Trainers available daily from 9am-7pm

Logo for Sit Happens Dog Training, the Best Dog Trainer in Jacksonville, FL

The Best Dog Trainer in Jacksonville, FL

The top-rated dog trainer in Jacksonville with 14+ years experience & 700+ 5-star reviews. Professional training for dogs and puppies with obedience and behavior issues.

  • Private in-home training
  • Backed by canine cognitive science
  • World-class, certified trainers

10,000+ dogs trained • Serving Jacksonville since 2011 • 70+ years of combined experience

A golden retriever looking peaceful on his chair, after being trained from by the best dog trainer in Jacksonville Dog sitting at home after being trained by the best dog trainer in jacksonville

Private dog training, from the comfort of your own home

We’ll find the underlying cause of your dog’s behavior and design a training plan to put them at ease.

We understand how distressing it can be when your dog acts out or won’t listen. As a pet lover, it’s important for you to know that your dog isn’t trying to be difficult, they just act on their instinct.

That’s where our trainers come in. We’ll quickly uncover the root of your dog’s struggles. Once we’ve identified the triggers, we’ll take you along the journey of creating a happier, more peaceful life for your dog— and for you, too.

Dog training issues:

How it works

01

Contact us now

We’ll send a certified trainer to your home to identify the root cause of your dog’s behavior, recommend a personalized training plan, and give a live demonstration with their own dog.

02

We come to you

Your trainer will conveniently come to you for every lesson. You’ll see positive changes as soon as Day 1.

03

We work with you to solve your dog’s problems

You’ll begin to do things you enjoy with your dog: go to the park, visit loved ones, relax at home without problem behaviors. Your trainer will be there to guide you every step of the way.

How we help you and your dog

Our expert trainers solve behavior problems, teach obedience, & help socialize puppies.

Dog Training

Has your dog struggled with problem behaviors? Our dog training services will sort them right out.

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Reviews from past clients

See over 700+ real results from Sit Happens clients. Puppy training, obedience, behavior transformation stories!

Joanna
14:49 11 Nov 25
We loved our experience with Sit Happens! They don’t just train your dog, but they train you as the owner on how to best connect and understand your dog’s behavior. Alex was great during the consult process and our pup, Piper, loved having Seanna train with her each week. The knowledge gained will continue to help us and our puppy thrive for years to come! Cannot recommend them enough!
Photo from customer review
L King
18:59 02 Nov 25
I am very pleased with the training that Seanna provided to my dog Brennie! Brennie is a senior dog and had some limitations that Seanna understood and helped me to work around. I feel so much more confident when walking Brennie in the neighborhood and have even taken her to doggy daycare for extra socialization! She is doing great and I am very proud of her! Thank you Seanna and ‘Sit Happens’!
Photo from customer review
Toni Sudduth
19:19 30 Oct 25
Very professional. Timely and thorough. We learned a lot with our two problematic dogs. Seanna Richard’s is very knowledgeable through and great with dogs. The program is best up to succeed. Highly recommend Seanna.
lauren alecca
19:08 27 Oct 25
Sit happens dog training is awesome! Jorge is our trainer and he has been so patient and diligent every time. He always show up on time and makes sure we get the full session in. He’s open to any questions or needs we have. He’s always giving good recommendations. We have a golden retriever and an Australian shepherd puppy and if you know how crazy they are you understand!! Jorge has never failed to reiterate things for us, show us that we are doing a good job, and making us and our dogs feel comfortable. The pups love him! When we first started training I thought we were doomed but both of our dogs behavior has changed so much and it is so much easier to walk them on a leash now and do basic activities with them thanks to Jorge! We also are walking off leash and without me even having to hold the leashes in my hand, which is a dream come true because 8 weeks ago that would have never happened. We are forever grateful. I highly recommend him and sit happens for your dogs training needs!
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Linda White
13:47 27 Oct 25
Samuel and Riley were fantastic. They both made it look easy and my dog, Ripley, took to the training well. Seriously I jokingly (but not) stated they trained us humans (me, my husband and children) to be better dog owners! I highly recommend Sit Happens - you will be very pleased with the patience given and the results received.
Daniel Getman
11:58 27 Oct 25
Had the BEST experience with Sit Happens! Our trainer, Kendra, is AMAZING!! We always loved our pup - but she was such a challenge for us - and now we love our life with our pup! No question we will seek out Kendra again when we bring a new puppy home!
Devon Hughes
23:24 26 Oct 25
Just wrapped up our 7th lesson today, and our dog Rosé is truly a different dog! Kendra has been amazing from the very beginning, so patient, knowledgeable, and supportive! Just a few months ago, we couldn’t even walk Rosé without her pulling or jumping on everyone she saw. Having people over or taking her anywhere felt stressful.

Fast forward to now and we can take her to stores, to the park, or on a daily walk no matter the time of day or who’s around. I no longer have to wait for no one to be outside just to walk her, and I don’t have to stress about distractions. She’s also doing so much better when guests come over and settles much faster each time.

We’re so happy with how far she’s come and beyond thankful for the training and support Kendra has given us. Couldn’t recommend her enough! 😄🐾
Photo from customer reviewPhoto from customer review
cbrooks008
23:06 26 Oct 25
We had a great experience with Sit Happens! Our trainer, Samuel, was exactly what we needed — firm yet patient with our stubborn bully breed. He struck the perfect balance between discipline and understanding, and we could tell he genuinely cared about helping our dog succeed.

Samuel also took the time to educate us as owners, explaining not just what to do but why it works. That made all the difference in keeping the training consistent at home. We’ve seen real progress in our dog’s behavior, and we feel much more confident as handlers.

Highly recommend Sit Happens and Samuel for anyone looking for effective, compassionate, and Knowledgeable training!

Dog training techniques backed by canine cognitive science

At Sit Happens, our training methods are evidence-based and humane. We focus on creating lifelong behavioral changes through techniques like:

  • Positive reinforcement
  • Strengthening the bond between you and your dog
  • Canine cognitive science (identifying the real reason for your dog’s behavior)
  • Building healthy habits

Traditional dog training tries to mute problem behaviors instead of addressing their root cause. We take a different approach— our trainers get inside your dog’s head to understand what’s throwing them off-balance. Rather than just cover up behaviors, we teach your dog how to adapt and thrive in everyday situations.

A dog trainer in Jacksonville, FL helping a border collie learn to sit A dog trainer in Jacksonville, FL helping a beagle learn to sit

Our world-class, certified Jacksonville dog trainers

Meet Jacksonville’s expert dog trainers. Certified professionals with 10+ years experience. Specializing in puppies, obedience, behavior modification.

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Alex Abreu

Alex is a retired Navy veteran who brings over 12 years of experience as a dog trainer. His journey began with training working dogs in patrol, detection, and obedience, giving him a solid foundation in understanding canine behavior.

Dave Stellato

Dave Stellato is more than just a state-renowned dog trainer and behaviorist— he’s a connector, bringing people and their dogs closer through Sit Happens’ distinctive training system.

Jorge Marban

At Sit Happens, Jorge is committed to helping pet owners build strong, balanced relationships with their dogs. His goal is simple: to make sure every dog and owner enjoys the rewards of a well-trained partnership.

An image of a dog and a woman cuddling, after successful Jacksonville dog training

Let us help you take your life back.


Our staff of Jacksonville dog trainers not only answer your calls, but are also equipped to answer all of your dog training questions, too.

Available every day from 9am to 7pm.

Frequently asked questions

Do you help puppies and dogs of all ages and breeds?

You bet! Sit Happens is the most established dog training provider in the Jacksonville area with over 14 years in business and 10,000+ dogs trained. We’re experienced in working with puppies and dogs of all life stages and have catered to more than 250 breeds.

What makes Sit Happens different from other dog training services?

Sit Happens is the leading dog training provider in the Jacksonville area, and we also proudly serve Tampa and St. Augustine. 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.

Are your trainers certified?

Yes. Each of our trainers goes through a rigorous 90-day certification course. We only hire trainers with extensive prior experience who pass our thorough vetting process. Each of our trainers also carries their own professional accreditations and affiliations. They are required to undergo 100+ hours of continued education each year to stay up-to-date on the latest science-backed methods.

Can you make sessions fit my schedule?

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.

Can you work with multiple dogs?

Yes, we can either train each of your dogs individually or hold private group sessions with all of your dogs together. Each of our trainers can work with up to five dogs at a time.

Does my dog need to be up-to-date on their shots?

Yes. In order to keep you, your dog, and your trainer safe, we kindly ask that you ensure that your dog has received all their vaccinations.

Is private dog training affordable?

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.

2011 Serving clients since
10,200+ Dogs & puppies trained
700+ Customer
reviews
99% Customer satisfaction

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