Best Dog Training in James Island, SC

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Dog Training Experts
In James Island, SC

Sit Means Sit provides more than just basic obedience training training. We create and deepen relationships. All the dogs in the James Island, South Carolina area are welcome!

Bonds between dogs and owners are strongest when the dog is confident, obedient, and trustworthy, and the owner feels comfortable navigating training opportunities. Without these aspects, it’s likely that your relationship with your pet will wither and become strained, causing more stress to your life than comfort.

Our dog training services are for every dog, regardless of size, breed, behavioral history, or temperament. Our professional dog trainers are fully equipped with the latest in science-based training tools and positive reinforcement techniques. Our mission is to bring every dog and their owner closer than they’ve ever been, and help your dog become their happiest, healthiest self.

The quality of life for every dog is improved with some training and behavioral improvement. Stress on the owner is reduced, and your life is vastly improved after just one visit. Contact us today to sign up for a free consultation and evaluation.

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About Sit Means Sit Dog Training

Dog Training Classes

Any Dog Any Age Any Problem

Board and Train

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The Board and Train program is the best, most efficient option for those owners who are headed out of town. This program combines the need to find a safe place to leave your dog and the need for training. You don’t have to adjust your life at all! The only preparation necessary is in your own mind as you prepare to come home to a well-behaved, loving companion.

At the end of your dog’s stay with us, there will be some homework for you to take to tide you over until your follow-up session. Once your pup has gone through any of our programs, they will be allowed to partake in our private lessons or group classes. If you are considering Board and Train, don’t wait to sign up. There’s limited space, so be sure to book in advance! Give us a call today to sign up for your free consultation and learn more!

Skills: 

  • Advanced Knowledge Of:
    • Come
    • Sit
    • Place
    • Heel
    • Wait
    • Quiet
    • Off
  • Management Of Unwanted Behaviors (including but not limited to):
    • House Breaking Issues
    • Aggression Control
    • Anxiety Management
    • Off Furniture
    • Car Manners
    • Destructive Chewing
    • Digging
    • Jumping
    • Play Biting
    • Nuisance Barking
    • Mounting
    • Excessive Licking
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Puppy Training

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Puppy classes come with your enrollment into any of our advanced training programs. They’re for pups who are 8-16 weeks old and they will teach basic skills like potty training, leash training, and social skills, to name a few.

The first 16 weeks of a dog’s life are crucial in terms of training and relationship building. If you wait too long to get started, bad habits become ingrained and much harder to train away. A deep, meaningful connection is harder to establish with an older dog due to most (or all) of their development already having taken place.

Instead of waiting for bad behavior to take root, give your pup their best shot at a fulfilled life and let good behaviors become second nature by enrolling in puppy classes today!

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Day Care Training

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Day Care Training blends perfectly into a busy schedule or work life, which is why it’s our most popular training program.

Once a week for 1, 3, 5, or 8 weeks, drop your dog off at our Sit Means Sit training facility for 6-8 hours of fun, engaging training. They will learn a lot in that time frame as well as be cared for by our professional and caring trainers. At the end of the day, when you pick up your furry friend for a quiet evening at home, there’s a 1-hour session with a trainer to cover what your dog learned that day and to provide you with some homework. The goal is not just to teach good behavior at the facility, but to equip the owner to nourish that training in every setting.

With the Day Care Training program, owners can be involved without asking for time off work or complicating an already busy lifestyle. Get your pup started today!

Skills: 

  • Advanced Knowledge Of:
    • Come
    • Sit
    • Place
    • Heel
    • Wait
    • Quiet
    • Off
  • Management Of Unwanted Behaviors (including but not limited to…):
    • Potty Issues
    • Aggression Control
    • Anxiety Management
    • Car Manners
    • Destructive Chewing
    • Digging
    • Jumping
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Private Lessons

Learn More About Our Private Dog Training Lessons

**Existing Clients Only

Private lessons allow dog owners to get some one-on-one training for themselves as well as their dogs. Whether you need some continued support, your dog needs a little extra help, or you just want to make sure your dog’s training is well-established, private lessons are the way to go. Having a personal trainer privately address your concerns with your dog is the easiest way to get all your questions answered.

Private lessons are customizable in terms of time and place, which means you can work in any environment that causes you concern just as easily as you can have lessons in the comfort of your home. Call us today to get started.

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Group Class

**Existing Clients Only

Group classes are a safe, professional environment that provides real-world experience for you and your dog. Distractions such as other dogs, unfamiliar people, squirrels, birds, wind, and so on are all a part of life. This is why we hold these classes in public parks and in a group setting. We want to ensure that your dog’s training is built on a foundation that doesn’t share regardless of the environment.

Find continuing support, training, and community by participating in group classes and call us today!

Current Clients:

View our upcoming Group Class Schedule here

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Dog Trainers & Staff

Professional trainers. Attentive friendly staff.

Salvatore DevivoOwner & Head Trainer

I’ve always had a passion for animals of all kinds. My first dog was a pit mix that was extremely aggressive towards other dogs. When I moved to Florida from Philadelphia “normal” life became very difficult. I was declined on several apartments, walks became impossible, he destroyed everything in sight, and even turned on my fiance and I. We felt very lost. I didn’t know how to help him and I also wanted to live the life that I had set out to live. I became determined to find a job training dogs.

I was declined on several apartments, walks became impossible due to his dog’s bad behavior like leash pulling, he destroyed everything in sight, and even turned on my fiancé and I. We felt very lost. I didn’t know how to help him and I also wanted to live the life that I had set out to live. I became determined to find a job as a dog trainer.

Working for Sit Means Sit Tampa in 2015, I found my passion for the dog training industry. My mission is to help dogs become their best selves and give owners peace of mind. Over 7.5 years, I attended regional training seminars, the Sit Means Sit Main Event, and trainers school for official certification.

I have attended a number of different classes over the years including but not limited to:

  • Behavioral modification for dog aggression
  • Behavioral modification for human aggression
  • Confidence building for fearful, nervous and anxious dogs
  • Basic & advanced obedience training
  • Puppy socialization, exposure and desensitization
  • Puppy luring & Confidence building

Since opening my business, I have completed many training certifications including but not limited too:

  • Dog first aid & CPR
  • Certified evaluator for AKC CGC (Canine Good Citizen)
  • Certified evaluator AKC STAR PUPPY
  • Certified evaluator AKC URBAN CGC (Canine Good Citizen)
  • NePoPo Silver Graduate
  • NePoPo Gold Graduate

I have had the opportunity to work with trainers from across the county to broaden my overall knowledge and training ability. One of my most influential classes included a presentation by Bart Bellon, one of the worlds top dog training competitors where I learned new techniques and a deeper understanding of a dogs perspective. After hearing Bart’s presentation at a Sit Means Sit training seminar, I decided to continue my education and enroll myself into his training school. After an intensive course including classroom theory and hands on application I have earned my NePoPo training certification’s.

Currently, my pack consists of five dogs, who are my two labs, Stella and Elle, Romeo my pit mix, Lex my Dutch Shepherd and Mako my Belgian Malinois. They all have a full set of advanced off leash obedience commands and have also worked in agility, dock diving, and protection sports. They are constantly learning new tricks and improving their overall level of advance obedience.

I have found a new love for protection training throughout my training career and have opened and currently run, Cerberus Working Dog Club. CWDC is an organization that is registered with the Protections Sports Association helping people build and train their canine’s at an extremely high level to compete in worldwide competitions. I have just recently trailed and certified Lex in PSA for her first title of a PSA-PDC. I have plans to continually train Lex and Mako to the highest possible levels of PSA.

I have attended many seminars and classes over the years to ensure proper and safe handling of protection canines. I work with client’s of all background’s including but not limited to law enforcement, military, professional trainers and the average dog owner interested in the sport!

Since opening my first Sit Mean Sit franchise in Philadelphia, I have opened multiple other location’s allowing me to service more family’s in need of dog training service.

It gives me great satisfaction to know I’m changing not only my client’s life, but giving them back a happy, confident and obedient dog, in turn making happy, confident and satisfied owners. I know I’m exactly where I am supposed to be with my family at Sit Means Sit Dog Training, and I am blessed with the opportunity to run my own franchise.

Nia StevensOwner & VP Of Operations

I’ve been an animal lover all of life. I’ve had birds, snakes, hamsters, cats, dogs, and even flying squirrels. One of my first jobs was working at a pet store. Animals have always been a source of therapy for me. I started as a client with Sit Means Sit for my aggressive pit bull. At that time I was certain he would never be trusted near another dog. He would stand on his hind legs, snarl, and his hackles would go up. He presented destructive behaviors and had absolutely no manners.

Working with Sit Means Sit changed my life. I was able to introduce him to my black lab Elle who is the sweetest girl I have ever known. I am 100% sure it would not have been possible without this training. We now live peacefully in our home and I can leave them together unsupervised without any fear. Sit Means Sit restored my faith and trust in his ability to be an incredible dog. My dogs are my world (I now have 5) and I am now able to live a stress free life with them and give them the life they all deserve. I feel proud to work for and stand behind a company that provides a life changing service, and to work with a staff that truly wants to make a difference in the lives of others. Their dedication and hard work is admired and I am lucky to be apart of the team. I love my dogs unconditionally and I could not imagine my life without them, and because of Sit Means Sit we are all living our best lives!

Cassie TessierFacility Manager / Sales

 

Alexis LucciOffice Manager

Prior to coming to Sit Means Sit I was in the field of Cosmetology and other customer service positions for about a decade. Within the last year I felt as though I needed a change of scenery. I wanted to find a life-long career that I could dedicate myself to; something that challenged me and something that offered opportunity and growth. That is exactly what I have found with Sit Means Sit. My first week there I fell in love with the people, the training, and the values of the business. It is clear that Sal, Nia, and every trainer at Sit Means Sit loves what they do and truly wants to make a difference.

They care about their clients and their families, and treat every dog as their own. The environment here is nothing like I’ve experienced before. It is just an enjoyable, inviting, and overall positive place to be. I never knew much about dog training until I came to work here. Since beginning this position, I have found myself wanting to better understand the ins and outs of the dog training world and I am excited to see where my Sit Means Sit journey leads me.

Haven Reger

I have always loved all animals and grew up around horses, goats, sheep, chickens, dogs and cats. I was always trusted with taking care of family members animals while they were away. I always knew my purpose in life is helping animals. I wouldn’t be able to handle being a veterinarian and felt lost trying to find my fit in this world.

After moving to the area in 2022 I found a position for a trainer. I had minimal experience training dogs, but I have a pitbull mix that was reactive to people and dogs, along with a Klee Kai/Shiba Inu, so I applied in hopes I would be able to help my own dog. Now, I finally feel my passion isn’t being wasted. I love what I do. Seeing the transformations I can make in just a few weeks on the dogs that come in is truly amazing, I couldn’t imagine doing anything else. Everyone here is so kind, inviting, and helpful with any questions I’ve had along the way. They truly made me feel as if I was part of the family from day one. I would recommend anyone and everyone who has any interest in furthering their dog’s obedience.

Service Areas

We proudly serve the following areas in Charleston.

Cities

Zip Codes

  • 29401
  • 29403
  • 29407
  • 29409
  • 29412
  • 29439
  • 29451
  • 29455
  • 29464
  • 29466
  • 29482
  • 29404
  • 29405
  • 29414
  • 29418
  • 29420
  • 29483
  • 29485
  • 29472
  • 29426
  • 29470
  • 29486
  • 29456
  • 29446
  • 29438
  • 29449
  • 29487
  • 29492
  • 29406
  • 29410
  • 29445
  • 29492
  • 29434
  • 29450
  • 29429
  • 29459
  • 29437
  • 29435
  • 29474
  • 29452
  • 29469
  • 29461
  • 29431

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Sit Means Sit has 157 locations across the US and Canada.

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Dog Training Videos

Check out a few videos to see our dog trainers at work!

 

CHECK OUT SCOTTY, TANGO & SEAN

CHECK OUT SCOUT AND MORGAN

Check out Winnifred & Cassie

Check out Ryder & Dominic

Dog Owners Reviews

We love customers and their dogs. They love us.

Megan H.

We took our rescue to Sit-Means-Sit because of being between a rock and a hard place. His reactivity while on walks was making it VERY STRESSFUL to take him out. We tried two other training facilities before Sit-Means-Sit, yet no success. With the help of the INCREDIBLE trainers Dominic, Morgan, Katie, and Cassie – Obi…

Alex S.

I can’t recommend these guys enough. Salvatore, Alexa and the whole crew are just absolutely awesome. Our dog Peach is a brand new dog when it comes to commands and walks and everything. It’s completely worth every penny and I’d be more than happy to vouch for them to anybody who is unsure.

Alexandra P.

I don’t have enough words to say how thankful I am that I found Sit Means Sit and the help they have given to me and my dog. Prior to beginning training I was feeling completely lost with how to handle my anxious and fearful boy. The entire Sit Means Sit team has provided so…

Ali W.

Great training facility and service. The staff are knowledgeable, personable, and patient (with furry friends and owners alike). They provide hands on training with great tips and clearly have a lot of experience and success with all kinds of dogs.