BOARD AND TRAIN HOUSTON95% OFF-LEASH OBEDIENCE IN 2 WEEKS
Drop your dog off Monday. Pick up a fully obedient companion 14 days later. Houston's only U.S. Army Veteran-owned Board & Train program — engineered by Master Trainer Justin Rie to deliver real, lasting results no group class can match.
The Houston Board & Train Method · Defined
Board and Train is an immersive dog training program where your dog lives with a professional trainer for 1–2 weeks and receives multiple daily training sessions in real-world environments. At Off Leash K9 Training of Houston, your dog stays with Master Trainer Justin Rie — a U.S. Army Veteran — and returns home with 95% off-leash obedience, full distraction-proofing, and the calm confidence that group classes simply cannot deliver.
If you've ever taken your dog to a group obedience class and walked away feeling like nothing actually stuck, you're not alone. Houston dog owners come to us every week with the same story: "He listens at home, but the moment we hit a sidewalk in Memorial Park or a patio at Katy's LaCenterra, the leash pulling, lunging, and selective hearing all come back."
That gap between "sits when I have a treat" and "sits at the dog park with three Australian Shepherds running by" is the gap Board & Train was built to close.
For 16 years, Off Leash K9 Training of Houston has been refining a 2-week immersive program that takes dogs of any breed, age, or temperament — from neurotic Goldendoodles to fully aggressive Pit Bulls — and transforms them into off-leash obedient companions their families can actually take anywhere in Houston without anxiety.
Here's the bottom line: your dog isn't broken. Your training method is. Group classes give your dog 45 minutes of training per week. We give them 60+ hours over 14 days in real Houston environments — apartment lobbies, busy parks, retail patios, parking lots — until the obedience is bombproof.
The 5-Phase Board & Train Process
Every dog who enters our Houston Board & Train program moves through the same proven 5-phase progression. This isn't a cookie-cutter program — each phase adapts to your individual dog's temperament, breed drives, and behavioral history, but the architecture stays consistent because it works.
FOUNDATION ASSESSMENT
Days 1–2. Justin Rie personally evaluates your dog's temperament, drive, fear thresholds, and existing baseline obedience to build a custom training plan.
MARKER CONDITIONING
Days 3–4. Your dog learns the marker word system — the linguistic foundation that makes every future command crystal clear. This is where "yes" becomes a payday.
COMMAND ACQUISITION
Days 5–8. We layer in all 17 core commands at progressively longer durations and distances. Sit, down, place, heel, recall — locked in indoors first, then outdoors.
DISTRACTION-PROOFING
Days 9–12. We take your dog into real Houston environments: Memorial Park, Lowe's parking lots, busy patios. If your dog can listen here, they can listen anywhere.
HANDOFF & TRANSFER
Days 13–14. You receive a 90-minute owner training session where Justin transfers every command, correction, and reward system directly to you. You leave fully trained.
The 2-Week Houston Board & Train · Day-by-Day
Our flagship program is 14 days, 60+ training hours, and unlimited environment exposure. Here's exactly what happens with your dog every single day:
Days 1–3: The Foundation Phase
Your dog arrives, decompresses, and gets evaluated. On Day 1, Justin runs a comprehensive temperament test — pulling on a flat collar, response to strangers, food motivation, prey drive, reaction to other dogs. This isn't a training day; it's a diagnostic day. By Day 2, marker conditioning begins: the word "yes" becomes the most important word in your dog's vocabulary. By Day 3, your dog already knows that "yes" predicts something good — the linguistic foundation is set.
Days 4–7: Command Layering
We introduce the foundational commands — sit, down, place, come, heel — one at a time, with hundreds of clean repetitions per day. Each command is taught in three stages: learning (treats, lures, no pressure), proofing (slight distractions, low-level corrections), and generalizing (different rooms, different surfaces, different angles). By Day 7, your dog has a solid recall even off-leash inside our training facility.
Days 8–10: Real Houston Distractions
This is where Board & Train separates itself from group classes. We take your dog to:
- Memorial Park for high-traffic, off-leash dog distraction exposure
- Lowe's / Home Depot parking lots for cart noise, sliding doors, and strangers
- Outdoor patios in Houston Heights for restaurant-grade place command duration
- Buc-ee's gas stations for chaos-grade distractions
- Residential neighborhoods in Katy and Cypress for leash work past barking dogs behind fences
If your dog can hold a "place" command at a Houston Heights wine bar with a server walking past carrying steaks, your dog can hold a "place" command at your in-laws' Thanksgiving.
Days 11–13: Off-Leash & Long-Line Work
Your dog transitions to long-line work (30–50 ft) and finally off-leash recall in fenced and unfenced environments. By Day 13, we expect your dog to come when called from full sprint, at 100 yards, with other dogs present. This is the 95% off-leash obedience benchmark.
Day 14: The Owner Transfer
You arrive for a 90-minute private session. Justin walks you through every command, every correction, every reward system, and every long-term maintenance routine. You leave with:
- A written training manual specific to your dog
- Video documentation of your dog's transformation
- Justin's personal cell number for the first 90 days post-program
- Two complimentary follow-up sessions to refresh and reinforce
1-Week Board & Train Houston · For Dogs With a Strong Foundation
Already done some training? Have a dog with a calm temperament and basic obedience? Our 1-Week Board & Train condenses the entire program into 7 days. It's ideal for dogs who already know sit and down but need distraction-proofing, recall reliability, and real-world polish.
| Feature | 2-Week Program | 1-Week Program |
|---|---|---|
| Total training hours | 60+ hours | 30+ hours |
| 17 core commands taught | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes |
| 95% off-leash obedience guarantee | ✓ Yes | Foundation-dependent |
| Houston environment exposure | Memorial Park, Heights, Katy, Cypress, Pearland | Memorial Park, Heights only |
| Aggression/reactivity rehab | ✓ Yes | Not recommended |
| Best for | All dogs, all temperaments | Dogs with calm baseline + prior training |
| Owner transfer session | 90 minutes | 60 minutes |
| Free follow-up sessions | 2 included | 1 included |
| Affirm financing eligible | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes |
Not sure which program fits your dog? The fastest way to find out is the free 60-second evaluation quiz — answer 7 questions about your dog and Justin sends you a personalized recommendation within 24 hours. No phone tag, no sales pressure.
What Your Houston Dog Will Master
By the end of our Board & Train program, your dog will respond to all 17 of these commands reliably, on the first ask, off-leash, around real-world distractions. These aren't tricks — they're life skills.
Every command is taught using balanced, science-based training — positive reinforcement first, with appropriate corrections layered in only when the dog already understands the command but chooses to disobey. This is the methodology Justin developed across 16 years of training thousands of Houston dogs.
Is Houston Board & Train Right for Your Dog?
Our program is built for specific kinds of dogs and specific kinds of families. Here's exactly who it fits — and who it doesn't.
THE PULLER
Your dog drags you down the sidewalk like you're attached to a sled team. Walks are a chore. You've tried no-pull harnesses, training treats, and YouTube videos. Board & Train fixes loose-leash walking permanently in 14 days.
THE COUNTER-SURFER
Your dog steals food, jumps on guests, ignores "off," and treats your kitchen like a buffet. Board & Train teaches impulse control, threshold respect, and the rock-solid "place" command that ends counter-surfing for good.
THE REACTIVE DOG
Your dog lunges, barks, or freezes at other dogs, strangers, bikes, or skateboards. Group classes made it worse. Our Board & Train rehabilitates leash reactivity through systematic exposure and impulse-control work.
THE BUSY FAMILY
You have kids, jobs, and a Houston commute. You don't have time for weekly group classes. Board & Train gives you a fully trained dog in 14 days while you carry on with your life. We do the work — you keep the results.
THE PUPPY OWNER
Your 4–8 month old puppy is in the chaos zone — biting, jumping, ignoring commands. Our 1-week puppy variant of Board & Train installs critical-window foundation training that sets your dog up for life. Read more: Puppy Training Houston.
THE AGGRESSIVE DOG
Your dog has bitten, growled, or shown teeth at people or animals. Most trainers refuse aggressive dogs. We don't. Read more: Aggressive Dog Training Houston and Behavioral Rehab Houston.
Why Houston's Only Veteran-Owned Board & Train Wins
There are over 40 dog trainers operating in Greater Houston. Only one is a U.S. Army Veteran. That's not a marketing badge — it's a methodology.
Justin Rie's military background shows up in three ways that define how we train your dog:
1. Discipline Without Cruelty
Military training is about repetition, consistency, and clarity — not punishment. The same principles apply to dogs. Your dog isn't being "punished" when corrected; they're being communicated with. Justin learned in the Army that a soldier who doesn't understand the mission can't execute the mission. Same goes for dogs. We make sure your dog understands the command before any correction enters the picture.
2. Operating Under Pressure
Army training teaches you to perform under stress — and to diagnose problems quickly when things go sideways. Justin reads dogs the way he learned to read situations in uniform. When your Aussie is on the verge of overthreshold reactivity at a Houston farmer's market, Justin doesn't panic and doesn't pull. He adjusts the environment, the distance, and the reinforcement schedule in real-time. That kind of in-the-moment judgment can't be faked — it's earned.
3. Honor Above Sales
We have one core rule at Off Leash K9 Training of Houston: we never upsell. If your dog needs the 1-week program, we won't sell you the 2-week. If your dog isn't ready for Board & Train at all, we'll say so and refer you to in-home options first. This costs us money in the short term. We don't care. The OLK9 Houston reputation — 292+ reviews, [reviews] stars — was built one honest recommendation at a time.
This is also why Justin founded Save A Hero Houston, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that places fully trained service dogs with U.S. Veterans at zero cost. It's the same training we put your dog through — given to a fellow soldier who served this country.
Not Sure If Board & Train Is Right For Your Dog?
Take our free 60-second evaluation. Answer 7 simple questions about your dog and get a personalized program recommendation from Master Trainer Justin Rie within 24 hours. No sales pressure. No phone tag.
TAKE THE FREE EVALUATION →Houston Board & Train · Transformation Stories
These are real Houston families. Real Houston dogs. Real transformations from the 2-Week Board & Train program. Their full reviews live on our testimonials page.
Want to see more? Read all 292+ reviews on our testimonials page, or watch real before/after videos in our video gallery.
Houston Board & Train Serves Greater Houston
Our Houston Board & Train program serves families across a 50-mile radius from our Katy training facility. Drop-off and pick-up happen at our location, so geography matters less than commitment. Here are the 8 primary Houston-area cities we serve:
Don't see your city? We also serve Spring, Tomball, Friendswood, League City, Conroe, Richmond, Missouri City, River Oaks, West University, Bellaire, Sienna, and Galleria. Contact us if you're within a 50-mile radius of Katy — we almost certainly serve your area.
Board & Train Pricing & Financing
Every dog is different, and so is every Board & Train recommendation. Pricing is delivered transparently during your free consultation call after a 5-minute conversation about your dog's specific situation. Affirm financing is available — most Houston families pay monthly, not upfront.
Why We Don't Publish Prices Online
Two reasons. First, every dog has a different temperament and prior training history — quoting a one-size-fits-all price would be lazy and dishonest. Second, the value of an off-leash obedient dog isn't a comparison-shop transaction. It's a 12+ year investment in your family's quality of life. Houston families don't shop Board & Train by price. They shop by trainer.
What Your Investment Includes
- 14 days (or 7 days) of immersive in-board training with Justin Rie
- 60+ hours of direct training (2-week program)
- All 17 core commands installed and proofed
- Real-world Houston environment exposure
- 90-minute owner transfer session on pickup day
- Written training manual customized to your dog
- Before/after video documentation
- 2 follow-up sessions free (2-week) or 1 free (1-week)
- Justin's direct cell number for 90 days post-program
- Affirm financing eligible
Affirm Monthly Payments
Approved Houston families typically split their Board & Train cost into 3, 6, 12, or 24 monthly payments through Affirm. Approval takes 60 seconds online and doesn't impact your credit score. This is how most of our 2026 Board & Train families pay.
For a personalized quote, call (713) 730-4998 or take the free 60-second evaluation. You'll get a transparent price and a custom program recommendation within 24 hours.
Houston Board & Train · Common Questions
The questions Houston families ask us most often, answered directly by Justin Rie.
How long is Board and Train in Houston?
Our flagship Houston Board and Train program is 14 days. We also offer a condensed 7-day option for dogs with strong foundation obedience. Most Houston dogs benefit most from the full 14-day program because it includes real-world distraction-proofing in Memorial Park, Katy, and Houston Heights — environments that take time to fully generalize.
Is Board and Train worth it?
For most Houston families, yes. Board and Train delivers in 14 days what group classes can't deliver in 14 months. You get 60+ hours of professional training, real Houston environment exposure, and a fully trained dog with off-leash obedience. The 12+ years of stress-free dog ownership that follows makes the investment one of the highest-ROI purchases a Houston family can make.
What is the success rate of Board and Train?
Our Houston Board and Train program achieves 95% off-leash obedience across all dogs who complete the 2-week program. Across 16 years and thousands of dogs trained, that success rate has stayed consistent because the methodology — balanced training, environment exposure, owner transfer — is engineered to deliver results, not promises.
Where will my dog stay during Board and Train?
Your dog stays in Justin Rie's personal training facility in Katy, TX, where they live in a structured home-style environment. This is not a kennel. Your dog gets multiple daily training sessions, structured rest, social exposure to other dogs at the facility, and individualized attention — the way real training should be done.
Can you train aggressive dogs in Board and Train?
Yes. We specialize in aggressive and reactive dogs that other Houston trainers refuse. Our 2-Week Board and Train is the recommended starting point for aggression cases, though severe cases may benefit from our dedicated Aggressive Dog Training or Behavioral Rehab programs. Schedule a free phone consultation to discuss your specific case.
Will my dog forget the training when they come home?
Not if you follow the handoff protocol. The 90-minute owner transfer session on Day 14 isn't optional — it's the single most important hour of the entire program. We transfer every command, correction, and reward system directly to you. You also get 2 free follow-up sessions and Justin's personal cell number for 90 days. Dogs only "forget" training when owners stop applying it.
What age does Board and Train start?
We accept dogs 20 weeks (5 months) and older into the standard Board and Train program. For younger puppies, our dedicated Puppy Training Houston program installs critical-window foundation training. There is no upper age limit — we've successfully trained 10-year-old senior dogs.
Do you use e-collars or shock collars?
We use balanced training methods, which include modern e-collars (electronic communication collars) used at low, communicative levels — not as punishment. Modern e-collars are scientifically equivalent to a tap on the shoulder, not a shock. Justin will demonstrate the level on his own arm during your consultation. Every tool is introduced with care, conditioning, and the dog's well-being as the priority.
Can I visit my dog during Board and Train?
We generally don't recommend visits during the 14 days because they disrupt the training process and reset emotional progress. However, you receive daily video updates from Justin so you can see exactly how your dog is progressing. Most families say the daily videos are the highlight of the 2 weeks.
What if my dog has anxiety or fear issues?
Board and Train is one of the most effective tools for anxious and fearful dogs because we use systematic gradual exposure in a controlled environment. Your dog builds confidence through structured repetition without the chaos of a family home. Many of our most dramatic transformation stories are anxious or fearful dogs who arrived shut down and left confident.
Is Affirm financing available for Houston Board and Train?
Yes. Both our 2-Week and 1-Week Board and Train programs are eligible for Affirm financing. Most Houston families split their investment into 3, 6, 12, or 24 monthly payments. Approval takes 60 seconds online and does not affect your credit score. We'll guide you through it during your consultation.
How do I get started with Houston Board and Train?
Two ways: (1) Take the free 60-second evaluation and get a personalized program recommendation within 24 hours. (2) Call (713) 730-4998 directly. Either path leads to a free phone consultation with Justin where you'll get a custom program recommendation, transparent pricing, and a start date that fits your schedule.
READY FOR AN OFF-LEASH OBEDIENT DOG?
You're 14 days away from the dog you've always wanted. Master Trainer Justin Rie — U.S. Army Veteran — and the Houston Board & Train team are ready when you are.
292+ five-star reviews · Affirm financing available · U.S. Army Veteran-owned since 16 years ago