Rated on Google

Board and Train in Rhode Island

Our board and train in Rhode Island turns a dog who ignores you into an obedient dog you can trust.

  • Listens the first time, no repeating
  • Loose-leash walks, no pulling
  • Calm with guests, kids and other dogs
  • Same trainer every day, start to finish

Click the button below and fill out a quick form to get started with a free consultation.

Bobby Bartolomeo standing on a Rhode Island marina terrace at sunset with a golden retriever sitting calmly at his feet, the everyday calm board and train builds
🤝Lifetime Support & Guidance
🚗Pickup & Drop-Off Included
🎯Training Built Around Your Dog
🏡Results That Last at Home

Check Out Our Reviews

★★★★★
Rated 5.0 on Google
D
Dianne D.September 2026
★★★★★

Bobby helped us with our three year old Bernadoodle Shelby. He was wonderful and helped to calm Shelby down. We also boarded Shelby with Bobby. I love the relationship he has with her.

R
Rachel H.September 2026
★★★★★

Bobby is truly the dog whisperer, and we highly recommend Grey Standard Canine Training. When we reached out to him, we were completely at a loss. We adopted Gogo as a 10-week-old Yorkie puppy, and he had always been joyful and energetic. Then, at 17 months old, he suddenly became aggressive. He fixated on our older dog, Lulu, and snapped without warning. I was bitten twice, and my husband was bitten once. These were not minor bites; Gogo would latch on and refuse to let go. Our vet ruled out any physical problems and said he was in perfect health. The hardest part was that our granddaughter, Alice, loved Gogo, but once his behavior changed, we could no longer allow her to be around him.
Gogo’s behavior became so serious that our vet said she would support euthanasia if it came to that. We considered every option—rehoming him, returning him to the breeder, or euthanasia. The final straw came when Gogo lunged at our daughter and her boyfriend, forcing them to jump onto the couch to get away. I immediately searched for trainers who boarded and worked with aggressive dogs. Bobby responded that same night, and I felt immediate relief.
After speaking with Bobby by phone the next day, I knew he was the right trainer for Gogo. Other trainers were not a good fit, but Bobby listened, explained that Gogo needed to learn how to be calm, and clearly cared about both dogs and their owners. He drove to our house to pick up Gogo, reassured us, and agreed to train and board him for three weeks while we were away. During Gogo’s stay, Bobby stayed in constant communication, and we knew we had made the right decision.
When Bobby brought Gogo home, he spent two hours teaching us how to continue the training. He walked with us and showed us what Gogo had learned. Before training, Gogo would often become scared on Thames Street, stop, and refuse to move. That day, he walked with confidence. Bobby also gave us practical suggestions for creating calm areas in our home, checked in the next day, answered every question, and even stopped by when he was in Newport. His support did not end when training ended.
Gogo has now been home for 12 days, and I recently realized that I am no longer afraid. Our house is calmer than it has ever been. When Alice visited, Gogo was calm and simply wanted to be by her side. Alice was thrilled to spend time with her dog again after more than three months apart.
The changes in Gogo have been remarkable. Before training, he did not eat consistently, pulled and stopped on walks, obeyed only when treats were offered, reacted to Lulu daily, and needed a Baskerville muzzle. Now he eats regularly, walks calmly, responds to verbal commands without treats, and settles quickly when redirected. Since coming home, he has only become upset three times, and each incident was brief because he responded to the tools Bobby taught us. I can now leave him home safely for longer periods without arranging my entire schedule around him.
While Gogo was training with Bobby, a close friend asked whether I thought I would ever trust Gogo again. At the time, I was not sure. Now my answer is yes. Bobby created an individualized training program that gave Gogo—and us—the skills we needed. The results have gone beyond our expectations. Whatever your dog’s training needs may be, look no further than Grey Standard Canine Training.

E
Emily K.August 2026
★★★★★

I can’t even begin to express how thankful I am for Bobby and Grey Standard Canine Training! I’ve been training and breeding dogs for years, but I was completely stumped when it came to my dog’s herding drive around my horses. It was getting dangerous, she was constantly getting underfoot, and the confrontational behavior toward my horses was becoming a serious problem. Some horses could tolerate it, but others were more reactive, and honestly, it was a ticking time bomb. I couldn’t address it while on horseback myself, and it felt like a challenge I would never be able to overcome.

In just a few sessions, Bobby completely transformed the dynamic between my dog and horses. I never thought it was possible, but now my dog runs alongside me on horseback, and she doesn’t try to herd or nip at my horse’s legs. She’s calm, focused, and I can’t believe how smooth and natural everything feels now. The behavior that once felt uncontrollable and dangerous is gone.

What stands out most is Bobby’s intuitive understanding of both the dog’s natural instincts and the challenges I was facing with my horses. Bobby didn’t just apply basic training techniques; he tailored everything to fit my specific needs and the environment I was working in. It was clear that Bobby had a deep understanding of not just canine behavior, but how to adapt that understanding to real-life situations, like riding alongside horses.

I can finally ride with my dog by my side in a way I always dreamed of but thought was impossible. It’s such a relief to know that I can trust my dog around my horses, and the bond we’ve formed from this training is stronger than ever. I’m amazed by how quickly Bobby was able to address a situation that seemed so complicated. I never thought it would be possible to have a harmonious relationship between my dog and my horses, but Bobby proved me wrong.

If you're facing any kind of behavioral issues with your dog, I highly recommend Grey Standard Canine Training. Bobby is an expert, and the results speak for themselves. My heart is so full to be living this dream, and I can’t thank Bobby enough for making it a reality!

J
Joanne D.June 2026
★★★★★

Bobby trained both of our dogs, Skye and Luna, and we’re really happy with how they came home. They’re calmer, listening better, and just easier to manage day to day.

What we liked most was that Bobby didn’t just train them to follow commands. He helped us understand them better too, which made a big difference once they were back home.

Skye and Luna are still themselves, just with more structure and a lot more confidence. We’re really grateful for the work Bobby put into them and would definitely recommend Grey Standard.

M
Mickeal P.June 2026
★★★★★

Before taking him to Bobby, snoopy would be hyper and unable to relax. You take him for a walk and he’s walking you. Now after his training I can tell he’s learned a lot. He’s much easier to walk with and now can sit in a room without needing constant attention. He’s done a wonderful job with my dog and I would definitely recommend him to anyone else looking for a trainer!

C
Cristina M.May 2026
★★★★★

Where do I begin…I can’t thank Bobby enough. Since the first phone call I knew that he was the one for my Chuckie! The attention to detail, the knowledge, his personality, he made me feel comfortable and the worry and pressure came off my shoulders instantly!!! Pit bulls definitely get judged fast, and when you have one that has shown some aggression, it is really not easy finding a trainer who will even take that on. Most won’t. Bobby seriously blew us away with how good he was with my Chuckie. Honestly I didn’t know what we were going to do at that point. He stepped in, kept in touch with us the whole way through, and did everything he could to help. He ended up taking our dog for a board and train and the difference has been huge! He is doing so much better now. I really can’t recommend Bobby enough! He is not just a trainer, he’s family. He just has a natural feel for dogs and that is honestly rare. Bobby said that a piece of him stays with all the dogs he trains and I truly feel that…Thank you

E
Emily H.May 2026
★★★★★

I can’t say enough good things about our experience with Bobby. We brought him a very challenging situation—a 3-year-old male Great Dane rescue with a traumatic past who was showing serious aggression toward our other dog and had begun resource guarding me. He came to us with no basic training or structure and with his intimidating size, and a young child in our home, we were facing the heartbreaking possibility of having to rehome him if things didn’t improve.
From the very beginning, Bobby approached the situation with confidence, honesty, and a level of realism that we truly appreciated. He didn’t sugarcoat anything, but instead gave us a clear understanding of what needed to be done and what to expect. His approach is unlike anything we’ve seen before—he takes the time to truly read each dog and works at a pace that’s appropriate for them, especially in high-stress, behavioral cases like ours.
We enrolled our dog in a two-week board and train program, and the transformation has been incredible. Bobby not only worked through the aggression issues, but also helped build a foundation of structure, communication, and trust that our dog had clearly never experienced before. Not to mention the additional tricks he learned along the way; sit, place, stay, heel. We are so impressed. The progress we’ve seen has given us real hope!

There is still work ahead, but thanks to Bobby, we now have the tools, knowledge, and confidence to continue moving forward safely and successfully as a family. Quite honestly, we believe he saved our dog’s life, without this intervention, he would not have been able to thrive in a home environment.

What sets Bobby apart is the support he provides even after the training is complete. He takes the time to work closely with you to make sure you feel comfortable, confident, and fully prepared to maintain the progress at home. He genuinely cares about both the dogs and their families!!

We feel incredibly lucky to have found Bobby. For anyone dealing with a difficult or aggressive dog, especially in a high-stakes situation, we cannot recommend him highly enough!!

N
Natasha S.May 2026
★★★★★

We got our Golden Retriever puppy and reached out to Bobby early on to help get him on the right track. We started with puppy lessons and later did a board and train, and it made such a difference. Our dog is calmer, more confident, listens really well, and is not jumping all over us like he used to. We’re super happy with how it all went and really glad we found Bobby. Would definitely recommend him.

L
Lynn F.April 2026
★★★★★

Bobby did a great job with our dog. The board and train program was tailored to our dog’s specific needs, and it was clear from the start how much thought and care went into everything. He was professional, thorough, and focused on getting real results. We saw a big improvement in behavior, and he made everything easy for us to understand on our end too. Highly recommend.

What Board and Train Gives You

Ask most Rhode Island dog owners what they really want and the answer is short. They want a calm dog. Here’s what that looks like once your dog is home.

Walks you look forward to

Your dog walks beside you on a loose leash instead of dragging you toward every smell, squirrel and dog. A loop around the block in Warwick or along the water in Bristol turns into something you enjoy.

Listening on the first ask

You ask once, in a normal voice, and your dog sits, comes back or leaves it. No more repeating yourself over and over or chasing your dog around the yard at bedtime.

Peace at the front door

Guests walk into a dog who waits and settles instead of jumping, barking and knocking the kids over. You stop shutting your dog in the bedroom every time someone visits.

An off switch in the house

Your dog lies down and rests while you cook, work or watch a movie. Evenings stop being a running battle with a dog who paces, chews and nudges you nonstop.

Rules the whole family can use

Your dog responds to everyone in the house, not just the one person it respects today, because Bobby teaches your whole family the same simple system.

Your Dog Before and After the Stay

Every dog arrives with its own list. Here’s what local owners usually want fixed first.

Life right now

  • Commands only work when treats are out
  • Your dog drags you down the sidewalk
  • Jumping on guests the second they walk in
  • Barking at dogs, bikes and the mail truck
  • Bolting out the front door or the car
  • Food stolen off the kitchen counter
  • Pacing and whining all evening
  • Your dog listens to one person only

Life after board and train

  • A dog who listens, treats or not
  • Easy strolls with slack in the leash
  • Calm, polite hellos at the door
  • Steadier walks past dogs and traffic
  • Waiting at doors until you say go
  • Counters left alone
  • A dog who settles and rests at night
  • A dog who listens to the whole family

Board and Train, Start to Finish

1

Free Consultation

Bobby meets you and your dog, shares a few training tips you can use right away and designs a custom training plan built around your dog and your goals.

2

Your dog checks in with Bobby

Bobby comes to your front door to pick up your dog, wherever you live in Rhode Island or southern Massachusetts. Your dog then lives with Bobby and trains in a home-like environment and out in the real world around Rhode Island.

3

A calm dog comes home

Bobby drives your dog back and finishes with a session in your house. He walks you through everything your dog learned, how the tools work in your hands and how to handle the doorbell, the couch or the other dog right where those problems live.

4

Lifetime Support and Guidance

Families who train with Grey Standard Canine Training receive unlimited support and guidance from Bobby after their program has concluded. Whether it’s a question, a setback, a new baby or a move, Bobby is a phone call away for the life of your dog.

Board and Train Programs for Every Dog

Every program is tailored to your dog, and the length is based on what your dog needs, not a fixed package. Bobby builds your custom plan at your free consultation.

Two-Week Board and Train

Our most complete program. Fourteen days of daily, one-on-one training give your dog a full reset, with reliable obedience at home and in public. Best for families who want the most thorough result with the least daily work on their side.

One-Week Board and Train + Private Lessons

One week of focused training with Bobby, followed by private lessons where he teaches you his system with your own dog. Ideal for owners who want to be involved and learn the handling themselves.

Extended Board and Train

For dogs with bigger changes to make, such as serious reactivity, aggression or severe anxiety. Bobby gives you an honest assessment of how much time your dog needs before you commit to anything.

Puppy Board and Train

A structured start for young puppies, covering routines, potty and crate habits, basic manners and confident first experiences, so your puppy grows into an easy, obedient dog.

Board and Train Built for Real Life

Good manners in the kitchen mean little if they vanish on Main Street, so the daily program never stays indoors. Your dog follows a calm routine of short sessions, rest and exercise, then takes those skills out to parking lots, stores, parks, traffic, crowds and other dogs.

Each plan begins with Bobby watching your dog rather than following a checklist, to see what winds it up, what settles it and how fast it learns. Your dog sets the pace. Obedience becomes the shared language between you, yet the commands themselves are only the means. What counts is the outcome you came for, whether that’s a dog you can walk through downtown Providence or one who lies quietly at your feet in the evening.

  • Loose-leash walking past people, dogs and traffic
  • Waiting at open doors, gates and the car
  • Waiting politely for food instead of mugging you
  • Lying down and settling on a bed or place
  • Coming back when called, even with distractions
Australian Shepherd sitting calmly on a leash in a crowded city square, the kind of busy setting board and train in Rhode Island practices in

A Transfer Session at the End of Every Program

Most owners have one simple worry about sending their dog away for board and train. Will my dog still behave when it comes back home? Bobby builds the whole program around that question, because many triggers only exist at home, like the doorbell, the cat, the toddler or the corner of the couch your dog has claimed.

That’s why Bobby doesn’t only train your dog. At the end of every program, he holds a transfer session in your home. He shows you everything your dog learned, hands the leash to every person in the family and teaches you how to do the same, coaching your timing until your dog responds to you the way it responds to him. He sets up where the crate and tie-back go, and when an old habit pops up at the door or around your other pet, he works through it on the spot.

From then on, you have lifetime support and guidance from Bobby whenever questions come up, so the results last.

Want to see what two weeks could change? Use the button below to send a few details and book your free consultation. Bobby will meet you and your dog, share a few tips and build a custom training plan around your goals.

Small dog on a leash during the final board and train session in a family’s living room in Rhode Island

A Hard Dog Doesn’t Mean You Failed

Maybe you dread the evening walk, apologize to every guest or shut the dog in the bedroom when friends come over. Maybe the family argues about whose fault it is that the dog won’t listen. You’ve tried online advice, a different collar, perhaps a few lessons, and nothing has stuck.

None of that makes you a bad owner. You have a job, a family and a full calendar, and dogs need a level of consistency that is genuinely hard to give in a busy home. Most dog owners aren’t professional trainers, and they shouldn’t have to be.

What you’re dealing with is common, and it’s fixable. Bobby has seen every version of it, from the sweet family dog who ignores everyone to the strong, driven dog who has become hard to handle. Asking for help is the most committed thing you can do for your dog.

Why Good Dogs Pick Up Bad Habits

Dogs repeat whatever works for them. Jumping gets attention, pulling gets them to the smell faster, and barking at the window seems to send the mail carrier away. None of it is spite.

Dogs also mirror their homes. If one person lets the dog on the couch and another doesn’t, or the rules change depending on how tired everyone is, your dog never gets a clear answer. That’s why Bobby coaches the people as carefully as he trains the dog.

And dogs don’t automatically carry a lesson from one place to another, so a sit learned in the living room often vanishes at the park. Weekly lessons work well for owners who practice between them, but life gets in the way. A board and train in Rhode Island flips that order. Two weeks of steady, round-the-clock structure lets Bobby accomplish far more, then he teaches you how to keep it going. More work for him, less for you.

Most of these issues aren’t a sign of a bad dog. They come from unclear rules, inconsistent follow-through and a little fear or frustration here and there. Effective dog training fixes the cause. Bobby teaches your dog what to do instead, rewards the calm, positive choices and gives you a comprehensive plan for keeping them.

White pit bull sitting calmly on a leash on a sports court, showing the steady behavior board and train in Rhode Island works on

Signs Your Dog Is Ready for Board and Train

Recognize your home in several of these? A board and train with Bobby is likely the quickest route to the dog you were hoping for.

✓ You repeat commands and nothing happens
✓ Walks feel like an arm workout
✓ Guests get jumped on or barked at
✓ Your dog can’t settle in the evening
✓ You’ve tried training and stalled
✓ A new baby or a move is coming up
✓ Your dog is strong, driven or reactive
✓ The family can’t agree on the rules

If this sounds like your dog, a stay with Bobby is the fastest way to an obedient dog you can trust. Click the button below and fill out a quick form to get started with a free consultation.

Board & Train Questions

How much do you charge for board and train?

There isn’t one number, because no two dogs come in with the same needs. The cost depends on your dog, what’s happening at home and what you want your dog to do, and since every program is built around that, Bobby doesn’t use a single flat rate for very different situations. Book the free consultation and he’ll listen to your story, build a custom training plan around your goals and quote you an exact figure. Signing up afterward is entirely your call.

Is board and train worth it for my dog?

For most busy families, yes. Two weeks of consistent structure gets further than months of squeezing practice into a packed schedule, and your dog learns in real places. What makes it last is the follow-through. That means the session in your home, a simple system you can keep up and Bobby’s support afterward. If you’d rather do the work yourself from day one, Bobby will tell you if lessons suit you better.

Why choose Grey Standard Canine Training for board and train?

You always know who is training your dog. Bobby is the only trainer, he keeps a small number of dogs at a time, your dog lives with him, every program ends with a session in your home and committed families get support for the life of their dog.

How long is your board and train program?

Most families choose between the two-week board and train and one week followed by private lessons, and dogs with bigger changes to make can stay longer. Bobby sets the length as part of your custom training plan once he’s met you and your dog at the free consultation.

Where will my dog live during board and train?

With Bobby himself. He keeps only a handful of training dogs at once in a quiet, orderly setting that is nothing like a commercial kennel, and each dog is cared for the way he cares for his own.

Is transportation included with board and train?

Yes, both trips are part of the program. Bobby drives to your door at the start and returns your dog for the final in-home session, covering East Greenwich, Warwick, Cranston, North Kingstown, Newport and every other corner of Rhode Island plus southern Massachusetts.

Will my dog listen to me when it comes home?

That’s exactly what the home session is for. Bobby hands the skills over to you in your own house and coaches everyone who walks the dog until your dog responds to you, not just to him.

What should I send with my dog?

Keep it simple. Bring your dog’s regular food with written feeding instructions, a few favorite treats and one comfort item from home. Please have your dog’s nails trimmed shortly before pickup. Bobby provides all the training equipment.

Get Started Today

Claim your free consultation for board and train in Rhode Island. Tell Bobby what you want your dog to do, and he’ll share a few tips and build a custom board and train plan around your dog and your goals.