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Dog Training
Experts In East Central Minnesota
Sit Means Sit Dog Training – East Central MN provides dog training in the Forest Lake, Stacy, Wyoming, North Branch, Pine City, Harris, Rush City, Rock Creek, Cambridge, Isanti, Elk River and surrounding areas.
Does your dog live by his or her own rules? Are they pushy and demanding? Do they tune you out at any distraction? Or maybe they listen most of the time unless there is some type of distraction.
Is your dog fearful or maybe reactive? Maybe you need a little help maintaining attention or maybe you need a bit more. We specialize in any dog, any age, any problem. So if you need basic obedience, help with attention, and control or your dog is anxious or has aggressive behavior. We can help.
With our customized training programs, we can help with any problem. Talk is cheap, so call today to set up your free evaluation!

Dog Training Classes
Any Dog Any Age Any Problem

Day Train Program
🐾 Day Train Program
Our Day Train Program offers the perfect balance of professional training and owner education—all in a structured, supportive setting.
Each day, you’ll drop your dog off in the morning and pick them up in the afternoon, knowing they’re receiving hands-on training from experienced professionals. Your dog will work on foundational obedience, manners, and behavior in a stimulating environment with other dogs, people, and real-life distractions.
🧠 What’s Included:
✅ Daily Hands-On Training:
Your dog will participate in structured training sessions throughout the day, focusing on skills like leash walking, impulse control, sit-stay, recall, polite greetings, and more—depending on your training goals.
✅ End-of-Day Owner Lesson:
At pickup, we’ll spend time with you reviewing what your dog learned and showing you how to maintain and reinforce those behaviors at home—especially in distracting environments.
✅ Graduation to Group Classes:
Once your dog successfully completes the Day Train Program, you’ll gain access to our ongoing group classes. This is a fantastic opportunity to:
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Practice skills in a real-world setting
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Build reliability around other dogs and people
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Continue progressing with professional guidance
🐕 Why Choose Day Train?
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Convenient for busy schedules
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Professional training without needing to be present all day
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Daily feedback and hands-on coaching for owners
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Builds a solid foundation for long-term success

Group Classes
🐾 Join Our Group Classes After Training!
Once your dog has completed one of our individual training programs, you’re ready to take the next step—joining our Group Classes!
Want to have your dog’s full attention, no matter the environment? Group classes are the perfect opportunity to continue building on everything you’ve learned in a real-world, interactive setting.
🎯 What to Expect in Group Classes:
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Fun & Engaging Atmosphere:
We believe training should be enjoyable! Group classes are designed to be interactive, engaging, and fun, giving you and your dog the chance to bond while learning. -
Distraction Training:
Work with your dog in a dynamic environment with other dogs, people, and distractions—ensuring your dog listens to you in any situation. -
Real-Life Applications:
Our group classes aren’t just about obedience; they’re about setting you up for success in the real world. Whether you’re out on walks, visiting friends, or navigating busy environments, we’ll help you build a dog that listens—no matter where you are. -
Ongoing Support:
Group classes are not just a place to practice skills but an opportunity to get continued guidance from our trainers, ask questions, and refine your techniques.
💡 Why Group Classes Are the Next Step:
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Increase Reliability: Build on your dog’s training, making them more dependable in varied environments.
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Boost Confidence: Both you and your dog will grow more confident handling distractions and challenges.
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Continued Learning: Stay motivated with a community of like-minded dog owners and trainers.
This is a fantastic next step in your dog’s training journey. Let’s make sure your dog is well-prepared to listen and behave in any situation, whether you’re at home, at the park, or out on an adventure.

Private Coaching
What Are Private Coaching Lessons ?
1. Personalized Attention:
Unlike group classes, private coaching tailors the training to your dog’s specific needs, temperament, breed, and your household’s unique lifestyle.
2. Owner-Focused Learning:
The trainer teaches you how to train your dog, rather than just training the dog for you. This empowers you to reinforce good behavior consistently at home.
3. Behavior and Obedience Training:
Coaching can address a wide range of goals, including:
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Basic obedience ( Come, Sit, Recall, Door Manners and more)
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House training
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Crate training
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Impulse control
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Problem behaviors (jumping, barking, chewing)
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Reactivity or aggression
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Socialization skills
4. Flexible Location & Scheduling:
Lessons can happen at your home, in public places, depending on what you’re working on and your preference.
5. Goal-Oriented Programs:
Trainers often design a structured plan with specific goals. These are adjusted over time based on your progress.
Benefits of Private Coaching:
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Customized solutions for specific issues
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More convenient for families or busy schedules
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Especially helpful for anxious, reactive, or aggressive dogs
Is It Right for You?
Private coaching is ideal if:
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You want to be deeply involved in your dog’s training
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You need help with behavior problems
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You prefer flexible scheduling and personalized support

Behavioral Modification
A Behavior Modification with Private Coaching dog training program is a customized, one-on-one approach focused specifically on addressing serious or unwanted behaviors in dogs. These programs go beyond basic obedience and are designed to help dogs and their owners overcome challenges through professional guidance and hands-on coaching.
🧠 What Is Behavior Modification in Dog Training?
Behavior modification targets root causes of problematic behavior, such as:
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Aggression (toward people, dogs, or objects)
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Reactivity (lunging, barking, growling on leash)
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Separation anxiety
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Resource guarding (possessiveness over food, toys, or space)
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Fear-based behaviors (hiding, growling, shutting down)
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Excessive barking, chewing, or destructive behavior
It’s a structured, evidence-based process that uses techniques from learning theory and canine psychology, often involving desensitization, counterconditioning, and positive reinforcement.
🎯 What You Can Expect in a Private Coaching Program for Behavior Modification:
1. Initial Behavior Consultation
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Assessment of your dog’s history, environment, triggers, and daily routine
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Observation of your dog’s behavior in context
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Goal-setting and discussion of expectations
2. Customized Training Plan
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Step-by-step protocol based on your dog’s unique needs
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Realistic timelines for progress
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Focus on managing behavior while teaching alternative responses
3. Hands-On Coaching Sessions
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You and your dog work directly with a trainer
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Trainer teaches you how to apply behavior modification techniques at home
4. Homework & Support
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Training exercises to practice between sessions
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Written plans or videos to guide you
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Ongoing feedback and troubleshooting via phone, email, or video check-ins
🧩 Tools & Techniques May Include:
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Positive reinforcement
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Desensitization and counterconditioning (gradual exposure to triggers)
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Behavior interruption and redirection
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Environmental management
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Stress reduction techniques
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Muzzle training (if needed, for safety)
✅ Benefits of Private Behavior Coaching:
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Safe and controlled environment
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Deep understanding of your dog’s emotional needs
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Prevents problems from escalating
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Builds a stronger bond between you and your dog
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Gives owners long-term tools and confidence
🐾 Ideal For Dogs Who:
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Are fearful, anxious, or reactive
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Have bitten or are at risk of biting
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Struggle in group classes or overstimulating environments
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Need personalized attention and a tailored approach

Learn to Lead
🐾 6-Week Remote Collar Training Program
Take the lead with your dog and unlock new possibilities with our 6-Week Remote Collar Training Program guiding your dog, ensuring you have the skills to take them anywhere—on or off-leash—while fostering positive behaviors in real-world situations.
🎯 Who Is This Program For?
This program is perfect for families or dog owners seeking to:
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Build strong leadership and communication with their dog
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Have the freedom to take their dog out in public, on walks, or even in busy environments
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Address problem behaviors while maintaining a positive and effective training relationship
Note:
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Pre-approval is required for this class to ensure it’s the right fit for you and your dog.
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Dogs must be at least 6 months old to enroll.
📚 What You’ll Learn:
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The Value of Leading Your Dog:
Learn how to be the confident leader your dog needs to thrive, establishing clear boundaries and structure in your relationship. -
Remote Collar Basics in a Group Setting:
Get hands-on experience with remote collar training, guided by a professional trainer, in a safe, supportive environment. -
Leading Your Dog into Desired Behaviors:
Discover how to guide your dog toward the behaviors you want, using the remote collar to communicate more effectively. -
Walking Nicely on or Off Leash:
Say goodbye to pulling and tension! You’ll learn how to walk your dog calmly and respectfully, both on and off-leash. -
Stopping Pushy or Undesirable Behaviors:
Learn how to interrupt unwanted behaviors like jumping, excessive barking, or rushing through doors, promoting calm and polite manners. -
Building a Solid Recall:
Strengthen your dog’s recall so they’ll reliably come when called—whether on walks, at the park, or in distracting environments.
💡 Why Choose This Program?
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Empower Yourself: Gain the skills and confidence to take control in any situation.
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Freedom to Enjoy Adventures Together: Your dog will be able to enjoy off-leash time and outings in public settings.
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Long-Term Results: Remote collar training enhances communication, making your dog’s behaviors more predictable and reliable.
Ready to take your dog’s training to the next level? Sign up today and get started on the path to building a stronger bond and a more well-behaved dog!

Adventure Days!
🐾 Adventure Days with a Professional Trainer
Exclusively for Our Previous Clients
After completing one of our training programs, it’s time to put those skills to the test in the real world with our Adventure Days!
These exclusive sessions are designed to give your dog the opportunity to explore, socialize, and practice in a distraction-filled environment, all under the guidance of a professional trainer. This is a hands-on, focused training experience where your dog gets to navigate real-life situations and work on their skills in a controlled, safe, and fun setting.
🎯 What Are Adventure Days?
These are special training outings designed to:
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Reinforce learned behaviors in new environments that challenge your dog’s ability to remain focused and listen to you.
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Improve off-leash skills like recall, loose-leash walking, and impulse control while navigating real-world distractions.
🌳 What You Can Expect:
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Solo Training with a Professional Trainer:
Your dog will work one-on-one with the trainer in a real-world environment (such as a park, city streets, or other dog-friendly locations). This focused setting allows your dog to refine behaviors in the absence of owner distractions. -
Distraction Exposure:
We’ll introduce new sights, sounds, and other dogs in a controlled manner to ensure your dog can handle distractions and continue to perform their training effectively. -
Advanced Skill Reinforcement:
Work on advanced behaviors like:-
Off-leash recall
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Sit in high-traffic areas
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Calm greetings with other dogs or people
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Managing distractions in crowded places
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Real-World Testing:
Your dog will be tested in real-world scenarios to ensure their training translates outside the classroom, whether it’s navigating through crowds or ignoring other distractions.
🧠 Why Adventure Days?
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Real-Life Experience: Practice doesn’t stop at the training room—these outings are all about testing your dog’s abilities in real-world, dynamic settings.
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Building Confidence and Control: Your dog will gain confidence navigating new environments, and you’ll get a deeper understanding of how to manage your dog in public spaces.
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Support from a Professional Trainer: The trainer will guide the entire session, offering expert feedback, troubleshooting any challenges, and providing the right support to ensure success.
💡 Who Can Join Adventure Days?
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These sessions are only available to our previous clients who have completed one of our training programs.
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Pre-approval is required to ensure your dog is ready for this type of experience.
📝 How to Sign Up:
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Limited spots available for each Adventure Day session.
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Sessions are scheduled on a first-come, first-served basis.
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To secure your spot, simply reach out to us for pre-approval and registration.
Is your dog ready to take their training into the real world? Let’s embark on an adventure together!
Dog Trainers & Staff
Professional trainers. Attentive friendly staff.

Hi I am Tessie the owner of Sit Means Sit East Central Minnesota.
I have been associated with Sit Means Sit since 2015, initially as a client, then transitioning to a trainer in 2017, and ultimately becoming an owner in 2020.
My passion for the training methods at Sit Means Sit deepened as I engaged more with the program. As a client, I learned to effectively communicate with my aggressive pit bull, discovering strategies that helped her manage her reactions to other dogs. This journey transformed our lives, allowing us to progress from rarely leaving our home to embarking on daily adventures together.
As a trainer and now owner I find immense joy in witnessing individuals foster new bonds and relationships with their dogs every day.

Ali brings a robust background in dog training and veterinary care, rendering her an invaluable asset to our team. She adopts a thoughtful approach in her interactions with both dogs and their owners. Her deep love and compassion for the dogs under her care distinctly set her apart. Ali is committed to nurturing happy, obedient, and confident dogs, and her dedication to helping you and your canine companion cultivate a strong bond is truly commendable.
Alongside her dogs, Maze and Oliver, she constitutes an exceptional team that enhances the capabilities of our Sit Means Sit family.
Ali is a certified trainer with Sit Means Sit and holds additional AKC certifications.
Service Areas
We proudly serve the following areas in East Central Minnesota.
Cities
- East Bethel
- Webster
- Oak Grove
- Almelund
- Chisago
- Forest Lake
- North Branch
- Isanti
- Lindstrom
- Marine on St Croix
- Pine City
- Rush City
- Saint Francis
- Scandia
- Shafer
- Linwood
- Stacy
- Taylors Falls
- Wyoming
- Otsego
- Cambridge
Zip Codes
- 55056
- 55058
- 55011
- 55012
- 55013
- 55025
- 55032
- 55040
- 55045
- 55047
- 55056
- 55063
- 55069
- 55070
- 55073
- 55074
- 55079
- 55084
- 55092
- 55330
- 55398
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Sit Means Sit has 157 locations across the US and Canada.
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Dog Owners Reviews
We love customers and their dogs. They love us.
Gary ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Tessie has turned our Guss, 180 degrees! He was reactive, had no formal training, and was very territorial. After 2 months of training with Sit Means Sit, he is a different dog.
Sit Means Sit has made me feel empowered in training my dog. My husky has grown more than ever could have imagined in just a few weeks, and after our first group class this week, I’m getting a chance to see what’s ahead with his work. The trainers there are helpful, knowledgeable, and really help…
Sit Means Sit has changed my out of control lab, Zoey, into a well-behaved dog. She pulled on a leash so badly that I couldn’t even take her for walks. After only one week, she was heeling off leash and right by my side. It was amazing! Now I enjoy hikes, walks, and other outings…

Tessie is amazing with dogs. She has a way of explaining things that will help you understand your dog even more than you already do. We initially went to a dog behaviouralist with our German Shepherd to be told to leave him in a room and medicate him for the rest of his life. We…