Every trainer passes a background check and provides dog training credentials.
Popular Santa Monica dog trainers
Prices are estimates per training session for 1 dog. Pricing may vary based on your search and includes a booking fee of 11%.
“John feels like an old family friend! Our scared new rescue Billy, is very scared and barks when she feels threatened, never barked at John. She’s slowly beginning to trust more and more comfortable thanks to John’s patient and calm demeanor. It’s like he’s the real dog whisperer! He’s realistic and honest about time and processes with fearful dogs like ours and we can see the “homeworks” working on Billy. Couldn’t recommend his services more!”
“My dog and I had a successful first training session with Khafren. Sunday, my dog, did really well. She learned a lot and enjoyed the training session. Kahfren was gentle with my 3 lb puppy.”
“"I cannot recommend Jill highly enough! She has been absolutely wonderful with my dog and has a natural gift for building a pup’s confidence. One of our biggest hurdles was staying calm around other dogs, and Jill’s techniques have made a world of difference. She also helped us tackle 'door dashing.' My dog used to charge the front door every time it opened, but now she waits quietly, sitting several feet away until she’s invited. If you’re looking for a trainer who is patient, knowledgeable, and gets real results, Jill is the best!"”
About: I enjoy working with high energy breeds and love finding new ways to help them learn how to be their best selves! I have had my Australian Shepherd since she was a puppy and can speak from experience on how to train smart dogs that love to find loopholes to the rules.
“Working with Helen was one of the best decisions I made for my dog. She was patient, knowledgeable, and genuinely cared about both me and my dog throughout the entire process. After training, my dog became calmer, more focused, and much more reliable in public settings. Helen also gave me the guidance and support I needed to maintain the results at home. I highly recommend her to anyone looking for a dedicated and skilled dog trainer.”
About: I am a certified trainer with extensive hands-on experience working with dogs of all breeds, sizes, and temperaments. I specialize in addressing real-world behavior challenges, from puppy basics to reactivity and leash manners. My approach combines professional knowledge with genuine care, ensuring every dog feels safe, understood, and motivated to learn. Pet parents appreciate my clear communication, follow-up support, and step-by-step guidance tailored to their lifestyle.
About: What sets me apart is my intuitive, compassionate approach and my ability to read your dog. I prioritize teaching owners how to communicate clearly and confidently with their dogs, creating lasting results beyond the session. I’m patient, adaptable, and focused on building trust. I genuinely care about your dog’s well-being and their own success, and I’m committed to creating a positive experience every step of the way.
“Highly recommend XiaoXi Wang! She trained my Golden Retriever July, and the whole experience went so smoothly. XiaoXi is incredibly patient and really gets each dog's personality — no harsh methods, just positive encouragement that actually works. Thanks to her, July can now do Heel, Sit, Down, Go to Spot, and Leave It — the progress has been amazing! She also shared tips on how to keep practicing at home, which was super helpful. If you're looking for a dog trainer, just go with XiaoXi — you won't regret it!”
“Isabel was wonderful! She traveled over 30 minutes to visit with us. She came over and was very helpful. I felt that she provided above and beyond services in terms of observing and suggesting. She gave such good information and I felt that she spent extra time with us. Plan on continuing to work with her!”
“Working with Holly was one of the best decisions I made for my dog. She’s an incredible trainer, patient, knowledgeable, and truly caring. She takes the time to listen to you and understand your concerns as an owner. After just a few sessions, I saw a big improvement in my dog’s behavior and finally understood the reasons behind it. Holly explains everything clearly and gives practical, easy to use tools that make training feel manageable and even fun. My dog is now calmer, more responsive, and confident with commands. I highly recommend Holly to anyone looking for real results!”
“We had a great experience working with Carlos over five sessions. He was always on time, well prepared, and made each lesson clear and enjoyable. He helped us feel comfortable while training but also wasn’t afraid to correct us when needed, which really improved our technique. Our dog Archie absolutely loved him and was always excited to see him each week. After every session, he provided a helpful summary and extra materials, and he was always available to answer questions. We couldn’t be happier with the results and highly recommend Carlos to anyone looking for a caring dog trainer.”
“Regina was so great and knowledgeable! She was able to identify what my two dogs needed and how to help them. She gave me homework to work on with them, and ways to continue improving their behaviors. So grateful I found her. Looking forward to continuing working with her.”
“I have only had one session so far with Kai and my puppy is already so much more well behaved. He clearly really cares and knows what he’s doing. Highly recommend.”
“Skyler’s consultation was fantastic! My dog immediately bonded with her, and I felt like she was meeting an old friend. I shared what led me to book with her and my goals for Jewels. She explained how we can help him become more obedient at home through training, noting that he’s a quick learner, so he should pick things up quickly. She also suggested my good Kong and lick mat, along with more training opportunities, which I’m planning to explore.”
“Allie understands and cares about dogs and their humans. She’s patient, clear, and positive, and she gives practical, step-by-step homework that’s easy to follow between sessions. We adopted a reactive dog from a shelter, and Allie helped us pinpoint what was driving the reactivity and exactly what to do in the moment. Her approach is research-based (we’re working through BAT training), which gave us confidence. We’ve seen measurable progress after every session and felt supported throughout. We recommend Allie to anyone dealing with reactivity or wanting a trainer who delivers real results.”
“Great experience with Adrianne! Our session was really helpful and I already feel more confident working with my dog. She made everything easy to understand and gave me tools I can actually use. I’m excited to keep working with her and see our doodle at his best. Highly recommend”
“Ana was amazing. Very knowledgeable and not pushy towards certain training. She went above and beyond to learn my pup and his habits to create a plan. Saw some results right off the bat and will continue to work with her. If you are thinking twice, stop and at least do a consultation you won’t regret it! Thanks Ana!”
“Kurt listened to my concerns. He gave my 3 week from a shelter dog time to get comfortable. I feel like I was professionally guided with a gentle, calm approach. My dog even got to play with his dog a little. He evaluated him in a neutral territory. I now know more about BART. He likes horses is non reactive , not a big prey drive either. I feel his behavior is better than shoulder be expected. My nerves are calmer, and that’s saying a lot. Thank you Kurt, I have more hope now.”
About: I am the only dog trainer in the United States with my combination of credentials and training experience, which includes working under the direction of a board certified veterinary behaviorist (DACVB) to identify medical issues which may present as behavior symptoms. I am an honor’s graduate of Animal Behavior College, a certified professional dog trainer through the Certification Council for Professional Dog Trainers, a Fear Free Certified Professional, a Certified Nose Work Instructor and an international faculty adviser for the Victoria Stilwell Academy for Dog Trainers.
“Dario was highly recommended to me by Spark Rescue SB. Captain took right to him. As soon as he heard him whistle, he'd run out to greet him. Dario taught both Captain & myself a lot. He's patient, knowledgeable, consistent, and gets many positive results. One thing I learned from the gate. It's more about training the human than the animal.”
About: I don't focus solely on treats. I'm able to win the dogs mind over to where they respect and mind their owner the first time. Positive reinforcement in a new light.
How dog training on Rover works
1. Search
Read verified reviews and choose a trainer who’s a great match for you and your dog.
2. Chat with your trainer
Talk about your training goals and find a time that works for you.
3. Book training sessions
All payments use Rover’s secured platform and bookings are backed by 24/7 support.
Dog Training FAQs
Frequently asked questions about Rover
Trainers listing on Rover must be credentialed dog trainers, commit to reward-based training methods, and pass a background check to offer dog training in Santa Monica.
Reward-based training encourages dogs to offer desired behaviors by reinforcing the behavior with something the dog likes; treats, play, or toys. Reward-based training prioritizes using the least intrusive intervention; it promotes thinking rather than punishing mistakes.
When rewards are used, the likelihood the behavior is repeated increases. The positive connection to the reward results in making learning enjoyable, strengthens the human animal bond and over time leads to consistent desired behaviors.
Training can happen many places — your home, a park, a store, or anywhere else that you and your trainer decide is best for the training you are doing! Many trainers will recommend training in your home. This allows them to observe your dog in their natural environment so they can effectively assess and best help reach your training goals.
Trainers will often mention on their profile where they typically hold training sessions, but you can always contact a trainer to learn more!
Rover makes it easy to find Santa Monica dog trainers to provide loving care from their own home. The background-checked, 5-star trainers you can find on Rover will work with you and your dog to build new skills and address behaviors. Dog trainers can work on:
- Puppy training, adult dog training, agility training, clicker training and advanced training.
- Behaviors such as barking, leash manners, leash reactivity, house manners, jumping, fearful behavior, anxious behavior, separation distress, recall, biting, chewing, mouthiness, potty training and resource guarding.
Of course! Having a trainer that is the right fit for both you and your pup is an important step to reaching your training goals. We recommend reaching out to any trainer that interests you. Your initial request is not final until both you and the trainer decide you want to move forward with booking.
Also, trainers may offer or require consultations. Make sure to ask trainers so you can make the best decision for you and your pet.
Many trainers on Rover indicate experience in a wide range of behaviors, from puppy training to more advanced behaviors and training types.
Review a trainer’s profile to see if their experience aligns with your needs, and if you have questions, don’t hesitate to contact them to ensure they’re the right trainer for you and your pet.
We get it—sometimes plans change and you may need to cancel your dog training service. You can cancel an upcoming booking directly from the Rover app or your computer, in accordance with your trainer’s cancellation policy.
Note: If your dog trainer requested to cancel this booking, then they need to cancel from their account. Please contact them via Rover Messages.
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