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Immersive, 24/7 Behavior Transformation in a Home Environment

Fast-Track Success With Our Immersive Board & Train Program

Let us handle the heavy lifting. Your dog stays in a structured, loving home environment to master obedience, calm focus, and real-world manners—while you stay focused on your busy life.

  • Immersive 24/7 learning & reinforcement in a calm, home-style setting (never a commercial kennel).
  • Focused foundation programs tailored for growing puppies or adult obedience and everyday manners.
  • Hands-on owner transfer lessons included to ensure seamless continuation at home.
Golden retriever resting calmly on its bed in the trainer's home
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for Max Care

Real Home
Environment

24/7 Behavioral
Structure

Comprehensive
Handover

Why Choose Our Board & Train Program?

For busy professionals or families looking for accelerated results, finding hours every day for intensive training can feel overwhelming. Our Board & Train programs offer an immersive solution where your dog lives and trains directly in Lead Trainer Clarissa Hummel’s home.

Unlike large, noisy commercial kennels where dogs stay isolated in crates, our program limits enrollment to ensure every dog receives personalized, 24/7 care in a true home setting. Your dog learns real-world manners right in living rooms, backyards, and on neighborhood walks—making the transition back to your home completely seamless.

Important Note on Aggression & Reactivity: To ensure a safe, calm environment for all boarders in our home setting, Board & Train is not available for aggression or reactivity cases. If your dog struggles with fear, hostility, or severe reactivity, we address these challenges directly where they occur through our specialized In-Home Consultations.

Young girl playing with the family dog in the living room

Choose the Right Program for Your Dog

We offer two targeted Board & Train options designed for specific developmental stages and training goals.

1. 6-Day Puppy Board & Train

Ideal for: Young puppies who need a strong, early foundation before bad habits form.

  • Fast-tracking consistent housebreaking and potty habits.
  • Crate training and quiet nighttime routines.
  • Early obedience foundations (sit, stay, name recognition, and leash introductions).
  • Stopping puppy nipping, mouthiness, and destructive chewing.

2. Standard Board & Train

Ideal for: Older puppies and adult dogs needing reliable obedience, improved focus, and polished everyday manners.

  • Rock-solid on-leash and off-leash obedience (sit, stay, place, and recall).
  • Calm impulse control (stopping door dashing, counter surfing, and excessive jumping).
  • Structured real-world socialization in everyday environments.
  • Dedicated Owner Transfer Lesson at the end of the stay to ensure your dog listens to you just as effectively.

We handle the intense foundational work, then teach you exactly how to maintain and enjoy your dog’s new calm behavior at home.

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Imagine Your Life Six Months From Now

A Fully Transformed Companion

Pick up a well-mannered dog who understands boundaries, respects rules, and listens happily.

Effortless Home Life

Enjoy a peaceful household where your dog relaxes quietly while you work or host guests.

Seamless Continuation

Transition back smoothly using our step-by-step owner guidance and dedicated handover sessions.

Total Confidence

Take your dog anywhere in Columbia, Lexington, or Irmo with complete faith in their manners and focus.

A Home-Based, Psychology-Driven Approach

Trainer kneeling with a yellow Labrador in a fenced garden

Hi, I’m Clarissa Hummel. My background in Wildlife Biology and certification through the Dog Trainer Academy inform every aspect of our Board & Train setup.

Because dogs learn best in low-stress, realistic settings, our program mimics real daily life. We integrate mental enrichment, scent work, structured physical exercise, and clear communication throughout the day. By replacing bad habits with positive routines 24/7, your dog develops lifelong emotional balance without ever using shock collars, physical punishment, or treat bribes.

Climate-controlled indoor spaces & secure outdoor exercise

100% non-aversive, gentle leadership

Strict safety protocols & personalized care

Post-program lifetime support & guidance

The Board & Train Daily Structure

1. Morning Routine

Supervised outdoor exercise, structured breakfast protocol, and initial obedience shaping.

2. Midday Modules

Specialized training focusing on leash manners, confidence building, and controlled socialization.

3. Afternoon Enrichment

Mental stimulation through puzzle games, scent exercise, and structured rest periods.

4. Evening Wind-Down

Real-world household etiquette practice, dinner routines, and relaxed bedtime care.

5. Owner Transfer Lesson

Comprehensive in-person transfer lesson ensures you know exactly how to maintain progress at home.

Real Client Stories

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

“Clarissa was warm, professional, extremely knowledgeable, and genuinely interested in helping our dog. The results speak for themselves!”

— Braun Family
Columbia, SC

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I know if my dog needs a Board & Train or an In-Home Consultation?

If your primary goals are foundational obedience, potty training, crate confidence, and general household manners, our Board & Train programs are a great fit. If your dog exhibits leash reactivity, dog-on-dog hostility, or human aggression, an In-Home Consultation is required so we can address those triggers safely in their natural environment.

Will my dog still remember and listen to me when they come home?

Absolutely! Dogs don’t forget their families. Our detailed transfer lessons teach you how to apply the same clear guidance, ensuring your dog respects your leadership just as much as the trainer’s.

What happens during the Owner Transfer Lesson?

At the end of the stay, we spend dedicated time coaching you one-on-one. We demonstrate the commands and routines your dog has learned, then guide you through practicing them so you feel 100% confident managing your dog at home.

Dog resting calmly inside an open crate

Ready to Fast-Track Your Dog’s Training?

Spaces are strictly limited to maintain individual attention in our home environment.

Secure your dog’s stay today.