General FAQs

Why is Royvon different from other dog training schools?
Royvon is the first and leading specialists for residential training, therefore has had the time and experience to perfect the service and stay head & shoulders above the competition.  Additionally, because Royvon is a residential school, there are Teams of experts on-site 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.  There are also a wide variety of Trainers, each with their own areas of expertise, including Trainers that also excel in behaviour management, health care and diet, First Aid and specialty training.  Therefore, regardless of the course chosen, you know you are receiving the best possible service.

What is most effective at Royvon, residential training or One 2 One instruction?
It totally depends on the owner and the time commitment they are prepared to allocate to the training. The only problem that can occur when residential training is delayed is that the learned behaviour starts and the best age passes. Please call and we can discuss your individual situation

What if my dog is partly trained?
Royvon offers many options to improve your dogs training. Bespoke services are available for those who wish to focus on specific areas and training needs. These may include one to one lessons or flexible boarding and training. A consultation with a member of the Royvon team will help you to decide what service will be best for you.

Don't I need to be part of the training experience?
There are certainly advantages to having the dog owner involved in the training experience, and residential training is no exception: The owner must learn and practise the skills to experience the same results the Trainer did - there is only a short period of time the dog and owner are not together, however both are still learning the skills and process for maximum efficiency. Further attractive features and benefits to residential training include that one can have their dog trained while on holiday; having the house re-modelled; during a move or planned surgery... in Addition, it is much easier for many owners to practise obedience on a dog that is already trained, rather than trying to train from scratch while learning & practising at the same time. This is not to say, however, that residential training is for every dog and every dog owner - for a more comprehensive document on the pro's & con's of residential training, please visit the following web page:

Are all dogs trainable?
All dogs are trainable to some degree, It depends on your dogs breed & age.

Which residential course is best?
All Royvon courses are effective but it depends on what you are looking to get out of them for your dog. If you are unsure which course would best suit your dog and your needs then you can speak with one of our trainers on the phone or arrange an assessment, you will then be able to discuss fully what difficulties your having and what you are looking to gain from the training, the trainer will then be able to advise you on which course would best suit your needs. Our Complete Training Package is our premium option and covers all our available training with an end guarantee.

What training methods are used?
Royvon promotes a positive reinforcement training environment for their guest dogs. Reinforcements will vary from dog to dog and are based on the individual dog's sensitivities and motivations. All desired behaviour is reinforced by a reward, whether it be voice, touch, a toy, play or food, et. al. All unwanted behaviour is either re-directed, or, as needed, corrected. A correction may consist of a voice (i.e. "ah ah", "eh" or "shhh") or another non-harmful method to either mark the unwanted behaviour or break the focus to enable the handler to re-direct the behaviour to something that will earn a reward. Dogs are quick to learn what behaviour earns rewards and what behaviour is either ignored or marked, thus the experience becomes more and more enjoyable for them.

Can I visit the school before I decide to book?
Royvon encourages prospect customers to visit the school at any time during normal business hours to see the facility and if possible, speak to a Trainer or witness a training session or demonstration. Off-peak hours (i.e. weekdays between 2:00 - 4:00) are suggested, as these are the times when there is less activity at the school, meaning more personal attention is more apt to be available.

What if my dog suffers anxiety and I'm away on holiday?
We insist that we have a plan B and contact with you, in nearly all cases its fine for the dog to stay at our school but we may have chosen not to continue with training and we will provide the care needed for that particular dog.

What happens if my dog has never been in this environment before?
Dogs tend to adjust to new environment easily but to ensure that they are happy we try to make their stay with us a positive experience. We will follow their normal feeding routine and provide them will plenty of exercise which they enjoy.

What if my dog is untrainable?
There are very few dogs out there that are deemed "too damaged" to train. While there are no guarantees in regards to any dog's full potential, there are limitless ways to counter-condition, re-shape, control and/or manage a difficult dog and still be able to enjoy a mutually fulfilling life together. If in doubt, schedule a hands-on assessment to discuss the options and possibilities.

What happens if my dog becomes ill?
Every dog is monitored closely while here with us. We have staff onsite 24/7 & a vet on call 24hrs per day. If at any point your dog becomes ill he will be taken the vet immediately.

What is a typical day at Royvon for dogs on a residential training course?
They are taken out of their accommodations twice per day by the accommodations team for exercise and then their trainer will spend 60 to 90 minutes per day depending which residential package they are on. Each dog has its own sleeping area and an adjoining outside run so that they can run and play.

Is it possible to choose my Trainer?
Royvon encourages dog owners to review the Trainer biographies and testimonials on the web site and/or ask for advise on what Trainer might be best suited to their dog. Provided the preferred Trainer is available, Royvon will do their very best to allocate them to the requesting client.

What standard should be expected of the training?
Most of the Royvon residential courses include a demonstration with pre-determined exercises. However, please understand that every dog has their own level of learning as a result of both their nature and nurturing. Therefore it is of the utmost importance to work within the guidelines of the dog's sensitivities in order to instil long-term, positively reinforced obedience and behaviour changes. As assessment is included in every course, where such expectations will be outlined for the dog owner with ongoing dialogue encouraged.