Trainers available daily from 9am-7pm

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

The Best Dog Trainer in Tampa, FL

The top-rated dog trainer in Tampa with 14+ years experience & 80+ 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 Tampa 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 Tampa Dog sitting at home after being trained by the best dog trainer in tampa

Private dog training, from the comfort of your Tampa home

We identify the real reason behind your dog’s behavior and create a training plan that brings calm, structure, and balance back into your home.

When a dog won’t listen, reacts intensely, or struggles with everyday situations, it’s exhausting. Most dogs aren’t being stubborn or “bad.” They’re responding to confusion, stress, overstimulation, or unmet needs.

Our certified trainers work with you one-on-one to uncover what’s driving your dog’s behavior. Once we understand the root cause, we guide you through a clear, step-by-step training plan designed to create lasting change.

Dog training issues:

How it works

01

Contact us now

We’ll schedule a consultation and send a certified trainer to your home. During your first visit, we identify the root cause of your dog’s behavior, recommend a personalized training plan, and demonstrate techniques tailored to your dog.

02

We come to you

All sessions are held in your home and neighborhood — where real-world behaviors happen.

Many clients see positive changes starting on Day 1.

03

We work with you to solve your dog’s problems

As training progresses, life gets easier. Walks become enjoyable. Guests feel welcome. Your dog settles calmly at home. Your trainer supports you every step of the way.

How we help Tampa dogs and their families

Our expert trainers resolve behavior issues, build reliable obedience, and help puppies develop healthy social skills.

Dog Training

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

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Leash Training

Are walks with your dog harder than they should be? They may need some dedicated leash training.

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Puppy Training

Puppies need dog training to learn how to behave, socialize, and navigate the world around them.

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Reviews from past clients

See over 80+ real results from Sit Happens clients. Puppy training, obedience, behavior transformation stories!

Don Delano
18:12 21 Jan 26
WOW, the results are better than I expected. Jenna is an excellent contributor, she explains in detail the steps to training. She was working with my 4 month old Cavapoo, a very energetic excitable puppy.
Madison Lutz
11:54 02 Dec 25
Jenna has been amazing! We did the 7 week training course for our 3 year old German shepherd. Before we started Bo would try to dart out the front door, jumping on people and super anxious around dogs & would bark anytime he saw a dog. Now he is a much more confident dog and has improved soo much, we are able to take him in public, to the beach, Home Depot. Walk him without fear of him barking like crazy at another dog. We are so grateful and Bo is like a different dog now. We cannot recommend enough!
Priya Bose White
15:59 01 Oct 25
Our dog had intense anxiety and confidence issues that led to her being confined to the area around our house. With the help of Jenna and the Sit Happens training program, our dog is now comfortable to sit in the car without barking, go to dog friendly places with minimum pulling, and is able to meet new people while being friendly. Now, our dog's world is a much happier and less stressful place. Highly recommend!!
Scott R. Norris
13:12 31 Aug 25
We have been working with Sit Happens for several months to train highly active Blue Heeler. Jenna has been a amazing to work with. She is very skilled and seems to have an answer for random question or behavior we bring up. She has helped us shape Stirling into fun and obedient companion. She has stayed committed to ensuring that Stirling becomes the best he can be. She has been encouraging to us when we thought a breed like this was too much for us to handle. She makes great recommendations for toys, gear, and food - she has even gifted us a few items. I couldn't imagine being on this dog journey without her. Highly, highly recommend collaborating with her on your dog training needs!
Teresa Allen
19:37 03 Jun 25
Jenna was great at getting my golden doodle under control. She comes when I call her, she sits by me and stays. We are still working a little on place but she's doing awesome. Thank you Jenna for showing or teaching me to train Nala. She's such a better dog now
Baylie Crawford
22:08 18 Mar 25
My husband and I contacted Jenna from Sit Happens with the goal of reducing unnecessary barking and socialization for our chihuahua, Elle. Jenna was great and always responsive with whatever questions we had for her. Our major goal was to take her out more and be okay with distractions. For our last session she was able to stay at a restaurant table and let people pet her and walk around which is major process! We look forward to continuing the practice that Jenna taught us with Elle!
Kayla Hearn
20:14 07 Jan 25
Jenna is absolutely amazing and I highly recommend her as a dog trainer. She’s great with both humans and fur babies! She presents learning information in a way that I can comprehend and makes it easy to understand. I’ve had experiences with other dog trainers and she is by far the best. My puppy, Elvis, has come along way and I couldn’t have done it without Jenna’s expertise and positive attitude! I can now take him out in public places without the stress, which was my goal. I cannot recommend her enough. Thank you, Jenna!! 😀
Jennifer Keovongsa
00:48 06 Jun 24
Jenna took a behavior that we’ve been dealing with pretty much all of our dogs life and in 15 min helped us understand why he was doing the behavior and showed us how to fix it! Jenna has the perfect personality for this kind of work and knows her stuff. Our dogs love her!

Dog training backed by canine cognitive science

At Sit Happens, we use humane, evidence-based training methods designed to create lasting behavioral change, not short-term compliance.

  • Positive reinforcement
  • Strengthening the dog–owner relationship
  • Canine cognitive science (understanding why behaviors occur)
  • Building consistent, healthy habits

Traditional training often suppresses behaviors without addressing what causes them. We take a different approach, we identify what’s throwing your dog off-balance and teach them how to adapt, self-regulate, and succeed in real-world situations.

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

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.

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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

Ken’s love for dogs started before he could even walk, and it’s been his calling ever since. Born and raised in Chicagoland, he moved to Tampa after marrying his best friend in 2011.

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.

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

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.

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 Tampa 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 Tampa 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
80+ Customer
reviews
99% Customer satisfaction

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.

What You Say About Us

Looking for dog training near Tampa? You’re in the right place. At Sit Happens Dog Training, we help Tampa Bay families turn everyday challenges such as pulling on the leash, jumping on guests, or ignoring recall into calm, confident behavior they can rely on at home and out in the world.

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Tampa Dog Training That Actually Works | Sit Happens Dog Training

Looking for dog training near Tampa? You’re in the right place. At Sit Happens Dog Training, we help Tampa Bay families turn everyday challenges such as pulling on the leash, jumping on guests, or ignoring recall into calm, confident behavior they can rely on at home and out in the world.

Read Article

Think Outside the Leash: A Better Way to Approach Dog Training in Tampa, FL

When we say “Think Outside the Leash,” we are not just talking about off-leash reliability. At Sit Happens Dog Training in Tampa, Florida, it is a philosophy that encourages dog owners to move beyond outdated training methods and toward a clearer, more meaningful relationship with their dogs.

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