About Sam
Sam Pickup is a professional dog trainer with a simple mission: to help dogs and their families thrive together. Originally from the UK and now based in Los Angeles, Sam brings a thoughtful, no-nonsense style of training that balances kindness with structure.
With years of experience and thousands of hours spent with hundreds of dogs of all temperaments, Sam has learned that great training isn’t about quick fixes or gimmicks — it’s about clarity, consistency, and building trust. His philosophy? If you communicate in a way your dog understands, you’ll be amazed at how quickly they respond.
Feedback From Happy Clients
The Domestic Dog Excellence Approach
At Domestic Dog Excellence, training isn’t about quick fixes or endless treats. It’s about creating calm, confident dogs through clear communication and balanced guidance. Here’s how we do it:
Real Results
Dogs thrive when they know exactly what’s expected of them. Clear commands and consistent rules remove confusion, so your dog learns faster and with less stress.
Balanced Approach
This training method utilizes a blend of positive reinforcement and fair corrections, so your dog understands and trusts your guidance no matter the situation.
Personalized Guidance
Every dog is unique. Sam creates training sessions that meet your dog where they are, whether it’s learning leash manners, reducing jumping, or mastering calm behavior when guests arrive.
Latest From The Blog
Why “Come, Stay, and Heel” Are the Three Skills Every Dog Should Know
When I first meet a dog, people often want to know: “Can you fix the barking?” or “Can you stop the pulling?” But before we even get to those, I always come back to three commands: come, stay, and heel. Why those three? Because they’re not just tricks — they’re life...
Services
At-Home Training
Personalized sessions in your own environment, designed to bring structure, calm, and clarity to everyday life with your dog. I will focus on foundational obedience and dealing directly with the aspect of your dog's behavior that you most need help with.












