Questions · Inclusions
What does board and train include?
What board and train includes at a fear-free Gloucester program: daily training, an overnight suite, playgroup, enrichment, daily updates and go-home lessons.
What comes with every stay
Six things, whichever program you choose. They are the base of each stay, and the training plan sits on top of them, built around the goals you agree with Gabby at the assessment.
| Included | What it means |
|---|---|
| An overnight suite | A quiet suite with comfortable bedding and 24/7 monitoring |
| Daily training | Training every day, planned around the agreed goals |
| Daycare integration | A small playgroup of 7–10 dogs matched by size and temperament, when ready |
| Enrichment | Brain work as well as exercise in a 10,000 sq. ft. facility |
| A daily update | News every day; the format is confirmed at booking |
| Go-home coaching | One lesson with Foundation, two with Advanced |
Which skills are taught in each program?
The one-week Foundation program covers basic obedience; leash skills; place, stay and recall; impulse control; crate and household manners; and daycare integration and enrichment. It's built for puppies, young dogs and dogs who need foundational manners.
The two-week Advanced program includes everything in Foundation, then adds advanced obedience and distraction proofing, real-world outings, neutrality and impulse control, confidence building and structured socialization. It's for adolescent dogs and dogs who need reliability in the real world.
- Foundation: sit, down and everyday cues; walking without towing; place, stay, recall; waiting at doors and bowls; settling in a crate
- Advanced adds: longer, further and busier versions of every cue; practice away from the building; calm around dogs and people; paced exposure to new places; controlled introductions
How playgroup and enrichment fit in
Training is only part of a dog's day. Between sessions, dogs rest and do enrichment, such as scent games and puzzle feeders, that tires the brain as well as the legs. Dogtown's facility is 10,000 square feet, built for dogs.
Playgroup is included but not automatic. The free evaluation, a temperament test on a weekday morning, shows whether your dog is ready for a group. If it is, your dog joins a small group of 7–10 dogs matched by size and temperament. If not, it doesn't, and the stay is still fully a training stay. Our board and train with daycare page explains more.
What the go-home lessons cover
The lessons are where the training becomes yours. At the end of Foundation, the trainer walks you through each cue your dog learned, shows you how to ask for it and reward it, and answers questions. With Advanced, you get two scheduled coaching lessons: the first hands the skills over, and the second, after you've had time to practise, irons out what has slipped.
Dogtown doesn't promise results; we make sure you leave knowing how to practise. The go-home lesson page covers what to bring and what to ask.
What isn't included, or is confirmed at booking
Some details depend on your dog or are set at booking, so we don't guess at them here. The price of each stay is quoted after the assessment; the evaluation is free. The format of daily updates is confirmed at booking. Where and how often Advanced outings happen depends on the plan Gabby builds.
You bring your dog's usual food, pre-portioned; any medications, clearly labeled; and one comfort item. Dogtown provides bedding and enrichment. Pup Van pick-up and drop-off is $10 each way in Gloucester, Rockport, Essex and Manchester-by-the-Sea, and available on request from farther away.
The two programs
FAQs
Related questions
Is the evaluation included or extra?
Are grooming or private lessons included?
Do I get photos and videos every day?
What vaccinations are required?
More questions? Read the full board & train FAQ
Next step
Tell us about your dog.
Send the enquiry and we reply within one hour on business days to set up a short assessment with Gabby. The evaluation is free.
- 01Send the enquiryReply within the hour on business days
- 02Assessment & evaluationPick Foundation or Advanced
- 03Train & go homeDaily updates, go-home coaching
