We're doing the 21-day training with our golden retriever. He's a really great puppy (8 months old), easy to train, but he has a LOT of energy. He's also a big boy, so we wanted to work with trainers who knew what they were doing but didn't employ needlessly harsh techniques. We were concerned about the e-collar, but once Phil did a demonstration for us, we knew it was the way we wanted to go. Our golden has not had an adverse reaction to the collar, and we have been updated with videos and pictures almost every single day that he's been at training (we're just over a week in at the time of this review). In every video, our puppy looks happy, healthy, and like he's getting a lot of love! He's very soft-hearted, and the trainers and staff at SMS are amazing and so gentle with him! Highly recommend. Update 8/19/17: Our golden retriever puppy just got back from SMS. Tyler and Becca spent about an hour and a half answering questions and making sure we were comfortable with the basics of training before they left! It was clear from their interactions with our dog that they really, really loved and bonded with him. After they left, my husband and I practiced the commands some more. Then we took him out into our UNFENCED yard, and were able to let him walk and explore OFF LEASH! He still needed a few corrections and repetitions (which we were told would happen for the first two months after they return home as they're trying to figure out whether the rules that applied at SMS also apply at home), but it's already clear he has the basics down extremely well. I'm very happy that we chose the 3-week training instead of the 10-day training, as it feels like our puppy has definitely benefited from that extra time. Training and working with him is actually a joy now rather than a stressful chore because he already has all the basics down and we just need to continue to reinforce! We couldn't be happier. We're going to group classes and when he turns a year, we plan to register him as a therapy dog. Do it; you won't regret it! read more

Sit Means Sit has been an excellent place for us to train our dog, Angel. Angel is an ACD mix, and only a year and half old when I brought her home from the local Humane Society. She arrived at the shelter on a Thursday, was spayed, and I took her home on the following Saturday. Shy and timid, she did not know how to play, she was not house broken, and she ran completely wild on leash, and off. We started calling her our "damaged goods" dog....be we loved her just the same. We recognized the need for immediate help for her good...and ours! I first heard of Sit Means Sit from a friend who was in the process of using them to train their dog. I sort of put off calling them until I saw the Sit Means Sit van driving around town. I made the appointment...Mackenzie came out to visit with us about SMS training. We were so impressed, we signed up that night...and off went our Angel for several days of training with Mackenzie and SMS. When our dog was returned to us, she was a completely different dog!!! Mackenzie did more than "jump start" our dog into listening to commands and obeying. Now it was our turn to learn how to give commands. We began working with Angel right away, as well as, attended the training classes at the SMS facility...and we still continue the class to this day...at no extra charge! (What a deal!) Angel is a very well behaved dog. She no longer retains her old nickname, Damaged Goods....lol! This weekend, Angel will begin training as a therapy dog with one of the SMS trainers, Nancy. If all goes well and she passes, she will get to be a part of the Go Team; therapy trained dogs and their handlers helping to offer comfort to others. I highly encourage anyone with a dog...no matter the breed or temperament...who is looking for excellent training, to contact Sit Means Sit. I will never look for different training facility again......Give it a GO! read more

The best decision we ever made for our two puppies was taking them to Sit Means Sit. My husband and I have two border collies that are about a year old. We started taking Teddy and Ritzy when they were around 7 months old to classes, and they were both destructive rascals! Ritzy was a shy and timid puppy, and as she grew older that fear turned into aggression towards people and dogs. We had several private lessons with the trainers for our little diva, and she has improved immensely. She is much better around people and once she gets in the training mindset, she really listens to commands. Ritzy still has a ways to go, but we are now in group classes, getting her used to being around other dogs, and still being obedient with lots of distractions. Teddy was always a little better off than his sister. He is a follower, so when his sister is misbehaving, he is too. The trick has been to get him to follow us instead of Ritzy. We had several private lessons for him as well, and he caught on to obedience pretty quickly. Teddy still has plenty of room for improvement, and we look forward to taking him and Ritzy to group classes and getting them to a place of constant obedience! And hopefully off leash walking sometime in the future! I can't speak highly enough about the trainers at Sit Means Sit. Some of the early private sessions were pretty tough. Our dogs' behavior left us feeling like there was no hope and they would always be bad dogs. But with the encouragement of the trainers, and our persistence in not settling for bad behavior, and continuing to go to classes, our pups have done a 180 and are well on their way to reaching their full potential! We can hardly wait to see our dogs learn more obedience and gain more confidence. I have no doubt that they will surpass our expectations thanks to their time at Sit Means Sit. read more

What a difference two weeks make! We got our chocolate Labradoodle as a two month old cuddly ball of fur. What a lot of fun he was to play with. And then we noticed changes taking place. He was getting BIG!, rambunctious, energetic, and klutzy. He was a canine wrecking ball. There wasn't an inch of skin on my arms that wasn't bruised or scratched. Friends could not come over to the house without being knocked on their backsides. Taking him to the Vet was a fun outing. Getting him on the scale was impossible. Don't misunderstand, he was just overly friendly, licking the Doc's face while his tail was busy clearing exam tables. My wife and I are getting up there in age and could not control him on walks. A friend of my wife, was dog sitting for her friend's two large dogs that were positively the most well-behaved dogs she had ever met. She inquired who trained them. The friend said they went through sessions at Sit means Sit. That did it! We enrolled him in the two-week boarding class with Dirk his Trainer. We were provided with videos of his sessions on Tues, Thurs, and Fri. of each week. Initially, he looked like he was lonely during the first session but from then on his head was high his tail was up and wagging and he was responding to instruction. When he came home he was a changed dog, we could take him for leisurely strolls, he didn't knock over my friends, and the Vet's Office staff enjoyed seeing him come in at his last appointment. The weigh-in at the Vets - - -EZ. I walked him over next to the scale, pointed down and told him "place", he immediately stepped on the scale and sat (76lbs.). We can't say enough good things about the training Dirk provided and continues to provide with one on one training for us and our "Good Boy" read more

We got Golden Retriever #3 after the kids left home and after we lost Golden #2 at age 15 1/2. This little guy was a pill - willful, very aggressive on the leash, growling and grabbing, and all around throwing a fit. I heard about Sit Means Sit from a friend in exercise class and decided to give it a try - other classes just weren't working. I even called my vet ahead of time to get her take and she told us she was supportive of working with an electric collar, although it isn't for everyone. We noticed very quick results - he knew what the rules were as did we. The first time I took him to the vet after we started classes, she remarked that both he and I seemed much calmer and more relaxed. We also take advantage of the weekly classes which help reinforce lessons and which he thoroughly enjoys - you should see how excited he is when we pull in the parking lot. As an example of where we are, we recently traveled to another town to pick up a new travel trailer. We were there over four hours, going around the outside of the trailer to talk through every opening and attachment, then repeating the process inside. Then to the finance guy to finalize the paperwork. Our Golden so thoroughly captivated the employees there, we had several talking about wanting to get their own - he did a great job of patiently going around and waiting in offices - patience he learned through the many group classes we've done. At this point, we have our collar on a very low setting during class - I can barely feel it on my hand - and rarely use it as he does everything now (most of the time) on voice or hand command. He is a joy to be around. This investment will pay off for years to come. read more

Top notch! Big shout out to Loran! He has gone above and beyond for us. Training has met and exceeded expectations. Staff is incredible! I had booked a 20 day program for my Puggle and ran into a situation shortly before her class start date where I adopted her brother. Sit Means Sit worked with me no questions asked to split the training in two and do two 10 day boarding for both dogs. When I picked them up I was blown away. I had expected quality training and follow up but this was beyond what I pictured. Both dogs were perfect! It's like they handed me a pair of keys to a new car. Cant say enough good things for the staff and training. We are very excited to start group training next week. I had done lots of "Youtube training" with the dogs prior to the course, however, I was running into the issue of not having a consistent training program and just putting together different techniques and training. The progress was slow to say the least. Sit Means Sit training blew me away with how easy and basic the commands and remote training is for the complexity of results you get. With 5-6 basic commands my dogs are now performing everything I ask them to do AND their "destructive" behavior has all but stopped. They have now focused their attention and play time on me and enjoy our training Instead of wanting to getting into everything out of boredom or puppy behavior The only reason for 4 stars is the buttons on both remotes broke off pretty quickly. Probably more of an issue on how Im turning the dial on the remotes but still a bit frustrating to have both break so quickly. Luckily they are warrantied. read more

We discovered Sit Means Sit in 2010. We had already tried 4 other dog training companies that were ineffective. Buddy was so powerful, he would literally pull me off my feet. It was dangerous to take him for a walk. He would jump up on visitors and scare them to death with his 90 lbs of Labrador enthusiasm. We requested the free Sit Means Sit in home demonstration. It was the best call I ever made. I was very impressed not only what the trainer, Cindy's demo dog was able to do, but what they were able to do with my yellow lab, Buddy, in just a few minutes. I couldn't believe how my Buddy was responding to the trainer. They came out for 4 private lessons with different tasks to practice in between each lesson. Four weeks later, Buddy began group class. We attended class every week and excelled to the Canine Good Citizen Test, then Buddy passed the Therapy Dog test. Buddy joined the special Go Team Therapy Dog Team, with head advanced trainer Nancy. Buddy has become the best of the best we could have ever hoped for. Buddy and I have been able to give back to the community visiting hospitals, paws to read program and special events throughout Colorado Springs. This would not have been possible without the fantastic training program offered by Sit Means Sit. Worth every penny for lifetime training. Buddy impressed so many dog owners with his good behavior in public, our referrals have made a difference in the lives of many other dog owners. Call Phil Mahoney today for a free demo 719.636-3647. Tell him Buddy sent you! read more

Although we are right in the middle of our training (Colorado Springs), I wanted to post our very positive experience because signing up for the board and train program was the hardest part. Phil came to our home and sat with our family to observe our giant schnauzer in her environment. He was an excellent listener and answered our extensive list of questions and concerns with compassion and complete candor. We really trusted him with our newest family member and knew that he would implement the best process for her to meet goals. Throughout the process so far, we really appreciate his expertise and experience with all types of dogs. More importantly, we respect his ability to "train the trainer" in order for US to establish methods and techniques with our dog. The staff are super friendly and obviously serious dog lovers. My daughter ended up back stage unannounced because she forgot something and caught one of the caretakers in the act have a nice "conversation", soothing and loving on our pup to make her comfortable. They are the real deal. If they were not, our super sensitive smart dog would react upon returning to the scene. Going to the vet has been a nightmare but our pup does not react that way going to their facility even though it is hard work. It is clean and they have a large grassy park behind it for outdoor training and exercise. I feel very confident in their commitment and guarantee that we will succeed. read more

My husband I researched several dog training options in the area and decided on Sit Means Sit for two reasons: 1) some dear friends recommended them because they had a great experience with Sit Means Sit for their dog Teddy, (thank you Matt an MaryKay for the recommendation; and 2) Phil, one of the awesome trainers from Sit Means Sit, brought his dog when he came over to talk to us about the various training options they offer and his dog was AMAZING! I said, "I want THAT for our dog!" I never really believed they could train our hyper, crazy, puppy Maggie to behave like his dog but thought it would be worth it if they trained her to be even a little bit better. Well, after Phil and Micah spent ten days training our 8 month old black lab, they brought her home and she was amazing!!! She came to us immediately when we asked her to; she sat and stayed when we told her to; she went to a place as directed immediately...it was a major transformation!! She was still her happy, fun loving, high energy puppy but she was VERY well behaved! I don't worry about her running off, getting lost, jumping on people, etc. anymore! We've taken her camping twice this summer and she was off leash the entire time without incident! We could never do that with our previous dogs!! Thank you SO much Sit Means Sit, Phil and Micah especially!! The best money we've ever spent! Carmen and Jerry read more

We have two new puppies (a lab and shepherd/lab mix) that we knew were going to be quite a handful. We made an appointment to check out the facility, which was very clean and organized, and to meet with a trainer to go over their year-long program (they have different packages to choose from). After signing the contracts, they came to our house for the first two training sessions to show us how to train, how to use the collars, and how to monitor our progress with our pups. They were always communicating daily with reminders/tips of training, and would always respond if we had questions. To be honest, we didn't train as much as we liked, so when we went out of town, we also used Sit Means Sit to board our dogs, so when we came home, our pups were already on the way to being well trained, and this was a much easier option. While away, they gave us videos and pics of training our dogs (so nice!), and we were very comfortable with leaving them there. We have several options to attend group sessions (we can go as much as we want), so while it seems a bit expensive, it is well worth it. Like the saying goes, we get out as much as we put in. They trainers are very efficient, knowledgeable, and helpful. One of our dogs is also hard if hearing, so they were also able to give us specialized training methods for him. We highly recommend this place! read more

I have a 75 pound Doberman. Rescued him at 10 months. He was unruly, untrained, skiddish, afraid of other dogs, and uncontrollable. I was desperate to get some relief so I could enjoy a day out at the park with him, or a simple neighborhood walk. At first I was skeptical about a remote collar. But after speaking with my vet (one of the finest in the city), all three of his german shepherds were trained with a remote collar. Mine is set on vibrate, and it works great. The classes were great - taught my pup discipline, manners and socialized him. I attended for just over a year, but love that I can go back any time I want for the life of the dog. I was able to keep this wonderful pup, who is now 6 years old, and still well behaved and well mannered. He has play dates, hikes with other pups, and great with children. Nancy T, Clay, Cindy and MacKenzie were all fantastic working with my pup. I only use the remote collar now for safety reasons in a wide open space if I need quick recall. Otherwise, he is so well trained with the classes I attended that he's without his collar most of the time. For me, it was a great training tool the first year. This organization is professional, great with pups, nice staff, and one thing is for sure, they love dogs. They will treat yours right. I highly recommend. read more

Sit means Sit seemed too good to be true when I first heard of it. Then I saw that they used E- collars and I was completely against it. I have a Great Dane (Bruce) and having him pull me down the street when we went for a walk started getting old. I tried taking him to pet smart and tried the training there but it didn't make a difference. So, I went to Sit means Sit because I ran out of options. within the first day of training, my dog was a changed dog. He no longer pulled and he was and is now the best dog ever (in my eyes). He's still his silly self and he still loves me but now he listens and understands that what I say goes. Sit means Sit made has made it possible to make my life easier. They offer so much with every package and every class. Its honestly a breath taking Esperance. The trainers are extremely helpful and recognize that every dog is different. Yet, they manage to change them all. As for the E-Collar lets just say its not as bad as you thing. I've honestly "shocked" myself using the highest setting and its honestly not painful. Sit means Sit not only trains your dog but they train you to understand your dog and the role you play in their lives. I love the program and I regret spending money elsewhere for training. I really just cant thank them enough for everything. read more

We used Sit means sit! So happy we did! Here's why. They came highly recommend and their over 100 plus reviews are all outstanding. You can even watching a few of their videos that showcase some really remarkable results. I had a hard time imagining any similar results in our dog. Wow was I surprised! And impressed. We have a Pit Bull rescue, and they have worked wonders with her. She would bolt on me. Was scared of everything. Would not listen. Chewed everything. She walked me instead of me walking her. After just two weeks she's a completely different dog! She walks with me now. For two or more hours depending on how long I'm hiking. With or without a leash! She stays to my left side the entire time. She obeys down, sit, and place until released. Sit means sit also has doggy meet up groups or get togethers for playtime with other trained dogs and their parents. So the learning and fun never ends! Sorry to ramble on so much BUT It's pretty awesome! And I couldn't be happier! Here is the link to their website: https://sitmeanssit.com/dog-training-mu/colorado-springs-dog-training/?utm_source=google&utm_medium=gmb&utm_campaign=google_listing read more

We adopted our sweet Finn, a Aussie/Blue Heeler mix last December from the Humane Society. He was relatively well behaved, but we worried about his ability to outrun almost anything - what if he ever got away from us? We have a yard that he could easily get out of if he wanted, and he was so fast; we wanted him to be safe and to listen in any situation. Safety and a well behaved dog were our main concerns. We were referred to Sit Means Sit by someone we met at the dog park and called and had a demonstration. Phil came out to our house to show us the training, and we were impressed. We did board and train since we were headed out of town for the holidays and Finn came home a well behaved pup! We go to classes every week for practice and he loves it; it's good mental exercise for him and fun for us. Last Saturday he passed his Canine Good Citizen test and we are planning on enrolling in Therapy Dog Training (Go Team). Training at Sit Means Sit is for life and everyone there is so helpful - if any issues sprout up, they help you figure out how to correct them. I highly recommend the dedicated trainers at Sit Means Sit! read more

This system is fantastic! I was hesitant about the collars at first but after actually trying them out on myself first I knew it was the way to go. The trainers are very professional and knowledgeable. We had our border collie in a traditional obedience training program and the constant tugging and pulling and correcting of the collar for 8 weeks was not productive at all. After the first session at Sit Means Sit she was doing amazing things. After 4 weeks she was at an advanced obedience level and very happy to do it. We also have a shihtzu in the program he is very stubborn and not the most cooperative, but after 5 weeks he was at the advanced level and also ready to move on. Through the whole process he always had a smile on his face. It is also nice to know that the will be there for the life of the dog and there will be no additional fees. I have seen other dogs that have come into this facility and have witnessed them go from real problem dogs into amazing pets and probably saved their lives. This is the best investment you can make in training for your dog. read more

Our dog, Aspen, is five years old and has had serious anxiety issues. She barked at anyone who came to our house, is territorial, uber protective of us, lunged at other dogs when being walked. The last straw was her attacking our daughter's dog (she has known for all her life) and biting her on the ear - that was 45 minutes before our first lesson with Sit Means Sit. Phil met with us at home, explained how the e-collar works and showed that it was not harmful, and was able to get Aspen to obey basic commands in just one lesson. We had two additional lessons at home and practiced in between. We have now had three more lessons at the training facility and we have been absolutely amazed at the change in her behavior. She is happier, more loving, more friendly, and less anxious than she has ever been. She listens and minds our commands. We are looking forward to the group class next week. Thank you, Sit Means Sit, for showing us how to train our dog and giving us and Aspen the confidence that she can change her behavior and feel safe around other people and animals. read more

Our dog went through training at a dog store and another training facility. He learned basic sit and come. That was it after all the money I spent. They put a prong collar on my dog that put a hole on the side of his neck while he was in training! We tried the head halter and all my dog did was walk with his head to the side. My wife wanted to try Sit Means Sit. I heard bad things about the remote collar but after feeling it, and asking my veterinarian we decided to try it. My dog is off leash now. I have total control and he does not even wear the collar anymore, unless I am doing distance work or we are in the forest. I did my research, before you say anything. This is a training tool. The staff was very knowledgeable and have trained dogs for years. Best of all it was the only place I have ever found that offered UNLIMITED training classes for the life of the dog! We left for a year came back and jumped right back into the classes. Our next step is to join the go team therapy dog team. Thank you Sit Means Sit. read more

Our family has had our two little loves Lucy the Lab and Bluebell the Beagle/Dachshund mix in the 10 day board and train. We just got Bluebell back today and will be getting Lucy back tomorrow and we are thrilled so far with the results. Bluebell is 10 months old and came home understanding commands, much calmer, and seems eager to please which is such a blessing with two puppies! Lucy is a 9 month old who is very hyper and has lots of energy being a lab puppy. However from the videos I received from the team working with the pups over each day of training, I can already tell we will be getting a much more disciplined pup when she comes home tomorrow. Like any puppy needs, repetition is the key to maintaining a well behaved dog and Phil, Victoria, Jeffrey, Lisa, Rachel and team have done an amazing job getting these two off the ground and into our eager to train hands. We can't wait to start coming to the weekly classes and are so happy we chose Sit Means Sit to train our puppies and their humans! -Katie Gonzalez read more

I had such a fantastic experience!! I am still having one. My pup was becoming uncontrollable. She would run off any chance she saw. She started to get aggressive with other dogs when she turned 1yr old. My house was chaotic and I didn't know what to do. I called Sit Means Sit and they had a trainer show up within a few days to assist. I chose to do the 2 week "dog bootcamp". I honestly can't be more happy. I continue to train her everyday with what they instructed me on. She is a completely different dog. My household is much more calm. I am confident I made the right decision. I am grateful for the trainers and the time they spent and still spend with her. I appreciate that they follow up and will come out to help me if I need. My experience was a good one. I also know of someone else that went through the program and they are very happy with their experience, too. Thank you!!! I appreciate all of you! Lady is continuing to do great with her training at home. It gets easier every day. Thank you, again Tiffany read more