Why Choose Sandy Paws
for My Dog Training Needs?
I'm incredibly grateful that dog training is not just my profession, but my true passion - and I’m committed to honoring that by continuously investing in my own education and growth as a trainer. The dog training industry is unfortunately unregulated, which means anyone can claim to be a “dog trainer” without having any formal qualifications. That’s why it’s so important to choose someone with the right combination of education, certifications, and hands-on experience. While the industry may lack regulation, I hold myself to the highest standards of professionalism, accountability, and ongoing learning. I approach every dog as an individual, using humane, science-based methods that prioritize trust, clarity, and respect. My goal is not only to train dogs, but to empower owners with the tools and confidence they need for long-term success.
Certification
Certified Professional Dog Trainer Knowledge Assessed (CPDT-KA)
by the Certification Council for Professional Dog Trainers
Animal Behavior College Certified Dog Trainer (ABC-DT)
by Animal Behavior College
Canine Good Citizen Evaluator
by the American Kennel Club (AKC)

Education
Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy
Minor in Occupational Science
from the University of Southern California
Commitment to Continuing Education by attending Seminars and Conferences, taking Online Courses, and keeping up with Dog Training Literature
Affiliations
Association for Professional Dog Training International (APDTI)
International Association of Animal Behavior Consultants (IAABC)
Methodology
Positive Reinforcement R+ Based Training
Least Intrusive, Minimally Aversive (LIMA)
Relationship & Science Based
Humane Hierarchy
Fear Free
Professional Experience
Personal Experience
Extensive Animal Experience
Veterinary Assistant Experience
Animal Shelter Trainer Volunteer Experience
Detection Dog & Service Dog Evaluator for
Animal Shelters
Dog Training Internships, Mentorships, & Schooling
Thousands of Hours Professionally Training Dogs
Dog Owner of 20+ Years
Owner Trained Psychiatric Service Dog
(PSD)
Achieved 6 American Kennel Club (AKC) Titles
Still Need Convincing?
Hear It From Just A Few Happy Owners!

"Serena is a great trainer! She helped us raising our puppy into a teenager and building a solid foundation for him to become a great dog and also taught us to be a better humans for our pup. I honestly don't know if we would have such a good relationship with our golden if not for the course we went through together. Can't recommend Serena enough!"
Iaroslav K.

"We had a wonderful experience working with Serena on our 14 months old Havanese puppy's reactivity (because of excitement) to other dogs. She listened to us, observed our puppy's behavior around other dogs and created a tailored training plan. Thanks to her, our dog's behavior has improved significantly. Additionally, the booking and meeting process were very convenient, and she was very flexible scheduling weekly sessions according to our availability. We highly recommend Serena to anyone needing professional dog training."

"Serena is a super pro dog / puppy trainer. Her training technique focus is positive reinforcement. She clearly understands and puts into practice that each dog is an individual. With this in mind she implements a variety of training techniques and tools that pinpoint what your dog best responds to while always keeping the training focus positive. Myself and Poppy, my Wheaten Terrier have grown and learned so much from Serena. During the course of our training with Serena, Poppy has gained confidence and independence as well as the skills of manners, commands ie: sit, stay, lay, come, drop it. Poppy recently passed her AKC S.T.A.R. Puppy Class - a proud accomplishment! I highly recommend Serena/Sandy Paws South Bay for your dog training."
Robin V.
Ekin T.

"I would highly recommend working with Serena. She has tremendous knowledge and a wide range of training on behavioral issues. She helped me to understand why my pup Bentley was reacting on a leash and provided insight and tools to help both my pup and I to feel more confident and relaxed on our walks. Serena is very caring, professional and just wonderful to work with. Thank you Serena for your guidance and for sharing your gift."

"Our family has been extremely pleased with the training sessions we've had with Serena. She has a very calm demeanor with our energetic puppy and has guided us in the training rather than taken over herself. She has watched our interactions with the dog and corrected us which gives us the confidence to continue when she's not here."
Noreen D.
Anne K.

"We recently rescued our beautiful puppy, Willow and set out to find some general obedience training and advice on her care. We connected with Serena at Sandy Paws South Bay, and are so extremely happy we found her. Serena was so knowledgeable and so caring and just had an uncanny way of connecting with Willow. In just a few sessions, she had our girl running through bug nets, jumping in kiddy pools full of obstacles, etc. Willow gained so much confidence under Serena. I highly recommend her and Sandy Paws S. Bay for any dog training needs."
Joshua R.
I am possibly the Trainer for you If...
🐶 You’re ready to invest the time, patience, and consistency it takes to create lasting, meaningful results - not just a quick fix.
🍖 You believe dogs learn best through motivation, trust, and rewards - not “alpha” or dominance-based methods that have long been debunked.
🕰️ You understand that progress takes time and commitment - and that there are no guaranteed timelines when we’re working with living, feeling beings.
👩🏫 You’re excited to learn alongside your dog and value owner education as an essential part of the process.
💬 You want a trainer who helps you teach your dog what to do, not just how to stop unwanted behaviors.
🏥 You appreciate that behavior challenges often have underlying causes and you want to work with someone who considers your dog’s whole well-being.
💛 You value kindness and support, not judgment - and you want a trainer who empowers you instead of blaming you for your dog’s behavior.
🏡 You’re open to adjusting your own habits and environment to help your dog succeed.
📅 You understand that training doesn’t end when our sessions do - it’s a journey we build into your everyday life.
🎾 You value enrichment, play, and joy as much as structure and obedience.
🐕 You recognize that every dog is an individual - there’s no one-size-fits-all approach here.
❤️ You care more about having a strong, healthy bond with your dog than chasing “perfect” behavior.
SPSB Training Carson Shelter Dogs
"Serena is awesome! Super patient, very intuitive, kind but firm, wise beyond her years. I met her while volunteering at Carson Shelter, where she works WONDERS with the dogs. I can't recommend her highly enough. Many other volunteers at Carson would offer equally high praise. Give her a call!"
Check out my Shelter Pups Highlight on Instagram to see some of my work with these amazing dogs!
Why Choose Private In-Person Dog Training?
Personalized Attention
Every dog is different, and so is every owner. I tailor each training plan to your dog’s unique temperament, behavior challenges, and learning style. You won’t get a one-size-fits-all approach, you'll get a custom strategy that works for your dog.
Hands-On Guidance
Training isn’t just for your dog, it’s for you too! Private sessions give you the opportunity to learn with your dog, with immediate feedback and real-time coaching. I’ll show you exactly how to handle situations as they happen, boosting your confidence and your dog’s trust in you.
Fewer Distractions, Better Focus
Group classes can be overstimulating for some dogs, especially those who are reactive or shy. In a private setting, we control the environment to set your dog up for success, gradually introducing challenges as they’re ready.
Flexibility
Private sessions work around your availability and can take place where they’re most effective - your home, a local park, or even a dog-friendly business. No need to rearrange your week or commute to a training facility. I'll come to you when it works for you.
Real Life Results
I train where the problems happen - in their own environment. That means the training is not just theoretical, it’s practical and lasting. This leads to quicker understanding, clearer communication, and more consistent results.
Long Term Support
My private training includes follow-ups, ongoing communication, and support even between sessions. You’ll have access to a professional who knows your dog and can help you troubleshoot challenges as they come up, giving you peace of mind and long-term success.
Possible Areas of Focus
Puppy Training, Obedience Training, Behavioral Modification, & Specialty Training
-
Sit
-
Down
-
Leave it / Drop it
-
Stay
-
Come When Called (Recall)
-
Excessive Barking
-
Destruction
-
Mouthing or Nipping
-
Counter Surfing
-
Neutral Socialization
-
Leash Training
-
Place Work
-
Door Manners
-
Crate Training
-
Greeting Rituals
-
Potty Training
-
Handling and Grooming Cooperation
-
Threshold Training
-
Jumping Up
-
Reactivity Training
-
Separation Anxiety
-
Fear-based Behaviors
-
Confidence Building
-
Overstimulation / Distraction
-
Basic, Intermediate, Advanced Obedience
-
AKC Title & Trick Training
-
Public Manners
-
Psychiatric Service Dog Training
-
Therapy Dog Training
Services Offered
Evaluations & Single Sessions
Training Evaluations
*Training Evaluations are required for all new clients requesting Training Services. They are not a guarantee of service.*
Schedule a Training Evaluation:
Prospective Client Contact Form

Puppy Evaluation
$105/hr
Start your puppy off on the right paw with a personalized evaluation designed to build a strong foundation for lifelong success. During this session, we'll discuss your puppy's development, daily routine, temperament, and any challenges you're experiencing, such as potty training, biting, crate training, socialization, or leash skills. Together, we'll create a customized training plan with clear next steps to help you build confidence, prevent unwanted behaviors, and establish healthy habits from the very beginning.

Obedience Evaluation
$155/hr
Whether you're starting from scratch or looking to improve your dog's everyday manners, this evaluation helps us understand your dog's current skill level, communication, and training goals. We'll assess behaviors such as loose leash walking, recall, jumping, impulse control, and basic obedience while discussing your dog's routine and lifestyle. You'll leave with a personalized training plan and clear next steps tailored to your dog and your goals.

Behavior Modification Evaluation
$155/1-1.5hr
Behavioral concerns are often symptoms of something deeper, not simply behaviors that need to be stopped. During this evaluation, we'll discuss your dog's history, temperament, daily routine, environment, and the specific behaviors you're experiencing, such as fear, anxiety, reactivity, aggression, resource guarding, or excessive barking. Together, we'll identify the factors contributing to these behaviors and develop a personalized behavior modification plan with clear next steps tailored to your dog and your goals.
Single Sessions
1 on 1, Flexible, Customizable
Schedule a Training Evaluation:
Prospective Client Contact Form

Single Owner-Trainer Session
$150/hr
These one-on-one sessions are designed to teach you how to effectively train and communicate with your dog. Together, we'll work on your individual training goals while building the skills, timing, and confidence needed to continue making progress between sessions. Whether you're working on obedience, leash skills, puppy training, or behavior modification, each session is tailored to you, your dog, and your lifestyle.

Single 1 on 1 Trainer-Dog Session
$150/hr
Trainer & Dog Sessions are reserved for select dogs and training goals where professional handling provides the greatest benefit. During these sessions, I work directly with your dog to introduce new skills, build strong foundations, or address specific training challenges before transferring those skills back to you. While I take a more hands-on role during the session, your involvement remains an essential part of the process, as long-term success depends on consistency at home. This service is available by recommendation only and is not appropriate for every dog or training goal.

*NEW SERVICE*
Doggie Day Training
$200
Day Training provides your dog with several hours of individualized, hands-on training in real-world environments while you're busy with work or other commitments. Throughout the day, we'll focus on your dog's specific training goals through structured practice, repetition, and carefully planned outings designed to build reliable behaviors beyond a traditional one-hour session. Because successful Day Training requires the right dog, goals, and owner commitment. Owners receive regular progress updates and guidance to help maintain and continue the training at home.
This service is available by recommendation only for select clients.

Virtual Online Session
$100/hr
Virtual Training Sessions provide personalized, one-on-one coaching from the comfort of your own home. Whether you need guidance with a new puppy, obedience training, behavior concerns, or troubleshooting specific challenges, we'll discuss your goals, evaluate your dog's current progress, and develop a customized training plan tailored to your needs. These sessions are ideal for clients outside the South Bay, follow-up coaching, or owners who prefer the convenience of remote training.

AKC CGC Evaluations
AKC Canine Good Citizen, AKC Community Canine, & Urban CGC
$50 / In-Person Evaluation
As an AKC Approved Canine Good Citizen (CGC) Evaluator, I offer official evaluations for dogs pursuing the Canine Good Citizen title. During the evaluation, your dog will be assessed on the ten CGC test items, including polite greetings, loose leash walking, basic obedience, reaction to distractions, supervised separation, and overall good manners. Dogs that successfully pass all required exercises will earn the opportunity to receive their official AKC Canine Good Citizen title.

AKC Trick Dog Evaluations
$25 / Online Video Submission
Video Home Manners and Trick Dog Tests
As an AKC Approved Trick Dog Evaluator, I offer official evaluations for dogs pursuing AKC Trick Dog titles. Whether your dog is working toward Novice, Intermediate, Advanced, Performer, or Elite Performer, I'll evaluate each required trick according to AKC guidelines. Trick Dog titles are a fun way to build confidence, strengthen the bond between you and your dog, and showcase your dog's skills. Dogs that successfully complete the required tricks may earn their official AKC Trick Dog title. Please note that this is an evaluation, not a training session, and dogs should already be prepared to perform the required tricks.



















































