When Julia enrolled her dog Lily in the 3-week Board & Train program at Coaching 4 Paws in Southington, Connecticut, she was hoping for help with reactivity that had begun after Lily gave birth to nine puppies. Lily had become reactive toward other dogs—especially her parents’ male dog—making it impossible for Julia to bring her home and spend time with family.
Before training, Lily struggled to stay calm around people and dogs. Julia had to make the difficult decision to send Lily for professional training, putting her emotions aside to give Lily the structure and support she needed.
The goal was to reduce reactivity, rebuild Lily’s confidence, and help her peacefully coexist with other dogs while strengthening her responsiveness to commands.
During Lily’s 3-week Board & Train boot camp, Coach Caroline worked hands-on with her every day, focusing on confidence building, obedience, and emotional stability. Julia received regular photo and video updates, allowing her to see Lily becoming more comfortable, relaxed, and engaged. Within the first week, Lily stopped barking and growling at people and dogs, and she was able to share space calmly with Bennie.
Four weeks after training ended, Lily continued to show meaningful improvement. She now walks past people and dogs without reacting, looks to Julia for guidance, and waits for commands. Most importantly, Julia can finally bring Lily home again, and Lily gets along with her parents’ dogs—restoring time together as a family.
“Every picture and video showed Lily gaining confidence. Now I can finally bring her home with me, and she’s no longer reactive around people or dogs.”
This program worked because Coaching 4 Paws combined structured daily training with consistent communication and owner education. By addressing both Lily’s behavior and Julia’s confidence handling her, the results extended far beyond the training stay.
This type of Board & Train program is ideal for owners dealing with reactivity who want professional guidance paired with ongoing support. It may not be the right fit for those seeking short-term fixes without follow-through at home.
If your dog struggles with reactivity and you’re ready to rebuild calm behavior and confidence, Coaching 4 Paws in Southington, CT offers Board & Train programs designed to support lasting change.
