Instinct Dog Behavior & Training Hudson Valley

For 18 years I had a dog sitter stay in my house when I traveled. She retired and I had an 11 month old terror on my hands. Was so hesitant to board my dog but what a life changer!!!I LOVE Megan and her crew. Literally cannot say enough about the facility and staff. Don’t know if this is possible but my dog may love this place even more than I do.When you walk in you would never know it’s a place full of dogs; clean, no smells, it’s amazing! They keep you apprised with pictures and reports throughout their stay, which is a blessing for this helicopter pet owner!Would give it 10 stars!!!

Megan is our trainer and she is amazing! She’s been working with our dog Olive who is almost 3 years old and by now, has a lot of innate and ingrained behaviors. Megan can immediately understand what is going on inside your dog’s head - undoubtedly a dog whisperer! Megan always gave several solutions to help with Olive’s problem(s) - allowing us to see which worked best for us. Megan offers creative, hands on strategies as well as training and behavior management approaches that are specific to the dog, owners and their unique environment. I don’t think theres any problem or training issue that Megan wouldnt be able to help with. We highly recommend her! -Adriane Schorr

Our 8 month pup Roti loves Instinct Hudson Valley so much! We are so grateful to have found a place to board her where we know she is well cared for and receives so much enrichment from the wonderful staff and Instinct’s helper dogs. Roti has gained so much confidence since she started going to Instinct. We had to travel a few times this spring and early summer and she did both a board and train week as well as boarding without training. Both experiences were great for her! It truly is a relief to have found a safe and loving home away from home for Roti to board, learn and grow when we have to travel. We also have done training sessions with Ella and Misa at Instinct and those have been so beneficial to Roti and to us. The instructors are very attuned to the dog’s needs and offer very clear instruction. They truly care about the dogs that come through their doors. We get so much support from the training sessions as well as communication in between sessions. I feel incredibly lucky to have found Instinct.

Im not sure who loves Instinct Hudson Valley, me or my dog! They have a spacious facility with lots of space for the pups to play. Communication throughout the stay is always excellent through photo and video updates. It is so nice to know that my dog is in good hands while I am away.

I worked with Megan at Instinct Hudson Valley. We opted for a 2 week puppy camp course for our new puppy. Our puppy seemed hyper, restless, rebellious and sometimes we felt overwhelmed with her. As any dog owner we wanted what was best for our puppy and what was best was to find out how to help her navigate life in the most positive way possible. Instinct helped us immensely with helping our puppy gain the confidence and drive to follow direction and work through her puppy hood in a fun way.After Puppy camp our puppy came back with a bunch of confidence to perform basic obedience plus more!! We feel that we can really communicate and connect with her so much better than we did before training. What we thought was hyper activity was just our puppy needing the energy directed at positive experiences towards training. She can settle now and greet everyone without jumping on them. She waits at doors when before she’d pull you through them. The best part is how much socializing she did with people and other dogs. Dogs didn’t like our puppy because she would bombard them with SOOO much love. Now our neighbors are super impressed by how polite she is with dogs and now they love bomb her back !We highly recommend instinct to anyone looking for a training program. They have many programs and are really great people to work with. Thanks guys for giving Dagger a way to be herself !!

There’s not another place I would rather send my pups for boarding. I have a super senior, 16 years old, and a 3 year old with fear aggression issues. The patience, love and care Instinct shows to my boys make it a no-brainer to book for boarding. We love instinct and will always trust them with our beloved pets!

I couldnt be more pleased with the exceptional care and training our dog, Cee Cee, received at Instinct Dog Behaviour & Training Hudson Valley. We did three training sessions with Ella ahead of a week of boarding over the holidays, and the difference we’ve seen since we started our training is huge.Cee Cee has a few unique needs and quirks and we were so impressed to learn that Ella and Megan had taken the time to really research these, and make sure they were taken into consideration for every session we had. Ella also passed along so much helpful information about her condition that we didn’t know about, which has helped us to better understand what she needs. They really care about the pups they’re looking after and it shows. We felt so comfortable dropping her off for her stay and she really thrived under their care. Im so grateful for the personalized attention and positive environment. Highly recommended, and we hope to use Instinct for future boarding!

I cant thank Instinct Hudson Valley enough for helping care for our new dog. The entire team is kind and thoughtful, and provided her with individualized attention beyond my expectations. Our dog had a health hiccup while boarding (completely unrelated to her stay!) and they immediately let me know, sought veterinary care, and gave her the extra TLC she needed to recover. Once home, it was clear she was ready to settle right back into her home routine, without the typical post-boarding exhaustion or stress. Thank you to everyone at Instinct for always going above and beyond for our four-legged family members!

We had an incredible experience with Instinct Dog Behavior and Training in the Hudson Valley. The team from Megan (head of the business) to Ella (our trainer) and everyone in between were incredibly responsive and professional. We had our dog with the team for about two weeks during a vacation and both paid for boarding and training. They communicated regularly with updates and pictures on how our dog is doing and then actively provided videos, feedback and advice on how to continue training after. They immediately followed up with a follow up on training (we did one virtually and plan to do the second in person in a month to reaffirm some of the training / behaviors). We could not be happier about the experience and would plan to use them again.

We had such an amazing experience with Megan. She was the third trainer we turned to for help with our fearful and reactive rescue chihuahua and I think we can say she’s the last one we’ll need! She helped us understand Luna and how to give her what she needs when she is afraid. She also taught us to give ourselves grace in this learning process. We did three in home training sessions with Megan and that included an amazing amount of follow up on our Trello board and access to free resources. Would 100% recommend to anyone looking for behavior training for their dog!

My experience with Instinct Hudson Valley was amazing! I was searching for a place to board my anxious/fearful/reactive dog that wouldnt traumatize her and was having trouble finding boarding facilities where I felt confident leaving her. Then I found Instinct, and both Megan, the owner, and Ella, her trainer, were amazing. Megan recommended my dog do a trial to help familiarize her with the facility and routine and to determine whether it would be a good fit for her. This was amazing because I knew they were invested in what would be right my dog, not just booking reservations.My dog did both camp and boarding for behavioral health and I really appreciated the updates Ella sent throughout so that we could enjoy our travel without worrying about how she was doing. My dog came home calmer than before and ready to work on all the new things she had learned at camp! I am so glad to have found Instinct and know my pup will be back the next time we leave town! Cant say enough good things!

Im really grateful for Instinct Dog Behavior & Training Hudson Valleys support with my dog during a challenging period! Megan has gone above and beyond to plan his camp and training program, helping us to make the arrangements even on short notice. Im grateful for the dedication and attention to detail, and I know my dog is in expert and loving hands.

My wife and I were looking for a place where we could get a jumpstart on puppy training for our new angel golden retriever. After researching all the options in the greater NYC area we contacted Megan at Instinct.Megan took the time to explain their services and their philosophies around puppy training. We were immediately sure they were the right fit. We went with a two week puppy camp which is a fully overnight experience.Our trainer, Ella, treated our puppy like one of her own. There were pictures and updates posted regularly. She answered all our crazy questions and made sure we felt like we were along for the ride.When I came to pick up our dog, Ella went over what she learned about the puppy, the training she started and where we should focus our energy. We’re so thankful for Ella, Megan and Instinct. Don’t think twice — they’re the right ones for all your training needs!!

Ive been working with Instinct for about a month now for support in training my young puppy. We actually elected to do both the home schooling program and a week of puppy camp--a lot of hands on professional training but completely worth it!Home schooling allows my puppy to meet with her trainer 3 times a week in our home to work with someone who really knows what theyre doing--and she LOVES her trainer! Im able to keep up with what shes learning through our collaborative training board online and work on her new cues with her during the day and weekends.Puppy camp gave me the opportunity to be away for a week and know that during a pivotal socialization and learning period my puppy was cared for and socialized by a trainer who could help her learn how to take on the world! We also used that time to work on a few behavioral concerns so that we could set my puppy up for success as she grows older. The facility where she was spent her time is in a really nice, quiet location for learning and there is a vets office right across the way which is reassuring for just in case.I would have felt really lost and alone without the support Ive received from the Instinct team. Id highly recommend engaging with Instinct if you have a new puppy (or any puppy/dog) and want to make sure you and she/he are setting a strong foundation for your future together!

We had a great experience working with Instinct Hudson Valley Instinct as they were opening their new facility. Megan, spent time with me over the phone to best meet our dogs needs and met us for his first stay. Instinct Hudson Valley is cozy and feels like a home away from home because it’s a sweet house with a beautiful yard that our dog took to right away. We received camper updates of him playing in the yard, the calm and caring environment allowed him to settle in. It’s great knowing that we have trusted place for anxious guy to be well cared for.

We love Instinct HV!Megan and her staff are kind, patient, and knowledgeable. They are also quick to communicate and very helpful. Our dog was having some tummy trouble during her stay, and they brought her right over to the vet (which is steps from their door).We also had our dog do the Alumni Camp while she was boarding there. She worked with one of their amazing trainers, Misa. Misa is fun, kind, and caring; and we already notice some positive changes from her time with our dog.We would not hesitate to use Instinct HV again, and would highly recommend it.

My partner and I are first-time puppy parents and Instinct has been such a wonderful support! We attended their Puppy Learn + Play classes and their Puppy Camp, and cant say enough great things. Our puppy was pretty nervous at first, but they were so patient and let her set the pace. Shes grown into quite the confident young lady, thanks in no small part to the very kind and super smart folks at Instinct. Theyre great teachers of humans, too, explaining to us along the way what our pup was doing, why and how we should respond. Highly recommend!

I highly recommend Instinct Hudson Valley for dog training and boarding.We were nervous about boarding our dog with people we didnt know. Would she be afraid, would she be treated well, etc....?Plainly, we were impressed with Megan and her staff. They treated our dog like their own. We got regular updates, with video and photos. At the end we could tell our dog was clearly bonded to them and had a wonderful time.This boarding facility is unlike any I have seen. It is a house in the woods next to a Veterinarian clinic. Their is outdoor spaces to run and dig, and inside each dog has their own extra large kennel for sleeping. Inside their is plenty of space for the dogs to run around and play.If you have questions staff is incredibly helpful and easy to work with. They really care about making sure both you and your dog are happy.

Its expensive, but well worth every penny in support after the experience. I sent my pup there for a week when I was away and he came back with a whole new set of skills (that I had to learn how to use). Great people, did excellent work in communicating during his visit and have been incredibly supportive and helpful as Ive navigated the challenging waters of a reactive pup since. If they were closer, Id be there much more frequently!

So happy we found this place! We did the board and train program for our 10 month old labordoodle Sunny for a little over a week to focus on impulse control while we were out of town. We met with a bunch of different places, and this was the only one where we left the conversation feeling comfortable. While it was hard for us to leave Sunny, we felt comfortable that he was in safe and caring hands. His trainer and the manager did a great job communicating over the week and shared pictures and videos. It seemed like Sunny really was enjoying the training as they made the training into games for him. When we picked Sunny up he was happy and seemed like himself. Would definitely recommend them and use them again!

After searching for a dog trainer that fit my needs with my reactive rescue pup, I was happy to finally find a place that didnt slap an e-collar on our dog and call it a day. Megan has been a tremendous help as we navigated learning the best way to deal with the reactivity issues Kuma was having towards other dogs. She has really helped me understand and accept him by figuring out the best way to manage his behaviors while improving his confidence. I would definitely recommend her and Instinct to anyone who has a fearful/reactive dog and is looking to improve the relationship they have.

I cant say enough about how wonderful this place is. Our Bulldog needed specialized care and we were at our wits end trying to find the right place to board him. So grateful for Instinct HV. Truly appreciate the professionalism and care their team exhibited for our dog. He came home in great spirits and relaxed. Not usually the case. Thank you!

AVOID THIS FACILITY! This was a very terrible experience for my dog and my family. Ive never written a negative review before but this experience was so poor. Ive given myself time before choosing to write it, but it was that bad. My puppy did the training camp. I can go on and on with specifics, so Id be glad to go more in depth, but this facility is a complete joke. Dont let yourself get scammed and find a different facility. Every aspect, from extreme lack of communication, literally ZERO training received for my dog, the high stress environment - its a complete scam. They charge thousands of dollars for literally nothing. We chose to send our puppy for training and every encounter was extremely rushed and any question asked was ignored and brushed off. They just want to collect money and provide absolutely no result. This was the worst mistake we ever made with our puppy! No training at all happened at all. None. He came back sick and I had to take him to the vet a few days later. Hed never been sick before and we are so concerned about what was happening to him while he was in the facilitys care. I wouldnt know because we were never told and we see no evidence of training. He couldnt do simple things like walk on a leash, sit (when he consistently did this at home), had zero manners, and the list goes on and on. The most basic things. When we reached out to the facility with our concerns, we were given excuse after excuse, brushed off, and they tried to turn the blame around on us! Wed be happy to elaborate on specifics! There are many. They take no responsibility for their unprofessional attitudes, lack of care for the pups, extreme lack of communication, and do NOT train the dog. We were making more progress training our dog at home prior to camp. He came back even worse than ever and there is no excuse for that. Hes a very good puppy and is a very trainable shepherd. Hes since worked with another trainer at our home who tells us all the time how trainable and wonderfully behaved he is! This facility made excuses and simply did not spend any time with him then blamed the puppy for being a puppy. We are reasonable and dont expect miracles but we were shocked about the way he was returned to us. We paid for professional training because they were supposed to know how to properly work with him and spend the time with him. Thats literally the service we paid for. The worst part was the way the facility handled the situation and refused to take any responsibility at all. DO NOT WASTE YOUR TIME and money or cause your pup stress and look elsewhere! Very bad experience for my puppy and family. Disappointed and unacceptable service.UPDATE: After reading the response from the facility Id just like to state that just the same, they are full of complete lies, as I originally mentioned. A pick-up session was not possible because I could not find anyone when I arrived for a very long time, just as it was at drop off, and was rushed directly to my car when I finally found someone, who I had never seen before. I was given excuses and rushed away. No session was initiated at all. I asked some questions and they were brushed off. Do not waste your money or time here. Your dog will thank you. They are complete scam artists and fully incompetent. To state I was unresponsive during Randys stay is ridiculous. All the difficult modes of communication are stressful and confusing and it was only updated twice during Randys stay with no actual information, especially since after his stay I was told he was supposedly stressed, etc. I had no idea during his stay. Regardless, save yourself and our doggy the headache of dealing with this place and find yourself who can actually help you with training or caring for your pup while youre away. This is not it!

Megan and the whole instinct team were great! My dog absolutely loved training with her and he really learned a lot. She was patient, caring and effective. She was super reliable, so easy to work with and it was instantly how much she loves her job and all the furry friends she works with. I would highly recommend Instinct Hudson valley to any new pet parent!

They cancelled after making us fill out their form for 60min after not being able to honor their offered time slot.While emergencies come up they need to better planed for and the company should be more respectful of potential customers time, when families make time to schedule a lesson and sit down to fill a long form and then are canceled on- although they have their own emergency and medical events…. In the end it’s unprofessional and disrespectful of their clients. At a bare minimum they should not force people to fill out a minimum 1h questionnaire if they will not honor their appointment.

Megan worked tirelessly to come up with plans and solutions to help our dog deal with stressful situations. This is not a “one size fits all” training program. She realizes that each dog has its own unique personality and constantly adapts the training to deal with any problems as they come up. Her videos of our dog in training situations were invaluable so that we could review them and understand triggers and behaviors more thoroughly. Megan is also a great communicator who answers texts or Trello messages with very useful advice. Thank you, Megan and Instinct for all your great work with Rosie!

This is a dog training company. The owner, Megan, is great with dogs and they love her. She trained are our eight-month-old Rottweiler mix that had never lived in a home before, and our puppy is doing great! I would definitely recommend her any day!

We came to Instinct Dog Behavior & Training after a biting incident with our dog. Megan was extraordinarily informed and kind as she walked us through our options. To have someone as compassionate as her help us navigate an incredibly stressful situation was exactly what we needed and helped us make the best decision for our family. Would highly recommend reaching out to them if you need assistance of any kind.

Look no further for top notch personalized training! We have worked with Joselyn for 6 weeks now, and she has gone above and beyond to help us with our new rescue dog Roscoe. We have worked on skills such as tolerating petting/grooming, increasing enrichment, loose leash walking, leash reactivity with dogs and people, and mat work. When we first got Roscoe 2 months ago, he couldnt walk past another dog on the other side of a big field without barking and pulling, and today he walked side-by-side with Joselyns helper dog, Emma!!! Joselyn was happy to meet us in any setting that was going to help us and Roscoe achieve our goals. She always answered our questions between sessions, and provided us with tons of useful handouts and videos to improve our home training between sessions. Even when we found ourselves getting down about our set backs, she gave us helpful advice and lot of encouragement along the way! I would highly recommend Joselyn and Instinct Dog Behavior and Training!

Ella did such an amazing job with our pup. We were nervous about leaving him for 2 weeks but he had such a great time and came back happy, healthy and full of new tricks. Megan was helpful through the whole process as well. Cannot recommend them enough!

Great experiences with Megan and her staff and our dog who needs careful handling. I find them to be knowledgable, compassionate and accommodating.

Everyone was so kind, especially considering my dog is a special case. Wonderful place willing to meet all your pets needs! Cannot recommend highly enough!

The very best! I strongly recommend Instinct Dog Behavior & Training Hudson Valley. They truly understand dogs and are highly skilled with years of valued experience.

The trainers are knowledgeable, passionate, and patient. Weve learned so much working with them and highly recommend their services.

Our pup, Teddy, first stayed with Megan and her staff in March of 2023. Since then, he’s had 6 more stays. We can’t say enough good things about Instinct Hudson Valley. Teddy absolutely loves Megan and Ella. We feel very confident that he is well and if anything is amiss, they would contact us. We receive pics, vids and updates during his stays. Also, Megan is very responsive via email if I need a little reassurance of Ted’s well-being. We highly recommend Megan and her staff for both boarding and training. We love that he’s staying in a home with a yard. Thank you for loving Teddy while we’re away.

Megan at Instinct has been a real savior in our initial foray into raising our puppy. Training sessions on Wednesday nights (free!) have been very beneficial and weve also been boarding the dog during the work week a day or two, which has been invaluable. I feel comfortable every time dropping her off (with Emma), and she has great days per the updates we get. If youre in the area, and looking for some help, they are great here. I am truly appreciative.

Megan is an amazing dog trainer! She suggested better and safer equipment for our walks and gave us very helpful and valuable tools and real world applications to help my dog and I navigate walks and reduce her reactivity in general. I highly recommend her and the Instinct Hudson Valley staff :)

We had an amazing experience working with Megan at Instinct for our rescue pit bull mix who was reactive towards our newborn baby. Megan thoroughly explained why our dog was behaving that way and what we needed to do to help keep him calm, and right away he was so much more comfortable around the baby. We also worked through some other issues caused by his anxiety and we have seen such an improvement in his behavior. Overall we found the training sessions to be extremely helpful and would highly recommend Instinct.

We recently completed a Puppy Training Package with Megan. Since signing up with Instinct Dog Behavior & Training Hudson Valley, Henry has come a long way thanks to the virtual coaching we received with Megan. They also have a personalized board for you to track your progress as well as be interactive with your trainer to ask questions and post your goals. Thank you to Megan and Instinct!!!