Sit Means Sit - Massachusetts

I honestly don’t know where to begin with this review! We recently enrolled our 5-month-old black lab in Dave’s training program, and the results have been nothing short of amazing. Before training, our puppy was extremely hyper, incredibly strong, had zero listening skills, and seemed determined to eat absolutely everything in sight. From the moment he woke up until bedtime, everything felt chaotic and stressful. We completed the full program, which included one full training day followed by two additional lessons. When I arrived to pick him up after that first day, I could immediately feel the difference. For the first time in months, I could breathe. We still had work to do at home, but the transformation was remarkable. What sets Dave apart is not only his ability to train dogs, but also his ability to teach owners. He is patient, knowledgeable, and provides practical guidance that sets both you and your dog up for long-term success. He takes the time to explain the “why” behind everything, making it easy to stay consistent and continue building on the progress. Yes, training is an investment, but this program was worth every single penny. The peace of mind, improved behavior, and stronger relationship we now have with our dog are priceless. If you’re considering training for your dog, I cannot recommend Dave highly enough.

Dave has been fantastic to work with and an absolute game changer when it comes to dog training. His famous saying, "I love you, but you have to," really sums up his approach. He taught us the importance of consistency, discipline, and practice with our pup, Junie. It's like she is a completely different dog. She's obedient, attentive, and well-behaved, while still being playful and full of personality. She now understands the difference between when it's time to listen and follow commands and when it's time to have fun and just be a dog. One of the best compliments we get is, "Wow, you're so lucky to have such a calm puppy." Little do they know that luck had nothing to do with it- it took a lot of work, consistency, and Dave's guidance to get us here! We couldn't be happier with the results and highly recommend Dave to anyone looking for a trainer who not only teaches your dog but teaches you how to be a better dog owner as well.

We had a very good experience working with Dave at Sit Means Sit. From our first meeting, Dave was professional, knowledgeable, and genuinely interested in helping both my dog and me improve. He took the time to understand my dog's behavior, explain the training process, and answer my questions in a way that was easy to understand. What stood out to me was Dave's ability to adapt the training to my dog's specific needs and personality. He provided practical techniques that were easy to practice at home and gave useful guidance on how to reinforce good habits between sessions. His calm and patient approach helped make the training process less stressful for both me and my dog. Throughout the program, Dave was supportive and encouraging. He focused not only on teaching my dog commands and better behavior but also on helping me become more consistent and confident as a handler. The lessons were clear, and I felt like I always had a better understanding of what I needed to work on after each session. The results have been noticeable. My dog is more responsive, listens better, and is generally easier to manage in everyday situations. While training is always an ongoing process, we've made meaningful progress and have a solid foundation to continue building on.

Our vet recommended Sit Means Sit when we realized that we needed to have better control over our 6-year old rescue, Oskar. He wasn’t as obedient as we needed him to be, especially around our young grandchildren. We were initially worried how Oskar would handle his first full day of training as he can be apprehensive with people he doesn’t know. However, before we even left that first day Dave had already gained Oskar’s trust and attention through his experience, patience and gentle approach. Throughout the program Dave ensured that we had the tools, knowledge and confidence to handle Oskar in distracting environments. We highly recommend Dave and the Sit Means Sit program. Oskar does too!!

I can not say enough about my experience working with Dave! My 3yr old pup Scruffy was out of control. He was super reactive to people and animals. Walking Scruffy was a nightmare. If he saw anyone or any dog he would lunge and pull. If scruffy was off leash and saw anyone/ anything in the distance he was gone. He had zero recall. After one day with Dave scruff was a different dog. There was a dramatic difference in his anxiety and reactivity! In 3 weeks Scruff is an absolute joy to walk! He is even starting to be able to walk off leash at a park and not leave my side! Honestly I wish I had done this sooner! Dave is incredibly kind, knowledgeable and always available to talk via phone or text. I would give 10 out of 10 stars if that were an option!