Episoder

  • Living with a dog who displays fear, anxiety, or aggression is challenging, no matter what. Seeing these behaviors present in your new puppy can be incredibly stressful and overwhelming as you try to jump in and work on the issues (in addition to “normal” puppy behaviors) while also imagining what life will be like for you AND your puppy as they grow and mature into an adult dog.

    Today, we’re joined by Mikaela, a client at Instinct Northern New Jersey, to learn more about her experience raising and living with her beautiful dog Lola, a 2-year-old Belgian Malinois/German Shepherd mix, who began displaying some concerning behavior issues as a young puppy.

    Hosts Brian Burton (he/him/his) and Sarah Fraser (she/her/hers) are Co-Founders and Co-CEOs of INSTINCT Dog Behavior & Training. Both are Certified Dog Behavior Consultants and have Master's degrees in Animal Behavior from Hunter College/CUNY.

    INSTINCT has 11 locations across the US and services the global community via virtual consults. Over 20,000 students have also taken courses at INSTINCT's online school (with many free courses available): Learn more at https://www.instinctdogtraining.com/

    INSTINCT Resources:

    Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/instinctdogtraining/

    Online School https://onlineschool.instinctdogtraining.com

    Free Monthly Seminars (Puppy Parenting Roadmap, Rescue Dog Roadmap, Behavior Roadmap): https://www.instinctdogtraining.com/seminars/

    Youtube Version of the Episode (video): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FhjY77bLUdU

  • Today we are going to delve into the question of whether telling your dog 'no' can have a place within a positive training approach. We think it's a pretty fair question and it's one we actually get asked a lot by new clients who come to see us.

    It's understandable because there's a lot of emphasis in positive training (as there should be) on trying to set your dog up to succeed, trying to help them make desirable choices, training in a way that they generally enjoy or want to listen to cues, and allowing a lot of choice and control so that they have the option to opt-in or opt-out.

    But what about those times when you need your dog to stop doing something or maybe start doing something else in the now, and they're not opting in or following cues (or maybe they don't have those skills under their belt yet)? How do we handle those situations in a way that protects our dog's behavioral health and also protects the relationship that we have with them that supports a healthy relationship dynamic?

    This is what we are tackling today.

    Hosts Brian Burton (he/him/his) and Sarah Fraser (she/her/hers) are Co-Founders and Co-CEOs of INSTINCT Dog Behavior & Training. Both are Certified Dog Behavior Consultants and have Master's degrees in Animal Behavior from Hunter College/CUNY.

    INSTINCT has 11 locations across the US and services the global community via virtual consults. Over 20,000 students have also taken courses at INSTINCT's online school (with many free courses available): Learn more at https://www.instinctdogtraining.com/

    INSTINCT Resources:

    Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/instinctdogtraining/

    Online School https://onlineschool.instinctdogtraining.com

    Free Monthly Seminars (Puppy Parenting Roadmap, Rescue Dog Roadmap, Behavior Roadmap): https://www.instinctdogtraining.com/seminars/

    Youtube Version of the Episode (video): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4EbBny9T4WI

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  • For most of us, bringing home a new puppy conjures many warm, fuzzy images and feelings. We think about puppy snuggles and kisses, introducing the puppy to family and friends, taking them for walks, and including them in our favorite activities.

    And while puppies are amazing and can bring a lot of joy, they’re also a TON of work, and the reality of puppy ownership doesn’t usually match up to the vision we’ve created in our mind (or the one we’ve been sold on social media).

    Enter the Puppy Blues. The puppy blues is an informal term that refers to the feelings of sadness, anxiety, overwhelm, regret, and other negative emotions many folks experience in the days, weeks, or months after welcoming a new puppy into their home.

    If you’ve experienced the Puppy Blues - you’re not alone. A LOT of other dog owners have experienced them, too. We’re joined today by one of those individuals - Hannah Craig, a client at Instinct Hudson Valley, who has generously agreed to share their experience with us today.


    Hosts Brian Burton (he/him/his) and Sarah Fraser (she/her/hers) are Co-Founders and Co-CEOs of INSTINCT Dog Behavior & Training. Both are Certified Dog Behavior Consultants and have Master's degrees in Animal Behavior from Hunter College/CUNY.

    INSTINCT has 11 locations across the US and services the global community via virtual consults. Over 20,000 students have also taken courses at INSTINCT's online school (with many free courses available): Learn more at https://www.instinctdogtraining.com/

    INSTINCT Resources:

    Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/instinctdogtraining/

    Online School https://onlineschool.instinctdogtraining.com

    Free Monthly Seminars (Puppy Parenting Roadmap, Rescue Dog Roadmap, Behavior Roadmap): https://www.instinctdogtraining.com/seminars/

    Youtube Version of the Episode (video): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XUao_pZNroc

  • If you are the guardian of a dog with a more complex behavior profile, finding the right care team to work with them (and you) - the right trainer, the right veterinarian, the right pet sitter or boarding kennel - can be a real challenge. When speaking about the training/behavior field, this is made more challenging by the fact that dog training is an unregulated industry, and it can be very difficult to discern what someone’s credentials actually mean, the experience they hold, and the teaching techniques they use with dogs and people.

    And even when you find a person or a team you like, learning when and how to advocate for your dog - vs when to trust and follow the lead of the professionals with whom you’re working, even if you feel a little skeptical about it - takes time, and can feel intimidating or uncomfortable.

    Today we’re joined by Instinct East Harlem client Kate Tighe, to share her experience with finding the right support team for her dog Teagan - and learning how to become a better advocate for her and for Teagan in the process.

    Hosts Brian Burton (he/him/his) and Sarah Fraser (she/her/hers) are Co-Founders and Co-CEOs of INSTINCT Dog Behavior & Training. Both are Certified Dog Behavior Consultants and have Master's degrees in Animal Behavior from Hunter College/CUNY.

    INSTINCT has 11 locations across the US and services the global community via virtual consults. Over 20,000 students have also taken courses at INSTINCT's online school (with many free courses available): Learn more at https://www.instinctdogtraining.com/

    INSTINCT Resources:

    Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/instinctdogtraining/

    Online School https://onlineschool.instinctdogtraining.com

    Free Monthly Seminars (Puppy Parenting Roadmap, Rescue Dog Roadmap, Behavior Roadmap): https://www.instinctdogtraining.com/seminars/

    Youtube Version of the Episode (video): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9bfkGXWDuvM

  • While waiting for Season 4 to start in October, we will drop summer mini-episodes in August and September! Episodes will drop each Monday. Also, a reminder that we do have video versions of the podcast in our recording studio, which can be viewed on our YouTube Channel

    In this episode, Brian and Sarah give an update on their international move and discuss one of their viral Instagram reels that received over 2 million views and generated a lot of engagement and comments. The video was "How Not to Pet a Dog." You can see that video here: https://www.instagram.com/reel/Cr0-YWBPd-q/

    Some video comments were great, some were interesting, and some were very sad. Brian and Sarah discuss why this video is important and how one of the tricky things about living with dogs, because they are so familiar to us and we feel that we know them so well, is that we can have blind spots in our knowledge and understanding of their feelings and behavior.

    Hosts Brian Burton (he/him/his) and Sarah Fraser (she/her/hers) are Co-Founders and Co-CEOs of INSTINCT Dog Behavior & Training. Both are Certified Dog Behavior Consultants and have Master's degrees in Animal Behavior from Hunter College/CUNY.

    INSTINCT has 11 locations across the US and services the global community via virtual consults. Over 20,000 students have also taken courses at INSTINCT's online school (with many free courses available): Learn more at https://www.instinctdogtraining.com/

    INSTINCT Resources:

    Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/instinctdogtraining/

    Online School https://onlineschool.instinctdogtraining.com

    Free Monthly Seminars (Puppy Parenting Roadmap, Rescue Dog Roadmap, Behavior Roadmap): https://www.instinctdogtraining.com/seminars/

    Youtube Version of the Episode (video): https://youtu.be/qeLs2OEpaCs


  • This week we are talking about dogs in urban environments. We discuss some of the most common challenges facing urban dogs, and also some of our favorite hacks for navigating city life to protect and enhance your city dog's welfare; because let's face it, living in an urban environment can be pretty stressful for dogs AND humans.

    During the conversation we also discuss which personality traits, and breeds typically do well with, or find urban environments challenging. We also discuss ways to make living in an urban environment with your dog more enjoyable and less stressful for both of you.

    Guests:
    - Lauren Jones-Wenzel (she/her/hers) CDBC is a Certified Behavior Consultant at INSTINCT Northern New Jersey, INSTINCT Jersey Shore, and INSTINCT Philadelphia.

    - Stephanie Collingsworth (she/her/hers) CDBC is a Certified Behavior Consultant at INSTINCT Portland

    Hosts Brian Burton (he/him/his) and Sarah Fraser (she/her/hers) are Co-Founders and Co-CEOs of INSTINCT Dog Behavior & Training. Both are Certified Dog Behavior Consultants and have Master's degrees in Animal Behavior from Hunter College/CUNY.

    INSTINCT has 11 locations across the US and services the global community via virtual consults. Over 20,000 students have also taken courses at INSTINCT's online school (with many free courses available): Learn more at https://www.instinctdogtraining.com/

    INSTINCT Resources:

    Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/instinctdogtraining/

    Online School https://onlineschool.instinctdogtraining.com

    Free Monthly Seminars (Puppy Parenting Roadmap, Rescue Dog Roadmap, Behavior Roadmap): https://www.instinctdogtraining.com/seminars/

    Youtube Version of the Episode (video): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GfvhH04Er2o

  • Most of us have breed preferences; whether it's how they look and/or the collection of traits we assume the breed to have.

    Today we explore if these breed stereotypes are really valid because the existing research on breed and behavior is largely mixed; while breed can influence some behavior, there's a wide range of variability, even within breeds. The science is a bit of a mess.

    So we thought it would be fun to explore our breed stereotypes with some breeds today based on our experience of working with thousands of dogs;
    German Shepherds (03m8s)
    Doodles (10m40s)
    Shiba Inus (16m50s)
    Pitties (27m05s)
    Huskies (38m26s)
    Chihuahuas (46m55s)

    For each breed, we discuss what behavior challenges we typically see with them, why we love working with the breed, and what are some things to keep top of mind if you are living with or working with one of these breeds.

    At the end of the episode (1h01m,15s), we discuss when stereotyping breeds can be helpful, and when it can be harmful.

    If you like this episode and want us to cover other breeds in a parat 2, please send us a message on our Instagram account @instinctdogtraining

    Guests:
    - Suze Cullinan (she/her/hers) CDBC is a Certified Behavior Consultant and President at INSTINCT Northern New Jersey, INSTINCT Jersey Shore, and INSTINCT Philadelphia.

    - Dresden Graff (he/him/his) CPDT-KA, Certified Trainer and Owner of INSTINCT Forth Worth


    Hosts Brian Burton (he/him/his) and Sarah Fraser (she/her/hers) are Co-Founders and Co-CEOs of INSTINCT Dog Behavior & Training. Both are Certified Dog Behavior Consultants and have Master's degrees in Animal Behavior from Hunter College/CUNY.

    INSTINCT has 11 locations across the US and services the global community via virtual consults. Over 20,000 students have also taken courses at INSTINCT's online school (with many free courses available): Learn more at https://www.instinctdogtraining.com/

    INSTINCT Resources:

    Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/instinctdogtraining/

    Online School https://onlineschool.instinctdogtraining.com

    Free Monthly Seminars (Puppy Parenting Roadmap, Rescue Dog Roadmap, Behavior Roadmap): https://www.instinctdogtraining.com/seminars/

    Youtube Version of the Episode (video): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1PONC04Kh98







  • Leash reactivity (lunging and barking at dogs and people) is one of the most common issues people come to us for help with, and so many of our clients experience a ton of judgment and disparaging comments from other dog owners when out on walks.

    People ASSUME things about them and about their dog, based on that reactivity; "What's Wrong with that dog?" or "Why does their owner allow them to keep doing that?", or "They should really get some training".

    In this episode we discuss why these assumptions can be exceedingly incorrect, and how you (with your non-reactive dog) may be contributing to the issue.

    Whether you have a leash reactive dog or not, this episode is for you.

    Guests:
    - Ella Tirado (she/her/hers) CPDT-KA is a Certified Trainer at INSTINCT Hudson Valley.

    - Jessica Wheatcraft (she/her/hers) CDBC, Founder of INSTINCT San Diego

    - Jenna Slutzky (she/her/hers) KPA-CTP is a Certified Trainer with INSTINCT Nashville.

    Hosts Brian Burton (he/him/his) and Sarah Fraser (she/her/hers) are Co-Founders and Co-CEOs of INSTINCT Dog Behavior & Training. Both are Certified Dog Behavior Consultants and have Master's degrees in Animal Behavior from Hunter College/CUNY.

    INSTINCT has 11 locations across the US and services the global community via virtual consults. Over 20,000 students have also taken courses at INSTINCT's online school (with many free courses available): Learn more at https://www.instinctdogtraining.com/

    INSTINCT Resources:

    Online School https://onlineschool.instinctdogtraining.com

    Free Monthly Seminars (Puppy Parenting Roadmap, Rescue Dog Roadmap, Behavior Roadmap): https://www.instinctdogtraining.com/seminars/

    Youtube Version of the Episode (video): https://youtu.be/rIlq0D_sa34




  • For the past several decades, dog owners have been inundated with messages that we need to be a "pack leader" or "alpha" with our dogs. Those specific terms imply that we need to take a power position by actively asserting dominance over our dogs in our daily lives.

    So is all of this really necessary? Do dogs need leadership from us? And if so, what does that actually look like?

    Guests:
    - Ayelet Berger (she/her/hers) CDBC is a Certified Behavior Consultant and Co-Owner with INSTINCT Nashville.

    - Taylor Snead (they/them) CBCC-KA, is a Certified Behavior Consultant at INSTINCT Portland (Oregon)

    Hosts Brian Burton (he/him/his) and Sarah Fraser (she/her/hers) are Co-Founders and Co-CEOs of INSTINCT Dog Behavior & Training. Both are Certified Dog Behavior Consultants and have Master's degrees in Animal Behavior from Hunter College/CUNY.

    INSTINCT has 11 locations across the US and services the global community via virtual consults. Over 19,000 students have also taken courses at INSTINCT's online school (with many free courses available): Learn more at https://www.instinctdogtraining.com/

    INSTINCT Resources:

    Online School https://onlineschool.instinctdogtraining.com

    Free Monthly Seminars (Puppy Parenting Roadmap, Rescue Dog Roadmap, Behavior Roadmap): https://www.instinctdogtraining.com/seminars/

    Youtube Version of the Episode (video): https://youtu.be/i2L_UB1c29U

  • We often state that dogs are family, but are they? We navigate a frank, sometimes uncomfortable discussion about the strange dual role of pet dogs, simultaneously cast as family members and captive animals.

    We discuss:
    - Do you consider your own dogs to be family members?
    - Do dogs have family responsibilities?
    - What are the benefits to dogs of viewing them as family members?
    - What are the downsides to calling dogs family members, and are we doing dogs a disservice by calling them this?
    - Are there alternate ways of viewing our relationship with dogs that feel more appropriate?

    Guests:
    - Jessica Schulte CDBC, CPDT-KA is the Director of Behavior & Training at INSTINCT East Harlem in NYC.

    - Lauren Spratlin CPDT-KA, is a Certified Trainer at INSTINCT Nashville.

    Hosts Brian Burton and Sarah Fraser are Co-Founders and Co-CEOs of INSTINCT Dog Behavior & Training. Both are Certified Dog Behavior Consultants and have Master's degrees in Animal Behavior from Hunter College/CUNY.

    INSTINCT has 11 locations across the US and services the global community via virtual consults. Over 19,000 students have also taken courses at INSTINCT's online school (with many free courses available): Learn more at https://www.instinctdogtraining.com/

    INSTINCT Resources:

    Online School https://onlineschool.instinctdogtraining.com

    Free Monthly Seminars (Puppy Parenting Roadmap, Rescue Dog Roadmap, Behavior Roadmap): https://www.instinctdogtraining.com/seminars/

    Youtube Version of the Episode (video): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=akdxhtOQSfk

  • Today's episode is all about separation anxiety in dogs. This is absolutely one of the most common reasons that folks might reach out to a dog behavior professional for help. It's also one of the issues that can be truly one of the most stressful (and sometimes feel debilitating) and can have a big negative impact on welfare on both ends of the leash.

    Despite it being a really common issue, separation anxiety is often a little bit misunderstood when it comes both to the factors that can contribute to why it's happening in the first place and also the ways to treat it or help improve it.

    So today we are very privileged to be joined by a powerhouse guest lineup to help us clear up some of these misconceptions about separation anxiety and share with listeners more about what it really is, why it happens, and paths to move forward.

    We discuss:
    - What is Separation Anxiety (and what it isn't)
    - Causes of Separation Anxiety (perceived and actual)
    - Prevalence in Separation Anxiety in companion dogs
    - Treatment/Intervention options
    - Common derailers of progress
    - Success rates and timelines
    - How to get started

    Guests:
    - Malena DeMartini-Price is renowned in the dog training world for her expertise in dog separation anxiety issues. She is the author of the books Treating Separation Anxiety in Dogs, as well as Separation Anxiety in Dogs – Next-Generation Treatment Protocols and Practices. She is also the founder of the Separation Anxiety Training Certificate Program (CSAT).

    - Dr. Chris Pachel DACVB (Veterinary Behaviorist), Co-Founder and Co-Owner of INSTINCT Portland and Animal Behavior Clinic in Portland.

    - Dr. Emily Levine DACVB (Veterinary Behaviorist), Co-Founder and Co-Owner of INSTINCT NJ/PA and Animal Behavior Clinic of NJ

    Hosts Brian Burton and Sarah Fraser are Co-Founders and Co-CEOs of INSTINCT Dog Behavior & Training. Both are Certified Dog Behavior Consultants and have Master's degrees in Animal Behavior from Hunter College/CUNY.

    INSTINCT has 11 locations across the US and services the global community via virtual consults. Over 19,000 students have also taken courses at INSTINCT's online school (with many free courses available): Learn more at https://www.instinctdogtraining.com/

    INSTINCT Resources:

    Online School https://onlineschool.instinctdogtraining.com

    Free Monthly Seminars (Puppy Parenting Roadmap, Rescue Dog Roadmap, Behavior Roadmap): https://www.instinctdogtraining.com/seminars/

    Youtube Version of the Episode (video)
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p3xJy2GB3Ec

  • When we get a dog, we generally expect to fall madly in love and experience this instant, one-of-a-kind connection with them.

    But what happens when you and your dog just don’t mesh? How do you form a positive relationship with a dog who you - truthfully - just don’t like very much?

    In today's episode, we tackle this semi-taboo topic to explore the reasons WHY you may find yourself disliking your current dog, and what you can do to build (or rebuild) a positive bond.

    Guests:
    - Dr. Chris Pachel DACVB (Veterinary Behaviorist), Co-Founder and Co-Owner of INSTINCT Portland and Animal Behavior Clinic in Portland
    - Ayelet Berger CDBC, Co-Founder and Co-Owner of INSTINCT Nashville
    - Lauren Jones-Wenzel, CDBC, Certified Behavior Consultant at INSTINCT NJ and INSTINCT Philadelphia

    Hosts Brian Burton and Sarah Fraser are Co-Founders and Co-CEOs of INSTINCT Dog Behavior & Training. Both are Certified Dog Behavior Consultants and have Master's degrees in Animal Behavior from Hunter College/CUNY.

    INSTINCT has 11 locations across the US and services the global community via virtual consults. Over 18,000 students have also taken courses at INSTINCT's online school (with many free courses available): Learn more at https://www.instinctdogtraining.com/

    INSTINCT Resources:

    Online School https://onlineschool.instinctdogtraining.com

    Free Monthly Seminars (Puppy Parenting Roadmap, Rescue Dog Roadmap, Behavior Roadmap): https://www.instinctdogtraining.com/seminars/

    Youtube Version of the Podcast Episode with Video:
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Siqs8BmVWGQ

    Locations (all locations service the global community via virtual consults): https://www.instinctdogtraining.com/locations/

  • This is Part 2 of "Behavior Therapy: Behind the Curtain". In Part 1, we had clients discuss what the behavior journey is like from their side. Today we flip the script and talk to some of our most experienced behavior consultants across INSTINCT to better understand what they do, and what can set you and your dog up for success.

    We discuss
    - What are common misconceptions about behavior consulting?
    - What tends to make clients successful in their behavior journey with their dog?
    - What are traits or beliefs that clients have that can make progress more challenging?
    - What are the types of cases that keep them up at night?
    - Why do these behavior consultants choose to do what they do?

    Our goal for this episode was to give people hope if they are currently struggling, while also peeling back the curtain to see what this journey actually looks like. We strongly recommend listening to both Part 1 and Part 2.

    Guests:

    Jessica Wheatcraft CDBC, Founder of INSTINCT San Diego
    Ayelet Berger CDBC, Co-Founder and Co-Owner of INSTINCT Nashville
    Dr. Caroline Spark CDBC, Co-FOunder and Co-Owner of INSTINCT Portland OR.

    Hosts Brian Burton and Sarah Fraser are Co-Founders and Co-CEOs of INSTINCT Dog Behavior & Training. Both are Certified Dog Behavior Consultants and have Master's degrees in Animal Behavior from Hunter College/CUNY.

    INSTINCT has 11 locations across the US and services the global community via virtual consults. Over 18,000 students have also taken courses at INSTINCT's online school (with many free courses available): Learn more at https://www.instinctdogtraining.com/

    INSTINCT Resources:

    Online School https://onlineschool.instinctdogtraining.com

    Free Monthly Seminars (Puppy Parenting Roadmap, Rescue Dog Roadmap, Behavior Roadmap): https://www.instinctdogtraining.com/seminars/

    Youtube Version of the Podcast Episode with Video:
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=od3WW3aI0cw

    Locations (all locations service the global community via virtual consults): https://www.instinctdogtraining.com/locations/

  • This may be our most important Dogs Unknown episode to date. We are joined by INSTINCT clients Stephanie Chen and Jessica Arnold, who have worked through (and continue to work through) complex behavior challenges with their dogs Nimbus and Nova in Manhattan, NYC.

    We discuss
    - What they were feeling prior to reaching out for help, and what prompted them to seek professional guidance.
    - How the process was different than what they were expecting
    - What were some of the major challenges and hurdles
    - What did they learn from the process
    - What advice would they give themselves if they were just starting out (or to people who are just starting or are on a behavior journey with their dog).

    Our goal for this episode was to give people hope if they are currently struggling, while also peeling back the curtain to see what this journey actually looks like.

    Hosts Brian Burton and Sarah Fraser are Co-Founders and Co-CEOs of INSTINCT Dog Behavior & Training. Both are Certified Dog Behavior Consultants and have Master's degrees in Animal Behavior from Hunter College/CUNY.

    INSTINCT has 11 locations across the US and services the global community via virtual consults. Over 18,000 students have also taken courses at INSTINCT's online school (with many free courses available): Learn more at https://www.instinctdogtraining.com/

    INSTINCT Resources:

    Online School https://onlineschool.instinctdogtraining.com

    Free Monthly Seminars (Puppy Parenting Roadmap, Rescue Dog Roadmap, Behavior Roadmap): https://www.instinctdogtraining.com/seminars/

    Youtube Version of the Podcast Episode with Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_9aPBvN1sYs

    Locations (all locations service the global community via virtual consults): https://www.instinctdogtraining.com/locations/

  • Have you found yourself on The Struggle Bus with your dog? Or are you currently on it? Whether it's normal (but sometimes challenging) puppy stuff, behavior challenges, a newly adopted dog, or an older dog that has changed recently, it's easy to find ourselves on The Struggle Bus, and it can be difficult to find a way to get off.

    Today we discuss why you are not alone if you are on The Struggle Bus, how to use it as an opportunity to get curious rather than get control, how to be kind to yourself, important tips for the right mindset to move forward, and how to deal with sometimes challenging comments/behaviors from family and friends.

    Our guest today is Megan Ores-Uhrich, Co-Owner of Instinct St. Louis who brings her wealth of experience in behavior consulting and dog training to provide additional input to this conversation.

    Hosts Brian Burton and Sarah Fraser are Co-Founders and Co-CEOs of INSTINCT Dog Behavior & Training. Both are Certified Dog Behavior Consultants and have Master's degrees in Animal Behavior from Hunter College/CUNY.

    INSTINCT has 11 locations across the US and services the global community via virtual consults. Over 18,000 students have also taken courses at INSTINCT's online school (with many free courses available): Learn more at https://www.instinctdogtraining.com/

    INSTINCT Resources:

    Online School https://onlineschool.instinctdogtraining.com

    Free Monthly Seminars (Puppy Parenting Roadmap, Rescue Dog Roadmap, Behavior Roadmap): https://www.instinctdogtraining.com/seminars/

    Youtube Version of the Podcast Episode with Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wixy4GaSYcE

    Locations (all locations service the global community via virtual consults): https://www.instinctdogtraining.com/locations/

  • Today we’re talking about Dog Parks: The Good, The Bad, The Ugly (cue the scary music).

    Among dog training professionals, opinions on dog parks vary greatly. And for many owners, using a dog park can often feel like a necessity, and/or it can sometimes feel scary to use.

    So today we discuss the risks with dog parks, when it's appropriate to use them, and how can you increase the likelihood that your dog will have a fun and safe experience.

    Our guests to help us navigate this conversation today are Trina Walsh, part owner of Instinct East Harlem (and East Harlem's resident dog-dog expert), and Megan Coryat, CDBC who is the owner of Instinct Hudson Valley (prior to Instinct Hudson Valley, she owned the Manhattan dog daycare, Doggedly Devoted).

    Hosts Brian Burton and Sarah Fraser are Co-Founders and Co-CEOs of INSTINCT Dog Behavior & Training. Both are Certified Dog Behavior Consultants and have Master's degrees in Animal Behavior from Hunter College/CUNY.

    INSTINCT has 11 locations across the US and services the global community via virtual consults. Learn more at https://www.instinctdogtraining.com/ . You can also check out Instinct's Online School, which has over 18,000 enrolees, for a variety of online courses.

    INSTINCT Resources:

    Online School https://onlineschool.instinctdogtraining.com

    Free Monthly Seminars (Puppy Parenting Roadmap, Rescue Dog Roadmap, Behavior Roadmap): https://www.instinctdogtraining.com/seminars/

    Audio format found on Apple Music, Spotify, Google Podcasts or at our link here: https://dogsunknown.buzzsprout.com/

    Locations (all locations service the global community via virtual consults): https://www.instinctdogtraining.com/locations/

  • Today we’re covering a topic that applies to EVERYONE who shares their home with a dog - whether it’s a brand new puppy, a totally happy-go-lucky, loves-everyone-and-everything dog, or a dog with fear, anxiety, or aggression issues.

    We’re talking about CONFLICT that arises in your relationship with your dog - and more specifically, we’re talking about how your dog (and you) approaches conflict and tries to resolve it. Conflict is a normal and unavoidable part of any relationship - including the relationship between you and your dog (and, if you have a multi-dog household, the relationship between your two dogs).It becomes a problem when the strategies used by an individual (or individuals) to try to resolve the problem are physically or emotionally harmful to the other party. Within our Nature Driven Nurture framework, we identify FOUR main conflict resolution styles that dogs use to try to deal with conflict when it arises - both with humans, and with other dogs.Those include Peacemakers, Ostriches, Warriors, and Tasmanian DevilsUnderstanding your dog’s conflict resolution style (and reflecting on your own!) is a huge piece of the puzzle when it comes to maintaining a peaceful household, and to protecting the relationship between you and your dog, or between the dogs in your household

    Hosts Brian Burton and Sarah Fraser are Co-Founders and Co-CEOs of INSTINCT Dog Behavior & Training. Both are Certified Dog Behavior Consultants and have Master's degrees in Animal Behavior from Hunter College/CUNY.

    INSTINCT has 11 locations across the US and services the global community via virtual consults. Learn more at https://www.instinctdogtraining.com

    INSTINCT Resources:

    Online SchoolFree Monthly Seminars (Puppy Parenting Roadmap, Rescue Dog Roadmap, Behavior Roadmap)YouTube Channel (video episodes of the podcast)Locations (all locations service the global community via virtual consults)
  • Brian and Sarah react to the recent study on dog breed and behavior which has caused some controversy in the dog world. Brian and Sarah both have graduate degrees in Animal Behavior and bring a neutral, nuanced take on the results. Both were also listed in the acknowledgments section of the paper as they were on the original brainstorming team for the owner survey questions.

    If you have mixed feelings about this research, you are not alone, and we hope this helps you process the results.

    The study: https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/science.abk0639?fbclid=IwAR2oVInOjq0bjZ4SJU9TsCZOb1XqI3P_hiEmtqdCVBjYyO7kjM4_TNtmVOc

    Twitter thread by one of the authors (Dr. Elinor Karlsson): https://twitter.com/eenork/status/1520450288095797251

    The Atlantic article: https://www.theatlantic.com/science/archive/2022/04/dog-breed-personality-characteristics/629707/

    New York Times: https://www.nytimes.com/2022/04/28/science/dogs-breed-behavior-genes.html

    Popular Science: https://www.popsci.com/science/biggest-myth-about-dog-breeds/

    NPR: https://www.npr.org/2022/04/28/1095390872/dog-breeds-behavior-study

  • Today we have Sarah Fraser back to talk about the common pitfalls and things overlooked during the different phases of your dog’s life; we cover puppyhood, adolescence, adulthood, and the golden senior years. If you have a young dog, you’ll want to listen to the entire episode. If you have an older dog, you can see the timestamps for the various stages in the episode notes below, but it certainly is helpful to listen to these earlier stages and reflect on you and your dog's time during these years.

    If you would like to learn more about life stages and how other areas of your dog’s nature can shape how you best nurture them, you can register for our Nature-Driven Nurture course, which can be purchased at https://onlineschool.instinctdogtraining.com/course/nature-driven-nurture and includes a private Facebook group and bi-weekly drop-in QAs for additional support with Brian Burton, Sarah Fraser, and occasionally owners/trainers of the various Instinct locations.

    Sarah is Co-Founder and Co-CEO of Instinct Dog Training and has a Master’s degree in animal behavior from Hunter College at the City University of New York.

    Note: We will also upload the video recording on our Youtube Channel here: https://www.youtube.com/c/InstinctDogBehaviorTrainingLLC/videos

    Episode Timestamps:

    04:16 Puppyhood

    34:19 Adolescence

    52:00 Adulthood

    1:05:04 Senior Dogs

    Resources:

    Nature-Driven Nurture Course: https://onlineschool.instinctdogtraining.com/course/nature-driven-nurture

    Puppy Resources

    6 Reasons Your Puppy Is Biting You: https://www.instinctdogtraining.com/6-reasons-your-puppy-is-biting-you/

    How to Potty Train Your Puppy: https://www.instinctdogtraining.com/how-to-potty-train-your-puppy/

    AVSAB Position Statement on Puppy Socialization: https://avsab.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/Puppy_Socialization_Position_Statement_Download_-_10-3-14.pdf

    Adolescence Resources

    Navigating Adolescence: https://www.instinctdogtraining.com/canine-teenagers-navigating-early-adolescence-with-your-growing-pup/

    DogLab episode “The Teenage Dog”: https://doglab.buzzsprout.com/815920/4579442-the-teenage-phase-adolescent-dog-with-dr-naomi-harvey

    Adult Dogs:

    Interaction Between Medication Issues and Behavior: https://doglab.buzzsprout.com/815920/4675163-the-sticky-interaction-between-medical-issues-and-behavior-with-dr-chris-pachel

    Senior Dog Resources

    Instinct Programs for Senior Dogs: https://www.instinctdogtraining.com/expertise/senior-dogs/

    AAHA Pain Management Review: https://www.aaha.org/globalassets/02-guidelines/pain-management/2015_aaha_aafp_pain_management_guidelines_for_dogs_and_cats.pdf

  • First, thank you to the tens of thousands of listeners who tuned into season 1. We had a lot of fun, and with your support, we won the Dog Writers Association of America's best podcast of 2020. Something we are really proud of and wouldn’t be possible without all of you!

    Based on feedback, the theme for season two is “the role of dogs as family members”. The lives that dogs live now are very different than how they existed through most of history. And while this comes with benefits for dogs, it also poses new unique challenges.

    To help you navigate the season, this first episode is about Instinct’s Nature-Driven Nurture framework, which helps people parent their dogs in a very individualized way. We hope that by providing this framework, it’s going to help you put all of the 12 episodes of season 2 into context; as information on dog behavior and training can sometimes seem very piecemeal. Our goal is to not only provide access to some of the top dog behavior people in the world but help you understand these topics and how it fits into the broader picture of your dog as a family member.

    - YouTube Link to watch the interview: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k_oYnPouMAc
    - Free Nature-Driven Nurture Mini-Guide: Email us at [email protected] and we'll email you a PDF version of the course materials for free.
    - Pre-Register for the Nature-Driven Nurture Course launching on Feb 28, 2022! This is INSTINCT's in-depth course on Nature-Driven Nurture and includes live bi-weekly drop-in Q&As, and access to our new Nature-Driven Nurture Facebook group. Cost is a one-time fee of $49 but it is discounted to $19.99 for those who pre-register. Sign up here! https://onlineschool.instinctdogtraining.com/course/nature-driven-nurture