Westchester Dog Owners You are one click away from the dog of your dreams
As Seen Training On
Dog Training
Experts In Westchester
Sit Means Sit Dog Training of Westchester has been providing professional dog and puppy obedience training to the Westchester/Rockland/Fairfield areas since 2014.
At Sit Means Sit Dog Training, we believe that all training starts with attention and communication. We offer comprehensive obedience training programs that are designed to build the connection between the owner and their dog. Our professional trainers use the latest and most effective training methods to help your dog reach its full potential.
We understand that every dog is unique in terms of breed, size, habits, and personality. That’s why we tailor our programs to meet your dog’s specific needs. You can choose from a variety of obedience programs, ranging from building a positive foundation for your puppy to changing the unwanted habits of your dog.
Our professional trainers take the time to get to know your dog and build a trusting relationship. This helps them understand your dog’s needs and creates a more successful training environment. We take pride in our ability to help your furry friend build confidence and positivity, which leads to a happier and healthier dog overall.
Let our trainers make your life easier and strengthen the relationship you have with your canine through obedience training. Click here to schedule your no-cost, no-obligation consultation.
Dog Training Classes
Any Dog Any Age Any Problem
Puppy Prep
We know how challenging puppy training can be, which is why we designed our Puppy Prep Program to get you off to a quick start. Our program is all about giving you straight answers on the frequently asked questions about puppy training and helping avoid the common mistakes that lead to problems. We’ll work with you to understand the importance of boundaries, management and, of course, potty trained.
Additionally, we show you the fundamental methods of puppy training: using food, praise, leashes, and toys to start the process of creating an engaging relationship with your new puppy.
Dream Dog Training
The Dream Dog Academy is dog training designed for dogs over 11 months old, to give you the dog of your dreams in 48-60 days, depending on the program you choose and what your “dream” is. Rather than months or years, all without sending them away. To achieve this, we combine “full day” immersive training, 1 or 2 times per week, for your dog with one of our certified trainers. Each day, when you pick up your dog, we will review your dog’s progress and go over your homework.
Each day’s lessons are specific to your dog and your needs. We are strong advocates for training the dog and the person” in front of us.” All programs include lifetime group classes to support all of your training.
Sit Means Sit offers the most comprehensive one-on-one training for you and your dog in Westchester. In other words, you no longer need to send them away for weeks to achieve long-lasting, great results. Our years of experience with hundreds of dogs, puppies, and owners, you taught us that including the owners in every step of the process results in happy, confident, obedient dogs and happy, satisfied clients. Rather than catching up for weeks after your dog was trained, we combine full-day immersive training with personalized private owner lessons and lifetime group classes….to get the most out of your dog’s training.
Program Design
Firstly, once per week, your dog will spend the day with us at our 5000-square-foot training facility in Valhalla, NY, for four to six weeks. Everything here is part of ‘real-life’ training: distractions (dogs, people, agility equipment, even running on the treadmill), trips to local parks, and dog-friendly stores (pet food stores and home improvement are our favs), and working around our trained demo dogs.
Then, after each day, we meet for private lessons for you and your family. This allows us to review your dog’s progress, smooth over any rough spots you may have had in group class (or with the previous week’s homework), and review your homework. But don’t worry, we understand that home life can be hectic… so our assignments take 15 minutes, and only a couple of times per day. Many of the lessons are worked right into your daily routines. And everything is also provided in video and written forms to support your journey.
Additionally, tying it all together, you and your dog also get lifetime group obedience classes every Tuesday and Saturday. Group is the perfect place to practice your new skills with a trainer and around other dogs and puppies at the same point in their learning journey. Thereupon, we can help you, in real time, with any challenges. Furthermore, our trainers can strategize a plan to work through any issues when you come for training days.
Finally, it is all backed by Neil’s “Shirt of my Back” Lifetime Dog Training Guarantee. Lifetime results are our goal, and we will work with you to maintain them for the life of your dog.
Schedule your no-cost, no-obligation consultation
Dream Puppy Training
The Dream Puppy Academy is designed for puppies from 4 to 11 months old. Specifically designed to give you the puppy of your dreams in 48-60 days, depending on the program and your goals. Rather than months or years, all without sending them away. To achieve this, we combine “full day” immersive training for your puppy with one of our certified trainers, daily private lessons for you and your family, video and written support materials and lifetime group classes.
Sit Means Sit offers the most comprehensive one-on-one training for you and your puppy right here in Westchester. In other words, you no longer need to send them away for weeks to achieve long-lasting, great results. Our years of experience with hundreds of dogs, puppies and owners, taught us that including the owners in every step of the process results in happy, confident, obedient puppies and happy, satisfied clients. Rather than catching up for weeks after your puppy was trained, we combine full-day immersive training with personalized private owner lessons and lifetime group classes….to get the most out of your puppy’s training.
Puppy Training Program Design
Firstly, once per week, for four to six weeks, your puppy will spend the day with us at our 5000 square foot training center. Everything here is part of ‘real-life’ training; distractions (dogs, people, agility equipment even running on the treadmill); trips to local parks, and dog-friendly stores (pet food stores and home improvement are our favs) and working around our trained demo dogs.
Then, after each day, we meet for a private lesson, for you and your family. This allows us to review your puppy’s progress, smooth over any rough spots you had in group class (or the previous week’s homework) and practice your homework. But don’t worry, we understand that home life can be hectic… so our assignments take 15 minutes, and only a couple of times per day. In fact, many of the lessons are worked right into your daily routines.
Additionally, tying it all together, you and your puppy also get lifetime group obedience classes every Tuesday and Saturday. Group is the perfect place to practice your new skills with a trainer and around other puppies, and dogs, who are at the same point in their learning journey. Thereupon, we can help you, in real time, with any challenges. Furthermore, our trainers can strategize a plan to work through any issues when you come for training days.
Finally, it is all backed by Neil’s “No Quibble” Lifetime Training Guarantee. Lifetime results are our goal and we will work with you to maintain them for the life of your dog.
Schedule your no-cost, no-obligations consultation
Special Needs Dog Training
Dog training designed for special needs dogs. Is your dog dealing with separation issues, anxiety, aggression and other (physical, health, age) issues? We can design a program to meet the special needs all without sending them away for weeks. To achieve this, we combine “full day” immersive training for your dog with one of our certified trainers, daily private lessons for you and your family, video and written support materials and lifetime group classes.
Sit Means Sit offers the most comprehensive one-on-one training for you and your dog right here in Westchester. In other words, you no longer need to send them away for weeks to achieve long last, great results. Our years of experience with hundreds of dogs, puppies and owners, taught us that including the owners in every step of the process results in happy, confident, obedient dogs and happy, satisfied clients. Rather than catching up for weeks after your dog was trained, we combine full day immersive training with personalized private owner lessons and lifetime group classes….to get the most out of your dog’s training.
Dog Training Program Design
Firstly, your dog will spend one or more days training in our 5000 square foot training facility in Valhalla, NY. Everything here is part of ‘real-life’ training; distractions (dogs, people, agility equipment even running on the treadmill); trips to local parks, and dog friendly stores (pet food stores and home improvement are our favs) and working around our trained demo dogs.
Then, after each day, we meet for a private lessons for you and your family. This allows us to go over your dog’s progress, smooth over any rough spots you may have had in group class (or with the previous week’s homework) and to review your homework. But don’t worry, we understand that home life can be really hectic… so our assignments just take 15 minutes, and only a couple of times per day. In fact, many of the lessons are worked right into your daily routines. And everything is also provided in video and written forms, to support your journey.
Additionally, tying it all together, you and your dog also gets lifetime group obedience classes every Saturday. Group is the perfect place to practice your new skills with a trainer and around other dogs, and puppies, who are at same point in their learning journey. Thereupon, we are able to help you, in realtime, with any challenges. Furthermore, our trainers can strategize a plan to work through any issues when you come for training days.
Finally, it is all backed by Neil’s “No Quibble” Lifetime Dog Training Guarantee. Lifetime results are our goal and we will work with you to maintain them for the life of your dog.
Therapy Dog Training
K9 Caring Angels Therapy Dog Training is part of our advanced training classes and is offered at no charge to Sit Means Sit graduates who meet the requirements. All our handlers are volunteers dedicated to their canine companions as well as giving back to their community. Whether it be through a K9 Caring Angels event or other
opportunities they have sought on their own, our team is chosen because of their skills as well as their commitment to helping the citizens of their communities.
Group Class Instruction
Unlimited Lifetime Group Classes are included in all of our Dream Training Programs, currently held on Tuesdays and Saturdays, to practice and refine what your dog has been learning. Group class is an excellent place for you to practice under the guidance of a trainer under controlled distractions. Not only will you be with other dogs, but you will also utilize agility and fitness equipment, novel distractions, and real-life scenarios to help you achieve your training goals. Classes are geared to you and your dog’s stage of training, with classes from beginner to therapy dog certification.
Potty Training Help
While potty training is challenging, we are here to help. Whether it’s your new puppy or an older rescue, all it takes is sticking to a good plan….and we have one for you. And, best of all, it’s free for the asking.
FAQs
Get answers to some of our most commonly asked questions:
Text opt in consent data will not be sold or shared with third parties for promotional or marketing purposes. Except as otherwise stated in this Privacy Policy, we don’t sell, trade, rent, or otherwise share for marketing purposes your Personal Information with third parties without your consent.
Can't Find Your Question?
No problem. Contact us and we'll be happy to answer your questions.
(914)-687-5532 Contact UsDog Trainers & Staff
Professional trainers. Attentive friendly staff.
Neil CohenOwner
Hello! I’m Neil Cohen, owner of Sit Means Sit in Valhalla, NY (serving Fairfield and Westchester Counties)
Like many in the Sit Means Sit family, I first came to the company as a dog owner seeking help with a “challenging” pet. At the time, I was hours from the nearest Sit Means Sit training center, so I learned what I could from videos and with guidance from Sit Means Sit trainers across the country.
I’d been a successful marketing consultant for years, but after a Sit Means Sit franchise opened less than an hour’s drive from my home, I took a part-time position there to enhance my training skills and help other dog owners reach their goals.
Later, when the franchisee told me he was moving to Los Angeles, I asked about taking over the business. So, I sold my share of a marketing firm to my partner, bought my Sit Means Sit location and moved to Nevada for a month to become a fully certified professional dog trainer—and I couldn’t be happier. (Indeed, a change in my personal life, combined with my love of everything dogs, made it one of the easiest and best decisions I’ve ever made!)
Sit Means Sit’s unique approach to training, combined with the most innovative training collar on the market, make success simple. My education started by moving to Nevada and logging over 200 hours of hands-on training, working at the Sit Means Sit Headquarters in Las Vegas and the Henderson Animal Shelter. Additionally, each year I spend over 80 hrs on continuing education with some of the best trainers and educators in the world plus we fully re-certify every three years. (there isn’t a dog training company in the world that invests in continuing education like Sit Means Sit does.)
When I’m not training other people’s dogs, I spend time with my wife Jamie, my two kids and our pups: Eddie (our year old Border Collie mix), Sarge (our five year old Cattle Dog mix) and Pepper (our four year old Border Collie). I’d love to show you how well they’ve taken to the Sit Means Sit program—and how your dog will too!
Samantha Calkins, MSProgram Director
Hi all! I’m Samantha Calkins, Program Director and Trainer at Sit Means Sit in Valhalla, NY.
I was first introduced to Neil and Sit Means Sit through a client that I was dog walking for. They asked me to meet with their dog trainer to make my life easier with their 60-miles-an-hour-pulling-on-the-leash Vizsla puppy. After a brief introduction lesson to the Sit Means Sit method, Neil asked if I had any interest in dog training, and so my career began! I have now been training dogs with Sit Means Sit for 3 years.
When we first met, Neil was running a mobile business that I would tag along with to learn the ropes. I spent years watching him change the lives of these dogs and their families all from a mobile van. Now, we have a 5,000 square-foot facility that we train in. Being able to witness and take part in the growth of this business has meant the world to me. My passion for dog training builds with each new client that I meet, and it truly brings me joy to help you and your dog have the best life possible.
I recently completed my Master’s in Animal Behavior and Conservation at Hunter College in NYC. This has expanded my understanding of canine behavior, allowing me to apply theory in behavior to the practice of dog training.
My research in animal behavior and conservation has taken me across the globe to Kenya where I’ve studied baboon behavior, and to Madagascar where I studied ring-tailed lemurs. My roots in primatology have a surprising number of parallels to canine behavior. If you meet me in group class, I’m sure you’ll hear a nerdy dog/primate comparison or two!
Outside of working with your dogs, I spend my time with my partner Nick, and our border collie, Oliver. You can find us at the dog park, out for a hike, or catching up on the latest Marvel movie! Ollie is currently working on his obedience skills and toward his therapy dog certification with the Sit Means Sit method, and is loving every second of it. We’d love to share our progress with you and learn more about your dog as well!
Cheers!
Sam
Danielle MarisTraining Consultant
Alexa MaizesApprentice Trainer/Training Consultant
Chris PennellaApprentice Trainer
Lexi NewsonApprentice Trainer/Training Consultant
Service Areas
We proudly serve the following areas in Westchester.
Counties
- Westchester
- Rockland
- Orange
- Putnam
Cities
- Valhalla
- White Plains
- Scarsdale
- New Rochelle
- Elmsford
- and surrounding areas
Zip Codes
- 10504
- 10506
- 10510
- 10514
- 10528
- 10532
- 10570
- 10573
- 10577
- 10580
- 10591
- 10594
- 10595
- 10603
- 10604
Don't See Your Location?
Sit Means Sit has 157 locations across the US and Canada.
Find a Sit Means Sit Dog Trainer near you.
Find a LocationDog Training Videos
Check out a few videos to see our dog trainers at work!
Rich and Patches From Croton
Meg and Myla from Cortland Manor
Marc and Sasha from White Plains
Jo and Roscoe from Stamford
Dog Owners Reviews
We love customers and their dogs. They love us.
Rich and Patches
When I rescued my dog Patches. Who is a pit bull. Patches was abandoned in a Bronx apt. He had problems of jumping on people, he would bark, and he was very hyper. So when I hired Neil at Sit Means Sit. He came over my house and explained his way of training. He was…
Jamie C.
I came to Neil in June 2015 feeling helpless. At around 10 months of age, my border collie mix, Sarge, began displaying some fear-based leash aggression toward both strangers and other dogs. Other trainers had suggested clicker training, spraying him with a water bottle, one even had me “bark” at him. Sarge couldn’t have cared…
Jo and Roscoe
Neil is seriously THE BEST!!!! My dog had quite a few issues and as a new dog owner I had ZERO confidence or knowledge in handling him. I can not thank Neil and his staff enough for the help and guidance I received. I feel a thousand times more confident and know that if any…
Joyce and Bailey
Bailey, my 11 month old cockapoo is adorable but naughty. Hiding under the bed when I want to take him out and running across the street when I accidentally let go of the leach are a few of the things that prompted me to contact Neil. After working with Neil, Bailey sits on command even…