2123 Marina Blvd.
San Leandro, Ca  94577
(510) 483-2631
braveheartdogs@sbcglobal.net

    Braveheart Dog Training and Dublin Creek Kennels, two well established, reputable dog
    businesses in the Bay Area have teamed up to offer Board and Train Services.  You will be able to feel
    comfortable knowing that your dog is being trained and boarded by compassionate, caring individuals
    who utilize positive reinforcement methods.  

    Our board and train services are a cooperative program between Braveheart Dog Training and
    Dublin Creek Kennels.  The training program is designed and directed by Vicki Ronchette, Certified
    Professional Dog Trainer and owner of Braveheart Dog Training.  The actual day to day training is
    done by both Vicki and select staff members of Dublin Creek Kennels who are trained by Vicki.  

    About Us
    Vicki Ronchette, CPDT, CAP2, Owner, Braveheart Dog Training
    Vicki has lived with dogs her whole life and has been working with them professionally in 1985 when
    she received a certificate in Veterinary Assisting while still in high school.  She began focusing on
    training dogs just a couple of years later.  

    Vicki is a Certified Professional Dog Trainer (CCPDT) and has her CAP2 (Clicker Competency
    Assessment Program) certification.  She is the author of Positive Training for Show Dogs - Building a
    Relationship for Success and has written numerous dog training articles.  Vicki is a member of the
    Association of Pet Dog Trainers and the International Association of Animal Behavior Counselors.  
    Vicki continues to take courses and attend seminars, lectures and workshops from well known trainers
    and authors to continue to grow as a trainer. In addition to her work with dogs Vicki also trains her pet
    birds and studies parrot behavior.

    Sue  Hagan, Owner, Dublin Creek Kennels, Inc
    Sue has known from day one that she would spend her life working with animals. Raised in a small
    town in Canada she was forever bringing home animals, both wild and domestic.

    Sue began her career working with animals over 28 years ago. Her first job was working in a pet shop,
    it wasn’t long before she began working with dogs; training, showing, & breeding. She also trained
    dogs in her home and did a small amount of boarding.

    In 1981 Sue began working in a boarding kennel and managed various kennels for the next 15 years.
    She also became a Veterinary Technician during that time. In 1996, she had the opportunity to buy a
    kennel of her own and she jumped at the chance. That opportunity turned into Dublin Creek Kennels
    one of the most beautiful kennels in California.

    What Sue find most fascinating about dogs is their behavior; understanding what they do and why they
    do it. Helping people to train their dogs in a completely positive way enriches the lives of both the
    owner and their dog.                                                                                                                         

    Our Methods
    We believe that the best way to train a dog is to make it fun for the dog.  Dogs that are having fun
    training with you are engaged and focused.  Keep it fun, challenging and exciting for the dog and they
    will enjoy the training process and have more success.

    We train dogs using positive reinforcement methods.  What this means is that rather than concentrate
    on punishing behaviors we don't like, we focus on what we do want the dog to do and reinforce those
    behaviors we do like.  We do not use aversive equipment like choke collars, pinch or prong collars or
    shock collars.    Nor do we use intimidation or fear in our training programs.  Having trained for many
    years with a variety of methods, we  have found positive reinforcement training to be the most effective
    and enjoyable.  Training can be and should be fun and rewarding for both the trainer and the dog.  

    Positive reinforcement training does not  mean that there are never consequences or discipline
    involved but the consequences should never be pain or fear.  Strong relationships are built on trust,
    communication and mutual respect, never on fear or intimidation.   We are committed to treating both
    the dogs and their humans with compassion and understanding.

    Our Board and Train Programs
    Manners Training
    We offer a two week Manners Training program where we will get your dog started on the basic core
    manners behaviors including sit, down, loose leash walking, come here, name recognition, leave it,
    wait, off and stay.  We may include other behaviors or modify these to meet you and your dogs needs.  
    Your dog will be trained in several short sessions throughout the day in different locations around the
    kennel using positive reinforcement methods.   Vicki will meet with you when your dog is dropped off so
    that you can meet her personally and see her interact with your dog and so that she can answer any
    questions you may have.  When your dog is picked up you will be provided with a written report of what
    we have worked on and what you will need to do to when you take your dog home.  At this time Vicki
    will go over the training with you so that you know what to do at home to continue to reinforce the
    behaviors and keep them strong.  The cost for this program is $1500 for the two week stay.

    Note: Some dogs who have never boarded at the kennel may need a day or two to settle in
    before training can actually begin.  For these dogs we will allow one to two days of regular
    boarding ($32 per day) for them to settle in before beginning the two week training program.

    Puppy Headstart
    In addition, we offer a Puppy Headstart program for puppies between the ages of 12 weeks and 5
    months old.  With our Puppy Headstart program puppies may stay with us from Monday through Friday
    while we work on crate training, housetraining, name recognition, sit, down, bite inhibition and
    accepting gentle handling.  We will also work on teaching puppies to use interactive toys like stuffed
    kongs.  This program is particularly helpful for working people who may feel like their puppies will need
    more attention and care when they are off to work.  The cost for this program is $475 for the four night
    stay.  Puppies are welcome to repeat this program as many times as the owner likes.

    Refresher
    Finally, we offer a Refresher program for our returning clients.  This one week program is for dogs
    who have been through our two week Manners Training program or have been through Braveheart
    Dog Training's Beginning Obedience/Manners class.  During your dog's stay we continue to improve
    the reliability of the basic behaviors that your dog learned with us previously.  The cost for this
    program is $650.  

    Note: Only dogs that have been through our two week Manners Training program or have been
    through Braveheart Dog Training's Beginning Obedience/Manners class.  No exceptions.

    Conformation (Show Ring) Preparation Course
    Our Conformation program is a one week program is designed to help get show dogs ready for the
    show ring.  We will work on teaching your show dog to gait, hand stack, free stack and accept gentle
    handling. The cost for this program is $650.  

    Note: Our Conformation program dogs must be people friendly and free of fear or anxiety issues
    associated with the show ring or people.  We will not be able to remedy those issues with this
    program.

    Your Part
    When your dog comes to us for board and train we will be working on teaching them the basics.  You
    can expect them to have a good, solid foundation of the basic behaviors.  Your job will be to continue
    to work with them at home to reinforce what they have learned with us.  It is important that you continue
    to reinforce at home what we have worked on during their stay.  This will ensure that the behaviors
    stay strong and will also help build your relationship with your dog through training.

    Behavior Consulting
    Our board and train programs are appropriate for dogs whose owners would like them to learn some
    basic behaviors and manners, they are not appropriate for dogs that have serious behavioral issues
    such as aggression (dog or human), separation anxiety, extreme fear or phobias, housetraining or
    other issues where owner participation and home management is a critical part of a behavior
    modification program.  However, we may be able to help you privately with these issues.

    Please contact Braveheart Dog Training at (510) 483-2631 or Dublin Creek Kennels at
    (925) 828-5355 to discuss or schedule Board and Training.

    Holiday Stays
    Holidays are extremely busy at the kennel.  For this reason we do not do training on holidays.  We are
    happy to have your dog for board and train over the holidays, however we will need to add boarding
    only days to accommodate for the holiday to ensure your dog gets the full two weeks of training.



Board and Train
Copyright © 2007 Braveheart Dog Training
The information on this page may not be reproduced, republished or mirrored on another webpage or website.
Photo by Mary Jones
Braveheart Dog Training
"Dog Training from the Heart"