Testimonials

I am beyond amazed at how much Finn learned in such a short amount of time! Cole was amazing at answering any questions that came up and talking me through how and why Finn was feeling and responding through out the all the sessions. I loved my experience at sit means sit, and would refer to anyone who asks!

Morgan B.

Sit means sit has been the best decision we made when it comes to our Georgette, we got her very young and two of my neighbors also got two of her siblings. Within two month both those puppies were rehomed and I was losing faith in my ability to properly care for my puppy. Our trainer Cole was amazing he was patient and understanding to my lack of knowledge as a dog owner. He took the time to teach and explain everything to the whole family. I have a 8 year old son who also attended class and my boyfriend would attend as well so he knew how to interact with Georgette. Cole trained us all really well and gave us tips on things as bathing her and keeping her calm so we don’t over stimulate her.

Gabriela P.

Connor was very caring and a relentless trainer! I can tell he puts his all into what he loves to do. I think Connor represents his company extremely well! I learned a lot from Connor and will request him if we ever decide to continue our education. After graduation I feel more confident that Steel has learned behaviors that will last him a lifetime!

Lamar E.

Naomi was amazing with our puppy Cash! Our stubborn Bully Mix puppy has learned so much from his training classes. He was so excited every week to go to training! The staff at SMS are very professional and helpful.

Lindsay S.

Our puppy, my husband and I enjoy our puppy classes and look forward to Saturday mornings to see her new puppy friends and our instructor always has time to deal with individual problems. Highly recommend “SMS”, Sit Means Sit!

Patricia S.

X and I were very fortunate to have Jaz as our trainer. We learned so much in such a short amount of time. Jaz gave me a great set of tools to support my pup as he navigates our world.

Andrew S.

I was very happy with my experience at the Frederick location. I did a 3-day program with Cole Brackna, and he was extremely knowledgeable and patient. My dog learned a huge amount in a short time, and I now have the tools to continue reinforcing at home. Staff is friendly and responsive and the business as a whole is very professional.

Kristen T.

Our 7-month old Cockapoo Aidy started out her training as a barky, reactive, and very “enthusiastic” pup. After three days of training and much practice at home, she has become a much quieter, way less reactive and more obedient pup. She and I both benefitted greatly from Naomi’s excellent teaching and training expertise and skills. Aidy is our second dog to attend SMS – I don’t think there will be a third one, but we will all return again and again for the group classes. The group classes are an excellent way to keep the training fresh and to reinforce all the skills we learned in our individual lessons.

Sally J.

We absolutely love SMS – Frederick. Every single person there is so kind and helpful!

Susan C.

I can not say enough about you guys! All round professional, friendly and caring! Thank you for helping me love my dog even more!!

Susan H.

My husband and I brought our 1 year old plott hound, Tito, to SMS desperate for some help. We had what felt like a good basis of training, and Tito would listen well at home, but we couldn’t get any of our own training to show when we brought him in public, or even when we had guests come over. We wanted to be able to include Tito on runs and hikes and just be able to enjoy taking him with us places. SMS got us there! I cannot thank our trainer, Walker, enough! He, along with all of the SMS staff were so great to work with. Walker always had a solution to whatever questions and concerns we had, and if they first solution didn’t work he had several more ready to try. I love that Tito never lost his happy and energetic self, but we can appreciate it so much more now that he knows what we expect of him, even in the presence of distractions!

Madison S.

We cannot express how happy we are with the training we’ve received from Sit Means Sit. We had the opportunity to work with Naomi and she exceeded all of our expectations. She is super knowledge and was able to answer any questions we had during our training sessions. We are excited to continue our training at Sit Means Sit during group lessons!

Jordan E.

We just completed our 5 week class led by Jazmine, and are very happy with the results. She gave us all the tools we need to handle our hound dog, and he is already behaving much better than when we started. She explained and demonstrated the concepts very well, and answered all of our questions. The facility is large and clean. The office staff were helpful and friendly. The group classes are available multiple times through the week, making it easier to attend. Overall – highly recommended training, both for us and our good boy.

Ben M.

Sit means sit was so much worthy. Great experience and the staff is amazing. Cole is a great trainer. Always willing to help and answer all of our questions. The difference of How our dog Rocco changed from the beginning was from earth to heaven. He just graduated today and he is just a different dog. Like always it’s important that you keep consistency at home and practice with your dog. He learned a lot during the 5-Day training. It’s just perfect.

Liurka O.

We brought our 1 year old, energetic + wild dog to Sit Means Sit in Frederick and worked with Cole. Not only did our dog really like Cole but so did I. Cole made the potentially stressful process easy and his feedback motivated me to keep up with training at home. I’m so happy we made the investment in SMS for ourselves and our dog.

Shane S.

Amazing company and recommend to everyone looking for dog training and grooming !

Ashley M.

We have had a very positive experience with Cole at SMS. He worked with our almost 8 month old German Shepherd puppy, Grace, through a five Day Train lesson package. Grace is happier, more confident, more focused, quieter, and much easier to walk on a leash after working with Cole. My husband and I are very excited to see where the next year takes Grace as she begins group lessons. Thank you Cole and SMS for your hard work and dedication toward Grace and our family.

Ashley Y.

Excellent training experience with SMS. We were embarrassed when we took our hyper two year old Golden Retriever to orientation before beginning the class. He was so disruptive and basically off the walls in the meeting room. Wow what a difference the 5 week class has been! Liz Anderson was his personal trainer and she worked wonders with him. He is now so under control using the techniques Liz has taught us to use. Our walks are so enjoyable and he seems very happy using his new skills. I was skeptical at first that there would be no way to control his behavior in such a short time, but I was wrong! We now have a calm buddy with the tools to utilize for his continued on going training. Thank you so much for a job well done!

Alan S.

This program is worth every penny. Our trainer Austin has a wealth of knowledge and was great in sharing it with us. Our dog now comes when called, sits without barking, stays in a designated place until we say she is “Free” from that place, and heals on walks. (No more pulling) This program has allowed us to enjoy our dog, Zorra, so much more. I’d highly recommend Sit Means Sit to anyone who wants a better and stress free relationship with their dog. Also the additional training classes available to you, for free, to help continue you and your dogs training are wonderful.

Bob M.

We started with Sit Means Sit in August 2018 when our newly adopted dog went through the 12 day immersion with Olivia to help with her reactivity to people and other dogs and ability to walk on the leash. We then did a 5 day train for our other dog with Matt to help with her redirection and following directions. Matt also helped us with the process of getting them together after some issues with aggression after the new dogs arrival. At the time of our initial consultation with Sit means Sit our dogs could not even be in the same room due to aggression towards each other. They are now best buds! We could not be more thankful! Since the initial training, we have been doing training classes, daycare and boarding at Sit Means Sit. We love being able to leave our dogs in the care of people who know and care about them. Particularly Austin who has a wonderful enthusiasm and passion for training and caring for the dogs! The enthusiasm is returned to him every time our dogs see him! He runs great group classes and we are always happy to see he is working with our girls at daycare or boarding! Worth every penny for the peace of mind and progress we have made!

Judith C.

I would just like to say this place is amazing! I can not rave about this place enough! I have a very very high energy dog who is very sweet but is also very special in that he needs so much attention! They are so amazing with him! My pup is so excited every time I turn on to Thomas Johnson drive because he knows exactly where we are going! Maria! By far has been the best experience for me! Of course I like all of the staff but she has been extremely pleasant, helpful, kind, informative, and accommodating. Cole trained my dog and man! I was at my breaking point before we sent him in for the immersions program but after Cole had him and showed me how to work with him and how my pups mind works, the craziness at home has calmed! Thank you Cole! For being so passionate about your job! It truly shows! To the day care staff! BEYOND HAPPY WITH ALL OF YOU! He comes home exhausted and puts himself right to bed after picking him up! They are so understanding and patient with him! I love the pictures and the summary of his day! Aspen I believe is her name! Is the one I usually interact with, has been extremely pleasant! Always has a smile on her face and I do appreciate her bubbly personality! It makes me feel very comfortable leaving my pup with them knowing that he is in very good hands with very good people! We will be moving soon out of state and are sincerely disappointed that we won’t have this particular staff with us in our next endeavor! Thank you guys for all that you have done for me and Jackson!

Victoria B.

Top notch trainers. They did a fantastic job with our 6 month old lab puppy. Helping to teach him important commands and also stop some bad behaviors.

Louis R.

It’s pretty amazing to see what your dog is capable of after training with Sit Means Sit. Even of you’ve got a crazy pup on your hands, give these guys a call. Don’t feel like you have to live with a disobedient dog! Everyone from the front desk action squad to the trainers to the other staff members are friendly and professional.

Gregory A.

We’ve been clients since December 2018. Our pup Fletcher did a 12 day immersion training program with Walker as his trainer. Their program has been life changing for us and Fletcher. We continue to come to weekly training as often as we can to hone our skills and his. Every person we have had contact with has been awesome!!

Sherry M.

Words cannot express my gratitude to Cole and the entire Sit Means Sit organization and process. Leo was a southern caravan rescue with four failed adoptions behind him when, three years ago, I was asked to foster him in an emergency placement. It took very little time for me to realize that he was not adoptable: his extreme anxiety literally had him climbing walls, his complete lack of respect for personal boundaries made him dangerous around my older friends, his Houdini skills rendered nearly all containment systems useless, his inappropriate behavior with other dogs – and horses- made near isolation necessary, and his OCD insistence on the destruction of walls, doors, door frames, bedding (including mine,) etc etc etc had me beyond frustrated. He was unsafe in the car, stronger than I am and… I felt totally overwhelmed and ill equipped to handle him. The behaviorist that came prescribed prozac and indicated that the prognosis was poor. The prozac increased his anxiety and we finally settled on something else and for awhile that seemed a possible solution – he was at least somewhat reachable, while still caught in the continued pattern of destruction and anxiety driven hyperactivity. It was relocation to this area, the increasing awareness that the medication wasn’t helping much any longer, and the accompanying increase in Leo’s anxiety that sent me searching for something, anything that would help him. When I stumbled on Sit Means Sit, I was skeptical but felt comfortable enough with the knowledge shown during the initial assessment to sign Leo up for the 17 day immersion program, which he completed after having been withdrawn from his medication. I am beyond amazed at the dog who came home. He is unmedicated for the first time in more than two years, and the improvement in his confidence is breathtaking. He is no longer in constant search of something to destroy. He now listens – and hears me – when I ask him to do something. For the first time I have been able to take him in the car without someone else needed to restrain him. For the first time I can take him on walks where other dogs are encountered, and for that matter without the fear of being pulled over when he spots a squirrel or other small animal. For the first time I don’t have to squeeze through doors to avoid him pushing his way out as I leave. For the first time I feel that he actually is beginning to feel appreciated, and safe. Leo has just been approved to do group sessions and I am truly looking forward to improving our shared communications. Sit Means Sit has changed my life — and Leo’s — and I am very thankful.

Lisa B.

I have to say that Sit Means Sit has met all of my expectations! There is not anyone who works for SMS that has not been extremely friendly and helpful. I originally came to interview because my 2 ½ yo Dutch Shepherd mix. Chloe is very obedient except when there are deer, squirrels, fox… you get the message. Chloe will take off, oblivious to everything else. Recently the road in front of our home has been widened and traffic is going faster – I was petrified that she would be hit by a car. We also have a large farm across the road and I have been unable to take her horseback riding with me, again because of the deer.

During my interview Gary went over all training possibilities and suggested the 12 Day Immersion program. I explained that I was concerned about the e-collar. Gary brought out a SMS collar and explained that it was more of a tens stimulation rather than a shock. I even tried it and while it did catch my attention it didn’t hurt. Following the interview Maria was my contact person and she answered every email and phone call promptly and was most helpful.

Chloe is a somewhat timid and sensitive dog until she has been around someone, she accepts people on her own terms. Most fortunately we were assigned Jenny as a trainer. Jenny was fantastic and immediately bonded with Chloe which was comforting to me – because Mom’s worry right? Jenny worked with Chloe with kindness and affection but also with firmness. Jenny was also fantastic as she stayed in close touch with me via email, including an email 3 hours after I left her for the program. This was very comforting. Jenny also answered all of my questions during and after the completion of training.

The 3 private classes after the 12 Day program were essential to begin training ME! We did 2 of the classes at the SMS facility and then Jenny came to our farm for a ‘real life’ training session. Lots of practice and the follow up group classes have helped tremendously. The group classes have different trainers rotating through so we are given some slightly different training thoughts. It’s also great for the dogs as they are in close interaction with other dogs during class time.

Working with SMS has been wonderful and everyone has been great. You really get that family feeling when you are there. Chloe and I feel so fortunate to have had Jenny as our trainer. She is a very special person and Chloe is doing so well. Thank you all – especially Jenny!

Judy S.

Words can hardly express the miracle workings of Ashley, and her ability to transform our two pups with very different personalities and backgrounds. Our beloved standard poodle, Guinness, was brought into the world in a warm and doting environment. He has grown into an exceptional, confident, and sweet companion. However, his intelligence was the source of his stubbornness when he selected to be disobedient. As well, he was extremely unruly on leash, often causing us to fear injury due to our inability to control him. After only one lesson with Ashley, we were amazed that we could walk Guinness by our side and even capture his attention in a busy park with distractions, such as other dogs and children playing. After the third week of the day training program, the results were astounding. Guinness demonstrated complete focus on our commands, while still maintaining his fun-loving playful side.

In comparison, our precious Indian Pariah, Bailey, was born on the streets of India, where she encountered some unkind humans as she fought to stay alive. Naturally, she came to us extremely mistrustful and scared of anything unfamiliar, so much so that she slipped her collar and ran away the night we brought her home. Fortunately, she decided to give us a chance and came back home on her own, the first miracle with our girl. We knew it was essential that she gain confidence, so we decided to enroll her in the sixteen day immersion program with Ashley. One month later to that day, sweet Bailey became a pup with a new lease on life. Her confidence, and ours, has blossomed as she rivals her big brother in meeting our commands on queue. She is has grown so much and come so far, which is the second miracle with our sweet Bailey.

Plain and simple, Ashley has immensely improved all of our our lives. This training was worth every penny, and without hesitation, we would absolutely recommend Sit Means Sit, and Ashley, to anyone who wants the best for their pups.

Sarah & Chris C.

Over a year ago, my husband & I adopted a Miniature Schnauzer, Bailey. He was the dog I had wanted all my life but I soon discovered I didn’t have the tools or knowledge to train or manage him properly. Among a few of his most frustrating behaviors, he was relieving himself in the house, tearing up carpets and would never come when called (stubborn Schnauzer traits)!

When I learned about the Sit Means Sit immersion program I was ready to enroll Bailey immediately. We were assigned to Sarah and with her outstanding training abilities, she laid the foundation for him to become a happy and obedient pet.

Once in group class, Bailey wasn’t responding well and Sarah could see how frustrated I was becoming. She suggested that I limit my commands and then reward Bailey for the smallest successes. That one adjustment made a huge difference in how I worked with Bailey from that moment forward.

Sarah has given me a tremendous amount of insight and understanding to Bailey’s behavior and his responses and provided me with invaluable training tools.  I have the confidence to take him outside in virtually any location off leash and know that he will always come when called. It’s been a truly rewarding experience and I would recommend Sarah 1,000 times over to anyone who needs the help and support that I did in training their pup.

Leisa D.

Ashley the trainer is incredible! Sit Means Sit transformed Levi into a well- trained and confident dog, and she gave me the tools and confidence I needed as well. She is intuitive, kind, and very supportive. I recommend her to everyone I know!