Board and Train First Steps: a Great Dane Meets Shawn

Denali, a Great Dane, came to board and train because he was showing signs of misguided protection and reactivity. His owners were worried he was becoming aggressive. This video shows his first few minutes with Shawn and why the first day matters so much.

Watch the introduction closely. Denali lunges at Shawn, and Shawn does nothing. No flinch, no correction, no raised voice. Denali backs down immediately and hides behind his owner's legs. That tells you almost everything: this is not a truly aggressive dog. He is an unsure dog who has learned that a big display makes scary things go away, and nobody has shown him that it isn't his job to make those decisions.

Once his owner leaves, Shawn removes the prong collar and takes Denali for a short walk. No treats, no e-collar, and now no prong either. The walk is simply a chance for Denali to acclimate to Shawn's leadership, to follow someone who is calm and clear about where they are going. Within a few minutes, Denali settles, and you can see him start to trust Shawn.

This is how every board-and-train begins. Before heel, place, or any obedience, the dog needs to understand who is in charge so he can stop trying to be. Reactivity like Denali's is a relationship problem long before it is an obedience problem, and that is where we start. Our board-and-train programs run four to six weeks and include pickup, delivery, and reintegration sessions at your home, so what Denali learns with Shawn carries over to his family. If your dog is lunging, barking, or guarding and you are not sure whether it is fear or aggression, call (401) 536-7982 for a free phone consultation.