Our leadership team of certified behavior consultants, board-certified veterinary behaviorists, and business and technology specialists are working hard every single day to bring you and your dog a learning experience like no other.
Walk with the dreamers,
the believers, the courageous,
the cheerful, the planners, the doers,
the successful people
with their heads in the clouds
and their feet on the ground.
Let their spirit ignite a fire within you
to leave this world
better than when you found it.
–Wilferd Peterson
Every trainer has their go to gear — here are just a few of our favorites!
From flirt poles and long lines to traffic handles and treat pouches, these are the must haves Instinct Trainers reach for everyday for safe handling, enrichment and play.
Have a favorite piece of gear we left out? Drop it in the comments ⬇️
Bike box training with Sol has been a joy 🌞
Sol’s ability to ride relaxed in her mom’s bike box didn’t come naturally to her — what you’re seeing is the result of several months of thoughtful exposure, pratice, and onboarding of skills to set her up for success with Instinct Trainer Claire. The outcome? A confident, happy dog opting into bike rides around the neighborhood, just in time for Portland summer!
This is the beauty of positive reinforcement training. By moving slowly and building trust, Sol has unlocked a dreamy new activity and a way to spend time with her guardian.
Wildflower season in the Gorge is here! 🌸🐾
Beautiful views are better when we share them responsibly. Here are a few tried and true tricks we recommend for good trail etiquette with your pup:
🌿 Use a long line on for safety & freedom to explore without disturbing fragile blooms
🌿 Practice stationing calmly on logs or rocks as other hikers pass
🌿 Give plenty of space between you & other hikers
Thoughtful hiking protects the landscape, wildlife, and your pup while soaking in the sunshine.
Family history can play a meaningful role in your dog’s behavior 🌳
While genetics are not the sole factor in behavior, if your dog’s parents or grandparents had certain behavioral traits, your dog may be more likely to show similar ones.
Considering genetics as a behavioral influence provides a valuable opportunity for us to better understand and support our dogs 🩵
Murphy the Cavapoo is blossoming at her In-Home Camp & Coach 🌷 Send your puppy to live and learn with an Instinct Trainer to develop real world skills in a home environment and jumpstart their training!
In-Home Camp + Coaching gives puppies the chance to work on:
✨ Manners in the house
✨ Confidence out in the world
✨ Social skills and exposure
✨ Foundational cues and practical life skills
Reach out to learn more 📩 [email protected]
Got time for a quick lesson? Walk with Instinct Trainer Kaysha and her student Pumpkin to learn how the Up/Down Pattern Game can help your dog build focus around distractions 💡
The Up/Down Pattern Game by Leslie McDevitt is a simple way to help your dog regulate their emotions, especially in distracting environments, by building a predictable rhythm of behavior –– looking up at you, and then looking down to eat.
Why we love it:
• Reinforces check ins and builds handler focus
• Helps lower arousal through repetition
• Assists with disengagement from triggers
• Easy to use anywhere
Pro tip: start by teaching this game in a low distraction space before taking it to the streets!
Virtual training with real life results! 💻✨
Theo has been training remotely with Instinct Trainer Ciera, and his story is a great demonstration that virtual sessions can have a big impact. Even on video calls, Ciera is able to read Theo`s body language and guide his guardians in the space he feels most comfy — his home!
We`re so proud of the hard work Theo and his humans have put in, and so thankful for the high praise for our team and collaborative work with @animalbehaviorclinic 🩵
On leash greetings may seem harmless, but for many dogs, they can be stressful.
When dogs meet on leash:
🐕 excitement and/or frustration can build quickly
🐶 often forced into head-on approaches
⚠️ they lose the ability to move away if uncomfortable
All of this can increase the chances of conflict, which is why many dog trainers recommend choosing to walk on by as a default when encountering unfamiliar dogs on leash.
Question: What does training your dog with Instinct look like? 🐾
Answer: It’s different for every dog.
Some dogs are learning the basics. Some are working through big feelings. Some are building advanced skills, service tasks, or confidence out in the world. Wherever your dog is starting from, we meet them there.
Our training is individualized, science based, positive and tailored specifically to support the dog in front of us. We celebrate your dog’s individuality every step of the way.
Big news: Instinct Portland and Animal Behavior Clinic have a new home! We’re moving to the Hollywood neighborhood at 4011 NE Hancock St.
This space will function as a centralized hub for both teams, expanding our community outreach programs and providing room to learn, train, treat, and grow. We can’t wait to establish ourselves in a new part of Portland and get to know our neighbors — tag any beloved Hollywood area businesses we should know about in the comments!
If you have an upcoming appointment scheduled, our team will proactively reach out if your session will be affected once our final move date is confirmed.
Stay tuned for open house deets and more. We can’t wait to show you around the new digs 🐾
