Frequently Asked Questions

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My dog is going to enter your one month board and train program. Should I bring food for her?

We feed Purina Pro Plan Performance to the dogs in training at Ponderosa Kennels. This is a complete balanced food. If your dog has food allergies or a sensitive stomach please provide food your dog is used eating. Be sure to bring enough for the entire stay.

If you are feeding Pro Plan or a chicken based food and you would like use to feed Pro Plan while your dog is here we will be happy to.

If you are feeding something else and would like us to switch your dog over for the stay please bring three or four days food and we will mix and then switch over to straight Pro Plan.

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Should I bring my pet's bed?

We have beds for all dogs. If you would like to bring a bed or blanket from home you may. However, beds from home often become chew toys in the kennel.

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May I bring toys for my dog?

Yes, please bring toys that are safe and ideally plastic or rubber. If you bring more than one toy for your dog we will rotate toys for her during her stay.

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My dog will need medication while in your care, is that a problem? Do you charge extra for giving medications?

No problem giving medications. Make sure they are clearly labeled and we ask that you go over the instructions with us on drop off.

We do not charge extra to administer medications.

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In your training articles and videos I see you use treats. I'd rather not. Do you think training without treats is OK?

I want to be have something I can use to reward desired behavior from the dog in training. The stronger the reward, or the more important the reward is to the dog the more effective it is for me.

So, I want to find the thing that is most important to the dog and use that for her reward. With puppies it is almost always a food treat. As the dog grows up I am building retrieve drive or tug drive with them. At some point the chance to retrieve or tug becomes more important to the dog than the treat.

That is when I transition over to using the other rewards.

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Do you train all dogs with the e-collar?

Over the years I have trained many dogs without the e-collar. But the collar is such a wonderful tool that makes for almost perfect timing regardless of distance that I use it with all dogs now.

In addition to the e-collar I train all dogs with a collar either a flat buckle or a metal chain collar (choke chain) a leash and long lines. So I don't use the e-collar only.

I think the wonderful jazz singer Billy Holiday said one time. "I been rich and I been poor and rich is better"

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What are your hours for drop off and pick up?

We schedule drop off and pick up by appointment Monday through Saturday. We like for you to meet with a trainer to go over training questions, goals and schedules. Please call 301.748.8518 to schedule an appointment Training visits are encouraged we want to make sure your dog works for you and that you understand the training program. You can schedule visits by appointment.

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