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SERVICES WE OFFER

Board & Train

Give your pup a jump start through an immersive board-and-train. During their stay, your pup will learn obedience skills, build impulse control, and grow confidence. At the end, we’ll use a transfer lesson to help you take their new skills home. Ongoing support will ensure their success.

DAY TRAIN

All-day training blends the immersion of a board-and-train with the flexibility of private lessons. Drop your pup off in the morning and pick them up in the evening with a private lesson once a week. Build a stronger bond with your dog and play a greater role in training at home.

GROUP CLASSES

Practice keeping your pup’s attention in a room full of other dogs and owners as you participate in fun and engaging drills, learn new tricks, give agility a try, and strengthen obedience skills.

PUPPY TRAINING

Support your puppy’s development with advice from the experts. Benefit from professionally guided and proven strategies for providing structure, boundaries, and encouraging social skills.

Client experiences

  • I don't write a lot of reviews. I save my comments for companies that exceed our expectations. This is very true of Sit Means Sit! I really appreciated their approach of addressing behavior concerns that we had rather than a standard training routine. The speed of the effectiveness of the training sessions was particularly impressive. Our Trainer, Miranda, was great at not only working with our dog but helping us understand how to reinforce his learned skills.

    Linda Clowers Avatar Linda Clowers
    July 21, 2024

    I cannot recommend Sit Means Sit enough!!! My reactive, chaotic (we’ll call it passionate), 4-year old corgi could barely function on a walk. He was always pulling hard on the leash and reacting to every dog walking by. We loved taking him to places, but he could barely hang in public without causing a nuisance. After 4 weeks of distraction training with Halle, he is able to function in public without so much as one bark! The last hour of each training session is for you as dog parents, so you can learn what your pup was taught that day. This was super helpful so we could work on his teachings at home. Our corgi is laser focused and listens to us so much better than before. Halle is a wonderful trainer and such a positive motivator. I highly recommend her! We are taking the classes now and every single trainer is fantastic to work with. You can tell they love what they do. They always switch up the classes with different fun exercises each week so our dogs can constantly be learning. It may seem like an investment at first, but the value that you receive is undoubtedly worth it. Highly recommend scheduling a tour and seeing for yourself!

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    Kiana Beach Avatar Kiana Beach
    November 21, 2024

    These guys are sooo great! I have a very nervous dog who we have been working with sit means sit for a while now, and my dog has been transforming. The tool of the E collar has made my communication with my dog so much better. Thus strengthening his confidence and our relationship. The one on ones have always been so helpful and informative. And the group classes help keep us consistent. Plus the trainers make it really fun! Highly recommend sit means sit!

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    Fiona Graham Avatar Fiona Graham
    November 14, 2024

  • Life changing training that allows freedom and calms the chaos. This is our third dog to go through the sit-means-sit system and we would never have a dog without it ever again! The training is customized to the dogs specific needs and each one graduates with confidence and behaviors that allow them to do anything.

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    Kara O'Connell Avatar Kara O'Connell
    September 21, 2024

    Every time Dollie,our Boston, trains and boards she comes back happy, refreshed and remembering all of her excellent tips from training. The teams here are amazing and never ever disappoint. I would recommend this to anyone and actually have given training as a gift. It's the gift that keeps giving. Thanks team!!! You are all the best! Love Dollie and her family

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    richelle johnson Avatar richelle johnson
    July 21, 2024

    We adopted Chloe from a local rescue at 2 months old. She was the most high energy out of control puppy & we considered giving her up. Sit Means Sit saved us. They have provided the training for us & Chloe who at age 9 months is on track to be a great dog. We needed a lot of support & the staff was always available to answer our many phone calls. Plus we are clients for life so if we need help in the future the staff will be there for us. Our main trainer Halle has been great.

    Will Coffee Avatar Will Coffee
    October 21, 2024

  • We adopted our dog, Metzi, almost 3 years ago through Street Dog Hero. She has always been the sweetest girl, but it was evident she had a lot of trauma from living on the streets in Mexico. Metzi was afraid of so many things from our ceiling fan to the footsteps of our son upstairs. She would shake and hide under the couch all the time and it felt impossible to help her. She would turn away from treats or spit them out because she was so afraid. We tried a couple different training programs, but it wasn’t until Sit Means Sit that we started to notice a significant difference. Now, our pup acts like a normal dog! She has moments of fear with fireworks or motorcycles, but she isn't afraid of everything like she used to be and can enjoy life. Walking her on leash is something we enjoy now rather than her trying to pull us home. Metzi gets so excited when we put her training collar on because she knows she will be getting good treats and attention. It has been such a pleasure watching her grow into a confident and happy dog. We highly recommend SMS, especially for dogs who have had more difficulty with other programs.

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    Alexsia Lozano Avatar Alexsia Lozano
    July 21, 2024

    Sit means sit has been very helpful in training me to help my dog have more control over himself. Kayla was highly energetic and she was honest about accountability to home practice. I had some trouble in being consistent with the training but Kayla’s voice was always in our ears “ if you do it consistently now it will take a lot less time.” I’m very thankful for the good training and can now see the light at the end of the tunnel. Huckleberry has improved so much. Thank you to a trainer who cares and system that works if you work it.

    Christina Botterill Avatar Christina Botterill
    June 21, 2024

    This training program is truly exceptional in many aspects. The team is incredibly friendly, welcoming, and caring. From the very first day, when I met Jessica during the consultation, I found her to be resourceful and informative. She listened attentively to my situation and provided comfort, demonstrating how much she and the program genuinely care for both the dogs and their owners. This commitment is evident in the training we have enrolled our dog in! Our dog trainer, Miranda, is also exceptional at her profession. Our dog, Ube, adores her and is always excited to see her and looks forward to training with Miranda. Miranda’s expertise and skill are evident in her work. My fiancé and I have gained valuable insights from her through the tips and strategies she provides to help us address Ube's challenges with distraction and reactivity. Ube has made significant progress; by the fourth week, she was able to heel and walk alongside us without attempting to lunge or bark at other dogs. Previously, she struggled with maintaining eye contact, but we have noticed significant improvement in her ability to focus on us, particularly in the presence of other dogs. Overall, Sit Means Sit is an excellent training program that I highly recommend! It offers great value for both time and money, particularly given the quality of work they deliver. The team is sincere and genuinely caring towards your fur babies. I strongly recommend this training program!!

    Reanna Exconde Avatar Reanna Exconde
    October 21, 2024

WHY CHOOSE SIT MEANS SIT

The most important thing to our trainers is happiness for everyone — dogs and owners alike. Owning a dog that struggles with aggression or constantly bounces off the walls strains everyone’s quality of life. That’s why the team at Sit Means Sit Portland works tirelessly to succeed.

Through specialized board-and-train and day train options that meet each dog’s unique needs, our devoted dog trainers use attention-based training techniques paired with positive reinforcement. Our trainers provide ongoing support through one-on-one lessons and group classes to help dogs and their owners through real-life challenges to reach their full potential.

Sit Means Sit Dog Training specializes in behavioral challenges such as aggression towards people and dogs, separation anxiety, fear and submission issues, leash reactivity, and high-energy puppies. Every dog that goes through the training program is invited to attend group classes for the rest of their lives, including classes in highly-distracting environments, as well as classes that focus on tricks, agility and obedience.

In our free consultation, we design a program to fit each dog and owner’s goals. Our unique lifetime warranty lets trainers build a lasting relationship with their clients. There’s no dog we can’t train, from a 150-pound Mastiff to a 5-pound Pomeranian. Reach your top goals with our trainers today.

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Our Team

BOBBY

HEAD TRAINER

Bobby has a passion for excellence in training that delivers proven results. Since joining Sit Means Sit, he has trained dogs professionally in Oregon, Washington, Colorado, Nevada and New York, working alongside some of the best dog trainers in the country.

Bobby’s been working with dogs here in Portland since 2011, delivering quality training that strengthens the bond between people and “man’s best friend.” His goal of training is to teach owners they can do more with their dog than they ever thought possible. Experience has shown him that dogs are never too old to change and that there is always hope — even when the situation seems most dire.
Bobby has three dogs with three very different personalities: a black lab named Jaws, a Belgian malinois named Loki and a papillon named JuneBug. Each dog’s unique characteristics add fun and adventure to everyday life.

BRIAN

HEAD TRAINER

Always a dog owner, it wasn’t until college that Brian took interest in the psychology and obedience training of dogs. A college roommate’s unruly dog became the perfect chance to apply classical and operant conditioning theories he learned about in the classroom. That interest grew into a true passion.

In addition to his college degree, Brian earned certification as a Canine Training and Behavior Specialist through the Triple Crown Training Academy in Texas, where he worked with fresh puppies and hyper-sensitive, aggressive dogs alike.

Sit Means Sit Dog Training changed the way Brian trains dogs. Never before has he been able to get such fast results from dogs and owners alike. It’s the dream of every dog trainer to be able to consistently produce a happy, tail-wagging, obedient dog that fully integrates into their owner’s life. Building obedience becomes self-rewarding for both owner and dog, and strengthens the relationship. As dogs become more trustworthy, the possibilities become endless.

JESSICA

HEAD TRAINING CONSULTANT

Jessica’s journey with Sit Means Sit Dog Training began as a client in 2013, when she sought help for her newly adopted German Shepherd/Shar Pei named Marcy. She quickly found Marcy to be unpredictable and aggressive, making life with her furry best friend sad and restrictive.

As clients, Jess and Marcy worked hard. Her panting, pending lawsuit of a dog soon turned into a companion she could trust on adventures across the Pacific Northwest.
In the summer of 2016, Jess joined the Sit Means Sit team, eager to help families overcome similar struggles and reach the same goals with their own dogs. She is fueled by seeing hundreds of dogs and owners whose quality of life is so vastly improved by Sit Means Sit Dog Training — just like her and Marcy.
Now she has an Australian Cattle Dog named Otter with energy as boundless as her own.

HALLE

OPERATIONS MANAGER & LEAD TRAINER

Halle is no stranger to animals and their behavior. Since childhood, she has been an avid horseback rider and rode competitively through high school, ultimately teaching horseback riding education and lessons.

She came to Portland after graduating from the Metropolitan State University of Denver with a degree in Integrative Healthcare. Her expertise in health especially focuses on root causes, rather than just treating symptoms. That approach perfectly mirrors Sit Means Sit: To understand what causes dogs to react in certain ways, and how to help them through their struggles and create meaningful change. She joined the Sit Means Sit team in 2020, bringing with her a holistic approach to training and behavior.

A fun fact about Halle: she’s a sponsored skateboarder. When she’s not skateboarding or training dogs, you’ll find her exploring Oregon’s green forests and foggy coasts with her cattle dog mix, Buck.

MIRANDA

LEAD TRAINER

Miranda’s unexpected passion for dog training began with Buster, a black cattle dog mix she found running around the streets of Hillsboro, chasing cars and biting tires. She spent two weeks trying to find his owner, during which Buster peed in her bed, chewed up everything and caused mayhem. “Don’t get attached to this dog,” Miranda told her husband. But when they finally found Buster’s owner, he was an old man who had a heart attack and let Buster out into the streets for fear he would not survive in the house alone. Miranda knew she couldn’t give Buster up after that.

When the Navy sent Miranda and her husband to Hawaii for three years, Miranda left Oregon with a goal: Fix Buster. She spent those three years working with dogs in a facility and training Buster on her own. She had no idea what she was doing, and did everything wrong. Then she learned what she was doing, and did everything right. When she landed back in Oregon, she was proud to show off the dog Buster has become — a trustworthy, successful, good dog. Sometimes it’s hard to see the light and the end of the tunnel, but Miranda learned that with enough hard work and the proper guidance, the light is always there.

She joined the Sit Means Sit team in the Spring of 2017 with the goal of showing other owners that light. She also owns a dog named Penelope, as well as cats, chickens and other birds.

MATT

TRAINER

Hailing from Hawaii, Matt’s love for dogs began when he first visited the humane society as a child. Although he grew up without a canine companion, a college friend’s request for dog sitting reignited Matt’s love for dogs. What began as a casual gig evolved into a calling. Balancing political science studies with dog sitting, Matt discovered his passion leaned towards the latter.

Outside of work, Matt fills his time with sports, gym sessions, and exploring every corner of Portland with his faithful companion, Noodle, in tow. Matt is committed to ensuring that dogs can be part of every adventure.

ETHAN

TRAINER

Ethan was raised in Colorado by a mother who taught him to be an advocate for animals. They lived on a ranch where Ethan helped take care of cattle, pigs, sheep, chickens and ducks, goats and alpacas. His favorite part of each day was caring for the livestock guardian dogs — two Great Pyrenees named Zaz and Zuzu. He helped raise their two litters of puppies and a passion for working with dogs was born.

After joining Sit Means Sit Portland, Ethan adopted a big, goofy Pit Bull/Lab mix named Pac — a street dog from California. Pac was afraid of men and has a few battle scars from his time on the streets, but his particularly cute snaggletooth won Ethan over. Ethan made it his mission to build Pac’s confidence and give him the guidance to be successful in his new life. Together, they are on a mission to show that no matter what’s in a pup’s backstory, their quality of life can skyrocket with training.

Ethan loves producing music, watching movies, and exploring Oregon with Pac. He stays in close contact with his family in Colorado, talking almost every day.

KAYLEE

TRAINER

Kaylee has only ever known one career: Working with animals. While she started school to become an interior designer, she quickly realized her passion has always been in the animal field — literally. She began competitively showing her horse, Maverick, in 4-H when she was 12 years old. Maverick wasn’t her only animal growing up. There were dogs, cats, bunnies, rats, lizards, fish and birds. She’s never known a life without animals.

But it wasn’t until she joined the Sit Means Sit team that Kaylee understood how much animals truly enhance life. Growing up with a people- and dog-reactive dog, she knows first-hand the struggle of taking dogs with behavioral challenges on trips, inviting friends into the home, or going on a simple walk. She works hard so that families can take their beloved pups out and about, and enjoy doing it. Kaylee has a strong desire to help better people’s lives alongside their animal companions.

Outside of work, Kaylee competitively shows her newly adopted horse, Goose, and builds on her own training journey with her Pittie, Peanut.

CASSIE

OFFICE MANAGER & CLIENT SUPPORT

Cassie started her career with Sit Means Sit in January 2016 after almost a decade of managing restaurants. She felt it was time for a change, so when she moved to Portland from New York, she took the opportunity to start over. Cassie spent several years as a dog trainer before moving to her current role as Office Manager and Client Support.

Cassie has always had a passion for dogs, and her goals at Sit Means Sit include fine-tuning her craft, spreading her love of animals and helping clients build a lasting bond with their own pets through training.

KAYLA

SOCIAL MEDIA & CONTENT MANAGER

As one of Sit Means Sit Portland’s original employees, Kayla started as a hard-working kennel technician before transitioning into the office where she now serves as Social Media Manager, Office Assistant and Swiss Army Knife.

Kayla manages the Facebook and Instagram pages, editing all training videos and posts. By showcasing the fun side of the team and emphasizing the transformative impact that training can have on a dog’s life, she creates a positive, welcoming space where clients can share their successes and be inspired to begin their own training journeys.