Our Board & Train program places your dog in a calm, safe home environment with professional trainers and their well‑trained work dogs. Dogs live as part of the household, receiving consistent, science‑based training, regular socialisation and personalised care. We use ethical, reward‑based methods prioritising clear communication, predictability and emotional safety to build lasting skills and stronger bonds between you and your dog. Your dog is safe, comfortable and closely supervised at every step by our experienced, accredited team who put their welfare first.

What to expect

• Professional environment: Dogs live with experienced trainers who manage routines, enrichment and behaviour with predictable, humane techniques.

• Household setting: Training happens in home‑style environments that mirror real life — inside, in yards and on local walks — to encourage practical, generalised behaviour.

• Work dog role models: Well‑trained dogs in the home provide calm social learning opportunities to help accelerate progress.

• Individualised plans: Every dog receives a tailored training program based on temperament, age, prior training and your household needs.

• Ongoing communication: Regular updates, photos and training notes so you can track progress and learn how to continue outcomes at home.

• Ethical practices: Reward‑based, force‑free methods prioritise welfare, stress reduction and clear, consistent cues.

Core skills we prioritise

1. Reliable recall — coming when called in varied environments and distractions.

2. Loose‑lead walking — calm walking without pulling, lunging or constant correction.

3. Sit, down, stay and place — foundational cues for household management and safety.

4. Polite greetings — calm behaviour when meeting people and other dogs.

5. Impulse control — waiting at doors, during feeding, and around food or toys.

6. Crate and alone‑time tolerance — comfortable rest and separation skills to reduce anxiety.

7. House manners — no counter surfing, appropriate toileting, and respectful furniture use.

8. Resource guarding management — safe, humane strategies to prevent guarding and promote sharing.

9. Problem behaviour reduction — structured plans for issues such as excessive barking, jumping, nuisance chewing and reactivity, with emphasis on prevention and alternative behaviours.

10. Socialisation and confidence building — positive exposure to people, sounds, surfaces and everyday situations suited to the dog’s needs.

Program options and duration look like:

• Foundation (2–3 weeks): Ideal for puppies and beginners. Focus on core manners, socialisation and basic household skills.

• Intermediate (3–4 weeks): Builds reliability with distractions, strengthens recall and loose‑lead walking, addresses moderate behavioural concerns.

• Advanced (4–6 weeks): Intensive work on complex issues, high‑distraction obedience and confidence for reactive or anxious dogs.

• Custom plans: Extended or specialised programs for severe behaviour challenges, working dogs or multi‑dog households.

What’s included

• Pre‑enrolment assessment to create a personalised plan.

• Daily training sessions integrated into everyday routines.

• Enrichment, exercise and veterinary‑grade care as required.

• Written and videoed progress reports.

• A structured owner refresher program on collection, including practical transfers and a phased home transition plan to maintain gains.

Who this is for

• Owners wanting reliable, practical results when home life, work or consistency is a challenge.

• Dogs needing focused, intensive support in a real‑life setting.

• Puppies requiring structured socialisation and foundation manners.

• Families seeking professional handling of moderate to complex behaviour concerns.

How we set dogs and owners up for success:

Our trainers teach owners how to maintain and build on progress through clear, achievable routines and skills practice. On collection we provide hands‑on training sessions, written plans and follow‑up support options to ensure a smooth transition back home.

Book a pre‑assessment Contact Mad Mongrels for a full pre‑enrolment assessment to determine the most appropriate program and timeline for your dog’s needs. We’ll outline expectations, pricing and the transition plan so you and your dog start with confidence.