Instinct Services | Positive Dog Board & Train Camp + Coaching

Board & Train Camp + Coaching

Our Most Comprehensive Educational Program

Struggling with your dog’s training or behavior? Let us give you and your dog the skills you need to confidently navigate life together, with a fully customized, positive reinforcement Instinct Camp + Coaching program.

A Life-Changing Learning Experience

Forget about old-fashioned, boot camp-style dog training programs that use questionable methods and include little (if any) instruction for you! Instinct Camp + Coaching programs combine the powerful learning boost that comes through positive reinforcement board & train camp, with the lasting behavior change that comes through private coaching sessions and Nature-Driven Nurture. So you and your dog can live a happier life together.

Camp + Coaching Programs are perfect for:

  • Leash manners
  • Impulse controlaround food, toys, and doorways
  • Stay/Settling skills
  • Coming when called
  • Polite manners during greetings
  • Leash Reactivitytoward other dogs, people, or objects
  • Confidence building
  • Comfort with handling, petting, and grooming
  • ...and more!

Note: Board & Train Camp + Coaching programs are not suitable for working on potty training goals or separation anxiety issues, or for behavior issues that are highly specific to a certain person or location (try Private Coaching instead!).

“We are thrilled with our experience at Instinct. The staff really got to know our pup, Ernie, and he learned a lot in his two weeks at camp. He now walks nicely on a leash, checks in with us regularly on and off leash and comes when called, even when he is distracted. We love Instinct’s positive reinforcement approach and found the follow-up visits and exercises easy to understand and uphold. Our dog has some issues with his back legs and the entire team at Instinct kept a close eye on him and modified his play schedule to accommodate his disability. We felt that he was safe and in good hands throughout his stay. They provided photos, updates, and some videos of his training progress. We highly recommend Instinct.”

Greg B.

Here's How It Works

Before Camp

You and your coach will:

  • Set fair, positive goals for you and your dog, based on your dog’s Nature
  • Determine the environmental, relationship dynamics, wellness, and skills and/or behavior therapy interventions you & your dog will need to achieve your goals and support your dog’s behavioral health
  • Get started with pre-camp training missions that prep your dog to get the most out of their camp experience

During Camp

Your coach will:

  • Provide your dog with daily, positive training & behavior modification sessions to move you and your dog closer to your goals
  • Work with our canine care team to implement your dog’s canine behavioral health support plan while they are at camp
  • Track and log behavior & training progress, adjusting as needed
  • Communicate frequently to share new insights about your dog, their learning style and their behavioral needs; to share successes; and to collaborate on potential program or mission adjustments as needed
  • Include you in the learning process via at-home learning materials and in-facility coaching sessions with your dog (the number of in-camp coaching sessions will be determined by your coach, but it is generally at least 1 per week)

After Camp

You will:

  • Continue where camp left off, with continued private coaching sessions
  • Continue to track and log progress, and communicate frequently with your coach via your Collaborative Coaching board
  • Become part of our alumni family, and have the option to attend our free and/or low-cost alumni classes, participate in bi-weekly Nature-Driven Nurture Q&A’s, and get support in our alumni-only Facebook group.

Camp + Coaching programs start at $1,395/week plus applicable state taxes; prices vary depending on location and trainer. Currently offered at Instinct East Harlem, Instinct Nashville, Instinct Englewood, Instinct Hudson Valley, and Instinct Portland. Programs last between 1-4 weeks and include private coaching sessions for you, plus lifetime access to free and/or low-cost alumni classes.

Ready to get started?

The first step is booking a kickoff consultation to start working toward your goals!

8 Important Facts About Instinct Camp + Coaching

1. It’s fantastic…when it’s the right fit.

Board & Train Camp + Coaching can be a truly life-changing program for dogs and their humans, but only when it’s the right fit for all involved. We will determine whether Camp + Coaching – or another program – is the best option for you and your dog during your kickoff consultation. When it comes to program suitability, we consider not just your training goals, but your dog’s individual behavior profile and issues, your home environment, family/relationship dynamics, your own personal outlook on training & behavior, and more.

We want you and your dog to have a positive, productive experience with us; that can only happen if we select a program type that is well-suited to your goals, your dog, and your situation.

2. Your involvement is required.

This program is not structured like a traditional “boot camp”, where owner instruction is often limited or not provided at all. Instead, the included coaching for you begins before camp, then continues during camp, and long after your dog goes back home. Why? Our goal is to help you create lasting behavior change, in a way that protects and enhances their dog’s long-term behavioral health. That takes time and significant, ongoing involvement from you.

3. We move at your dog’s pace.

Our goal is to help you make as much progress as possible toward your goals while your dog is at camp; we will troubleshoot and work hard as a team to do so. But we won’t add more pressure to your dog or force them into situations or circumstances they aren’t ready for, in an attempt to meet expectations about how fast your dog “should” learn. That’s why we provide extensive post-camp support via collaborative coaching sessions and lifetime free alumni classes.

4. We want you to understand your dog better.

Our goal is not only to make progress toward your goals, but to help you learn a whole lot about your dog in the process. As your coach communicates through your dog’s Collaborative Coaching board, and as you participate in coaching sessions, you will gain invaluable insights into your dog’s learning style, their strengths and their challenges, and how they perceive the world around them. 

5. We use positive methods, and do not use aversive equipment such as electronic collars, prong collars, and slip chains.

If you currently use this equipment with your dog, please know there is no judgment cast your way– we KNOW how much you love your dog! If you are curious to learn more about why and how we do things differently here at Instinct, we welcome the opportunity to have that discussion with you in a safe, supportive manner.

6. We work and problem-solve using a team-based approach.

Coaches communicate regularly with our senior behavior leadership team, and with your dog’s other care providers as necessary, about program design and execution during and after your dog’s camp. 

7. We are not the cheapest option available.

Our facilities are staffed 24/7, with a very low staff-to-dog ratio. Instinct team members are employees, not independent contractors; they have access to benefits such as worker’s compensation, paid sick time and vacation, healthcare, retirement savings plans, and more. We help with continuing education and certification costs. Our team members at every level make a fair, living wage; they are also highly skilled, dedicated, and committed to helping our clients succeed. 

8. We are here to support you and your dog.

If you are trying your best, we will move mountains to help you and your dog live a happier life together (seriously).

Success Stories

Sofrito
Behavior Therapy, Fear + Anxiety, Instinct East Harlem, Private Coaching, Veterinary Behavior Collaboration

Sofrito was having a very hard time settling into life in an urban environment. Noises such as bus breaks, fireworks, motorcycles and revving engines terrified her outside and she had a hard time settling in her apartment if she heard noises from the street. To help Sofrito build a strong, positive relationship with her mom, Natasha, and to use that relationship to help grow Sofrito’s confidence in other areas of her life.
Jacky
Behavior Therapy, Fear + Anxiety, Instinct East Harlem, Private Coaching, Senior Dog Support, Veterinary Behavior Collaboration

Jacky displayed significant fear-based behaviors in a variety of situations, from cowering and baring his teeth if someone reached too quickly to pet him, to freezing in place and urinating in response to simple obedience cues. He also struggled with impulsivity and separation anxiety. Our goal was to help Jacky regain his confidence as he aged.

Other Behavior & Training Options

Private Coaching

We use collaborative coaching and canine behavior science to help you make progress toward your goals while prioritizing your dog’s behavioral health.   

Learn More

Puppy Camp + Coaching

Like Camp + Coaching, but specially designed for puppies ages 9-20 weeks!

Learn More

Home School + Coaching

We work with your dog during the day, then provide collaborative, private coaching sessions with you to bring you up to speed.

Learn More

Locations

Instinct is a national team of experienced dog behavior professionals. Learn more about everything your locally owned Instinct location has to offer.

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Our Areas of Expertise

Behavior change science is a process. It can be applied to all breeds, ages, and behavior issues to create positive, life-changing outcomes for humans and their dogs.

View Our Expertise

Online School

Instinct offers fun, safe, and free online training and behavior resources developed by our team of trusted, experienced behavior professionals.

Visit Online School

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