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Dog Training in Raleigh, NC – Sit Means Sit
Sit Means Sit Raleigh has helped thousands of Triangle families build a dog they’re proud to take anywhere — off leash, in public, around distractions, and at home. Led by Colby Self, a trainer with 14+ years of experience and a background in military and law enforcement instruction, our team brings structure, consistency, and real results to every dog we work with.
Our proprietary Attention-Based Training System teaches your dog to focus on you first — making every command more reliable in any environment, with any distraction.
Any dog. Any age. Any problem. Start with a free evaluation →
Dog Training Classes
Any Dog Any Age Any Problem
Consultation and Demonstration
Free Consultation & Live Demo
Not sure where to start? Come meet our team, tour the facility, and watch a live demonstration of our training methods — completely free, no obligation.
We’ll discuss your goals, walk you through program options, and make sure you feel 100% confident before you commit to anything.
Consultation Options
- At Our Facility – Free (About 1 Hour)
- In-Home Consultation – $50 (Applied to Any Training Program)
During the consultation, we’ll walk you through our program options, pricing, and what you and your dog can expect from training — plus your role in ensuring lasting success!
Easy Scheduling
We offer consultations Monday – Friday (11 AM – 7 PM) and Saturday (9 AM – 4 PM).
- Call or text us at 919-714-9748
- Use our Schedule Consultation page to book online.
Every Program Includes:
- Private Lessons – Personalized coaching for you and your dog.
- Training Equipment – The tools you need for success.
- Group Class Membership – Ongoing practice and socialization.
Ready to take the next step? Schedule your consultation today and see how we can help you transform your dog’s behavior and strengthen your bond!
Board and Train
Weekday Board & Train is the fastest path to a calm, obedient, off-leash-reliable dog — and we do the hard work for you. Your dog lives and trains with our team Monday through Friday in a fully immersive environment, learning through our proven Attention-Based Training System.
That’s the same approach Sit Means Sit has used to transform tens of thousands of dogs — so you get a dramatically better-behaved dog without spending your own evenings and weekends drilling the basics. Your dog arrives Monday morning and returns home Friday after a hands-on Leadership Transfer Lesson, where we teach you how to keep the results going at home. Programs run in 2-week and 3-week options, with a lesson each Friday so progress carries straight into your household.
Why Choose Our Weekday Board & Train?
Repetition and consistency are what make training stick, and our immersive environment means your dog learns faster and retains more. By the time we begin your Leadership Transfer Lessons, your dog has already built strong habits — making training at home far easier. Throughout the week our trainers reinforce good behavior continuously, balanced with socialization and supervised playgroups that keep dogs engaged, stimulated, and well-exercised.
What’s Included
- Immersive board & training, Monday–Friday
- Private Leadership Transfer Lessons at each Friday pickup
- All training equipment
- A 6- or 9-month membership to our weekly Group Classes
- Ongoing support to keep your dog sharp for life
Every dog is different, so your program is tailored to your dog and your goals at your free evaluation and live demo. Call (919) 714-9748 to book with Sit Means Sit Raleigh.
Day Train Program
Day Train Program
The best of both worlds — professional training without overnight stays. Your dog spends a full day with our trainers one day per week for 3 or 5 weeks, then comes home each evening.
A private lesson at every pickup keeps you involved and equipped to reinforce progress at home.
How It Works
- Drop-Off: Between 8:00–10:00 AM
- Full Day of Professional Training
- Pickup & Private Lesson: Between 4:00–7:00 PM
- Repeat Weekly for 3 or 5 Weeks
This structured approach allows your dog to advance through training step by step, building skills and confidence each week while still returning home at night. Private lessons at each pickup keep you actively involved, making it easy to maintain consistency and reinforce training at home.
Program Benefits
- Personalized Professional Training – Your dog gets hands-on instruction from our expert trainers.
- Consistent Owner Involvement – Private lessons at pickup provide real-time coaching for you.
- Gradual Skill Development – Training builds week over week, helping your dog improve focus and response to distractions.
- Group Class Membership Included – Additional practice and socialization opportunities.
This program is ideal for owners looking for a structured training jumpstart without committing to overnight boarding.
Ready to get started? Book your free evaluation and live demo — call or text (919) 714-9748 today.
Private Lessons
Private Lessons
Want to be hands-on in your dog’s training? Our Private Lesson Program puts our trainers in your corner — guiding you through every step with personalized, one-on-one coaching.
Available at our facility, in group class settings, or in your home.
Why Choose Private Lessons?
- Step-by-Step Coaching – We guide you through the process so you’re never left guessing.
- Tailored to You – Customized to fit your dog’s needs and your goals.
- Flexible Scheduling – Available weekdays from 10 AM – 7 PM to fit your lifestyle.
- Lasting Results – You gain the skills to maintain and reinforce training long after the lessons end.
We offer Private Facility Lessons for a structured foundational environment and Group Classes to practice real-world training. Private In-Home Lessons are available as well.
We’ll guide you — so you can confidently train your dog for life!
Ready to get started? Book your free evaluation and live demo — call or text (919) 714-9748 today.
Group Class
Weekly Group Classes
Keep your dog sharp in a structured, distraction-rich environment. Practice real-world skills alongside other dogs and handlers — with our trainers coaching you every step of the way.
Included with most training programs. Contact us to get started.
Who Are Group Classes For?
Group classes are designed for dogs who have completed a training program with us and are focused on maintaining and advancing their skills. Most of our programs include a 6 or 9-month group class membership, so you can keep the momentum going after your initial training is complete.
Class Options
- Basic Obedience / Beginner — Wednesday at 1 PM & 6 PM | Saturday at 10:30 AM
- Feisty Fido — Wednesday at 7:15 PM | Saturday at 12 PM
What to Expect
- Practice obedience commands around real distractions
- Work through challenges with trainer guidance on the spot
- Socialize your dog in a controlled, supervised setting
- Build your confidence as a handler alongside your dog’s progress
Class sizes are limited — reservations are required. Existing clients can reserve their spot through our client portal.
Puppy Training
Puppy Kindergarten
Give your puppy the best possible start. Our Puppy Kindergarten is an open-enrollment class for puppies 9 to 18 weeks old, covering socialization, housebreaking, leash manners, and basic commands.
Join at any time while your puppy is within the age range.
What Each Class Includes
- 30 minutes of instruction – Covering housebreaking, crate training, leash manners, basic commands, and problem-solving for common puppy behaviors.
- 20 minutes of supervised play & socialization – Helping puppies build confidence and learn appropriate play skills with other dogs.
- Q&A Time – A chance for owners to ask questions, gain insight, and receive guidance on puppy training challenges.
This program lays the foundation for a well-adjusted, confident, and happy dog while giving owners the knowledge and support they need during these crucial early weeks.
Ready to give your puppy the best start? Contact us today or jump into a class anytime!
Vaccination Requirements
Required:
- 9–12 weeks: Distemper/Parvo Combo
- 12–16 weeks: Distemper/Parvo Combo, Bordetella
- Over 16 weeks & adult dogs: Distemper/Parvo Combo, Bordetella, Rabies
Recommended (Not Required): Canine Influenza (H3N2 & H3N8), Leptospirosis. Speak with your veterinarian for guidance on additional vaccinations.
Ready to get started? Book your free evaluation and live demo — call or text (919) 714-9748 today.
Learn To Lead – Anxiety Seminar
Dog Anxiety Seminar
Is your dog struggling with anxiety? Join us for a 1.5-hour seminar presenting a unique perspective on anxiety in dogs — including a live Q&A at the end.
Topics include confidence building, separation anxiety, reactivity, aggression, and more.
Topics Covered
- Building Confidence
- Separation Anxiety
- Insecurity
- Dog & People Reactivity
- Stages of Anxiety
- Food & Toy Aggression
- House Breaking
Join Us for Our Next Seminar
Next Seminar: TBD
Space is limited — register early to secure your spot!
- Call or text us at 919-714-9748
- Email us at Raleigh@SitMeansSit.com
- Inquire or ask questions online
Therapy Dogs Carolina
Therapy Dogs Carolina
We’ve partnered with Therapy Dogs Carolina to bring therapy dog certification and community service opportunities to the Triangle area.
Interested in becoming a registered therapy dog team? Call or text us to learn more.
Initial Interest Meeting
Join us on Saturday, September 21 at 2 PM for an introductory session on becoming a registered therapy dog team. Our special guest, Jack Barron, brings nearly 30 years of experience in the field. He has worked with four registered therapy dogs and has directed one of the largest therapy dog programs in the U.S.
This is a non-dog meeting. Call or text 919-714-9748 to register.
Mission Statement
Therapy Dogs Carolina is an organization whose mission is to provide service, therapy, and comfort to the community through well-trained and rigorously tested therapy and comfort canines. Our organization includes dedicated therapy teams, trainers, fosters, and volunteers who take a canine with great potential and mold that potential into a happy, focused, and obedient dog ready to serve groups and individuals within the community. Once their potential is realized, our canines are ready to serve children, senior citizens, victims, soldiers, those with special needs, and anywhere else we are called.
What Do Therapy Dogs Do?
A therapy dog is trained to provide affection and comfort to people through animal-assisted activities in locations like hospitals, retirement homes, nursing homes, mental health facilities, schools, veterans hospitals, and disaster areas.
Therapy dogs give and receive affection freely and are generally welcome in any establishment where they can provide love and comfort, though some institutions may have their own specific requirements.
A therapy dog’s primary job is to allow unfamiliar people to make physical contact with them to derive comfort and pleasure. Children often enjoy hugging animals; adults usually enjoy simply petting the dog. Therapy dogs are exemplary in their behavior and obedience — calm, relaxed, affectionate, not easily startled, able to be handled and touched everywhere, well-groomed, and not driven to jump or take food.
Therapy Dog vs. Service Dog – What’s the Difference?
A Service Dog is not considered a pet. It performs at least two specific tasks for an individual and is protected by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). A dog that is therapeutic to its disabled handler is classified as a Service Dog or Emotional Support Animal — not a Therapy Dog.
Therapy dogs are not service dogs. Service dogs directly assist humans and have a legal right to accompany their owners because they have been specifically trained to assist with a disability. Therapy dogs do not provide direct assistance, do not have legal rights to travel everywhere, and must be invited by institutions. Most institutions have rigorous requirements for therapy dog access. Therapy dog tags do not reference ADA rules, as the ADA does not apply to therapy dogs.
A therapy dog is a well-trained pet that has met certain criteria and is certified by a recognized organization. The dog must be certified with a specific handler — or in the case of multiple handlers, must complete the full certification process with each one. There is an annual renewal fee and refresher task for each dog in order to maintain handler insurance.
Questions or Interested in Joining?
- Email us at Raleigh@SitMeansSit.com
- Call or text us at 919-714-9748
Our Facility
Our Dog Training Facility – North Raleigh, NC
We are located in North Raleigh off of 540, between Falls of Neuse and Capital Blvd on Gresham Lake Road.
7223 Becky Circle, Raleigh, NC 27615
Take a look inside our facility below!
FAQs
Get answers to some of our most commonly asked questions:
Real-world reliability. We use a unique, attention-based training system that teaches your dog to listen to you through distractions — excitement, fear, other dogs, whatever life throws at you — not just in a quiet living room. It’s the same approach Sit Means Sit has used to train tens of thousands of dogs nationwide and thousands right here in the Triangle. The result is a happy, confident dog that actually responds when it counts.
We use a customized, attention-based approach and whatever combination of proven tools gets your dog to a reliable place — leash work, food, praise, and, when it’s the right fit, our Sit Means Sit remote collar. The collar is simply one option in the toolbox: low-level and adjustable (comparable to the TENS units used in physical therapy), useful for holding focus in highly distracting situations. We always match the gentlest effective approach to your dog and explain exactly what we’re doing and why.
It depends on your dog and your goals, but the aim never changes: reliable, real-world obedience you can count on. Board & Train delivers accelerated results through immersive daily training, while private lessons and group classes build skills at a steady pace. At your free evaluation we’ll assess your dog and give you a realistic timeline. Call (919) 714-9748 to get started.
Sit Means Sit Raleigh has a program for every goal and budget:
- Puppy Kindergarten — $330 (flat, one-time fee)
- Private Lessons + Group Classes — all-inclusive from $1,375
- Day Train (private lessons + group classes included) — all-inclusive from $2,150
- Board & Train (private lessons + group classes included) — all-inclusive from $3,200
Every program beyond Puppy Kindergarten is all-inclusive — your private lessons and group classes are built right in, with no add-on fees. Final pricing depends on your dog’s age, temperament, and training goals.
The best next step is a free evaluation and live demo. We’ll assess your dog in person and recommend the right program. Call (919) 714-9748 to schedule your free evaluation.
Yes — every age and breed, from young puppies in our Puppy Kindergarten to adult dogs with established habits or serious behavior challenges. Every program is customized to your dog’s temperament, age, and your goals.
Sit Means Sit Raleigh serves Wake, Durham, Johnston, and Franklin counties — including Raleigh, Cary, Morrisville, Wake Forest, Youngsville, Knightdale, Wendell, Zebulon, Clayton, Chapel Hill, Durham, and the greater Triangle region. Not sure if you’re in our area? Call (919) 714-9748.
Yes — and this is where we stand apart. Sit Means Sit Raleigh offers lifetime support, and we stay with you long after most companies would call the job done. Our group classes run as long as you need to lock in real results, and we’re here for ongoing follow-up as your dog grows and life changes. When you train with us, you’re not buying a one-time program — you’re gaining a partner for the life of your dog.
Yes. Everything we do is built around your dog’s safety and wellbeing — and the proof is in the dogs themselves: happy, confident, and relaxed, as you can see throughout our training videos. We tailor our methods to each individual dog, and we’re always glad to talk through any questions at your free evaluation.
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(919) 714-9748 Contact UsDog Trainers & Staff
Professional trainers. Attentive friendly staff.
Meet Colby, owner of Sit Means Sit Raleigh, a trusted leader in dog training in Raleigh, North Carolina. With over 14 years of experience in law enforcement, Colby brings a calm, structured, and disciplined approach to dog training that focuses on control, communication, and reliability.
Colby has owned and operated his dog training business in Raleigh for more than 14 years, helping dogs and their owners build clear communication and real-world obedience in everyday situations.
Before entering the dog training industry full time, Colby worked at the County, State, and
Federal levels in a variety of roles. These included serving as a Deputy Coroner, Special Response Team member, and Unit Trainer for the U.S. Air Force Security Forces. He also served as a Training Coordinator at the Georgia Public Safety Training Center, where he helped train and evaluate law enforcement professionals.
Colby holds an undergraduate degree from Georgia College & State University and a graduate degree from Colorado Technical University, further strengthening his foundation in leadership, training, and instruction.
Colby believes effective dog training is built on structure, consistency, and trust. His team at Sit Means Sit Raleigh specializes in helping dogs maintain control even in challenging, high-distraction environments.
Over the past 14 years, Colby has trained thousands of dogs and owners in the Raleigh area. His clients include veterinarians, former state governors, NBA players, television personalities, and many local families. His work with anxious and reactive dogs has earned professional recognition, including an invitation to speak to hundreds of dog trainers in Las Vegas.
Outside of work, Colby enjoys spending time with his wife, Andrea, and their three children, Colton, Emelia, and Ellie.
Colby approaches dog training as both a technical and emotional process. By understanding each dog’s personality and stress responses, he creates training plans that build confidence, obedience, and reliability.
Whether your goal is off-leash control, improved obedience, or resolving behavior challenges, Colby and his team at Sit Means Sit Raleigh are committed to helping you achieve lasting results.
Andrea is a Combat Veteran and a Lieutenant Colonel in the US Army. Andrea attained her undergraduate degree from Elon University where she played Division I Collegiate Soccer. She also holds a graduate degree from Colorado Tech University and is a graduate of The Army Command and General Staff College. Andrea is a certified trainer, and while she is well qualified to train dogs, she spends most of her time training three awesome kids and Colby at times too.
Meet Drew Long, our Consultation Specialist at Sit Means Sit Dog Training. Since 2014, Drew has been a vital part of our team, consistently playing a key role in client relations. He combines expertise with a warm, approachable demeanor, ensuring every client feels welcome and supported. As a result, his contributions have transformed both our team and the families we serve.
Drew’s passion for dogs and people shines through in everything he does.
He listens closely to each client, helping them find the ideal dog training program. By understanding their goals, Drew ensures each plan fits their specific needs. Furthermore, his in-depth knowledge of canine behavior allows him to offer expert advice that empowers clients to make confident decisions.
Whether it’s basic obedience or advanced training, Drew excels at simplifying complex training concepts. He explains everything in a way that clients can easily understand and apply. This approach bridges the gap between dogs and their owners, helping both feel capable and supported throughout the training process.
What truly sets Drew apart, however, is his ability to connect with people. He creates a welcoming environment, ensuring everyone feels comfortable from the start. Whether he’s discussing training options or sharing a smile, his kindness leaves a lasting impression on clients.
Drew is deeply committed to excellence in every aspect of his work. As a result, he has helped grow our community and strengthen the bonds between dogs and their families. He believes that training is more than just teaching commands—it’s about improving the lives of both dogs and their owners.
With Drew by your side, you can trust that your dog training journey will be a success. His years of experience, genuine care, and dedication will guide you every step of the way. At Sit Means Sit Dog Training, we are proud to have Drew Long on our team, and we know that with his help, your dog’s transformation will be nothing short of remarkable.
You can schedule a Free Consultation with Drew today.
“I know you’ve got a great dog right? But you know there’s room for improvement!” – Drew Long
Service Areas
We proudly serve the following areas in Raleigh.
Counties
- Wake
- Durham
- Johnston
- Franklin
Cities
- Raleigh
- Wake Forest
- Youngsville
- Knightdale
- Wendell
- Zebulon
- Clayton
- Chapel Hill
- Durham
- Cary
- Morrisville
- Greater Triangle Region
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Sit Means Sit has 157 locations across the US and Canada.
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Check out a few videos to see our dog trainers at work!
Sit Means Sit Dog Training Raleigh
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Overview
Dana and Wes share Their Experience with Sit Means Sit Raleigh
Dog Owners Reviews
We love customers and their dogs. They love us.
Sit Means Sit Raleigh has done an amazing job helping Rufus with his anxiety towards all things with wheels. They also taught him the basics to get him on the road to being a happy go lucky dog. I adopted Rufus 3 yrs ago from the Wake County Animal Shelter and when they got him…
Sit Means Sit has done an amazing job with my two dogs, Ghost and Pippin! We did private lessons which were great and have been following up with group classes. Pippin used to be highly dog aggressive and has made SO much progress. I never thought I would be able to have him be in…
Our girl Birdie just finished her last in home training with Josh, following a 10 day train and board. We’re very impressed with the progress she has made. Birdie has tackled issues with anxiety, jumping, leash walking and whining to name a few. We’ve seen an exponential difference in her and are confident she will…
I can’t say enough good things about Sit Means Sit and especially my trainer, Alyssa. My dog Ollie improves daily. We are going for longer and longer walks without him stopping at every tree, bush, rock, stick, etc. Alyssa has showed me many things to help Ollie along.