Best Dog Training In Towson

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Towson & Owings Mills Dog Training Experts

Sit Means Sit Dog Training Towson provides professional dog and puppy obedience training in Towson, Owings Mills, Lutherville, Timonium, Reisterstown, Cockeysville, Hunt Valley, and surrounding Maryland areas.

Sit Means Sit Dog Training Towson is part of the largest dog training franchise in the United States with over 140 locations. We want to make your life easier, and this starts with a well-behaved dog! Our advanced obedience training will help make your dog happy, obedient, and confident.

Our professional dog trainers understand that every dog is different in their personality and behaviors, so we provide a variety of training options for your unique dog. Our programs and classes range from basic puppy training to extended-stay board and trains. We also specialize in behavioral issues such as aggression, separation anxiety, and fear/reactivity.

We would love to meet you and your dog! If you have any questions or would like to learn more, give us a call and schedule a free training consultation!

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About Sit Means Sit Dog Training

Dog Training Programs

Any Dog Any Age Any Problem

Day Training

Day Training

This program is designed for the busy family who wants the results similar to a board and train program, but without having to be without your pup. You’ll be amazed with how much of a difference a day makes! During Day Training we will teach your dog structure and skills that will enhance your relationship.

The best part? You’re included every step of the way! After each session, you will meet with a trainer and go over what was covered that day so you can practice training at home before your next session.

We can also focus on specific behavioral issues such as separation anxiety, fear, or aggression. The results will be a happy, confident, and well-behaved companion!

Group classes are also included with our Day Training programs in order to provide further support and practice for the dog and owner.

Ready to get started? Fill out our free consultation form today!

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Private Lessons

Private Lessons

Private Lessons are designed to incorporate the owner into the training experience. During this program, our experienced trainers can help tackle your dog’s individual challenges, whether it be aggression, fearfulness, or separation anxiety.

Private, one-on-one training allows you to work side by side with your dog throughout their training and is great for learning skills and techniques to reinforce at home.

Group classes are also included with our private lessons in order to provide further support and practice for dog and owner.

Contact us today to learn more!

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Puppy Program

Puppy Program

Get your new family member off on the right foot with our puppy training program!

The first 20 weeks of your puppy’s life are crucial in establishing strong obedience and social skills to last a lifetime. Beginning anytime after 8 weeks of age, our program targets your puppy’s obedience skills when they’re in their crucial learning stage.

This program allows us to build a strong foundation for success and helps puppies learn to overcome fears and learn fundamental basics. Our puppy trainers make this FUN and educational for puppies and their owners!

The Puppy Training program will focus on:

  • House-Breaking
  • Kennel Training
  • Socializing your Puppy
  • Basic Commands
  • Leash Walking
  • And so much more!

Start your new pup off on the right paw! Contact us for a free consultation.

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Group Class

Group Class

Once your dog has completed one of our individual training programs (day train program or private lessons) they can join us in group class! 

Group classes are a great way to keep your dog socialized and allow your dog to continue their training around other dogs, owners, and a variety of distractions.

We offer a variety of dates and time to accommodate the busiest schedules! Our current classes are held on the following dates and times:

  • Tuesday’s @ 9:30am
  • Thursday’s @ 7:30pm
  • Saturday’s @ 9am
  • Saturday’s @10:30am
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FAQs

Get answers to some of our most commonly asked questions:

Yes! At Sit Means Sit, we send our trainers to school regularly, putting them through extensive training classes and certification programs. Investing heavily in training allows our trainers to work more effectively with your dog, and to better-tailor our approach. From basic training methods using the Sit Means Sit Collar to more advanced techniques and tools, each of our certified trainers is equipped with the practical, applied know-how necessary for helping you and your dog achieve your training goals. At Sit Means Sit, we have trained and are trusted by over 35,000 dogs nationwide.

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.

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 and get a sneak peak into our proven process.

Each of our 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 owner. 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’s 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 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 tools to achieve the goals of the customer and their dog.

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 approach 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

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Trainers & Staff

Professional trainers. Attentive friendly staff.

Matt StrongHEAD TRAINER / OWNER

As far back as I can remember I was helping my Dad train his German Short Haired Pointers in Ft. Lauderdale Florida. We raised quail to assist with training of the dogs. I have fond memories of my Dad letting me show our dog Buddy during a competition in the Smoky Mountains. Since that time I’ve owned numerous dogs and breeds. My wife and I love dogs so much we hobby breed German Shepherds.

My wife Tracey and I bought a dog kennel in Bel Air, MD where we offer overnight boarding. We see so many dogs with behavioral issues come to our kennel and we really wanted to help owners and dogs live their best life with each other.

 I was working a corporate job in the energy/technology sector. I was going through security at the Atlanta airport and literally ran into Fred Hassen and Alfredo Rivera, the Founders of Sit Means Sit. After doing some research I realized these guys were the best of the best. My boss called and said they were eliminating my position. That day we decided to jump in with both feet and open our Sit Means Sit dog training franchise. I completed training and certification through Sit Means Sit with Fred Hassen the CEO and Founder.

Kate MathiasHEAD TRAINER / OWNER

Kate is a devoted wife and mother of three, expertly balancing her family life with a profound passion for animals. With three cherished dogs – Sammy, Hades, and Millie – she finds immense joy in their companionship and is dedicated to helping each of them reach their full potential. Kate’s love for animals extends beyond dogs; she has a deep-seated affection for horses, evident in her commitment to training her beloved Thoroughbred, Prince. Kate’s fascination with animal behavior began at a young age and has guided her professional journey.

Her dedication to understanding and nurturing the bond between pets and their owners led her to pursue training as a vocation. Currently, Kate’s focus lies in training Sammy to become a therapy dog. Leveraging her expertise, she aims to strengthen the connection between dogs and their owners, ultimately bringing comfort and joy to those in need. With her unwavering dedication, Kate embodies our commitment to fostering harmonious relationships between pets and their families, enriching lives through the power of companionship and understanding.

Dan Strong

Dan StrongDirector of Sales

I came to work at Sit Means Sit after months of discussions with my brother Matthew. We would have long conversations as his journey was about to begin. We had worked together many years in the mortgage business and always desired to work together again. Life has its way of aligning the stars. My wife and I were about to have our youngest child Dutton. God saw fit to bring Dutton 6 weeks early.

This started the chain of events of my wife taking an extended leave from her job at Belk. We wanted to be closer to family and my brother Matthew offered me the opportunity to work with him at Sit Means Sit. I made the leap and started commuting from NC to Maryland every week. Finally after over 15 years my brother and I were reunited and working together in a business we both love. My love for dogs and my family makes every day so rewarding. We have an amazing team and do everything we can for our clients and employees.

Melissa MortonManaging Director

Melissa joined the Sit Means Sit team after 15 years with big brands like Target and Under Armour, where she developed skills centered around people, processes, systems and technology. Melissa began her journey as a client, training her rambunctious puppy Ezra, and was inspired by the energy, transformation and impact she experienced while training. Melissa is committed to the pursuit of excellence in all aspects of the client journey, supporting our amazing team members and optimizing our business.

Carmen Huneke

Carmen HunekeLocation Manager

Carmen joined the Sit Means Sit family as a client with her dog, Daisy, who had a history of resource guarding and reactivity. Through training, Carmen and Daisy have strengthened their relationship and learned to fully trust one another which has led to them having a happy and fulfilling life together. Carmen is determined to provide all of her Sit Means Sit clients with the same experience. She is continuing to grow as an owner and a trainer every day and she can’t wait to meet you and your pup!

Tori Gorham

Tori GorhamOperations Manager

Tori has supreme experience in management and customer relations makes her an extremely valuable part of our team! She has always had a love and passion for dogs and her own fur baby Cam is a graduate of our training program as well! Tori seeks to see every dog owner find success with our programs and is happy to help every step of the way!

Amanda MoffettOffice Coordinator

Amanda brings over a decade of experience in customer service, coupled with more than eight years in management roles. With a lifelong love for animals and a history of owning dogs, Amanda’s passion for all creatures, great and small shines through in her work. She excels in customer service, finding fulfillment in assisting our clients in achieving their goals with their beloved pups. Amanda’s dedication to both our clients and their furry companions ensures that every interaction is met with care, expertise, and a commitment to excellence.

Toni Mcullough

Toni MculloughOffice Support

Toni was a previous client at Sit Means Sit before joining. Toni has 2 dogs a goldencavapoo and yorkiepoo. Toni has been in the customer service world for many years, and enjoys being able to help every step of the way!

Ashley PilkingtonOffice Support

Ashley worked in customer service for over 15 years and wanted a more rewarding career. Dutchess is Ashley’s first lab; she grew up with only rottweilers. No one in the family wanted to be around Dutchess before she was trained at Sit Means Sit, but now everyone loves her and seeing the amazing progress she’s made!

Grace WilliamsLead Trainer

Grace started with Sit Means Sit as a client! Her dog Toby was struggling with separation anxiety and reactivity towards other dogs. Through the training process, they created an even stronger bond, which allowed Toby to become a happier, more confident! Seeing the positive changes in Toby, Grace became passionate about helping other dogs, and their owners overcome similar struggles. She is always working to be a better trainer through self-study and learning from other trainers. When Grace and Toby are not working towards a Canine Good Citizen title, they have a lot of fun learning new tricks and exploring new places! We are so lucky to have Grace as part of the team!

Becca Fabula

Becca FabulaTrainer

Becca has always had a love of dogs! After growing up helping in the family business, she decided to branch out. Becca wanted to help her dog, Banjo, become more reliable and improve her skills as a dog trainer. She had been working with Banjo for a few years but had the desire to learn more. Becca met Daniel at the Timonium, MD Pet Expo and he set things in motion right away. She loves hiking and outdoor adventures with Banjo, and is always looking for ways to improve!

Stephanie Schultz

Stephanie SchultzTrainer

Stephanie started with Sit Means Sit as a client with her own dog Finley, who struggled with reactivity towards other dogs. Stephanie has previous experience caring for and training horses! The training at Sit Means Sit has allowed her and Finley to go on many adventures and strengthen their bond together. She aspires to continually grow as a dog owner and trainer so that she can help others be successful with their dogs!

Elizabeth Benjamin

Elizabeth BenjaminTrainer

Elizabeth initially started her training journey with her dog Finnigan prior to joining us, and was looking for a way to get more out of her relationship with him. Not only has she been able to help her reactive dog become more trusting of her and more reliable in stressful situations, but she’s helped many of our clients do the same with their own dogs! She is looking to enter scent detection training, and hopes to make a difference in every dog and family she meets!

Tamar KieweTrainer

Tamar has two incredible dogs, Kepler and Leon. Kepler boasts an impressive resume, with over 30 titles under his belt, making him a well-rounded and accomplished canine companion. As a retired service dog, Kepler’s experience and skills are sure to inspire and enrich training sessions. Meanwhile, Leon is a rising star, currently holding over a dozen titles and constantly striving for more. Not only is Leon excelling in various competitions, but he also serves as a reliable mobility support and medical alert service dog, showcasing his dedication to helping others. Tamar’s expertise and passion for dog training, along with Kepler’s and Leon’s remarkable achievements, make them a great trio to learn from.

Hannah PlummerTrainer

Hannah and her rescue pittie Nala are such a great team. After graduating with a psychology degree, Hannah decided to pursue her love of dogs and joined the Sit Means Sit family. Some of Hannah and Nala’s favorite things to do together are weekend beach trips and eating at dog-friendly restaurants! They recently earned the Canine Good Citizen award through the AKC and they are so excited to meet you and your pup!

Kayla StaubsTrainer

Kayla found her love for dog training with her first dog, Sage, while completing her Pet Dog Training Certification at Montgomery College in 2021. Kayla has also completed her certification in the Foundations of Canine Fitness. Her and Sage love playing fetch and going on road trips together, as Sage is always on the go! Kayla enjoys working with families that also have high-energy dogs like hers, and helping them grow together!

Sit Means Sit SMS Elizabeth Biondo

Elizabeth BiondoTrainer

Beth started her journey with her golden retriever, Savannah. Since then, she has adopted a crazy pit bull-husky mix named Sahara, who is her current work companion and training project. Beth has loved seeing her relationship with Sahara grow while working at Sit Means Sit, and she is looking forward to continuing to learn and train with her. Beth is completing her associate degree at Harford Community College and hopes to transfer to a university in Fall 2024 to get a bachelor’s degree in animal sciences. One of Beth’s favorite things about working for Sit Means Sit is seeing the life-changing transformation in the lives of owners and their dogs. She loves helping both people and dogs gain confidence and build happier relationships through training.

 

Cynthia “Cyndi” DreibandTrainer

Cyndi Dreiband is a dedicated dog trainer with a profound love for the Presa Canario breed. With two magnificent Presa Canarios as companions, Cyndi initially embarked on her dog training journey to help one with its reactivity. Along the way, she found her true passion for dog training. Cyndi is not only canine enthusiast and a warm individual, but she also generously dedicates her time coaching the Special Olympics. Cyndi shares her life with a loving husband, two wonderful children, two canine companions, and a ball python, making their household a hub of love and compassion.

Service Areas

We proudly serve the following areas in Towson & Owings Mills.

Cities

  • Towson
  • Owings Mills
  • Lutherville
  • Timonium
  • Reisterstown
  • Cockeysville
  • Hunt Valley

Zip Codes

  • 21030
  • 21031
  • 21071
  • 21093
  • 21117
  • 21136
  • 21152
  • 21204
  • 21286

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Sit Means Sit has 157 locations across the US and Canada.

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Dog Training Videos

Check out a few videos to see our dog trainers at work!

Protection Training

Heel Up and Down The Stairs

Gambit – One Year Old Havanese

Sit Means Sit Commercial

5 Star Reviews

We love customers and their dogs. They love us.

Pam V.

The staff is highly qualified and prepared to train even the most difficult dogs. Most important, the staff is loving, kind, and firm with the dogs. They are consistently patient, kind, and supportive with pet owners.

Amanda H.

The entire process with Sit Means Sit was seamless from consult to pickup. The daily updates With pics were great for my daughter who missed our pup tremendously and i was stunned at the progress Haley made with just one week of training. Shes focused and listens so well now. They went above and beyond…

Amber M.

I can’t believe how much progress our dog has made in just 2 sessions!! Matt and the team are always incredibly supportive and amazing to work with. We are so happy we made the decision to train with Sit Means Sit to help Oakley become a happier, stronger, and even more amazing dog. I can’t…

Anita C.

Sit Means Sit has already been a great experience for us! Matt is wonderful and the rest of the staff are friendly and knowledgeable! So far my dog has made strides toward a happier life. He is very dog and people reactive. With the tools that Matt and his team have provided, I have already…