What Is Puppy Board and Train?
Board and train for puppies is a popular option for busy families who want their dog to learn essential manners without dedicating months to weekly group classes. These programs condense what you’d normally cover in a 12-week beginner and advanced dog training course into a highly effective, immersive training experience.
At Caitlin’s Animal Training, we offer a two-week puppy board and train program in Allentown, PA that’s tailored to help your dog thrive. We focus on real-life skills that matter most to pet parents, such as:
- Walking politely on a leash without pulling
- A rock-solid “leave it” cue
- Reliable recall (coming when called)
- Name recognition
- Calm, polite greetings when guests visit
- Staying in a sit or down until released
This is ideal for families going on vacation or navigating busy schedules. While you relax or travel, your puppy enjoys structured enrichment and professional training, and you receive daily video updates and progress reports so you’re always in the loop.
Socialization is Key
Veterinarians across the United States agree that early socialization for puppies is essential for raising a confident, happy, and well-adjusted dog. Research shows that positive exposure during the early developmental window helps prevent fear, reactivity, and anxiety later in life.
However, there are still a few veterinarians who recommend that puppies be fully vaccinated before going anywhere, which often conflicts with modern socialization guidelines. If you live in an area with a particularly high concentration of parvovirus or other contagious diseases, then added caution is warranted. But most areas—especially the pet-friendly neighborhoods of the Lehigh Valley—are relatively safe for young puppies, especially when you avoid high-risk locations like dog parks and practice good hygiene, such as wiping paws after outings.
Is a Puppy Board & Train Right for You?
Our puppy training program in Lehigh Valley is best suited for dogs who are already crate-trained or comfortable in a playpen. If your puppy experiences crate anxiety, we recommend starting with in-home training sessions first to build up confidence and comfort with confinement before boarding.
We’ve worked with countless puppies from Hellertown to Center Valley, Coopersburg, and Easton. From basic manners to puppy enrichment and socialization, we customize our programs based on your dog’s developmental stage and your goals.
Here’s an example video you’d receive while your puppy is staying with us in Allentown, PA. You’ll get simple, personalized instructions for how to maintain the behaviors your puppy has learned during their stay. Our training is rooted in positive reinforcement and designed for long-term success.
Real Results from Real Puppies
Nash, a 14-week-old puppy, stayed for our two-week puppy boot camp program and quickly mastered her “leave it” cue, among many others. Above is a screenshot from one of the daily videos we sent to her parents during her stay.
We also worked with Juno during a month-long service dog board and train where he learned off-leash skills and polite campus behavior to support his young handler at school. Our goal is always to place the right dog in the right job and help them thrive.
If you’re ready to give your puppy the best start in life with a custom puppy training program near you, we’d love to chat! Serving clients across the Lehigh Valley, we’re proud to offer in-home training and board and train options that fit your life.
📞 Think we might be a good fit? Schedule a call here
🐾 And don’t forget to check out our blog on puppy enrichment for ideas to keep the learning going once your pup is home.