Sit Means Sit: Leading Innovation in Dog Training Services

Sit Means Sit is a well-known dog training franchise specializing in obedience and behavioral programs for a wide range of dogs, from household pets and puppies to hunting dogs, police K-9 units, and service animals.

Established in 1998 by Fred Hassen in Paradise, Nevada, the brand has expanded to become the largest dog training franchise in North America, with more than 160 locations throughout the United States and Canada. The franchise began offering business opportunities to entrepreneurs in January 2009.

What sets Sit Means Sit apart is its unique use of a proprietary remote electronic collar that provides a gentle, low-level stimulus designed to capture a dog’s attention, ensuring highly effective training sessions. Many franchise locations also extend their services to include boarding, daycare, and grooming, offering a complete pet care solution under one roof.

Training

Sit Means Sit provides an extensive training framework to equip franchisees with the skills needed to operate their dog training businesses successfully. The franchisor delivers multiple programs focused on practical and operational proficiency.

1. Initial Training Program: This is mandatory and consists of approximately 147 hours over about 21 days. It includes 48 hours of classroom dog training, 9 hours of business and marketing instruction, and 90 hours of on-the-job training at a designated franchisee-owned facility. This program must be completed by at least one Authorized Trainer before the business can open.
2. Ongoing Training and Recertification: After completing the initial training, franchisees are required to undergo re-certification every three years. This ensures trainers stay up to date with Sit Means Sit’s standards and methodologies, with participation in ongoing training programs as directed by the franchisor.
3. Supplementary Training: If additional training is needed—either at the request of the franchisee or due to operational deficiencies—the franchisor provides targeted training sessions. These may involve on-site assistance or additional workshops, with associated fees and travel expenses covered by the franchisee.

Territory Protection

Sit Means Sit provides each franchisee with an exclusive territory known as the Trade Area, which is mutually defined and agreed upon before the franchise agreement is signed.

This Trade Area is described in detail in the agreement, and within it, no other Sit Means Sit business or franchise is allowed to operate. The exclusivity of this territory is generally stable and not contingent on sales volume or performance.

However, the franchisor retains significant rights outside the franchisee’s Trade Area. Sit Means Sit may operate similar businesses under different names and can market and sell services through various distribution channels, including online platforms, even within the Trade Area.