About West Florida Dog Training

Board and train, two dogs at a time

West Florida Dog Training is a locally owned board and train business in Lakewood Ranch, serving Sarasota and Manatee County and towns such as Bradenton, Parrish, Siesta Key and Venice. Owners KC and Rick accept no more than 2 dogs at a time so each dog gets dedicated time with a trainer, and the team cites 15 years of experience training dogs of any breed and age.

How training works

Dogs learn through consistent, reward-based repetitions amid distractions, and then learn to hold behaviors without immediate rewards. A correct response earns treats, praise or a game, and a wrong one means the reward is withheld. Training taps into pack instincts and hunting drives to keep dogs engaged, with a balanced routine of exercise, play and crate rest. Owners get video updates and are taught communication techniques for home.

Programs

Board and train comes in 3-week, 4-week on-leash and 6-week programs. The business guarantees its training and will continue it past the program time at no cost if needed. Dogs need up-to-date vaccinations and a negative fecal test.

What owners say

One owner wrote that her Cavalier, Pickles, who used to get uncontrollably excited at the doorbell, "calmly goes to his designated place and sits quietly."

What to ask

Ask about pricing for each program length.