Instinct Expertise | Life Skills + Manners Dog Behavior Training

Life Skills for Freedom

Our Life Skills programs help you prepare your dog to navigate the world alongside you, cooperatively and confidently. So the two of you can share joyful experiences together, from off-leash hikes, to visits with family, to pleasant and peaceful leash walks.

Life Skills for Freedom & Fun

We help you use positive teaching techniques to build critical life skills that allow your dog to participate in family activities with you.

Settling Skills. We help dogs learn to chill on a mat, at your feet, or in a crate/confinement space as needed, whether at home, dining out, visiting friends, or waiting at the vet’s office.

Leash Skills. We help dogs learn to walk confidently alongside you, and follow your lead around people and other dogs.

Off-Leash Skills. We teach dogs not just to come when called, but to stay close and actively check in with you when off leash.

Patient & Polite Skills. We help dogs learn patient and polite behavior around food, toys, people, other dogs, and at thresholds and barriers.

“Instinct sincerely cares about both you and your dog learning how to establish a healthy relationship. Their advice is invaluable.”

Foster S.

Nature-Driven Nurture™

for Good Manners

As part of every Life Skills program, we help you provide your dog with optimized, Nature-Driven environments, relationship dynamics, wellness routines, and learning experiences. When we meet our dogs’ behavioral needs as a species, a breed, and an individual, we set the stage for more efficient, effective learning, and for happier, more fulfilled, more responsive companions. 

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.

Ready to get started?

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

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 Services

Our flexible, custom programs are individually designed to help you achieve your goals, while meeting your dog’s unique behavioral health needs.

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Self-Paced Learning

Check out our free online school and other self-paced learning resources put together by Instinct trainers to help you better understand your canine family member.

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