In a hurry?
- Holiday stays are for dogs that have completed a residential course with me. Not for new dogs.
- Your dog comes back to a trainer they already know, and the routine and cues they learned are kept going.
- Stays are priced on request. Use the form with your dates and I'll quote.
- Book early. School holidays and Christmas fill up.
Alex can help with this: Residential training.
Want Alex to look at your dog?
Four quick questions. We reply Monday to Saturday, usually within the hour.
Thanks, .
We reply Monday to Saturday, usually within the hour, by email from hello@essexdogtrainer.co.uk.
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What happens next:
- Alex asks a few questions about your dog.
- He tells you which option fits and what it costs.
- You pick a date if you want one.
Nothing by the next working day? Email hello@essexdogtrainer.co.uk.
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You spent three weeks and a good chunk of money getting your dog trained. Six months later you're booking a holiday and the question is where the dog goes. Ordinary boarding means a fortnight of nobody enforcing the rules, and you know exactly what you'll collect: a dog that's forgotten half of it.
That's why I offer holiday stays for dogs that have completed a residential course with me. Your dog comes back to someone who already knows them, and the training is kept topped up while you're away rather than left to slide. Here's how it works, who it's for and how to book.
Why ordinary boarding undoes training
Training is habit. A dog that waits at doors, walks on a loose lead and comes when called does those things because they've been practised and rewarded every day. Put the dog somewhere for two weeks where nobody asks for any of it, and the habits loosen. Add the stress of a strange place and strange people, and some dogs come home having lost ground that took weeks to gain.
It's not that boarding is bad. It's that boarding is boarding. Nobody there knows what your dog was taught or how to ask for it.
What a holiday stay with me is
A dog that's done a residential course with me already knows me, knows the training field at Roxwell, knows the routine and knows the cues. Coming back for a holiday stay is a return to something familiar, not a trip to somewhere strange.
During the stay the training carries on in the background. Loose lead on walks, recall on the field, waiting at doors, place and settle. Not a full course, but the daily habits kept sharp. Many dogs go home a bit better than they arrived, because they've had a couple of weeks of consistent handling.
Dogs on holiday stays also join in with the day's activities where it suits them. That means time on the secure field, outings, and for sociable dogs, time with the dogs at my Big Dog Club day training.
Who it's for
Past residential dogs only. This is the rule and I stick to it. I take holiday stays for dogs I've trained because I know them, they know me and I know what they were taught. I don't offer general boarding.
If your dog hasn't done a residential course and you're thinking ahead to holidays, that's a reason some owners book one. A three-week course followed by holiday stays whenever you're away gives you a trained dog and somewhere you trust to take them. Read about residential dog training and the week by week guide to see what's involved.
How to book
- Message me with your dates. Holiday stays are priced on request, so send an enquiry or email hello@essexdogtrainer.co.uk with the dates and I'll quote. There's no daily late-collection rate, so be clear on the collection day.
- Book early. Summer holidays, half terms, Easter and Christmas go first. Owners from Brentwood, Basildon, Chelmsford, Colchester and Southend tend to book the summer in spring.
- Tell me what's changed. If your dog has picked up a new habit since the course, or anything has changed with their health, say so. I'll work on it while they're here.
- Bring the same things as last time. Their usual food for the full stay, their lead and collar or harness, any medication with written instructions, and one familiar blanket or toy. See what to pack for a residential stay; it's the same list.
What you get back
A dog that's been handled by someone who knows them, kept to their routine and had their training maintained. Plus, if there's anything I've noticed while they're with me, I'll tell you at collection. A holiday stay is also a useful check on how the training is holding up at home. If the dog arrives pulling on the lead and leaves walking nicely, that tells us something about what's happening between stays. A follow-up 1-2-1 session at £100 an hour at the training field (£120 at home) will get you back on track.
A holiday stay isn't a second residential course. If your dog has developed a serious new problem since the course, such as aggression or severe anxiety, message me and we'll talk about whether a stay, a 1-2-1 behaviour session or a further course is the right answer. I'd rather have that conversation before you book flights than at drop-off.
And I can only take a certain number of dogs at any time, so I can't always say yes to short-notice dates. Ask as early as you can.
Questions owners ask
Can my dog come for a holiday stay if they have not done a residential course?
No. Holiday stays are for dogs that have completed a residential course with me. If you'd like that option for future holidays, a residential course is the route in, and I'll tell you plainly whether it suits your dog.
How far ahead should I book a holiday stay?
As early as you know your dates. Summer, half terms and Christmas fill up months ahead. For other times a few weeks' notice is usually fine, but earlier is always better.
Will my dog get training during the holiday stay?
The daily habits from their course are kept going: loose lead walking, recall, waiting, settling. It isn't a full course, but the training is maintained rather than left to slide, and I'll tell you at collection if I've noticed anything. Tell Alex about your dog in the form. Give me your dates and I'll quote for the stay. If your dog hasn't done a course with me yet, I'm happy to talk through whether one makes sense. Owners across Essex, including Brentwood, Chelmsford and Colchester, use holiday stays every year, or send an enquiry.
Google review
“Honestly I’m not Someone who normally leaves reviews but after doing some research and feeling nervous we finally decided to take our Doberman puppy to Alex Cooper/Essex dog trainer I can’t tell you how happy I am with the results , literally like a different dog in just 3 weeks! …”
Read the full review
“Honestly I’m not Someone who normally leaves reviews but after doing some research and feeling nervous we finally decided to take our Doberman puppy to Alex Cooper/Essex dog trainer I can’t tell you how happy I am with the results , literally like a different dog in just 3 weeks! If your unsure if this is the trainer for your dog, don’t hesitate to book your dog in I promise you won’t be disappointed, also not sure your find anyone better he’s that good 😊
He really has transformed our dog we could never have done this without him! ♥️ 🐶 🐕”
Sources
Related
- Residential training
- After residential dog training: the handover
- What to pack for residential dog training
Last updated . This post is general advice, not a diagnosis. If your dog may be unwell or in pain, please see your vet.