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
💬 What’s an important piece of advice you have for humans training their dogs? 💬
“One of the most important things about working with dogs is to show up with kindness,” according to Dr. Pachel, DVM. “We all make mistakes. Grace, humility, and kindness go a long way.”
This is a BIG guiding principle for us at Instinct Portland. We love our dogs, and they deserve the best from us. It’s our honor to help Portlanders live healthy and happy lives with our dog, and that means showing up with positivity and an open mind with our clients.
Our well-rounded and knowledgeable trainers are here to assist you on your training journey. Learn more at instinctportland.com
How do we work towards awesome recall in puppies and adolescents? By balancing hard work with play, of course! Check out Instinct client, Daisy, who has been working on calm greetings and safe playtime with Trainer Jennifer and Helper Dog Keely. We’re grateful for our puppy clients who keep us young at heart 💙
Want to learn more about how we incorporate structured play into our training sessions? Go to instinctportland.com!
🐾 MEET THE TEAM - TAYLOR SNEAD, CBCC-KA, IAABC-ADT 🐾
Taylor is Instinct Portland’s Director of Operations as well as a certified behavior consultant which means they enjoy supporting the team and solving puzzles, both people and dog-related. With over 10 years of dog experience, Taylor thrives on working with complex behavior issues, including those related to aggression. Their shelter background and consultation work give them a grounded, practical perspective on the cases that families often find most challenging.
Taylor holds a BS in Business Administration and a BA in German, along with their Certified Behavior Consultant – Canine and Accredited Dog Trainer credentials. Their dual academic and credentialing background informs their work across both the operational and behavioral sides of Instinct Portland.
Outside of working with Instinct, Taylor enjoys hiking, spending time with their Belgian Malinois and Labrador and training them for dog sports, spending time with their partner, and playing Dungeons & Dragons with friends.
Thank you, Taylor, for being such a valued member of our Instinct Portland staff!
💡DID YOU KNOW? - Poodle edition💡
Poodles are a popular breed for a reason! Although they were originally bred as hunting dogs in Germany, they retained that work ethic and are considered one of the ⭐️”golden 4”⭐️ breeds for service dogs.
Highly trainable, social, and with a flamboyant appearance that can be spotted from a mile away, we love ‘em here at Instinct Portland, and our trainers are here to encourage you on your training journey, no matter what goals you and your Poodle (or Poodle-mix!) have in mind.
Learn more about our Private Coaching, Homeschool, or Camp + Coaching offerings at instinctportland.com.
Shout out to Whimsy for being such a great model!
🐾 MEET THE TEAM - KAYSHA ROGERS-SCHULER, CBCC-KA, CPDT-KA 🐾
Kaysha is our Director of Behavior & Training at Instinct Portland, and still finds time to do in-home consultations, home school, and work with Camp + Coaching clients. She is a Certified Dog Parkour Instructor with the IDPKA and has competed with and titled her own dogs (primarily in Flyball). Kaysha also enjoys Lure Coursing, Barn Hunt, Rally Freestyle and more. It’s hard to find something Kaysha can’t do!
Kaysha holds a BSc. from Oregon State University in Animal Science, with an option in Animal Behavior. Her academic foundation in animal science and behavior, combined with hands-on competition and training experience across multiple dog sports, shapes her well-rounded approach to working with dogs and the families who love them.
Beyond the clinic, Kaysha lives outside Portland with her husband, two kids and their two dogs: Wiley (Border Collie/Mini American Shepherd) and Pip (Terrier mix).
Thank you, Kaysha, for all you do for us at Instinct Portland!
🍂🍃 Fall is quickly approaching in Portland 🍂🍃
That means lots of yummy treats and tempting smells in the kitchen, many that your dog would probably love to try and enjoy! Have your dog “sit” or “wait” for a seasonal snack as you’re prepping food for friends and family.
Remember, not all autumnal ingredients are dog-friendly, and always consult your vet if you have any questions.
🐾 MEET THE TEAM - CAROLINE SPARK, PHD, IAABC🐾
Caroline Spark has over 45 years of experience helping people solve problems, meet learning goals, and achieve positive change. Since 2007, she has specifically helped create and foster communities to help dogs exist in our world while empowering their human families to understand and satisfy their dogs’ natural instincts. Her work with canines has also addressed the needs of dog and nature enthusiasts extending all the way to the Oregon Coast, making breed-friendly outdoor activities available to a wide range of people and dogs.
Caroline partnered with Dr. Chris Pachel in 2018 to co-found Instinct Portland and spends her time supporting the Instinct training team and mentoring our trainers. She also offers Heartline consultations, a virtual service that provides support to those facing difficult decisions, loss, or grief related to their animal companions.
At Instinct we’re lucky to have her by our side as a voice of compassion and understanding as we all work towards a happy and healthy coexistence with our dogs. Thank you, Caroline!
🏅Little dogs are doing BIG things at Instinct Portland🏅 Check out Teddy learning to jump over agility poles and weave around a cone. Thanks Teddy for being an awesome Instinct learner!
Agility is one of many ways to provide mental enrichment and physical exercise for your dogs, regardless of their age or size. This is just one of many ways to add variety and fun to your training program. At Instinct, we can help you discover safe and fun to bond with your dogs and help them learn. Our trainers are happy to create a custom plan fit for your needs!
Check out instinctportland.com or link in our bio to learn more.
📝 GUESS THAT BREED 📝 spoilers below!
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If you guessed SPINONE ITALIANO, you’re right! We work with dogs of different breeds and needs, and we’re happy to help you find a training plan and lifestyle that fits you and your dog!
Thanks Twyla for being part of our diverse Instinct Portland family
🐾 MEET THE TEAM - DR. CHRIS PACHEL, DVM, DACVB, CABC 🐾
Dr. Pachel guides our team at Instinct Portland in providing high-quality, science-based training for our clients. In addition to teaching courses to veterinary medicine students around the world, he has authored articles and contributed to books on a variety of animal behavior topics.
He serves on the Editorial Advisory Board for dvm360 and is a Certified Animal Behavior Consultant through the International Association of Behavior Consultants (IAABC). Members of the Instinct Training Team trust Dr. Pachel for guidance and leadership on tricky behaviors and continuing education which we get to share with YOU, our clients!
Keep an eye out for his tips and tricks on how to live a more balanced and happy life with your canine friends. Thank you Dr. Pachel for all you do for us and your clients at Instinct Portland!
