What does four weeks at Sleepaway Camp look like?

We start small and add more as your dog is ready.

Weeks 1–2: Build the skills

The first couple of weeks are more individualized. This gives me time to get to know your dog, work one-on-one, head out on our own and introduce carefully chosen dogs when it makes sense.

Some dogs are starting with basically zero training. Some know plenty at home but forget all of it the second another dog appears. Some need confidence, some need better social skills, and some have never had a calm thought in their life.

We start wherever your dog is.

Weeks 3–4: Practice the Skills

As your dog is ready, usually around the beginning of week 3, we start bringing them into regular Dog Camp with a larger group of well adjusted dogs.

Now we're practicing those skills on trails, around other dogs, getting in and out of the car, walking with the group, settling when we stop, recalling away from something interesting and generally learning how to handle all the stuff that comes with being a dog who gets to go places.

This is where the training starts becoming part of normal life.

What are we working on?

Every dog comes in with a different starting point, so their four weeks won't look exactly the same.

Depending on your dog, we'll work on:

• Loose-leash walking

• Reliable recall

• E-collar training and off-leash skills

• Sit and down

• Waiting at doors and around the car

• Settling when we stop somewhere

• Appropriate socialization with other dogs

• Neutrality around dogs and people

• Confidence in new environments

• Listening around distractions

• Moving from excitement back into calm

A lot of this happens throughout the day, because that's where your dog will need these skills when they come home.

Who is our Board and Train for?

Sleepaway Camp can be a great fit for dogs starting with very little training, under-socialized dogs, dogs who are WAY too excited about other dogs, dogs who need more confidence, or dogs who are selective or mildly reactive and need their social experiences handled a little more thoughtfully.

It's also for perfectly social dogs whose owners want better leash skills, a more reliable recall, more freedom and a dog they can bring along for more of life.

Regular Dog Camp includes training too, but dogs are learning and practicing as part of the group, usually once or twice per week. Sleepaway Camp gives us four weeks to focus on your individual dog, start with more foundations, and gradually bring those skills into Camp when they're ready.

How does Sleepaway Camp work?

Monday through Thursday for four weeks, with weekends at home.

Your dog stays with me in Mount Holly, NJ during the week while we're training, exploring and eventually joining regular Dog Camp. They head home with you each Thursday afternoon and come back Monday morning to do it all again.

Pickup and drop-off within my service area are included, along with the training gear we use during their stay.

Dogs who are a good fit are welcome to continue with regular Dog Camp afterward, which gives them a great place to keep practicing everything they've learned!

Sleepaway Camp FAQs

Does my dog need to be friendly with other dogs?

No. Under-socialized, overly social, dog-selective and mildly reactive dogs may all be appropriate for Sleepaway Camp.

We can start small, choose their social experiences carefully and add more as they're ready. Dogs do need to be safe for me to work with, so significant aggression may not be appropriate for this program.

Note: 4 Weeks can make a big difference for many dogs, but a dog who is very anti-social or highly reactive will likely not end week 4 as a social butterfly. Progress may look like your dog being more comfortable around other dogs, making better choices, recovering faster, and learning that they can just hang out with other dogs without needing to interact.

Does my dog need previous training?

Nope. We can start with very little previous training.

Having four weeks together gives us time to teach those skills individually and then start using them in increasingly distracting, real-life situations.

Will my dog learn off-leash recall?

Recall and off-leash skills are a big part of the program when they're appropriate for the individual dog.

We use an e-collar when appropriate and build freedom gradually. The skills come first, then we give them more freedom as they're ready for it.

Where is this Board & Train located?

The Well Mannered Dog is based in Mount Holly, NJ, serving dogs throughout Burlington County and South Jersey, including Lumberton, Hainesport, Westampton, Medford, Marlton and surrounding areas.