Dog Training
St. Augustine, FL
Dog training in St. Augustine helps your dog feel at home in the nation’s oldest city. Founded by Spanish explorer Pedro Menéndez de Avilés in 1565, St. Augustine is the oldest continuously inhabited European-founded city in the continental United States. Its history is everywhere, from the coquina walls of the Castillo de San Marcos to the narrow brick streets of the historic district, and much of it is dog friendly. Leashed dogs are welcome on the grounds of the Castillo, along pedestrian-only St. George Street, and on many restaurant patios downtown.
That much history also brings a lot of distractions. Downtown dogs share the sidewalks with tour groups, trolleys, horse-drawn carriages, street musicians, and crowds of visitors, while waterfront parks bring boats, birds, and fishermen. We often help St. Augustine owners with leash pulling on busy streets, reactivity toward other dogs and strangers, trouble settling on restaurant patios, and barking at the constant activity outside the home.
Whether you’re raising a new puppy, adopting a rescue, or getting your dog ready to explore the historic district with you, training gives your dog the confidence and manners to enjoy everything St. Augustine offers.
How we can Help
Dog training services offered in St. Augustine, FL
Our expert trainers solve behavior problems, teach obedience, & help socialize puppies.
Behavioral Training
For when your dog or puppy is struggling to act calmly in their environment.
Learn MoreDog Training
Has your dog struggled with problem behaviors? Our dog training services will sort them right out.
Learn MoreLeash Training
Are walks with your dog harder than they should be? They may need some dedicated leash training.
Learn MoreObedience Training
Does your dog ignore basic commands like “sit” and “stay”? They may need some obedience training.
Learn MorePotty Training
If your puppy or dog been having accidents in the house, they may need some potty training.
Learn MorePuppy Training
Puppies need dog training to learn how to behave, socialize, and navigate the world around them.
Learn MoreSocialization Training
If your dog is reactive around people or other animals, they may need some socialization training.
Learn MoreLocal Dog Training
Need a dog trainer in St. Augustine?
Sit Happens Dog Training provides private, in-home training throughout St. Augustine, from the historic homes near downtown and Lincolnville to the neighborhoods off US 1, State Road 16, and State Road 207. Training at home means your dog learns where everyday behaviors happen: at the front door, in the yard, and on your regular walking route.
As your dog progresses, we take training into the city, practicing loose leash walking and calm passing on St. George Street, settled behavior on dog-friendly patios, focus around crowds on the Castillo grounds, and recall and polite play at the Paws Dog Park in Treaty Park.
St. Augustine families trust Sit Happens for hands-on coaching, clear communication, and practical plans that fit busy schedules, so your dog is a pleasure to bring along wherever the day takes you.
Dog Parks Nearby
Great dog training parks in St. Augustine, FL
If you’re looking for great places to train your dog in the St. Augustine area, here are three top spots:
Treaty Park
A 47-acre park complex home to Paws Dog Park, a fenced off-leash area with a separate section for small dogs, drinking fountains, and a fire hydrant, plus a skate park and a lake with a fishing boardwalk. It’s ideal for recall practice, polite play, and leash work around skaters, anglers, and families. Open from dawn to dusk.
Fort Mose Historic State Park
Established in 1738, Fort Mose was the first legally sanctioned free Black settlement in what would become the United States. Today, its boardwalk over the salt marsh and the open space behind the museum welcome dogs on a handheld leash of 6 feet or less, making it a peaceful spot for focus work and calm walking around birds and wildlife.
Castillo de San Marcos grounds
Dogs aren’t allowed inside the historic fort, but leashed dogs are welcome on the sprawling lawns and waterfront grounds surrounding it. With tour groups, families, and boats on the bay, it’s a perfect real-world setting to practice calm greetings, settling on a blanket, and focus around big crowds.
Client testimonials
Reviews from past clients
Read 90+ Google reviews from Sit Happens clients. Puppy training, obedience, behavior transformation stories!
James and Erika both know a lot about dogs and how they think. Would recommend.
We highly recommend Erika!
Recently, I survived a domestic violence relationship that changed my life. Once safe, I realized how much had been taken from me, and that Finn had been deeply affected too. He witnessed abuse toward me firsthand—things no dog should ever see or hear. He experienced a world that taught him people and things around us could be dangerous.
Finn is a 4.5-year-old Bernese Mountain Dog. Before this, he loved everyone and every dog. I could take him anywhere without worrying. He was happy, carefree, trusting, and gentle.
Then we moved into our new apartment abruptly to start over. It was heavily populated, and I saw just how deeply his trauma had changed him.
Finn no longer trusted people or dogs. He became reactive and aggressive, not allowing anyone near me. People became afraid of him, and the judgment was incredibly difficult to carry.
My life became centered around avoiding people. I planned our routes and times outside, watching constantly for others. Every time I opened our door, anxiety washed over me. I stopped feeling like I was simply taking my dog for a walk; I felt like I was walking into a situation I had to survive.
After only one week, Finn had an altercation with another resident. I knew I needed help.
The following week, we met our trainer, James.
From the beginning, I was completely honest with him about what both Finn and I had been through. James never judged me. Instead, he listened and took the time to understand both of us. He didn’t just see Finn as a dog with behavioral problems; he saw a dog who had been through trauma, and an owner trying desperately to put the pieces of her life back together. He created a program centered around both of us.
Week after week, I watched something change. Sometimes the progress was so small someone else might not have noticed, but I noticed. A little less tension. A little more trust. A little more confidence. Slowly, Finn and I started taking our lives back.
James gave me something I didn’t realize I had lost: hope. Today, Finn is no longer people reactive and is able to regulate his reactivity to dogs. He listens to me and trusts me. I no longer feel like I have to avoid people, dogs, or entire routes just to make it through a walk. I feel like his owner again. I am in charge—not because I control him, but because he trusts me enough to let me lead. Finn has learned to trust the world again, and I have learned how to better understand, communicate, and be the owner he needs.
I meant what I said when I told James that Finn will never be the same dog he was before. His trauma will always be a part of him. So will mine. But maybe being “the same” was never the goal.
Finn has grown into a stronger, more confident version of himself, and I have become a stronger, more capable owner.
James took something born out of fear, trauma, and pain and helped us turn it into strength. He didn’t just train my dog. He helped give me a piece of my life back.
James, from the bottom of our hearts, thank you. Thank you for seeing Finn. Thank you for seeing me. Thank you for never judging us, and for giving us patience when we needed it and hope when we had very little left. You have been a blessing to our little family, and we will genuinely miss seeing you every week. As much as we will miss you, though, we truly hope we never have to see you again. Because that means we’re okay. But if we ever need help again, there is no question who we will call.
Thank you for helping us find our way back to each other.
With all our hearts, Finn & Jyllian 🐾
From week one, where Abel was scared of almost everything, very hesitant to do anything, and refused to even go out the front door, to week seven where he now excitedly walks through the front door when called and goes on full walks wagging his tail the entire time—it’s been an incredible transformation.
The difference we’ve seen has been amazing. Our only regret is not starting sooner—those first couple of years could have been so much easier if we had. Highly recommend to anyone who’s on the fence!
We quickly learned Bogey wasn’t feeling safe with visitors to his new home. It definitely was unexpected because he was such a sweet boy to us, we didn’t consider his anxiety over visitors. Bogey was found wondering the street on a very cold night. He was underweight and had worms. His age is approximately 18 months old and we had no clue how he had been treated and cared for during those 18 months. His foster family sang his praises. He was great with kids and other dogs. This was all we knew.
Right away, during our consultation, James was able to evaluate Bogeys behavior and pair us with a trainer he felt confident in. James listened and provided us with valuable insight during the consultation. It was a great experience and made us feel much better about the challenge Bogey was presenting. We were matched with trainer Erika and I’m SO GRATEFUL we got to work with her. She was amazing.
Because of Bogeys uncertainty with visitors, Erika could not safely handle him without a muzzle. Unfortunately we could not find an adequate fitting muzzle for our boy. Bully problems. But this did not stop Erika, she walked us through each phase of training, with patience and grace. We went from his reactivity while in the crate to him not reacting while in the crate. Then in the next phase we were able to teach Bogey how to come out of the crate, with manners. He learned to place right out the gate and with a little extra work he was coming and sitting. She had to teach all of this to us, all while not being able to handle Bogey! Talk about knowing your stuff! She offered so much insight into the family dynamics and how our pet fits into that. She helped our six year old by offering her things she could do help teach Bogey his manners. She was able to do so much with so little! She’s a true professional and can’t say enough about her intelligence as it relates to the psychology of the dog. I’m also thrilled to say that Bogey was a new man by the end of the training, on our last session Erika was able to pet and play with Bogey! And so was James! We could not be happier with the progress we made in just 7 weeks! Bogey is now becoming the gentleman he was always meant to be and allowing us to have visitors!! And as a perk to that, he also knows how to place, comes when I call, and sits most of the time when I ask. We’re still working on that one😉
The best St. Augustine Dog Trainer
Ready to enjoy life with your dog again?
Our St. Augustine dog training staff doesn’t just answer phones—they’re equipped to address all your training questions, too.
We’re here for you every day from 9am to 7pm.
Call us today:
+1 (904) 590-1789
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
A Sit Happens trainer, never a salesperson, comes to your home. They ask about your dog, watch you and your dog interact, and, weather permitting, take you outside to demonstrate with their own trained dog what your dog will learn. Back inside, they answer your questions and explain what a 3, 5 or 7 lesson program covers, then ask once which works best for you. Whether you sign up or not, you’ll have tips you can use right away.
Sometimes, and it’s always your choice. We show you how we use one during the free in-home consultation, then you decide. When we use one, it’s set to the lowest level your dog can feel, and the tap is paired with your dog’s name at the exact same time, so it simply means “come to me.”
No. Using the collar for any kind of punishment or correction is not tolerated with our trainers. The tap means “come to me,” followed by praise and excitement, and that’s all it’s ever used for.
Sit Happens is the leading dog training provider in the St. Augustine area. But we’re more than just another dog trainer— we’ve earned our reputation for a reason. While typical training might focus on getting your dog to follow commands, we go beyond the basics. Our approach is all about your dog’s overall wellbeing, helping them feel comfortable in their environment and strengthening their bond with you.
We make sure you and your family are part of the process, giving you hands-on lessons and exercises to practice with your dog between sessions. This way, you’re not just teaching your dog commands— you’re building an unbreakable bond with your furry friend.
Yes, the cost of private dog training is comparable to group dog training, yet it’s twice as effective. In a group training setting, your dog has to overcome the distraction of other dogs they don’t know while still trying to learn the basics. Private training offers an array of additional benefits, including flexible scheduling, personalized lessons, and one-on-one attention from the trainer.
Of course. One major advantage of private training is that it fits into your lifestyle. Other training services make you drive to a facility on a strict schedule and charge extra for the flexibility of in-home lessons. At Sit Happens, all of our training plans are designed to work within your schedule.