ABOUT
Sean Miller
CBCC-KA, CPDT-KA, KPA-CTP, FDM
I have been fascinated by animals and their behaviors since I was young. This curiosity eventually led me to a career in canine behavior. While my childhood dreams of being a zookeeper or veterinarian didn't quite pan out, I found my true calling in helping dogs and their owners build stronger, more harmonious relationships.
My training philosophy is guided by the Golden Rule. I believe in treating both dogs and their owners with the same kindness and understanding I wish to receive. My goal is to create a training experience that is kind, effective, and non-judgmental. I am passionate about finding and addressing the root cause of a behavior, whether it's over-arousal, fear, anxiety, or something else, rather than simply treating the symptom.
I am an experienced and certified dog trainer and canine behavior consultant in West Los Angeles. I am dedicated to staying up-to-date with current evidence-based dog behavior therapies. I have worked with hundreds of dogs of all breeds, sizes, and ages.
My certifications include:
- Karen Pryor Academy Certified Training Partner
(KPA-CTP) - Certified Professional Dog Trainer - Knowledge Assessed
(CPDT-KA) - Certified Behavior Consultant Canine - Knowledge Assessed (CBCC-KA)
- L.E.G.S Family Dog Mediator
(FDM)
I live in West Los Angeles with my wife, Raquel, and our two wonderful dogs, Finn and Potato. My own dogs are a powerful example of the principles I teach. When I first adopted Finn, his behavior problems were so severe that they made walks impossible. Today, he is living his best life and is a joy to spend time with. Potato continues to make progress with his own struggles, reminding me that training is a lifelong journey. We love spending our free time enjoying nature, and they are a constant reminder that with patience and consistent positive training, every dog has the potential to live a happier life.
Willful Dogs is insured by
Petcare Business Insurance
WHY “WILLFUL”?
Most good dog trainers generally try to avoid using unhelpful labels in favor of more descriptive language. Labels like “naughty”, “stubborn”, “aggressive”, or “willful” don’t actually tell us much about what specific behaviors are being exhibited.
What does willful mean?
Obstinate, self-determined, headstrong, or disobedient.
So why did you name your company that?
Call me crazy, but I think dogs deserve to have some self-determination. They’re held captive against their will, held to the standards of a human society, and often they are given virtually zero autonomy.
While it can be frustrating when you and your dog aren’t on the same page, I believe that dogs deserve to be understood. One of my favorite things about working with “willful” dogs is that they make it very clear what they want. When I know what a dog wants, it’s so much simpler to teach them. I love to help dogs make the transition from willful to willing.
*(Also my legal first name is William, and I thought that was kind of clever.)