Reviews
Dog Training Reviews in St. Augustine, FL
Read dog training reviews from St. Augustine families. Real results from happy Sit Happens clients & their pups.
Over 90+ Google reviews
Dogs & puppies of all shapes and sizes
REAL results within 2-4 weeks
This company has the patience of saint’s. I not only recommend Sit Happens, but Danny. He was amazing. He helped us get our 1 y/o pit and 9 y/o pupper under control. […] Thank you again to Danny and Sit Happens for their time, patience and experience! 10/10 recommended.
Sue M.
St. Augustine, FL
Featured reviews
Some recent reviews that really showcase what makes Sit Happens awesome.
Erika was amazing to work with. She ensured we knew how to do the training sessions and our dog was comfortable doing them. The reason we sought out training is because our miniature schnauzer is dog reactive and very stubborn. We wanted some expert guidance on how to resolve this problem and watching him walk by other dogs peacefully has been something we can enjoy and even start taking him in public with us. Great program and great trainers. James also helped us a tad bit too to evaluate our dogs progress.
Alyah B.
St. Augustine, FL
This training is awesome! I was hesitant and almost went a different direction, but I am so glad I chose Sit Happens! Danny is fantastic and my dog is so well behaved. Pepito’s training isn’t even complete yet and he’s already a rockstar!!! He never leaves our side and and has the best manners ever! Thank you!!!
Carly N.
St. Augustine, FL
Danny Bungards is an excellent trainer! He is teaching us how to be better pet owners and enjoy our Golden Doodles! At 7 months, they walk beside us, sit & stay, and are crate trained. They are happy, fun puppies with lots of energy. Danny is strict but loving to Calvin & Knox. So glad for Danny & Sit Happens!!
Debbie D.
St. Augustine, FL
Google Reviews
Verified reviews straight from Google, so you know we’re the real deal. š
jyllian holmes
2 months ago
In order to understand the impact this program has had on my life, you have to understand where Finn and I started.
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 firsthandāthings 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 didnāt 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 didnāt 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 chargeānot 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 āthe sameā 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 didnāt 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 weāre 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 🐾
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 firsthandāthings 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 didnāt 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 didnāt 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 chargeānot 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 āthe sameā 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 didnāt 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 weāre 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 🐾
Kayla N
4 months ago
I canāt say enough great things about Sit Happens St. Augustine, especially our trainer Erika. She was incredibly patient with our very nervous and stubborn pup, and never made us feel rushed or discouraged. You can genuinely tell she cares about both you and your dog, and that her goal is to help you build a better, happier life together.
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 timeāitās been an incredible transformation.
The difference weāve seen has been amazing. Our only regret is not starting soonerāthose first couple of years could have been so much easier if we had. Highly recommend to anyone whoās on the fence!
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 timeāitās been an incredible transformation.
The difference weāve seen has been amazing. Our only regret is not starting soonerāthose first couple of years could have been so much easier if we had. Highly recommend to anyone whoās on the fence!
angie houston
4 months ago
We reached out to Sit Happens a few weeks after adopting a dog from a local rescue. Weāve had dogs for years but since we did not know this guys history we decided to seek some professional guidance and we are so glad we did!!
We quickly learned Bogey wasnāt feeling safe with visitors to his new home. It definitely was unexpected because he was such a sweet boy to us, we didnāt 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 Iām 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! Sheās a true professional and canāt say enough about her intelligence as it relates to the psychology of the dog. Iām 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. Weāre still working on that one😉
We quickly learned Bogey wasnāt feeling safe with visitors to his new home. It definitely was unexpected because he was such a sweet boy to us, we didnāt 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 Iām 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! Sheās a true professional and canāt say enough about her intelligence as it relates to the psychology of the dog. Iām 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. Weāre still working on that one😉
Jess
4 months ago
We cannot thank Erika enough for everything she has done for our dog, Kona, and our entire family. When we first started training, we just wanted a well-behaved dog, but Erika gave us so much more.She didn't just train our puppy; Her incredible patience, deep knowledge, and expertise completely transformed how we communicate with Kona. Erika taught us how to build a relationship based on trust and respect.The skills and knowledge Erika shared with us built confidence in both us and Kona that will last a lifetime. We are constantly getting compliments on our dog and asking what we did with her. If you are looking for a trainer who genuinely cares and delivers permanent, positive results, we cannot recommend Erika highly enough!
Gary, Clair Snider
5 months ago
Charlotte is a 6 yr old English Cream rescue who lacked confidence and was extremely stubborn. She was afraid to walk over a ramp much less walk up it and into the vehicle, she would over react to other dogs, and pancake in the middle of the road. The day I had to redirect traffic around us I knew we needed professional help. With the patients, technique, and dedication of Erika and ourselves, as her parents, she has graduated with honors and has the confidence to live her best life plus we can now take her anywhere and everywhere fur babies are welcomed! She walks up the ramp, climbs into her car seat, walks great on a leash w/o laying down and no longer reacts to other dogs. Thank you so much Sit Happens and specifically Erika!ļæ¼
Daniella Szebenyi
7 months ago
Sit Happens has been so empowering for our family as first time dog owners. We have an excitable 80 pound lab and Erika has truly helped us direct his energy and confidently gain control. She is also a wealth of knowledge in caring for dogs in general. Erika & Sit Happens was the best decision we made for our puppy journey!!
Sarah E
8 months ago
Erika was awesome!!! She was so amazing helping us. She was able to customize training that worked for both of our dogs who have very different temperaments. Our pups have come such a long way.
Amberly Dehner
8 months ago
We have loved working with Erika! James was wonderful to help us with the right training needs for our dogs and then Erika executed the plan perfectly. She was wonderful to work with us and the dogs. Erika listened to our concerns with our dogsā behavior and had training and solutions that worked for all of us. We have a pug and pug/frenchie mix and the results have been fantastic!
Taylor Stephens
8 months ago
Sit Happens was recommended to us by our veterinarian for our dogās anxiety. From the very first session, Erika was magic for Olive. Olive has come such a long way and Erika gave us all of the tools that we needed to work on not just Oliveās anxiety, but also basic obedience training. Olive has so much confidence and LOVES her training sessions. The training also tires her out and she takes a solid 3 to 4 hour nap after each session which is also a huge perk😂
Even after our sessions have ended, Erika keeps in touch and makes sure that we have everything we need to make sure all Iāve lives her best life!! Money well spent 1000 times over.
Even after our sessions have ended, Erika keeps in touch and makes sure that we have everything we need to make sure all Iāve lives her best life!! Money well spent 1000 times over.
Samantha DePaul
11 months ago
Erika was absolutely amazing and so helpful! My dog, Bodi, made leaps and bounds more progress than I could have imagined! Erika helped make personalized adjustments that really helped my boy thrive in his training. When we started, Bodi paid me no mind the moment we stepped outside, and with Erika we had him walking near another dog without losing his mind! Very thankful for all of the training and understanding she has given me and Bodi to make us a better mom-dog team! And a shoutout to James for popping in to a training session and helping me with my leash control too! Y'all are the best!
Alyah Bennett
12 months ago
Erika was amazing to work with. She ensured we knew how to do the training sessions and our dog was comfortable doing them. The reason we sought out training is because our miniature schnauzer is dog reactive and very stubborn. We wanted some expert guidance on how to resolve this problem and watching him walk by other dogs peacefully has been something we can enjoy and even start taking him in public with us. Great program and great trainers. James also helped us a tad bit too to evaluate our dogs progress.
Cara Hatton
1 year ago
Stop everything now and give them a call! We are so delighted to see the progression weāve had with our goldendoodle Maple. We started her early at around 3 months old and we are happy we did! We look forward to our training sessions and the progress it has shown. Our trainer Seanna is top tier. Sheās given us all the tools needed to give us a tip top shape pup. Aside from her talent with training I personally just absolutely adore her as a person.
I canāt give enough praise to this company. We are thrilled with what we have achieved and learned and we arenāt even done yet. The staff is super friendly and the scheduling is accommodating. Thanks for all the hard work we canāt wait to continue and learn!
I canāt give enough praise to this company. We are thrilled with what we have achieved and learned and we arenāt even done yet. The staff is super friendly and the scheduling is accommodating. Thanks for all the hard work we canāt wait to continue and learn!
Debbie Dickinson
1 year ago
Danny Bungards is an excellent trainer! He is teaching us how to be better pet owners and enjoy our Golden Doodles! At 7 months, they walk beside us, sit & stay, and are crate trained. They are happy, fun puppies with lots of energy. Danny is strict but loving to Calvin & Knox. So glad for Danny & Sit Happens!!
Carley Noble
2 years ago
This training is awesome! I was hesitant and almost went a different direction, but I am so glad I chose Sit Happens! Danny is fantastic and my dog is so well behaved. Pepito's training isn't even complete yet and he's already a rockstar!!! He never leaves our side and and has the best manners ever! Thank you!!!
Alyssa Howard
2 years ago
Danny has been an amazing trainer for my dog. I adopted my dog, Koda from the humane society after he had been abandoned at the shelter at 5 weeks old. Before the training Koda he was fearful of people, other dogs, and new unfamiliar places. He would not listen to me off leash and I was also having a hard time house training him. Despite trying to socialize him on my own, he would not let anyone come near him. He would snap at other people and dogs out of fear. I knew I really needed help training him after I took him to the vet and he snapped at the vet staff. The vet I took him to recommended me to Sit Happens and I am so glad that picked them to train my dog. After the training Koda is happy to meet new people, he loves meeting and playing with new dogs, Iām able to take him to new places without any issues, and he is completely house trained. Koda has also been doing great off leash. It is like I have a new dog! I never thought he would be as well behaved as he is now. Koda has done so well with the training that he is now on the road to become my own service dog and Iām excited to see what new things he will learn and watch him become the dog Iāve always dreamed of having.
sue morace
2 years ago
This company has the patience of saint's. I not only recommend Sit Happens, but Danny. He was amazing. He helped us get our 1 y/o pit and 9 y/o pupper under control. Our pit is very active and hyper and we were able to teach him to calm when company and children are around and our mixed 9 y/o is super stubborn but she learned quickly boundaries that were necessary. Thank you again to Danny and Sit Happens for their time, patience and experience! 10/10 recommended.