The city of Los Angeles is famous worldwide for being the residence of Hollywood stars and recognized as one of the most prominent cities. However, it is also acknowledged for its love of canines, with an estimated number of 5.3 million family dogs.
Los Angeles County has over 1.3 million residences out of a total of 3.3 million that have dogs. This could be the reason behind the abundance of locations and events that welcome dogs in LA, such as beaches, parks, hiking trails, shopping centers, and eateries.
Your furry friend can also accompany you to the Walk of Fame to gaze at the stars or take a tour to view the lavish celebrity mansions. Explore the tar pits at La Brea Tar Pits Museum, catch a film at an outdoor theater, or capture memories with a photo session at the Museum of Dream Space.
Although this list provides 15 enjoyable activities for you and your dog in LA, there are countless others to explore, including brewery tours and private walking tours. Rest assured, you’ll easily discover something entertaining to do with your furry companion.
Explore Venice: Venice Beach
If your dream has always been to stroll along the Venice Canals in Italy, then this is a close second. You and your beloved pet will enjoy discovering the beach and the canals just across the road. Venice is known for its casual and independent vibe, making it the ideal beach town. You and your furry companion can wander down the Venice Boardwalk to admire the artwork, visit the stores, and witness the street performances. Remember to keep your pet restrained with a leash and to inquire before entering any establishments or eateries.
Albert Kinney’s affection for Italy resulted in the creation of the Venice Beach canals, which he constructed in 1905 opposite the beach. While there were initially seven canals, only four remain due to the construction of additional roads. If you want to witness the impressive water features, take a stroll on the boardwalk to 25th Avenue where you can locate the sign. Don’t forget to snap some selfies with your furry friend on the one-of-a-kind bridges to post on Instagram.
See the stars: Hollywood Walk of Fame
Bring your furry companion to visit the stars on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, which is a renowned tourist spot in Los Angeles lined with over 2,700 stars covering three blocks on Vine Street and 15 blocks on Hollywood Boulevard. Provided that you keep your furry buddy leashed, you can take them along the entire stretch. It could take a while to view nearly 3,000 stars, and there are numerous pet-friendly cafes and stores where you can halt for a break. However, do verify their pet-friendliness before entering.
Your dog may love seeing the legendary canine actors Rin Tin Tin, Lassie, and Strongheart on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. It’s possible that you might even witness a star being unveiled at an induction ceremony! However, be prepared for large crowds and security measures that may prevent you from seeing the stars up close. By visiting the official Walk of Fame website, you can stay informed about upcoming induction ceremonies, such as Kelly Clarkson’s, who will receive the 2,733rd star on September 19th.
See celebrity homes: Hollywood Hills Tour
Why not go on a dog-friendly tour to see the homes of celebrities after witnessing their stardom? During this 90-minute tour, you and your furry companion will be chauffeured in a group of fans from Hollywood Hills to Beverly Hills, including the residences in Santa Monica Mountains. Since the tour is equally well-known as the stars, it is crucial to reserve it well ahead of time. Your guide will share fascinating information about the celebrities while you admire their magnificent estates.
During the tour, you will have the opportunity to witness the abodes of celebrities such as Jason Statham, Keith Urban, Nicole Kidman, and Justin Timberlake, alongside Lady Gaga, Charlize Theron, Keanu Reeves, and Leonardo DiCaprio. Additionally, you will have access to the former residences of prominent names such as Ariana Grande, Tom Cruise, Charlie Chaplin, Elizabeth Taylor, and Frank Sinatra. The use of a lightweight van on this tour enables you to explore homes that are off-limits to other tour companies due to weight restrictions.
Check out the local culture: Museum of Dream Space Beverly Hills
The Museum of Dream Space, also known as MODS, is situated within the Grand Central Shoppes, in the vicinity of Beverly Hills and West Hollywood. It is the first museum that showcases digital art as its primary exhibit. Found adjacent to Versace, this exceptional museum is an ideal spot for capturing phenomenal selfies with your pet. Although the five rooms do not have specific labels, each one offers a distinctive experience.
Several rooms are designed as digital art playgrounds that offer opportunities for creative photography, such as taking silhouette shots in front of a giant moon projection in the Projection Room or posing with a stunning fairy light display in the Lightbulb Room. With a seating area, the Orb Room boasts fascinating orbs that alter colors, perfect for clicking photos. The Faces Room exhibits a range of colorful walls adorned with pop art, capable of enhancing portrait shots. And as its name suggests, you can enjoy a striking room full of golden hues in the Gold Room.
Get trained: Zoom Room
The Zoom Room has a presence near Highway 405 in Marina Del Rey, and other branches can be located across California such as Burbank, Culver City, Long Beach, Santa Clarita, and Torrance. It’s not just a typical dog training facility as their skilled trainers can instruct your dog (and you) in a variety of skills. Regardless of whether you require obedience lessons for your new pup or agility training for your older dog, the Zoom Room has got it all covered.
In addition to receiving training, you and your beloved pet can explore new activities such as acquiring new skills, hunting, and developing their sense of smell, or try something unique such as Puplates, Urban Herding, and Canine Cross Training. Regardless of the lovely weather in LA, the indoor gym is a secure and comfortable environment for all. After the training session, you can purchase toys, puzzles, and treats for your pup at the gift shop or relax with a drink on the private patio.
BONUS: How to set realistic goals and where to get started
Kayla Fratt, the proprietor of Journey Dog Training and a certified dog behavior consultant, asserts that ensuring a dog’s comfort with its own skin and lifestyle is a fundamental objective that she strives for with every dog.
No matter the case — whether you recently brought a puppy home from the breeder or have had your dog for years — all dogs can benefit from training throughout their lives.
Starting the process can be a daunting task. If you’ve searched for “dog trainers near me” online, you may have found yourself bombarded with choices, certifications, and terminology, leading to a sense of being overwhelmed. The amount of information available can be quite overwhelming. That’s why we sought out expert advice on where to begin, and this is what they suggest:
Identify your training goals
Dog training has two main levels. The first level involves skills training and teaching basic manners like sitting, staying, and lying down. This level requires a dog trainer. The second level involves addressing behavior problems like anxiety, fearfulness, or aggressiveness. For this level, you would need a dog behavioral consultant such as Brianna Dick from Pack Leader Help.
“The way that I approach dog training is behavioral psychology based,” says Dick, who is a member of the International Association of Canine Professionals. “We’re not looking at just the physical behaviors of dogs. We’re looking at their emotions and the relationship they have with their humans.”
To receive both skills training and behavior training, prioritize behavior training which is more challenging. A dog behavior consultant can also teach your dog how to sit, whereas a dog trainer may lack the necessary expertise in addressing separation anxiety.
Be realistic.
Fratt states that not all dogs will enjoy visiting a dog park just as not all humans will develop a love for attending raves.
Kim Brophey is the proprietor of The Dog Door Behavior Center and an applied ethologist as well as a mediator for family dogs. She crafted a guidebook titled “Meet Your Dog: The Game Changing Guide To Understanding Your Dog’s Behavior” to educate individuals. Brophey uses L.E.G.S (Learning, Environment, Genetics, Self) to elucidate canine actions. For instance, if your dog is barking at your visitors.
Brophey suggests that the breed of dog might have been specifically chosen over centuries as a means of guarding the household against intruders entering through the front door. She advises that due to the inherent territorial protectiveness of German shepherds, it may be necessary to adjust your expectations as training may not completely eliminate this instinct.
Decide how you’d like to train your dog.
There are several training options available such as group classes, private training, board and train, day training and self-directed training, among others. Although group classes are less personalized, they are more affordable. Fratt cautions that board and train facilities are costlier and involve more risks.
“If the trainer spends all this time training the dog in this really specific context and then basically just hands you the leash, takes your check and walks away, there’s a very good chance you’re not actually going to be able to implement those new strategies and skills … successfully in your home.”
Your decision will be based on both your financial limitations and your objectives for training. For instance, if your canine displays aggressive behavior towards another canine in your household, external training methods may not be effective in addressing the issue.
Keep in mind that you will need to participate in your dog’s training, but it doesn’t need to consume a significant portion of your time. Fratt suggests that she only devotes roughly five minutes daily to training. Moreover, much of the practice that trainers assign to you is entertaining and can be seamlessly incorporated into your routine.
Our experts recommend free or affordable online resources for dog training if you’re not willing to spend a large sum of money.
- Kikopup on Youtube and Instagram
- Fenzi Dog Sports Academy
- K9 of Mine
Understand the methodologies.
Training dogs is an uncontrolled sector, enabling anyone who possesses a website, Instagram profile, or a store to assert themselves as a dog trainer. Because of this, there are no officially established guidelines that dictate the methodology to use when training a dog, causing various trainers to disagree. Despite this, dog trainers frequently fall into two general groups:
One type of dog trainers, such as Fratt, employ positive reinforcement techniques. This involves rewarding the dog with something pleasant, such as a treat, when they exhibit good behavior, thereby encouraging repetition. Alternatively, positive experiences can be used to counteract an existing fear or aversion in the dog’s mind.
Another type of trainer is Brianna Dick and those who use a balanced approach. They employ affirmative techniques, but are also open to implementing corrections such as e-collars during training.
The process of E-collar training is carried out by using a collar that is worn by the dog and controlled remotely. It sends a stimulus to the dog’s neck, such as a shock, sound or citronella spray, as a form of correction. The use of E-collars is a contentious issue within the dog training community, particularly the ones that generate a shock.
“That’s a one-size-fits-all approach and it’s unlikely to yield favorable outcomes,” cautions Dick about trainers who rely on e-collars for every dog. “What you need is someone who takes the time to understand you, your rapport with your pet, and your lifestyle.”
Find a good trainer.
To find a reliable list of positive reinforcement or balanced trainers in your locality, a useful starting point would be to refer to lists curated by different professional associations. There exist numerous such associations, such as:
- International Association of Animal Behavior Consultants (IAABC)
- Certification Council for Professional Dog Trainers (CCPDT)
- The Association of Professional Dog Trainers (APDT)
- Karen Pryor Academy (KPA)
- Pet Professional Guild
- The Academy for Dog Trainers
- Pat Miller Certified Trainers
Conduct interviews and get in touch with previous clients to determine which trainer you feel most at ease with. Verify that they are capable of explaining their training approaches.
