the animal academic

your dog’s favorite study buddy

Welcome to the website of positive dog trainer and behavioral scientist, Lisa Goetz.

Offering in-person and virtual client coaching in the South Bay, Los Angeles County, California.

We love a positively trained pooch! I use an approach that is backed by science, to train with positive reinforcement and achieve results that stick. From teaching basic functional cues to addressing problem behaviors, I’m here to help.

NEWSLETTER

Learn more about my training approach and ongoing work with animals through my weekly Substack newsletter:
Bark Academia.

SERVICES

Offering in-person dog training sessions in the South Bay and Los Angeles, with virtual availability worldwide. >> more

Pet sitting & dog walking services available in San Pedro and Palos Verdes. >> more

ABOUT ME

Lisa Goetz is a certified dog trainer (VSA-CDT) with over seventeen years of animal experience and education. >> more

COMMUNITY EVENTS

Sunday, March 29Dog Walking Hours at South Coast Botanic Garden
Rancho Palos Verdes, CA
Every SaturdayPedro Pet Pals – Mobile Cat Adoptions
Point Fermin Park, San Pedro, CA

Posts

I am currently booking for Spring & Summer 2026. If you would like to discuss your training needs, please get in touch.

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Training Code of Ethics

In agreement with the American College of Veterinary Behaviorists and the American Veterinary Medical Association, I do not recommend the use of aversive training tools or methods such as prong collars, shock collars, or physical corrections. I believe that the stress caused by these methods can interfere with learning and retention, and yield less predictable results than a positive-reinforcement approach.