FirstBark
When I first got Ruedi at nearly four months old, I looked into Sit Means Sit but decided against it. I wasn’t comfortable with the idea of using an e-collar. I thought I could get the job done with more “gentle” training. I signed up for group classes at PetSmart and spent over …Read full reviewClose full review
When I first got Ruedi at nearly four months old, I looked into Sit Means Sit but decided against it. I wasn’t comfortable with the idea of using an e-collar. I thought I could get the job done with more “gentle” training. I signed up for group classes at PetSmart and spent over $400, but while Ruedi learned basic commands, he didn’t listen when it counted. Walks were becoming unsafe. He’s a big, strong dog, and his enthusiasm meant I was getting dragged toward anything remotely interesting. At seven months, I made another call to Sit Means Sit. I was desperate for help, but still apprehensive. Nicole met with me for a consult and took the time to thoroughly explain the collar system. It’s not a shock collar, but a TENS unit, the same technology used in physical therapy. That conversation alone made a huge difference. She listened closely to our goals, observed Ruedi's temperament, and crafted a plan tailored specifically to him and us. Our program included three private training sessions for Ruedi and weekly one-on-one coaching for my partner and me. When we drop him off, Debbie discusses how the previous week went and what our goals are. Nicole and Ed have both trained Ruedi and us and I cannot overstate how helpful they’ve been. This isn’t just a program for your dog; they train you, too. And they do it with patience, humor, and genuine care. They don’t make you feel bad for what you don’t know. They meet you where you’re at and help you level up from there. After just one session, Ruedi stopped pulling my arm out of its socket during walks. He’s not perfect, but now he consistently walks on a loose leash, checks in with me, and sits calmly at doors instead of charging through them. After the second session, we’re refining our technique even more. Nicole watched me walk Ruedi and immediately pinpointed the subtle things I was doing that were confusing him, like hesitating on corrections or missing opportunities for reinforcement. Her advice is always practical and tailored to us. One thing I really appreciate is how they make the process fun. We earn “scoreboard points” for every success during the day. Sits before meals, calmly entering doorways, going to the place, etc. It’s a great way to stay motivated and track progress in small, meaningful wins. They also use little reminders that stick. I'm going to become one of those weirdos with words in their kitchen, but instead of Live Laugh Love, it's going to be some Sit Means Sit-ism. But I won't care, because it's all worked. Ruedi’s transformation is real. He’s still the happy, goofy dog I love, but now he listens. He’s more focused, and so am I. I’m not worried about us getting yanked into traffic or tripping over him at the door. And most of all, I feel supported every step of the way. We are only two weeks in. I can't wait to see how we progress over the next six months. I’m incredibly grateful for Sit Means Sit. I genuinely don’t know what I would’ve done without their help.