About Happy Paws Dog Training LA
One trainer, real homes and dogs and people learning together since 2011.
MEET THE TRAINER
An Independent Los Angeles Dog Training Business, Led by One Trainer
Happy Paws Dog Training LA is an independent, one-woman operation that has worked with Los Angeles dog owners since 2011. It is run by Raquel, who comes to your home and trains your dog where daily life happens. Every client works with her directly, from the first phone call to the free advice she gives long after the session ends.
Raquel’s bond with dogs started long before Los Angeles. As a child, she spent hours with her German Shepherds on a remote farm in Australia. That early connection, backed by AKC training, shaped the calm and practical way she works with dogs of every breed and age today.
Raquel’s clients come from all walks of life: celebrities, members of the armed services and the police, veterans, people with disabilities, families with children and seniors. The LGBTQ community is warmly welcomed. She works with first-time and experienced owners, from puppies under 6 months to seniors, including deaf, blind and disabled dogs.
Happy Paws is locally run. The person you speak to on the phone is the person who trains your dog, and she is always available.
BBB accredited since 2016 with an A+ rating, and rated 4.9 stars on Google and Yelp.
THE HAPPY PAWS STORY
How Happy Paws Started
Raquel started Happy Paws Dog Training LA in 2011 around a simple belief: training works best when people learn alongside their dogs. Instead of a kennel or a training floor, she brought training into clients’ homes, where barking at the door, pulling on the leash and stress when left alone actually happen.
That idea became the One-Day In-Home Master Class, an intensive 3 to 5 hour session that resolves most behavioral issues in a single visit. Raquel does the heavy lifting with your dog first, then teaches you how and why it worked. Park follow-ups and free advice for as long as you need come after. In 2016, Happy Paws became accredited by the Better Business Bureau, and it still holds an A+ rating.
Over the years, Raquel has earned a reputation among Los Angeles dog experts and owners as a natural dog behaviorist who looks past “band-aid” fixes. Many clients come to her after trying other professional dog trainers without success.
Happy Paws Dog Training LA at a Glance
- Business: Happy Paws Dog Training LA
- Trainer: Raquel, owner, founder and sole trainer
- Founded: 2011, Los Angeles, California
- What Raquel does: One-on-one dog training in Los Angeles at clients’ homes and in their neighborhoods
- Signature service: One-Day In-Home Master Class, 3 to 5 hours, charged by the visit, not the hour
- Services: Puppy training, obedience, leash reactivity, aggression, separation anxiety, rescue dogs and behavior modification. See all training services
- Method: The Way of the Dog. No treats as bribes, no punishment, no pain.
- Aftercare: Free advice for as long as you need, plus a 100 percent guarantee
- Area served: Los Angeles and everything within a 50-mile radius
- Accreditation: BBB accredited since 2016, A+ rating
- Phone: (323) 629-3767
Raquel named her method The Way of the Dog. It rests on an idea she has shared with clients for years: “Our dogs are always speaking to us, if you just know how to listen.” While many trainers rely on treats, fear or repetitive drills, Raquel focuses on the root cause, then answers your dog in a way your dog understands.
- Listen first: Raquel starts by watching how your dog reacts to people, sounds and space.
- Love and respect together: Dogs need warmth and calm, clear guidance at the same time. Nothing cruel, no pain and no punishment, ever.
- Teach the people too: 80 percent of training is about the human. Training lasts when everyone at home gives the same message.
- Train in real life: Lessons happen at your door, on your street and at the park.
Still have questions?
Questions About Happy Paws Dog Training LA
Is Happy Paws Dog Training LA related to other "Happy Paws" trainers?
No. Happy Paws Dog Training LA is an independent Los Angeles business run by Raquel since 2011. Businesses with similar names in Oregon and other states have no connection to it. You can reach Happy Paws Dog Training LA directly at (323) 629-3767.
Is Happy Paws accredited by the Better Business Bureau?
Yes. Happy Paws Dog Training LA has been BBB accredited since November 2016 and holds an A+ rating. Clients have also left 5-star reviews on the BBB, Google and Yelp.
Is Happy Paws a franchise?
No. Happy Paws is a locally owned, one-woman operation, not part of a franchise or national chain. The trainer you speak to on the phone is the trainer who works with your dog, every time.
What is the most effective type of dog training?
The most effective training fixes the cause of a behavior and is easy for your household to keep up. Raquel believes 80 percent of training is about the human, so she coaches everyone who lives with the dog until they understand how and why it works.
What does "The Way of the Dog" mean?
It is the name Raquel gives her method. It means reading what your dog is communicating, finding the root cause of the behavior and answering with love, respect and calm leadership, instead of treats as bribes, punishment or repetitive drills.
How is a private trainer different from pet store training classes?
Pet store classes follow a set group curriculum inside the store. A private trainer works one-on-one, builds the plan around your dog and trains where the problems happen. Group classes suit basic manners; private training suits real behavior problems.
Does Happy Paws offer a guarantee?
Yes. Raquel offers a 100 percent guarantee on her work, and every client gets free advice for as long as they need it after the session. Ask Raquel for the guarantee details when you call.
Does Happy Paws train service dogs, therapy dogs or protection dogs?
Not at this time. Happy Paws focuses on behavior problems and everyday manners, such as reactivity, aggression, anxiety and puppy training. Raquel does welcome clients with disabilities and their pet dogs. For service dog task training, look for a specialist program.
Where can I read reviews of Happy Paws?
Happy Paws Dog Training LA is rated 4.9 stars on both Google and Yelp and holds an A+ rating with the BBB. You can also read client stories on the Happy Paws testimonials page.
Do I bring my dog to Raquel, or does she come to me?
Raquel comes to you. Training happens in your home and at the parks or streets where your dog struggles, not at a facility. She serves Los Angeles and everything within a 50-mile radius.
Looking for traning questions? Visit the Happy Paws FAQ page
