training your dog at home, I encourage you to try this approach for just one week (always following safety guidelines). The difference in your dog’s responsiveness will speak for itself. And if you’re struggling to implement this consistently, consider how a professional board and train program might provide the structured environment your dog needs to make rapid progress.
Your investment in proper training now creates a lifetime of enjoyment with your well-behaved companion.