Jeff Todd, who founded and runs Smart Dogs Training Academy, has spent more than two decades working directly with dogs—his site states he has personally trained upward of 25,000 animals across breeds, ages, and behavioral challenges. That experience extends to complex cases: according to his materials, he regularly works with dogs showing aggression, fear, anxiety, and reactivity. He has also appeared on a nationally broadcast courtroom show as an independent expert on canine behavior and bite incidents.
The Studio City business describes its approach as relationship-focused rather than command-driven, emphasizing that each program is shaped around the specific dog and household rather than following a standard template. Their site frames lasting change as dependent on owner participation, with coaching provided before, during, and after the training period. Services include private lessons, board-and-train stays, and consultations covering obedience, puppy foundations, housebreaking, and behavioral concerns.
They also offer service dog training, which their materials describe as a structured process covering obedience, public access skills, and handler-specific tasks—with an upfront assessment of whether a particular dog is suited for that work. The business serves the greater Los Angeles area alongside Portland and Seattle, with both in-person sessions and remote coaching available.