The Dog Institute of Williamsburg

If you’re planning to get a new puppy, don’t hesitate to enroll in training with Elizabeth and her team at the Dog Institute. I grew up with dogs and did plenty of prep before bringing home my sheltie, Oslo but there is truly no way I would have been set up for success without Elizabeth. The intro lessons went far beyond basic commands. They helped me thoughtfully set up my home, routine, and expectations for life with a new puppy in Brooklyn. Along the way, we made practical adjustments to everything - my daily schedule, feeding routine, crate size, harness and gear all tailored specifically to Oslo. I got endless insight into the types of enrichment toys that would suit Oslo to which pet stores in the neighborhood have the best chews. Elizabeth has a wealth of knowledge and an incredibly thoughtful approach. She doesn’t just teach skills, she empowers you with the confidence and toolkit you need to raise a well-adjusted, happy pup in NYC. Despite lifelong dog experience, that guidance was invaluable for me. Oslo loves nothing more than his Play & Train sessions. He literally runs into class and sometimes even tries to lead me to the Dog Institute on our walks. The structure of supervised play with both puppies and well-mannered adult dogs has done wonders for his confidence and social skills. I also feel completely at ease leaving Oslo with Elizabeth and her team. Many of the dogs are regulars, which creates a safe, familiar environment that gives me so much peace of mind. Not to mention plenty of adorable photo and video updates.

Elizabeth and everyone at the Dog Institute of Williamsburg were wonderful. We went to them for help training our four-month-old puppy Milo, and they were incredibly helpful from start to finish. The training was very in-depth and detailed, and it made a huge difference for us. It was especially great to see how confident our son became through the process—he felt empowered to help train our puppy and really took pride in it. We couldn’t be happier with the experience and highly recommend them.

We originally planned to foster our little pittie mix and wanted to set him up for success with his future family. He’d already been through so much by 3 months old with an injured paw, very scared, reactive, but always loving. The Dog Institute truly brought him out of his shell. Teacher Ally and Roshni will be his aunties for life, and Elizabeth helped us build an incredible relationship with him. She taught us how to meet him with acceptance and use positive reinforcement to help him work through his fears. To be honest she helped us work through our own fears and weird programming at the same time. It was the best investment we ever made, because he ended up staying with us. We can’t imagine life without him. Thank you, TDI! 💛

There are places that care for dogs… and then there is Dog Institute — a place that loves them with heart and soul. Elizabeth is pure magic. She doesn’t just train dogs — she understands them, feels them, and connects with them on the deepest level. It’s rare and beautiful to witness. Our sweet Monia has blossomed so much thanks to her. The care is five-star, the environment is loving, and the mental stimulation is incredible. We are endlessly grateful. If you’re a dog lover, this place will change your life. Forever thankful, Renata and Boris