Go Home Day With Your Dog
Today we are breaking down exactly what we recommend you do when your dog goes home after a board and train. It’s a lot of information covered at the go home lesson, and you’re not going to absorb it all. For that reason, we do send you home with a go home packet and respond as promptly as possible to texts and emails.
But we thought it would be a good idea to have this very detailed breakdown in the form of a podcast so folks can have another reference that recaps everything and really paints a clear picture of how it all should look in real life.
If you are considering doing a board and train, or you are signed up this is a great way to get a glimpse into what it all looks like. And even if you’re not doing a board and train—this is a fantastic way to really understand what I mean by “structure”, and you will likely see opportunities that might benefit you at home with your own dog while you are working on trying to cultivate change and build something new.
I’m breaking down every single little detail from walking out the door here to going home and working on the relationship and ultimately ending up with a well trained, respectful dog that makes good choices and doesn’t need to be managed.
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Minute-by-Minute Breakdown
- 00:00 – Kati opens with a subscribe reminder before introducing the go-home-day topic.
- 01:00 – She explains that many owners struggle when dogs return from board and train.
- 02:00 – The episode is framed as a detailed reference for board-and-train clients and regular listeners.
- 03:00 – Kati previews that listeners will hear what clients are taught during go-home lessons.
- 04:00 – She begins with equipment habits, starting with keeping the e-collar on during active time.
- 05:00 – Kati warns that inconsistent e-collar use can create a collar-smart dog.
- 06:00 – She explains that dogs learn rules are unenforced when the e-collar is absent.
- 07:00 – Short exceptions, like skipping the collar before work, can let old behaviors resurface.
- 08:00 – A single successful mistake without the collar makes the dog more likely to repeat it.
- 10:00 – The e-collar comes off only after the dog is already secured in the kennel.
- 11:00 – Owners should move the e-collar contact points during the day to prevent skin irritation.
- 12:00 – Kati says sores usually come from poor collar placement, lack of movement, or wet fur.
- 14:00 – The prong collar should sit high on the neck to give better head control.
- 15:00 – She reviews steady leash pressure and quick leash pops as separate handling skills.
- 16:00 – A leash pop must release immediately, or it becomes less effective pressure.
- 18:00 – Dogs should not be left unsupervised in prong collars because they can get caught.
- 19:00 – Owners should leave a leash on initially because they are still learning the tools.
- 20:00 – Kati transitions to home structure as the central piece of the go-home process.
- 21:00 – She notes that structure is difficult for some families because it changes daily routines.
- 23:00 – High structure builds coping skills, impulse control, respect, relevance, and a better state of mind.
- 24:00 – She recommends using structure during major life transitions to prevent behavior problems.
- 27:00 – At the kennel door, owners correct breaking position and reset before releasing the dog.
- 28:00 – At the front door, dogs must not crowd or pass through without permission.
- 29:00 – Excited pulling at the door earns a no and an e-collar correction or leash pop.
- 31:00 – After entering the house, the dog goes to the kennel before equipment is removed.
- 32:00 – Dogs should not be overexcited or pushy when owners open the kennel.
- 34:00 – After the prong collar is attached, the dog still waits for permission to exit.
- 38:00 – On place, dogs should lie down, and owners can tap the e-collar to prompt it.
- 39:00 – The leash and prong can stay on during supervised place work while habits develop.
- 40:00 – Morning starts with turning on and fitting the e-collar before the dog exits the kennel.
- 43:00 – A structured day alternates potty breaks, place, walks, training, kennel time, and supervised activity.
- 45:00 – Kati emphasizes that the dog should not roam freely between structured activities.
- 49:00 – Structure means the owner tells the dog where to be and what to do.
- 50:00 – Tiebacks can help keep dogs accountable when distractions like guests enter the house.
- 53:00 – Owners should not trust dogs with freedom until they have proven reliability.
- 55:00 – The length of high structure depends on the dog and the owner’s skill level.
- 57:00 – Freedom should be reintroduced gradually in short supervised intervals, not all at once.
- 59:00 – Owners can remove dogs from kennel or place often if they are actively engaging them.
- 01:01:00 – Kati recommends keeping some structure long-term to maintain respect, calmness, and responsiveness.
- 01:02:00 – Exercise can help some dogs, but it should not replace structure or accountability.
- 01:04:00 – Roaming without rules does not rehearse the training owners learned during the go-home lesson.
- 01:05:00 – Immersing the dog and owner in structure at home solidifies the board-and-train work.
- 01:06:00 – Kati closes by reminding owners that short-term sacrifice protects long-term freedom and relationship goals.