Owner/Training Director – Paul Pollock
While living in Denver, Colorado I was looking for a dog trainer for my Australian Cattle Dog. He would bolt when he was off leash and would not come to me when I called him. He had a ton of energy and was also jumping on people and snatching food off the table. I called Sit Means Sit and scheduled my free demonstration. I was blown away with what I saw. Within a few minutes, he had my dog totally under control and making eye contact. I signed up for training on the spot! Within a few short weeks, my dog was completely off leash and I had his full attention no matter what the distraction.
In November 2007, I graduated from The Sit Means Sit School of remote collar dog training. Every year, I work with hundreds of dogs and have continued educating myself and following my passion to be the best dog trainer I can be.
Training accomplishments:
- Certified remote collar specialist of the Sit Means Sit School of Remote Collar Training
- Attended the Sit Means Sit Annual ‘Main Event’ from 2009-2016 where I obtained numerous certifications in advanced training skills
- Invited Speaker for the 2012-2016 Sit Means Sit Annual Main Event Conference
- Completed the following seminars and classes:
- “Protection training”
- “Frisbee Disc” with 2008 & 2010 World Frisbee Dog Champion Lawrence Frederick
- “Building a dog’s confidence”
- “Trained retrieve”
- “Animal Acting” with Ashton Fitz-Gerald
- “Building drive in your dog”
- “Trick training”
- “Advanced obedience training”
- “Working with Aggressive Dogs”
- Certified AKC “Canine Good Citizen” and Bright & Beautiful Therapy Dog Evaluator
- My dogs have been featured in film, television, magazines, and American Greetings cards.
- Trained “Goose Patrol” dog to assist in the constant upkeep and cleanliness of city parks, golf courses, and city center. Dog was trained in full off leash obedience, directional work, and the ability to follow obedience commands in any setting.
- Volunteer at different facilities, including assisted living homes and schools, with my two Bright & Beautiful Certified Therapy Dogs
- Work with numerous animal shelters and dog rescues to help with challenging dogs, including fostering and working them through behavioral issues, to increase adoption readiness.
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Rachel Blose – Vice President of Operations
In 2010 I joined the Sit Means Sit team. I have two St. Bernard/Rottweiler mixes and I was more than ready to get my dogs into training shortly after I started my career with the company. My dogs would counter surf and dig through the trash, not to mention the severe leash pulling! My husband and I did private lessons with Paul at our home and we couldn’t have been happier with the results! In just a few weeks, my out of control pups were fully off leash and obeying every command, regardless of the distraction. Sit Means Sit brought sanity back to our home and we were finally able to enjoy our dogs! Over the years, I’ve been lucky to work with the best trainers in the business and clients who are second to none. Talking with satisfied clients whose dogs started out with behavioral challenges and hearing their success stories has shown me that I am right where I belong!
I received a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from Kent State University and studied at the University of Akron working towards a Master’s Degree. I attend annual Sit Means Sit Main Event corporate conferences to continue my education in customer service and communication, management, software integration, and website optimization.
I spent seven years on the Board of Directors for the National Super Kids Classic, a national soap box derby for children with special needs. I also volunteered at the Humane Society, where I worked with amazing animals who were were a pleasure to be around and eventually adopted into their forever homes!
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Megan McKenzie – Trainer
My career has been dedicated to working with animals. During the past 10 years, I have had the pleasure to work as a veterinary Assistant/Technician in several animal hospitals, manage two different animal shelters, and work for and manage numerous daycare and boarding facilities. I could never imagine a life without animals! I’ve fostered so many over the years that I have lost count. I never stray away from a difficult situation, and have taken on the worst behavioral challenges and medical cases. Out of those fosters, comes my 6 dogs and 4 cats who I love to pieces.
My experience working in animal shelters has helped me to find my true passion – helping the dogs that everyone says cannot be helped. I was drawn to Sit Means Sit because we train the un-trainable -these are the dogs that others have given up on. In 2011, I started my journey with Sit Means Sit. I was working at a veterinary clinic and Sit Means Sit came in to do a lunch and learn. They told us all about how their training program works and I was very impressed! I was having a very difficult time with my Husky/Beagle mix, Sophia. Her dominant personality triggered her to bite any dog that passed her. Training with Sit Means Sit helped Sophia, along with my other dogs, learn to stay focused around distractions and how to be safely be off leash anywhere. I never thought in a million years that I could have a Husky/Beagle off leash. Several years later, I had the opportunity to join the Sit Means Sit team. I worked as the Boarding Manager and then as a trainer at our Ohio location. Now as a trainer here in the Greater Tampa area, I am thrilled to meet with families and their pups. I am proud to be a part of training puppies and watching them develop into well mannered and obedient dogs, as well as helping the overly excited dogs gain control, and building confidence in the shy and more timid dogs. At Sit Means Sit Tampa we aren’t just changing dog’s lives, we’re changing families too!