Sit Means Sit Dog Training

(659 reviews)

I genuinely can't recommend Brad highly enough. By the time…read moreI reached out, I had already spent months trying to fix Sunny's leash pulling and reactivity. I'd worked with two trainers, including a 3 week board-and-train program ($5,000 investment), followed every instruction, and practiced daily, yet I didn't see changes. I was managing the behavior without ever understanding what was causing it. That changed within the first two hours with Brad. He didn't start with commands or tools. Instead, he focused on the psychology behind Sunny's reactions: what was driving them, what was reinforcing them, and what I was unknowingly communicating. No one had ever explained it that clearly. That was the turning point. For the first time, I wasn't guessing or correcting blindly. I could see what Sunny was experiencing in real time and understand how my timing, energy, and responses were shaping his behavior. That clarity changed everything. Walks feel completely different now. Sunny is no longer pulls since my training with Brad, the reactive outbursts are gone, and the experience itself is calm. I'm no longer bracing for problems because I know how to prevent them. I am SO appreciative!

Great experience! We have an 8-year-old rescue Golden…read moreRetriever who developed some habits we wanted to correct and weren't able to do on our own with traditional training. A couple of these weren't terribly serious, but we felt we weren't "in charge" anymore, that our dog wasn't getting the message from whatever we were doing, and that if we didn't do something different, it could really get out of control. Brad really helped us with this, where traditional "training" wasn't working. We have two or three things we're working on with our girl, but here is the most dramatic change we had with one issue. She is very food motivated, and would beg from us at the table whenever we sat down to eat, and would be underfoot in the kitchen during prep. She got overly excited and would not settle and lie down. Brad explained we weren't communicating well with her on a dog level, so to get that communication kicked in to gear, he actually started our session not with this problem, but with making sure she would not dash out the front door when it was opened. This was to establish that we were in charge and what was expected of her. What he showed us how to do worked like you wouldn't believe. It was like a light bulb went off for our girl. What we did affected everything after that. It wasn't about dashing out the door, it wasn't about begging for food, it was about knowing what was acceptable in our pack and to look to us for direction. That night, at dinner, she went to her "spot" with a simple direction and was relaxed during our entire meal. She can now be directed to her spot and will stay quietly any time we need her to. Best of all, she seems truly relieved that she doesn't have to be in charge and that WE are. She is much more relaxed around so many other things. It gave us so much more confidence! I didn't think that what Brad taught us would work. It's quite counterintuitive. But trust me, it worked like magic. This is not dog training - it's communication with your dog. Brad answers all your questions, doesn't waste your time, shows you clearly and directly what will work. We're so thankful we found him!

Pawsitive Foundation Dog Training

(62 reviews)

We had an amazing experience with Julie and her 7-day board and train program for our 5-month-old…read morepuppy. Before training, our pup had all the typical puppy chaos--pulling on the leash, struggling to settle, and not consistently following basic commands. After just one week with Julie, the transformation was honestly impressive. He came back walking calmly on a leash, able to self-soothe, and with a strong foundation in basic obedience. Julie was a pleasure to work with from start to finish--super knowledgeable, patient, and clearly experienced. She also took the time to make sure we understood how to reinforce everything at home, which made a huge difference. If you're considering a board and train, especially for a young dog, I highly recommend Julie. It gave us structure, confidence, and a much calmer, happier pup.

Julie provides a safe and fun experience for dogs in her care. I found out that dog parks can be…read moredangerous, because some unsupervised & untrained dogs can get aggressive. Once I had a scary experience at Dog Beach. However Julie is a great trainer and keeps things mellow and fun to small groups of supervised playful dogs that are already socialized and trained at her home. I have a 5-year old goldendoodle who she trained with a special gentle lead leash when he was pretty young. I was at my wit's end with his wild behavior but am pleased to say his behavior is much improved now after lessons & daycare with Julie.

SoCal Dog Training

(460 reviews)

Watching Instagram and YouTube videos won't give you a well-behaved dog. Working with Vladae will!…read more We've been working with Vladae for about four months with our now six-and-a-half-month-old Golden Retriever, Coach, and it has been one of the best investments we've made. What sets Vladae apart is that he doesn't just train dogs, he teaches owners how to build a lifelong relationship with them. Every lesson leaves us with practical tools, clear direction, and the confidence to continue the training every single day. Because of that, the progress doesn't stop when the session ends. Vladae has an incredible ability to understand dogs. Watching him read a dog's behavior, body language, and mindset is genuinely fascinating. He knows exactly how to communicate with each dog in a way they understand, and it's clear this comes from years of experience and a deep understanding of canine psychology. He's also one of the most invested professionals we've ever worked with. Throughout the week, he encourages us to send videos, provides thoughtful feedback almost immediately, and is always available to answer questions or jump on a call if we need guidance. You never feel like you're figuring things out on your own. He truly cares about both the dogs and the people raising them, and he always follows through. Every recommendation Vladae has made, whether it's training tools, techniques, or daily routines, has become an essential part of Coach's development. We trusted the process from day one, and the results truly speak for themselves. (See the videos! Coach is only 6.5 months old in them.) Our puppy is happy, confident, well-mannered, and genuinely loves learning. We receive compliments on his behavior everywhere we go, and we owe so much of that to the foundation Vladae helped us build. We also had the opportunity to work with Erica, who trains alongside Vladae, and she was absolutely wonderful. One session with Erica is included in the program, and it was incredibly helpful. It's clear she shares the same passion, knowledge, and dedication that make this training program so special. Vladae brings unmatched energy, professionalism, and passion to every session. He genuinely wants every dog and every owner to succeed, and that level of commitment is incredibly rare to find. If you're looking for a trainer who truly understands dogs and is committed to setting both you and your dog up for long-term success, I can't recommend Vladae highly enough. Coach has become an incredible puppy, and we're excited to continue into adult school because of the foundation he's helped us build. We're so grateful we found him!

I wanted to address your recent claims regarding my review of your services. I assure you that I…read morewas a legitimate customer who genuinely shared my honest experience, which I believe is critical for other potential clients. While it's understandable to feel upset when receiving negative feedback, it's important to reflect on the reasons behind my review. I noticed that during our initial interaction, you made a comment about my background that many found to be a stereotypical and racist remark. In fact, I saw that you previously posted video footage of our encounter on your Instagram, but you removed it after receiving backlash for those comments. This indicates that others found your remarks concerning as well. I want to emphasize that my intention was never to harm your business; rather, it was to share my experience. Thankfully, I have since found another trainer who practices positive reinforcement, which aligns much better with my values and my dog's needs.

EveryDog

(173 reviews)

EveryDog has the single most important part of our puppy's development, and we could not be happier…read morethat we chose the EveryPup program for our furbaby! We brought him in at 13 weeks to the EveryPup Program, where he is in a clean and disinfected facility with other safe and healthy pups and he gets training every day by Dave. Almost from day 1 we started noticing huge changes, and he matured so rapidly it's like we have a different dog! He is very calm, polite and attentive, and has been able to self-regulate so well. Dave is always available for our questions and follow ups, and he sends over progress notes and photos every day from training sessions. We also would ask him about problem behavior such as counter surfing or jumping up on people to greet, and Dave would target those specific behaviors as well. We also appreciated how fast and quickly they acted on our puppy swallowing something he shouldn't have, and immediately gave him some hydrogen peroxide to get him to throw it up, which saved us from extremely expensive and likely traumatic vet visits and possible surgery. Very grateful! Every day we pick up our puppy he is so happy from a day of playing and getting love from all the staff, and is tired and ready for some cuddles and naps when he gets home. The staff here are so caring and really love each dog, I trust them to take care of our puppy. Highly recommend!

I was visiting from Southern California and stopped in the store just to use the bathroom. Such a…read morecute store! The worker was so warm and friendly. So many unique items. They had a good selection of MLB neckerchiefs that easily attached thru his collar that I ended up buying a Dodger one for my dog.

Bark Collective

(129 reviews)

I interacted with Dan Parks from the Bark Collective and found him to be very responsive, and fair…read morein our interactions.

Our dog Hank loves bark collective. They always take such good care of Hank and he is soo happy…read morewhenever we pick him up. I know he's been well cared for. We also just had or first training session with AJ and I'm so excited to implement her training methods that don't require and e-collar. The e-collar is optional and can be used on certain situations, but I saw her techniques with him work without the ecollar.. I'm so glad I scheduled the training session and will continue to schedule training session with her! Her training techniques are soo effective.

iSpeakDog!

(48 reviews)

Tommy helped us with our Miniature Australian Shepherd puppy when no one else would! He came to…read moreour house when she was 11 weeks old (other trainers wanted to wait until she had all her puppy shots) and immediately got us off on the right foot for behavior training. He trained my husband and me as well as our puppy! So grateful. Tommy has a gift for knowing how dogs think and he shares that knowledge as part of the session. We never felt rushed to finish a lesson when he came to the house, he just dealt with our issues and reminded us to keep practicing with our dog until next time. We even decided to enroll in his weekly puppy class so that our puppy would learn to behave around other dogs. His private dog park is a god-send as we live in a condo and don't have a yard for our puppy to play in. She loved going there and we'll be back! We highly recommend Tommy. He showed us how to anticipate what our puppy was going to do before she did it and correct her misdeeds before they take place. Five stars!

Tommy came for our first private session and it went better than I imagined. My husband and I…read morelearned a lot from Tommy. He is very relatable and has a unique way of teaching that is very enjoyable and actually entertaining, all at the same time! Now that is talent! Tommy was made for this job and well worth his price. You get what you pay for. He definitely does not watch the clock and gives you more than 1 hr and does not leave until he has answered all your questions. My dog is already doing better on our walks. Tommy teaches but you have to do what he says or you have wasted your money. I signed up for 5 lessons and looking forward to the rest. I will update when we are finished.

OC Canine Coaching

(66 reviews)

I 1000% recommend OC canine coaching. My Chihuahua/Xolo 1-year old, Patty Lupe, is a rescue, a…read moreformer street dog from Tijuana, and I was worried she would never be able to just enjoy walks. She would bark at everyone and everything, and was just SO anxious and nervous (understandably) in public. Other trainers we looked into wanted to use shock collars and other more aggressive forms of discipline on her, but I knew Patty didn't need more trauma to help her calm down. Bryndon, on the other hand, was patient, kind, and used treats and other strategies to help Patty gradually feel comfortable on walks. When he got her to go into a dog park - WITH NO LEASH - I was literally speechless (in a good way!). I never thought that would be an option for Patty, but here she was going up to other dogs and walking around without growling, barking, or lunging at them. After 4-5 weeks of training, I'm now able to take Patty to a dog park on my own, off leash, and she actually PLAYS with other dogs all on her own! I literally teared up the first time I saw her running and playing with other dogs; this was something I never thought would happen because so many other people and trainers told me that Patty would probably always be aggressive and scared. Now, she loves dog parks and I'm planning on enrolling her in agility classes in the future - just like Bryndon said would be a possibility one day. I cannot praise him enough. Trust him with your dog because he will take help them through patience, kind words, and care, and not through fear, pain, or aggression, which our dogs don't deserve.

I adopted Maya, a young Belgian Malinois mix, a few months ago. She came from an extremely abusive…read moresituation and had pretty severe behavioral and reactivity issues that needed to be addressed. I searched around extensively and contacted a few different trainers and specialists, but remained skeptical (worried about finding someone good enough to handle Maya). However, I finally managed to come across Bryndon who seemed to fit the bill perfectly. Within minutes of the first introductory session, I could tell Bryndon knew exactly what he was doing and gave me the confidence that I had made the right choice. He experienced first-hand what Maya's reactivity was like, and yet by the end of the first introductory session, he already managed to showcase how we could help her improve. I knew that her issues were bad enough that it would take a very long time for her to get better, but to my surprise she showed massive improvements literally within the first few sessions. Most importantly, he showed and taught me what I needed to do to help guide her along, which was my biggest worry. We've both learned a lot (and got to learn a lot of tricks along the way lol). I cannot express enough how grateful I am to have chosen him as Maya's trainer. He listens to your needs and concerns and actually addresses them, is extremely well informed, and gives you and your dog the confidence they need to be better. He has a good mentality towards training dogs and utilizes positive reinforcement to help correct the source of issues rather than training that only serves to suppress and hide the bad behaviors/triggers. I don't say this lightly, but I cannot recommend Bryndon enough! If you are someone like me who was both highly skeptical and unsure, try meeting him for an intro, he is very approachable and friendly, and is genuinely honest enough to tell you if he's the right fit or not. Thank you Bryndon!!!

It's A Dog's World K-9 Academy

(167 reviews)

Karen is amazing! We left our very active Mini Aussie Shepherd for boarding and training. Karen…read more was super attentive and took great care of Gracie. We know our dog can be a handful but she came back to us with a lot more restraint and obedience. We truly appreciate Karen and will recommend her to anyone in need of assistance.

Such a quick and thorough explanation. Very helpful and informative. My sister had a great…read moreexperience with this organization and her young golden doodle. I just got a new bernedoodle rescue and would like this service.

Tony Nila Puppy & Canine Cognitive

(229 reviews)

Xavier is amazing. Cooper had some major issues, leash aggression with dogs, skateboarders, people…read more(if they tried to say hi to cooper from a safe distance) etc. Coops change in behavior started after our first session with him. If you are willing to listen, do the work, be consistent and actually do everything he says to you will not be disappointed. It was worth every $ spent. @ xavier hernandez dog behaviorist on Yelp if you want to see more reviews specific to him. I am no longer dreading taking them on walks. Turns out Cooper just had some anxiety and can get over excited. I thought I had an aggressive dog until we met with a Xavier. Very thankful and grateful.

I have a Large Cane Corso Masstiff female who just turned 1 year old in January. She is going thru…read moreher teenage years has been very dog aggressive lately. She was attacked by a much smaller dog ever since she goes crazy whenever we see another dog. I found a, "Highly Recommended" Dog trainer online according his website. After 3 sessions with him, his advice was to punch my dog in the face and head until she worried more about me than other dogs. As you can imagine that did not work and we stopped going. I started calling around to other trainers I found online but nobody wanted to work with such a big aggressive dog. One trainer referred me to Tony. After talking with Tony and watching his webinar he referred us to Xavier who from the first 15 minutes had my dog sitting down calmly and accepting directions. I can't speak highly enough for how professional results oriented both Tony and Xavier have been. We were considering returning her back to the breeder before meeting Tony and Xavier. Thank you both so very much!

The K9 Mentor

(152 reviews)

I chose Mike/K9 Mentor because he had a Great Pyrenees (named Dakota) like my dog Maximus. So I…read morefigured he would do best or better than others knowing the breed. In short: Best investment ever for my dog. Mike arrived at 8am. We had a 50-55 minute learning session on DOGs from their culture, through the do's & don'ts, then we brought Maximus in and slowly applied the training methods. What Mike taught us, and what he did with Maximus, is absolutely fabulous. Maximus is more calm & less "high-strung", listens better, responds to me better, seems happier than before K9 Mentor training. PLUS, his aggressiveness has seemed to diminish greatly since the training session. Mike's training is simple, straight-forward, easy to learn (& eventually master) methods. I am completely satisfied with Mike/K9 Mentor Dog Training and would highly recommend him, especially with large dogs. Happy Dog Training & Fight On!

Thanks to Marti for being a great evaluator for both Canine Good Citizen and Trick dog. This…read morehandler was a bit nervous as there was a lot of distractions. Marti just asked us to start doing things instead of reading it off of the list and my nerves subsided. We passed! Yay! This young boy even exceeded my expectations! Much thanks to Marti for our sweet scarf and ribbon too! Love it! Highly recommend!

Bark Collective

See more unrecommended reviews

(129 reviews)

I interacted with Dan Parks from the Bark Collective and found him to be very responsive, and fair…read morein our interactions.

Newport Center Animal Hospital

4.1

(246 reviews)

At first I I was hesitant to give Newport Center Animal Hospital a call, as I figured the cost for…read moretheir services would be too high, being located in Fashion Island. However, that turned out NOT to be the case at all! We were pleasantly surprised to discover that they are reasonably priced across the board - grooming, vaccines, exams, surgery and boarding! Not only that, Dr. Andrew Yacoub is EVERYTHING we were looking for in a vet for our toy poodle puppy's care. He is by far the most informed vet we have ever worked with, from vaccines to surgery. My husband & I are fully convinced that it would be next to impossible to find a more competent and compassionate vet, who truly cares about his pet patients and their owners. We learned that Dr. Andrew even purchases smaller needles for the vaccines, so pets don't feel what could be painful. His calm demeanor, along with his caring assistants, make for a perfect setting for what could sometimes prove to be an unpleasant visit. To top it off, Dr Andrew is a good listener and a good communicator. He is collaborative in his approach and respects our wishes. Everyone in the office has been welcoming, polite and efficient, which is often hard to come by these days. If you're looking for a most excellent vet, give Dr. Andrew a call. You and your furry family member(s) will be SO glad you did!

I boarded my dogs for 3 weeks and was very disappointed upon picking them up. Both of my dogs had…read morediarrhea for days and one didn't eat for 2 days, which hasn't happened in 12 years. I called to find out if they had experienced anything wrong with my dogs and never heard back from them. For the money and I spent and planned on spending for future boarding, a return call was the least they could have done. Not happy with this place and you lost a customer after this.

The Bone Adventure

4.6

(181 reviews)

This review is for the Intro to Swim Class. For 30 min, we all had SO much fun! Beagles aren't…read morereally known for liking the water too much, but mine is different-ish haha. Zack was completely awesome through and through. My dog and another were first-timers, so Zack walked us through all the ground rules and what to expect. I loved that he doesn't force the dogs to go in the water, but also doesn't just let them avoid it. He noticed my dog was just having fun running AROUND the pool, but wouldn't try and swim, just splash on the shallow part. So he would go and get him and baby-step him into the deep side. It was so refreshing to see! I love how considerate it is. The staff is also all so great and nice. The facility is impressive and well-thought out. I love it. I can't wait to bring my dog back and I'm sure he's looking forward to his next swim session!

He is so happy to go & visit friends & get lots of pets & playtime!…read moreVery attentive staff!!! He is very tired the next day from all the fun!

Doggie Daycare And More

4.5

(179 reviews)

We are so happy to have discovered Doggie Daycare and More! The staff are absolutely…read moreincredible-they make sure the dogs are safe and happy and have fun. Stephanie greets us at the door with hugs and smiles. They keep the entire place impeccably clean at all times. Mellow is a regular at Daycare and we have left him for overnight boarding when we were out of town. Any questions or concerns I have had were promptly attended to. Prices are reasonable, staff turnover is low, webcam available if you want to watch your pup. Thank you for providing a safe and happy space for my pup!

This place is so amazing. I wish I could give them more stars. I was in a pinch, needing a place to…read moreboard my puppy, whom I recently rescued because I needed to travel out of town due to an unexpected family emergency -- and Doggie Daycare came to the rescue! First, I am grateful for Heather and her staff's kindness, empathy, and comfort toward me and my puppy! Also, Cathy is super excellent and helpful! This place is brand new and immaculately clean. When you walk in, there is no strong odor. It just smells so clean. Also, parking is easily accessible, and I was able to make accommodations for Duchess to do her temperament test very swiftly! I cannot say thank you enough for the kindness Heather and her staff demonstrated to me during this difficult time. I could cry writing this. They even reached out shortly after dropping Duchess off to provide me with picture updates, reassuring me that she was safe and sound and having fun. I love that the dogs are all in one room and sleep together, especially with a puppy--she is still acclimating and learning social skills. I recently rescued her, so she couldn't be around other dogs until she got all her shots. It's good for her to be in such a positive environment where she can learn to interact with other dogs! The difference in hospitality at this establishment far outshines the neighboring Hydrant! THANK YOU, Xs infinity!

The Bone Adventure

4.4

(101 reviews)

I feel they neglected my puppy. The camera was always shut off when I was out of town trying to…read morefind him on the camera view. I had to call them to see if my puppy was okay. He did love the doggy daycare but when I picked him up from Bone Adventure Boarding where he stayed two nights on Sunday evening my dog was very ill. He got two ear infections, paws red itchy, and bloody. He seemed traumatized and very ill. I took him to the vet and they had put him on antibiotics, they gave him steroids and allergy shots and it's still 16 days after and his paws are not healed and my puppy is getting worse and lots and lots of vet bills. It is worth it to pay for a dog sitter.

Booked a pool day here and it was so fun! They have two people in the pool to help with the dogs…read more I've never seen our dogs has such a blast

Why does Yelp recommend reviews?

Hundreds of millions of reviews are posted on Yelp, and our automated recommendation software works in the background to showcase the reviews that it …

49 reviews that are not currently recommended

The reviews below are not factored into the business's overall star rating.

Andi T.

10 years ago

My husband and I heard about Sit Means Sit when we first got our belgian malinois. She's 2 years old with LOTS of energy and needs a lot of mental and physical stimulation. A friend of ours had just had their shepherd trained by Zack and he was so thrilled with the results and training, he gave us the phone number and insisted we call. We called the next day and it has been 110% worth every penny. We had the pleasure of working with Zack the next few months getting our dog dialed in. It was astonishing how quickly she learned. Zack took the time to teach us how to properly train and was at our assistance whenever we needed him. We also attended the Saturday group classes and watched as our once inattentive dog got better and better! One of the things we wanted her to do was run with our mountain bike on trails. She now is 100% off leash while doing this! It doesn't matter if there are other people, dogs, bikes etc. She stays right with us! (which was far from true before our training!) We are very proud of how far she has come and we HIGHLY recommend Sit Means Sit to ANYONE who needs their dog trained. Since we have found them, we have recommended them to several of our friends. They have come back with the exact same feelings. Relieved to have a well trained dog that you can take ANYWHERE! Thanks guys for all your hard work and dedication! WE APPRECIATE EVERYTHING YOU HAVE DONE! read more

Niusha T.

8 years ago

Sit Means Sit is absolutely an amazing training program for dogs. I got my puppy when he was only 2 months old and he was untrained and so he would just pee everywhere and bite all the time. Which of course is expected from a puppy however it was uncontrollable and we tried other trainings but none of them worked. We were hopeless until we found Sit Means Sit. After only one lesson my puppy stopped the bitings. He got better and better and he is now almost 9months and he sits when we tell him to, he is potty trained, never bites and has turned into the sweetest dog. This is all because of the helpings of Marv and Marlene. They are the trainers helping us and they are amaizng. Every time we see them they have smiles on their faces and are great with our puppy. They have a five day abroad training where they took our pup for five days to better train him and when he came back he was even better than we thought. He never barks in the house, he listens to us and is amazing. If it was up to us, Marv and Marlene would get a gold metal for dealing with our little hyper puppy because they really deserve it. I love them very much and am so very thankful to have them train my puppy. Thank you Marv and Marlene for your amazing tips and trainings. read more

Paul S.

10 years ago

It was by total chance that my wife found Zack from Sit Means Sit in Mission Viejo. We have a Dutch Shepherd which requires a lot of activity and mental stimulation, especially being only 7 months old. We had just finished with a trainer that was recommended by a friend. Well needless to say, that was a waste of time and money. It was more work for us than it was for Bane. When we sat and met with Zack at our home, he made it very simple. We chose a package that included 4-days of private training, in home training and LIFE TIME group training. After Bane being with Zack for a single day, he came back a completely new dog! Zack is patient and knowledgeable and always makes sure we feel confident on the new progress that has been made. Zack is a trainer with a proven back ground, he is a World Champion in the dog world and very few in the states can state that. If you want the best for your pet, Zach and the Sit Means Sit team rank levels above the rest. read more

Mari F.

10 years ago

Marv and Marlene are wonderful We have spent a fortune on other dog trainers for our exuberant three year old golden retriever. Finally we found these trainers and at last our pup is learning to be mindful. He is smart, but gets very excited to love everyone up- which can be a problem. We are being trained to be consistent and they are teaching us great tricks and skills to manage our Jupi. We are so grateful. Each week now we have the joy of going to group classes in Laguna Niguel - we have had several private lessons to learn specific individual skills, but now our golden needs to learn to behave in a group class. This is a fabulous approach. We have had several golden retrievers through the years and had no trouble training them, but this guy, lovable as he is, has shown us that we need patience and expert trainers. Thank goodness for Marv and Marlene. They are the best- and great people too. read more

Rebecca S.

5 months ago

My small dog, Lucy, was riddled with reactive anxiety and after nearly a year of attempting to follow (frankly, conflicting) online advice about what to do we decided to cut through the noise and go to Sit Means Sit. We were really skeptical at first, just because she can be so stubborn in her fear, and we literally tried our best. But the trainer, Michael, was fabulous! He came to our home 4 days in a row to work with her, and she went from a terrified dog who fear pooped at meeting a stranger to a pup who could walk on a leash, and paid attention to commands while people were walking around (living their lives). We had a hand-off lesson on Day 5, where my husband and I got to learn about the commands she was doing and how to effectively communicate with her. Not only is her confidence boosted, but so is ours! Practice makes progress and she took some big steps with Michael! Thank you, Sit Means Sit! read more

Chris S.

10 years ago

Sit Means Sit is the perfect training program for getting any dog off leash trained. My family and I like to travel and have a dog that can go with us anywhere and everywhere without having to worry about the different situations we will encounter. When I first got my dog I had her boarded for the board and train while I was out of the country. She was there for 3 weeks. When I got back, I was shocked how well they were able to train her in what would have taken me months to do. She is able to go with me anywhere & everywhere off leash. Zack and Makenzie were both awesome to work with and super helpful. Since then, anytime I go on a family vacation where we can't bring the dogs, we board her with them. They take great care of her while we're away and I never have to worry. I would recommend Sit Means Sit to everyone with a dog. They're the best there is. read more

Lynne D.

3 years ago

SitMeansSit gave Stitch the push that I needed. He's such a friendly dog that when we are in public, he wants to say hello to everyone. Now, he pays attention to me and doesn't leave my side without giving him the following command. His ability to focus on me when he's working is better, except when he sees his trainer Cori, he has to say hello to her. I was hesitant about the e-collar at first, but Michael explained to me how the e-collar works, and No, it's not a shock collar. The only thing is that it gives my pup a little rash when it's left too long; otherwise, it works great. I can take my pup to Disneyland, and he walks next to me; we walk at the park without the leash, which gives him so much freedom. When I put the e-collar on him, he knew we would do our next adventure together. read more

Paula B.

4 years ago

I wasn't sure how to react when SMS delivered our dog Mohini to our home after 10 days of doggie university. Our trainer, Chris, set us at ease and began our owner training even before we were reunited with our pup. It was a comfort to see the relationship between Mohini and Chris. His professional consistency is what is making a difference with our dog. We know it is now our job to continue this consistency for the highest outcome. We look forward to future sessions so our dog can be all she can be... and also be safe when we take her to the mountains and the beach. I would recommend SMS to anyone who loves their dog and hasn't gottenthe results they hoped for through other methods. This is the kindest most loving gift we could have given Mohini. read more

Karen G.

3 years ago

Chris a gifted and kind dog communicator doing what he loves best. Our anxiety-ridden, aggressive and biting mini schnauzer spent 5 days with him. My husband and I now have work to do to reinforce his successes with her, but her life has been saved. Moreover, Chris took a lot of time with us to obtain her history, describe the psychology behind her behavior and underscore the importance of modifying our house rules in conjunction with the proper use of new tools. Hoping to be able to wean her off anxiety meds now and enjoy a confident, obedient and happy dog. Sit Means Sit came highly recommended by our vet. The program is impressive and effective and those associated with this facility are clearly dog lovers. Mom to Francine read more

Gina C.

4 years ago

We have a 4 year old Lab named Chunk, not neutered. He weighs in at 87 pounds most days. He's a happy guy but I have struggled with taking him on walks due to his considerable strength, his desire to mark everything, and just general ADD. After going through 4 dog trainers in 4 years trying to get him under control we took him to Sit Means Sit. Amazing! They did such a great job of teaching him to walk by my side, even with distractions. Their program is kind and positive and proven to work. We are going now to their free weekly Saturday morning classes to reinforce what he learned and keep him on the straight and narrow. He's doing great. Worth every penny. We can finally take him out in public!! read more

Desiree D.

3 years ago

We sent our 1.5 year old German Shepard mix pup Atlas to Sit means Sit because his previous training wasn't as successful as we had hoped for. Our main issue and area of concern was Atlas not being obedient and requiring frequent commands before he would complete the command. Now Atlas, along with the help of his SMS collar and his amazing trainer Chris, he is more obedient, consistent, and follows through with every command. This board and train program greatly helped our family and made our home environment less chaotic and more peaceful. I highly recommend Sit means Sit for training your fur baby! read more

Steve W.

5 years ago

Worth every penny! Consummate professionals, amazing follow up, and most importantly, they actually care. If you have a hard to train dog like us, I would highly recommend them. We went through three local trainers and had a very little success. A friend told us about Sit Means Sit and what a difference!! You will be amazed and more importantly, elated with what these guys can do. We brought our 15 month old Chow Chow to them for two weeks and he came back a different and much improved dog. Can't say enough about them! Keep up the good work! Steve W read more

Tamie L.

4 years ago

We sent our girl Indie, a 8 month old chocolate lab with lots and lots of energy. She has used everyone as a chew toy since she was 8 weeks old and as she got older, my husband and I were getting very frustrated. Sit means sit has been life changing really! Chris worked with our girl and she is doing so well. I love that my husband and I get the support we need as well. Group classes and 1:1 have been really helpful to make sure that we are all successful and can co-exist in a less stressful and frustrating environment. read more

Dawn D.

10 years ago

Zack is amazing!!! I saw him with his dog at a park and was instantly impressed. His dog was the best trained dog I have ever seen. He is a wealth of knowledge that makes sense, confident, and extremely kind and personable. Not only does our puppy love him so do we. The quick results we have seen with our rambunctious Ridgeback has been life altering. His training has helped me enjoy her "puppy-hood" so much more. The stress and frustration dissolved. They deliver high value for what we paid. Thank you so much Zack! read more

Nika L.

3 years ago

This is an amazing company--JD and Michael were able to fit my pup in for a board and train on short notice to their already busy schedule, and walked me through a pretty stressful situation--all the while sending updates on how he was doing! I have noticed a big difference in my dog's attention and obedience --though he's stubborn, it's like pulling teeth sometimes, but with the guidance of the Sit Means Sit team --I'm looking forward to continuing not only my training but my dog's to a higher level of training! read more

Tina C.

3 years ago

I highly recommend this training facility!!! We have a very large mastiff that was starting to get very aggressive towards other dogs. We decided we needed some professional help with this issue. We went with the 10 day board and train package. Bryden was our trainer very professional!! When we got our dog back he was happy and trained very well!! This company doesn't send you home and leave you hanging. There is follow up one on one training and well as group training. We couldn't be happier with the results!!! read more

Kelcy R.

7 months ago

Michael did an amazing job training our puppy, Milo. From the very beginning, he was patient, knowledgeable, and genuinely invested in Milo's progress. We saw a huge improvement in behavior, obedience, and confidence in a short amount of time. Michael explained everything clearly and gave us practical tools to continue the training at home, which made a big difference. We couldn't be happier with the results and highly recommend Michael to anyone looking for a skilled and trustworthy dog trainer. read more

Mariana R.

3 years ago

Sit Means Sit did wonders for our energetic Doberman Pinscher Drogo. We did the 5 day program and he went from a excitable puppy to a well-behaved dog with confidence. Bryden taught us how to bring out the best in our dog. We definitely appreciate your approach to things. He is a really good communicator. He has a way of expressing concepts that makes the dog's perspective easier to grasp. We're thrilled with the results and exited to continue to make progress with Drogo. Thanks again, Mariana read more

Seattle M.

4 years ago

We have a 115 lb 9 month old mastiff puppy. I used to fear walking him daily because he would pull so hard and bark at any dog he saw or go straight up to anyone near him. When he came back from training we were so surprised. He wasn't even distracted by our wild 2 and 4 year olds while practicing our training and would walk directly by my side without a leash. We just got him back and so far so good. We can't wait to keep practicing to keep these amazing commands he has learned. read more

Megan A.

220

10 years ago

This is a great training program for dogs and puppies. We have a pure bred husky and she has done amazing with this training. I have been able to start allowing her to be off lease and she doesn't go far. Huskys are known for not being able to be off lease because they "take off", but our dog Luna stays close and doesn't wander, she returns on command and walks great on lease (with no harness, collar only). I would recommend this training to anyone! They're great! read more

Sit Means Sit Dog Training - pet_training - Updated August 2026

People who viewed Sit Means Sit Dog Training also viewed

Kind To Canines Dog Training Services

(53 reviews)

Love Dan! Helped me with both my pups - also trained me which was needed to train the dogs.read more

I came to Tye for my rescues first haircut and she was amazing! He may have had some trauma from…read morehis past life but apparently he did well after she gained his trust. His haircut was amazing, check the picture for proof! I will definitely be coming back when my Zuko needs another haircut!

Tony Nila Puppy & Canine Cognitive

(229 reviews)

Bark Collective

(129 reviews)

I interacted with Dan Parks from the Bark Collective and found him to be very responsive, and fair…read morein our interactions.

For a Civilized Dog

(30 reviews)

If I could give For a Civilized Dog more than five stars, I would…read more Jacklyn and Cary are an exceptional husband-and-wife team who genuinely care about every dog that comes through their doors. They don't just train dogs--they take the time to truly understand each dog's personality, behavior, and individual needs. Their experience, knowledge, and thoughtful approach are evident in everything they do. I have a Rottweiler who developed dog reactivity because of mistakes I made while handling him on walks. Instead of simply training my dog, Jacklyn and Cary trained me as well. They helped me understand where I was unintentionally contributing to the problem and gave me the tools and confidence to handle him correctly. Thanks to them, my dog is no longer dog reactive, which has been absolutely life-changing for both of us. They've also become our go-to boarding facility whenever we travel. The best endorsement I can give is that my dog gets genuinely excited when we pull into their driveway. He can't wait to go inside! That peace of mind is priceless. Their facility is modern, clean, secure, and exceptionally well maintained. Because Jacklyn and Cary live on the property, I know my dog is safe and well cared for around the clock. Unlike boarding facilities we've used in the past, he's never once come home sick. One of my favorite touches is the daily report cards. Every day I receive thoughtful updates about how he's doing, along with photos of him playing, learning, and enjoying his stay. It makes being away from him so much easier. The entire staff is fantastic, but Danielle deserves a special shout-out. She is incredibly kind, patient, and talented, and my dog absolutely adores her. Seeing how excited he gets when he sees her says everything. Communication has always been outstanding. They're quick to answer texts, scheduling is easy, and every interaction leaves me feeling like my dog is in the very best hands. I trust For a Civilized Dog completely. Whether you're looking for behavioral training, obedience training, or an exceptional boarding experience, I truly cannot recommend them highly enough. They have made an incredible difference in our lives, and I am so grateful for everything they've done for both me and my dog.

When searching for a trainer I had specifics of what I wanted; Boutique Boot camp with Medium to…read moreHigh intensity with personal attention.... thats where FACD comes in! So glad I found Cary and the team--Jaclyn, Sadi, and Dannielle! I had a VERY active boxer mix puppy and zero experience, and from my first call with Jaclyn, I knew this was the right place. My pup did the 21-day board-and-train, and the results were amazing. We got regular updates, and when we picked her up, my whole family was blown away by how much she had learned. We also did in-home sessions with Cary, which made a huge difference in keeping everything consistent. Our house is honestly so much calmer and better now. Even when she boards or goes to daycare, they continue reinforcing her training--which I love. I recommend them to everyone. You truly can't go wrong!

Kindred K9 Academy

(8 reviews)

We cannot say enough great things about Andy and the 2 week Puppy Start program! Duke went into…read moretraining as a very yappy, excited, biting, hyper puppy who definitely had a hard time listening. He came home with that same fun, lovable puppy personality but now it's managed and under control! Throughout the two weeks, Andy was amazing about sending us videos and updates so we could see Duke's progress. When training was complete, Andy personally brought Duke home and spent an hour with us going over everything he had learned and showing us exactly what we need to continue working on. That hands on tutorial was incredibly helpful and made us feel confident about keeping up with Duke's training at home. The difference has been incredible. Duke is still our happy, energetic puppy, but now we have the tools to communicate with him, manage his excitement, and help him settle. And he's sleeping like a baby! Looking back, I honestly cannot imagine *not* doing this program. It was such an important investment in Duke and in us as his owners. The tools and foundation Andy gave us are invaluable, and I know they're going to make a huge difference as Duke grows up. Thank you, Andy, for taking such great care of Duke and giving us the tools to enjoy the puppy stage instead of just trying to survive it! We highly recommend Andy and the Puppy Start program!

Camp Opie provides excellent Training. I took my wild, jumping highly energetic, two year-old…read moreboxer. The trainer, Andy, was very flexible regarding location and context. He was able to train in a variety of settings, and she learned to obey " heel" on and off leash. When given, free movement off of leash, she will immediately return when told "Heel." It has been almost 2 years since her training, and she is still excellent, she will even " heel" off of leash, when running next to my granddaughter riding the skateboard.

OC Paws Dog Training

(111 reviews)

We had such a great experience with OC Paws. My family and I signed up our pup, Duke, for the…read moreProactive Puppy training program and we are so happy with the results. Lindsay was so good with our rambunctious pup. We felt like our concerns were addressed every lesson and targeted Duke's specific needs. We were given explanations about his behavior and why the commands were beneficial to him. Everything was taken at the pace we felt most comfortable with and it helped us to be more confident going forward with our pups training at home!

We have two beagle puppies, Scout and Samwise. Trainers Stacy and Lindsay both helped us so much!…read moreWe took the pups to the Star puppy class with Lindsay where we learned valuable skills like place, and loose leash walking. We also had a personal training package where Stacy came to help us apply these skills and more into life in our home. She helped us problem-solve unwanted behaviors like barking at the door and anxiety with new people. She also taught good door skills and how to give our dogs more freedom on a long lead, among other things. Both trainers are knowledgeable, patient, and flexible. I highly recommend OC Paws! They have helped give us the skills we needed to truly enjoy life with our beagles!

Bark Busters Home Dog Training-South Orange County

(134 reviews)

From our very first session until now, he has taught me so much. He's incredibly knowledgeable, and…read morealways explains the methods from how dogs think and perceive the world and how the training ties into it. The progress I've seen has been amazing, and I've learned how to communicate with my dog in a way that has strengthened our bond. I highly recommend Josh and Bark Busters OC to anyone looking for a trainer who truly knows what they're doing!

I recommend text or email only with Josh. He is very much a sales person and if you mention you…read morehave three dogs even though you want two trained, he'll sign all three up and charge a nonrefundable deposit for all three. You cannot get your money back even if you cancel within 24 hours. Then, after cancelling, they still tried to come for the previously scheduled appointment.

Calmer Canines

(28 reviews)

Kate has been the best dog trainer for my family with a fearful, reactive pup. We have taken…read morevarious dog training classes with Kate, but the MOST important of all was the way Kate helped us prepare for a new baby joining the family. During my pregnancy, Kate helped us create success stations, work on management strategies, prepare for baby homecoming, and help our pup get ready for the big changes. My husband and I learned so much about safety and preparation and I cannot imagine bringing home a newborn with our dog without these sessions. Kate is extremely kind, personable, and knowledgeable and it is clear to see her passion for helping dog owners with pregnancy, toddlers, and all types of families. I HIGHLY recommend working with her for any growing family with any type of dog.

Kate is amazing and very knowledgeable about the relationship between dogs and kids. She was such a…read morehelp to our family. I highly recommend her!

Balancing Breeds Behavioral Dog Training