Dog owners who have completed any training program (such as the Day Train program, which is the perfect blend of boarding and private lessons) we offer are welcome to join other dog owners for group dog training classes with professional trainers. These...
Recently, our founder, Fred Hassen was interviewed about how this all started. It’s quite a story! Listen for yourself here. Sit Means Sit is the largest dog training company in the country. We have over 170 locations across the U.S. But it...
Did you know that approximately 65% of small businesses fail within the first 10 years they are open?! That’s crazy. Only 25% of small businesses make it to 15 years or more. We aren’t going anywhere! We just celebrated our 10 year...
The holidays are fast approaching. Perhaps faster than some of us would like! If the impending holiday season means traveling to see friends and family for the holidays, big decisions about whether to mask or not mask (*ahem Covid*) or take...
Halloween. A time for spooky decorations, costumes, candy, and jack-o-lanterns. While Halloween is a fun-filled, exciting holiday for humans, it can seem strange and unusual and perhaps even frightening to dogs. Their world becomes transformed into a spooky atmosphere of different...
I think we all know the old saying that goes something like “Idle minds cause trouble.” This saying can be especially true when it comes to our dogs. When a dog is bored, it can lead him down a path to trouble...
Fall is a fun time of the year, whether you’re a human or a dog. From piles of leaves to play in, nature walks to take in the crisp air, to festivals galore, there is always something going on to enjoy the...
Ticks. No one likes them. And no one wants to find one embedded in their skin or in their dog. Unfortunately, ticks are everywhere, so it’s important to know how to keep you and your dog tick-free when enjoying the outdoors. ...
Cleaning your dog’s ears is an important part of grooming and hygiene for your pet to keep him happy and healthy. Ear cleanings help prevent infections and irritations and are especially important in breeds with floppy ears. But do all dogs need...
As summer temperatures soar, many dog owners question if they should groom their dogs for the summer heat. The thought is tempting, especially if you’re worried about your Huskie, St. Bernard, or Goldendoodle being as hot as you wearing that fur coat....
Police have been using dogs to help do their work since the middle ages. The military has been officially using them since 1942. With their loyal personalities and fantastic sense of smell, dogs are the obvious option to help officers do their...
Everyone loves a good picnic or BBQ celebration. Our dogs are no exception to that rule. With the allure of running and playing outside and perhaps getting a tasty treat, dogs are all too eager to jump in the car and accompany...
With summer in full swing, you and your dog may be looking for a way to stay cool. A swim in a pool or a lake is a great way to have fun and cool off. While this can be great fun...
Summer is here! Time for picnics, summer fun, and fireworks to celebrate the 4th of July. For us, fireworks are a time of excitement and awe. However, for our dogs, this can be a terrifying experience. So what should you do if...
We’ve been looking at the different types of jobs dogs can do during our Sit Means Sit Working Dogs series. First, we took a look at a brief overview of The Difference Between Service Dogs, Therapy Dogs, and Emotional Support Animals. Then...
Welcome back to our series on working dogs. In our last post we explored the role of Emotional Support animals. This week Sit Means Sit is jumping into the world of therapy dogs. So what is a therapy dog exactly? ...
Has your dog ever sensed when you’ve had a terrible day and has instinctively cuddled up next to you to try to make it all better? Dog’s have an uncanny ability to sense our needs and emotions and seem to know...
What’s The Difference Between Service, Therapy, and Emotional Support Dogs? Keep reading as Sit Means Sit breaks it down for you. There is a lot of buzz about service dogs, therapy dogs, and emotional support dogs these days. But often, the...
You’re sitting on the couch watching TV. Your faithful pup is lying at your feet sleeping. Suddenly you start to notice him twitching. His tail starts to thump, and he starts yipping ever so slightly. You think, “What the heck? Is...
You just came home with your new best friend. Maybe you went to a breeder, perhaps you went to a shelter, maybe he actually found you- either way, what do you do now? Other than love, food, and shelter, what else could...
Trying to figure out your dog’s age? Read on, as our team may be able to help you find that answer. We all know the equation – Take how many “human” years old your dog is multiplied by 7 to figure...
Dog clothes. It seems these days that you can dress your dog to fit any occasion. This sparks a question though, do dogs really need to wear clothes? I mean, they have lots of fur covering their entire body, right? Surely they...
It’s the phrase most parents and possibly spouses dread to hear, “Can I have a puppy for Christmas?” And who wouldn’t LOVE to find a cute, fuzzy, soft, adorable puppy under the Christmas tree? If you’re a dog person, I think...
Well, we’ve made it to the last part of this crazy year. The holiday season is officially upon us, and before you know it, the wonderful smells that accompany this time of year will be gracing our nostrils. Consequently, they also...
Our team gets lots of phone calls asking for in-home lessons. In theory these are great. It’s private instruction at your home, tailored to your needs, your dog’s behaviors and in your normal environment. So, why aren’t private lessons a good place...
Do you have a first aid kit prepared for your dog? Where is it? Does it travel with you? Here are some common items that you should have in your first dog’s first aid kit: Place everything in a durable and portable...
https://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/canine-corner/201905/do-puppy-classes-have-effect-later-dog-behavior?eml
...We see A LOT of dogs each year. And we are starting to see A LOT of dogs with food allergies. But where did they come from? It seems that 30 years ago pet allergies were unheard of by owners and vets....
Our dogs love the snow and cold weather, luckily, so do I. We’re still out daily for our walks, which means I have to take extra care of their paws this time of year. Most people know that salt can be very...
UPDATE: On 1/12/2018 Camp Bow Wow updated their vaccination requirements to include the Canine Flu vaccine. From an email to their clients: “We will be requiring campers to be vaccinated for the H3N2 flu by March 31st, 2018. After that campers that...
Be sure to check out Reviews on Google, Facebook and Yelp! (because we don’t often add them here). If you are a current client that wants to brag about your dog – please email your story to us, along with a photo...
Monday nights during November and December will be all about tricks. What tricks, you wonder? It will depend a little on your dog…but… Around. Backpack. Bang. Beg. Bounce. Bucket. Circle. Crawl. Fire hydrant. Handstand. Push. Reverse. Roll. Speak. Spin. “Spider”. Spread ’em....
It’s summer in the ‘Burgh. That means it can get H-O-T! This should go without saying, but, we’ll say it anyway… Make sure you don’t leave pets or children in parked vehicles with only windows cracked. If you can’t or are unwilling...
Did you know that veterinary behaviorists identify the critical socialization period for puppies as 3 – 14 weeks old? That is why Sit Means Sit Pittsburgh offers a socialization class for puppies 8 – 16 weeks of age! Gunner, at 9...
Downward Dog It’s not just a Yoga pose anymore. Its a new sitcom on ABC. And Copper, our talented, “houndsome” Bloodhound is in the Pilot episode. Be sure to watch it. It will air on Wednesday, May 17 at 9:30p. If you...
Pittsburghers, we live in an area of the country with a high tick population and the very mild winters of the last two years mean that they are out early. Last year I pulled one off of myself after a search &...
The weather is supposed to be nice in the ‘Burgh this weekend. Be sure to enjoy it. But DON’T miss the Pittsburgh International Auto Show at the David L. Lawrence Convention Center. Check out 2017 models from all the major car manufacturers,...
Finn is making great progress! Compare this video from the one below – he’s quiet, less jumpy, more focused and more relaxed. We were able to work closer to a dog than before, and his barking was nearly non-existent during his third...
“Finn” is a dog-reactive Pit Bull. Before training with Sit Means Sit Pittsburgh he was visually stimulated to the point of no return at distances of up to 50 yards. He had been to several trianers over the last couple of years...
This is a huge topic and one that could be an 8 week class, but here are some helpful tips to get you thinking along the correct lines for how much your life is going to change for your dog when you...
One of the most common but misunderstood behaviors in our pet companions is destructive behavior, specifically chewing. If your pet is a puppy, it is understood they are teething and are using chewing as an outlet to soothe the pain and keep...
We added Kammy as a part of our family 2 years ago. When she first came home, she had been abused and she was afraid of everything. It took us 9 hours to get her from our kitchen to our living room....
My wife and I attended the Home Show and saw you and your well behaved dogs at the Sit Means Sit booth. I told my wife right then, “This is how I want our dog Chief to act.” So we contacted...
We know the signs all too well…the school buses are in full swing, the temperatures begin to dip, and darkness fills the sky earlier and earlier – it is FALL. Fall can be a great...
There are lots of ways we can communicate with our dogs that make them happy and loved and help them know that they are important to us. However there are some things that dogs would rather we did not make them endure....
During the week of August 24th, we will be giving out yellow ribbons to anyone who needs them. Come to group class, or call to request one. 412-345-1748. You are out in the park with your family, playing, running, maybe even...
Ginger is a four-year-old German Shepherd we adopted at 3 yrs old. She had been in 2 other environments and had suffered abuse, neglect, and severe depression after losing her puppies. Ginger has been through more than I can imagine, yet she...
New Puppy Class Starting Saturday’s in September! Puppies 4 – 6 months old who are fully vaccinated can attend this six week class. We’ll be teaching verbal markers, eye contact, come, sit, down, off/leave it, leash walking, boundaries and socialized play. A...
Sometimes you are getting ready to go out & you see a long face on your pup. Wouldn’t it be nice if you could bring your 4-legged companion with you? There are lots of cool things you can do, places you can...
Picking the correct leash can be cumbersome – so many things to consider: what will you be using it for, what kind of places will you will be going, and how much control you have over your dog are just a few....
Currently in the Pittsburgh area there is a canine virus being spread – and most dog businesses are not taking it seriously. Canine warts are highly contaigious, but many daycare and boarding facilities are not requesting or requireing affected dogs to...
Taking Fido on vacation with you? That’s awesome! You’re sure to have a lot of fun. Before you go, make sure you include Fido’s needs as you plan, pack and travel. Here are some pointers: Call your vet to make sure your...
Xena is a 6 year old Pitbull. She likes: walking, cuddling, belly rubs and laying out in the sun Training goal: to have Xena greet calmly at the door, not run to the door, bark and go after them. Xenas family met...
Overheating & Dehydration It is officially summer and with that comes heat and humidity. We often walk outside and get hit by the wall of warmth, but let’s imagine for a minute that we are wearing a full-length fur coat. As the...
Geno is a 1.5 year old Golden Retriever. HIs favorite things: family walks, playing in the years, and cuddling. Training Goals for Geno: Geno had some bad manners his family wanted to correct- digging, nipping, and extreme pulling during walks. Geno loves...
The 4th of July immediately elicits memories of BBQs, American flags, parades, and fireworks. But all of these things can be very stressful on your dog. In fact, according to HomeAgain more dogs go missing on 4th of July than any...
Rainbow is a 7 year old pocket Beagle. She likes: food of any kind, sleeping, playing with her friend Sigma, and rabbits. Rainbow training goals: Placing while other dogs are eating, off leash walking, and coming away from rabbits. My first...
Recently, our region has been hit hard by large amounts of rainfall and storms including occurrences of grey skies, harsh winds, and fallen trees. While it is an inconvenience to be without electricity for a period of time, or to have to...
Get ready, car lovers. Sit Means Sit dogs will be seeking hugs and kisses this Valentine’s day weekend at the Pittsburgh International Auto Show! Show hours are: Friday 2/13 10a – 10p | Saturday 2/14 10a – 10p Sunday 2/15 10a –...
Many people have misconceptions of what a remote training collar feels like and why they are so effective for basic and advanced obedience. Maybe you have heard of tens units or muscle stimulators that physical therapists and chiropractors use to relieve pain....
Such exciting news to share! We’ve tagged up with Pittsburgh Paws Pet Resort in Sewickley and are now offering group classes there on Wednesday nights from 7p – 8p. Classes are outside in the 9,000 square foot play yard and are weather...
Current clients should consider joining us for the following events – they are all dog friendly and we will have a tent at each of them. Call Lisa (412-345-1748) to let her know you would like to volunteer! If these dates and...
Bruno is a sweet, loving and very determined Great Dane. He thinks that he is a guard dog and his main job is to protect the house, yard, car and family. This is not an easy trait to deal with in any...
Greta is an 8 year old German Shepherd who loves squeaky toys, balls, kids, traveling, camping and hiking. Her best tricks are “leave it” and jumping through a hula-hoop. Greta is alert in the home and was very distracted on leash walks....
Current clients should consider joining us for the following events – they are all dog friendly and we will have a tent at each of them. Call Lisa (412-345-1748) to let her know you would like to volunteer! Saturday May 17th –...
We’re kicking off an Unusual PLACE Contest! The Rules: 1. Send photos of your dog(s) placing on unusual things. The most creative the better! Send them to Lisa (sitmeanssitpgh@gmail.com). Lisa will post them to the Sit Means Sit Pittsburgh Facebook page. 2....
We’re looking forward to Pirate Pup Nights this summer! There are 9 dog-friendly games this year. All games are Tuesday nights at 7p: April 22 | May 6 & 20 | June 17 | July 1 & 22 | August 5,...
Great news! Construction is underway at our new 2,400 square foot training facility! 3910 Sawmill Run Blvd., Brentwood, PA 15227 (on Rt. 51 near Brentwood Towne Center) The new space is being renovated with new windows, doors, ceiling, utilities, and we’ll be...
Dookie is a very sweet 4 year old black Lab/Shepherd mix, who is aggressive around other dogs, especially when he is on a leash. We started working with Lisa in October 2013 and I immediately noticed a big improvement. We live in...
Rae is an English Pointer mix who was adopted in August 2012. She’s about 77 pounds and is very stubborn for me, much more so than for my husband. We also have a Collie mix and a black Lab. One of the...
Colby was found as a stray and was taken to the Humane Society. He was only there for three days before we found him on their website. He was about 4 months old. We named him Colby for his tan & white...
I would highly recommend Sit Means Sit. My dog, Charlie, responded very well. The area I see the biggest improvement is off leash. We take her to dog parks frequently, and before this training she completely ignored my husband and I...
I have a yellow Lab/Golden Retriever mix named Lola – she is about 70 pounds and 19 months old. Lisa came to my house over the summer to give lessons and Lola loved her and her dog Copper. Lola is very...
Moby is a three year old chocolate Lab who we adopted at 12 weeks as his prior owners couldn’t properly care for him. Moby was a pretty good dog in a lot of ways but as he got older, his behavior got...
Sit Means Sit has been a great investment for my dog, Bella, and for me. Bella is an 18 month old English Bulldog. She is 70 pounds and was difficult for me to handle when she was distracted by people or dogs....
Hobo is a four year old Shepard-Doberman mix (about 75 pounds). Hobo was adopted at 10 weeks old and when to puppy school when he was about five months. He learned basic commands (sit, down, stay, leave it, etc.), but we could...
Marley has always been a crazy ball of energy, which was fine when she was little because when she was being “bad” we should just pick her up. She has always been on her own agenda, whatever she wanted to do when...
Join us at the Pittsburgh Pet Expo this weekend! Show Hours: Friday 5p – 9p, Saturday 10a – 8p, Sunday 10a – 6p Come see Creedence, Copper and Bentley. Sign up for a free demonstration and tell your friends! www.petexpopgh.com
...Sophie and Zoe (mother and daughter) barked at everything: mail deliveries, dogs, squirrels, birds, car doors, laundry in the shoot, let alone someone coming to the door. It took several minutes for them to stop barking when Lisa first came in the...
Most people are pretty happy with their dogs, and others will come up and tell us flat out ‘my dog doesn’t listen’. We can help with lots of things – but there may be a ‘bonus’ reason to train your dog that...
We’re happy to offer AKC Canine Good Citizen (CGC) and S.T.A.R. Puppy evaluations. Call us to see when the next CGC test day will be and start practicing now. 412-345-1748 CGC Test information can be found at http://www.akc.org/dogowner/training/canine_good_citizen/index.cfm. S.T.A.R. Puppy information...
What a turnout at the Sewickley Harvest Festival on Saturday, September 7. We met many families who were interested in training and hope to see many new Sit Means Sit dogs in the coming months. Saw us but didn’t have time to...
Fall is a great time of year to get out with your dog. It’s not too hot, the leaves will start to change soon, and there are LOTS of fun events in the Pittsburgh area. Here is just a taste: Sunday,...
Oreo is a very loving, playful Bulldog mix. When she first came home with her new family she was an “extreme” puppy – jumping, nipping, playing – non-stop! She picked on her big sister, Sandy, a Beagle mix. Since starting training she...
Bella is a purebred English Bulldog who loves people, cats, other dogs and going to the dog park. She’s a social butterfly. Her motto is “Won’t you be my friend?” Bella’s best friend is her brother, Leo, a Bengal cat. And unlike...
Kipper is a Flat-Coated Retriever who loves continuous play! He was born in February 2013, and is a great companion for his parents. His motto is “Life is Good!” Favorite Toy and Treats: Three-sided chew toy and Purina Moist & Meaty or...
Hobo and his littermates were found in an abandoned house in West Virginia when they were approximately 2 weeks old. They were taken to a shelter in Ohio and nursed by a surrogate dog mother. Hobo and his sisters were brought to...
Copper is a young terrier mix and he lives up to the terrier in him. He was born March 21, 2013 and was found on Petfinder.com. He started working with Sit Means Sit as a young pup, just over 5 months old....
Rugsby (or Rugs) is a black Goldendoodle who loves to run and play and act silly. He was born in May 2012. He was brought home by his mom and dad (Stephanie and Jon) in June 2012, leaving behind littermates at Yankee...
Marley was born on September 18, 2012. Blythe and Bryce met her when she was six weeks old and fell in love, she came home with them a few weeks later. We started training when she was 10 months old. She’s energetic...
Sit Means Sit participated in the Animal Friends’ Mutt Strutt on June 2, 2013 to support Animal Friends in their mission to find forever homes for companion animals in the greater Pittsburgh area. Warren, Creedence and Molly were featured on www.wpxi.com as...
Sit Means Sit will be at the Moochie & Co. store in the Mall at Robinson on Friday 4/26/2013 from 5pm – 9pm as part of April Pet Safety Awareness Month. We’ll be talking about training and pet safety – particularly in...
Copper and Lisa attended the April 16th Pup Night at PNC park – and were then featured on the front page of the Trib the following morning. There was a great turnout for Pup Night and we look forward to seeing...
Thanks to the thousands of people who stopped by the Sit Means Sit booth at the 2013 Home & Garden Show. It was the biggest and most successful Home Show in Pittsburgh’s history. We’ll see many of you again soon at your...
Welcome to our newest Sit Means Sit Pittsburgh dog: Fleury! She is a Pitt mix approximately 3 years old. She was adopted from the Western PA Humane Society in 2012. She had a rough past and Mike and Marissa wanted her to...
When we adopted Fleury, we certainly weren’t prepared for all the strength our new girl packed! While my husband was able to hold on to her, I constantly had to deal with her pulling me any way she wanted to go. After...
The 2013 Pittsburgh Home & Garden show is around the corner. Over 1,600 exhibits will fill 9 acres at the David Lawrence Convention Center in downtown Pittsburgh March 1 – 10. This is a great opportunity to come visit us and see...
Sit Means Sit Pittsburgh visited PNC Park. Look for us at the 2013 Pup Nights!
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