Dog Training Programs

We offer tailored dog training programs to address any area of concern you have for your beloved dog.

Our senior dog trainer, Steve Meloche, has completed a Certificate III in Dog Behaviour and Training under the National Dog Trainers Federation and have been raising, training and rehabilitating working/domestic dogs for over 10 years. He has worked with Victoria Police Dog Squad, Australian Federal Police, and Victorian Special Operations Group as well as hundreds of domestic dogs in need of training and behaviour problem solving. His area of expertise is based around the rehabilitation of dogs showing reactivity issues as well as teaching and promoting the safe handling of all breeds and temperaments in the industry. He founded Master and Hound – Dog Behaviour and Training in 2016 and has been working with domestic dog clients to diagnose and overcome behavioural challenges as a full-time professional dog trainer ever since.

Overview of Board and Train Service

This overview of Master and Hound Canine Retreat’s board and train service is, by no means, a detailed description of your pets stay. All of the cases that come through are different and each dog is put through its own, personal, training program. Some things however, are similar across all the boarders, and that is what will be outlined here.

Included in your pets stay:

  • Pick-up from your home. This is important for a couple of reasons. Number one, it allows us to greet your dog in its familiar environment, which is an important part of our initial assessment. It also allows us to ask any pertinent questions that may help with a smooth transition when delivering them back to you.

  • Immersive Training. During their stay, your dog will be training in all aspects of the day and evening. The focus of each dog's training will vary, but at all times, they are in controlled environments where the outcomes of their behaviours are managed. This is much different than most board and train programs where the dogs come out for a 30 minute training session each day and that is the extent of the 'training' they will receive. They are also on a rotation (the same rotation as our own dogs) that has them spending plenty of time in the house and around the property with us, as well as going out to the shops and parks for additional exposure. When they are not with us directly, they are spending their time with compatible dogs in our very large fenced paddocks (4 acres each), where they can explore and exercise together. At night, on their days out of the house, they sleep in large kennels - larger than industry standards. By the time they end up in the kennels, they are happy sleeping through the night and generally do not stir until morning. If it is their turn in the house, they spend the evening with us while we do chores, eat dinner, watch TV, etc. This is often a very important part of their training as most
    clients are looking for better manners around the house as a priority. At night, they are either free to sleep in their bed, or if not quite ready for that kind of freedom, they will sleep in their kennel through the night.

  • Daily training Sessions. In addition to the immersive training, each dog has at least one specific training session per day to focus on a particular aspect of their training requirements. This varies dramatically across each dog, depending on their needs.

  • Food. Stockman and Paddock Grain Free Beef dry kibble, mixed with a variety of additions (raw meat, eggs, sardines, etc.) will be provided each day. Some dogs eat once per day and others twice per day, depending on their requirements. If you would prefer a different diet, that can be arranged as well.

  • Drop-off to your home. After their stay, your dog will be delivered back to you. It is important to allow for time to go through the new training protocols.

  • Handover sessions. Upon dropping them off, you will receive your first handover session. This is a vital part of the process and must be quite thorough, which takes time. It is during this session that we go through all of the new training and what you will need to look for/how to respond to particular behaviours. One of the tricky parts of board and train is that the dogs get home and think 'back to the old rules', which we must show them is not true. If not, they will revert back fairly quickly to old habits. It is also very important that you are hyper aware of your influence in their training for the first week after they arrive home so that you do not slip back into old habits either.
    Additional support. From this point, there is unlimited phone and message support available and it is highly encouraged that you stay in touch and report any issues you are having so we can fix them up ASAP! If additional in home sessions are required, they can be arranged as well.