K9 Instincts

4.4 (48)

160 Willow Ln, Portsmouth, RI 02871
(401) 640-0626
k9instincts.com

Claimed
Dog trainer

Accessibility

  • Wheelchair accessible entrance

Reviews

Reviews are sorted by relevance, with the most helpful and insightful feedback listed first for easy reference.

Write a Review

Patricia Bain

2024-04

I can’t say enough about K9 Instincts. We sent our two dogs for training. It wasn’t easy to be without the dogs but the results were well worth the sacrifice!! Storm and Berlin came home much more disciplined. Would HIGHLY recommend!!

diane torres

2024-04

We have a four year old German shepherd and he was a habdful. Zeus has been going to k9 instincts for a few years now and he loves it. No anxiety while he is there or on drop off or pickup. He does very well . We not only board Zeus with them but they train him as well. He is so much better more relaxed not so full of anxiety . Emily gets Zeus to do things that I just shake my head. If your looking for a place whether for boarding or training with people that care about your family pets this is a great facility.

Jay DeArruda

2024-04

Our St.Bernard "Wally" was trained and boarded at K-9 Instincts...They are awesome!

Leslie Lee

2023-08

We have a 1.5 year old lad mix. Gus originally went for the board and stay program at 14 months. He was there for four weeks. We originally brought Gus to Brit and Matt with some Leash reactive behaviors, along with high anxiety when separated from us. They worked on crate training, E collar training, and overall confidence building. It has been a game changer for our family and Gus, he is very happy to go back there when we need him to be boarded. When Gus is there for boarding, he comes back with his skills sharpened. Your dog will be in great hands with the k9 instincts staff.

Andrew Potter

2022-05

We brought my fearful dog Willie there for a three week board and train program. Willie was exceptionally fear based and the team at K9 Instincts helped Willie come out of his shell some which was great to see. We got him back certainly better trained with a core baseline of commands that he listens to. Matt and Britt are not there to just rubber stamp your dog and send you on your way. They take the time to assure that they're giving you back your dog once they're happy with the progression.People need to realize that the use of an e-collar is there as a correction and to not hurt your dog. The dependence of the collar is the only issue I have with this form of training and why I thought about going with 4 stars rather than 5. Matt and Britt are exceptionally good at their job and I would strongly recommend giving them a visit.

Pattie Featherstone

2024-03

I can’t thank you enough! Duncan is a totally different pup! Tanks still follows all the commands too.

Marci Savery

2023-08

I recently had the pleasure of using K9 Instincts for dog boarding and training services, and I must say that I was thoroughly impressed with their professionalism and expertise. From the very beginning, their team demonstrated a deep understanding of dog behavior and training techniques. When I dropped off my dog, I felt confident that he was in capable hands. The staff at K9 Instincts showed genuine care and concern for my dog's well-being, and they took the time to understand his individual needs and behaviors. During the boarding and training period, I received regular updates on my dog's progress, which kept me reassured and informed about his development. When I finally picked him up, I was delighted to see the positive changes in his behavior. He was more obedient and well-behaved, which was a testament to the quality of training he received.I truly appreciate the dedication and professionalism exhibited by the team at K9 Instincts. They are clearly knowledgeable about dog training, and their expertise shines through in the results they achieve. I can confidently recommend K9 Instincts to anyone seeking boarding and training services for their beloved pets. My experience with K9 Instincts has been exceptional, and I will undoubtedly entrust them with my dog's care in the future. Thank you for providing a safe and nurturing environment for Gizmo!

tamra raymond

2019-05

Best training facility around! My rescue Chihuahua was just a scared little guy before going here. Now he's happy,confident, very well behaved and I proudly take him everywhere with me! Thank you K9 Instincts for giving my guy the life he deserves!

Zach Corrente

2023-07

I wish there was an option for more than 5 stars honestly. The team at K9 Instincts were so professional throughout the whole process. My dog Simon really struggled with separation anxiety and obedience, K9 Instincts pulled through with flying colors. Was the investment cheap? No. But in the long run it is worth it. I can honestly say when I get a second dog this will be the only trainer I will give my money too.

Will Meade

2023-05

We brought our Aussie , Ranger , to Matt and Brittany to work on his manners among many other things ! They were straight forward about why they thought he had become a "brat" and needed to learn who the boss was again. When we got Ranger back , he could finally ride with us in the car again without going nuts. We were able to take him on walks without pulling. We could bring him to family members' houses and he would sit and chill. These were all impossible tasks before. Once the dog is turned back over to you, it's the owners responsibility to continue the training and bring it to another level.

sadie santsaver

2023-05

My husband and I were nervous to send our 2 year old dog to K9 instincts because we didn’t want to lose his caring and loving personality. His separation anxiety was so bad that he needed to be in the same room as us and seeing us at all the times. Otherwise he barked constantly. He also never listen to a word we said no matter how much we rewarded him for good behavior. Matt was super helpful during our consultation and answered all of our questions and was confident enough to tell us that they can help our dog. When we went to go pick him up we met Emily and Britney and they were so amazing and it felt like our dog had a second family there. As soon as we saw him with Emily as she was walking him, were so shocked by how confident he looked and how amazing he was listening. We couldn’t believe this was our same dog. I strongly recommend K9 instincts to anyone who has a dog because we couldn’t be happier with the results!!!

Connie Roberts

2023-05

K9 Instincts trained my German Shepard rescue and pug. The unlikiest of combinations! My GSD is 6 months old and extremely hyper and lacks self confidence. I loved the staff right away when I met them. They were great with my dogs! I picked them up after a month of training and was blown away with their ability to follow commands in such a short time. I would 100% use them again. Especially for a difficult dog.

Sven Soderberg

2020-05

I recently boarded my 5 month old female Belgian Malinois. I picked her up 17 days later a shockingly well behaved dog. Matt and Brittany are both extremely easy to work with and their knowledge and experience was immediately apparent during the evaluation. It was confirmed during the pick up seeing the transformation in my dog. I highly recommend training with K9 Instincts.

Brett Weiner

2021-05

I live in Connecticut and went here because of the positive results in dog training I have heard! We just brought home my previously unruly Boston Terrier from here complete positive turn around I've seen comments about the "E-collar" being inhumane which is far from true. The collar has been on him and with out pressing any buttons he completes his command with out hesitation! If and when i get another dog they will be coming here for proper training. Awesome work I highly recommend!

Lynne Torrey

2020-05

I cannot say enough about how happy I am with my German Shepherd. I bought her from K9 Instincts and she is everything I hoped for in a dog - intelligent, loyal, healthy, friendly, beautiful...I could go on and on. I sent Schultzie for training at K9 Instincts when she was 5 months old and I constantly get compliments on her excellent behavior. I also am completely comfortable with leaving her at the kennel while I go away - and as a bonus she gets a "tune-up" on her training. I highly recommendK9 Instincts for anything to do with a dog!

Timothy Ferraro

2019-05

I recently just picked up my 1y/o German Shepherd from Matt and Brittany. They do amazing work and train the dogs sent to them in a way where they don't lose their personality but the obedience changes completely! Ace is still a happy and goofy pup but I have his full attention whenever I need him to listen. I feel more confident when I have him at the park and even around the house because I know how well K9 Instinct trained him. I have to admit, at first I was very skeptical because I was nervous and didn't want Ace to be gone for three weeks but the difference it made has only been positive.I highly recommend sending your dog over to K9 if they need some obedience training. Thanks for everything Matt and Brittany!

Neil Donovan

2020-05

Did a great job with Phoebe. Life is much easier if your pet actually behaves. Much thanks to the great peeps at K-9 INSTINCTS.

Jennifer LaBore

2021-05

We were struggling with our German Shepard puppy Cooper who had extreme anxiety towards cars which made walking unbearable. We brought him to K9 Instincts and it was the absolute best thing we could have done for him. We were afraid he would lose his silly personality and become a soldier but he came home with the same silliness but his anxiety is completely under control and he is able to enjoy walking and being around new people and place. We cannot thank K9 Instincts enough and we strongly recommend their training program.

Dana DiMarco

2016-05

The level of service, dedication & passion Matt & his team had for training our dog Gary, was unprecedented. I've been a dog-owner all my life & never have a had greater pleasure interacting with folks in this field as I have with K9 Instincts. Gary went into training a "pretty good dog" & came out of training a SUPER-DOG! We have the ability to walk & hike with him off leash without fear of him jumping on others whom we pass or get "too playful" with other dogs. He was 3 when we rescued him & had ZERO training but you would never think that now! He's become a part of our pack & we are eternally grateful to K9 Instincts for their help AND their continued support when we board him during times when we travel. We owe Gary's newfound happiness & freedom to these folks.

k s

2019-05

They can call it "e-collar" all they want, but this is a shock collar training facility. I've never seen a dog come out of here that is able to obey commands without the collar. This is where lazy people go to stick their dog for a few weeks under the belief they don't have to do any of their own training. The reality of shock collar training is that it only suppresses behavior based on fear of pain WHEN WEARING A SHOCK COLLAR, it doesn't actually teach your dog anything. Indeed it's been proven time and time again that the fear of pain exacerbates behavioral issues in dogs. This guy is a great salesman and will tell you "it isn't that bad," having you test it on a low setting, never letting the customer experience the power they use on animals. This place, and all shock trainers, should be shut down. "Boarding" is a sad, scary set of runs and your dog will be lucky to see outside once, maybe twice a day. Obviously, this trainer isn't educated on the science of dog behavior and is satisfied enough with sad, scared dogs that are shells of their former selves. Do your own research. What kind of dog owner do you want to be? Is your dog family, or just an accessory?I eagerly await the nonsense, factless, straight-up lie of a response from the owner to this review.

Chris Pfeffer

2016-05

We had our dog with Matt and Britt for 3 weeks and the results were very good. I'd recommend them to anyone that wants to have their dog trained but not have the dog loose their personality. Great Job!

Rosemary Murphy

2019-05

I would like to have my 10 month old puppy trained by them but didn't want to leave her alone in a kennel overnight. She didn't like being crated. I was willing to drop her off early in the morning and pick her up in the evening for 2 weeks. I understand the reason. But wish they were more flexible

Pam Sampson

2015-05

I have been boarding my dog here for about 8 years. Matt & the staff at K9 Instincts are really easy to work with and are terrific to my Rachel. I can't thank them enough for their care of her while I am away.

John Watson

2023-05

Matt is abusive and uses shock collar training. Do not leave your dog with this company. Scary stuff.

K. G.

2024-04

Avoid! 2 dogs have died in their care!!

Lorri Mariposa

2022-05

Jessica is a fantastic trainer, her kind personality and firm disposition with dogs through patience and repetition really shines through quickly.

Allan Gray

2023-11

Great dog trainer... would recommend them again...

Avier Sierra

2023-09

Great trainers. IVY League University of dogs I will say.

Curtis Maderios

2022-05

They trained my daughter's puppy and she came back much more behaved. Worth every.

Justin Case

2023-05

A bit pricey, worth every penny. Matt, Britt, and the team are awesome.

Opening Hours

Monday 8 AM-8 PM
Tuesday 8 AM-8 PM
Wednesday 8 AM-8 PM
Thursday 8 AM-8 PM
Friday 8 AM-8 PM
Saturday 8 AM-8 PM
Sunday 8 AM-8 PM

QR Code

Scan the QR code to leave a review.

Pet Stores in the USA

Discover an extensive listing of reputable pet stores offering their products and services across the country. Find dependable solutions for all your pet care needs with ease.

Broswe by Population

Broswe By States

Browse by Alphabet