Los Angeles’ Balanced Dog Trainer · 25+ Years Experience · All Breeds, All Ages · (213) 698-7383
Balanced Training · All Breeds, All Ages
Los Angeles' Balanced Dog Trainer — 25+ Years of Experience.
- 25+ Years Experience
- Balanced Trainer
- All Breeds & All Ages Welcome
- Small Breed & Doodle Specialist
- Board & Train From $1,400/Week
Free 30-Minute Phone or Zoom Consultation
25+
Years Experience
5.0
Star Google Rating
2
Consistent, Familiar Trainers
100%
In-Home, Not a Facility
What We Solve
We Address These Issues.
Puppy Nipping & Potty Training
No structure yet, and everyone in the house is exhausted.
Leash Pulling & Reactivity
Walks turn into a wrestling match instead of something you enjoy.
Selective Hearing & No Recall
Your dog knows the commands — but only listens when it suits them.
Separation Anxiety & Nervousness
A dog who struggles to settle, relax, or feel confident on their own.
Jumping, Barking & Resource Guarding
Guests, furniture, and food all becoming daily flashpoints.
No Boundaries At Home
A dog you love, but one that runs the household instead of living happily in it.
Meet Sue Ellen
25 Years. Every Breed. Every Age.
Dog training has been Sue Ellen’s passion since she was a little girl. Over 25 years ago she turned that childhood dream into a career — studying under top trainers and developing her own individualized, balanced style along the way. Today she’s Los Angeles’ go-to balanced trainer for dogs of all breeds and all ages.
As a lifelong chihuahua owner, Sue Ellen knows firsthand how hard it can be to find a trainer who takes small-dog problems seriously. That became a specialty — along with a real soft spot for Doodles — built on top of 25 years of experience training dogs of every breed, size, and age.
She’s a Balanced Trainer
Not a strictly “positive-only” trainer, and not an old-school disciplinarian either — Sue Ellen believes real structure paired with warmth is what makes training simple, easy, and genuinely fun, for the dog and for you.
“Every dog that comes to me lives in my home — not a facility. I train the way I’d want my own dog trained — with structure, patience, and a whole lot of personality.”
— Sue Ellen
Meet The Team
The Hands Your Dog Will Know.
Every dog in our care gets consistent, familiar faces — never a rotating cast of strangers.
Sue Ellen Lebendig
Founder & Head Trainer
Los Angeles’ balanced dog trainer with 25+ years of hands-on experience training dogs of all breeds and all ages — with a specialty in small breeds and Doodles. Sue Ellen personally oversees every dog’s program from start to finish.
Serina
Trainer
Sue Ellen’s right hand in the training room. Serina works hands-on with board & train dogs on everything from foundational obedience to more advanced work with nervous or under-socialized dogs.
Not All Dog Training Is Created Equal
Why LA Families Choose Sue Ellen.
What You'll Usually Find
- One-size-fits-all training programs
- Support ends once training is picked up
- Not always experienced with small breeds
Dog Training with Sue Ellen
- Individualized, balanced program for your dog
- Personal, hands-on experience — trained in my home, not a facility
- Phone & text check-ins, ongoing support for life
- 25+ years training dogs of all breeds & ages — specializing in small breeds & Doodles
- Sue Ellen personally oversees every dog's program, start to finish
Training Programs
Pick The Program That Fits Your Dog.
Every relationship starts with a free 30-minute phone or Zoom consultation.
Puppy Board & Train
Puppy Program
From $1,400/week
Your puppy lives with Sue Ellen and learns basic obedience, socialization, sleep training, and puppy management. Puppies as young as 11 weeks welcome.
- Potty Training, Puppy Training & Crate Manners
- Socialization with well-tempered dogs
- Loose leash walking foundation
- 90-min go-home lesson + week-one check-ins
Board & Train
Standard Program
From $1,400/week
A 3–4 week program addressing obedience and behavior — leash reactivity, jumping, selective hearing, and more — while your dog lives in Sue Ellen’s home.
- Obedience & off-leash foundations
- Behavior Modification and Manners
- 90-min go-home transfer lesson
- Ongoing phone, text & email support
Extended Stay
Extended Board & Train
From $4,200/3 weeks
Everything in the standard program, plus off-leash reliability — for dogs needing deeper behavior work.
- Everything in Standard Board & Train
- Off-leash behavior training
- Extended socialization & proofing
- Lifetime access to day training groups
Not sure which program fits your dog? Also offering Private In-Home Lessons from $250/session — start with a free 30-minute consultation.
In Their Words
Real Families. Real Results.
“After a month-long puppy board and train, our once-sleepless nights turned into a calm, well-mannered new addition to the family — and Sue Ellen still checks in long after training ended.”
Heather U. — Aurora’s Owner
“I adopted a rescue puppy and felt completely in over my head — Sue Ellen’s hands-on program and constant availability turned things around completely for our whole family.”
Carol K. — Tallulah’s Owner
“I struggled to set boundaries with my stubborn puppy, Una. Sue Ellen’s board and train — plus ongoing tools and support afterward — helped us both succeed together.”
Kelsey O. — Una’s Owner
Service Areas
Serving Los Angeles' Westside & Valley.
In-home & private sessions across these communities — Board & Train clients welcome from anywhere.
- Beverly Hills
- Calabasas
- Woodland Hills
- Agoura Hills
- Hidden Hills
- Santa Monica
- Brentwood
- Bel Air
- Manhattan Beach
Also serving Pacific Palisades, Malibu, Topanga Canyon & the San Fernando Valley.
How It Works
Getting Started Is Simple.
1
Free Consultation
A free 30-minute phone call or Zoom to talk through your dog’s needs — no pressure.
2
Personalized Plan
Sue Ellen builds a balanced, individualized program around your dog and your life.
3
Hands-On Training
Your dog trains and lives alongside Sue Ellen and Serina — treated like family.
4
Lifetime Support
Check-ins, day training groups, and Sue Ellen’s phone number, for as long as you need it.
Common Questions
Answers To Your Top Questions.
What is board and train like for my dog?
Your dog lives with Sue Ellen and is treated as if they were her own. Because she only takes a few dogs at a time, each one gets an abundance of one-on-one training and attention.
Do you train all breeds, or just small breeds?
Sue Ellen trains dogs of all breeds and all ages, backed by 25+ years of hands-on experience. Small breeds and Doodles are a particular specialty, built from her own 25 years as a chihuahua owner, but she gets excellent results across every breed and size.
What's your training philosophy?
Sue Ellen is a balanced trainer — combining clear structure, communication, and positive reinforcement so training is simple, easy, and genuinely fun for both of you.
How young can my puppy start?
Private lessons and pre-puppy consultations can start as early as 8 weeks. For the Puppy Board & Train program, puppies are welcome starting at 11 weeks.
What areas do you serve?
Calabasas, Woodland Hills, Agoura Hills, Hidden Hills, Santa Monica, Brentwood, Bel Air, Manhattan Beach, and surrounding communities. Board & Train clients are welcome from anywhere.
What happens after training ends?
Every program includes a go-home lesson, plus phone and text check-ins during the first week home. After that, Sue Ellen and Serina remain available by phone, email, and text.
Start With A Free Conversation
Give Your Dog — And Yourself — A Fresh Start.
One free 30-minute consultation is all it takes to build a simple, balanced plan that fits your dog and your life.
Dog Training with Sue Ellen
Los Angeles’ balanced dog trainer with 25+ years of experience training dogs of all breeds and all ages — specializing in small breeds and Doodles. In-home dog training and board & train programs across LA.
Contact
(213) 698-7383
sueellen@littledogchick.com
Los Angeles, CA
Programs
Puppy Board & Train
Standard Board & Train
Extended Board & Train
Private In-Home Lessons