Sit Means Sit, Phoenix Dog Training in Arizona
Call: 602-992-8743
E-mail: tdrugmand@gmail.com
Certified remote collar trainer specializing in problem behaviors, basic obedience and competition. Serving the following cities in Arizona: Phoenix, Tempe, Scottsdale, Mesa, Paradise Valley, Glendale, Cave Creek and Carefree.
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 Benny has good behavior and can go everywhere now! Name: Benny
Owner: Doug S.
City: Tempe, Arizona
Breed: Boston Terrier
Likes/Dislikes: Benny likes to EAT (not necessarily food).
Favorite Toy/Treat/Walk: He loves the dog park!
Best Tricks: Benny’s best “trick” is looking cute, especially when he’s in trouble.
Arrival Story/Bio:
First a little about the owner: I am originally from the Great Lake State of Michigan. After high school I joined and spent six years in the Air Force. I spent all six years stationed at Minot AFB, North Dakota. I was a medic on flying status and did search and rescues when needed. I have one save under my belt. Because of my flying status I had the opportunity to go through survival training in Spokane Washington and underwater survival in Florida. After my six years I returned home and spent nine years at McDonalds and two years with Aramark at Central Michigan University dining services. In 1994 I was diagnosed with depression, bipolar, and dysthemia (permanent, untreatable low grade depression). Now classified as a disabled vet I decided to get out of cloudy Michigan and here I am in sunny Arizona.
The dog: Benny came to me from a breeder in Missouri. I picked him out from a website and fell in love with his brindle coat. I was so happy when he arrived because I was sure what exactly what would show up if at all and what condition he would be in. Thank goodness we was in perfect health. When I decided to get a dog I did all the research to get the best match for me. Boston Terriers, easy to care for, smart and easy to train, moderate walks. Benny didn’t read the same books I did, ha ha. We started with Petsmart puppy classes where he received a sympathy certificate because he wouldn’t lay down. The moderate walks were added to daily park times, and he still was on the go non stop. Then we tried a day camp training place that resulted in no result. With one last try and reviewing all the internet sites, Sit Means Sit came to the rescue. Training went great for the most part understanding that Benny likes to put his own little twist to the commands. We got to the end of the beginner classes and we had to demonstrate the manual down position. Benny was not going to have anything to with that. Two months later I won the battle and we continued on. I am now 100% confident with him off leash and getting his CGC has been icing on the cake.
Benny plays such a big role in my life. If it wasn’t for him, I might not get out of bed some days. There is nothing I wouldn’t do for him.
 ORI the Papillion
Name: ORI
Owner: Carol K.
City: Scottsdale, Arizona
Breed: Papillion
Likes & Dislikes: Loves treats and dislikes birds in the backyard!
Favorite Toy, Treat and Walk: Sweaky Mailmail,Rollover Lamb,Fatman Loop trail in Flagstaff
Best Trick: SKAKE PAWS AND ROLLOVER
Arrival Story/Bio:
Purchased ORI FROM A LOCAL BREEDER AFTER A LOT OF SEARCHING AND ATTENDING DOG SHOWS. FIRST SAW A PAPILLON AS THE BEST OF SHOW AT WESTMINSTER. JUST FELL IN LOVE WITH THE LOOK AND DISPOSITION. WE WENT THROUGH PUPPY CLASS AND LEARNED ABOUT HOW GOOD “PAPPY’S” WERE AT AGILTY. WE ENROLLED IN THE AGILITY FOUNDATION CLASS WITH JUMPING CHOLLAS AGIITY DOG CLUB AND WE ARE NOW ENTERED IN OUR FIRST “TRIAL” IN APRIL.
EARLY ON WE FOUND THAT ORI WOULD SHUT DOWN OR BECOME DISINTERESTED AND START SNIFFING INSTEAD OF PAYING ATTENTION TO MY HUSBAND KEN IN CLASS. HE WOULD OFTEN RUN AWAY TO SNIFF AND LOOK FOR DROPPED TREATS. IT BECAME SO BAD THAT WE CONSIDERED GETTING OUT OF AGILITY. GIVING A LAST DITCH ATTEMPT, WE ASKED ONE OF THE TOP AGILITY TRAINERS AND JUDGES IN THE COUNTRY, ROGER COOR, TO HELP US. HE RUNS PAPILLONS AS HIS DOG OF CHOICE IN AGILITY SO THAT REALLY HELPED BECAUSE HE KNOWS THE BREED INTIMATELY. AFTER A FEWER SESSIONS, HE RECOMMENDED THAT WE SEE TONI AND GET ORI INTO THE SIT MEANS SIT PROGRAM TO LEARN HOW TO FOCUS.
WELL, THE RESULTS HAVE BEEN TREMENDOUSLY SUCCESSFUL. IN FACT, WE HAVE NOW ADVANCED TO THE 3RD LEVEL OF CLASSES AND IN ONE OF OUR CURRENT CLASSES WE “RAN” A SAMPLE TRIAL AND SOMEONE WHO KNOWS OUR DOG BUT HADN’T SEEN HIM SINCE WE STARTED WITH TONI SAID, ” WOW, IS THAT THE SAME ORI I DON’T RECOGNIZE HIM ANYMORE”. THAT WAS THE GREATEST COMPLIMENT WE’VE EVER HAD AND WE ARE REALLY GRATEFUL TO ROGER AND TONI FOR ALL THEIR HARD WORK WITH US.
WE ARE LOOKING FORWARD TO OUR NEXT STEPS AND EVERYONE IS ENJOYING OUR NEW VENTURE INTO AGILITY TRIALS.
Name: Hannah
Owner: Debbie
City: Phoenix, Arizona
Breed: Staffordshire Pit Bull Terrier
Likes: Meeting people and playing with other dogs
Favorite Toy/Treat/Walk: Orange bouncyball
Best Tricks: Crawling under a Limbo Stick!
Arrival Story/Bio:
I adopted “Hannah” while volunteering at the AZ Humane Society-Sunnyslope location on 7/17/11….She is a beautiful, smart and loving dog. It is a shame the view that the public has about pit bulls. They are the ones left behind in the shelters. I urge anyone that is thinking about adopting a dog to research this breed, I would not have chosen any other type of dog for a companion.
 Kyro and His Pumpkin
Name: Kyro
Owner: Sarah
City: Phoenix, Arizona
Breed:Purebred German Shepherd
Likes: Peanut Butter
Favorite Toy: Kyro’s favorite toy is any cardboard box!
Best Trick: I taught him to “place” on the plastic meter covers at the park.
Arrival Story/Bio:
When I first got him he pulled a lot but now he heels right by my side thanks to Sit Means Sit.
 Airdale Brothers: Dunleevy, Keegan & Leeam
Name: Dunleevy, Keegan, Leeam
Owner: Gary & Linda
City: Cave Creek, Arizona
Breed: Airedale
Likes/Dislikes:
Dunleevy – Likes to WORK, play, eat, watch for animals or cartoon characters on TV, play in the sand on the beach, stare out the den window looking for animals in the desert. Dislikes having nothing to do and hearing gun shots.
Keegan – Likes to sleep on his place mat, learn new things, get his big brothers to chase him, dig in his bone box, pulling out the grass, fetch toys and play tug-of-war. Dislikes having his collar put around his neck.
Leeam – Likes to EAT and play, chase Keegan, run off-lead in the park, stand up on his hind legs and kiss people, chase George the cat. Dislikes traveling in high altitudes and listening to orders.
Favorite Toy/Treat/Walk:
Dunleevy - Likes to fetch Air-Kong toys.
Keegan - Likes to beat-up his big rubber duck. Likes to have what ever his big brothers are eating.
Leeam - Likes to play tug-of-war with stuffed animal toys.
All like marrow bones, peanut butter, and dog cookies, and all like to go for walks in the neighborhood or parks.
Best Tricks:
Dunleevy – Catch toys or small treats when tossed to him.
Keegan – Getting his big brothers to chase him.
Leeam – Waiting patiently for his brother to finish their bone so he can take over.
Arrival Story/Bio:
All three Airedales were born at Borderdale Kennels in Idaho and they all have the same parents. Dunleevy and Leeam are 4 years old and from the same litter. Keegan is 4 months old. He is currently weighs 35 lbs and his older brothers weigh over 90 lbs each. They all enjoy getting out every morning for some physical and mental exercise then sleeping on their backs with their legs straight up in the air in the afternoons. They are all clowns and are gifts from God.
 Keegan "Belly Up" on his Place
 Taz the Pit and Brother, Rocky the Boxer Name: Tazz
Owner: Nancy Viscichini
City: Phoenix, Arizona
Breed: Pit
Likes/Dislikes: Likes Running & Barking. Dislikes Being Still & Quiet!
Favorite Toy/Treat/Walk: Anything Works!
Best Tricks: Down
Arrival Story/Bio:
Valentines Day we got the call about a fostered pit that was being displayed at Petsmart. We had lost our pit of 13 years just 6 months before. My husband was in the drivers seat. If he liked her we’d keep her. I stayed in the car while he met her. When I went to see what he thought, he was signing the paperwork to bring her home. Taz is a personality to be appreciated. She is independent yet loving, hard hitting yet sweet. When we get on the agility course, I expect she will make state champion in no time. She works hard and plays hard. So glad she is part of our family.
 Ruffus - English Mastiff
Name: Ruffus
Owner: Nikki & Taylor
City: Anthem, Arizona
Breed: English Mastiff Purebred
Likes/Dislikes: Ruffus loves to snuggle all day long and he loves to play with other dogs. His pet peeve is being left out of the fun.
Favorite Toy/Treat/Walk: Loves ropes, socks, tennis balls, ice cubes and the occasional flip flop.
Best Tricks: He will give kisses on demand. His Mama loves kisses!
Arrival Story/Bio:
About a year and a half ago I felt the need to bring another dog into our house. Taylor and I love the Mastiff breed and figured that a new puppy could learn from our older English Mastiff, Trucker, who is 7. Trucker has had some health issues and we also thought a puppy would help perk him up. I found an ad online for English Mastiff Pups and decided that I had to go and see the litter. Of the 8 pups, Ruffus was the only one that would go to both Taylor and I. He nuzzled into both of us and kept running back and forth, never leaving us for very long. I truly feel that he picked us! We wanted a loveable dog and he has definitely proved to be just that.
We decided it was time for dog training about 3 months ago. Ruffus is currently tipping the scales at about 150 lbs and he is 20 months old. He is every bit the opposite of Trucker. He has a never ending supply of energy and loves to bounce from one end of the yard to the other. Tigger would have been a very fitting name for him! We want to help him learn to be a polite and obedient dog when people come to the door or approach him to give him a pat. He often get’s so excited he jumps and bumps into our guests. And being a puppy still, he just doesn’t know his size. He has zero aggression in him – just lots of love and bounce! We have been really impressed by the immediate results we have seen with Sit Means Sit and Toni’s team. I know that this program is the answer to our prayers and our ‘little’ guy will be an obedient dog in no time!
 Ernie is almost taller than his parents! Name: Ernest ona Holiday/Ernie/Ernesto
Owner: The Kleins
City: Glendale, Arizona
Breed: Bloodhound
Likes and Pet Peeves: I like, no, looove holidays at the beach with mom and dad, and grandma and grandpa. I am so tuned in I start “singing” a mile from the turn off to vacation land. I also like cuddling up with mom and dad, pestering my older (coon hound) brother and sister, and watching TV. Yep, I really watch it!
I don’t like lawn mowers or vacuum cleaners; they’re way too loud and scary. I also avoid anything to do with dog brushes despite my parent’s best attempts at bribery.
Favorite Toy/Treat/Walk: I love my “big ball” basketball and my rubber Frisbee. I can’t decide if my favorite treat is peanut butter on a spoon or Charlee Bears ‘cause both of them make me drool. Although you may not believe it if you’ve seen me in class, my favorite walk is actually a run – either running on the beach with my little human buddy or running through the sprinklers at home.
Best Trick: My best trick ever was throwing a tantrum the first day I met Toni on the day she came to assess me when I was 9 weeks old for “Sit Means Sit” training. I bet I made mom and dad so proud! I remember Toni saying, “I can see why you called me, you did the right thing”. I don’t throw tantrums anymore, but I’ve learned other tricks like crossing my eyes, hiding my dad’s socks, and playing “find mom”. I can also catch my “big ball” basketball and Frisbee in the air.
Arrival Story/Bio:
Mom and dad picked me out of a tassel of puppies because of my beautiful eyes and handsome fawn color. They brought me home at eight weeks old, when I was still afraid of the big wide world. My coon hound brother and sister made me feel right at home and showed me there was nothing to be afraid of except one thing – the CAT BROTHER! They told me it would be best to stay away from him because he was rather unimpressed with my big clumsy feet, large floppy ears, and slobbering wet lips.
Now that I’m a “big boy” at one year old, I have more control of my big ‘ole body. I can hold my own when playing with my uncle and I’m big enough that I don’t tumble over when my brother and sister run into me. I just love wrestling about with them. I know I make a pest of myself sometimes, but I know they love me. I’ve even made friends with my cat brother, but I still like to irritate him now and then. Hey – I gotta have my fun somewhere!
As for mom and dad, I know they are happy they chose me as their dog son. I can tell this ‘cause of all the hugs, kisses, and smiles I get every day! And besides, they know I’ll keep them young and full of energy (either that or sleep deprived) – this rather large sniffing machine requires lots and lots of attention and play time!
 Lily at Vallecito Creek Name: Lily
Owner: Marilyn Stevens
City: Phoenix, Arizona
Breed: German Shepherd/Whippet Mix
Likes & Pet Peeves: Lily likes Snuggling & Swimming. Her pet peeve is when Charlie wants to play and she doesn’t
Favorite Toy/Treat/Walk: Lily’s favorite toy is anything Charlie has at the moment! She loves cheese and walking near streams, lakes, ponds
Best Tricks: Lily’s best trick is diving!
Arrival story/bio:Buddy, our Golden, was lonely now that both of his people were working out of the house all day. He’d been a rescue six years earlier and we knew that our new dog would be a rescue also. I started visiting the Humane Society regularly on my way home from work, but none of the dogs seemed Buddy-worthy.
We even drove way out to a shelter near the White Tanks but that didn’t work out — the very handsome setter and Buddy immediately took to separate corners of the meet-and-greet room, both growling quietly. Back to the drawing board.
The next morning, on my way to the local Humane Society once again, I stopped at Pet Smart to pick up some dog food. And there were puppies there!! One was already adopted, but the other, a frisky little girl with enormous ears, was available. I rushed home to get Buddy and Paul.
The puppy started jumping all over Buddy, and like an avuncular uncle, Buddy accommodated her joyful leaps. A few puppy supplies later, Lily was heading home with the three of us.
Lily brought new life into Buddy, who even lost a few pounds from all their romps together. He’d let her know when he was DONE with a gentle growl, stomping off to his favorite spot — wedged between the tub and toilet in the bathroom.
As Lily grew, her speed at chasing balls (as well as the white spotted blaze on her chest) led us to think she had to be part Whippet. But those ears were pure German Shepherd. Her energy was unbounded and she could dive for her pool toy for hours on end. One of her favorite games in the pool was racing Paul in laps. She absolutely hated to lose, and she’d keep her eye on him as they swam the length of the pool. If she thought that she might lose, she’d cut her lap short and turn early, so that she’d be heading toward the other end of the pool before Paul even reached the first turn, thus assuring her win.
We no longer have a pool, so she contents herself with playing ball in her kiddy pool. Now that she doesn’t get to cheat at laps, her new favorite game is “keep the balls away from Charlie.” No matter how many balls I throw in the pool, she blocks them from Charlie. Watching her try to gather all three balls in her mouth at once is quite amusing; she’ll never admit that it’s impossible.
When Buddy died last fall, Lily sunk into a deep depression. Adopting Charlie pulled her out of that. She took her mothering tasks to heart, raising Charlie just as Buddy had raised her.
Lily thought that Charlie needed some training, so she signed him up for Sit Means Sit. She was less than pleased when she found out the training was for her as well, but she’s adapted quite well and now looks forward to class — wagging her tail furiously when we get within a few blocks of the park.
 Duke Name: Duke
Owner: Teresa Young
City: Phoenix, Arizona
Breed: Great Dane Mix
Likes: Duke likes ground squirrels
Favorite Toy/Treat/Walk: Duke’s favorite toys and treats are stuffed animals, going on hikes and playing tug of war
Best Tricks: His “begging eyes”
Arrival Story/Bio:
Duke was rescued from the pound in Superior, AZ. We got him one year ago. We had been looking for a few months, and when we went to the foster home and saw those eyes happily staring at us and tail wagging his whole body, we knew he was ours. He’s been a wonderful addition to our family. And now with the Sit Means Sit training I can safely take him on runs on the mountain with me. Though he still has far to go, I have gotten compliments from fellow hikers saying what a well behaved dog he is 
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