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!”
“I have a feeling our training sessions with Lipika are going to be life changing. Such a warm soul and so knowledgeable. My boys loved her as did I! Cant wait to see how my 12 week old Aussie matures with her training guidance 🥹 11/10!”
“I can’t recommend Alex enough! He was patient, knowledgeable, and truly cared about my fur baby. Thanks to his one-on-one training, Abby now knows how to sit, wait, leave it, and listens so much better. We previously tried Petco, but she didn’t learn nearly as much. Alex’s communication was excellent. He made every session enjoyable. If you want a caring trainer who gets real results, Alex is the one!”
“Carlos was an absolute pleasure to work with over the course of our seven weekly sessions. Like many first‑time dog owners, I had a moment of “what did I get myself into?” when I brought home my nine‑week‑old puppy. Carlos’s calm, patient approach changed everything. From the very first lesson (my dog started at age twelve weeks), he gave me confidence that I could train my puppy and that my puppy could actually master each step. The program starts with the basics and each week builds naturally on the last. Week-by-week, both my confidence and my puppy’s confidence grew dramatically. If you’re willing to put in the work between sessions, you’ll see the training take hold and set your dog on the right path. I highly recommend Carlos’s seven‑week program to build your skills, your confidence and your dog’s ability to become a well‑trained, well‑behaved companion.”
About: I believe successful training starts with educating both the dog and the owner. I take time to explain each exercise so families understand how to continue making progress between sessions. My goal is to create lasting results through clear communication, consistency, and positive reinforcement in real-life environments.
“Finding someone who truly understands and sincerely loves dogs is rare, but finding someone to help theirs behave with a consistent gentle approach is a blessing. Jill is that rare gem. She connects with furry ones so well it’s as though she thinks with their perspective—my Cowboy adores her and responds to her with focus and respect. Thanks to Jill he is happier, more confident, and better behaved. For anyone looking for someone to treat their family member with love, care, and patience, I cannot recommend this dog lover enough.”
About: At the heart of my training programs is Positive Reinforcement. Instead of focusing on what your dog does wrong, I teach them exactly what you want them to do right. I like to focus of the pup pups dealing with separation anxiety No Pain, No Fear: I strictly avoid aversive tools like shock collars, choke chains, or prong collars. This prevents anxiety and creates a safe, engaging environment for your dog to learn.
“I asked Beste for help with my dog’s jumping and leash pulling. She was so patient and explained everything clearly not just to my dog but to me too! I could already see a difference after first session. She genuinely loves dogs and it shows!”
“Khafren is really great with my dog, Sunday. My puppy is tiny at 3lbs and Khafren is very gentle and patient. Sunday loves learning and interacting with Khafren during her training session.”
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.
“I highly recommend my dog sitter Xiaoxi for both care and training. During her time with my Border Collie, Shadow, she successfully taught him the verbal command “down” and improved his ability to follow calmly on walks, skills he didn’t have before. She is patient, consistent, and clearly understands dog behavior. I saw noticeable improvement in a short time and would confidently recommend her to anyone seeking a reliable sitter with strong training skills.”
“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.”
“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.”
“Holly and her 7 week puppy kindergarten class was a joy for both myself and my new puppy Rocco. Holly was very kind and an informative. Her lessons were easy to follow with lots of insight into how puppies learn and develop. The classes were especially fun for Rocco to meet new friends and and learn how to interact and socialize with other dogs. He would come home every Sunday happy and tired. We are continuing with her training methods and Rocco is growing into a polite albeit mischievous young dog.”
“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!”
“Kai is an incredibly kind and uplifting trainer and his holistic approach is exactly what we were looking for. He completely nailed the root of the issue in our very first meeting, offering strategies that were so brilliantly simple they made us think, “Why didn't we think of that?” After being repeatedly told that our rescue dog's resource guarding was an incurable, lost cause, it was such a relief to get genuine hope from Kai and the approaches we could use to ease the issue. He was incredibly understanding and compassionate throughout our time together. On top of his expertise, he connected with our dog immediately. We truly feel like we are in great hands!”
“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!”
“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.”
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.”
“April is excellent. She is kind and patient. She had one session with my Dexter and I can see a significant difference. The homework she provides is clear and concise.”
“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.”
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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