Life situations
Board and train for retirees and a new dog
The rescue was listed as medium. The puppy was supposed to stay lap-sized. Then the dog grew, and the morning walk turned into a tug-of-war. Retirement gives you something most training plans assume you lack, which is time. It helps most when you know exactly what to practise and both of you are practising the same thing.
Last reviewed October 4, 2026
Two handlers, one dog
Foundations installed, then coached into a shared routine.
A board and train suits a dog who already pulls hard or tunes out cues, because daily one-on-one work installs the basics before habits settle in further. Puppy Fundamentals works on crate comfort, leash manners, name, sit, down and place for young pups. On-Leash Foundations works on loose-leash walking, heel and everyday distractions, which matters a great deal when a strong dog meets a squirrel on an icy sidewalk.
When two people share the leash, the handover lesson matters twice. Bring both partners if you can, so you learn the same cue words and the same leash handling, because a dog quickly notices which person lets pulling slide. If you would rather train yourselves, Private Training gives you an hour with a professional and a written plan to practise all week, which suits owners with time to put in.
- Both partners learn identical cues
- Leash manners for strong dogs
- Crate comfort for new puppies
- Written plan for daily practice
Trips and travel
Graduate boarding when the travel plans begin.
Retirement often means trips: a month somewhere warm, a visit to the grandchildren, the cruise you booked years ago. Once your dog has graduated, graduate boarding is available at $65 + GST per night for graduates and existing clients, with optional refresher work during the stay. Your dog stays inside the structured routine it already knows, with daily exercise, enrichment and individual care while you are away.
Plan the order sensibly. Finish the program and the handover before a long trip, so your dog has time at home with you to practise the new manners in your own house first. Then arrange boarding around your travel. With a puppy, Puppy Fundamentals includes a free follow-up within 60 days, so keep that session in mind when picking dates. Ask at the consultation how refresher work during boarding could support your practice plan.
The programs
Programs and prices
W · One-hour session
Private Training
One-on-one coaching with you on the other end of the leash.
Includes a written weekly plan to work from
NE · 2-week board & train
On-Leash Foundations
If every walk is a wrestling match, pulling, barking, zig-zagging, this two-week program rebuilds the walk from the ground up with foundational on-leash obedience..
Includes handover lesson, follow-up session, lifetime support, slip lead + collar
N · 3-week board & train
Puppy Fundamentals
Your puppy's first months decide the habits of a lifetime.
Includes handover lesson, follow-up session, slip lead + collar
Asked and answered
The questions people ask us.
Is board and train a good idea for seniors with a new puppy?
It can be, especially if the puppy is already practising habits you do not love. The handover lesson then teaches you the cues and handling so the work continues at home.
Can both of us learn to handle the dog?
Yes, and we encourage it. Bring both handlers to the handover lesson so you use the same words and the same leash handling.
Our rescue dog is bigger and stronger than expected. What should we do?
Start with safe management: a secure lead held by one steady adult and walks where you control the pace. On-Leash Foundations works on leash manners, and if the dog shows fear or reactivity, a full assessment is the right next step.
Can our dog stay with you while we travel?
Graduates and existing clients can use graduate boarding at $65 + GST per night. Optional refresher work is available during the stay.
Keep reading
Start with a shared plan
Bring your new dog's story and both handlers. Book a consultation and we will suggest the right starting point.
From real owners
Rated 5.0 on Google.
Real Northline dogs