Russell is a gifted trainer. Thank you for your dedication and compassion for training & helping homeless dogs.

Dr. Jane Goodall

…Russell is sweet and very effective when handling my very different dogs and I have seen amazing dog training and behavior results since their introduction. If you are looking for someone who has the utmost respect for your animal, is prompt and courteous, and values education and safety above all else, Fun Paw Care is the last place you need to look.

TED Talks Founders, Vanessa Wurman, and family

Russell is not only one of my dearest friends, but the guru of dog training, behavior and all things dog!

Steve Guttenberg

Thank you so much Russell for your help and dog magic!

With gratitude

Alan Faena & Ximena Caminos

Thank you for all of your help and the best dog training…Brilliant! Love & Light

Naomi Campbell & Vladislav Doronin

Thank you so much for your dog training and behavior services. We really appreciate your generous dog training donation to our event and foundation.

Dwyane Wade & Gabrielle Union

You are so impressive; I cannot believe how much you know about dogs and how fast the dogs are learning. Thank you for training our dogs and helping us!

The Bee Gees, Barry Gibb and family

I’ve not seen a trainer with his level of experience and ability in my almost 20 years of practice in South Florida. For the people and pets that make up the VCA Animal Hospital family, there’s no one we trust more with dog training, care and behavior issues than Russell and Fun Paw Care…

Dr. Mike Tenzer, VCA Animal Hospital

As a veterinarian I have known Russell for some years… His dedication, professionalism, depth of knowledge and passion for animals are evident…The techniques he utilizes and teaches are clear and effective… I am over the moon to have his help and will not hesitate to recommend Fun Paw Care to all my clients, family and friends.

Dr. Lori Walter

Wow, Russell is proof that you don’t need to have a heavy hand for dogs to learn quickly. You’re amazing, we’re converted! Thank you so much, for your help.

Gabrielle Anwar & Shareef Malnik

What an amazing change you have made in our lives and the lives of our little Pekinese, Lulabelle!! We had many trainers over the last 3 years before meeting you. We consider it a miracle that we met you…

Dr. Carol K. & Lulabelle

The Best Expert Puppy & Dog Training Los Angeles Parents & Pets Can Get

The Fun Paw Care Dog Training Philosophy

You can love and accept your dog AND still want to strengthen your bond with him or her. We believe that’s noble. We also know it can be done, and we know the best way and exactly how to train a dog.

Dog Behavior doesn't live in a vacuum. Russell Hartstein is a renowned Certified Dog Behaviorist, Trainer, and Nutritionist who takes a comprehensive, complete and preventative approach to a dog's whole health by specializing in all dog behavior and dog training problems such as.

Fun Paw Care’s experience, expertise, scientific knowledge, and plain old love of dogs can bring out your dog’s best. Your newfound understanding of and relationship with your dog can bring out your best, too.

Our services include elite dog training LA, puppy training, dog boot camp, puppy boot camp, private luxury dog boarding, customized dog daycare, pet nutrition counseling, and phone consultations. Get started today, or read on to see what makes us a perfect fit for you.

Who’s Russell Hartstein?

Fun Paw Care was founded and is run by renowned ethologist, Certified Animal Behaviorist, Dog Trainer, Nutritionist and pet expert Russell Hartstein. Russ actively studies and teaches canine and feline ethology, psychology, cognitive ethology, dog training, evolution, physiology, neurobiology, sociology, nutrition, learning theory, and animal husbandry. Russ is a force-free and fear-free Certified Trainer and teaches and takes continuing education units (“CEUs”) every year based on the most current knowledge related to the animal behavioral sciences.

What makes Russ the best dog trainer in Los Angeles, and why do dog parents choose Fun Paw Care?

Sophisticated Service for Prestigious Pets

Results you can pat, cuddle with, play with, and love for many years to come. In over 30 years of working with dogs, Russ has seen the results of a humane, compassionate, educated, fear-free, force-free, positive-reinforcement dog training classes. We know you’ll love the results, too.

Russ is a Master Certified Dog Behavior Consultant (CDBC - one of fewer than 200 worldwide) and a Certified Professional Dog Trainer (CPDT). He has over 30 years of experience in teaching families, dog trainers, and behaviorists. Along the way, Russ completed graduate-level course work in canine Applied Behavior Analysis.

We offer a boutique service. Why is that important in a dog trainer? Simply because we can devote more time and more effort to your and your dog’s unique needs. Boutique means more detail, specialization, and personalization. The art and science of dog training, behavior, and relationships. When you are a Fun Paw Care client and you have a question or request, you won’t get a secretary or answering machine. You’ll get Russ personally, just as he personally will train your dog and work with your family.

We are exclusive: high-touch and low-volume. That means we turn away more would-be clients than we’d like to, and many dog parents even here in LA may consider our service “too” high-end anyway. If there isn’t much you consider too high-end for your dog and often torture yourself to find the best, then we may be the perfect fit.

Russ is a renaissance trainer - a man of many doggie disciplines, a pawlymath. Fun Paw Care has built its reputation on the loving relationships we develop between dogs and dog parents. But part of what allows us to do that is our knowledge of current canine science, ethology, cognitive ethology, training, husbandry, and nutrition. We regularly teach and take continuing education classes and workshops to keep ourselves updated on the latest scientific breakthroughs in dog behavior modification techniques. In a field with no regulation, we are voluntarily Certified Dog Trainers and Behaviorists, held to the highest standards, and never stop learning. There’s an infinity to discover about dogs, including your dog.

We have a cheesy (but memorable) acronym that sums up our approach. Just remember SHIRT: Safety, Honesty, Integrity, Respect, and Trust. Those are the values that connect us with your dog, helping your dog become your best friend as never before.

We are generous with our time and often exceed session limits.

Russ is regarded by other industry professionals, trainers, and behaviorists as one of the most talented, accomplished, experienced, and educated Certified Professional Dog Trainers anywhere. He also is an internationally renowned published writer and speaker on animal behavior.

We’re Certified Dog-Behavior Consultants to many Los Angeles veterinarians, humane societies, rescue organizations, and pet stores.

Russ is what you might call a stunt trainer: He’s a Certified Trainer other Los Angeles-area dog behaviorists call when they could use help.

Russ has written for and been recognized as a preeminent dog trainer by The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, USA Today, NBC, CBS, Wikipedia, Reader’s Digest, Business Insider, MarketWatch, LIVESTRONG, Business News Daily, Popsugar, EliteDaily, Martha Stewart, NYmag The Strategist, Slate, Parade, PetMD, Chewy, PetSmart, VetStreet, American Kennel Club (AKC), Animal Wellness Magazine, Dogster, Catster, Rover, Yahoo, MSN, AOL, Realtor.com, Travel & Leisure, Apartment Therapy, Cosmopolitan, Good Housekeeping, How Stuff Works, American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA), American Veterinary Society of Animal Behavior (AVSAB), International Association of Animal Behavior Consultants, Certification Council for Professional Dog Trainers, and countless other independent press, television, publications, journals and media outlets.

Fun Paw Care is proudly an animal-loving and earth-conserving vegan, green, environmentally responsible business.

We’re every bit as into the complete pet training and lifestyle as you are. We regularly volunteer and donate our time, expertise, and profits to homeless animals, animal rights groups, philanthropies, shelters, rescue organizations, and free community educational seminars.

Licensed, bonded and insured, fully certified Los Angeles dog training classes and pet care

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Pet Services

Membership

Become a member of our premier Los Angeles dog training, luxury dog boarding, dog daycare, dog nutrition, and pet care members-only club to receive optimal and comprehensive care to support the health and development of your pet throughout all life stages.

Dog Boot Camp

If your dog needs extra training & behavior work our one-on-one premier dog Boot Camp in Los Angeles is a first-class comprehensive training & behavioral analysis program where your dog’s psychological & emotional state, behavior, & training are diagnosed & treated. Our boarding & training is safe, effective & trusted.

Dog Training

Whether it’s been a long time since you’ve had a dog, you’re a first-time parent, or your dog is uncontrollable and has serious behavioral problems if you are looking for dog training in Los Angeles California, or Greater Los Angeles, we can help.

Puppy Training

Whether the issue is that your puppy is too energetic or just plain difficult, the puppy training experts at Fun Paw Care can help stop your puppy’s bad habits and form great ones. Some of the many areas we work on are aggression, biting, chewing, barking, leash training, socializing and house training.

Dog Training & Behavior Consultation Calls with Golden Retriever

Phone/Video Consultation

It doesn’t matter where in the world you are, now you can speak with dog training and behavior expert Russell Hartstein CDBC, CPDT via phone/video consultation in the comfort of your own home from anywhere in the world!

Dog Boarding

Leave your dog in the hands of certified expert behaviorists and dog trainers that will care for your dog as their own and provide holistic, integrative, and optimal personal care and attention while you’re away. We offer the most sophisticated and comprehensive private luxury dog boarding in Los Angeles California.

Dog Daycare

Our certified dog behaviorist owned and operated Los Angeles Dog Daycare is a first-class, private, dog trainer designed and structured dog park, specifically for your dog. Where well-balanced, well-behaved, social, affable dogs go to socialize, play, exercise and hang out with their friends.

Service Dog Training

Our premier service dog training is individually catered to your disability and schedule. If you are a person with a disability that would benefit from a trained service dog, we can help. Fun Paw Care trains service dogs in your home or ours.

Best Therapy Dog Training Los Angeles California

CGC, Therapy Dog, & ESA

Whether you want therapy dog training or emotional support dog training, Fun Paw Care will help with all of your pet training needs.

Picture Of Jane Goodall With Russell Hartstein, Dog Trainer and Behaviorist, Los Angeles - Fun Paw Care

Jane Goodall & Russell Hartstein

Your dog deserves the best dog training LA offers.
Fun Paw Care is the only Certified Dog Behaviorist and Trainer-owned-and-operated private members-only luxury dog boarding, dog daycare and dog training Los Angeles school. With 30+ years of happy-dog experience, we train dogs (and thrill parents) in Malibu, Beverly Hills, Bel Air, Brentwood, Pacific Palisades, Downtown Los Angeles, Santa Monica, Venice, Manhattan Beach, Westwood, Marina Del Rey, Calabasas, Burbank, Glendale, Pasadena, Hollywood, Palos Verdes, San Fernando Valley, and elsewhere in Greater Los Angeles. Read on to see what makes us different, or contact Fun Paw Care today.