Board & Train in Grand Haven, MI A Personalized “Boarding School” Experience for Your Dog

Not a kennel. Not a volume-based program.  Your dog lives, learns, and trains in a real home environment—with hands-on, daily guidance.

If your dog struggles with listening, behavior issues, or needs a jumpstart in training, our Board & Train program gives them focused, structured progress in a real-world setting.

THE PROBLEM

When Training at Home Isn’t Enough

Some dogs need more than a weekly lesson.

If you’re dealing with:

Constant pulling, barking, or ignoring commands
Reactivity to people, dogs, or environments
A busy schedule that makes consistency difficult
Or a dog that just isn’t “getting it”

…it can feel frustrating fast.
That’s where a more immersive approach can help.

DIFFERENTIATOR

This Isn’t a Typical Board & Train

Most board & train programs place dogs in kennels, rotate them through trainers, and focus on volume.
That’s not what we do. Your dog stays in Matthew’s home, not a facility—learning how to behave in a real environment, not just a controlled one.
We intentionally limit the program to: 👉 Only 2 dogs per month

So your dog gets:

consistent, focused training
real-world exposure
and individualized attention every single day

HOW IT WORKS

How the Boarding School Program Works

Live + Learn in a Real Home

Your dog stays in a structured home environment—not a kennel—where training is built into everyday life.

Daily Hands-On Training

Your dog works through: obedience, behavior modification, real-world exposure, focus and reliability training. Every day—not just during “sessions.”

Weekly Parent Involvement

You’re not removed from the process. Each week: your dog goes home for the weekend, you receive a private lesson, you learn how to continue the training.

Video Progress Updates

You’ll receive video updates so you can: see your dog’s progress, understand what’s being worked on, stay connected while they’re with us.

Transition Back to Home

We make sure the training doesn’t stay with us. You’ll leave with: clear structure, practical skills, and a dog that listens in real life.

WHO THIS IS FOR

Is Board & Train the Right Fit?

Most puppy owners don’t struggle because they aren’t trying, they struggle because they don’t have a clear plan.

This program works best for:

dogs with more advanced behavior challenges
owners who need a strong jumpstart
families with limited time for daily training
dogs who need consistent structure and exposure

BUT HERE’S THE TRUTH:

In many cases, our:

Mobile Day Training (Dog Day School)
In-Home Training

are actually better long-term solutions.

We’ll help you decide what makes the most sense.

RESULTS

Real-World Results That Actually Last

We don’t train dogs to behave in a facility.

We train them to behave:

in your home
on walks
around distractions
in everyday life

Because that’s what actually matters.

LOCAL AUTHORITY

Board & Train in Grand Haven &
West Michigan

We work with families throughout Grand Haven, Spring Lake, Holland, and surrounding West Michigan areas, helping dogs build calm, reliable behavior in real environments. Because training shouldn’t fall apart when life happens.

PROOF / AUTHORITY

See What Real Training Looks Like

We document real progress—not staged results.

Watch how dogs go from

distracted → focused
reactive → calm
inconsistent → reliable

If you’re ready for results like this, the first step is a simple conversation.

PRICING FRAME

Start With a Personalized Evaluation

Every dog is different—and the right approach depends on what’s actually going on.

We start with a one-on-one evaluation where we:

assess your dog
understand your goals
identify the root of the behavio
map out a clear training plan

Pricing Line:

This is a $125 session—but if you decide to move forward, we credit you $250 toward your training program

Risk Reversal:

If we’re not the right fit, we’ll point you in the right direction. No pressure.

Let’s Figure Out the Best Plan for Your Dog

Not sure if Board & Train is the right fit?

That’s exactly what we help you figure out. You can explore our dog training services, or skip the guesswork and talk to us directly. We’ll help you choose the best path for your dog—and your life.