Several years ago, we started to wonder… What would dog training look like if every dog owner had access to simple, practical resources that helped them understand their dog’s natural instincts, innate drives, and individual behavior needs? What kinds of results could we help owners achieve if our training programs focused less on teaching “obedience”,...Read More

A Behavioral Guide for Owners of Dogs Ages 6- to 12-Months Your puppy is growing up! As puppies enter early adolescence, it is important to understand that – just like human teenagers – their behavior will naturally change and develop, particularly when it comes to play with other dogs; listening skills & manners; and conflict...Read More

The Essential Info You Need to Get (& Keep) Your Pup’s Potty Training on Track! Potty training a puppy takes effort and consistency, but it is generally a fairly straightforward process if you follow some simple rules and guidelines.   KEY #1: MAINTAIN A PREDICTABLE SCHEDULE Maintaining a consistent, predictable schedule helps your puppy get...Read More

Puppies. So soft and cute. So snuggly and playful. And sometimes, SO BITEY. While 99.5% of puppy biting isn’t meant to cause us harm, those needle-sharp teeth can still really hurt! It’s not surprising that puppy biting is a behavior many owners want to curb ASAP. A certain amount of bitey, mouthy behavior is an...Read More

Parallels in Physical Rehabilitation & Behavior Modification Programs If you’re working on a behavior modification plan to help your dog with fear, anxiety, or aggression issues, chances are you’ve pondered (or asked your trainer) at least one of the following questions along the way: Is all this “management” really necessary right now? Aren’t we just avoiding...Read More

Most dogs who display reactive or aggressive behaviors – lunging, barking, growling – do so in large part because they FEEL a certain way about their triggers: fearful, anxious, frustrated, or some combination of the three. Just like with people, a dog’s emotions have a big influence on their behavior. If they no longer feel...Read More

By Dr. Emily Levine, DACVB & Dr. Chris Pachel, DACVB Practice makes perfect, right? This statement is true for dogs as much as for people!  The behaviors your dog “practices” are the ones likely to be repeated again in the future – regardless of whether those behaviors are ones we like, such as sitting on...Read More

For many new dog owners, dog daycare conjures images of fluffy friends romping and playing, maybe stopping for a mid-afternoon snooze in a quiet sun spot, and returning home at the end of the day tired and happy. And while dog daycare can offer physical exercise, mental stimulation, and companionship to some dogs during otherwise...Read More

by Dr. Emily Levine, DVM, DACVB Dr. Emily Levine, DVM, DACVB is a board-certified veterinary behaviorist, co-owner of Instinct Englewood and owner of the Animal Behavior Clinic of NJ.  ***Remember, veterinarians and veterinary behaviorists are the only individuals qualified to discuss and recommend behavior medications for your pet.***  1. THEY EXIST Yes, there are behavior...Read More

Dogs love to sniff, right? But how often is the average pet dog actually using its nose in everyday life, and what does sniffing – or not – tell us about a dog’s state of mind? Super sniffers, or do the eyes have it? Incredible. Amazing. Almost magical. If we used any of these terms...Read More