Need a bigger boost? Have a pet who needs work?
Send your dog to join my pack!
Stay & Train programs have just opened. With only one spot available at a time, your dog will be incorporated into my household and treated as my own for 6-8 weeks, as we overcome reactivity, build public access skills, teach new tasks, or solve any issues you feel “stuck” on!
A stay & train is a great option for handlers with mobility & motivation challenges, puppies, or dogs who need a total reset for behavior change. We are not a boarding facility and will not board dogs who are not training clients. However, we are accepting pets for this program, and they will receive the same follow-up as service dog clients, minus a vest.
FAQs
Scroll past this section for program lengths & pricing!
What are the prerequisites for
Stay & Trains?
For any Stay & Train, your dog must be current on their rabies, parvovirus, and distemper vaccinations. Dogs must be kennel trained and potty trained. They must undergo a standard evaluation before training to discuss owner goals and ensure they will benefit from a Stay & Train. Puppies under 4 months old are exempt from vaccination and behavior requirements, but must still undergo an evaluation. We have no size limits. Dogs must be medically healthy to participate in a Stay & Train. This is assessed upon drop-off and we reserve the right to refund and turn away any dog who is severely overweight or underweight, or displaying obvious signs of pain or injury. We recommend, but do not require, a wellness check with your vet before a Stay & Train.
For any stay of less than 6 weeks, you must have prior training done with us, in addition to trainer approval. If training with Mystic Mutts has been done within the last 2 months, no evaluation is needed before a Stay & Train.
What does a Stay & Train include?
Every Stay & Train includes a one-hour go-home lesson, and our standard Stay & Trains include a program vest, training materials, and an additional one-hour follow up lesson in your home. This follow-up lesson must be completed within two weeks of the Stay & Train’s conclusion.
What will my dog’s day look like during Stay & Train?
We modify dogs’ schedules and activities depending on where they are in training and what is developmentally appropriate for them! Typically, adult dogs receive 3-4 potty breaks, a dedicated training session, and play or a walk with myself and/or my personal pack daily, and outings as appropriate for the skills we are working on. Puppies’ days are broken up into smaller chunks to accommodate more frequent potties, more naps, and shorter attention spans. Dogs are fed, sleep, and rest in their kennels for their safety and comfort. This is non-negotiable.
Dogs do not have to be dog-social to stay with us and can be kept entirely separate from our personal pack at owner request or trainer discretion. Dogs will never be left unattended with animals they do not live with.
Can I come visit where my dog will be staying?
We do not allow in-person visits for the comfort & safety of the dogs & people in our household, as our Stay & Trains take place at our private residence. However, we are more than happy to provide video tours of the dog room & where your dog will be staying!
What do I need to bring for a
Stay & Train?
When bringing your dog for a Stay & Train, we require enough food for their stay in the original bag or an airtight container, any training tools they currently use, and a plain collar with tags. We also require a filled Intake Form and will perform a basic health examination upon drop-off which you will need to verify & sign before leaving.
We require that dogs be crated whenever they are not supervised during their stay for the safety of them & our pack, regardless of their behavior. If your dog prefers a crate other than a standard wire kennel, please bring it.
We provide crate covers, blankets, toys, chews, bowls, and additional training equipment as needed. If your dog has allergies, a special food bowl, or specific items they like, you are welcome to bring your own toys and chews.
My dog has an unusual feeding schedule, fresh/raw food, and/or medication. Can you accommodate this?
We can administer any oral or topical medication and accommodate fresh and raw diets at no extra charge. Please bring any medications & over-the-counter supplements in the original container with written directions regarding the amount & schedule.
All dogs are fed twice daily, with food left down for 20 minutes in their kennels and a one-hour rest period after. Puppies under eight months old may receive a lunch at owner request. This is for both safety & training purposes and is not a policy that can be altered. Please contact us directly if you have any concerns surrounding this, as we are happy to explain why we do feeding this way.
How often will I get updates? Can I visit my dog during their program? Do you have cameras?
Every owner with their dog in one of our Stay & Train programs will receive a progress report at the end of each week, including pictures & videos of their dog, a written report of behaviors & skills we are seeing improvement with, and a written report of their overall wellbeing & daily life. We do not provide daily updates but can take additional/particular pictures, videos, and notes for the weekly report on request, and are more than happy to answer questions at any time.
Typically, we do not allow owners to visit during their dog’s stay & train as it can cause distress and confusion for the dog. Exceptions may be made on a case-by-case basis.
We have a kennel-facing pet cam in the dog room for security but do not have a live video feed for owners to view. We will provide recordings from this camera in the event of an incident or injury.
Standard Stay & Trains
6-week Stay & Train - $3750
A great option for overcoming reactivity, solidifying the basics with a new service dog in training, or adding a couple more tasks to a current service dog. We can typically make significant behavior change or teach a single complex task like leading or weight bearing mobility in this program.
8-week Stay & Train - $4850
Ideal for laying a solid foundation on puppies, mastering obedience & public access skills, or for working on multiple issues at once. We can typically take a suitable dog from no training to meeting basic ADA standards with 1-2 tasks in this program length.
Micro Stay & Trains
Current Clients Only
2-week Stay & Train - $1400
Our smallest stay & train option, great for handlers on a limited budget who need a stay & train as a supplement to in-person training. Typically, we can make some progress on a single obedience or behavior issue, start foundations for a task, or solidify a task in progress.
4-week Stay & Train - $2600
Ideal for solving a single issue or teaching 1-2 tasks. Also great for adding new skills to an existing service dog, such as taking a dog who works on-leash to being prepared to work off-leash, moving from basic loose leash walking to tight heelwork, and improving body awareness.
Maintenance Stays
Headed out of town or busy with other work and need to leave your service dog behind? We have limited spots for short Maintenance Stays, where your dog will receive the same care & attention as a stay & train dog, maintaining their skills through outings and daily training while you are away.
We typically cannot make new progress in training during a maintenance stay. Treat it as a knowledgable, safe, enriching alternative to traditional boarding made with your service dog’s training and welfare in mind.
Maintenance Stays are $85/night with a maximum of 2 weeks. Current clients only.