Dog Training near Santa Monica, CA

Santa Monica dog owners don’t have to look far for real, results-driven dog training. I Said Sit! School for Dogs is just minutes from Santa Monica, off Robertson Blvd — a short drive east on the 10 Freeway, just past the Robertson exit. Whether you’re coming from Ocean Park, the neighborhoods around Main Street, or Montana Avenue, we’re closer than you think.

We’ve been training dogs in Los Angeles since 1988, and Santa Monica families have been a core part of our community for decades.Layla enjoying the breeze on a walk.

Whether you’re dealing with a new puppy, a dog that needs better leash manners for walks along Palisades Park overlooking the Pacific, or a more complex behavior issue — our reward-based, science-backed methods get real results, for your dog and for you.

Why Santa Monica Families Choose “I Said Sit!”

Santa Monica is one of LA’s most dog-forward communities, and so has grown the number of dogs navigating beach-city living, busy sidewalks near the Third Street Promenade, and off-leash areas like Pacific Street Dog Park and Herb Katz Dog Park at Joslyn Park. That means training that actually holds up in real-world distractions matters more than ever. Our programs are built around structure and consistency — not just teaching commands in a quiet room, but making sure your dog can listen around people, other dogs, and the energy of a busy beach city.

Whether you’ve been picking up supplies at Bark Williams on Main Street, or you’ve simply noticed your dog needs more structure on walks along the bluffs — we’re ready to help.

Program Best For Format Duration
Educational Daycare Daily training + socialization, dogs who go home each night Daytime, at our facility Ongoing / weekly
Boarding School Fast-track training, travel, new dogs/puppies, complex cases Full-time immersion 14, 21, or 28 days
Private Training Owners who want to be hands-on, or need behavior work (fear, aggression, anxiety) One-on-one, you’re coached directly Per session
Group Classes Budget-friendly, social learning, basic obedience In-class, train at home Multi-week course

Our Training Programs

Educational Daycare
Daily training sessions combined with socialization — your dog goes home to you every night while building consistent skills through structured, hands-on lessons with our trainers.

Boarding School
Full immersion training over 14, 21, or 28 days. Ideal for faster results, travel, a new dog or puppy, or a more complex training situation.

Private Training
One-on-one coaching where you work directly with a trainer to implement a customized plan — great for hands-on owners or behavior work like fear, aggression, or anxiety.

Group Classes
Budget-friendly, structured classes covering obedience and manners while your dog practices focus around other dogs and people.

Frequently Asked Questions

What’s the difference between Educational Daycare and Boarding School?
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Educational Daycare combines daily training sessions with socialization, and your dog goes home to you each night. Boarding School is full-time immersion — your dog stays with us for 14, 21, or 28 days, which works well for faster progress, travel, or more complex training needs.

How do I know which training program is right for my dog?
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It depends on your dog’s age, temperament, and your goals, as well as how hands-on you want to be. The best starting point is a consultation — we’ll walk through your dog’s needs and recommend the program that fits, whether that’s daycare, boarding, private sessions, or group classes.

Do you use positive reinforcement / reward-based methods?
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Yes. All of our programs are built on reward-based, science-backed training methods. You can read more about our approach on our Methods page.

Can training help with behavior issues like reactivity or separation anxiety?
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Yes — behavior modification for issues like reactivity, fear, aggression, and separation anxiety is a core part of our Private Training and Boarding School programs. These cases typically benefit from a more customized, one-on-one approach.

How long does it typically take to see results?
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It varies by dog and program. Some owners see noticeable progress within the first few sessions of Boarding School or Private Training, while Educational Daycare and Group Classes build skills more gradually over weeks. We’ll give you a realistic timeline during your consultation.

Not sure which program is the best fit for your dog? Contact us  — we’re happy to help Santa Monica dog owners find the right program.