The Best Dog Training in Des Moines
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Dog Training
Experts In Des Moines
Sit Means Sit Dog Training Des Moines provides professional dog and puppy training in Des Moines and surrounding Central Iowa areas.
We work with dogs of all ages, breeds and behaviors. Our training is proven to help you build a better relationship with your dog, so you can have more fun!
Upon completing our dog and puppy training classes, you will confidently:
- Walk your dog off-leash
- Control any acts of aggression your dog might display
- Call your dog and be rewarded with immediate obedience
- Gain control while still showing your affection
You will also be able to quickly control bad or annoying behaviors like:
- Destructive behavior
- Excessive barking
- Separation anxiety
- Jumping on you or your guests
- Leash pulling
- Nipping and chewing
Contact us today to get started with a Free Dog Training Evaluation!
Dog Training Classes
Any Dog Any Age Any Problem
Board & Train Program
Sit Means Sit’s Board and Train is an immersive training option that provides overnight boarding and immersive training prior to beginning private instruction. This program builds an advanced foundation of obedience and attention with your dog, so most of the training afterward is teaching the owner how to maintain what was taught throughout the process. Whether looking for a kickstart from our professional dog trainers or having your dog trained while you’re away, this advanced program will work through any problem behaviors and achieve a high level of obedience with distractions off-leash. Contact our pro-certified Des Moines dog trainers today to get your pup started!
Day Camp Dog Training
Day Camp is a combination of private instruction and hands-on training from our professional dog trainers. This class provides an accelerated way of obtaining all training goals! Full days of training will be coupled with one-on-one instruction to jumpstart your training process. We will assist in working through any problem behaviors, such as aggression, biting, or leash pulling, and achieve a high level of obedience in all distractions, even off-leash. Get started today with a free training evaluation!
Private Dog Training
Our Private Dog Training classes are catered to those wanting to be more involved in the training process. You will work one-on-one with a professional dog trainer who will teach you how to more effectively communicate with your dog to achieve your goals. Work through any nuisance behaviors and obtain obedience, no matter the distraction! Contact us today to learn more about the benefits of one-on-one training, and get started with a free evaluation!
FAQs
Get answers to some of our most commonly asked questions:
Each of our training programs is custom tailored to the specific situation. There are a number of factors that we evaluate prior to building a training package for you such as your dog’s age, temperament, previous training, as well as the desired goals of the owner. What will work for one dog and owner, won’t necessarily fit well with another. Because of these factors, we offer a free demonstration & consultation as an opportunity to meet with your family as well as your dog to gain insight into the unique circumstances that affect your dog’s training. During the demonstration we will evaluate the factors and develop a training plan for your dog and family. From the training plan we will be able to give you an accurate idea of cost to accomplish your goals. There is no cost or obligation associated with the free demonstration.
Sit Means Sit uses a cutting edge approach to dog training and behavioral modifcation. Our training approach encompasses a number of different training tools and approaches depending on the unique circumstances presented by our clients and their animals. At the core of the Sit Means Sit method is Attention-Based Training. This broad approach to training allows Sit Means Sit trainers to use a variety of attention based tools (leashes, collars, food, toys and notably our Sit Means Sit Collar) to achieve the goal of attention to command around distractions to suit the situation.
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(515) 303-0473 Contact UsDog Trainers & Staff
Professional trainers. Attentive friendly staff.
Before coming to Iowa, Ryan Dey worked with over 1,000 dogs and clients as a part of the Sit Means Sit Orlando team in Florida. As the head trainer there, he worked with all ages, breeds, and temperaments. His ability to connect with clients and dogs alike is what led him to Des Moines to provide Iowa with the same abilities to enjoy their dogs to the fullest. Ryan’s education is founded on his time with Fred Hassen, founder of Sit Means Sit, and Matt Smith, owner of Sit Means Sit Orlando.
Fred and Matt have provided Ryan with countless hours to master the ability to communicate with dogs on an unbelievable level. Learning that every dog can be more happy, confident, and obedient for any owner has transformed the human to dog relationship. Ryan has a degree in Economics from the University of Central Florida which he utilized to begin a post-graduate career in banking before finding his true passion and career path of dog training.
Emily has been a professional dog trainer with Sit Means Sit for over 7 years, originally getting her start alongside Ryan at Sit Means Sit Dog Training Orlando, Florida. Over the years Emily has had the honor of training thousands of dogs and finding her passion in the areas of service and therapy dog training. Emily is a former evaluator with national therapy and service dog organization K-9 Caring Angels and ran a successful therapy dog program under their name in Des Moines for 4 years before opening the non-profit organization Prelude Assistance Dogs in January of 2024, specializing in service and therapy dogs. Many of our Sit Means Sit clients have gone on to certify as therapy dogs through Prelude and other organizations under Emily’s coaching. When she isn’t working with Sit Means Sit dogs or training service dogs, Emily enjoys competing with her personal dogs in protection sports, dock diving and scent work. Emily holds a personal commitment to continuing education every year and loves to bring new information and technique back to her clients.
- Certified in Pet CPR & First Aid
- Therapy dog organization is certified through AKC
- AKC Canine Good Citizen Evaluator
- NePoPo New Silver School Graduate
- Former K-9 Caring Angels evaluator
- President at Prelude Assistance Dogs
- Completed continuing education in scent detection and directionals under Pat Nolan
- Professional member of the International Association of Canine Professionals
Service Areas
We proudly serve the following areas in Des Moines.
Counties
- Polk County
Cities
- Des Moines
- Clive
- Grimes
- Herrold
- Johnston
- Norwalk
- Urbandale
- Waukee
- West Des Moines
- Windsor Heights
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Sit Means Sit has 157 locations across the US and Canada.
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Find a LocationDog Training Videos
Check out a few videos to see our dog trainers at work!
Imagine All the Fun Places You Could Visit with Your Dog after Training with Sit Means Sit!
Knox & Ryan Dog Training
Dog Training isn’t just About Obedience
Dog Straight Line Recall with Obstacles
Dog Owners Reviews
We love customers and their dogs. They love us.
I have used Sit Means Sit Dog training over the last 8 years and I couldn’t be more happy with the training my dogs and I have received! Ryan & Emily are fantastic to work with no matter the dog you have or the issues your dog may be working through, they are the epitome…
You have helped Osiris, Siri, and I so much to accomplish our goals, to have fun and just be able to go out in public. You are an amazing trainer.
Thank you so much for all you have done for us and Remus. When we first started with you we were close to wits end with Remus, but you are the cornerstone into shaping who he is becoming.
I adopted a 3 1/2 year old Shepard mix from the pound 3 months ago. After a month of warming up to me, he was comfortable. He began showing his dominant personality and gave me huge challenges. Since joining Sit Mean Sit, I am able to take my dog on walks without dragging behind him…