Private Training
In-Person
Our Proven
Training
Approach
We are not about one-off sessions or quick fixes. Instead, our innovative program creates transformation through a structured, start-to-finish approach built on clear, evidence-based methods that deliver lasting results.
Our program makes training clear, effective, and sustainable. You never have to guess how many lessons you need or what to focus on. Each program is mapped out from the start and fully tailored to your goals and your dog’s needs.
We begin with 4 private, 90-minute in-person lessons that address the core skills and behaviors needed to produce meaningful, measurable progress. Each session builds on the last, guiding you through a defined sequence that replaces confusion with clarity and scattered effort with structure. Because training takes place one-on-one in your dog’s everyday environment, learning becomes natural and dependable.
The result is a guided program that builds confidence, brings ease, and achieves reliable behavior that enhances life with your dog every day.
Our Methods
People’s Dog Training® adheres to the American Veterinary Society of Animal Behavior (AVSAB) position statement on humane dog training, employing exclusively fear-free, force-free, and reward-based methods grounded in the most current and authoritative scientific evidence.
Free Virtual Consultation
30 Minutes
We begin with a complimentary, no-obligation virtual consultation to understand your goals and learn about your dog’s current stage, behavior, and training needs. From early foundations to complex behavior work, this conversation helps us identify the most appropriate program for long-term success. It also ensures that our approach and style are the right fit for you and your dog. During this consultation, we explain how our structured, program-based training works and why it delivers results beyond traditional single sessions. Program placement is fully personalized and never one-size-fits-all.
The Curriculum
Each program is customized and may draw from one or more of the following curriculum tracks, depending on your goals and your dog’s needs.
-
This Curriculum outlines the full range of puppy training. Puppy training is divided into several programs, and each program teaches the curriculum that matches your puppy’s age, development, and goals.
Puppy training can start at 8 weeks of age.
It teaches practical and social skills vital for puppies to grow into balanced adults, helping them reach their potential, and live happy, active lives.
Our robust puppy training curriculum includes among others:
Housebreaking
Socialization with exposure training
Obedience Cues (release, watch, sit, stay, wait, down, off, drop it, leave-it, come, touch, place, settle, and more.)
Loose leash and heel walking
Home, greeting, and travel manners
Cooperative Care
Enrichment & Elective Activities
Resolves common behaviors (puppy nipping, biting, chewing, barking, jumping, separation tolerance, lack of impulse control, fear, anxiety, and aggression disorders)
And much more!
-
This Curriculum category is not a stand-alone program. Skills from this area may be included in different programs depending on your dog’s age, development, and goals.
Basic obedience helps dogs to listen to cues or gestures to do actions and offer behaviors.
Basic manners teaches dogs to apply their obedience to polite in everyday situations, in and outside the home.
Basic Obedience and manners training includes among others:
Obedience Cues (release, watch, sit, stay, wait, down, off, drop-it, leave-it, come, touch, place, settle, and more.)
Loose Leash Walking
Heal Walking
Home, Greeting, and Travel Manners
-
Behavior modification is a systematic process to help dogs change how they think, feel, and behave towards stimuli that cause them difficulties.
Common behaviors addressed in ou programs may include fear, anxiety, stress, and aggression responses and disorders, among others:
Intolerance to People and Animals
Leash Reactivity
Separation Intolerance
Resource Guarding
Destructive Home Behaviors (Chewing, Digging, Barking)
Noise Phobias
Physical Handling Intolerance
-
This Curriculum category is not a stand-alone program. Skills from this area may be included in different programs depending on your dog’s age, development, and goals.
Socialization helps dogs learn how to behave properly with people and other animals. It builds healthy relationships, prevents and can modify behavioral difficulties.
Exposure training is a positive and deliberate gradual training process that helps dogs learn to handle to different sights, sounds, smells, touches, people, and other animals they will encounter in life.
-
This Curriculum category is not a stand-alone program. Skills from this area may be included in different programs depending on your dog’s age, development, and goals.
Cooperative care uses positive reinforcement and voluntary techniques to teach dogs to accept and participate in being physically handled.
These voluntary and accepting behaviors include among others:
Medication Administration (oral, eye and ear drops, injects, thermometer)
Veterinary Care
Wearing body equipment (collars, harnesses, head halters, boots, coats, muzzles)
Grooming (teeth cleaning, nail trimming, hair cut, brushing, blow and towel
Being handling in social encounters
-
Transition support facilitates a healthy adjustment for newly adopted dogs into their new home while addressing any preexisting behavior challenges.
Rates
Programs begin at $900 depending on the curriculum, goals, and session format.
All programs begin with a 4-session format, with each private session lasting 90 minutes. Advanced or multi-behavior cases may require additional sessions, which are determined during your free consultation to ensure transparency from the start. Some programs include both private sessions and group classes as part of a bundled curriculum.
Programs
-
Begins at 4 sessions · 90-minute format · Session count set at consultation · From $950
Additional Dog Fee: From $240 per program.
Leash Reactivity Program
Builds relationship and routine at home, strengthens obedience and loose-leash skills, and uses systematic desensitization and exposure to change emotional responses to triggers. The result is a calmer, more focused dog who can walk with confidence and reliability in real-world settings.
Separation Intolerance ProgramDevelops independence and confidence through structured alone-time training, enrichment, targeted obedience, and environmental strategies that promote emotional balance and fear, anxiety, and stress prevention. The result is a dog who feels secure and confident in their own space, able to self-regulate and find comfort in independence, creating genuine peace of mind for both dog and guardian.
Custom Behavior Modification Program
This fully customized program addresses behaviors outside of leash reactivity and separation disorders including fear, anxiety, stress, aggression, transitioning an newly adopted shelter or rescue dog, and dogs with complex or overlapping behavior challenges. Training may include systematic desensitization, exposure and socialization training, confidence building, enrichment, and targeted obedience to create balanced, lasting behavioral change. The result is a more resilient, well-adjusted dog capable of navigating daily life with confidence and stability.Behaviors addressed include, but are not limited to: aggression disorders, stranger and animal sensitivity, stress induced inappropriate elimination, resource guarding, intra-household dog to dog aggression, prep for a new baby or children, and more.
-
4-part program · 90-minute sessions · Optional group class bundle · From $900
Additional Dog Fee: From $240 per program.
For puppies learning early skills, structure, and confidence. Addresses housebreaking, nipping, calmness, exposure, socialization, prevention of early separation issues, the core obedience cues that create routine and focus at home. The result is a more manageable puppy that starts to listen, settle, and respond to guidance, gaining the early education and structure needed to develop manners, impulse control, and confidence.
-
4-part program · 90-minute sessions · Optional group class bundle · From $900
Additional Dog Fee: From $240 per program.
Manners & Leash Program
Focuses on polite home behaviors, greetings behaviors, loose leash walking, and prevention of early separation issues while expanding everyday obedience skills. The result is a more attentive and self-controlled dog that understands how to behave politely at home and on leash, building the foundation for dependable manners and confident communication with their guardian.
Real World ProgramStrengthens leash reliability, public manners, on-leash greetings, socialization, urban adaptability, and travel readiness through guided exposure in real environments. The result is a well-prepared, adaptable dog that can stay focused and responsive in diverse settings, turning training into practical, reliable behavior wherever life takes you.
-
Variable program · 90-minute sessions · Optional group class & AKC CGC evaluation bundle · From $998
Additional Dog Fee: From $240 per program.
Combines precision training, distraction work, public access skills, and/or American Kennel Club Canine Good Citizen test preparation, evaluation, with bundled class. Designed for families ready for reliable performance in real-world settings, and/or those pursuing future therapy or service dog training.
Service Areas
Santa Monica and the surrounding Westside Communities
Meet Your Dog Trainer & Behavior
Consultant
Meet Carmen
Founder and Certified Dog Trainer & Behavior Consultant
Private Sessions & Group Dog Training Classes Instructor, AKC Family Dog Program Evaluator, Judge, and Instructor
-
Bachelor of Arts (with double majors)
University of California, Berkeley
Certified Dog Trainer, ABCDT
Animal Behavior College, Honors Distinction
Certified Service Dog Trainer, ABCSDT
Animal Behavior College
Certified Animal Trainer, FFCP
Fear Free®
Approved Evaluator
American Kennel Club Canine Good Citizen®
Approved Evaluator
American Kennel Club Temperament Test
Approved Judge
American Kennel Club Fetch
Approved Instructor
American Kennel Club FIT DOG
Graduate, Fear Free Shelters™
Fear Free®
Certificate, Aggression in Dogs
Master Course, Michael Shikashio CDBC
Authorized Mentor Trainer
Animal Behavior College
Certified Pet CPR & First Aid
American Red Cross & Animal Behavior College
-
Pet Expert News Guest
KCRW Press Play with Madeleine Brand
Santa Monica Mirror
YO! Venice
Brentwood News
Century City/Westwood News
Westside Today
Palisades News
Watch, Read, Listen: Interviews
News Features
Spectrum News 1 Socal Everyday Heroes,
The Argonaut
Pet Sitter’s World
Guest Columnist
Pet of the Week, Column, Santa Monica Daily Press
-
American Kennel Club®
Association of Professional Dog Trainers
International Association of Animal Behavior Consultants
Pet Sitters Associates, LLC
Professional United Pet Sitters, LLC
Santa Monica Chamber of Commerce
Buy Local Santa Monica
-
City of Santa Monica Most Loved Pet Service 2025
City of Santa Monica Most Loved Pet Services 20021, 2022, 2023, 2024 and Independent Business 2024,
Los Angeles Times Best of the Southland’s Westside, Downtown, and East LA Dog Trainer 2023
Santa Monica Mirror Group’s Best of Pet Services Santa Monica 2021
-
CAMP (Community Animal Medicine Project)
501(c)(3) Nonprofit Organization
501(c)(3) Nonprofit Organization
501(c)(3) Nonprofit Animal Rescue Organization
501(c)(3) Nonprofit Organization
501(c)(3) Nonprofit Organization
-
Santa Monica Animal Shelter (5,000+ Volunteer Hours)
EZ Heart & Soul Rescue & Sanctuary
Santa Monica Animal Shelter Foundation, Chairman of the Board, 2020-2021