Dog Immersion Training
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8 Day Immersion
“A quick reset for dogs and families ready to build a strong foundation.”
Our 8-day program is a jumpstart for dogs who need structure and families who want quick results. We focus on leash manners, recall, and basic socialization with people and other dogs. Your dog will train alongside our balanced pack, learning calm behavior and boundaries, while you gain the guidance to carry progress forward at home.
Who it’s for: Families, shelters, and rescues working with puppies, new rescues, or high-end designer dogs who need a strong start in training, bonding, and transition into a stable home. -
15 Day Immersion
“Building deeper bonds, confidence, and trust through guided learning.”
In 15 days, we take training to the next level. This program is designed to build confidence, consistency, and stronger communication between you and your dog. Through daily work with our pack, your dog will develop social skills, impulse control, and trust in new environments. By the end, you’ll have a well-rounded companion prepared to adapt to family life and real-world situations.
Who it’s for: People committed to helping shelter dogs, rescues, or family dogs create deeper bonds, better communication, and smoother transitions into a forever home. -
30 Day Immersion
“A full transformation for dogs needing time, patience, and real-world practice.”
The 30-day program is a full transformation for dogs that need more time and guidance. Over a month of immersion, your dog will live, train, and bond with our pack while working through deeper behavioral challenges. From socialization to real-world practice, we create balance, confidence, and reliability. This is the most complete program we offer—helping even the most reactive or unsure dogs transition into calm, connected, and family-ready companions.
Who it’s for: Rescuers, fosters, shelters, and families who want to fully transform a dog—whether a shelter dog, street rescue, or high-end designer—into a balanced, confident, family-ready companion using our proven method.
Let’s work together!
If you’ve gotten this far, clearly you love dogs and the work we do!
Space is limited for this life-changing immersion course, so please tell us about yourself before making the commitment to the training.
Upcoming Training Dates
2025
8 Day Immersion, Antigua, Guatemala, November 20th - 28th, $3,500
2026
30 Day Immersion, Antigua, Guatemala, January 10th - February 10th, $6,500
15 Day Immersion, Antigua & Pacaya, Guatemala, February 15th - March 2nd, $4,500
Make a difference.
Our comprehensive, hands-on dog immersion programs are designed to expand your knowledge and skills in working with dogs.
During these programs, you’ll learn the Mayan Dog Rescue Foundation (MDRF) philosophy and gain practical skills on how to:
Effectively interact with and rehabilitate street dogs
Facilitate our programs and apply best practices
Handle challenging situations safely and confidently
Our goal is to equip you with the knowledge and experience to help turn street dogs into loving family companions.
Saving pups, sharing stories, living life one dog at a time.
Overview & FAQs
Our Dog Immersion Programs are limited to a small number of participants to ensure a personal and transformative experience for every dog and handler. Each reservation requires significant planning, resources, and preparation — both for you and for the dogs involved. We understand that unexpected situations can arise, so our cancellation policy is designed to be fair and transparent for all participants.
1. Deposits
A non-refundable deposit is required to secure your spot. Deposits are applied toward the total program cost.
8-Day Program: $500
15-Day Program: $750
30-Day Program: $1,000
2. Cancellation by Participant
More than 45 days before the program start date:
Full refund minus the deposit.
Option to transfer the deposit toward another program within 12 months.
30–44 days before the program start date:
50% refund of total program cost minus deposit,
or credit for 75% of the total toward a future program within 12 months.
15–29 days before the program start date:
25% refund of total program cost minus deposit,
or credit for 50% toward a future program within 12 months.
Less than 14 days before the program start date:
No refunds or credits will be issued, as accommodations, staff, and logistics will have been finalized. Fee of $1,000 to keep your payment active to roll into a future training.
3. Cancellation by the Mayan Dog Rescue Foundation
If the Foundation must cancel or reschedule a program due to unforeseen circumstances (such as natural disasters, political unrest, or minimum participant requirements not being met):
Participants may transfer 100% of payments (including deposits) to a future program within 18 months
orReceive a full refund of all payments made.
4. Early Departure / Late Arrival
No refunds or credits for late arrivals, early departures, or missed program days.
We encourage participants to plan travel carefully to ensure full participation.
5. Substitution Policy
If you are unable to attend, you may transfer your reserved spot to another participant (pending approval by the Foundation) up to 14 days before the program start date without penalty.
6. Travel & Insurance
Participants are responsible for their own travel arrangements and any associated costs. We strongly recommend obtaining travel insurance that covers trip cancellation, interruption, and medical emergencies.
7. Flights
You are responsible for booking your flights. Everything else is included.
8. What is included:
The Immersive Training; transportation throughout, lodging, chef prepared meals of local cuisine, daily yoga and meditation, community events and a dog to bond with throughout your time here.
9. Sample Day - Street Dog Feeding & Pacaya Introduction
7:00 AM – Yoga & Meditation (VIHARA Wellness Center)
8:30 AM – Breakfast at Hotel
9:30 AM – Quad Ride & Feeding (La Merced → Cerro de la Cruz)
Street dog feeding, flea/tick checks, hydration, and possible Vet-Pro referrals for treatment (see more below).11:00 AM – 3:00 pm Depart for Pacaya Clinic Community Orientation with Nicole and Manual of Soul Shine Horse Rescue **A day of giving! Food, parasite meds with Dr. Daniela. (see more below)
1:30 PM – Lunch at Clinic
2:30 PM – Pacaya Dog Feeding & Mountain Hike
Evening Return to Antigua
8:00 PM – Group Dinner
Cerro de la Cruz Community: Where we’ve worked with over 100+ dogs, focusing on spay/neuter, rehabilitation, and re-homing.
Training & Pack Socialization with 7 Rescued Dogs that have been in a long foster care arrangement. The hope is to find homes after training and socialization some of them are to re-home some of them.
Iker (21 months): Husky/Lab mix, high energy, intelligent, separation anxiety, refuses to be crated. Corazon (8 years): Gentle, quiet, rescued as a starving puppy.
Sasha (8 years): Lost mother and siblings early, well-behaved.
Wolfie (6 years): Rescued from hills, alpha dog, protective, occasional fights, unique howls at sirens.
Laky (8 years): Spayed rescue, well-behaved, stayed after owner neglect.
Baby (17 months): Rescued from street, destructive, escape artist, trained by Iker.
Coqui (7 years): Handed over by loving but impoverished owners, impeccable manners, at-risk from poison in hills.
Meet Our Partner: Nicole and Manuel of Soul Shine Horse Guatemala
Join us as we come together with Soul Shine Horse Guatemala for a special day dedicated to giving back.
We’ll spend the day supporting local families of working horses and the community’s street and local dogs at Volcano Pacaya providing:
- Medication and feed for working horses
- Food and medical support for dogs in need
- Veterinary care in partnership with local Guatemalan vet
This is more than an event — it’s a day of connection, compassion, and community, as we work hand in hand to bring relief and healing to animals and the people who care for them.