Business Details
21 Years
experience
Your Trusted Partner for Pet Care & Training in NYC
Founded in 2005 by certified dog trainer Elena Gretch, It's a Dog's Life NY has established itself as New York City's premier pet care and training service. Our team of CPR-certified, bonded, and insured professionals bring decades of combined experience in animal behavior and urban pet development. We specialize in science-based training methods that emphasize positive reinforcement and operant conditioning, addressing unique challenges faced by city pets. Our services extend beyond basic care to include customized solutions for puppy socialization, behavior modification, and weight management. As an eco-friendly business, we integrate sustainable practices while maintaining an impeccable safety record. Featured in The New York Times, CNN, and The London Telegraph, our reputation is built on consistent, loving care and personalized attention to each pet's needs.We serve prestigious NYC hotels and residences, offering 24/7 client support for emergencies. Our Urban Dog Development philosophy has successfully resolved complex behavioral issues for thousands of pets, supported by detailed daily report cards tracking each animal's progress. Committed to animal rescue and community education, we partner with organizations like the ASPCA to promote responsible pet ownership. This combination of expertise, innovation, and genuine care has earned us a nomination for the NAPPs Pet Sitter Business of the Year Award.
Services
Dog Walking
Pet Training
Overnight Sitting
Puppy Care
Cat Visits
Veterinary Transport
Medication Administration
Grooming Transport
Behavior Modification
Urban Dog Development
Details
- Year established: 2005
Highlights and features
- Certified by the Certification Council for Professional Dog Trainers (CCPDT)
- Nominated for NAPPs Pet Sitter Business of the Year Award
- Featured in The New York Times, CNN, and The London Telegraph
- Personalized care with daily report cards tracking pet progress
- Eco-friendly practices protecting pets and urban environments
What people say
Loving and professional
Excellent training methods
Reliable service
Personalized attention
Detailed reports
Services
Dog Walking
Our professional dog walking service provides customized routes and attention to each pet's needs. We offer private walks, social walks for socialization, and exercise-focused sessions. All walks include paw cleaning, fresh water, and organic treats while maintaining detailed activity reports.
Pet Training
Science-based training programs address obedience, behavior modification, and urban adaptation. Services include virtual coaching, clicker training, and problem-solving sessions using positive reinforcement methods. Our certified trainers develop customized plans for puppies and adult dogs with specific behavioral challenges.
Overnight Sitting
In-home pet sitting services maintain pets' routines while owners travel. Options include hourly visits and full 24-hour care with personalized attention to feeding, medication, and exercise requirements. Clients receive photo updates and detailed activity reports during their absence.
Puppy Care
Specialized puppy programs focus on early socialization, housebreaking, and basic obedience training. Services include puppy visits, walking sessions, and private training classes that establish foundational skills while addressing specific developmental needs in urban environments.
Cat Visits
Professional cat care services provide in-home visits for feeding, playtime, and litter maintenance. Our specialists deliver consistent care that maintains cats' routines while owners are away, ensuring proper nutrition and environmental enrichment for feline companions.
People
Elena Gretch
Founder & Certified Dog Trainer
Certified by the Certification Council for Professional Dog Trainers, Elena founded the company in 2005 after graduating from NYU Stern School of Business. She developed the Urban Dog Development philosophy and has been featured in major media outlets for her expertise in pet behavior and training.
Questions
What pet services do you offer in NYC?
We provide dog walking, training, overnight sitting, puppy programs, cat visits, and specialized services like behavior modification and urban adaptation training for pets in New York City.
Are your pet care professionals certified?
Yes, our team includes CPR-certified, bonded, and insured professionals with expertise in positive reinforcement training methods and urban pet development challenges.
Do you offer 24/7 pet care services?
While we maintain regular business hours, we offer emergency support and flexible scheduling options to accommodate urgent pet care needs outside standard operating hours.
How do you handle pet medication administration?
Experienced team members can administer oral or injectable medications following veterinary consultation and client authorization with proper documentation of each administration.
What training methods do you use?
We employ science-based positive reinforcement techniques and operant conditioning methods developed through our Urban Dog Development philosophy for effective, humane pet training.
Can you care for multiple pets in one household?
Yes, our services accommodate multiple pets with adjusted pricing and customized care plans to meet the specific needs of each animal in the household.
Reviews (4)
Margaret Wolfson
Jun 10, 2021
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I did two video training sessions with Elena who offered expert advice and activities. The only downside was the lack of outdoor training with my dog who is leash reactive. Hopefully, outdoor work will resume soon. Otherwise, excellent sessions.
Lisa Sigloch
Jan 02, 2021
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Everything about Elena, Robyn and It's A Dog's Life has been WONDERFUL! My daughter and I are so proud of our well mannered and well trained pup. We started training with Elena when our pup was 3 months old and loved our experience so much that we are still scheduling occasional video sessions (during COVID) to say hi and check in. Elena helped us through some challenging life transitions which could have resulted in unhappy behavior from our pup. She reminded us (all) to use the skills and tools she taught us from day one and to be consistent. She is amazing and has made such a positive impact on our lives!
Pauline L.
Mar 27, 2018
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I could not recommend IADL highly enough! Our pup Volk is a particular one, and every walker we've had somehow gets him to fall in love with them. Adrianna leaves notes every day with little anecdotes from their walks, and ensures that Volk is getting the best care. Not sure what we'd do without this wonderful team who makes our little fur baby their top priority. Thank you!
Sally S.
Jan 20, 2016
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It is unbelievable how much just one 2 hour training session helped. I think I have the greatest dog in the world, but she did have her moments. Elena showed me how to behave when my dog started acting up and it has made all the difference. The training sessions were so helpful. And if possible have made me love my dog even more.
