Private Dog Behavior & Training

Adding a dog to your family is one of life’s most worthwhile and rewarding experiences! Nevertheless, far too often, families endure a tremendous amount of frustration and stress due to the overwhelming nature of training their dogs on their own, and/or chronic behavioral challenges from their beloved dogs.

Soda, our director of socialization for our dog behavior and training program!

As a result of this, a dog’s potential may become hindered, and depending on the severity of a dog’s problem behavior(s), they may experience prolonged suffering, and struggle to thrive. Some are re-homed, and even relinquished to animal shelters. An appropriate dog behavior and training program custom fit for your dog and family can not only help to address and avoid these circumstances, but your dog has the potential to be a happy and well adjusted family member. In response to this, we offer dog behavior and training that utilizes science and rewards-based, positive reinforcement methods. We also believe that your relationship with your dog is the glue that holds any training together while also strengthening your deep and meaningful bond. From puppies, adults, to mature dogs, to basic obedience, manners, behavior modification, or transitioning your newly adopt a dog into your home, let us give you the tools and insight to help your dog to grow to their fullest potential with you and in real world!

Visit our Private Puppy Behavior and Training Page to learn more about our private puppy training program.

Our Approach

Santa Monica Animal Shelter, Shelter Dog, Truman © 2020 Sharon Hardy Ludwig

Specializing in shelter and rescue dogs, and puppies, our program is for dogs of all ages, breeds, and sizes. Based in science, we utilize an ethical and force-free method known as the Least Intrusive, Minimally Aversive (LIMA) approach, with rewards and positive reinforcement.

To maintain the effectiveness of our approach, we continue to evolve our program as the studies and research of dog behavior evolves. Our goal is not only teach your dog to acquire coping mechanism and practical skills to thrive with you and in the real world, but to guide you to the tools and insight to build and maintain your dog’s training so that it is sustainable over time. Ultimately, we strive to empower you to be the dog trainer so that you may continue your dog’s training far beyond your time with us.

Complimentary Virtual Meet-And-Greet

To help you determine if our program is a good fit for you and your family, we offer a free, no-obligation virtual meet-and-greet for our private and virtual dog behavior and training programs. While evaluations and training and treatment plans are limited to scheduled training sessions, your virtual meet-and-greet is an opportunity to meet our dog behaviorist and trainer. It is your time to ask questions, discuss your dog's needs and your training goals, while also exploring our behavior and training approach and principles. Duration of virtual meet-and-greets last approximately 15 minutes.

Get Started

Services

Private In-Person Dog Behavior & Training

Our one-on-one private dog behavior and training program begins with a free no-obligation virtual meet-and-greet to explore our program to help you determine if our program is the right fit for you and your family. The first scheduled is session is a 90 minute initial consultation is scheduled and covers an evaluation, foundation, resources, and a treatment and/or training plan that is is custom fit to meet your resources, dog training needs, and goals. After that, each session lasts 60 minute and continues the cultivation of customized treatment and training plans. In between sessions, we are a resource for any follow-up questions to support your dog’s progress, and build upon future sessions. This program includes treatment and/or training plans for basic obedience, basic manners, behavior modification, and treatment and training for recently adopted dogs.

Visit our Private Puppy Behavior and Training Page to learn more about our private puppy training program.

Virtual Dog Behavior & Training

Like our one-on-one private in-person dog training program, this program begins with a free no-obligation virtual meet-and-greet. The first scheduled session is a 90 minute initial consultation that covers an evaluation, foundation, resources, and a treatment and/or training plan that is is custom fit to meet your resources, dog training needs, and goals. After that, each session lasts 60 minute and continues the cultivation of customized treatment and training plans. In between sessions, we are a resource for any follow-up questions and support to maximize your dog’s progress in their current training plan, and build upon future sessions. Best of all, you can participate from anywhere in the world! This program includes treatment and/or training plans for basic obedience, basic manners, behavior modification, and treatment and training for recently adopted dogs.All you need is a strong Internet connection, and access to the Zoom virtual meeting platform.

Visit our Private Puppy Behavior and Training Page to learn more about our private puppy training program.

Behavior & Training Programs

Transition Training for Recently Adopted Dogs

Transition treatment and training supports and facilitates a healthy, positive, and happy adjustment for newly adopted dogs into their new home and with their human and animal family members. It also addresses behavior challenges present and/or inherent in their disposition upon adoption.

Basic Obedience & Manners

Basic obedience training, enables dogs to reliably respond to cues that include verbal, hand gestures, specific sounds, and body language, to perform specific actions like sit, stay, come, leave-it, off. Basic manners address the ability for dogs to be polite and offer manners in basic encounters not limited to meeting and greeting new and familiar people and animals, walking through a crowd, waiting patiently. the ability to practice self-control in excited situations.

Behavior Modification

Behavior modification is a methodical approach to changing a dog’s reaction to a provoking stimulus. It examines what a dog is experiencing when provoked, why, when, where, and how their particular behavioral challenges happen, like issues with, hyperactivity, fear, anxiety, and aggression disorders. This informs an appropriate approach to help change the way a dog thinks, feels and acts towards a stimulus that they may struggle with.

Puppy Behavior & Training.

Visit our Private Puppy Behavior and Training Page to learn more about our puppy training program.

Puppy training is comprehensive and teaches basic obedience, manners and the essential practical and behavioral skills needed to cope, thrive, and remain well adjusted in the home and real world as they mature into adults. It prevents many common behavioral issues that may be developed into adulthood, and aids in facilitating the management of future unique behavioral challenges, ultimately promoting their unique potential as dogs. Puppy training can start at 8 weeks of age.

Rates & Information

SERVICE AREA

We provide private dog behavior and training to Santa Monica and all areas approximately 10 miles from Santa Monica. Virtual Dog Behavior & Training is available worldwide.

After the virtual-meet-and-greet, our private dog behavior and training program, in-person and virtual, starts with a 90 minute initial consultation. Initial consultations cover an evaluation, foundation, resources, and a treatment and/or training plan. After the initial consultation, all session last 1 hour and continues the cultivation of customized treatment and training plans.

Initial Consultation

In-Person $165

Duration: 90 Minutes

+ $50 Each additional dog

Virtual $135

Duration: 90 Minutes

+ $50 Each additional dog