Testimonials « Sit Means Sit Dog Training

Doug and Boston Terrier, Benny

Benny has good behavior and can go everywhere now!

The Entire Sit Means Sit Gang:

Benny and myself would just like to say thanks for all the help, training, and guidance that you have provided us in the past six months or so. Benny’s behavior and command of obedience has done an 180 turn around. He is more enjoyable than ever to be around now. We are planing on taking a few weeks off then do an occasional class here and there to keep up on our skills.

Keep the news letters coming. We wouldn’t want to miss a hike.

Thanks again and see ya soon

Doug and Benny

Lynn and Rockie

Rockie the Aussie

Hi Toni

I just wanted to thank you and Elsa for all your help and to let you know that my mom and brother are here to visit for a few days and that we had very little “stranger danger” barking! It only lasted for a few minutes, which is much better than the whole visit and only needed a couple small reminders from the collar.

Rockie made friends with them both very quickly and was his regular fun self as the evening wore on.

Thank you again,
Lynn L.

Kevin, Jude and Sadie and Aspen

Sadie and Aspen

Kevin and I have had at least two dogs during our entire thirty-plus years of marriage. We have always been able to socialize and train them for what we needed with little or no problem.

We had just lost a sweet and devoted Yellow Lab, named Daisy, to cancer. We spent hours online researching breeders and pedigrees. We finally decided on a breeder in California and when her litter was 8 weeks old, Kevin flew to California to bring home our new puppy that we named Sadie. She was adorable, cuddly and playful. Everything was perfect for about a week, and one day the “crazy switch” flipped.

For the next 10 months, we were in a constant state of shock. I took her to a puppy class at a local pet store. She would respond if and when she felt like it, which was seldom. They kept trying to sell us new, more expensive and more complicated harnesses, muzzles and collars. I was not comfortable with any of these suggestions, nor did any of them seem to work.

Next, I took her to classes at a well-known dog training school which was recommended by a neighbor. Again, she responded if and when she felt like it. The solution recommended by this trainer was choke collars, dragging her, and yanking, pulling and jerking on her collar. It was definitely NOT a solution I was comfortable with.

A friend offered us his 10-year-old shock collar. It looked so much like a medieval torture instrument, that I didn’t have the heart to even put it on her.

In the meantime, our house looked like a war zone. There were barricades everywhere. Our two Goldens would run out of a room if Sadie went in. We couldn’t leave anything on the floor, a shelf or the kitchen counter. For a puppy, she had an incredible reach. Did I mention that at three months old she would even jump onto the pool table? She was solid muscle. I couldn’t let Sadie out of my sight for a second. She would eat baseboards, furniture; even eat through walls – anything and everything she could get. We spent hundreds of dollars on toys but she would lose interest after a few minutes. When I was home, I kept her on a leash with me at all times, and still if I concentrated on something else for a minute, I would look down to see a chewed-up leash.

Walking her was an adventure. Every leaf that blew was a reason to take off at a full run – often leaving me lying in the road with bloodied knees because I looked away at the wrong second.

We love to go camping. On more than one occasion, Sadie took off, ripping the leash out of my hand and go tearing into the forest after a squirrel. We would chase after her, calling her, trying to coax her back with cookies. We always managed to corral her, but what if we couldn’t? We needed some way to insure that she would come when we called her.

In utter desperation we took the recommendation of one of Kevin’s co-workers and called Toni at Sit-Means-Sit. She came out and explained the program. I was a little suspicious of her complete confidence that Sadie could be tamed in view of our history with other trainers.

Elsa came out to our house for our first session. She brought a collar and a place board and worked with Sadie and with us. We started going to lessons twice a week. Progress was slow, but after a few weeks, the barricades started coming down in the house. At class, other dogs would start and advance out of the beginner class within a few weeks but we were still there. It was frustrating, but Sadie never gave up. Nor did we. After about six months, Sadie promoted to the Advanced class. It was a long haul, but she was worth every bit of it.

During that year, we lost both of our Goldens to health issues. We got Sadie a new Golden Retriever sister. And we started her at Sit-Means-Sit immediately. They are the best of friends.

Recently, we changed from a standard collar to the “industrial strength” version because Sadie is such a strong-minded pup. Overall, we couldn’t be happier. The “crazy switch” still flips sometimes, but that’s just Crazy Sadie having fun – not being destructive. Now she understands the difference.

Thank you, Toni and Elsa, for your patience, your passion, your commitment and your support.

Kevin and Jude B., and Sadie & Aspen
Cave Creek, AZ

Chris Harris and Pandora

Chris & Pandora After Passing the TDI Test!

First, I would like to give some background information about me and Pandora. I have never owned a dog before, nor have I ever attempted to train any animal. My wife and I decided to get a large breed dog because we were going to be moving into a bad neighborhood but after getting Pandora we were able to move into a better neighborhood. I had always wanted a German Shepard but had decided that if I were to get a large breed, it must be trained.

Sit Means Sit came out to the house and did a free demo. The trainer explained the collar to us and put it on Pandora to show us her reaction. The stimulation is very mild (not painful) and smooth, something I didn’t expect. We decided to go ahead with the training. The trainer came out to our house about three to five times then we moved into the group class.

Once we got into the group class things just progressed from there. The group classes are very friendly and everyone that was there just wanted all the dogs to succeed. Within about one to two months of going to group class I noticed a huge difference in Pandora. The change was gradual at first then things just clicked for her. It’s almost like the remote lets me speak dog. At about six months of age I was able to put her on her “place” and eat dinner in front of her on the couch without her moving. At approximately eight to ten months of age I had her to the point where she would go to her “place” without command at the sound of the door bell or when she sees me bring a plate of food to the couch.

For me it was a simple decision to get the training. I figured if you love your dog and if you spent money to buy the dog what’s a little more for training which will allow you to enjoy the company of your dog even more. Also a well trained dog is less likely to do things that may lead to a vet bill. This training is for the lifetime of the dog and the collar has a lifetime warranty too. I have known many people who have gone though other training companies. Once training is over and the owner does not continue the training the dog reverts to pre-training. Now the owner must pay another fee to get the dog back to where it was: this is not the case with Sit Means Sit. The fact that you have taken the time to read this shows you care about your dog. What you see in the Sit Means Sit videos can be obtained by the average person who is willing to attend group training and work with their dog 30 to 60 minutes a day. Bottom line is this training works all you have to do it put in a little effort, trust your dog and watch the magic of Sit Means Sit training.

Chris H. and Pandora
Glendale, AZ

Schutzhund Dog, Kali

Dear Toni,

I just wanted to share some of Kali’s successes and say thank you for all the help in working with us over the past 4 years. We started with you when she was 4 months old. She is now 4 years old. There are times when we first started training her as a pup that I was wondering what I was doing with such a high drive German Shepherd. However I now know that your training methods really helped me train her in a way that her extreme drive and free spirit comes out in everything she does.

Kali has now earned her Canine Good Citizen Certificate just because I think every dog should have one. And indeed she is a great dog to live with. She loves nothing better than working other than maybe going out to dinner at a local restaurant.

She has earned her Schutzhund I, II and III. She earned one high score in trial in protection (a 96) and one high score in trial in tracking (a 97). And she always manages to pull at least one stunt that makes me laugh—and has gotten even our German judges to smile. She does have a sense of humor.

Thank you so very much,
June
Phoenix, AZ

Victoria, Gracie & Shadow

Gracie & Shadow

No miracle story here. Just a happy tale about two adopted dogs – one from the pound and the other from a busy young nurse who no longer had time to care for her year-and-a-half old cockapoo. There were no aggression or destructive behavior issues, just a total lack of manners. Now, because of the education and training that Toni and her highly skilled staff have made available to us, both Shadow (a Siberian Husky mix) and Gracie (the cockapoo) promptly and eagerly respond to commands, and my relationship with both dogs has blossomed into a bond that is truly a gift. We are a very happy 3-pack! I must admit also, that I love the compliments I get on how polite and well mannered my dogs are when we’re hiking or just walking around the neighborhood – or when guests come to our home to visit!

-Victoria C.
Scottsdale, AZ

Sit Means Sit Remote Collar Review

Professional dog trainer and author Adam Katz gives an independent review of the Sit Means Sit Remote Collar.

Patty and Rick Bennett

I wanted to let you know that my veterinary office, Foothill Veterinary Service in New River, is really impressed with how much Tila has improved in her behavior, confidence and how she is a lot less skittish each time I take her for her visits. They have gone from having to hold her down and be careful not to possibly get nipped, to just holding her still on the table so she doesn’t try to come to me.
The vet that I always have for my babies is Dr. White. The entire staff is an amazing group of people and are very caring.

I have her wear her collar daily (when we are home) and I have it on her when I take her to the vet, which is always a conversation piece. Over time they have come to realize just how much this training has worked for her. Another example of her improvements which I have told Dr. White about is that she will even let family/company approach her and she will let them pet her and, with some, even play with her which never use to happen.
In 6 months she has only had a handful of pee accidents in the house when normally it would be a daily thing.

I have told them all about ‘Sit means sit’ and the ‘positive’ training you guys teach us, in order for us to teach the dogs appropriately…. Tila has been a true testament to the training success.

Tila is like having a different dog and I can’t thank you and Elsa enough! Here is the site to the office with the address and phone should you need it.
http://www.foothillsvet.com/

Patty B.
Anthem, AZ

Ed and Brenda Torel

Thank you Toni for your expert advice. We came to you years ago with too strong Rotties – and you sorted us out happily. Last November we came to you with two mini Schnauzer rescues – sisters. You could see that we were overwhelmed and not entirely enjoying the experience. We came for lessons but left relieved with advice to ‘choose one pup’ and find a home for the other. We followed the advice and peace came to our home and we finally got to meet the little one that had been totally bossed around by the other sister. Both are now happy and so are we. And very, very grateful for your advice.

Thanks again, Ed and Brenda Torel

Lindsay LaRue and Bandit

Bandit and and his owner are now competing in agility and Bandit has completed all of his AKC novice agility titles and is now working at Open titles.

Hi Toni,

Thank you so much for your assistance and ongoing support in training my Belgian Tervuren, Bandit. Bandit is my first Belgian, has very high drive and is a very reactive dog. I had difficulty in walking him in the park. If he saw other dogs, he pulled like crazy on the leash and was uncontrollable. During agility class, he would get so excited watching other dogs, he could not focus on the task at hand. Bandit and I spent the hot summer month’s working with Toni and attending weekly classes. By the end of the summer, Bandit was back in agility class and doing much better. Bandit and I continued to attend Toni’s classes, doing lots of off-leash work and really enjoyed going each week. Bandit and I are now competing in agility and Bandit has completed all of his AKC novice agility titles and is now working at Open titles. Thank you very much to Toni and her team for all her help in getting us to where we are today and would recommend to anyone needing assistance in training their dogs to seek her help.

Sincerely,
Lindsay LaRue & Bandit
Peoria, AZ

Sit Means Sit, Phoenix

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