A Day in the Life of a Board and Train Dog at Freedom Found.

When your dog stays with me for a board and train, they are not just getting a few structured training sessions. They are stepping into my daily life, my routines, my dogs, and my environment. Every moment becomes a learning opportunity. Every activity is intentional. Every choice supports their welfare, confidence, and long-term progress.

This is what a full day looks like for a dog staying in my home.

Morning: Potty Break and Quiet Observation

We start with a simple routine that sets the tone for the entire day. A potty break in the yard followed by a short observation session. This is one of my favorite parts of the morning.

I watch how your dog takes in the environment.
I watch what they notice first.
I watch whether they want to interact with me or explore independently.

These moments show me how they are feeling, how awake their nervous system is, and what they need to have a good start to their day. Some dogs want gentle social contact right away. Others need space to move, sniff, or assess the yard before they feel ready to connect.

Once I have a good read on where their head is at, we follow it up with play or I bring out one of my helper dogs if appropriate. A little decompression and social learning goes a long way toward building a dog who can learn throughout the day.

Breakfast Prep, Settle Work, and Stationing

Before meals, your dog works on settle training or stationing while I prepare breakfasts for everyone. This is not just obedience. It is a real-life skill that teaches patience, awareness, and self-regulation without pressure.

They learn that good things happen when they choose calm.

My own dogs are included in this routine which helps board and train students generalize skills with more distractions. It is also a very normal household moment which is exactly what most dogs need more practice with in a controlled way.

Then everyone eats. After eating, the entire house rests for at least one hour. This is non negotiable. Rest after meals protects from bloat risks and supports healthy digestion.

Mid Morning: Skill Building, Games, and Progress Work

Once the rest period is over, we head into our first true structured training session of the day. This is customized for each dog based on their goals, challenges, and age.

A session may include:

• Engagement games

• Basic skills that support bigger goals

• Pattern games

• Confidence building

• Play based learning

• Problem solving exercises

After this session, your dog gets a yard break and often takes a quick power nap. This keeps arousal levels balanced and prevents over working or frustration.

Then we head back out for round two of training that fits their progression for the day.

Late Morning or Early Afternoon: Field Trips and Adventure Walks

This is where your dog joins me in real life. Dogs who stay with me become part of my daily rhythm which means they learn how to navigate the world through controlled, safe, and thoughtful experiences.

Depending on the dog, this part of the day might include:

• An adventure walk

• A field trip to a park or nearby trail

• A stop at a dog friendly store

• A structured meet up with members of the Freedom Found community

• Joining me for errands or training sessions

Exposure is never about flooding. It is about showing your dog what the world looks like while making sure they feel supported, safe, and successful.

I cannot say enough about the community that has been growing around Freedom Found. These are people who genuinely want to help each other learn and thrive. Their dogs are often part of controlled setups that help board and train students practice social skills, neutrality, and confidence.

Afternoon: Enrichment and Rest

Once we get home, your dog decompresses with enrichment. This might be:

• A scatter feed

• A chew

• A Kong or Toppl

• A sniffing game

• A homemade puzzle

• Quiet time in a cozy space

This helps their brain process everything from earlier and keeps their stress levels stable.

Then they rest. Training only works when the nervous system is supported. Rest is part of training. Rest is part of learning. Rest is part of the routine here.

Early Evening: House Skills, Relaxation Training, and Fun Tricks

As the afternoon transitions into evening, we usually do another short session. This one focuses on skills that often matter most to families at home.

Relaxation around the house.
Staying calm with normal household noise.
Settling on a bed.
Ignoring distractions from my dogs.

We might also add in some trick training to keep things fun and engaging. Tricks help dogs build confidence. They also help dogs and humans stay connected in low pressure ways.

Your dog will get another round of yard time or play depending on their energy level, age, and needs.

Evening: Wind Down and Routine

As the day slows, so do we. The evening is gentle and predictable which is essential for nervous systems that have worked hard all day.

Most dogs:

• Chew

• Relax

• Nap

• Watch household movement calmly

• Enjoy pets or quiet engagement

• Learn how to settle in a real home environment

This predictable wind down helps dogs feel secure which directly impacts the success of the next day.

Every Day Is Intentional

Board and train here is not about running a dog through endless drills. It is about building a confident, regulated, well supported dog who can learn, process, and grow.

Your dog becomes part of my routine.
Your dog becomes part of my daily life.
Your dog becomes part of my team.

The structure, the play, the rest, the observation, the field trips, the enrichment, and the relationship building all work together to support the training goals you came to me for.

This is the Freedom Found experience.
This is how I help dogs find stability, confidence, and connection.

This is how your dog learns what the good life feels like.

Want to learn more about our Board and Trains? Click here.