Sit Means Sit is a dog training franchise offering professional dog training services, specializing in obedience training, behavior modification, and off-leash control.
KEY FRANCHISE STATS
Franchisees
?
159
+
15%
15%
Franchise fee
?
$17,500
Investment
?
$24,000 - $121,000
Revenue (AUV)
?
Undisclosed
$0
+
n.a.
n.a.
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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.
Initial investment
The initial investment required for a Sit Means Sit franchise is
$24,000 - $121,000.
That is the total cost you would need to finance if you were to start this franchise.
These costs are provided by the franchisor in the Franchise Disclosure Document.
Type of Expenditure
Amount
Initial Fee (New Franchisee)
$17,500
Initial Fee (Existing Franchisee)
$25,000
Real Property & Leasehold Improvements
$0 – $39,000
Equipment and Signs
$300 – $1,000
Sit Means Sit Vehicle(s)
$400 – $23,500
Computer Hardware and Software
$0 – $3,000
Initial Training Fee
$0 – $2,500
Wages, Travel, Lodging and Living Expenses During Training
$2,620 – $6,680
Opening Inventory Collars
$630 – $1,570
Pre-opening Advertising
$200 – $700
Insurance Deposits and Premiums
$150 – $3,300
Licenses and Permits
$25 – $700
Professional Fees
$0 – $3,000
Demonstration Dog
$50 – $7,500
Additional Funds – 3 Months
$2,400 – $11,400
TOTAL ESTIMATED INITIAL INVESTMENT (NEW FRANCHISEE)
$24,275 – $121,350
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Type of Expenditure
Amount
Initial Fee (New Franchisee)
$17,500
Initial Fee (Existing Franchisee)
$25,000
Real Property & Leasehold Improvements
$0 – $39,000
Equipment and Signs
$300 – $1,000
Sit Means Sit Vehicle(s)
$400 – $23,500
Computer Hardware and Software
$0 – $3,000
Initial Training Fee
$0 – $2,500
Wages, Travel, Lodging and Living Expenses During Training
$2,620 – $6,680
Opening Inventory Collars
$630 – $1,570
Pre-opening Advertising
$200 – $700
Insurance Deposits and Premiums
$150 – $3,300
Licenses and Permits
$25 – $700
Professional Fees
$0 – $3,000
Demonstration Dog
$50 – $7,500
Additional Funds – 3 Months
$2,400 – $11,400
TOTAL ESTIMATED INITIAL INVESTMENT (NEW FRANCHISEE)
$24,275 – $121,350
Franchise Disclosure Document
Below is Sit Means Sit's 2023 Franchise Disclosure Document. Sign up for free to view the document.
Number of units
Sit Means Sit had 159 total units in 2023, of which 159 were franchised-owned and 0 company-owned.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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