The Dog Institute of Williamsburg

Incredible place, especially for puppy training. We felt so well taken care of and the techniques we learned really helped our dog adapt to life in Brooklyn. She is a cavapoo and 5 years later we still come back to so many of the tools that Elizabeth taught us especially since we had a baby a couple of years ago. She has been really generous with additional guidance and was flexible with our sessions. Cannot recommend more highly. The sitting facilities and dog supplies they have are also super high quality — our lead from there is still in great shape after 4 years of daily use!!!!
– Client

We’ve been going to Dog Institute regularly for almost two years with our miniature poodle pup (Coco) for play and train as well as boarding and cannot recommend it enough!! Our normally socially nervous pup LOVES going there and has really bonded with the whole team (both of the Elizabeth’s, Allie, Masami, Maria). Everyone who works there is extremely kind and gentle with all the dogs and you can tell they truly love working with them. You can tell when you drop your pup off by how much they want to be there as well as the many photo and video updates you get (it never gets old when they put the party hats on all the dogs when it’s one of their birthdays )

We also really appreciated too that when Coco was a baby and we’d have issues, Elizabeth would ask a lot of questions to understand the situation before giving advice (for example around crate training, having issues with accidents only when at guest houses, becoming territorial of us) – the result is we have a very happy and sweet pup who is well socialized.

They’ve been really amazing and you won’t regret taking your pup there!!
– Client

From Baby to Baddie, How the Dog Doula of Williamsburg Brings Out the Best in Your Dog, and You

I’ve had dogs all my life; but never a puppy… (if you’re already laughing at me that’s totally fair). Feeling confident in my experience as a dog owner and trainer I knew I would need some help so I signed up for Puppy Play and Train socialization classes + some remote and in-person training as well.

TLDR: Training, boarding, and dog socialization with The Dog Institute is a lifesaver and worth every penny. 10/10 recommend.

Dear reader – if I hadn’t done this I would be writing you this review from Bellview as a patient, not the comfort for my clean undamaged living room with my chill little Sheltie laying on the rug happily chewing on a fish skin.

While my puppy has been a pretty impressive guy from day 1 he is so much work; and having him in a densely populated city has its own set of challenges and dangers.

Thanks to The Dog Institute (TDI) I have a well behaved, happy, healthy, well socialized, potty trained puppy who sleeps through the night (and has been doing so for months). His confidence and curiosity are encouraged, safely, as he learns new skills – which are constantly reinforcement. He walks around town with confidence and gets REALLY disappointed if we are within a couple blocks TDI but that isn’t his destination. He LOVES his puppy friends and all the amazing dog experts at TDI. We have boarded him with great success as well.

Every step of the way from what treats and food are best, how to schedule/plan my puppy’s day, knowing what big events he is ready for and how to approach them – I have received spot on guidance and support.

My guess is the dogs are actually the easy part of dog training – it’s us humans who over-react, have misguided instincts, lack consistency, etc and we are being trained and educated as much as the puppies themselves. Elizabeth and her team are as patient and caring with us humans as they are with the dogs – despite us likely being more of a challenge.

Do yourself and puppy a favor and sign up! If you think “wow puppy daycare and training is expensive” – do the math on what a poorly trained, poorly socialized, dog in the city will cost you. Financially, psychologically, and emotionally.
– Client