Instinct Dog Behavior & Training

Instinct offers flexible, custom programs individually designed to help you achieve your goals while meeting your dog’s unique behavioral health needs. Their approach, Nature-Driven Nurture™, involves understanding your dog’s biological factors, individual traits, and life experiences, then customizing environments, relationships, wellness routines, and learning experiences.

Programs include Private Coaching (one-on-one sessions at home, facility, or virtually), Camp + Coaching (board & train), Puppy Camp + Coaching (puppy board & train for ages 9-20 weeks), and Home School + Coaching (day training where trainers work with your dog in your home/neighborhood). All programs include lifetime alumni support, such as free and low-cost group classes, bi-weekly Zoom Q&A sessions, and an alumni-only Facebook group. They also offer Group Learning classes and webinars, and free/low-cost online courses.

Pricing Summary

Home School + Coaching programs start at $2085 plus applicable state taxes, with prices varying by location and trainer. These programs typically last 3-6 weeks and include behavioral health support plans and lifetime access to free and/or low-cost alumni classes. Private Coaching programs start at $525 plus applicable state taxes, also with prices varying by location and trainer. They offer single sessions or larger coaching packages. The online school provides free and low-cost self-paced courses, with some courses requiring a modest fee for live support; free versions of paid course materials are available upon request for those who cannot afford the fee.

Policies

For online courses, if a course has a fee, Instinct will provide a free version of the course materials upon request, with no questions asked, for those who cannot afford it. No other general cancellation or rescheduling policies for in-person services are explicitly stated.

Instinct Dog Behavior & Training is a national dog training company founded in 2009, built on the principle that dogs are family. They utilize their revolutionary approach called Nature-Driven Nurture™ to help humans and dogs live happier lives together. This approach involves understanding a dog’s unique biological factors, individual traits, and life experiences (Nature), then customizing environments, relationship dynamics, wellness routines, and learning experiences (Nurture) to facilitate lasting behavior change.

They offer a variety of services including private coaching, camp + coaching (board & train), puppy camp + coaching (puppy board & train), home school + coaching (day training), and group learning. Additionally, they provide daycare and boarding services focused on behavioral health. Their expertise covers complex behavior issues like fear, anxiety, and aggression, as well as life skills, manners, puppy development, and support for adolescent and senior dogs, and dog + kid safety.

Instinct emphasizes a collaborative, team-based approach involving owners, trainers, certified behavior consultants, veterinary behaviorists, and canine scientists. They provide extensive support, including frequent communication, post-program follow-up, free and low-cost alumni classes, bi-weekly Q&A sessions, and an alumni-only Facebook group. They also offer free and low-cost online courses through their online school and a podcast.

Accomplishments

Instinct Dog Behavior & Training was founded in 2009 and has since helped over ten thousand dogs and humans. Their leadership team includes certified behavior consultants, board-certified veterinary behaviorists, canine scientists, and business and technology specialists. All coaches are required to obtain industry-leading certifications and adhere to strict national standards.

The company and its team members have been featured as trusted experts in various national and local media outlets, including The New York Times, The Daily News, NBC Nightly News, Inside Edition, NBC4 New York, NPR, and Sirius XM STARS radio. Their “Dogs Unknown Podcast” was named the Dog Writer’s Association best behavior podcast of 2020. Their online school has been featured by The New York Times and NPR, and serves over 20,000 happy online learners.

How to Get Started!

To get started, clients are encouraged to book a kickoff consultation to discuss their dog’s behavior goals. They can also call their local Instinct location to speak directly with a trainer. The company aims to learn about the dog and behavior goals to implement a custom program.