Sit Means Sit

[Abby&Fiona]

Has anyone had any experience with Sit Means Sit training?

Fiona has developed some serious anxiety issues....

Nothing in particular sets it off.... usually pretty random. Evenings pacing and panting in the livingroom. Some car rides. Sometimes when she gets crated.

She went to the vet today for some sores she had on her paws and for anxiety. Since he HATES her paws touched and always has this was a VERY traumatizing Dr visit and the Vet was basically telling me I had not done ANY work with my dog and I need to find a professional behavior issue trainer to work with my dog. She was a "professional" about MY dog in the 5 minute vet visit where she was being chased around the room to handle her paws....? Anyhow...Fiona was sedated, her paws were cleaned, wrapped and her nails were clipped. We came to get her and decided that vet was NUTS and we will be considering our friend's vet recommendations. Instead of her guiding us and supporting us in helping our dog she was very harsh and negative to me about my dog and her "poor quality of life" AGh!.

Anyhow, I wanted to ask if anyone has had any experience with Sit Means Sit training because a friend that works at a vet office and has worked with this local trainer said that he is highly recommended and the program works really well for lots of their clients. I wanted to get some feedback from others about it. I do want to try some additional training....
Fill me in on anything you know or have experienced. I would appreciate it!
THANKS!

 

[NeoBull]

I think its a chain/franchise... but that's about all I know. I would guess that it depends on the trainer that owns the franchise near you. I don't know what it takes to buy into the franchise, like what sort of training they give the trainers or how much experience they have, I would think it probably varies a lot from one trainer to the next?

 

[chuckorlando]

Thats a shame. I work with Kona everyday but in the vets office, I bet good money all bets would be off. Any major distractions really. She just aint there.

I would also bet good money that if one could really dog wisper, 99% would say zero training and zero rules is the best quality of life, hahahahahaha. God what I would give to live all willy nilly and have someone pay my bills and feed me

 

[ruby55]

I always wonder about vets that take that attitude. A friend of mine is a vet, & she has NO people skills. She moved to another state so I don't see her often anymore, but her sharp tongue has gotten her into trouble more than once with clients. I should think that part of a vet's training would be to learn some PR and people training.
I like our vet, however they're the kind that take your dog into another room for everything, including weights. I can hear the tech in the next room, saying "Can you sit, Bella?" in this sugar sweet, sing songy voice. The dogs have been trained to sit on command, in an even tone. So when they come back in, I'm sure the tech had to force them to sit. Sunny always has to rub his nose on everything; it's what he does when he's upset. Pisses me off every time. I always tell them not to speak to them in a baby voice.
I'll bet your vet never even gave your dog a command, or gave her a chance to settle down before trying to examine her feet.

 

[Abby&Fiona]

Pretty much. And she tried to corner her and muzzle her even after i clearly "she won't let you, she flails because she has bee traumatized with it here before. You are better off not even trying since she doesn't even try to bite".... Ahh... Did I speak Chinese or something?? Anyhow. Very frustrating. She actually never when tried to command fiona. She seemed uninterested in trying. Then the tech was trying with hand signals that fiona is not familiar with lol so.obviously he didn't know either. Blech!

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[Marrowshard]

I hear you on the "too sweet" voice. I've got friends who visit who like to give treats, but I say Oscar has to work for them. What do i hear? "Hey, can you sit? Can you siiiit? No? How about stay? Staaaaay." Of course, Oscar then does as he pleases. It has to be a firm, no-nonsense voice or he'll choose to ignore it. Can't stand it when people - especially vets and techs - babytalk my dog. He's not a teacup rat, he's a mastiff and he'll walk all over you if you let him.

~Marrow

 

[Kelly]

Where do you live? I have an amazing vet, she's holistic. A little pricier, but they are the best. I can't recommend her enough! she's in POrt Moody, Bc.

 

[Abby&Fiona]

I am just north of Seattle WA. We are also looking into TTouch. There are some highly recommended trainers in the area.

 

[seeknoxrun]

I've trained a dog through Sit Means Sit!

They're known as "off leash experts" and boast their experience in working with aggressive, anxious, and/or uncontrollable dogs. We enrolled our adult Beagle (recently deceased) because of his obsessive barking and poor (very, very poor) manners in public. We had exhausted the "self help" sections of the local bookstore and were desperate for help. I had huge reservations about using the electric collar at first, but during the demonstration the trainer had both my husband and myself experience what the collar felt like so we knew exactly what our dog would be feeling. We were also hesitant about the prices - our package cost just over $1,000.00. That package included the collar, 6 private sessions, and a lifetime membership to their group classes (and you were allowed to go to up to 6 classes a week).

Within the first two weeks Calvin would, without fail and regardless of distraction, "sit," "come," "down," "place," and walk loosely on a leash. We were AMAZED. By the end of the 6th session, Calvin was doing distance work, off leash work, and had stopped his obsessive barking completely. For the first time, he was truly a pleasure to have out and about, to take to the park, and to travel with. He LOVED the group classes and getting to socialize with everyone, and we were happy to have the opportunity for practicing in the midst of all the distractions and craziness.

The only negative thing I experienced was with our first trainer. She was a lovely person and very knowledgeable... but my husband and I had some issues with her right from the start. She was very forceful and often turned the collar up to levels that were obviously uncomfortable and distressing to Calvin. We knew it was a problem when Calvin, normally a very friendly, confident, and outgoing dog, was slinking around corners and hiding under furniture whenever the trainer was present. We made the owner/head trainer aware of our concerns and requested a different trainer. The difference between the two trainers was night and day - our new trainer was patient, encouraging, and Calvin was definitely more responsive and comfortable with him. So, if you do decide to go with Sit Means Sit (or any trainer for that matter) request to observe the trainers conducting demonstrations with other clients so you can get a feel for their style and energy. At the end of the day, you know your dog best and you most likely have the best eye for what types of people would work best with her.

Long story short, we're glad we enrolled Calvin and enjoyed a very well behaved dog afterward.

 

[Chuma]

One of my boy friend's friends works at sit means sit in our area. His grand father runs it and his mother also works there. Anyways this friend is now the reason why my rottweiler is fearful of men. Before he came around she loved everyone and never had a problem with men but now after he messed with her she is very wary of men and will growl, bark and even snap because she finds them a threat now.

I wouldn't use a shock collar on a dog with anxiety.. Positive reinforcement would probably do better. On the right dog with the right trainer electric collars can do wonders but on the wrong dog it can do more damage than good.

I haven't personally taken my dog to Sit means sit and this guy could just be an idiot who happens to work there but if you go there just watch the trainers and make sure they aren't bullying your dog.. The guy that ruined my rottie is very dominant to the dogs and uses the shock on a higher setting than he should. He never used the collar on my dog but just the way he handled her and enteracted with her was enough... I learned my lesson not to expect a dog trainer to know how to treat dogs.