Syracuse Dog Training
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Have The Best-Trained Dog in Central New York
We specialize in providing off-leash obedience training to Cicero, Syracuse and the greater CNY area. We offer a wide variety of training programs that aim to correct behavioral issues and encourage good behavior in puppies and dogs of all ages. Our popular training programs include private lessons, day training programs, and board and train programs. We also offer group classes and agility classes.
Are you looking to build a happier, healthier relationship between yourself and the troublesome dog in your life? Are you struggling to connect with your pup due to ongoing behavioral issues? If so, we are here to help!
We will take on any age with any problem or behavioral issue. Whether you’re looking to get your new puppy started off on the right paw with top-rated training services or want to correct lifelong behavioral issues in an older pet, our expert trainers have the knowledge and skills to help. To learn more about our training programs or to get started today, call us to schedule a FREE consultation.
Whether you’ve just welcomed a new puppy into your home or need help correcting longstanding behavioral issues, we have a training program that can help. Keep reading to learn more about some of our most popular training programs and to find the one that is right for you and your pup.
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Any Dog Any Age Any Problem
Day Training
Our most popular training option is our Day Training program. Do you like the idea of having someone initially train your dog but worry about leaving them overnight for a Board and Train? If so, our Day Training program is the perfect option for you!
Day Training is a once-a-week, all-day training program where a professional trainer will train your pet throughout the day at our training center and local parks, pet stores, and more! Simply drop your dog off in the morning and pick him/her up the same day.
During a Day Train, you can rest assured that your pet is in good hands with our expert trainers and you will get videos updating you on your pet’s progress throughout the day. When you pick your dog up, your trainer will instruct you on how to continue practicing the new training for the next week. Spend the week reinforcing these commands. Then, drop him/her off again the following two weeks. This is the perfect option for owners who combine at-home training with Sit Means Sit’s top-rated training center services.
Our Day Training package also includes lifetime training; get as many private lessons and group classes as you need for the remainder of your pet’s lifetime!
Private Lessons
Want to play a more hands-on role in your dog’s training? Looking for a training program that will allow your pet to work with a trainer without the distraction of other animals? If so, private training lessons are perfect for you!
Our top-rated private lesson programs are designed for the family or individual who wants to be directly involved and personally responsible for the success of the pet’s training. This option allows you to meet with your trainer for an hour-long weekly one-on-one session. These sessions can be held in various locations, such as our center, your home, a park, and almost any other location where you want to correct your pet’s behavior.
Our experienced staff will teach you how to train your dog and address the things that are most important to you when it comes to your pet’s behavior. Our private training lessons are customized to help you meet your specific and unique goals. We call this “lifestyle training,” where we help you incorporate the training for your dog into your day-to-day life. If you’re looking for the most efficient way to correct unique behavioral issues, private lessons are a great option.
Group Classes
Want to set your pet up for success when out and about in the world? Looking for the best way to immerse your dog in professional training that can help them adapt to a variety of environments? Try out one of our group training classes!
Our group classes are designed to practice the skills you and your dog learned in individual settings with more distractions, ensuring that your pet will be able to utilize the skills they’ve learned in any environment, including at the park, in the pet store, and more! We keep our group classes upbeat and fun for both of you so you can take the opportunity to have fun and bond with your pet while he or she learns critical obedience skills and more.
Board and Train Programs
With this program, your dog is immersed in training with one of our skilled training professionals.
He/she will spend the day learning from a professional while they also visit parks, the training center, pet stores, etc.
Board & Train programs are available on an approval basis as not all are eligible candidates for this program. If this is a program you are interested in, please contact our office.
Our Team
Professional trainers. Attentive friendly staff.
Dave is the owner and head trainer. Although Dave is originally from the Central New York area, he has been training with the Sit Means Sit system since 2009 with Anthony Bracciante in Denver.
While living in Denver, Dave rescued his chocolate lab Maddi. After obtaining mediocre results with other obedience training systems and frustrated that Maddi could not be trusted off leash or around other dogs, he knew there must be an answer to his “problems.” Although Maddi had been labeled by other dog trainers as “unsociable” and was told she should be kept away from other dogs, Dave’s answer came with a FREE demonstration with Anthony and the Sit Means Sit system.
Within minutes, Maddi was off leash and under control around multiple dogs and other distractions. Not only was Maddi under control around severe distractions, but her confidence went through the roof. Maddi went from a timid, and at times, fear aggressive dog, to a happy, confident, and trustworthy dog. “After training with Sit Means Sit, I was able to realize Maddi’s as well as my full potential. She was able to go hiking, snowshoeing, boating, and much more with me! The only frustration I have with the Sit Means Sit system is that I didn’t start earlier.”
Since the demo in 2009, Dave and Maddi haven’t looked back.
Justin is one of our trainers. Growing up right here in Cicero, dogs have always been a huge part of his life. Justin came to Sit Means Sit initially as a client. He is a proud owner of a high energy Weimaraner named Remi.
Remi was trained in basic obedience but Justin wanted more. He was looking for training that would allow quick results with off leash reliability. That’s when he came upon Sit Means Sit.
Quickly falling in love with the Sit Means Sit training process and the fast results Justin didn’t think twice when the opportunity arose to become a part of our family.
Jordan is one of our trainers. Growing up right here in Cicero, she’s grown up with a love of all animals. She has had dogs all her life, along with horses. Currently she owns a German shepherd, Salem.
Jordan joined our team because she wants dogs to have the best possible quality of life and enjoys giving the owners knowledge to help the challenging dogs that most people wouldn’t give the chance.
McKenzie is one of our trainers. McKenzie proudly serve as both an AKC evaluator and a co-evaluator for K-9 Caring Angels, a national therapy and service dog organization. She works with therapy and service dog teams throughout the Syracuse area—and lives with four incredible dogs of her own, including two certified therapy dogs, one service dog, and one spirited pup in training.
With experience ranging from basic obedience to public access work, she’s all about creating confident, well-mannered dogs and building strong relationships between dogs and their people. She believes training should be clear, fun, and tailored to fit your dog’s unique personality.
Whether you’re looking to improve behavior at home, prepare for therapy work, or just strengthen the bond with your dog—she’s here to help you and your pup succeed, one sit at a time!
Jo has grown up with dogs her entire life and currently shares her home with three dogs—Pete, Rosie, and Mac. Rescuing Rosie in 2020 sparked her passion for animal rescue and led her to work hands-on in the rescue world for the past two years, including enrichment work at the Jefferson County SPCA. There, she discovered a deep love for training and helping dogs thrive both mentally and physically.
Jo’s training style is balanced, intentional, and calm, with a strong focus on clarity, timing, and meeting each dog where they are. She enjoys working with higher-energy dogs and believes starting training early is key to preventing behavioral challenges. Jo is especially passionate about foundational skills like place, recall, and engagement, and she loves helping owners feel confident and supported through clear guidance and teamwork. Seeing progress—both in dogs and their families—is her favorite part of being a trainer.
Cam is one of our trainers. He grew up right here in Cicero. No matter how big or small, Cam has always been fascinated by animals. He always had family pets; dogs, cats, and even a tortoise!
He would always watch dog training shows on tv and would try to train his family dog Rudie; So when he saw an opportunity to join Sit Means Sit, he didn’t look back! He quickly saw how fast and reliable the training system worked, and applied it to training Rudie. Now Cam and Rudie go on off leash hikes all over New York State!
As a trainer, Cameron enjoys being able to educate families on how to work with their dog. He loves being able to give every client fast and reliable results!
Isabel is one of our trainers. She was born and raised in central New York. She has been surrounded by animals her entire life. Growing up with both dogs and horses; her passion for animals led her to become a horse instructor and trainer. Initially, she started her career as a dog groomer, but her desire to address dog aggression and anxiety rather than just work around it prompted her to explore further training methods. This journey brought her to the “Sit Means Sit” training philosophy, which she has successfully applied to her own pets. Her rescue, Mille, who struggles with reactive tendencies and her jack Russell mix, Zara, have both shown tremendous improvement under the “Sit Means Sit” training methods. Isabel can’t wait to see where this journey leads her to!
Service Areas
We proudly serve the following areas in .
Cities
- Auburn
- Baldwinsville
- Bayberry
- Brewerton
- Bridgeport
- Camillus
- Cato
- Cayuga
- Cazenovia
- Central Square
- Chittenango
- Cicero
- Clay
- Cleveland
- Cortland
- Constantia
- CNY
- East Syracuse
- Fairmount
- Fayetteville
- Fulton
- Jamesville
- Lakeport
- Lafayette
- Liverpool
- Lyncourt
- Manlius
- Mallory
- Meridan
- North Bay
- Oswego
- Pennellville
- Phoenix
- Salina
- Skaneateles
- Tully
- Woodward
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Check out a few videos to see our dog trainers at work!
Dog Barking Issues
Walking Before & Afters
5 Dogs Off-Leash
Rookie Timid Dog Transformation
Dog Owners Reviews
We love customers and their dogs. They love us.
We had so many people tell us that “you’ll never be able to have a Boxer off leash”, I’m thrilled to say they are very wrong! Zoey is having a blast at the beach being off leash, you can tell she knows it’s a privilege, and is behaving so well. I just had to share!
Amazing! Only 1 week in and my dog has improved leaps and bounds. The transformation is beyond what we would have thought for only week 1. He now can listen and his accidents have decreased ten fold!! Dave is awesome!
I believe you guys have helped me with Honey so much, I can’t praise you enough. Without Sit Means Sit, I’m not sure what I would have done!
I wanted my Pugs to be able to walk loose leash, stay in distracting situations, and come to me when called. We had tried various other training methods and were especially concerned with our dog who would chase cars. With SMS, those goals were mastered with in a couple months. The Pugs have since passed…