Rising Stars: Meet Alex And Kelli Jacobson of Sherman Oaks

Today we’d like to introduce you to Alex And Kelli Jacobson.

Hi Alex and Kelli, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
We got our start volunteering with rescue groups and shelters in Los Angeles, where we noticed that many dogs struggled in foster care and after adoption—either because their behaviors were misunderstood or they simply hadn’t learned the skills they needed. That sparked our fascination with behavior science: We wanted to bridge the gap between what dogs are trying to communicate and the behaviors that help them thrive in a home.

To turn that passion into practice, Alex trained at the CATCH Dog Training Academy and earned his CPDT-KA certification. In 2018, we launched The Grateful Dog LA. Since then, every dog we work with teaches us something new. We like to stay current through hands-on experience, peer consultations, and ongoing study.

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Not exactly smooth, but honestly, that’s part of the fun in this work. Every dog is an individual, so solutions are rarely one-size-fits-all. When we hit a roadblock, we ask ourselves the BBQ (Basic Behavior Question):

“What Behavior, under What Conditions?”

While our dogs can’t communicate their needs to us directly, we can discover what the dog is trying to communicate by observing their behavior and the context in which it occurs.

A good example: A client would come home to find their dog on the kitchen table whenever they returned home. After setting up a camera and observing the behavior, we realized she’d discovered that table-standing reliably got attention, and so it became her go-to “welcome” routine. By teaching her more desirable ways to say “I missed you” and making alone time comfortable, that table-standing faded, and her tail-wagging greetings took its place.

As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
From puppy basics (sit, loose-leash walking, recall) to more complex challenges (separation anxiety, resource guarding, even reactivity or aggression), we help dogs build skills, not just suppress unwanted behaviors.

We use functional assessments to uncover why a dog is doing something, then teach behaviors that serve the same function in a way that everyone loves. That means less punishment and more reinforcement, so the behaviors you do see are exactly the ones you want.

What sets us apart? Function-based training: Every behavior has a purpose. We start with a solid assessment to uncover why a dog is doing what it’s doing, then teach an alternative repertoire that meets that same need in a way that’s healthy, reliable, and owner-friendly.

Constructional Approach: Rather than suppressing unwanted behavior, we build missing skills or expand current ones. By teaching new ways to access those critical consequences the dog is after, the “problem” behaviors naturally fade.

Owner empowerment: We don’t just coach the dog; we coach their human, too. Our clients learn how to interpret their dog’s behavior, run their own assessments, and apply these principles any time a new challenge pops up.

This function-first framework produces lasting results and keeps both dogs and their people confident long after our sessions end.

We are so proud to introduce our newest initiative, The Grateful Dog Project, where we offer free training to unhoused youth through My Friend’s Place in Hollywood. We believe that when families—both human and canine—get the support they need, they can stay together and thrive. We even help arrange temporary foster homes so young people can focus on rebuilding their lives without losing their animal companions.

Before we let you go, we’ve got to ask if you have any advice for those who are just starting out?
The dog-training world is wonderfully diverse and totally unregulated so you’ll find a million different methods (and trainers who insist theirs is the only right way!). Our advice:

Follow your values. Let your compassion and ethics guide you more than any single “method.”

Stay curious. Try different approaches, measure what really works, and be ready to adjust.

Build your network. Connect with mentors and peers—there’s so much to learn, and no one succeeds in isolation.

Above all, remember: you’re not just teaching dogs tricks. You’re reshaping lives—both theirs and their families’. Approach each case with empathy, a little humility, and a healthy dose of scientific curiosity, and you’ll be amazed at what you can achieve.

Pricing:

• Complimentary Consultation $0
• Private Training $200
• Group Classes $100
• Functional Behavior Program $600
• Life Skills Program $400

Contact Info:

• Website: https://thegratefuldogla.com
• Instagram: thegratefuldogla