Program fit
What every board and train includes, and what differs by program
Five board and train programs, five price tags, and a lot of overlapping words. It is easy to assume the expensive ones include more of everything. They do not. A fixed core runs through all five, and the real differences sit in a handful of places: what is taught, which tool comes home, how many follow-ups are listed, and one line about lifetime support. Here is the core, the differences, and how to compare fairly.
Last reviewed October 4, 2026
Shared core
Seven things that do not change whichever program you pick.
Whatever the length, a dog in a Northline board and train gets one-on-one training every day; there are no group classes anywhere in the business. The dog lives the structured routine it is learning, in clean, comfortable accommodations with fresh water, daily exercise and individual care. Socialization and enrichment are on every program's list. Owners get social-media updates and personal phone or email check-ins while the dog is away.
The ending is shared too. Every program closes with a handover lesson, where the owner learns to handle the dog and the tools it has been working with, and every program lists free follow-up sessions. Skills are taught with markers and rewards first on every program, and tools are matched to the individual dog and introduced properly before anyone goes home. So the question is never whether the core is included; it is what sits on top of it.
- Daily one-on-one training, every program
- Structured routine, socialization, enrichment
- Owner updates and check-ins
- Handover lesson plus free follow-ups
Like with like
Line up the curriculum and the tool before the price.
Start with the curriculum, because that is what the weeks are spent on. Puppy Fundamentals and On-Leash Foundations both send the dog home with a slip lead and training collar. Functional Off-Leash includes an Educator remote collar, Advanced Off-Leash includes a remote collar, and both come with owner education on using it. A remote-collar program is not a longer leash program; it is a different job, and the table below only makes sense read beside the curriculum.
Then read the follow-up column. Advanced Off-Leash and Behaviour Rehab each list two free follow-up sessions; the other programs list free follow-up sessions too, with Puppy Fundamentals' set within 60 days. On-Leash Foundations is the one whose published inclusions name lifetime phone and email support, which matters if you expect questions long after the handover. Behaviour Rehab is the one program priced as a range, because it is customized after a full assessment.
| Program | Length | Price + GST | Built for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Puppy Fundamentals | 3 weeks | $2,775 | Puppies in the learning window |
| On-Leash Foundations | 2 weeks | $1,865 | Loose-leash walking and household obedience |
| Functional Off-Leash | 3 weeks | $3,030 | Reliable recall and off-leash manners |
| Advanced Off-Leash | 4 weeks | $3,940 | Off-leash heel, distance commands, public manners |
| Behaviour Rehab | 5 to 6 weeks | $4,850 to $5,760 after assessment | Anxiety, reactivity, aggression |
Asked and answered
The questions people ask us.
Do all Northline board and train programs include follow-up sessions?
Yes. Free follow-up sessions are part of every board and train, alongside the handover lesson. Advanced Off-Leash and Behaviour Rehab each list two, and Puppy Fundamentals sets its follow-up within 60 days; the consultation can go through the details for the program you are considering.
Which board and train programs include an e-collar?
Functional Off-Leash includes an Educator remote collar and Advanced Off-Leash includes a remote collar, both with owner education on using it properly. Puppy Fundamentals and On-Leash Foundations send the dog home with a slip lead and training collar instead. Tools are matched to the individual dog, so the consultation still talks through what suits yours.
Why is Behaviour Rehab priced as a range?
Because the program is customized to the dog after a full assessment, so the figure is set once that assessment has happened rather than before. It is also the only program whose length is given as a range, for the same reason.
Does a longer board and train mean more is included?
Not in the sense of the core: daily one-on-one training, structured routine, socialization, enrichment, owner updates, a handover lesson and follow-ups are in every program. A longer program means a different curriculum, in some cases a different tool, and on Advanced Off-Leash and Behaviour Rehab, two listed follow-up sessions. Compare the curriculum first.
Keep reading
Compare, then ask us
Unsure which column matters for your dog? Bring the table along and we will walk through it with you. Book a consultation.
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