Love at First Sit® offers a comprehensive dog behavior and training program. The services include in-home private dog behavior and training, group dog training classes, AKC Canine Good Citizen program, and virtual dog behavior and training.

The curriculum covers obedience, manners, behavior modification, puppy training, and AKC Canine Good Citizen training and evaluations. The methods used are science-based, least intrusive, minimally aversive (LIMA) with positive reinforcement. The approach is fear and force-free.

Certifications include AKC CGC, BA, Cert DT, ABCDT, and designations as a Certified Dog Behaviorist and Trainer. As a Dog Behaviorist and Obedience Trainer, the training equipment used is force-free and fear-free. The approach involves reward-based intensives and lures, focusing on positive reinforcement in lessons, training, and treatment plans.

The training philosophy is centered around creating an unbreakable bond between dogs and their owners. Love at First Sit® aims to provide the tools necessary for dogs to be the best they can be through science-based, least intrusive, minimally aversive (LIMA) methods with positive reinforcement, without fear or force.

Services are available in Santa Monica and an 8-mile radius, as well as worldwide for virtual dog training. The languages spoken are English.

Adding a dog to a family can be a rewarding experience, but training and behavioral challenges can lead to frustration and stress. Love at First Sit® aims to prevent hindrances to a dog's potential and reduce suffering, re-homing, and relinquishment to animal shelters.

The program is customized to address these issues and help dogs become well-adjusted family members. The focus is on utilizing science and rewards-based, positive reinforcement methods. Love at First Sit® emphasizes the importance of the relationship between dogs and their owners while providing the necessary tools and insight to help dogs grow to their fullest potential.

Services cater to puppies, adults, and mature dogs, covering basic obedience, manners, behavior modification, and transitioning newly adopted dogs into their homes.

Pawsitively Perfect Pooches is centered around positive reinforcement, devoid of choke or prong collars. The training philosophy hinges on 'Pawsitive' reinforcement, excluding the use of choke chains, prong collars, or shock collars. This approach aims to foster a positive relationship and mutual respect between owners and their dogs.

The team serves various locations, including Santa Monica, Venice, Marina Del Rey, Beverly Hills, Beverlywood, Westwood, South Bay, El Segundo, Manhattan, Redondo, Hermosa Beaches, West LA, Brentwood, Pacific Palisades, Malibu, Playa Del Rey, and Mar Vista. Services offered encompass group classes, private in-home training, pet sitting with training brush-ups, and a range of activities for active dogs, including professional pet photography.

Melissa Hummer, the founder, has a wealth of experience working with dogs and holds certifications as a CGC (Canine Good Citizens) evaluator, as well as in pet first-aid and CPR. Her dedication extends to community service, including work with K9 Connection, an organization pairing at-risk youth with shelter dogs, and volunteering at shelters in Los Angeles.

With 40 years of training, showing, and field trial experience, the dog trainer supports and encourages Positive Reinforcement training and LIMA (Least Intrusive Minimally Aversive) techniques, which are known to produce the most well-balanced and happily trained dogs and pet parents.

The trainer teaches a visual and verbal language for more robust learning. After being in the UK and on the east coast, they are returning to the LA area.

Tracy James is a dog and fitness trainer based in Los Angeles, CA. She has been working with dogs for over 13 years and has experience with a variety of breeds and temperaments, from docile puppies to shy, fearful, and reactive dogs. She has been working out for years with her own dog, Berlin, and has experienced first-hand the joy that being active with your dog can bring into your life. With her dog training and fitness instruction certifications, she loves being able to share that joy with others as well through Feet & Paws Fitness. It is such an honor helping people and their dogs be healthy and happy together.

Training Philosophy
Tracy James believes in positive reinforcement training methods. She uses treats, praise, and other positive motivators to teach dogs desired behaviors and eliminate unwanted ones. She also emphasizes the importance of building a strong bond between dogs and their owners.

Services
Tracy James offers a variety of services, including:

• Private Dog Training: Personalized sessions to fit your goals. Train in your own home at your convenience. Perfect for those new or returning to fitness, as well as those looking to enhance current skills.
• Dog Training Classes: Small social setting. Improve your dog's social skills, especially if on a budget, while learning how to teach your dog good habits & eliminate unwanted behaviors.
• Pack Walks: Socialize your dog and meet other dog owners. All breeds welcome. Ask for dog & fitness training advice.
• Workout With Your Dog Classes: Cardio, strength, and agility for you and your dog. Experience a bond with your dog that is "hugely fulfilling".
• Canine Only Fitness Classes: Cardio, strength, and agility for your dog. Improve your dog's obedience skills. Intensity levels for all ages and fitness levels.
• Private Canine Fitness Training: Prepare your dog for competitive sports. Help rehabilitate your dog post-surgery. Improve your senior dog's quality of movement.
• Private Canine & Human Fitness Training: Get & Stay Fit With The Best Workout Buddy Ever!
• Private Human Fitness Training: Reach Your Fitness Goals With Convenient, Customized Sessions.

Certifications
Tracy James is a Certified Professional Dog Trainer - Knowledge Assessed (CPDT-KA®), Animal Behavior College Certified Dog Trainer (ABCDT), Certified Professional Canine Fitness Trainer (CPCFT), National Strength & Conditioning Association Certified Personal Trainer (NSCA CPT), and American College Of Sports Medicine Certified Group Exercise Instructor (ACSM GEI).

Specializations
Tracy James specializes in dog training, puppy training, canine fitness training, and human fitness training. She also has experience working with reactive dogs and dogs with anxiety.

Training Methods
Tracy James uses positive reinforcement training methods. She believes in rewarding dogs for good behavior and using treats, praise, and other positive motivators to teach them desired behaviors. She also uses a variety of training tools, such as clickers, leashes, and harnesses.

Customer Reviews
Tracy James has received many positive reviews from her clients. Here are a few examples:

• Daisy R.: "Tracy has been a wonderfully patient, insightful, and inspiring teacher to our family and our newly adopted rescue pup. Our dog loves her and has been eager to learn every session we had with her. Our field trips really expanded our knowledge of how to train in public. Tracy is very attuned with the animals she teaches and we recommend her wholeheartedly!"
• Teresa G.: "Tracy is the best! My 6 month Australian Shepherd and I first took her group class. It felt like a private instruction. Immediate results. Sit, Stay, Come, Wait, Leave it. Done, done, done, done, done. She's a dog whisperer. She taught us how to properly respect our dog and how to earn respect in return. Our home is a happier place because of her. We followed up with private sessions because of a skateboard and vacuum issue our dog was having and again with Tracy's instruction...problem solved."
• Tawney B.: "Tracy has been AMAZING to work with. We've done one-on-one training at our home several times as well as participated in the group classes more than once. I highly recommend both! My dog and I have truly loved our time in each setting. Tracy creates a welcoming and warm community for both the humans and the dogs in the classes. She's also incredibly knowledgeable about the ways dogs learn. She is so clear and committed. Most importantly, my dog, who is afraid of a lot of people, sounds, and even the wind, LOVES Tracy too. She gave me hope that I could train him too and get my little guy more confident and happy! I am so grateful to Tracy! My family adopted a puppy during the beginning of the pandemic. We thought it would be nice for our current rescued chihuahua terrier dog to have a buddy. But, adding an additional furry family member posed many challenges, especially during a time when little socialization options were available. Thank you, Tracy!"
• Olivia E.: "Tracy is a godsend! We adopted our 4-year-old Buddy Boy (a wheaten) from a breeder who kept him outside on a filthy dog run. Once we cleaned him up and got rid of his fleas, we realized he was an escape artist. He jumped over our fences (which are now higher). He even climbed trees to get out (those branches have been pruned). Scariest of all, he was terrible with my grandchildren. I was terrified we'd have to give him back. After working with Tracy, I can safely say he's the sweetest, best dog I've ever had. Not only did Feet & Paws train him, Tracy trained me too! She was gentle (but firm) and patient, and she always left me with a hard copy of that day's lesson; it's also on her website. It was so helpful to Buddy and me to rely on her notes rather than my memory. Six months after our sessions, we had an issue with Buddy on the bed. In one email, she told me how to fix it and sent me backup info. It worked and we're all sleeping soundly again. I can't say enough about Tracy James and Feet&Paws."

Media Appearances
Tracy James has been featured in a number of media outlets, including:

• Nobody Listens to Paula Poundstone: Tracy James was a guest on the podcast to teach Paula Poundstone how to teach a new dog old tricks.
• Good Morning America: Tracy James was featured on Good Morning America to highlight her workout with your dog classes.
• L.A. Times: Tracy James was featured in the L.A. Times for her dog-friendly fitness classes and for her volunteer work at the L.A. Animal Services North Central Shelter.
• Yelp: Tracy James was featured on Yelp for her dog-friendly activities in West Los Angeles.
• Voyage LA: Tracy James was featured in Voyage LA for her story and her work with Feet & Paws Fitness.
• This Dog's Life: Tracy James was featured in This Dog's Life for her work with Feet & Paws Fitness.
• Reebok: Tracy James was featured on Reebok for her tips on how to work out with your dog.