Training your dog is an exciting step toward building the calm, enjoyable life you’ve been dreaming about. But if you’ve ever wondered, “How long will my dog be in training?”—you’re not alone. Let’s break it down so you can have clear expectations and understand why the process is more important than the outcome. It's where all the actual rewards are hidden!
What Does "In Training" Mean?
When we talk about your dog being "in training," we’re addressing two phases:
The Intensive Work Phase: This is when your dog learns the foundational skills—like walking politely on a leash, staying calm when guests arrive, and listening reliably, even in distracting environments. This phase is where your dog is learning "fluency" meaning they understand what is being asked of them and we are building a reliable communication system.
The Practice and Reinforcement Phase: Once the basics are in place, training becomes about consistency—ensuring these new habits become second nature for your dog (and you!).
How Long Will It Take?
The timeline depends on several factors, such as your dog’s personality, current behaviors, and your goals. It's also dependent on if you or a professional will be doing the bulk of the training. A professional isn't learning new fundamental training skills while working with your dog. If you are the one mostly working with your dog you will be learning a lot of new fundamental skills which means training will take longer- but that doesn't mean it's a bad thing! I would rather have a client learn the skills they need so they have lasting success since they will be the one living with their dog the rest of their life. However sometimes a combination of both is the best approach for the dog and the human.
Here’s what you can expect:
Basic Obedience and Manners:For many dogs, a professional board and train program can deliver noticeable results in 3 to 6 weeks. That’s when behaviors like leash pulling, barking, and not listening start transforming into calm walks and polite greetings.
Complex Behaviors or Anxiety Issues:If you want reliable off leash recall around distractions, or if your dog struggles with leash reactivity, overexcitement, or anxiety-related behaviors, the process may extend to 6 to 8 weeks or more. These behaviors require stronger foundation skills which take time for dogs and humans to build. They also often require more time to undo previously learned behaviors in the dog and the person. These behaviors may have been habituated for years prior to training.
Beyond the Training Program:The training doesn’t stop when the program ends—it evolves. Regular practice helps solidify skills, so you’ll feel confident taking your dog anywhere without worry. This is why it's so important for dog parents to learn the skills to work with their dog—everything your dog has learned will require consistent practice to become second nature for both of you.
Chinese philosopher Lao Tzu once said '"Give a man a fish and you feed him for a day. Teach him how to fish and you feed him for a lifetime"
This is why I spend so much time training people! Training dogs is easy, but making sure people feel confident in their new skill set takes all of us time so please be patient with yourself. I am still learning new training skills everyday! I love to have a combined approach of doing some of the training for people to make the learning easier on both the dog and the person, but making sure the person also has time to learn and hone their skills so they can feel confident without me.
Why Does Training Take Time?
Unlike a quick fix, effective training transforms your dog’s mindset and builds habits that last. Dogs learn by repetition and consistency, which is why professional training offers fast, tangible progress while focusing on sustainable results.
For example:
Imagine going from “I can’t even take my dog for a walk without chaos” to “We can stroll downtown and enjoy it!”
Or from “Guests can’t visit without my dog going nuts” to “People actually love coming over because my dog is so calm and polite.”
These transformations take intentional effort—but the rewards are worth it.
Training Designed to Fit Your Life
The good news? We design our programs to handle the hard work for you while also giving you the chance to learn and practice for sustainable results! Whether you’re busy managing family life, work, or both, you’ll be amazed at the results you can achieve without needing to do it all yourself.
Your Journey Starts Here
No matter where you are in your training journey, every step brings you closer to a well-behaved dog you can enjoy in any situation. If you’re ready to experience those results firsthand, let’s chat about the perfect program for you and your dog.
Training isn’t about quick fixes; it’s about creating lasting habits, self reflection, and always learning more.
Valerie works with dogs of all breeds and temperaments and focuses on teaching dogs to want to make the choices that we want them to without causing conflict. For their sake as well as yours!
She believes in building deep trust and connection with the animals she works with and has found that this is always the final ingredient in a successful partnership. She offers private in home training, virtual lessons, online courses, and group classes over at VRCCE in Cape Elizabeth.
To find out more about Valerie you can visit her About page at
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