Taught by Victoria herself and her world-class faculty, VSA’s Dog Trainer Course is a rigorous academic and practical study of dog training and behavior knowledge and skills, effective human communication, and business management acumen. The comprehensive course curriculum features multiple learning models and requires students to engage in a combination of online studies and practical experience under the tutelage of a VSA-approved professional mentor. This combination of real-world experience, academic learning and practical applications has positioned VSA as a leader in dog trainer education.

Graduates of the Dog Trainer Course emerge from VSA prepared to offer group dog training classes and private lessons on a professional basis. All VSA graduates sign a statement pledging to promote, practice and uphold Victoria’s high level of force-free, reward-based, positive dog training methodologies and ideologies in their professional work.

As a successful VSA graduate dedicated to maintaining the highest level of professionalism while following the latest in the ever-evolving field of animal behavioral science, Lisa Goetz offers the South Bay area a dog training option they can trust.

About Victoria Stilwell

Victoria Stilwell is a world-renowned dog trainer best known as the star of the international hit TV series It’s Me or the Dog.  Having filmed over 110 episodes since 2005, Stilwell is able to reach audiences in over 100 countries with her philosophy of positive training methods.  A best-selling author, Stilwell appears frequently in the media and is widely recognized as a leader in the field of animal behavior. A passionate advocate for positive dog training methods, Stilwell is the Editor-in-Chief of Positively.com, the founder of the Victoria Stilwell Academy for Dog Training & Behavior, and the CEO of Victoria Stilwell Positively Dog Training – the world’s premier global network of positive reinforcement dog trainers. The recipient of multiple awards, Stilwell is committed to helping the cause of animal rescue and rehabilitation and is heavily involved organizations around the world to increase awareness of puppy mills, dogfighting, animal abuse, pet overpopulation, dog bite prevention and other animal-related causes, but she is best known as a champion for force-free positive reinforcement dog training methods.  She is a National Ambassador for the American Humane Association and serves on the Advisory Boards of RedRover, DogTV, Dognition and Canine Assistants.

About Lisa Goetz

Lisa Goetz has worked with animals professionally since 2008, and was best known as owner of The Vegan Petsitter from 2011 to 2023. She began her career at a local animal hospital where she discovered an interest in animal behavior, after learning how stress can impact an animal’s overall health. She has volunteered extensively in animal rescue and welfare, including campaigning against puppy mills, fostering dogs and cats, and working with rescued elephants in Thailand. In addition to being a Certified Dog Trainer through Victoria Stilwell Academy (VSA-CDT), she is also Fear Free Certified, and a member of the International Association of Animal Behavior Consultants.