BOARD AND TRAIN
At Helping Howls, we specialize in Board and Train programs exclusively for puppies, adolescent dogs, and young adults. Our immersive, positive training is designed to help your dog build real-life skills while living in a trainer’s home. We don’t just teach obedience cues—we teach dogs how to live peacefully with structure in the world around them.
We are proud to be Virginia’s only positive Board and Train program focused entirely on young family dogs, not aggression or severe behavior issues. Our programs are ideal for dogs who need help with everyday struggles like pulling on leash, jumping on guests, ignoring cues, difficulty settling, or navigating that "teenage dog" stage where nothing seems to stick.
Adolescent & Young Adult
Board and Train Programs
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Pricing: $2,900
Our 14-day Immersion Program is designed for guardians who want to give their dogs a strong foundation in cooperative living and everyday life skills. Whether your goal is to enjoy calm neighborhood walks, bring your dog on errands or trips, or just feel more confident navigating daily life together—this program is here to help you and your dog build that connection.
During their stay, your dog will learn essential foundation skills such as loose-leash walking, settling around distractions, and core cues like recall, leave it, and polite greetings—all taught with positive reinforcement and clear, kind communication. We focus on creating thoughtful learners who are comfortable making good choices, not just obedient performers.
Your dog will join us for field trips to dog-friendly stores, parks, and public spaces so they can practice their new skills in real-world environments. We also work on replacing common struggles like jumping, counter surfing, or pulling on leash with behaviors that work better for both you and your dog.
This program is for you if you're ready to enjoy a more peaceful, connected relationship with your dog—at home and out in the world. Our goal is to help you and your dog feel like true partners, so life together feels joyful and easy.
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Pricing: $3,900
Our 4-week Immersion Program is designed for dogs and their people who are ready to take their partnership to the next level—whether at home, in the neighborhood, or out in the world. This program focuses on real-life skills and cooperative behavior, built through trust, clear communication, and positive reinforcement.
Throughout your dog’s stay, we’ll work on reliable recall, loose-leash walking, polite greetings, settling in public, and responding to cues in a variety of environments—from quiet home settings to dog-friendly shops, parks, and other distractions. We meet each dog where they’re at and choose the equipment that suits their learning best—this might include a harness, head halter, or martingale collar.
While cues and behaviors are important, we place just as much emphasis on lifestyle skills—like calmly hanging out while you’re working, coming away from exciting things, and making choices that help them thrive as part of a family. We believe dogs learn best when they feel safe, supported, and understood.
This program is ideal for families who want a solid training foundation paired with thoughtful real-world practice. We’ll help you and your dog build the kind of relationship where communication flows both ways, and life together feels smoother, lighter, and more joyful.
Who This Is For This program is perfect for:
Adolescent and young adult dogs (6 months to ~2 years old)
Family dogs with common behavior issues, not severe reactivity or aggression
Dogs who are overstimulated, pushy, or struggling with the basics
Owners who want their dog to be a polite, easygoing companion at home and in public
Why It Works Adolescence is a critical window for shaping behavior and teaching emotional regulation. Many dogs in this stage get labeled "stubborn" or "difficult," when in reality they just need clarity, consistency, and reinforcement of the right behaviors.
We teach your dog how to make good choices, and we teach you how to maintain those choices once they come home.
Work with Us!
Please use this form to contact us about your dog training goals & questions.