NO PITCH. NO GUESSWORK.
In-Home Dog Training in Tampa, FL
We train dogs in the place they live, with the people who love them most: you. Help is here.
- Call now. A trainer answers, seven days a week.
- Meet with a trainer and make a plan.
- Train. We get to work bringing you and your best friend closer together.
10,000+ dogs trained • Training dogs since 2011 • 70+ years of combined experience
Here’s what’s next
What Happens Next
It happened. Your dog took you over the edge, and you Googled dog trainers in Tampa. Whether “it” was jumping, barking, pulling, pottying in the house, or just wanting to get your new puppy off on the right paw, you made the call.
And as soon as you did, that sick feeling in the pit of your stomach kicked in. I don’t want to get sold. We get it. So here’s what’s next.
Call
The call is about gathering information, for both of us. The typical things first: your name, zip code and phone number. Then it’s all about you. Oh, and your dog. Why are you calling? When did this start? Then the part we all dread: setting up the appointment.
Meet
We don’t care who you are, no one wants a stranger in their living room selling them the latest and greatest widget. That’s why we send a trainer to your home, not a salesperson. Your trainer will ask questions, watch you and your dog interact together, get to know you both, and most importantly, give you real answers to your actual issues.
Unless the latest hurricane is outside your door or the heat index is outpacing your air conditioning, your trainer will take you outside to show you what a Sit Happens trained dog looks like. They’ll demonstrate all the things you’ll learn.
Then you’ll head back inside to answer your questions and talk about what you just saw. Next comes the part that’s usually the most stressful, because talking about money always feels like a sale. With us, it’s a short explanation of what a 3, 5 or 7 lesson program covers, then one question: which works best for you?
You can sign up, think about it, or tell us to pack sand as you throw us out of your home. Any answer that’s right for you is good with us. Either way, we’ll leave the visit and you’ll have some tips you can use right away.
Train
The consultation and the first lesson are two completely different worlds. Meeting your trainer was interactive and fun. Lesson one is more like the first day of school, only you’re a grown-up and you really don’t want to go back to school.
To be blunt, the first few lessons are hard. They’re confusing, they don’t make sense, and to top it off, your dog is going to get it way faster than you. That’s why we recommend multiple lessons. The learning curve is about one lesson for your dog and, hopefully, three or four for you. And it gets worse: there’s homework. I don’t know about you, but I’m a grown-up. I don’t do homework.
All we ask is that you don’t quit, and push through those first few weeks. There’s a wonderful world just around the corner, and you and your dog will walk there together.
That’s when you’ll really love what happens next.
It’s as easy as 1-2-3
Call
A trainer answers, seven days a week. Tell us what’s going on with your dog, and we’ll set up your free in-home consultation.
Meet
A trainer, never a salesperson, comes to your home, meets your dog, and shows you how our training works with their own well-trained dog. By the end of the visit, you’ll have a plan we made together. Love it or leave it, there’s never any pressure.
Train
Your trainer comes to your home for every private lesson and teaches in plain language you’ll actually use. You can expect to see changes from the very first session. Your trainer supports you every step of the way.
Our services
How we help Tampa dogs and their families
Our expert trainers resolve behavior issues, build reliable obedience, and help puppies develop healthy social skills.
Behavioral Training
For when your dog or puppy is struggling to act calmly in their environment.
Learn about Behavioral TrainingLeash Training
Are walks with your dog harder than they should be? They may need some dedicated leash training.
Learn about Leash TrainingObedience Training
Does your dog ignore basic commands like “sit” and “stay”? They may need some obedience training.
Learn about Obedience TrainingPotty Training
If your puppy or dog been having accidents in the house, they may need some potty training.
Learn about Potty TrainingPuppy Training
Puppies need dog training to learn how to behave, socialize, and navigate the world around them.
Learn about Puppy TrainingSocialization Training
If your dog is reactive around people or other animals, they may need some socialization training.
Learn about Socialization TrainingTestimonials
Reviews from past clients
Read 90+ Google reviews from Sit Happens clients. Puppy training, obedience, behavior transformation stories!
We have a 7-month-old Pomsky who was quite a handful before training! She was biting a lot, chewing up everything in sight, still having accidents inside the house, and was afraid to go on walks outside.
After just five training sessions with Jena at Sit Happens Dog Training, we’ve seen such a wonderful transformation in our puppy!
Jena taught her to ring the bells to let us know when she needs a bathroom break, helped stop her destructive chewing, and built her confidence so she now enjoys going on walks outside. She has also learned several very helpful commands, including place, sit, stay, and free, which have made everyday life so much easier.
Even better, she now enjoys meeting other dogs and doesn’t bark at them at all!
We are so happy with the progress our puppy has made. Jena was a tremendous help, and we truly appreciate her patience, knowledge, and effective training methods. Five sessions made such a difference in our puppy’s behavior and confidence.
Working with Jenna has been one of the best investments I’ve ever made for my dog, Gertie.
From the moment Jenna walked through the door, it was obvious I was watching a true professional. Within minutes she had established an incredible connection with Gertie. She has a calm, confident presence that immediately earned Gertie’s trust while also setting clear expectations. It was amazing to watch. Jenna doesn’t just know how to train dogs. She genuinely understands them.
Gertie is a rescue who came into my life when she was about a year and a half old. I’ve owned a dachshund before, but Gertie’s personality is completely different, and I quickly realized she needed an approach that was tailored specifically to her. Jenna recognized that right away. She took the time to understand Gertie’s temperament and adjusted her training accordingly. Watching Gertie become more focused, confident, and responsive has been incredibly rewarding.
What I appreciated just as much was that Jenna wasn’t only training Gertie. She was teaching me how to communicate with her. Every lesson was practical, easy to understand, and something I could continue working on between visits. She explained not only what to do, but why it worked. That gave me the confidence to reinforce everything we learned long after each session ended.
Another huge advantage is that Jenna comes directly to my home in Sun City Center, Florida. Training Gertie in the environment where she actually lives made the sessions far more effective than I expected.
The results have honestly exceeded every expectation I had. Gertie is happier, more attentive, and a joy to work with. The bond between us is stronger because of everything Jenna taught us.
Jenna is knowledgeable, patient, professional, and genuinely passionate about what she does. Those qualities show in every interaction. If you’re looking for someone who truly cares about both the dog and the owner, I cannot recommend Jenna and SIT Happens highly enough.
Thank you, Jenna, for everything you’ve done for Gertie and for me. I would recommend Jenna without hesitation to anyone who wants a better relationship with their dog.
Our dog has become so much calmer and more disciplined. I highly recommend Sit Happens!
Thank you Jenna!
Our training was successful!
Recommended to two friends who are working through the process and pleased.
How we train
No magic. No mystery. Just a method that works.
Every dog does what it does for a reason. Your trainer’s first job is figuring out why your dog jumps, pulls or won’t come when called, then teaching you how to change it.
When your dog gets it right, they hear “Yes!” followed by praise and excitement, so they want to do it again.
And because every lesson happens in your home, your dog learns right where the problems happen.
Meet the team
Our certified Tampa dog trainers
Meet Sit Happens’ professional dog trainers serving the Tampa area. Our team specializes in puppies, obedience, and behavior modification using proven training systems.
View All Our Trainers
Jenna Cofer
Jenna’s love for animals began early. By 11, she was already begging her parents for a dog. By the time she was high school aged, she was already working in various dog daycare and boarding facilities. She was also active in FFA, working with chickens and heifers.
Ken Wille
Meet Ken Wille, manager and certified dog trainer at Sit Happens. Army veteran and experienced business leader helping families and their dogs thrive.
Kendra Roop
Kendra has spent the last 5+ years working professionally with dogs and their owners, and it shows in her energetic and passionate approach to training.
Tampa’s trusted in-home dog training team
Let us help you take your life back.
Our trainers are available daily from 9am–7pm and are happy to answer your training questions before you get started.
Call us today:
+1 (813) 695-9430
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 Tampa 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. 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.
reviews
Knowledge Center
Learn how to train your dog
Expert advice from Sit Happens trainers. Puppy tips, obedience guidance, and behavior solutions tailored to real-life dog ownership.
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