Best Dog Training in Sullivan Island, SC

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Dog Training Experts
In Sullivan Island, SC

Every professional dog trainer at Sit Means Sit is dedicated to serving every dog in South Carolina regardless of their age, breed, temperament, behavior history, or established habits. Our training methods bring out the best in your canine companion and allow for deep, meaningful connections.

Every dog is unique. They have different skills, needs, and behavior problems. Because of this, those of us at Sit Means Sit have worked hard to create a list of programs that are versatile, customizable, and efficient. From the most unruly rescue dog to the newest puppy, we’re here for you and your furry friend.

Dogs are their happiest selves when they have clear boundaries established. This means communication and trust are key. Our dog trainers would love to chat with you and your dog about your options for curating a better life. Call today to schedule your free consultation!

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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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If you’re heading out of town for any reason, consider leaving your dog with an organization that will not only provide extremely professional boarding services, but train your dog to be obedient, trustworthy, and happier than they’ve ever been. There’s no point coming home from a vacation only to try and fit dog training into your busy schedule. Instead, handle both problems by taking one, easy step towards a better life.

There’s often some anxiety that comes with leaving your dog somewhere new, so that’s why we encourage prospective participants of the Board and Train program to take full advantage of the free consultation that we offer. You’ll see our facilities, talk with some of the staff, and leave knowing your dog will be well-cared for.

Picking up your dog comes with some homework that will help you become a leader in your dog’s eyes and establish clear lines of communication. If you have a trip upcoming, don’t wait to book your dog’s spot in the Board and Train program!

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 cover basic (but essential!) skills for puppies who are 8-16 weeks old. These skills include but are not limited to potty training, mark training, and social skills. The longer you wait to instill good behaviors in your dog’s nature, the harder it becomes. The first 16 weeks of a dog’s life are when they’re developing, learning, and watching everything for examples of how to behave. Bad habits can be undone and replaced with good ones even for old family dogs, but if you have the opportunity to get your furry friend started off on the right paw, you will be giving them their best life.

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Day Care Training

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Day Training is the perfect blend of boarding services and private lessons. The fact that it requires no overnights and very little adjustment to your already busy life is why this program is our most popular.

Once a week for a certain amount of weeks, you will drop your dog off in the morning on the way to work and pick them up in the evening on your way home. When you pick up your dog, there will also be a 1-hour session with one of our trainers to get you up to speed on what your dog knows and how you can maintain the behavior until your next training session. It’s that easy! With the Board and Train program, you don’t have to ask for time off work or give up your evenings at home.

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 are the ultimate customizable option for owners seeking a personalized training program. The reasons you might want some one-on-one are numerous, but whatever your thought process, we’re happy to help.

By partaking in these lessons and placing yourself in a position where you have a personal stake in your dog’s outcome, you are signing yourself up for a deeper bond with your pet than you’ve ever known. Choose a time and place that works best for you and schedule a free consultation to learn more!

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Group Class

**Existing Clients Only

Group Classes are a real-world situation that’s safe, controlled, and positive. They’re held outside at public parks which means distractions are everywhere. You may think this is a negative, but it’s actually the opposite! Because of all the distractions, we’re able to create a foundation of training that is unshakable by things like unfamiliar people, new dogs, or squirrels, to name a few examples.

By the end of any of our group classes, your confidence and your dog’s confidence will have skyrocketed. You will be able to go anywhere you want and know that the relationship between you and your dog is one of trust and obedience. Sign up today to find continued support in your dog’s training, community, and a fun experience.

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.