Tom Longenecker

Tom is the owner and Head Trainer of Sit Means Sit Buffalo. His specialties include reactive and aggressive rehabilitation, off leash obedience, and behavior modification. Tom is a graduate of the Sit Means Sit School of Instruction, an AKC certified Canine Good Citizen evaluator, and has participated in countless seminars and certification programs since becoming a trainer. In 2021, Tom graduated from the UB School of Management, and has been featured locally on both WKBW and WIBV news stations, and is a featured author in “Dog Training Insights”

Tom began his Sit Means Sit journey in Houston, TX in 2014 with a stray dog that he rescued from the streets, Ellie. Ellie had her own ideas on how to be a dog, and Tom struggled to train her on his own, seeking out the expertise of Hamid Parvizian. After learning how to train his own dog, Tom quickly began to help friends and family and began his pursuit of a career in the dog training industry. After several years of experience under the tutelage of Hamid and Fred Hassen; Tom looked to build his own company and brought it to Buffalo, a city that he fell in love with while attending SUNY Fredonia.

Since starting Sit Means Sit Buffalo in 2017, Tom has built the business from one of house calls and working out of a van on his own to having a facility and a strong staff of like-minded people; who share his passion for dogs as well as helping clients enjoy their lives with the freedom of owning a well-trained dog. Tom has a knack for not only helping dogs but teaching their humans how to be advocates for their furry family. Tom is also passionate about community engagement, and provides bite prevention programs for doggy daycares, new adoptee puppy classes through local rescues, and helps to get local rescue dogs trained as they prepare for their forever homes.

When Tom isn’t working, he likes to cook for friends, play guitar and go on hikes. He can also be found competing with his Belgian Malinois, Freyja and Dutch Shepherd, Chunk.