Best Dog Training in Philadelphia

I began working for Sit Means Sit Tampa in 2015 and I was so thankful to be given the opportunity. As I began my training journey with seasoned professionals I found that I had a passion and appreciation for the dog training industry. My life’s mission has been to help dogs become their best selves and to give dog owners like myself peace of mind so that they may live their desired lifestyle.

Over the past 8 years I have attended multiple Sit Means Sit regional training seminars around the country, as well as, the Sit Means Sit Main Event hosted in Las Vegas. I have worked with world renowned trainers such as Fred Hassen, Alfredo Rivera, Bart Bellon, Jonathan Katz, and many more. I have attended a number of different classes over the years including but not limited to:

• Behavioral modification for dog aggression
• Behavioral modification for human aggression
• Confidence building for fearful, nervous, and anxious dogs
• Basic & advanced obedience training
• Puppy socialization, exposure, and desensitization
• Puppy luring & confidence building

Since opening my business, I have completed many training certifications including but not limited too:

• Dog first aid & CPR
• Certified evaluator for AKC CGC (Canine Good Citizen)
• Certified evaluator AKC STAR PUPPY
• Certified evaluator AKC URBAN CGC (Canine Good Citizen)
• NePoPo Silver Graduate
• NePoPo Gold Graduate

I have had the opportunity to work with trainers from across the county to broaden my overall knowledge and training ability. One of my most influential classes included a presentation by Bart Bellon, one of the worlds top dog training competitors where I learned new techniques and a deeper understanding of a dogs perspective. After hearing Bart’s presentation at a Sit Means Sit training seminar, I decided to continue my education and enroll myself into his training school. After an intensive course including classroom theory and hands on application I have earned my NePoPo training certification’s.

Currently, my pack consists of five dogs, who are my two labs, Stella and Elle, Romeo my pit mix, Lex my Dutch Shepherd and Mako my Belgian Malinois. They all have a full set of advanced off leash obedience commands and have also worked in agility, dock diving, and protection sports. They are constantly learning new tricks and improving their overall level of advance obedience.

I have found a new love for protection training throughout my training career and have opened and currently run, Cerberus Working Dog Club. CWDC is an organization that is registered with the Protections Sports Association helping people build and train their canine’s at an extremely high level to compete in worldwide competitions. I have just recently trailed and certified Lex in PSA for her first title of a PSA-PDC. I have plans to continually train Lex and Mako to the highest possible levels of PSA.

I have attended many seminars and classes over the years to ensure proper and safe handling of protection canines. I work with client’s of all background’s including but not limited to law enforcement, military, professional trainers and the average dog owner interested in the sport!

Since opening my first Sit Mean Sit franchise in Philadelphia, I have opened multiple other location’s allowing me to service more family’s in need of dog training service.

It gives me great satisfaction to know I’m changing not only my client’s life, but giving them back a happy, confident and obedient dog, in turn making happy, confident and satisfied owners. I know I’m exactly where I am supposed to be with my family at Sit Means Sit Dog Training, and I am blessed with the opportunity to run my own franchise.

The rules, structure, and leadership incorporated into the training has in turn given us the freedom to go wherever we want and do as we please. We can communicate effectively and trust each other regardless of the surrounding environment. My dogs are my world and I feel proud to work for and stand behind a company that provides a life changing service, and to work with a staff that truly wants to make a difference in the lives of others. Their dedication and hard work is admired and I am lucky to have them not only as my team, but as my family. I could not imagine my life without them, and because of Sit Means Sit we are all living our best lives! 

The environment here is nothing like I’ve experienced before. It is just an enjoyable, inviting, and overall positive place to be. I never knew much about dog training until I came to work here. Since beginning this position, I have found myself wanting to better understand the ins and outs of the dog training world and I am excited to see where my Sit Means Sit journey leads me.

I became more and more interested in the art of dog training and my passion for it grew quickly. Since joining Sit Means Sit 3 years ago, I have completed multiple educational seminars and have worked with many renowned industry leaders including Fred Hassan and Alfredo Rivera. I am the training manager here at Sit Means Sit Philadelphia and with that I have completed over 6500+ hours of training and have worked with over 1000+ dogs. Last Summer I bought my first personal dog Astro. He has gained a high level of obedience and structure and is able to come to work with me every day and learn new commands! I plan to transition him into some dog sports including agility and dock diving. In the future, I will continue to grow as an advanced dog training professional and will continue to provide the best dog training experience possible.

After college I met my husband, Ryan, and we started a little family of our own, which includes our rescue Athena, our belgian malinois Zeus, and my border collie Titan. Once I had dogs of my own I knew I wanted a career working in the dog industry and not in a classroom teaching!

I was nervous to leave a career I was in for 7 years to try something new! I worked as a dog walker and pet sitter for about 6 months before I found out about Sit Means Sit Philadelphia. Once I researched the company and saw the incredible reputation they have I knew that’s where I wanted my future to be! Being able to take my teaching background and tailor it towards teaching dogs and their owners has been a huge blessing! I now have over 3000+ hours of training and have worked with over 500 dogs. Titan comes to work with me each day and watching him grow has been incredible. Now I get to help dogs and their owners communicate effectively and it has been beyond rewarding! 

About a year ago, I moved to Philadelphia after completing my bachelor’s degree in social work. At first, I served at a brewery that ended up closing for an extended period of time due to flooding, which forced me to find another job. As they say, when one door closes another opens. I wanted to stray away from the restaurant industry so I searched and applied for animal based jobs. Shortly after, I got hired at a dog daycare which kickstarted my career with dogs. From day one, I absolutely loved it! I gained hands-on experience as a kennel attendant but wanted to challenge myself to further my career with dogs, which is how I found Sit Means Sit. I recently got my dutch shepherd, Hydra, and I cannot wait to use my new skill set to transform her into the best dog she can be. I now have over 400+ hours of training and have worked with over 100+ dogs. Sit Means Sit Philadelphia provides a 5 star service and has an incredible team of people that are passionate about what they do. I feel blessed to be a part of the Sit Means Sit family and I can’t wait to see where it takes me!

I knew I wanted to learn a balanced and fair approach to training and SMS was incontestably the place I wanted to be. I am thankful to have learned from the best and honored to represent them now!

Sadly he passed away and my sister decided I needed another puppy, who is now my current dog named Elvis. Having a new puppy reminded me of how fulfilling training dogs can be, which is why I made the decision to pursue a career with Sit Means Sit Philadelphia. Working with SMS has been a life changing experience for myself and my dogs. I used to constantly have to put my dogs away when family would arrive and they would be scared to even come through the door. Sit Means Sit Philadelphia has given me the tools I need for Elvis and I to succeed and live the best life possible. They have given me the opportunity to do rewarding work that produces real results. I am so thankful to have found SMS and can’t wait to see what the future holds.

She also struggled with resource guarding her food around my three cats and other dog. The older she got the more she started to react and the more I struggled to get her under control. I was able to work her through her resource guarding around my other pets and teach her basic commands, but her reactivity felt like a lost cause. I lost all my hopes on becoming a trainer, because how could I have helped others if I couldn’t even get my own dog under control. Eventually I applied to Sit Means Sit and my hopes of becoming a trainer came back to life! At first, I was super nervous that Aria wasn’t going to do well, but boy was I wrong! Ever since starting her training at SMS Aria has been able to focus more on me, she doesn’t react, and she has been the most confident I have ever seen her! I can take her on walks confidently, and I never fear that she is going to react! She loves learning new commands and I am more proud of her every single day. I cannot wait to see how much she thrives throughout her life! I love teaching my clients and feel grateful to be able to give them the same quality of life with their dog that I have with mine. I have never felt more at home until I joined the crew at Sit means Sit Philadelphia and I can’t wait to find out what the future has in hold for Aria and I!