Sit Means Sit - Massachusetts

Julia Rossini

2024-04

Dave was recommended to us by a friend after we took our nervous 5 month old golden doodle puppy to him. We immediately noticed a positive change in her behavior. Dave provided a great experience and showed extensive knowledge. Would recommend Dave for any and all dog breeds!!

Katherine Ross

2024-04

Working with Dave was the best choice we’ve ever made!!! Dave is phenomenal. He has set us up with our pup to have an amazing, life long relationship. We cannot recommend enough. Dave taught us the foundations and helped to channel our dog’s energy in the best ways. She is SO much happier, we’re happier, and she’s safe while getting to enjoy more freedom off leash. This was the best investment for our family. We can’t wait to update Dave on how she progresses and grows!

Lucy Shawcross

2024-02

Dave builds the solid foundation, you work together to put up the walls and then you take what you’ve learned to finish the roof. We had a great experience with Dave and our 1 year old lab Ozzy. Ozzy had some basic training but was starting to get the upper hand on us with some resource guarding and taking us for a walk. We had enjoyed off leash hikes with him but as Ozzy got older and bolder, he would take off after a scent and we’d be left yelling his name for 15 minutes. The day we came between him and some mouse poison he really wanted, and ended up with a showdown we knew we needed help. After one day with Dave, he had reestablished that we were the boss and that Oz was to do as we told him. We practiced on our own for a week and then met again with Dave to work through some issues and train together in a public setting. A week later we met again and had more great direction from Dave to tighten up our home training which had got a bit loose. We are now confidant that we can continue reinforcing all the good habits Dave taught on day 1. The initial results were impressive and now it’s up to us to keep getting better and reinforcing all we have been taught. We are extremely happy that we came to Sit means Sit and Dave’s fun personality and gentle but firm instruction was easy to understand and remember. We are new to this but also know that Dave will be there to support us should we need another refresher or encounter a unique situation. Just Do S(it). L&P

Caitlin Sherr

2024-01

Dave was instrumental in creating a training approach for my dog Willa and I that was effective and also catered to her specific needs/personality. It was immediately clear upon meeting him the care and energy he puts into his craft as a dog trainer. He took his time to ensure that I understood how to best support Willa in training at the lessons and also at home.I was beyond impressed by how quickly I noticed a change and improvement in Willa just after lesson one! He helps to establish clear boundaries for the dog and teach the handler how to put the lessons into practice in an approachable, step by step guide.While the training journey has just begun for her and I, I cannot thank Dave enough for his help and support thus far! Sit Means Sit is an incredible program led by Dave and I highly recommend it to those who want a training program that will give you the skills to support your dog and their training journey for the rest of their life! Willa and I thank you so much!!

Arlene Sullivan

2024-03

Our experience with Dave was amazing. The training was very effective and both we and our dog have benefited greatly. We brought Opie to Dave when he was 4 1/2 months. He is now 6 months and we can walk and take him out in public with no issues. Opie and we are so much happier. We wholeheartedly recommend Sit Means Sit.

Andrea Sheedy

2024-02

I met Dave and Sit Means Sit about 12 years ago. He worked with my 4 year dog who would constantly get loose, pulled on his leash while walking and just overall did not listen to us. With Dave's guidance, we learned better control and overall obedience. We were able to start playing with him off leash without concern of him running off. Twelve years later, when our new dog needed training there was no question we would come back to Dave and Sit Means Sit. This dog had no impulse control. He would chase anything that blew by and I was afraid he would not listen to me to come back so we weren't able to play off leash. Again, Dave guided us through how to get him to listen and respect us. He was also very skittish but the training and better obedience helped him gain more confidence in unfamiliar surroundings. After just a few sessions, our dog now walks on a loose leash and we are able to drop the leash and have confidence that we still have his focus and control.

Nathan Bousquet

2024-04

TLDR: Dave is a very special person, period full stop. This is the best money you will ever spend on your dog.We are somewhat experienced dog owners who brought our English Lab puppy Pancake home in November of 2023 after losing our beloved 2 pitty mixes to cancer. We knew we wanted to take our training with our new puppy to a high level, and we were delighted to learn that an absolute legend (he will never admit this) lived and ran his business in our town. We got in touch with Sit Means Sit Massachusetts when Pancake was 3 months old to learn about their program. My conversation with Dave’s staff on this initial call was sign #1 that Dave was running a world class operation. Dave’s staff member spent 15-20 minutes learning about Pancake, our goals, and walking me through the process. She was also able to share her experience having her own dog trained by Dave and the success they had. She also let me know that Dave prefers to wait until dogs are 5-6 months old before introducing the e collar, however he would do puppy lessons before the dog reached that age. Within days, we signed up for both his training program as well as a puppy lesson. This was all done efficiently and professionally with the use of a system, calendar invites, and reminders when we approached each session. A few weeks later we took Pancake to Dave for our puppy lesson. Within 15 minutes he had taught us (most importantly) and Pancake how to behave around distractions, including his amazing dog Otter. When we returned home, we realized he had given us the keys to unlock a step change in our puppy’s behavior. We now understood how to teach him that he couldn’t put everything in the house in his mouth and that he needed to pay attention to us. This allowed us to teach him all of the basics over the next several weeks. This brings us to Dave’s unique formal training approach, which I believe is a game changer. Unlike traditional 2-4 week board and trains (we had done this 4 times with our prior dogs), Dave spends a full day with your dog at his facility and then spends time w you at the end of the day to teach you how to continue the training. Dave was extremely thorough teaching us how to use the collar to communicate w our dog as well as the why behind everything we were doing. We were given guidance for what to work on over the next week ahead of our next scheduled lesson w Dave. For our next lesson, Dave took Pancake and I to Lowe’s to show me how to handle him in a very stimulating public environment. Pancake did incredible heeling through distractions, placing and staying, and even heeling while I pushed a shopping cart around the store. Dave gave me all the tricks on how to anticipate the challenges, and how to handle them appropriately. A week later we met Dave for our third and final lesson at a popular park where there where many other folks walking their dogs. We immediately knocked down one challenge after another. Heeling past reacting dogs, placing on challenging objects, working through a little bit of Pancake’s fear of loud truck noises, and even going off leash around other people and dogs for half the session. It was amazing to watch a 5 1/2 month old dog display such incredible behavior. As someone who has done several board and trains, it is clear that Dave has cracked the code. Sure a trainer who spends 2-4 weeks with your dog can teach them great skills, but those skills quickly diminish when the dog is returned to the owner and the owner doesn’t have the knowledge to continue to train the dog. Dave’s program is intentionally designed to ensure that you the owner gain the skills they need to train their dog for life. While our formal lessons are now complete, Dave is only a phone call or text message away to answer any questions and continue to provide us guidance. I can vouch for the fact that he’s extremely responsive, and you can tell that he really cares. Which brings me to the most important point. Dave is an extremely talented dog trainer and an equally good person. 5 stars are not enough!

Regina Leary

2023-12

Working with Dave at Sit Means Sit was a great experience. From the first session with our pup Jodi, we noticed a big difference with her leash walking and manners when we had visitors at the house. Dave answered all our questions during and after the training sessions.It is very obvious he takes pride in his work and genuinely cares about the dogs he works with, making sure the dogs and their owners have a great bonding experience. Looking forward to taking what we learned from Dave to keep up Jodi’s training! Highly recommended Dave and Sit Means Sit.

Christopher Michael Ranero

2024-05

Dave and the Sit Means Sit Team are amazing!! A true 5-star experience.We originally brought our 7 month old pup to Dave in January of 2020 and his team trained our pup. After going through the training process, she was like a completely new dog. We were given very detailed instructions on how to keep up what she was taught. We saw a lot of progress as she has grown up. Fast forward to a few weeks before Easter of 2024 our pup is now almost 5 years old and we reached out to Dave because we had some new concerns as we are about to start our family. Dave was extremely helpful and set up some time with us to come to Sit Means Sit for a follow-up session to work 1:1. Dave and his team go above and beyond to not only help their new customers, but they also help out their previous customers. We received some excellent training that has been working very well. Once again Dave and Sit Means Sit's training has helped our family significantly. We thank them so much for going above and beyond.If you're looking for experts to help you with your pup, look no further and reach out to them. I promise you will not be disappointed!

Debbie Brosseau

2023-12

Dave is truly a dog whisperer. Our puppy, Summer, came home from one day of training with excellent listening skills and polite manners. Our one hour update was a huge success! Dave’s training and our reinforcement and consistency have made our relatively easy puppy into a dream dog that we trust will be polite no matter where we take her. Definitely worth the time and money invested. We HIGHLY recommend Sit Means Sit!

Sandy M.

2024-04

I first had the pleasure of working with Dave and his team at Sit Means Sit in 2020 when he trained my dog Rocco, and the experience was outstanding. Recently, Rocco developed leash reactivity after moving to a new apartment, prompting me to reach out to Dave once again for assistance. Dave's expertise and dedication shined through as he helped me navigate and train Rocco through his reactivity issues. I've gained valuable skills under Dave's guidance that have been instrumental in Rocco's progress. Though we still have a journey ahead with Rocco's reactivity, Dave's ongoing support and assistance have been invaluable. I am truly grateful for his expertise and commitment to helping Rocco and me. If you're looking for effective and reliable training for your furry friend, Sit Means Sit is the place to go.

Jeanne Phelps

2023-12

We recently had the pleasure of working with Dave Skoletsky at Sit Means Sit to help train our very energetic 6-month-old female Doberman, and we couldn't be more pleased with the results.From the moment we met Dave it was evident that he had a deep understanding of canine behavior and a passion for what he does. His expertise shone through every step of the training process.Dave tailored the training program to our dog's specific needs and personality, which made a significant difference in her progress. The positive reinforcement techniques used were not only effective but also gentle, ensuring that my dog responded well and enjoyed the training sessions.What sets Dave apart is his patience and dedication. Dave and his team took the time to answer all our questions and provided us with valuable insights on how to continue reinforcing the training at home. It's clear that Dave and his team genuinely care about the well-being of the dogs they work with and the satisfaction of their clients. We feel much more confident and in control as dog owners, and our dog is happier and more well-behaved than ever before.I highly recommend Dave Skoletsky at Sit Means Sit to anyone in need of a skilled and compassionate dog trainer. Thank you, Dave, for making a positive difference in my dog's life. You are truly exceptional.

David Sheedy

2024-02

Sit Means Sit training and Dave are absolutely the best training a dog and their owner can get. We used Dave with our first dog years ago and were over the top impressed with the training. When we got Pitch we had no doubt that we would return to Sit means sit to help us to train him too. Dave has a great amount of knowledge to share with the dogs and their owners. He has a great ability to help you with the confidence to train your dog. Thank you so much Dave!!!!!

Charles Diblasi

2024-03

Sit means sit is AMAZING!After only a few weeks of training, our Bernadoodle is a totally different dog. She was so hard to walk, always pulling, sniffing everything she passed, and barking excessively at every dog she saw. Well, now we can’t be more estatic about how she behaves.We are no longer embarrassed to bring her places. Her trainer Dave ( the owner of Sit Means Sit) has been amazing with her and with us. He’s so respectful, knowledgeable, and patient. His facility is also clean and immaculate. We are so pleased and highly recommend Sit Means Sit to anyone who needs any kind of help with their dog.

Kevin Sager

2023-11

Dave did an awesome job with our puppy who is extremely energetic. Great training for my wife and I as our pup is learning very quickly and it is like night and day. Dave is available and gets back to you in a timely manner if you have issues or questions. Worth the price!!

Joe Mccormick

2023-11

Great experience! I had foot surgery shortly before starting the training and Dave came to my home a couple times. Extremely flexible. We have a 2yr old high energy Cockapoo that had bit a couple times. Still working on the training but now feel like we like we are getting on the same page. Not an overnight change but everything's going in the right direction thanks to the training. Highly recommend!

Nicole Margaret

2023-09

Dave is awesome with every dog and he is super nice as well! My 6 month old Pitbull/Boxer Mix, Hank, is much better after the 3rd lesson! He wasn't a bad dog before but needed some things corrected such as pulling on the leash and learning how to behave out in public / in crazy environments! I'm so much more confident in bringing Hank out in public now and as long as I stick with everything Dave taught me I know he'll be the best boy in no time! Thank you again Dave and I highly recommend sending your dog or puppy his way! Here's some pictures of my sweet boy during his lessons! 😊🐶🐾

EB

2023-12

I wish I could rate Dave more than five stars - maybe a whole constellation! He came highly recommended by our vet who brought his own 4-year-old rescue to Dave. Dave's training philosophy prioritizes communication over correction or treats. This approach has worked wonders for my 5-month-old puppy in just two sessions.After only one day of training, Tessie's behavior underwent a major transformation – from basically a tornado with fur to Miss Manners. Commands such as come, remain in place, quiet (no sassing, whining, barking), and off (nipping, digging, jumping – all the nuisance-type behaviors) were eliminated or very easily redirected by the end of the first week. Dave has taught us how to set expectations with Tessie in all situations and environments. She's doing so well!Our second session took us to Lowes. Skeptical about exposing Tessie to the sensory overload of a busy store, I was astounded by what Tessie was able to do. Despite the distractions of other dogs, people, shopping carts, and various scents, Tessie walked off-leash by my side and remained calm and obedient, making the experience stress-free for both of us. I was in command the whole time while Dave, in his quiet, light-hearted, and unassuming manner, guided me on how to ensure Tessie remained focused, controlled, settled, and confident. Dave makes dog training easy!Dave is the professional you and your furry friend need! Dave isn't just a dog trainer; he's a compassionate professional who genuinely cares about your dog's well-being. His responsiveness to questions and concerns is commendable, making the entire training process a collaborative and supportive experience. I can't express enough gratitude to Dave and his exceptional team. Tessie, our once chaotic pup, is now a happy, goofy, affectionate companion well on her way to impeccable manners.

Monique Godfrey

2024-04

We have a one year old Rottweiler who did wonderful training with Dave, he is a joy to walk on leash after this training , he is much calmer and in-tuned to all commands and I’m looking forward to our outings now , as he is definitely dialed into to my commands . I Highly recommend Dave as a dog trainer !

Mary Sennott

2024-03

This was truly a game changer for me and my large shepherd. He and I can truly enjoy walking in the woods both on and off leash with confidence and he can have some freedom walking off leash. Dave is truly a great teacher to both myself and my dog. Highly recommend!!!

Chelsea Faria

2023-08

Let me tell you, I had my doubts. 3 total lessons. One of those lessons being Dave 1 on 1 with you dog for 8ish hours and then he sends you home?! I have a 6 month old Belgian Malinois, I thought “no way”… from when I dropped my dog off to when I picked my dog up it was like 2 completely different dogs. He then teaches you what he taught your dog and sends you home for a week to practice.. I struggled but you have to stick with it. After the 2nd lesson, I personally understood more and since I understood more my dog got more out of our practice. By our third less, I barely needed to correct my 7 month old crazy Belgian! Dave truly knows what he’s doing. He’s stern, he’s upfront, but he’s gentle about it just like he is with the dogs. If YOU stick with the training Dave gives you more than the fundamentals to work with. I will suggest sit means sit every time

Kyle Svenson

2023-08

Dave has been a great trainer! We have a 10 month old female Corgi who needed a few behaviors corrected. Some of which included eating wood chips all the time, jumping on other people/dogs and pulling while we walked her. Since working with Sit Means Sit, it has been a night and day difference. Now, not only is most of those behaviors gone - I have the knowledge + resources to correct her in case she reverts back. Well worth the investment.

Nick A

2024-02

Highly recommended! Our labradoodle had reactivity issues when on the leash. Barking at people, kids, cars when we go on walks — it seemed to be getting worse. Dave at Sit Means Sit gave us the tools and information needed to correct our dog’s behavior. The results have been incredible so far. Our dog is becoming for confident and attentive as we continue the training. We take comfort in knowing Dave is just a phone call away if we have any questions or need additional lessons.

Lynn Curtin

2023-05

Dave is the Dog Whisperer! My 2 yr old mix is a great pup but needed some manner’s. Dave not only taught him but he helped me with the right tools to continue training him to be the best. Now we can wak together, no more lunging if another dog or person is near, he is enjoying running around back yard(with a training leash for now). I can’t recommend Sit means sit enough!

Kathryn Cilberto

2023-10

We've had nothing but excellence with Dave and Sit Means Sit! Our first dog was TOTALLY out of control and I had no idea how to be a dog owner. We spent time with Dave and our dog at our home, Borderland and Sit Means Sit. Now, Winston is perfect and perfectly well behaved. We recently took our newest pup to Dave and got a great refresher that I really needed!! All that training came right back and we already see a difference TODAY, because of what Dave reminded us of. If you've got a doggo that needs some boundaries, and/or you need help figuring it all out, make sure you contact Sit Means Sit asap! I have co-workers that will echo everything I've said here! Do it! You won't regret it!! Thank you so much Dave and Sit Means Sit!!!

Jeff Stoddart

2023-09

Could not recommended Dave and Sit Means Sit enough , when we first got our dog Joey we had trouble with getting him to listen, recall and while walking. After two weeks with Dave’s help and guidance we are so much more confident in Joey and being able to take him anywhere we go without worry. Great guy who was always kind, understanding and resourceful, it’s made us much happier and confident and if we had more dogs we would take them there as well.

Gina Coe

2023-05

I am so incredibly pleased by Dave and the rest of the staff at Sit Means Sit. I have a six month old golden retriever, and due to the incredible training she has received from Dave, she has mastered all of the basic commands you would expect from your dog. Before starting this program, she struggled with leash walking, and after 3 short sessions with Dave, she and I can now go places both on and off leash, and she will remain by my side. My goal in working with Sit Means Sit was to ensure that she listened when I called her and was well-behaved. I intended to start her on a journey in becoming an emotional therapy dog. She has exceeded these expectations, all with the help of Dave and the staff. Thank you!

Julie Starr

2023-11

Dave, Lauri and Tricia are an amazing team, and I cannot thank them enough for their guidance and support in teaching me how to train my playful, rambunctious, stubborn, yet loving and affectionate, one and a half year old pup to become a loving, affectionate, playful pup but without the stubbornness and craziness! I have a happy, well-mannered dog, who is a joy to hike with! I used to be a little anxious while walking Charlie on leash and around other people, but with the techniques provided and explained by Dave, I totally love hiking with my guy!I wouldn't hesitate to recommend Dave to anyone looking for a patient, kind, extremely knowledgeable dog trainer (who has a well-behaved and super-smart loving dog of his own).Thank you again, Dave, for making our doggie household loving, calm, respectful. ...and HAPPY. Charlie is still happy Charlie... just so incredibly well-mannered.Respectfully,Julie Starr

Louisa Malnati

2023-05

Sit Means Sit and trainer Dave (and Otter) have given us the best gift of learning that will allow us to start enjoying our life with our beautiful dog. He has taught us not only tools and fundamentals to help our pup, but gave us an understanding of what the dog’s behaviors are naturally and why they do what they do. Our German Shepard was quite literally running the roost and reacting with no thought or guidance from us. We couldn’t even take him on walks due to his size (90lbs at a year and a half), and insane pulling, and general reactivity towards other people and dogs especially. Forget about a crowded store or park! I never thought in a million years he’d come as far as he has in the short time we’ve been working with Dave. His methods are to the point, make sense, and most of all, they WORK! We’re so grateful that we found this company and trainer! Now we can finally start to enjoy our time with our best friend and enjoy taking him wherever we want!

Addison Landry

2024-02

Getting my dog trained by Dave at Sit Means Sit was the best decision ever! Immediately, I noticed changes for the better in my dogs in his leash walking as well his obedience. I also believe that it has created a better relationship with my dog and I as he looks at me for reassurance and checks back in with my while off leash. I am so glad I chose to go with Sit Means Sit and would recommend it to anyone struggling with their pup!