Madison’s #1 Dog Trainer!

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Dog Training
Experts In Madison

Sit Means Sit provides professional and personalized training. We cater to all breeds, ages, sizes or temperaments.
Our programs offer lifetime support so you can reach out to our trainers as new obstacles occur throughout your furry friend’s life.
We always start with a free consultation so you can come in and see our facility and learn more about our programs and group classes!

We can help canine owners with:

  • Leash Pulling
  • Jumping
  • Reactivity
  • Anxiety
  • Puppy Training
  • Running Away
  • Basic and Advanced Obedience
  • Building Your Bond with Your Pet
  • And Much More!

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German shepherd dog

Dog Owners Reviews

We love customers and their dogs. They love us.

Training that Works

We said YES! .. To keeping the dog. Our family acquired a high energy Australian shepherd into our already crazy home with two toddlers. We felt overwhelmed and defeated with the puppy’s resource guarding and reactivity issues when we brought him home. We were on the verge of rehoming him but sit means sit went…

Mati N.

I can only say wonderful things about Mike and his team at Sit Means Sit. Everyone is so helpful and works as a team together and with their clients. If I ever have a question or problem with my animals they give me lots of advice and tools to resolve an issue. I go twice…

Harless L.

I took my German Shepherd, Roc, to Sit Means Sit for help with decreasing his aggressiveness and some additional clean-up work with obedience. I am extremely satisfied with the support and work that Mike and the rest of the team put in to make our experience a positive and successful one. Roc is a lot…

Paige D.

This place is amazing! I have a 1 1/2 year old shepherd who was reactive to basically everything that moved. I had tried two other training companies in the area without seeing any progress before coming to sit, and it was the best decision I could have made! I did the 2 week immersion program…

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Have a question? Want to schedule an appointment? Fill out the form, give us a call, or shoot us an email and we will be in touch.

Dog Training Classes

Any Dog Any Age Any Problem

Home school program for Dogs in Madison

Private Tutor Program (Private Lessons)

One on one sessions with one of our professional trainers are great for highly anxious and aggressive pets, or just owners who want to be super hands on with training.

With shorter sessions than our Day & Train, Private Tutoring is great for animals who have a low threshold for environmental stressors or physical limitations. You remain at the lesson during the sessions.

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Day and train program for Dogs in Madison

Day & Train

Our most requested program – combining the results of our professional trainers working directly with your fur baby AND working with you to teach you how to get the same excellent results at home!

Day Camps put your canine on the fast track to learning new skills. When you drop your pet off for the day, our team will get started learning your pet and the underlying causes of their behavioral issues. We figure out what motivates your pet to learn so we can achieve long-lasting results. Your furry companion will get continual reinforcement and reward throughout the day, helping them to retain more information.

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Group of Dogs with owners

Group Classes

We have different levels of group classes available for anyone who has completed a private training program with us first and has group classes included in their training package.

Group classes can be purchased with a training package, or at the end of your training program if you decide you want to add it on later.

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Dog on Chair

Bite Prevention and Lunch & Learn Programs

Do you work for a veterinary clinic, groomer, or boarding kennel? Do you and your staff love working with canines and learning about new training methods? Sit Means Sit would love to come out to you for our Lunch and Learn Program. Lunch is on us!

Our professionally trained staff will teach you tips and tricks for training four-legged friends. We will also cover bite prevention and canine behavioral problems.

We believe that balanced, attention-reward-based training is the best method for pets and owners. We would love to introduce ourselves and our furry companions, share the latest scientifically proven methods, and provide some fun entertainment!

To set up your lunch and learn, just call our office at 608-561-3647.

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A puppy smiling running on grass

Group Puppy Training

Designed for new puppy owners to get started out on the right foot. We will teach you how to create good habits with your puppy and mold them into the perfect family pet. We have two options for young puppies:

Puppy Group Class: A 6 week long group class where we will provide an opportunity for your puppy to get proper socialization and provide information on all of your puppy-raising questions including housetraining, chewing, and teaching practical skills such as coming when called and other fundamental skills. In the last class you will have the opportunity to earn your AKC S.T.A.R. Puppy certificate. We keep a small pup to instructor ratio so you will have plenty of guidance from our trainer. Sign Up here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/759064691927?aff=oddtdtcreator

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Dog Playing with disc by jumping

Puppy Jump Start

A well-trained puppy grows into a confident, obedient adult dog. But the earlier you start, the better! Our Puppy Jump Start program is designed to give your pup the foundation they need for a lifetime of good behavior.
Too many puppy owners wait until problems develop before seeking training. Don’t make that mistake! Our program focuses on socialization, obedience, and confidence-building-ensuring your puppy learns essential skills before bad habits take root.

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Transformation university.

Transformation University (Board & Train)

With our board and train program, your pet will get the best of both worlds! This means they will spend their day at our training facility working around many different distractions and then will go home with one of our experienced trainers to spend their evenings in a home setting. We only take one board and train at a time so your four-legged friend gets lots of personalized attention and training tailored to their specific needs.

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Dog Trainers & Staff

Professional trainers. Attentive friendly staff.

Mike Wheeling on Dock With Dogs
Mike WheelerOwner

Meet Mike – A Passionate Dog Trainer Committed to Transforming Lives
Mike and his wife, Paige, are the proud owners of Sit Means Sit. His journey with dogs began long before he entered the professional training world—he’s always shared a special connection with canines and had a natural talent for working with them, even as a child.

Before dedicating his career to dog training, Mike served in the Army for five years. After his service, he discovered his passion for helping friends and family with their dogs, consistently achieving life-changing results. This passion led him to establish Cen-Tex K9 Academy in 2004 in Temple, Texas. From 2005 to 2009, Mike owned and operated the Dog Psychology Center of Central Texas, where he worked alongside countless dogs, helping them become well-mannered, confident, and valued members of their families.

As his expertise grew, he joined the Sit Means Sit franchise to be part of a community committed to advancing canine training techniques. Over the years, he has attended numerous seminars on obedience and police K9 training and has been involved in protection work, dog training, dock diving, detection, barn hunt, and more. He has also contributed to therapy and service dog training, including helping the United States Tennis Association develop a program that allows service dogs to be integrated into the game.

As a certified Pet Tech CPR and First Aid Instructor and a proud member of Go Team Therapy Dogs alongside his loyal companion, Gauge, Mike is committed to the well-being of every dog he trains. His mission is simple: to help dogs and their owners build stronger, more fulfilling relationships.

When he’s not training, Mike enjoys spending time with his family, hiking, kayaking, grilling, and traveling—always with a four-legged friend by his side.

Dog trainer in blue shirt with two dogs
Paige WheelerCo-Owner

Meet Paige – A Dedicated Dog Trainer Helping Pets and Their People Thrive
Paige’s love for dogs started early—growing up with canine companions, she quickly developed a deep passion for animals. Her first job as a neighborhood pet sitter and dog walker solidified her desire to help pets and their families.

In 2015, Paige earned her Bachelor’s degree in Finance from UW-La Crosse. Soon after moving back home, she welcomed her first puppy of her own—a ten-week-old Shepherd/Lab/Husky mix named Nitro. As Nitro grew, he developed anxiety and reactivity, leading Paige on a journey to better understand dog behavior. That path eventually brought her to Sit Means Sit, where she met Mike. The two connected through their shared passion for dogs and married in 2019.

Since joining Sit Means Sit, Paige has dedicated herself to helping dogs and their owners build stronger, more connected relationships—just as she did with Nitro. She is a certified Pet Tech CPR and First Aid instructor, a certified trainer through Sit Means Sit, and a proud member of the Go Team Therapy Dog team. Over the years, she has attended numerous training seminars and events, continuously expanding her knowledge. Paige also enjoys competing with her own dogs in sports like dock diving, barn hunt, and PSA.

When she’s not working with dogs, Paige loves traveling, spending time with family and friends, and making memories with her own beloved pets.

A woman standing on the grass with a black dog between her legs smiling for a photo with a tree in the background
Brenna ForrestLead Trainer

Meet Brenna: Turning Unruly Pups into Well-Mannered Companions with Patience, Passion, and Proven Training Methods!

Brenna has been surrounded by dogs her entire life, always sharing her home with at least two furry companions of all shapes and sizes. Growing up with a variety of breeds gave her a deep appreciation for dogs and their unique personalities. She couldn’t imagine life without a four-legged best friend by her side. Before heading off to college, her family adopted Daisy, a Lab/Terrier mix, and when Brenna moved into her first apartment, there was no question—Daisy came with her.

Before stepping into the world of dog training, Brenna worked in the hospitality industry as a Hostess, Server, and Bartender. Her ability to connect with people and her natural patience made the transition to dog training seamless. In 2021, she joined the Sit Means Sit team, quickly proving her dedication and skill. By 2023, she had worked her way up to Manager, and today, she proudly serves as Training Manager.

Brenna’s love for both people and animals shines through in every training session. She has a relaxed, easygoing approach that helps both dogs and their owners feel comfortable and confident. Whether she’s coaching a nervous pet parent or helping a dog master new skills, her goal is always the same—to create stronger, happier relationships between dogs and their humans.

When she’s not training, you can find Brenna exploring the outdoors—kayaking, camping, hiking—or just enjoying a laid-back night in with friends, Netflix, and, of course, Daisy by her side.

A man kneeling on the floor with two dogs smiling for a picture with a house door in the background
Josh FitzgeraldTrainer

Meet Josh From Training People to Training Pups:

Josh Fitzgerald knows a thing or two about training—but before he worked with dogs, he spent years helping people master new skills. An Eagle Scout with a passion for leadership and problem-solving, Josh has always been drawn to teaching and helping others succeed.

In 2018, he and his wife welcomed their first pet together, Kida, followed soon by Zuko. Both went through the Sit Means Sit program as clients, sparking Josh’s passion for dog training. In 2023, he officially joined the team, combining his coaching expertise with his love for dogs to help owners build better relationships with their pups.

When he’s not working with canines, you’ll find Josh experimenting with bold and unusual recipes in the kitchen or immersed in a tabletop gaming adventure.

Service Areas

We proudly serve the following areas in Madison.

Cities

  • Edgerton
  • Fitchburg
  • Middleton
  • Monona
  • Stoughton
  • Sun Prairie
  • Verona
  • Belleville
  • Cross Plains
  • Dane
  • Deerfield
  • DeForest
  • Maple Bluff
  • Marshall
  • Mazomanie
  • McFarland
  • Mount Horeb
  • Oregon
  • Rockdale
  • Shorewood Hills
  • Waunakee

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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!

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