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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

  • The team here really love dogs. Working with them was such a great experience. We have a huge 80-lb lab mix and they have helped him become a working dog--a great support for our son. There is work involved for the owners, and the trainers help you every step of the way. If you put the work in, you will be rewarded with a wonderfully behaved dog. I now understand why people make this investment. And with Sit Means Sit, you get lifelong support and group trainings. It's totally worth it. I had reservations at the beginning, but I am so glad I went through with it. Our dog is no longer pulling on the leash, jumping on people and counters. It's been a great experience.

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    Leah Bloomberg Avatar Leah Bloomberg
    September 21, 2024

    George is one of 'THOSE' dogs. A huge heart that he can't always control and others don't always understand. It was shaped by trauma in an earlier chapter - edgy, reactive and impulsive as means for vigilance and survival. We think love conquers all. And Sit Means Sit does too. George has been through several weeks of SMS Training and daily practice. And the steady doses of structured, research-driven love and learning are softening the rough edges and delivering an amazing dog with a personality to match. There is a great foundation to the SMS program, but the not-so-secret formula for success is personalization by each trainer to fit our furry friend with OUR family. We're not perfect, but getting better every day. What more can we ask for? Place! Heel! Break!* aka Squirrel!

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    Richard Recker Avatar Richard Recker
    September 21, 2024

    Sit Means Sit Portland has by far exceeded my expectations! My 2 year old German Shepherd was aggressive toward other dogs after having been attacked by a dog off leash when she was still a puppy. I had tried multiple training programs and while they had helped a little, the Board and Train program has changed our lives. She has now graduated Reactive Dog class and moved to Basic Group Class. Being just a few feet away from other dogs, she is calm and focused. Every single trainer is kind and knowledgeable, and takes a personal interest in her (and my progress). Thank you so much SMS team!!

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    Laura Morrison Avatar Laura Morrison
    June 21, 2024

  • We had Blaze participate in the Board and Train Program and we had such a positive experience! We gained so much insight and information to work with Blaze when he came home and the support Sit Means Sit provides us with has been amazing. They made sure we had our questions answered and are always willing to help assist us over the phone, through messaging and in our follow up sessions. Blaze is much happier since going to training and we have been so impressed with the progress he has made as well as the support we have received. We highly recommend Sit Means Sit and appreciate all their help- Matt and their staff have gone above and beyond to help us ❤️

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    Jacque Lambert Avatar Jacque Lambert
    November 14, 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

    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

  • 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

    I enrolled my pup in training to help give us both tools on how to manage her emotions in overstimulating situations since she’s an anxious-reactive dog. The trainer I worked (Miranda) with was very encouraging and clear in her instructions. These sessions helped my pup a lot and we still continually work on the skills she learned in her day train program. A big reason I chose this program was because they give you free group training sessions for the dog’s lifetime! I’ve been able to attend these and wish I could attend more. I gave 4 stars because I think an area of opportunity could be to increase the available time slots for the group training sessions. Overall though, I’ve recommended to others who have dogs with behavioral issues or just need help training.

    Angel Glockling Avatar Angel Glockling
    June 21, 2024

    I truly recommend this place for training! My great pyrenees used to bark, launch and chase/bite any other dogs and humans that visits our house, my family had a lot of concerns from his behavior, that’s when we decided to bring him in to SIT MEANS SIT for some training , after a couple classes we got his confidence back and my whole family was impressed, they thought I brought back a different dog, my dog doesn’t have those behaviors anymore. Every time we go on hikes he would heel and stay close to me, and if other dog barks or tries to jump on him, he would look at me as if he’s saying: “ this other dog is delulu, let’s get outta here.” I love how much confidence and good dog he has become today. Thank youuuuu😭😭😭

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    KK Avatar KK
    June 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.