Intensive Training Programs

Not a boot camp

Let us help you enjoy your dog.

You don’t need to send your dog off to “boot camp” to get professional results. Drop your dog off during the work day Monday through Thursday. We’ll train them during the day and you continue to enjoy their company in the evening and on weekends.

In an Intensive Training Program, your dog will be trained during the week by a member of our training staff, and then you will receive regular coaching to maintain that training. Each program includes weekly private lessons with your dog’s trainer and access to our Flex Class program for you to practice around distractions.

We have three different Intensive Training Programs depending on your goals for your dog. Each program addresses different behaviors – complex skills cannot be covered in shorter programs.

These program are just for dogs over 6 months old. If you have a puppy, check out our puppy training solutions!


3

Three weeks
Household Hound Program

Is your dog’s lack of manners getting in the way of your day-to-day activities?

Is your dog a nuisance when guests come to your home?

This program will teach your dog basic manners around your home, such as: sit, down, greeting guests without jumping, self-control around food and toys, and stay on a mat.

This program will teach your dog to “sit” and “down” when asked, greet people while keeping all four paws on the floor, and show restraint around food on countertops and coffee tables. Rather than “helping” you in the kitchen, your dog will lie quietly on a mat while you prepare & eat your meals.

Intensive Training Programs are for friendly, outgoing, and social dogs. If your dog is anxious, aggressive, or fearful, please select a Behavior Consulting Program instead.

Behaviors taught:

  • “Sit” on cue

  • “Down” on cue

  • Polite greetings (no jumping up)

  • Self-control around food

  • Stay on a mat

Program details:

  • 3 weeks, Monday-Thursday, of training for your dog at our facility

  • 3 one hour private coaching lessons at our facility

  • Training equipment package

  • Dog training handouts to follow along with between lessons

  • 2 months of e-mail support for any dog-related questions

  • Bonus: Weekly manners group classes for extra practice


5

Five weeks
Family Pet Fundamentals

Does your dog need to learn “the basics?”

Do you want to see a change in your dog’s unruly behavior quickly?

We can help! This program covers the skills your dog needs to be a great family companion. We’ll teach your dog to “sit” and “down” when asked, come to you when you call her, and stop pulling on leash. Rather than pestering you in the kitchen, your dog will lie quietly on a mat while you prepare & eat your meals.

Intensive Training Programs are for friendly, outgoing, and social dogs. If your dog is anxious, aggressive, or fearful, please select a Behavior Consulting Program instead.

Behaviors taught:

  • “Sit” on cue

  • “Down” on cue

  • Polite greetings (no jumping up)

  • Self-control around food

  • Stay on a mat

  • Coming when called

  • Walking politely on leash

Program details:

  • 5 weeks, Monday-Thursday, of training for your dog at our facility

  • Weekly off-site field trips to train around distractions

  • 4 one hour private coaching lessons at our facility

  • Training equipment package

  • Dog training handouts to follow along with between lessons

  • 1 year of e-mail support for any dog-related questions

  • Bonus: 3 months of group classes for extra practice


8

Eight weeks
Total Training Program

For the owner who wants a “go anywhere, do anything” dog!

This program is designed for owners who want their dogs to be an active part of their lives. Imagine your dog accompanying you to a farmers’ market, lounging beside your chair at an outdoor restaurant, and greeting your friends politely. We can help you achieve this and more!

Intensive Training Programs are for friendly, outgoing, and social dogs. If your dog is anxious, aggressive, or fearful, please select a Behavior Consulting Program instead.

Behaviors taught:

  • “Sit” on cue

  • “Down” on cue

  • Polite greetings (no jumping up)

  • Self-control around food

  • Self-control around toys & objects

  • Stay on a mat

  • Coming when called around distractions

  • Walking politely on leash around distractions

  • Polite behavior in public: city streets, dog-friendly stores

Program details:

  • 8 weeks, Monday-Thursday, of training for your dog at our facility

  • Daily off-site field trips to train around distractions

  • 6 one hour private coaching lessons at our facility

  • Training equipment package

  • Dog training handouts to follow along with between lessons

  • Lifetime e-mail support for any dog-related questions

  • Bonus: lifetime manners group classes for ongoing practice & guidance

Compare our programs

Household Hound Program

$1995plus tax
  • Behaviors: sit, down, polite greetings, self-control around food, mat work
  • 3 coaching lessons
  • Training gear package
  • Dog training handouts
  • 2 months e-mail support
  • Weekly group classes during program
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Family Pet Fundamentals

$3495plus tax
  • Behaviors: sit, down, polite greetings, self-control around food, mat work, coming when called, loose leash walking
  • 4 coaching lessons
  • Training gear package
  • Dog training handouts
  • 1 year e-mail support
  • 3 months of group class access
  • Weekly field trips
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Total Training Program

$4995plus tax
  • Behaviors: sit, down, polite greetings, self-control around food, mat work, coming when called, loose leash walking. All behaviors practiced daily in public!
  • 6 coaching lessons
  • Training gear package
  • Dog training handouts
  • Lifetime e-mail support
  • Lifetime group class access
  • Daily field trips
Start Now

If Intensive Training Programs are out of your budget, we have other options! Check out our other dog training programs.

Get started today

Intensive Training Programs start with a 45-minute meet & greet appointment, which you can book online. In this appointment, one of our expert trainers will sit down with you and your family to discuss your dog. You’ll tell us your long-term goals as well as the current problems you’re experiencing. We’ll determine which programs your dog is eligible for based on this information.

We will also evaluate your dog to see how comfortable they are with us and our facility. Intensive Training Programs are for friendly, outgoing, and social dogs who enjoy meeting new people. Dogs in Intensive Training Programs must be comfortable being crated when it is not their time to learn or play, and our team will evaluate this during the appointment as well. If your dog is not comfortable working with us or being crated at our facility, we will recommend a private lesson program instead.

At the end of the meet & greet, you’ll select a program based on the trainer’s recommendation and select a start date for your dog. We only work with a handful of Intensive Training Program dogs at any given time, so you may need to wait 2-4 weeks before your dog can start in the program. If you purchase a program at the end of the meet & greet, your trainer will give you some homework assignments to start right away to help ensure your dog gets off to the right start. This might include adjusting your dog’s scheduled mealtimes or using a crate at home.

Once you’ve selected a start date, our front desk team will help you schedule weekly private lessons as well as the included group classes. While we do the bulk of the training for you, you must commit to attending these appointments to see the best results. Expect to spend 1-3 hours a week working with us at Crossbones between private coaching lessons and group classes while your dog is in an Intensive Training Program.

Policies & FAQs

We are open & accepting new clients for Intensive Training Programs during the COVID-19 situation. Please see our blog post on COVID-19 for details on our contactless pick up & drop off area and other safety protocols during this time.

Intensive Training Program hours are 9AM to 3PM. Morning drop-off is between 7AM and 9AM and afternoon pick-up is between 3PM and 6:30PM.

Yes. If you have a scheduled vet appointment or groomer appointment, we can adjust your dog’s schedule with at least a week’s notice, but this is meant for occasional absences. If you have a vacation planned that overlaps with your dog’s program, we recommend postponing the entire program until you can attend for 3, 5, or 8 consecutive weeks.

We follow the Association of Professional Dog Trainers’ Code of Professional Ethics, which precludes us from offering a guarantee on training outcomes.

Your dog’s success in an Intensive Training Program is heavily influenced by how you interact with your dog at home, both during and after the program. If you actively participate in your dog’s training by attending the included lessons and classes and follow our guidance when interacting with your dog, we are confident you will see a positive change in your dog’s behavior!

All dogs participating in Intensive Training Programs must have up-to-date vaccinations for rabies, distemper/parvo, and bordetella (kennel cough). We do accept annual titers for distemper/parvo. We must have these on file 2 business days before your Meet & Greet appointment. You may:

  • Upload them when you register for your Meet & Greet
  • Scan & e-mail them to woof@crossbonesdog.com
  • Have your vet fax them to (401) 330-5892

At Crossbones Dog Academy, we do not offer service dog training or emotional support animal training. All of our training programs are for companion dogs.

If you are interested in training your dog to be a service dog, please contact our colleagues from At Your Service Dog Training, based in Massachusetts. They offer a variety of programs, including board & train and remote consultations, for owner-trained service dogs.

If your dog is exhibiting aggression, fear, or anxiety, an Intensive Training Program is not the right choice. ITPs are for friendly, social, outgoing dogs who do not show signs of behavior problems, they are simply lacking training and need to be taught.

We address fear, aggression, and anxiety in our Behavior Consulting Program.

Need help? Contact us – we’re happy to advise you!