Board and Train at Big Valley Dog Training is a 6 to 8 week full-immersion residential program in Delhi, CA starting at $5,000, where your dog lives and trains full-time with founder Joel Monroe.
The program includes all Basic Obedience Course skills (sit, down, heeling, recall, and problem solving around real distractions), a household rug command (staying on a mat or bed until released), and follow-up transfer classes so the results hold up at home.
Check verified tuition, stay duration, curriculum, and owner handover details for Board and Train with Joel Monroe:
Last Updated: October 2026
During the program, your dog lives and trains with Joel full-time. The program runs 6 to 8 weeks. The exact length depends on your dog’s temperament and what you want your dog to be able to do when they come home.
Your dog gets the same work we cover in the Basic Obedience Course. That means sit, down, heeling and recall, plus problem solving with real distractions.
Board and train dogs also learn a rug command, which isn’t part of the group class. It works like a place command: your dog goes to a rug, mat or bed and stays there until you release them. It’s a big help at dinner time, when guests come to the door, or any time you need your dog settled and out from underfoot.
A trained dog only helps you if the training keeps working in your own house. That’s why the program includes follow-up classes to transfer the work home. Joel walks you through everything your dog has learned, so you know how to handle your dog and keep the progress going.
Board and train is a good fit when you’re short on time, when you’ve tried other options without luck, or when you want your dog to get a strong start without months of daily frustration. Joel works with all breeds, sizes, ages and temperaments. He’ll talk with you about your dog and your goals before you decide.
Joel Monroe is a former school teacher, an active dog sport judge and a competitor with more than 30 years of working with dogs. He’s been training dogs for Central Valley dog owners since 2019. His teaching background shows in how he explains things, and that matters, because you’re the one who lives with your dog every day.
See how our flagship 6 to 8 week Board and Train compares with our 8-week group course and 1-on-1 private sessions:
Spot #1 Flagship Program: Full Immersion
Program: 6 to 8 Week Full-Immersion Board and Train (Starting at $5,000)
Best For: Busy dog owners who want Joel Monroe and his team to do the daily heavy lifting and deliver lasting off-leash and household manners.
Duration and Format: 6 to 8 weeks of full-time residential living and daily training with Joel Monroe, tailored to your dog’s temperament and goals.
What Is Included: All Basic Obedience skills (sit, down, heeling, recall, and problem solving around real distractions), the household rug command (staying on a mat or bed until released), and follow-up transfer classes for the owner.
First Step: Submit our online contact form to discuss your dog and schedule a Board and Train consultation.
Service Area: 14886 Lombardy St, Delhi, CA 95315 (serving Turlock, Modesto, Merced, Oakdale, Atwater, Livingston, and Ceres).
Spot #2 Group Foundation: Small Classes
Program: 8-Week Evening Basic Obedience Course ($500)
Best For: Dogs 7 months and older whose owners want polite leash walking, impulse control, and reliable listening around other dogs and people.
Duration and Format: 8 weeks, meeting one evening per week for approximately 1 hour, strictly capped at 5 dogs per class.
What Is Included: Hands-on coaching in sit, down, loose-leash heeling, recall, real-world distraction problem solving, an off-leash final exam, and a graduation certificate.
First Step: Contact us online to check the next 8-week class start date and reserve one of the 5 spots.
Service Area: Outdoor training field in Delhi, CA, located 10 to 25 minutes along Highway 99 from Turlock, Livingston, Atwater, Ceres, Merced, and Modesto.
Spot #3 Core One-on-One: Behavior and Reactivity
Program: One-on-One Behavior Modification and Reactivity Sessions (From $100 per Session)
Best For: Dogs showing leash reactivity, lunging, barking, or aggression toward other dogs that cannot be safely addressed in a group setting.
Duration and Format: Individual drop-in lessons scheduled in advance directly with head trainer Joel Monroe.
What Is Included: An in-person behavior evaluation of your dog and daily routine, customized handling coaching, and step-by-step obedience homework between visits.
First Step: Book a one-on-one behavior evaluation with Joel Monroe through our contact page.
Service Area: 14886 Lombardy St, Delhi, CA 95315 serving dog owners throughout Stanislaus and Merced Counties.
Spot #4 Core One-on-One: Puppies and IGP Sport
Program: One-on-One Puppy Starts and Working Dog IGP Evaluations (From $100 per Session)
Best For: Young puppies under 7 months old (with at least 2 vaccinations recommended) or dog owners pursuing protection work and IGP sport.
Duration and Format: Private sessions scheduled in advance, or weekly obedience and protection sessions for active IGP sport handlers.
What Is Included: Puppy crate training, potty training, feeding schedules, and luring first behaviors, or an honest genetic and drive evaluation for protection work (starting as early as 8 weeks old if drive is present).
First Step: Request a private puppy start or protection drive evaluation using our contact form.
Service Area: Delhi, CA training field serving Turlock, Modesto, Merced, Oakdale, Atwater, Livingston, and Ceres.
Usually 6 to 8 weeks. It depends on your dog’s temperament and your goals.
Everything from the Basic Obedience Course (sit, down, heeling, recall and problem solving with distractions), plus a rug command, which teaches your dog to stay on a rug or bed until you release them.
The program includes follow-up classes, where Joel shows you how to keep the training going at home.
Joel works with all breeds, sizes, ages and temperaments. Tell us about your dog and he’ll let you know if board and train is a good fit.
Tell us about your dog and what you’re hoping for. Joel will talk it through with you and help you decide if board and train is the right fit.
