Calgary dog life
Holiday boarding for graduates: how it works
The holidays pull people in every direction: flights home, a cabin weekend, a houseful of relatives. For a dog who already trained with us, boarding over the holidays can mean staying with people who already know how they learned, rather than settling in with strangers. Here is what graduates get, who qualifies, and how to set the stay up well before you leave.
Last reviewed October 4, 2026
Who it is for
Graduate boarding is for dogs we already know.
Graduate boarding is open to dogs who have finished a Northline K9 program and to existing clients. Because your dog has trained with us, we already know the markers they respond to, the tools they wear and the structure they learned. That shared history is what graduate boarding is built on, and it is why the stay is offered to graduates and clients rather than to the public.
If your dog has not trained with us, graduate boarding is not available yet. Eligibility comes from training first, either a board and train program or ongoing work with us as an existing client. The consultation is where we meet your dog and recommend a program, including a smaller one when it is enough, so the path to holiday boarding starts there.
- Graduated a Northline K9 program
- Or already an existing client
- $65 + GST per night
- Holiday dates confirmed with us
Before the stay
Tune up the routine before you pack the car.
Holiday weeks at home are often loud and loose: later nights, guests at the door, food on low tables, walks skipped for errands. Many graduates drift a little in that chaos. In the days before the stay, tighten things back up. Return to the place command during busy moments and keep leash walks structured, using the cues and tools your dog learned in their program.
Bring the lead and collar from your program, plus a short written note on habits that have changed since graduation, good or bad. If skills slipped over the season, ask us about a Private Training session once you are home: $150 + GST for one hour with a written plan. Anything medical, including medication, is a conversation to have with us directly before booking, and any new symptom is a reason to see your vet before you travel.
Asked and answered
The questions people ask us.
How much is dog boarding over Christmas for graduates?
Graduate boarding is $65 + GST per night. Confirm your exact holiday dates and any questions directly with us before you make travel plans.
Does holiday boarding include training?
Graduate boarding is published as boarding at $65 + GST per night, not as a training program. If skills slipped over the season, ask us about Private Training, $150 + GST per one-hour session with a written plan customized to your home.
Do you board dogs that haven't trained with you?
No. Graduate boarding is only for dogs who completed a program and for existing clients. If your dog has not trained with us, book a consultation to talk about training first.
What should I bring for holiday boarding?
Bring the lead and collar from your program and a short note on anything new in your dog's behaviour. Raise medical questions, including medication, with us before booking and check them with your vet.
Keep reading
Plan your dog's holiday stay
Already a graduate or client? Reach out about your holiday dates. New to us? Book a consultation and start with training.
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