Dr. Dunbar                        Dr. Cassie Jones                       Dr. Robert Olds                Certification

Several veterinarians in the Los Angeles area have been confidently recommending me for years—with outstanding results. They’ve found that I provide a valuable service; one that saves time, reduces anxiety, and leads to rapid resolutions. Read their comments regarding my unique service 

Ian Dunbar, PhD., B. Vet. Med., author of Dog Behaviour, behavior booklets,  lecturer, and founder of the Association of Pet Dog Trainers:
"Bill Stavers is the one of the best dog trainers in Los Angeles. I know, because he's been attending  my training seminars for years. From puppy training to problem solving, he's a pro at helping families learn how to coexist harmoniously with their pets."


Cassie Jones, DVM:
 Bill helps my clients get results quickly.  He is realistic and knowledgeable about training and understands the problems we see in many dog breeds.  He is also honest and straightforward about problems. I am not surprised that Los Angeles Magazine featured Bill Stavers as best trainer in Los Angeles. 
From my point of view as a veterinarian, he helps me help my clients enjoy their pet sooner. His techniques are sensible and easy to follow. If I can rule out a medical source of concern, then I can work with Bill and the client to resolve most training issues promptly. Clients like him and their pets like him.  That is important to me when I recommend behavior counseling because the trainer needs to be able to train the owner as well as the pet. 
Lastly, if there was an award for Cat Trainer of the Year, Bill would win that one hands down, too. I really appreciate being able to refer clients to him.

Robert Olds, DVM, Brentwood Pet Clinic, West Los Angeles, CA:
Bill Stavers has provided exemplary pet behavior counseling to my clients for the past two decades. Using sophisticated techniques, effective communication skills, and a supportive attitude, Bill brings a deep understanding of pet behavior to the task of enhancing the human-animal bond. Because of his hard work and the excellent feedback I've received from satisfied clients, Bill is one of the select few I confidently recommend to people seeking help with pet training and behavior problems.
 

About Certification:

I earned level one certification through the Association of Pet Dog Trainers, the first ever national certification for dog trainers, becoming the fourth certified trainer in the Los Angeles area.

Until the Association of Pet Dog Trainers created the Certification Council for Pet Dog Trainers in 2001, there was no true, standardized certification process for dog trainers. Although many schools teach dog training and offer certification for their specific programs, such certificates reflect the teaching and quality of a specific school. Some organizations offer unmonitored, take-home tests for certification.

The certification Council for Pet Dog Trainers is a true certification entity pursuing  accreditation from the National Organization for Competency Assurance. The test sites are moderated by the Professional Testing Corporation of New York.