OUR TRAINING
PROCESS
From your first click to a lifetime of reliability — here's exactly what happens at every step, so there are zero surprises.
Every dog at Off Leash K9 Training Houston follows the same 5-step path: a free 60-second quiz, a free in-person evaluation, a custom program (private lessons or board & train), an owner-transfer session where YOU learn the commands, and lifetime refresher support on core Board & Train programs. No deposits before the evaluation, no pressure at any step.
THE FIVE STEPS
The 60-second quiz
Answer a few questions about your dog's age, behavior, and goals in our free quiz. It points you to the right starting program before you ever talk to a human — no email required, no sales call triggered.
The free evaluation
Bring your dog to our NW Houston facility. We assess temperament, test a few behaviors, watch how you and your dog communicate, and tell you honestly what your dog needs and what it costs — before you commit to anything. About 30 minutes. Some dogs need less than owners fear; we say so.
The program
Based on the evaluation: private lessons (you build handling skills rep by rep) or board & train (your dog lives and trains with a pro). Puppies 8 weeks–4 months go to Puppy Board & Train; behavior cases get their own track after honest triage.
The owner-transfer session
The step most trainers skip — and the reason results stick. At graduation we teach you every command, tool, and rule your dog learned, then coach you handling the dog yourself until it clicks. You leave with a written plan for the first 90 days.
Lifetime support
Core Board & Train programs include a lifetime refresher — if things slip six months or six years later, come back for a tune-up. Eligibility and exceptions are written out on the guarantee page and confirmed at enrollment.
Honest expectations
Aggression and severe-anxiety cases follow the same path with different timelines: some need ongoing management rather than a one-time fix. We say exactly which at the evaluation — never after payment.
INSIDE A BOARD & TRAIN DAY
"What actually happens to my dog for two weeks?" is the question every family asks, so here's the honest answer. Your dog lives in a professional trainer's home environment — not a kennel run — with a structured day built around short, frequent training sessions: obedience work in the morning before the Houston heat, place-and-settle work through midday, socialization and real-world proofing (sidewalks, stores, other dogs) in the evening. Between sessions there's crate rest, play, and the everyday household rhythm — doorbells, cooking, TV — that turns commands into habits. You get photo and video updates throughout, so progress is something you watch, not something you're promised.
What to bring at drop-off: your dog's food, vaccination records, and any medications. What not to bring: guilt. The most common thing families tell us at pickup is "I can't believe this is the same dog" — see it yourself on the videos page and in 297+ reviews.
WHAT IT COSTS
Transparent numbers, because hiding prices wastes everyone's time: private lessons run $650–$1,000, Puppy Board & Train is $1,700, standard Board & Train runs $2,200–$3,000, and specialized or extended programs up to $5,800. Affirm financing spreads any program over 3–24 monthly payments. Every price is listed on the pricing page and compared against the wider Houston market in the 2026 cost guide — and your exact quote is confirmed at the free evaluation, never inflated after it.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
What happens during the free evaluation?
You bring your dog to our NW Houston facility, we assess temperament and behavior, watch how you and your dog communicate, and tell you honestly which program fits and what it costs — before you commit to anything. It's free, takes about 30 minutes, and there's no pressure.
How does board and train work at Off Leash K9 Houston?
Your dog lives with a professional trainer in a home environment — not a kennel — for the program length (typically 2 weeks), with structured daily training, socialization, and real-world proofing, plus photo/video updates to you. It ends with an owner-transfer session where you learn every command before taking your dog home.
What is the owner-transfer session?
It's the graduation step where our trainer teaches YOU everything your dog learned — commands, tools, rules, daily structure — and coaches you handling the dog yourself. Training only lasts if the humans keep it consistent, so we never skip it. You leave with a written 90-day plan.
What should I bring when I drop off my dog?
Your dog's regular food, vaccination records, and any medications. We provide everything else — crate, training tools, and the structured environment. We'll confirm the checklist when you book.
What support do I get after training ends?
Core Board & Train programs include a lifetime refresher: if commands slip months or years later, you can return for tune-up sessions. Eligibility and exceptions (aggression and severe-anxiety cases follow management plans instead) are confirmed in writing at enrollment.
Do I have to pay anything before the evaluation?
No. The quiz is free, the evaluation is free, and no deposit is requested until you've heard the honest assessment, the recommended program, and the exact price.
START AT STEP ONE
Take the 60-second quiz — it recommends the right program before you ever pick up the phone.