As we move through 2025, Los Angeles continues to be a hub for dedicated pet owners seeking top-tier training for their canine companions. The demand for effective, humane, and personalized dog training solutions remains high, driving a competitive market of skilled professionals. Whether you’re welcoming a new puppy, addressing challenging behaviors, or aiming for advanced obedience, finding a highly-rated trainer is crucial for fostering a harmonious relationship with your dog. This article highlights some of the most recommended dog trainers and training academies in Los Angeles for 2025, celebrated for their impactful methods and positive client feedback.
What Makes a Dog Trainer Highly Rated in 2025?
In today’s dog training landscape, highly-rated trainers consistently demonstrate several key qualities:
- Science-Based & Humane Methods: A strong emphasis on positive reinforcement, ethical treatment, and understanding canine behavior through scientific principles.
- Personalization: Ability to tailor programs to individual dog personalities, breed traits, and owner lifestyles.
- Proven Results: A track record of successful transformations across various behavioral issues and obedience goals.
- Owner Empowerment: A focus on educating owners with the knowledge and skills to continue training and maintain behaviors long-term.
- Professionalism & Communication: Clear communication, reliability, and a supportive demeanor throughout the training journey.
- Diverse Program Offerings: Providing a range of options like in-home training, board-and-train, and group classes to suit different needs.
Top-Rated Dog Trainers and Programs in Los Angeles for 2025
Based on consistent positive feedback, extensive experience, and comprehensive service offerings, here are some of Los Angeles’s most highly recommended dog trainers Los Angeles and academies:
1. Fun Paw Care
- Why they’re recommended: Led by a Certified Expert Behaviorist, Russell Hartstein, Fun Paw Care is consistently praised for its science-based, holistic approach to addressing complex behavioral problems. They offer intensive one-on-one Board & Train programs on a 5-acre ranch, private in-home sessions, and specialized puppy training. Their focus on understanding a dog’s psychological and emotional state, combined with positive reinforcement, yields profound transformations. Russell Hartstein is also recognized by Dr. Jane Goodall for his dedication.
- Specialties: Behavior modification (aggression, separation anxiety, potty training), puppy training, Board & Train, private lessons.
2. Dog Training Elite Los Angeles
- Why they’re recommended: With over 40 years of collective experience, Dog Training Elite is highly regarded for its effective, real-world training programs. They emphasize empowering owners and dogs to build strong, lasting bonds. Their flexible and customized approach ensures dogs of any breed, size, or age can achieve sustained obedience and address issues like anxiety and aggression. They offer in-home training, group classes, and specialized service dog training.
- Specialties: Obedience training, service dog training, aggression and anxiety management, puppy training, group training.
3. Elevated Canine Academy
- Why they’re recommended: Elevated Canine Academy is known for its customized training solutions that factor in a dog’s breed, age, and specific challenges. They offer Day Training, immersive Board & Train programs, and Private Lessons. Their balanced approach, utilizing positive reinforcement, helps dogs master complex commands and build reliable responses in high-distraction environments. They also specialize in advanced obedience and service dog training.
- Specialties: Basic to advanced obedience, service dog training, behavior modification, Day Training, Board & Train, private lessons.
4. The Dog Savant (Brett Endes)
- Why he’s recommended: Brett Endes is a veteran trainer and canine behavior consultant with over 30 years of experience. He is frequently sought after for his ability to work with challenging issues like dog aggression, severe separation anxiety, and leash pulling, often succeeding with dogs deemed “untrainable.” He primarily focuses on private, in-home lessons and offers weekly group sessions for current and past clients, emphasizing a holistic approach with proven, balanced training methods.
- Specialties: Behavior modification, aggression, anxiety, puppy training, real-world obedience, rescue dog training.
5. “I Said Sit!” School for Dogs
- Why they’re recommended: This school is highly rated for its “Training-First” philosophy, emphasizing individualized plans and reward-based methods. They offer a comprehensive range of group classes for puppies and adult dogs, covering basic manners to Canine Good Citizen prep. Their structured daycare and boarding school programs are consistently praised for training success and integrating pet parents into the process.
- Specialties: Puppy training, adult manners, reactive dog issues, group classes, boarding school programs.
6. Happy Paws Dog Training LA (Raquel)
- Why they’re recommended: Raquel is highly praised as a dog behavior specialist, particularly for her “One-Day In-Home Intensive” training sessions. Clients report significant and often rapid transformations in behaviors like potty training, jumping, and rough play. She focuses on helping owners understand their dogs and building a deeper bond.
- Specialties: Behavior modification, obedience, one-day intensive training, in-home training.
7. Tully’s Training
- Why they’re recommended: Tully’s Training is known for its customized approach, designing programs individually based on each client’s needs. They use positive reinforcement techniques and offer in-home training, online training, and classes at Healthy Spot locations. They have experience with a wide range of behaviors, from basic obedience to aggression and fear.
- Specialties: Customized training, positive reinforcement, in-home training, online training, behavioral problems.
8. Zoom Room (Various LA Locations)
- Why they’re recommended: A popular choice for group classes and agility training, Zoom Room offers a fun, positive reinforcement environment. Pet owners appreciate their focus on building confidence and strengthening the human-dog bond through engaging activities.
- Specialties: Group classes, agility, puppy classes, private training, positive reinforcement.
Conclusion
Los Angeles offers an impressive array of highly-rated dog trainers and programs in 2025, providing exceptional resources for pet owners seeking to enhance their dogs’ behavior and strengthen their bond. By prioritizing trainers who use humane, science-based methods, offer personalized approaches, and focus on owner empowerment, you can confidently choose a partner who will help you and your canine companion achieve a harmonious and well-behaved life together.
