The Sophisticated Dog - Virtual Pet Training Via Video - Los Angeles, CA

5 out of 5

(3 reviews)

Member since Oct 2019

Irith Bloom of The Sophisticated Dog is here to help you live the good life with your pets. Whether you want to get a new pet off to a good start, or are dealing with fearful, aggressive, or reactive behavior, Irith can give you the tools you need. And don't be fooled by the company name! Although most of her clients have dogs, Irith offers training for a variety of pet animals, including cats and birds. Please feel free to reach out no matter what type of animal you have.

Irith focuses on using positive reinforcement to teach pets and their humans. Her goal is to make training fun as well as effective, and to help clients reach their goals as quickly as possible.

Irith is faculty at both Victoria Stilwell Academy and DogBiz Dog Walking Academy. She regularly speaks at conferences and seminars worldwide. Her writings have been published in a variety of online and print outlets. Irith is on the board of directors of the Certification Council for Professional Dog Trainers (CCPDT), Chair Emeritus and current member of the Education Committee of the Association of Professional Dog Trainers (APDT), and a member of the APDT Legislative Task Force. She also volunteers for National English Shepherd Rescue, the Los Angeles County 2020 Healthy Pets Healthy Families Coalition, and Wallis Annenberg PetSpace.

Irith specializes in animal behavior and training, including training for animals exhibiting fearful, aggressive, and reactive behavior; basic training; adoption counseling; and new puppy/kitten/adoptee training.

Irith is also a Certified Professional Dog Trainer, Knowledge & Skills Assessed (CPDT-KSA); a Certified Dog Behavior Consultant (CDBC); a Karen Pryor Academy Certified Training Partner (KPA CTP); a Certified Behavior Adjustment Training Instructor (CBATI); a Victoria Stilwell Positively Dog Trainer (VSPDT); a Fear Free Certified Professional; and a Certified TAGteacher (TAGteach is a positive reinforcement method for teaching humans).

Please contact and book my virtual private dog training services on Petworks. Thank You.

  • Licensed
  • Certified
  • Insured
  • Online Sessions
  • Mobile Services

How do you serve precious pets?

  • Dog Trainer
  • Puppy Trainer
  • Dog Obedience Training
  • Private Dog Training
  • Animal Behaviorist
  • K9 Training
  • Dog Behaviorist

What part of the animal kingdom do you serve?

  • Alpacas
  • Birds
  • Cats
  • Chickens
  • Chinchillas
  • Dogs
  • Ducks
  • Ferrets
  • Fish
  • Frogs
  • Gerbils
  • Goats
  • Guinea Pigs
  • Hamsters
  • Hedgehogs
  • Horses
  • Lizards
  • Mice
  • Parrots
  • Rabbits
  • Rats
  • Snakes
  • Turtles

Which training type do you employ to encourage paw-sitive behaviors?

  • Dog Obedience Training
  • Dog Therapy Training
  • Pet Behavior Modification

What licensing do you have?

  • Business License

What size animals do you work with?

  • 20-39 lbs
  • 40-79 lbs
  • 80+ lbs
  • under 20 lbs

Pet Certifications

  • Certified Behavior Consultant Canine-Knowledge Assessed (CBCC-KA)
  • Certified Professional Dog Trainer (CPDT-KSA)
  • Fear Free Certified Professional
  • International Association of Animal Behavior Consultants (IAABC)
  • Karen Pryor Academy Certified Training Partner (KPA CTP)

Bonded and Insured

  • Insured

Proud member of...

  • Association of Professional Dog Trainers (APDT)
  • Certification Council for Professional Dog Trainers (CCPDT)
  • International Association of Animal Behavior Consultants (IAABC)
  • Pet Professional Guild (PPG)

Cat-astrophes happen! What is your cancellation policy?

PetWorks Cancellation Policy Pet Care Professional's Own Policy If a pet care professional has published their own cancellation or refund policy, that policy governs the refund of the service amount only. Any PetWorks fees, including the Care Coverage Fee and Pet Care Professional Cancellation Fee, are governed by this PetWorks Cancellation Policy and not by the pet care professional's policy. Pet Parent Cancels If the pet care professional has not published their own cancellation policy, the service amount is refundable only if the pet parent cancels at least 72 hours before the scheduled start time of the booking. Cancellations within 72 hours of the scheduled start time are non-refundable for the service amount. The Care Coverage Fee is non-refundable when a pet parent cancels, regardless of timing and regardless of whether the pet care professional has their own cancellation policy. Pet Parent No-Show If a pet parent does not show up for a confirmed booking, no refund will be issued for the service amount or the Care Coverage Fee. Pet Care Professional Cancels If a pet care professional cancels a confirmed booking, the pet parent receives a 100% refund of everything they paid, including the Care Coverage Fee. The pet care professional receives no payment for the canceled service and is charged a Pet Care Professional Cancellation Fee equal to 10% of the service amount, up to a maximum of $150. PetWorks may collect this fee by deducting it from a future payout through PetWorks or by other means if no future payout is available. Policy in Effect at Booking The cancellation rules that apply to a booking, including any pet care professional cancellation policy on file and the Pet Care Professional Cancellation Fee rate, are those that were in effect when the booking was confirmed.

Which part of the country do you serve pets?

In-person sessions in a limited area of Los Angeles's westside, virtual sessions worldwide, locally including Long Beach, Anaheim, Santa Ana, Riverside, Irvine, Glendale, Huntington Beach, Garden Grove, Pomona, Torrance, Burbank, Pasadena, Fullerton, Orange California

What year did you begin serving pets?

2009

How did you hone your craft?

I have been training my own animals and those of friends and family for decades. I have attended countless seminars and conferences to learn more about animal behavior and training.

What tip would you give pet parents for working with animals that you've learned as a pro?

Focus on reinforcing behavior you like.

irith bloom

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BASED IN: Los Angeles, CA
SERVICE AREA: Any distance, including In-person sessions in a limited area of Los Angeles's westside, virtual sessions worldwide, locally including Long Beach, Anaheim, Santa Ana, Riverside, Irvine, Glendale, Huntington Beach, Garden Grove, Pomona, Torrance, Burbank, Pasadena, Fullerton, Orange California

Distinction

Fear Free Certified Professional International Association of Animal Behavior Consultants (IAABC) Karen Pryor Academy Certified Training Partner (KPA CTP)

Customer Reviews

Irith is one of the best dog trainers we have worked with! We have a very reactive dog and went through at least 2-3 trainers before working with Irith. She is extremely insightful comprehensive and overall great to work with. We would highly recommend her to anyone, especially with a more difficult case.

- Sam F

Irith is one of the best trainers in the industry. I, along with many other fellow trainers, frequently seek her for advice and solutions with our own clients and dogs. Not only for her immense amount of knowledge, but also her patient, generous, and kind heart and soul. You are in great hands with her, always. - Riverside, CA

- Amanda M

We have been working with the Sophisticated Dog over the course of 10 months on and off and the progress we have made with our 2 puppies has been amazing. The tools the trainers provide from potty training, to initial puppy behavior to young adolescent has made the whole journey so fun and rewarding as our pups are already going everywhere with us overnight trips and all. We are beyond grateful to Sophisticated Dog as each trainer has an innate talent and expertise to understand animal behavior and provide easy and rewarding approaches to show a puppy/dog how to adjust and feel confident in not only the household but the overall world itself. What is truly remarkable is not all of our training took place in person but was a variety of zoom and in person with results that were seamless. It is so comforting to know you are not alone with this amazing team of Animal Lovers. Truly, we are so grateful. Thank you so much everyone at Sophisticated Dog, Los Angeles is so lucky to have you and so are our beloved pets. - Los Angeles, California

- Peter L

How do you serve precious pets?

  • Dog Trainer
  • Puppy Trainer
  • Dog Obedience Training
  • Private Dog Training
  • Animal Behaviorist
  • K9 Training
  • Dog Behaviorist

What part of the animal kingdom do you serve?

  • Alpacas
  • Birds
  • Cats
  • Chickens
  • Chinchillas
  • Dogs
  • Ducks
  • Ferrets
  • Fish
  • Frogs
  • Gerbils
  • Goats
  • Guinea Pigs
  • Hamsters
  • Hedgehogs
  • Horses
  • Lizards
  • Mice
  • Parrots
  • Rabbits
  • Rats
  • Snakes
  • Turtles

Which training type do you employ to encourage paw-sitive behaviors?

  • Dog Obedience Training
  • Dog Therapy Training
  • Pet Behavior Modification

What licensing do you have?

  • Business License

What size animals do you work with?

  • 20-39 lbs
  • 40-79 lbs
  • 80+ lbs
  • under 20 lbs

Pet Certifications

  • Certified Behavior Consultant Canine-Knowledge Assessed (CBCC-KA)
  • Certified Professional Dog Trainer (CPDT-KSA)
  • Fear Free Certified Professional
  • International Association of Animal Behavior Consultants (IAABC)
  • Karen Pryor Academy Certified Training Partner (KPA CTP)

Bonded and Insured

  • Insured

Proud member of...

  • Association of Professional Dog Trainers (APDT)
  • Certification Council for Professional Dog Trainers (CCPDT)
  • International Association of Animal Behavior Consultants (IAABC)
  • Pet Professional Guild (PPG)

Cat-astrophes happen! What is your cancellation policy?

PetWorks Cancellation Policy Pet Care Professional's Own Policy If a pet care professional has published their own cancellation or refund policy, that policy governs the refund of the service amount only. Any PetWorks fees, including the Care Coverage Fee and Pet Care Professional Cancellation Fee, are governed by this PetWorks Cancellation Policy and not by the pet care professional's policy. Pet Parent Cancels If the pet care professional has not published their own cancellation policy, the service amount is refundable only if the pet parent cancels at least 72 hours before the scheduled start time of the booking. Cancellations within 72 hours of the scheduled start time are non-refundable for the service amount. The Care Coverage Fee is non-refundable when a pet parent cancels, regardless of timing and regardless of whether the pet care professional has their own cancellation policy. Pet Parent No-Show If a pet parent does not show up for a confirmed booking, no refund will be issued for the service amount or the Care Coverage Fee. Pet Care Professional Cancels If a pet care professional cancels a confirmed booking, the pet parent receives a 100% refund of everything they paid, including the Care Coverage Fee. The pet care professional receives no payment for the canceled service and is charged a Pet Care Professional Cancellation Fee equal to 10% of the service amount, up to a maximum of $150. PetWorks may collect this fee by deducting it from a future payout through PetWorks or by other means if no future payout is available. Policy in Effect at Booking The cancellation rules that apply to a booking, including any pet care professional cancellation policy on file and the Pet Care Professional Cancellation Fee rate, are those that were in effect when the booking was confirmed.

Which part of the country do you serve pets?

In-person sessions in a limited area of Los Angeles's westside, virtual sessions worldwide, locally including Long Beach, Anaheim, Santa Ana, Riverside, Irvine, Glendale, Huntington Beach, Garden Grove, Pomona, Torrance, Burbank, Pasadena, Fullerton, Orange California

What year did you begin serving pets?

2009

How did you hone your craft?

I have been training my own animals and those of friends and family for decades. I have attended countless seminars and conferences to learn more about animal behavior and training.

What tip would you give pet parents for working with animals that you've learned as a pro?

Focus on reinforcing behavior you like.

Customer Reviews

Irith is one of the best dog trainers we have worked with! We have a very reactive dog and went through at least 2-3 trainers before working with Irith. She is extremely insightful comprehensive and overall great to work with. We would highly recommend her to anyone, especially with a more difficult case.

- Sam F

Irith is one of the best trainers in the industry. I, along with many other fellow trainers, frequently seek her for advice and solutions with our own clients and dogs. Not only for her immense amount of knowledge, but also her patient, generous, and kind heart and soul. You are in great hands with her, always. - Riverside, CA

- Amanda M

We have been working with the Sophisticated Dog over the course of 10 months on and off and the progress we have made with our 2 puppies has been amazing. The tools the trainers provide from potty training, to initial puppy behavior to young adolescent has made the whole journey so fun and rewarding as our pups are already going everywhere with us overnight trips and all. We are beyond grateful to Sophisticated Dog as each trainer has an innate talent and expertise to understand animal behavior and provide easy and rewarding approaches to show a puppy/dog how to adjust and feel confident in not only the household but the overall world itself. What is truly remarkable is not all of our training took place in person but was a variety of zoom and in person with results that were seamless. It is so comforting to know you are not alone with this amazing team of Animal Lovers. Truly, we are so grateful. Thank you so much everyone at Sophisticated Dog, Los Angeles is so lucky to have you and so are our beloved pets. - Los Angeles, California

- Peter L

🐶 Certified Dog Trainers in Los Angeles, California


Pet parents in Los Angeles and the surrounding Los Angeles County area, including nearby communities such as Long Beach, Anaheim, Santa Ana, Riverside, Irvine, San Bernardino, Fontana, Glendale, Huntington Beach, Ontario, often look for a certified dog trainer who can help a dog and their people build a calm, trusting relationship. Trainers like Irith Bloom focus on positive, science-based methods that fit real life at home and in public. Whether the goal is leash pulling, anxiety, reactivity, or a well-mannered companion, a good trainer shapes each session around the dog’s personality, history, and learning style, so progress feels natural and sustainable.


❤️ Great dog training isn’t just about commands — it’s about connection.


Certified dog trainers work with you as the owner, not only with the dog. They help you read behavior, build clear communication, and set routines that hold up at home and in public. A trainer like Irith is a coach for both of you.


✅ Training Support for Real-Life Challenges


From everyday manners to more complex behavioral concerns, certified dog trainers in Los Angeles commonly help with:


  • Obedience and focus for home and public settings

  • Leash training and more relaxed, enjoyable walks

  • Reducing anxiety, fear, and reactivity

  • Puppy and new dog foundations for long-term success


Sessions should feel encouraging, practical, and easy to carry into your daily routine. The services listed on this profile show what Irith offers.


Recommended Certifications for Dog Trainers


When choosing a dog trainer, professional certifications are a strong indicator of expertise, experience, and commitment to ethical, science-based methods. Widely recognized credentials include the CPDT-KA or CPDT-KSA from the Certification Council for Professional Dog Trainers, which demonstrate mastery of modern training techniques, canine behavior, and learning theory. The KPA-CTP (Karen Pryor Academy Certified Training Partner) highlights trainers skilled in positive reinforcement and clicker training, while the IAABC Certified Dog Trainer credential, recognized internationally, signals advanced knowledge in behavior modification and problem-solving. Membership or certification through the Association of Professional Dog Trainers (APDT) further reflects ongoing education and adherence to ethical standards. Many trainers also pursue specialty certifications in areas such as aggression management, behavior modification, or puppy development to address specific challenges.


For pet parents, choosing a certified trainer like Irith Bloom is one way to keep training grounded in science, safety, and compassion. Asking about credentials, and confirming them on the profile, is one of the best ways to make a confident choice.


⭐ Why Pet Parents Book Through PetWorks


Booking through PetWorks gives you more than a list of dog trainers in Los Angeles. It gives you a clearer way to choose.


A profile like Irith’s lets you review a local professional, read feedback from other pet parents, and book securely through a trusted platform. Many trainers on PetWorks use force-free, positive reinforcement methods grounded in modern behavioral science. Pet parents often look for that supportive, judgment-free approach when they decide who to hire.


🦔 How Booking Dog Training in Los Angeles, CA on PetWorks Works


Finding the right dog trainer starts with trust and fit. On this page you can explore Irith’s profile, read feedback from pet parents across Los Angeles County, and either start a booking with "Book Now" or begin a conversation with "Get Custom Quote" or "Send Message".


Training works best when you begin at the right time. For puppies and newly adopted dogs, early training builds strong habits from the start. For older dogs, challenges like leash pulling, anxiety, or reactivity can improve with consistent, professional guidance, and many pet parents notice meaningful progress within a few sessions.


In Los Angeles and throughout California, demand for experienced, force-free dog trainers often rises in spring and early fall, when routines shift and outdoor activity picks up. Booking a bit ahead can help you get a schedule that works.


Most dog training sessions across the U.S. typically range from $75–$150 per hour, depending on experience, location, and training type. On PetWorks, you can review the services on this profile and choose the option that matches your goals.


All payments are processed securely through PetWorks. Every booking also includes PetWorks Care Coverage, with a dedicated concierge team, added protection, and support throughout your experience. Once you connect, you coordinate scheduling, location, and training goals directly with your trainer.


❓ Dog Training FAQs


How many dog training sessions will I need? Every dog is different, but many pet parents begin to see progress within 2–4 sessions. More complex issues like reactivity or anxiety may take ongoing training and consistency at home.


Do dog trainers offer in-home sessions in Los Angeles, CA? Many trainers on PetWorks offer in-home sessions, local meetups, or virtual coaching. Check the services on Irith’s profile, or use Get Custom Quote, to confirm what is available.


Can dog training help with aggressive or reactive behavior? Yes. Positive, science-based training can be very effective for reactivity, fear, and certain forms of aggression. A certified professional helps keep that progress safe and lasting.


🐾 Start Building a Better Relationship With Your Dog


Training is an investment in your dog’s happiness, and in your peace of mind.


Explore Irith’s profile, read reviews from pet parents across Los Angeles County, and take the first step toward a calmer, more confident dog. Availability for trainers in Los Angeles can change week to week, so booking ahead is a good idea.