Testimonials

Literally can’t say enough about how wonderful this place is! I’ve never met a more dedicated company, even outside of dog trainers. The SMS family is willing to do whatever it takes to get their clients a balanced dog. They don’t just take your dog, train them, hand your dog back, and walk away. SMS gives families the tools and teach them how to use them properly. When I brought Onyx to SMS I was looking at the problems that he had like anxiety and lack of confidence, but the SMS family showed me how to be a better handler and guide Onyx through those issues. Tyler, Alden, Sarah, Anita, Hannah, Dan, and Matt have poured countless hours of the past year into Onyx and I grew so much as a handler and Onyx has improved so much. We are constantly getting compliments when we are out and my bond with my dog has grown so much. SMS will always be there for Onyx and I, even 5 years from now I know I can call SMS and they will be there for whatever I need. No one teaches focus and attention like the SMS family. If you’re debating on what trainer to take your dog to, I can’t recommend SMS enough.

Jaelynn did an awesome job with our strong willed (and talkative) catahoula leopard puppy, Willow. Her hard work today definitely paid off, she took the time to listen to my concerns and work one on one SO patiently with both myself and my pup to make huge leaps in our loose leash walking! I left feeling so accomplished! Sit means sit has been an awesome experience, And I can’t wait to see how far we go with their help

Such a great experience and we highly recommend. All of the trainers are knowledgeable and friendly. They go out of their way to make sure you understand the techniques and proper way to work with your dog. Our trainer, Sarah, was amazing and helped us to incorporate real life situations into our at home training. Use Sit Means Sit. You will not be disappointed!

My 7 month old mini golden doodle took the obedience class with Sit Means Sit and it made the biggest difference in his behavior! Jaelynn, his trainer, was patient and addressed all of my puppy’s behavior change concerns. My little pup is now so much easier to take places and work with. This training made a HUGE difference in my puppy’s behavior!

5 Stars are not enough! Highly recommend Sit Means Sit. The difference after just one day was incredible. Everyone there is amazing and you can see that they genuinely love what they do! Huge thanks to Sarah for all your hard work and dedication with me and Snoop! You’re the best. Can’t wait to work with everyone again in group classes!!!

Excellent training. Aldon and Sarah both did a great job of working with us and our dog. We are extremely happy with the results and the fact that they are available to us anytime we may need them after we completed all the sessions. Our dog is very anxious and they not only helped to minimize that, they showed us how to continue to work with our dog to lessen her anxieties. Everyone at the training facility is very professional and all were willing to take the time to talk with us and help us to understand how to get the most out of the training.

Sit Means Sit has been an awesome experience for me and Hans. The staff was polite, professional, patience and always available for questions or help. The follow up for each class was amazing. Our trainer Grace was the BEST, she was so caring and her experience and patience for both Hans and I was the reason for our success. I would truly recommend Sit Means Sit.

We had a fantastic experience during our three initial training sessions. Grace was wonderful. She is very knowledgeable and thoughtful in handling issues we had to customize our training for Archie. We started group classes and look forward to many more classes to come. Everyone there wants us to succeed. Highly recommend.

Great experience all the staff are very friendly and I was happy to trust my dog with them. Liz and Tyler were especially helpful with Ella and we hope to see them again in group class. I would definitely recommend these folks to anyone who needs help training your pups 🐶!! This is my second dog they have trained and it was a really great experience for both dogs and myself. 🐶🐶🦴🦴🦴🦴🦴5 out of 5 bones up great training program✌️🐶

Today My dog Otis graduated puppy school! I am so happy with all the training he had. The very first day I noticed a difference in my puppy. He went in with very poor attention and that first day I noticed he was really actually listening to me. His anxiety also was alot better when it came to us leaving him. Grace was an amazing trainer and worked super well with both my husband and I to really get Otis’s attention. She was also really amazing with Otis he listened to her and he was enjoying himself. I have already recommended sit means sit to my friends and family and would continue to do so in the future!

I started with Sit Means Sit a little over a month ago with my one-year-old golden doodle. He was well behaved at home but became a compulsive crazy man whenever we took him outside (poor leash manners, barking at people, lunging at dogs). We started our 3-week individual training with Carmen, who is AMAZING. She is so knowledgeable and in-tune with my little guy! Her training style is very clear, direct, and, most of all, encouraging. She reassured and supported Teddy, me, and my husband at every chance she had while giving helpful feedback to promote the best possible training experience. Since then, Carmen has always been just a phone call away and welcomes any questions and concerns. It feels great to be supported by professionals who know what they’re doing through a challenging process like dog training! My guy is now in group classes and is progressing every day (loose leash walking, more receptive, less compulsive)! My husband and I have already agreed if we get a second dog, we’re taking it right to Sit Means Sit for puppy classes. I highly, highly recommend Sit Means Sit and Carmen!!

Sit means sit was the best training class that I have ever experienced for pet training. The staff were super attentive and responsive. Both of my dogs did an amazing job and did not have training prior. They both now listen to commands, are eager to learn and we are able to communicate with them positively which is awesome! I highly recommend this training program along with Chelsea, and Abby! They are the best.

My fiancé and I decided to take our dog here because he was super reactive towards other dogs. I was very nervous to send him to his day training but after the first day, he absolutely loved it. Everyone at this facility is super nice and helpful throughout the entire process. Brittany is an AMAZING trainer!!! She took our dog from being all over the place and wanting to react to every dog he met, to being able to walk him right past a dog without him reacting/breaking eye contact with us. Our dog adored her and was so excited to work with her which made us feel so comfortable. The report cards on how our dog was doing during the day made us feel even more comfortable knowing he was in great hands (the pictures below are a few from his report card). I cant say enough good things about this facility and I am so glad that I sent him to this training school! If you are looking into a school for your dog, I highly recommend checking this place out. You will not regret it!!

Found Sit Means Sit Bel Air through Google and saw reviews that other owners of reactive dogs had left. Feeling optimistic, I called and spoke with Tori who was able to get me a same day consultation appointment that evening. Met with Matt, the owner, later that evening and we discussed habits my dog exhibited, behaviors I wanted to improve and what I was hoping to get from the training. Matt followed up with a visual demonstration of the kind of attention and focus I could expect to see from my dog following training sessions with Sit Means Sit. Signed up dog up for the 3-week day training program. She completed it today, and I cannot say enough good things about her trainer, Tyler, and the rest of the staff. Tyler made sure that after each session, I understood what exercises they worked on that day and how to correct certain behaviors when training. Literally, after the first session, I noticed a marked improvement in my dog’s focus, obedience, and confidence. Sit Means Sit Bel Air is definitely the place to come for training your furry companion.

Ellies graduation from “Sit Means Sit” training has improved our relationship and made training FUN!. I couldn’t be happier with the instructors, the methods, and rapid learning curve. My goal was to have Ellie “come” when called. After 3 classes she comes without the E collar or leash….and much more!! I can’t wait for group classes and more learning. It is well worth the monetary investment. I don’t need to put up a fence now. If you are thinking about signing up…DO IT. You and your dog will be happy your did!!

Sit Means Sit has transformed my dog from a barking, lunging, jumping crazy dog to a calmer goofball who is confident in himself and me as a leader. We are still a work in progress, but the transformation can already be seen after a month. Thank you!!

What an amazing group of people, My husband and I were so pleased with everyone at this facility, the owners are wonderful people, the trainers are very knowledgeable in all aspects of all dogs! They are willing to work with you continuously to help you and your fur baby! Their group trainings are a way to keep up with socializing your dog, the training enforced in your fur baby, and help the owners with improving their own skills in order for a successful relationship! I would give this place 100 stars, I was a nervous wreck leaving my baby there, and he loved absolutely everyone. It made me feel more comfortable that he enjoyed his weekly sessions!

Sit Means Sit is a very professional dog obedience program. The trainers truly love the dogs they work with. The atmosphere is very welcoming for dogs and their people. The training methods are always positive with lots of praise and pets! The trainers work on basic obedience commands but always incorporate training on behaviors that the owner sees as needs for their dog in particular. So, it becomes very personalized for help with the behaviors owners want corrected or learned. A trainer/owner conference is held after each session which is so helpful. I also received photos and videos during the days my dog was in their care. After a dog graduates, group classes are offered as part of the package. The program is incredibly well done!

Sit means sit was awesome!! The whole experience was great- very well run, great trainers, and very professional. They really understand how to help you and personalize the experience to what your dog needs. The owner is involved in the training and participates in the last one on one training night. We really felt that our dog will have less anxiety and more confidence because the training helped us to understand how to lead him and what to do in situations and just with overall basic commands. I’m pretty picky about a business and how it’s run and I can’t say enough good things about our experience! They really care what you and your dog to succeed!

Sit Means Sit was impressive from the first meeting! The staff and trainers are responsive and professional, very competent and personable. Our dog was worked on impulse control and reactivity with other dogs. Through the Sit Means Sit program, we now have the tools and knowledge to help him stay confident and controlled. The continued group classes are well organized and extremely beneficial. If clients are willing to put in the work, I can see that any family would find improvements and success with their dog. I would recommend to a family member or friend.

Sit means sit has exceeded our expectations. From when we met for a free consultation to after the third day of training we have been none stop impressed by how much the trainers and Matt have dedicated to our dog. We Decided to do the day train program. We were so worried about seeing all the hiccups but we wanted to be involved in the training process. After we picked Chloe up on day 1 of training we were amazed. She was showing off to us what she learned that day and we have seen incredible progress ever since. Matt takes the time each week to ensure we are happy with the progress we are seeing and what other concerns we have. He took the time to bring his dog in to work with our dog on some social interactions. We are so excited to continue the journey with sit means sit and the amazing trainers. I cannot express how happy I am that we decided to trust this process.

Sit Mean Sit was amazing. My husband and I were very happy to have found this place. I signed my dog up for day training and each session was great. I received great information and help on how to get my dog to learn different commands. My dog had the opportunity to train with the owner Matt and he was a great trainer. All of the other trainers were also very kind and were always available to help. They are very knowledgable and show dedication and care towards the dogs. The puppy classes were so much fun for my dog and I. It was great to see my dog put what he had learned into action as well as have socialization time with other dogs and people. I would highly recommend this training to anyone who feels they need some help with their dog or even just to learn basic obedience.

This place has definitely given me hope for my dogs! I was nervous to seek outside help but they have shown me that not all dogs are created equally and thats ok. Everyone that I have come in contact with is not only welcoming but they are also super helpful. I highly recommend them to anyone and everyone whether it be basic obedience to a bit more challenging of a dog!!!

Our experience with sit means sit, has been absolutely amazing! Trust me, I had my doubts because of using other trainers in the past for our dog but they have seriously past my expectations. We have had two classes so far and I can honestly say that I have a completely different dog lol. I have a very high energy 11 month old lab and she has always given me a run for my money! After only two classes I am able to have her run in my open yard and come back when called, she stays right with me when out in our driveway and most of all not see me as a chew toy or have her go insane when I’m getting ready to leave for work. Sit means sit is very helpful and if I have a problem or questions I know I can always call! Sit means sit has been a god send for our little girl and for us as a family!! I highly recommend them if you have a furry family member that needs some structure!!

We have a very timid, anxiety ridden German Shepard. Matt and his wonderful team worked wonders for Piper as well as for us. We couldn’t be happier with how great the training helped us. Thank you all so much! I’m so glad we found your training and highly recommend!

We took our dog Hopper to Matt at Sit Means Sit Dog Training after having long time issues with food aggression with Hopper. He was getting aggressive with the other dogs in our house and occasionally with people and we were completely lost as far as how to best approach this issue. Matt and his team of trainers were so understanding and so knowledgeable when it came to dog behavior and establishing leadership with our dog. Matt kept us posted during Hopper’s entire stay with them at their board and train program, even sent us pictures of his progress which our whole family enjoyed seeing every night. I would one hundred percent recommend Sit Means Sit dog training and will be taking our 5 month puppy to Matt and his crew for her introduction to obedience training.

I am so thankful for our experience with Sit means Sit! From the moment we had our first consultation for our dog I knew that it was something we wanted to do and had total confidence in the staff’s ability to be successful with training our dog.Every member of the staff was very kind and helpful and you can see their dedication that goes into training the dogs. We were very impressed with the time the owner, Matt Strong put into helping us train our dog. He goes above and beyond all aspects to achieve success for everyone who comes there. The training our dog received at Sit means Sit has been invaluable. And I’ve also come to find out you CAN teach an “old dog “ new tricks!!

The crew at Sit Means Sit North of Baltimore were amazing to work with and showed us how our girl was progressing every day. We opted for the 10 Day board and train and we couldn’t believe the difference after such a short time. Our biggest worry when starting was the E-collar they use. However, it isn’t your standard E-collar but one that uses a Tens unit. This method just alerts the dog of your touch instead of Shock. They made us feel comfortable every inch of the way and reinforced our understanding.

I sent both of my dogs, a German Shepard and a Yellow Lab and I didn’t believe it was possible to have calm and responsive dogs. I have always had to put the away when young or older family came to visit and now my dogs are able to enjoy family gatherings and walk on a leash without the struggle of knocking people over or pulling my arm off. I am so grateful for the training that has made them better dogs and more fun to be around.

Finley was a handful! We weren’t sure if we could even keep him…biting, jumping, pulling the kids when they were walking him and he even ran away for 6 days. We knew we had to do something. Sit Means Sit has made such a difference and Finley is like a new dog! He has become the enjoyable addition that we were looking to add to our family. He no longer has separation anxiety and stopped barking every time someone left him alone. He stopped biting, which was a huge problem! When he jumps to greet people, we have a tool and he listens and stops. Finley wasn’t the only one that needed training…we did too. Overall, we have all learned a lot and are looking forward to continuing the weekend classes to keep learning more. I’d highly recommend them to anyone that has a puppy that needs to be trained!

The entire process with Sit Means Sit was seamless from consult to pickup. The daily updates With pics were great for my daughter who missed our pup tremendously and i was stunned at the progress Haley made with just one week of training. Shes focused and listens so well now. They went above and beyond to not only train but care for her. So thrilled with the progress made!

We had a dog that seemed far beyond trainable. Matt and his team were honest about our expectations for the dog and gave us every tool needed to train her. Our favorite part about this team is how responsive they have been. They call us and text after hours to check in on the progress of our training. They truly provided amazing service and we couldn’t be more grateful!

We had a fantastic experience going through the “Sit Means Sit” program with Matt. We became familiar with the program over 10 years ago while living in Colorado but never owned a dog. Fast forward to Maryland, we rescued a 4 month old puppy named Citrine from a shelter during the “pandemic.” Within the first few weeks, if not days, we knew we were in over our heads. Upon arrival at Sit Means Sit for our “Demo” session, we knew we had found the right place for us. We embraced the positive-oriented style of training, focusing on securing our dog’s full attention as she learns commands and good behavior. Now, as opposed to just saying “NO” all the time, Citrine is focused on us and not distracted. In fact, we have a few chickens that were a complete distraction for her initially. Utilizing “Sit Means Sit” techniques, we have trained her when it is, and when it isn’t, time to play with them. Matt and his staff are extremely friendly, caring, informative, helpful, and encouraging. Citrine recently graduated from individual sessions to the group classes. She is always very excited the moment we turn up the road to Sit Means Sit. We are very thankful for Matt, his staff, and this program, which have far exceeded our expectations.

Matt & his team of trainers were helpful every step of they way while our ten month old German Shepherd, Stella, made her way through the Sit Means Sit day training program. After just the first day of training we saw a huge improvement when Stella returned to my side when asked instead of chasing a squirrel in the backyard. Each week Stella learned new things & was socialized with dogs of all sizes. Matt was happy to answer questions & provide suggestions for issues that we were having even though they were out of scope for the training program. Stella is still working on mastering heel but has made major improvements since the start of this training program. It’s clear that Matt & his team really care. We’ve already recommended Sit Means Sit of North Baltimore.

We could not be happier with the work, teaching and love that the folks at SMS have shown our sweet Tilley! She is our 5th Rottweiler and the only one where we chose formal training. So doing so was a bit of a tough decision for us. But WOW are we happy we did! Tilley’s personality was one of nervous reaction to being surprised/startled. Seems easy to correct, but it is VERY tough to work through while maintaining the dog’s basic desire to be our BEST friend. SMS has been incredible at not only understanding the nuances of the issue at hand, but how to PROPERLY work our sweet Tilley through it and give her the confidence she wants/needs/deserves as a great family member! We recommend SMS to any pet owner who understands and knows that dogs are as different as humans, and it takes a GREAT trained expert’s help sometimes to bring out their truly loving potential! Thanks Matt and ALL the dog-loving staff- you ALL ROCK!! SY

My boyfriend and I adopted our first dog together in February and like many first time dog owners we weren’t sure where or how to start with training. After a few months of tossing around the idea and not finding anywhere I thought suitable, I found Sit Means Sit out of the blue on a google search and then realized it was practically in our backyard. We scheduled a free training demonstration and it was fantastic from there on. Our dog (Malakai) wasn’t the worst behaved dog but I can tell you with confidence that he wasn’t the best listener. All of that changed after a few sessions with Matt and Amanda. The training added needed structure to Malakai’s life and he is a very good listener now. We couldn’t give enough thanks to the Sit Means Sit and Strong Kennel employees for what they have done for us. They take their passion for dog training and turn it into miracles.

We’re amazed at the progress our puppy has made in only 2 sessions! Training through sit means sit was the best decision we made for our pup and our family. Can’t wait to continue group sessions and keep building on the foundation Matt has helped put in place for our Ruger!

Sit Means Sit has already been a great experience for us! Matt is wonderful and the rest of the staff are friendly and knowledgeable! So far my dog has made strides toward a happier life. He is very dog and people reactive. With the tools that Matt and his team have provided, I have already seen significant improvement and am confident he will only get better! Truly amazing experience!

Our German Shepard puppy has been training with Matt Strong and he is making a lot of progress in a short amount of time. Matt and his trainers are very helpful and knowledgeable and they really care about our dog. Our family has been very impressed with Sit Means Sit and we would recommend their services to any pet owners.

I can’t believe how much progress our dog has made in just 2 sessions!! Matt and the team are always incredibly supportive and amazing to work with. We are so happy we made the decision to train with Sit Means Sit to help Oakley become a happier, stronger, and even more amazing dog. I can’t wait to continue this process!

Our 6 yr old Belgian Malinois “Saber” had developed some bad habits. On twice daily walks he would go into protective mode and go aggressive towards other dogs we encountered. He would also pull on the leash, not in a “drag you along” way, he’d just put steady pressure against the leash taking the fun out a good walk. Matt’s E collar based method of communicating is different and has proven effective after only a few lessons. The e-collar is used to communicate and not as punitive tool. He also set up situations where other protective breeds trained in close proximity. Saber learned to concentrate on us and not be distracted by other dogs. Saber no longer pulls on walks and stays in the heel position next to us. Thank you!

We had a wonderful experience. Our dog has recently completed the training and has made incredible progress. The training was well worth it. Everyone was very knowledgeable and very helpful.

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 with her. I truly believe that Sit Means Sit can train any dog.

The Sit Means Sit program enabled me to take my two dogs Gaea and Dayzee on mountain hikes without worrying about them chasing wildlife. It’s great to hike with my dogs and not worry about spooking the wildlife, thank you!

I am so pleased and impressed with Sit Means Sit in general. My Aussie puppy did a three week board-and-train since my work schedule limited my ability to go to group classes. They were very understanding and did an excellent job of explaining every aspect of their training methods, their e-collar, and were very open to questions. I met with a number of different trainers and every single one was very nice, friendly, and knowledgeable. The difference in my puppy is incredible. She listens (the collar really helps), she doesn’t bite me as I walk by, and she doesn’t bark for attention. For the go-home lessons, the trainers I met with were very patient with me as I learned how to work with her, explained the e-collar and its use in detail, and gave me pointers on how to work with specific challenges I was having. Excellent service, very pleased with the results, money well spent. Sit Means Sit is my go-to for dog training because of their quality work and friendly staff.

We took our two pitbulls to Sit Means Sit for training. Sit Means Sit did a wonderful job training our dogs. Kileaux was always easily distracted and Nikita was a rambunctious puppy. The staff was very knowledgeable and helpful in teaching us how to work with our dogs on continued training.

It is hard to find companies that will work with pitbull puppies, let alone full grown 115+ lb pitbulls. However, Sit Means Sit never failed to make my dogs feel loved and welcomed – which was an added bonus to the amazing quality of training we received. I will absolutely be referring Sit Means Sit to friends and family!

Sit Means Sit’s training program has seriously been one of the best investments I have ever made. I picked my dog, Biggie, up last week and the changes in her behavior and previous aggression have been unbelievable! She’s a better listener, less territorial, and just an all around better behaved and happier dog!

My dog has been able to get off of her very strong anti-anxiety medication and live a better life because of the trainers at Sit Means Sit. Her quality of life, as well as mine and that of my family’s is infinitely better and for that I will be forever grateful!

Thank you Sit Means Sit for changing Biggie’s life! She looks forward to more group training and I will recommend y’all to everyone I know!