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Ocoee & Winter Garden Obedience Training
Sit Means Sit Ocoee & Winter Garden provides professional adult dog and puppy training, and Winter Garden surrounding Central Florida areas.
We offer dog training programs that can help you and your dog break through your ceiling so you no longer have to be held down. We service all of Central Florida and have many different memberships to help any type of behavioral needs ranging from Puppy Training, Basic Obedience, Aggression, and Off Leash Control. Group Classes, Private Training, Day and Training, and Board and Training are a few ways we can help.
We believe that “TALK IS CHEAP” and always love the opportunity to evaluate and work with your dog to better help you see how our training works. Call today to schedule a FREE consultation with one of our pro-certified Ocoee & Winter Garden dog trainers!
Dog Training Classes
Any Dog Any Age Any Problem
Stop Struggling. Start Seeing Results in 10–20 Days.
At our facility, our Board and Train Memberships are our most popular programs — and for good reason.
When your dog stays overnight with us, our trainers gain the time and focus needed to build strong obedience and better behavior. Daily structure and repetition create clear, reliable results. With this focused approach, progress happens faster.
So what makes these programs so successful? Simply put, we handle the heavy lifting. Because of that, your dog advances quickly. In turn, you gain greater freedom and control sooner.
Lasting success, however, depends on one critical step — the transfer of leadership back to you. Training does not stop with your dog. It includes you as well. Before your dog goes home, we teach you how to lead with clarity and confidence. Once home, you continue building on that foundation.
Your membership also includes follow-up training sessions. During these sessions, we fine-tune skills and answer questions. Adjustments are made as needed. This continued support ensures progress carries over into everyday life.
Above all, we believe a well-trained dog is a happy dog. Likewise, a confident owner creates a calmer home.
Ready to take the next step? Schedule a free evaluation. We will assess your dog’s needs and build a clear plan for success.
Your dog’s transformation starts here. Let’s get to work.
Day & Train Programs That Deliver Real-World Results
If you want a flexible training option, our Day and Train Program may be a great fit.
This program combines daytime training with structure at home each night. During the day, our trainers work directly with your dog. First, we focus on basic skills. Then, we build clear habits. Over time, steady practice leads to real progress.
In the evening, your dog returns home with you. Because of this, you stay involved in the process. At home, structure continues. Clear rules remain in place. As a result, progress builds on both sides.
With this two-part approach, training feels balanced and natural. During the day, sessions focus on attention, obedience, and proper social behavior. These skills form the foundation for a calm and well-behaved dog.
Meanwhile, evenings allow your dog to practice those same skills in real-life settings. Because training happens in both places, learning sticks. Over time, behaviors become steady and reliable.
For busy families, this program offers the best of both worlds. Professional training happens during the day. At the same time, evenings remain focused on bonding and routine. Most importantly, your dog improves without staying overnight.
If this sounds like the right fit, we would love to help. Contact us today to learn more about our Day and Train Program. Together, we can build better habits that last.
Train Around Distractions. Build Real Confidence.
Group Classes are a powerful way for you and your dog to grow as a team. In these classes, you practice skills around real distractions. As a result, you build a stronger relationship and more reliable control.
We believe Group Classes are vital for real-world success. After all, life is full of distractions. Because of this, we train in environments that prepare you for everyday situations.
Each week, we offer multiple Group Classes at our training facility. Some classes take place indoors. Others happen outside. This variety helps your dog learn to respond in different settings.
Every Sit Means Sit Membership includes Group Classes. However, before joining, clients first complete private lessons. During those lessons, you build the foundation of the Sit Means Sit System. Once your dog understands the basics, we graduate you into Group Class.
From there, you continue strengthening skills in a structured and supportive setting.
Ready to get started? Contact us today and take the next step in your training journey.
Private Lessons – Become the Trainer
Looking for a hands-on training option? If so, our Private Lesson Memberships may be the right fit for you.
In these lessons, you work directly with our trainers. First, we teach you how to use the Sit Means Sit system correctly. Then, we help you build strong attention from your dog. From there, you develop clear communication and confident leadership.
Because you take an active role, you see progress in real time. During each session, you practice the skills yourself. At the same time, our trainers guide and correct you. As a result, you gain confidence and your dog responds more clearly.
We design every program around your goals. For example, you may want better obedience. Or, you may need help with behavior issues or public control. No matter your focus, we create a plan that fits your lifestyle.
Most importantly, we prepare you to continue training at home. Before you leave each lesson, we give you clear next steps. Then, you practice those skills during the
Puppy Training – Setting the Foundation
Join us every Saturday at our Ocoee training facility for Puppy Class. This class is designed specifically for dogs under 6 months old.
At this early stage, socialization and structure are critical. For that reason, our class focuses on safe socialization and confidence building. At the same time, we teach owners the basics needed for success at home. As a result, both puppies and families start off on the right path.
In addition, our class follows the AKC S.T.A.R. Puppy curriculum. Because of this, your puppy will learn important life skills in a structured and positive environment.
Throughout the course, we cover:
• Potty training basics
• Lure training
• Marker training
• Early obedience skills
• Confidence building exercises
Step by step, each lesson builds on the last. Over time, puppies gain confidence and learn to respond clearly to guidance. Meanwhile, owners gain the tools they need to stay consistent at home.
Contact us to reserve your spot today!
FAQs
Get answers to some of our most commonly asked questions:
Each of our dog 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 dog's parents. 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 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 the cost to accomplish your goals. There is no cost or obligation associated with the free demonstration.
Sit Means Sit uses a variety of training methods and training aids to achieve the goals of our dog owners and their pets.
The Sit Means Sit mission:
Revolutionizing the quality of life with happy, obedient, and confident dogs.
With this mission in-mind, we customize our training sessions to meet with our customer's personality as well as what will result in the best possible training experience for both dog and owner. As you view our portfolio of dog training videos, we hope that you will pay close attention to the attitude of all the dogs trained by Sit Means Sit. We pride ourselves on being able to maintain a happy and relaxed attitude in our dogs.
Sit Means Sit specializes in a diversified approach to dog training. We use an attention-based dog training system developed by Founder and CEO, Fred Hassen. This approach utilizes a variety of training tools to enable our trainers to gain the dog’s attention even in distracting situations. One of the tools that we use often in our training program is our customized Sit Means Sit Collar (remote electronic dog training collar). The reason we choose to utilize technology in our training is obvious when you understand the advantages that technology allows us.
Firstly, Sit Means Sit firmly believes in safe dog training. The technology we employ is 100% safe for dogs and humans. The Sit Means Sit Collar uses state of the art digital technology to control the output from the collar to prevent it from harming your dog. The technology that is utilized in the construction of our collar is similar technology to “electronic muscle stimulators” and “TENS” units. You may be familiar with the use of these devices in the medical field (they are very common in the Chiropractic and Physical Therapy fields) or perhaps you’ve seen devices advertised on TV as “electronic muscle massagers”. These devices essentially use low-level, adjustable electronic stimulation to creating muscle contractions. In the medical field, they are used as tools to help alleviate pain, promote blood circulation and encourage healing.
Dog Trainer With Experience
In the dog training field, specifically Sit Means Sit, remote dog training collars are used as a tool to provide a remote controlled cue. The cue is designed to neither cause pain nor to disrupt the dog’s emotional state, but rather to function as an adjustable “tap”. The approach used by Sit Means Sit trainers is to treat the “tap” from the collar as a cue for the dog to pay attention. This is no different than tapping a person on the shoulder to gain their attention. The goal of tapping them on the shoulder is not to hurt them or cause emotional distress, but rather to let them know that you want to communicate something to them.
The “tap” delivered from the Sit Means Sit Collar is a highly adjustable sensation that can be set to levels that are often imperceptible to people. Obviously this adjustability is necessary because some dogs are sensitive, while others are quite tough. There is no way to determine what levels your dog will respond to until you begin to train them with a collar. Another reason why the collars are so adjustable is because distractions from the environment are never consistent. Relate this to training with a treat. How many times will that treat work perfectly indoors, but fails to maintain your dog’s attention when a cat is running by. Sit Means Sit has found that dogs can be taught to pay attention around extreme distractions very effectively.
During the fundamental Sit Means Sit training, the dogs and handlers are taught how to condition their dog to the collar in a constructive and positive manner. By adjusting the level of the collar appropriately for the dog and the situation, as well as linking the tap from the collar with an item of high value, we can effectively teach the dog that the “tap” from the collar is related to something of value. This approach to fundamentals allows for a smooth transition into distraction training and off leash control through attention to command.
You can relate the advantages that a Sit Means Sit Collar can provide you in dog training with the advantages that a state-of-the-art smartphone provides you. Cell phones these days are no longer just phones, but mini-computers with built-in cameras, internet access and applications. These tools enhance our communication with others, allow for a diversified means of gathering and sharing information as well it’s just flat out cool what can be done with them, provided you have the knowledge. You can still choose to use you old-fashioned wall-mount telephone in your kitchen if you like, but now you’re restricted to the the length of the cord, and it’s not exactly easy to send photos to your in-laws using that wall-mount phone. Effectively limiting what you can do while you’re talking on the phone. There’s nothing wrong with doing things that way, it’s just limiting. This same relationship can also be said of using a leash to train your dog. It’s just limiting. With a smartphone you can do it all from the convenience of wherever you want.
Building on the premise of safety, the use of a remote controlled cue allows for greater freedom of communication, and in turn more efficient training through the enhancement of near-instantaneous timing. Being able to re-direct your dog’s energy or attention while he is at a distance from you greatly enhances the reliability you can achieve in a short period of time. It's also allows for you to communicate with your dog without confrontation from yelling. Also, the uniqueness of the Sit Means Sit approach stands head and shoulders above other technology-based dog training systems because of our ability to establish a neutral communication system allowing for unprecedented problem solving abilities, and through our enhanced communication skills a truly politically correct training approach. We invite you to view our training first-hand by contacting us for a free demonstration with a local trainer.
Training with a remote dog training collar like the Sit Means Sit dog training collar is really no different than training your dog with a leash or with treats. Reinforcement in any form is a required and necessary part of your dog's life. Even after they are trained, it will still be necessary to maintain your rules and boundaries. This is really no different than we encounter with people learning to drive a car. Obtaining your driver's license only shows that you understand the rules of the road, and have demonstrated your ability to operate a car safely. It does not guarantee that you will stop at every stop sign, and drive the speed limit all the time. Obviously there are a lot of factors that change as you drive, and some drivers are more honest than others. The bottom line however is that there are police officers responsible for maintaining the law and enforcing the rules that we have agreed to.
When looking at dog training from this standpoint, it easy to see how reinforcement of rules will be inevitable at some point. Every dog is different though, and some dogs require more or less reinforcement than others.
The good news is that proper and thorough training including our puppy training classes, will result in your dog being more reliable even without training equipment or training ‘aids’ as we call them. Training your dog to be reliable without a Sit Means Sit dog training collar on is a matter of transferring attention through conditioning. There are three broad phases of training that you will encounter as you train your dog. Sticking with the your training and reinforcing your rules consistently over a long enough period of time will get your dog as reliable as they can be. The phases of training are as follows:
Phase 1: The Teaching/Control Phase ~ 6-12+ weeks
During phase one, the goal is to achieve control over your dog, teach them the rules, boundaries and desired behaviors you want. It also the time to teach the dog to pay attention and perform these commands around distractions. This phase lasts between 6-12 weeks on average, however in certain situations it may take longer to gain the reliability needed before moving on to phase two. Once your dog is capable of performing commands quickly and reliably around a variety of distractions with minimal problem solving required, then your dog and you are ready to move on to phase two.
Phase 2: The Reinforcement Phase ~ 6-12+ weeks
During phase two, the goal is to begin phasing out your training aid (remote dog training collar). In phase one, we use the dog training collar on a regular basis to regain attention and maintain our rules. Now in phase two we begin to reduce our dependence on the dog training collar and introduce consistency via variable reinforcement. You may or may not need your dog training collar, but we want to teach the dog that you are still in control even if the perception of the dog is that you are not. This phase will last between 6 – 12 weeks on average, and will require you to stick with phase two for longer than average. It’s also not uncommon as dogs mature and age to have to revert back into phase one training again for several weeks depending on how your dog’s performance and behavior is. When your dog is capable of performing commands without the need for reinforcement for approximately 6 weeks, then your dog is very likely to be reliable without their training aid present. We are ultimately looking to have your dog learn how to filter our distractions entirely. When this is achieved, your dog is much less likely to act out in an unwanted manner because of distractions.
Phase 3: The Maintenance Phase ~ Ongoing
The third and final phase of training a dog is the maintenance phase. During this phase, you will likely be using your dog training collar or other dog training aid very little as your dog is capable of ignoring distraction. The catch however is that they are still capable of distraction (they are not robots). A smart trainer recognizes this and is ready to maintain their rules, commands and boundaries at anytime. It is not uncommon to have a dog who sense the lack of maintenance and begins to revert back in their behavior. The benefit of having done your dog training properly to begin with is that regression is easily minimized and dealt with by simply jumping back into training for a short time to remind the dog of the expectations.
At Sit Means Sit Dog Training – Ocoee & Winter Garden Obedience Training, we are committed to helping you achieve your training goals. Whether you have a new puppy needing our puppy training classes or an older dog with behavioral issues, our expert dog trainers will work with you to develop a customized dog training program that suits your needs. Contact us today to schedule your free dog training consultation and see why we are the best choice for dog training.
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(407) 900-7297 Contact UsDog Trainers & Staff
Professional trainers. Attentive friendly staff.
Meet Matt, the proud owner of this Sit Means Sit franchise, established in 2011.
Matt began training dogs in 2009. He started alongside his mother-in-law, Jori Pollard, who owns multiple Sit Means Sit locations. From there, he built his own path and opened this franchise in 2011. Since then, he has helped grow it into a strong and respected training facility.
People often ask Matt how he got into dog training. He likes to joke, “I couldn’t pass a math class in college.” However, his passion for working with dogs and helping people quickly became clear. What started as an opportunity turned into a lifelong career.
From the beginning, Matt’s goal has been simple. He wants to create a place where people can learn how to do more with their pets. He believes training should build freedom, confidence, and real-life results. Above all, he values time. One of his favorite quotes is, “Time is the most precious commodity that is out there. It’s the one thing that you can’t buy or ever buy back.”
In addition, Matt works hard to develop his team. He pushes them to grow as trainers and as people. He believes strong leadership creates strong results. Because of this, he invests in their skills, character, and confidence.
Matt remains deeply passionate about helping others. He supports both clients and team members with the same level of care and commitment. Through steady leadership and clear vision, he continues building a company that changes lives one dog and one family at a time.
Meet Jillian, one of our head trainers and a strong leader on our team.
Jillian joined the Sit Means Sit family in 2020. Since then, she has helped many dogs and families build better communication and stronger relationships. She serves as one of our lead trainers and oversees our Ocoee location most days. Because of her steady leadership, the team stays focused, organized, and consistent.
Jillian takes pride in setting clear standards for both dogs and owners. She believes strong leadership creates confident dogs. For that reason, she focuses on structure, follow-through, and real-life obedience. She helps families understand how to lead at home. She teaches them how to stay consistent. As a result, clients feel more in control and more connected to their dogs.
She is known around the facility as our resident “Golden Girl.” Jillian owns two Golden Retrievers, Olaf and Harley. They love coming to work with her each day. They often help demonstrate proper behavior and reliable obedience. Through them, clients can see what training looks like when leadership and fun work together.
In addition to working directly with clients, Jillian supports and guides other trainers. She leads by example. She steps in when needed. She helps maintain a strong and positive training environment at our Ocoee location. Because of her experience, both clients and team members trust her guidance.
Outside of work, Jillian enjoys relaxing movie days and visiting theme parks. However, her favorite moments are spent adventuring with Olaf and Harley. Whether at the park, on a walk, or exploring somewhere new, she continues strengthening the bond she values so much.
Overall, Jillian brings leadership, experience, and heart to everything she does. She remains committed to helping dogs grow, owners gain confidence, and families build lasting success together.
Meet Deanna, one of the dedicated and driven trainers on our team.
Deanna joined the Sit Means Sit family in 2022 and has been committed to helping dogs and families succeed ever since. She has always had a passion for helping dogs become the best versions of themselves. More importantly, she enjoys playing an active role in strengthening the bond between dogs and their families.
Over the years, Deanna has developed a strong interest in working with reactive and aggressive dogs. She understands that these cases require patience, structure, and clear leadership. With this in mind, she takes a hands-on approach to behavior change. She works through triggers, builds control, and strengthens reliability in everyday situations. Meanwhile, she guides owners step by step so they can maintain results long term.
Deanna brings consistency and accountability into every session. She sets clear expectations and follows through. As a result, dogs gain stability while owners gain confidence. Her goal is always long-term success, not short-term change.
Outside of the facility, Deanna continues her passion for training with her two dogs, Amber and Cowboy. They often come to work with her and stay active throughout the day. When she’s not at work, she loads them up for beach trips or days out on the boat. These adventures allow her to continue building strong relationships with her dogs while practicing real-world obedience.
No matter the challenge, Deanna steps in ready to help dogs learn, grow, and succeed. She remains committed to guiding both dogs and owners toward lasting progress and stronger partnerships.
Meet Relena, one of our dedicated private lesson trainers.
Relena joined our team in 2024. Since then, she has helped many dogs and families build clear communication and steady progress. She works closely with clients in private lessons while also training dogs on the floor. Because of this, she understands both sides of the training process.
Relena brings a warm and kind approach to every session. At the same time, she keeps her training clean and precise. She sets clear expectations. She follows through with consistency. As a result, dogs respond well, and owners feel confident practicing at home.
In addition, Relena takes time to explain each step. She makes sure clients understand not just what to do, but why it works. This helps families stay consistent long after lessons end.
Outside of work, Relena stays active with her two dogs, Patch and Golda. Together, they compete in barn hunt and Fast CAT. They also enjoy hiking the trails of Florida. Through sport and adventure, she continues strengthening her skills and her bond with her dogs.
Overall, Relena brings patience, clarity, and steady leadership to every dog she works with. She remains committed to helping both dogs and owners grow together.
Service Areas
We proudly serve the following areas in Ocoee & Winter Garden Obedience Training.
Counties
- Orange
Cities
- Orlando
- Gotha
- Windermere
- Winter Garden
- Ocoee
- Horizon West
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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!
Orlando Europa 2017 and Sit Means Sit Dog Training
Mako: 5 Month old Doberman.
Sit Means Sit Dog Training at Fiesta in the Park 2013
Group Class
Dog Owners Reviews
We love customers and their dogs. They love us.
If you are looking for fast results in obedience training and want to trust your dpet off-leash, you should definitely consider Sits Means Sit. Matt, the trainer, has always shown his passion for teaching pet owners how to communicate correctly with their animals. It’s also very rewarding to see your pet running off-leash, knowing that…
We just started taking our corgi puppy to Sit Means Sit, and we’ve seen such a difference already. The trainers are attentive, experienced, and will take the time to make sure you are comfortable with everything that’s happening. They clearly know what they are doing and I would recommend them to anyone. I can’t wait…
Sit means sit has already changed our dog’s demeanor. He was jumping and pulling us around the neighborhood. After only the first lesson we are heeling on walks and he is not jumping at all! Staff and trainers are excellent. I highly recommend this training for stubborn or out of control behaviors. Very pleased so…
Our dog has severe anxiety, which caused us to seek out training for him. We are several lessons in, and we’ve already started to see a difference in his confidence and obedience. We also really love the staff and their ability to teach us how to train us as the owners. They truly make an…