The board and train evaluation

How the free board and train evaluation works in Gloucester, MA: a weekday 6:30–9:30 AM temperament test after a short training consult, and what it decides.

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Australian shepherd sitting attentively during training

Assessment and evaluation: two different steps

People often use the two words interchangeably, but they do different jobs. The assessment is a conversation: you tell Gabby what you want to change, she asks about your dog’s history and daily life, and together you choose Foundation or Advanced. Your quote follows the assessment.

The evaluation is your dog’s turn. It is a hands-on temperament test in our building that shows how your dog actually behaves with new people, new dogs and a new place. Some of what owners describe on the phone looks different in person, in both directions. Our page on what a training consult is covers the first step.

	Assessment	Evaluation
Who	You and Gabby	Your dog and our team
What	Goals, history, program choice	Temperament test in our building
Result	Recommended program and a quote	Confirms the plan and playgroup readiness
Cost	Part of the enquiry process	Free

What happens at the evaluation

Evaluations run on weekday mornings between 6:30 and 9:30 AM. Your dog meets staff, explores the space and, if things go well, is introduced carefully to other dogs. The team watches how your dog handles each step.

None of it is a pass-or-fail exam. The point is to see your dog clearly before a week or two together, so the plan fits the dog in front of us rather than the dog on the form.

Expect the evaluation to take part of a morning rather than a few minutes. Plan your commute or workday around it, and leave enough slack that you aren’t watching the clock at drop-off; dogs pick up on a rushed handler.

How your dog greets new people and recovers from surprises
Comfort with handling: collar, paws, being led
Body language around other dogs at a distance, then closer
Play style, if your dog is ready to play
Signs of guarding, fear or over-arousal

Goldendoodle sitting on the turf by the wooden yard door

How the evaluation shapes the stay

The result goes straight into the plan. If your dog is ready for a small group of 7–10 dogs matched by size and temperament, playgroup becomes part of the daily routine. If not, the stay leans on one-to-one training and enrichment, and group time is reconsidered later.

Sometimes the evaluation shifts the program. A dog the family described as “just excitable” may show fear underneath, which changes how training is paced. Our page on board and train with daycare explains how playgroup fits once a dog is ready.

What can change or pause a stay

We don’t publish a list of automatic disqualifications, because most issues have a better path rather than a closed door. But some things do stop a stay going ahead as planned, and it is fairer to say so up front.

Paperwork: Rabies, DHPP and Bordetella not on file, or no current dog license
Health: signs of illness on the day; we’d rather reschedule than board a sick dog
Serious aggression or bite history: may point to a six- to ten-week behavior-modification program or a vet’s input first
Severe distress in the building: a gentler start, or a different service, may serve your dog better
Age: the minimum age for puppies is confirmed at the assessment

How to prepare your dog for the evaluation

Keep it ordinary. Feed a normal, slightly smaller breakfast, take a decent toilet walk, and bring your dog on the leash and collar or harness it usually wears. Skip the long pre-evaluation run; an exhausted dog shows us less, not more.

Bring vaccine records and your dog license, and a short note on anything the team should know: fears, triggers, medical issues, past incidents. Be honest about difficult moments. The more we know, the safer and more useful the evaluation is.

After the evaluation

You’ll hear how it went and whether the plan stands or needs adjusting. If it stands, the next step is to book the stay dates and confirm drop-off and go-home lesson timing. If it changes, Gabby will explain why and what she recommends instead.

Ready to start? Send the enquiry and we reply within one hour on business days. Our booking guide lays out each step.

The two programs

1 week · Puppies, young dogs & foundational manners Foundation Board & Train A one-week stay for puppies, young dogs and dogs missing the basics: obedience, leash skills, place, stay, recall, impulse control and household manners, with daily updates and a go-home lesson. Read about Foundation 2 weeks · Adolescent dogs & real-world reliability Advanced Board & Train A two-week stay for adolescent dogs and dogs who know their cues at home but lose them everywhere else: everything in Foundation, plus distraction proofing, real-world outings, neutrality and two go-home coaching lessons. Read about Advanced

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