Sit Means Sit Dog Training Central Texas

Their puppy class is without shock collars. I decided to check it out since I really needed to socialize my dog, and it’s the only place in the area is this one.
There were only three puppies in the class including mine, so she didn’t get a ton of socializing in. I didn’t learn anything that I didn’t already know, and the environment was stressful for my puppy. There was a puppy there that was way too young (6 weeks, dogs need to stay with their litter til at least 8). This dog was terrified and the trainer was using all these crazy dominance techniques. Let me point out that dominance theory has been largely disproven. There’s only one erroneous study that backs it up (and Caesar Milan). They were rolling this puppy over and over and he was SCREAMING so loud and scared that both other puppies were getting upset. This dog was shaking, screaming, absolutely terrified. The dog owner looked at me like «I can’t do this».
I stuck it out and finished the class. Overall, the only real skill that my puppy got any better at was place. I used completely positive reinforcement and was able to train my puppy incredibly well. I know a hundred ways to help that owner with the screaming puppy but I didn’t want to say anything and offend the trainers.
The staff was friendly and the facility was great, but their entire franchise is based on outdated techniques and can absolutely make your dog more fearful and do real damage, even if the shock collar doesn’t «Hurt». They are still making the relation that things around them are to be feared instead of understood, and they completely demolish the trust and understanding between owner and dog unless you know exactly what you’re doing and refuse to participate in the steps that are damaging. Even then, the terror and reactivity of the other dogs can cause your dog more issues rather than less.

Asked to make an appointment for anytime after work 530pm being the latest they would do it on a week day. I told the lady on the phone that would be great if she could allow us another few minutes so I could wait for my wife to get home from work. She said not an issue. Wife gets home, rushes to change out of her work clothes and we grab the dog and rush straigjt over there arriving at 541pm. As we are walking up to the entrance the last trainer there is locking up the building. She gets aggravated when she sees me and then tells us we need to make an appointment more suitable for us. I told her we did and this was the time we were suppoosed to be there. No phone call no anything to make sure we were coming just closed up shop wasting my time and gas. After reading some of the other reviews im glad that this didnt work out. Not recommended. Would give 0 stars if possible.

I highly recommend! I had the most unruly dog and they turned him completely around and saved his life! Very professional group!

I paid for the Platinum package. The staff are polite and courteous but I found out the ugly truth of their «training». My dog stayed with her trainer for one week.
Here are the positive things I identified:
Basti, my GSD, was somewhat more responsive to training than when I dropped her off.
She responded well to the trainer (I can’t remember her name but she was an older lady). While having the training collar on she responded well.
The staff are courteous and attentive.
Here’s the not so good:
They lied to me. I was told no shock collar would be used but the trainer told me herself that she used a no bark collar on my dog and admitted it was a shock collar.
I was told she would be trained to use the restroom when told. That did not happen.
I was told she would be socialized to the point where she would not bark at strangers but would allow people to pet her.
The trainer brought Basti to my office and failed to give me all of her belongings. I had to wait a week and I had to go to the Belton office to meet with the owner, Robin Wheeler.
I was promised things by Robin and she failed to follow through. She scheduled a meeting with me the same week and never showed up. The only positive thing I can say is she gave me a partial refund after I basically told her I was done.
Lastly when I got Basti back she had irregular breathing. I took her to my veterinarian and found out that she had an inflammation in her lungs. She has been on antibiotics now for two weeks and after taking her back today I found out she actually has pneumonia. I’m not going to blame them for this but all I can say is the only dogs that she had interaction with were through this company. It would be pointless for me to address this with the owner as I don’t believe that they would except responsibility regardless. On the closing note my dog did get a check up a few days prior to going in training so I know she was in excellent health.
Overall I would say if you have the time use YouTube. This was a waste of money.

** Check out their demo before investing. The packages are pretty pricey, but they do offer payment plans.
We were given a short demo by Wes the trainer, very impressive, but hard to ascertain whether the dog was acting in response to the e-​collar or anticipating the «buzz.» The dog was barking repeatedly and extremely loud while the trainer was giving commands. It was a bit distracting and I had to cover my ears. Was a bit skeptical of the e-​collar, but the trainer assured me that it wasn’t painful and he even let me experience the shock it gives by placing the collar in the palm of my hand. All in all, it made me want to enroll my puppy into their program because I wanted him to be obedient and disciplined.
Shortly thereafter, the rest of the consultation was spent on selling me training packages. A majority of them were very expensive, and I felt pressed for enrolling quickly (within 24 hours) to take advantage of discounts; or else I’ll have to purchase them at the full rate afterwards. It was a lot to consider in such a short time frame.
Here are the packages they offered:
**(Please note that this price list was offered to me on 12/​22/​2012. Contact SMS for current prices)**
–Diamond–
$ 2795 Life /​$ 2697 1YR
2 Weeks Board & Train
2 Private Lessons
SMS Collar
Gold — Platinum Level
Demo/​Standard Size Place Cot
Off Leash Training
–Platinum Plus–
$ 1897 Life/​$ 1797 1YR
1 Week Board & Train
4 Private Lessons
SMS collar
Gold Level
–Platinum–
$ 1397 Life /​$ 1297 1YR
5 Private Sessions
SMS Collar
Gold Level
Up to 100 Yards Distance
Develop Perfect Attention
Property/​Boundary Training
–Gold–
$ 697 Life /​$ 597 1YR
2 Private Lessons
SMS Collar (not included)
Walk on a Loose Leash
Sit-​Stay (off leash) 20−30min
Recall
Place
–Puppy Management (6wk — 1yr)–
$ 350 (discipline w/​obedience)
2 Private Home Sessions
E-​Collar w/​Lifetime Guarantee: $ 230. (Wes stressed that the price on this collar is likely to go up, so best to purchase it now at the lowest price.)
High-​Pressure sales tactic: If you sign up within 24hrs, you get $ 100 off. Training for additional dogs, 50% off. A/​R Military, Police Officers and Firefighters, $ 100 off. Hero (prior service, nurse, teacher, etc) $ 50 off.
In the end, this hurry up and buy method was a turnoff for me. I was kind of considering the Platinum package, but felt that the limited private sessions did not justify the price. They also have group classes, but for that kind of price, I would rather have more private lessons instead.
I have since found another dog trainer that has offered me almost the same type of program as SMS, but with more reasonable prices and no pressure.