Frequently Asked Questions

We are reward based trainers, meaning we focus on setting your dog up to make good choices and reward them when they do. There's more to life than treats! While they are a big part of our training process, we also incorporate other rewards as well: freedom to run, access to meeting people and dogs, toys, play, and more. We DO NOT use chain collars or any type of electronic/shock collars.

The dogs stay in our homes! Living with a certified trainer allows for constant training and feedback. We work with them at home, on walks, at the park, in stores and everywhere we take them to practice. We treat them like we do our own, with lots of time for training and adventure.

We have been training for the better part of the last two decades. Wild Intentions is the second training business that we have founded together. We also own Sit Stay Fit in Portland, Oregon.

In short: adventure, train, play, nap, eat and do it all over again! We tailor each dog's day to day activities to align with their training goals. We make sure the dogs exercise needs are always met, and adventure to new places to work on their skills and incorporate lots of fun into each and every day.

There is no typical day as we try to incorporate novel activities daily to help your dog generalize all of the training that they are learning during their stay. We do try to keep them on a routine however, so have a general time for meals, wake up and bedtime. Every day consists of exercise, attention and focused training on their specific goals.

Pick up and drop off is offered between 7:30am and 5pm Monday - Friday, and 10am to 3pm on Saturdays. An extra charge is incurred for pick up and drop off outside of these hours. We do not offer pick up or drop off on Sundays. For the dog's first stay with us, we do require pick up to be before 3 pm to allow them extra time to settle in before bedtime.

You can pay by check, cash, card, venmo or zelle. We will ask for a card to hold your reservation, and payment will be taken at the completion of the stay.

We will always be realistic about the training outcomes. By nature of working with a living, breathing animal whose behavioral traits vary drastically, we cannot make guarantees. We will communicate along the way where we think you'll see progress, what will continue to need practice, and what they are still struggling with.

Normal grooming needs are totally fine, and we will tidy them up and give them a quick bath before returning them home if their adventures with us have gotten them really dirty. We do recommend that if you get your dog professionally groomed, you schedule that after their stay, rather than prior. If you have a dog that requires lots of brushing, or a more high maintenance coat, there may be an additional fee.

Absolutely! A dog with a more extensive medication/feeding schedule or regular shots may incur an extra charge. There also may be an extra charge for dogs still in recovery from surgery.

We are able to take dogs that aren't good with other dogs on a case by case basis. It will require a private training be scheduled prior to booking the stay to confirm that the dog will be a good fit in our home and program.

Your dog is able to stay in a home environment, allowing them to fully settle in and behave much more like they would at home, rather than in a boarding facility. This gives us a chance to practice in our kitchen, at the front door when someone rings the doorbell, at the dining room table, etc. The real world environment allows for lots of opportunities to work towards your training goals.

We can take puppies as young as 8 weeks who have had at least one round of vaccines at least one week prior to their stay. We will modify our training plan and outings for puppies who are not fully vaccinated, to ensure the puppy stays safe from disease during their stay with us.

No, but we do ask that your dog does not stay while they are in heat.

What are your favorites? We take the dogs on walks in a variety of neighborhoods, hiking, swimming, on off leash adventures, to patios, parks, stores, or their vet for a quick happy visit- the list is endless!

Our favorites include finding a place that brings your dog pure joy, their mouth wide open and tongue hanging out or seeing your dog calm and settled in a place they previously were too worried to hang.

Every dog is different so results vary greatly! We will communicate with you throughout the stay to help you understand reasonable expectations and to keep you updated on the progress your dog is making, or struggles they are having, along the way. You can expect a detailed training plan at the completion of their stay letting you know what we worked on, tips or tricks that helped them be successful and homework to help you continue to make progress on their goals.

For their first stay, we recommend at least a 5 night stay depending on your goals. 5 nights gives us a chance to get to know your dog, start the training and send you home with some great tips on how to continue their training. Want it to be more established? Try a longer stay. Once we have met with your dog and began the training we can give you a better idea of the length of time they would benefit from.

We offer adventure boarding! They still board in our homes and adventure with us daily, while we keep up their existing training. This is not a stay for skill building. To qualify, your dog must have completed a previous board and train or private training with us and have approval prior to booking.

Unfortunately, no. These stays are done in our private homes and it's stressful and disruptive to our dogs and the dogs in our care to have people touring our residences. We are happy to answer any questions you might have!