Sit Happens Dog Training Center

Sit Happens offers Puppy Kindergarten (for puppies under 16 weeks), Companion Manners, Advanced Classes, Agility, Nosework, and Tricks. Classes are weekly, small-group sessions with rotating skills and trainer feedback. Puppy Kindergarten includes socialization and instruction in a 1-hour format. Private lessons are conducted via live video. Playtimes are offered for socialization and energy release. Programs are designed to be ongoing, with options to progress from basic to advanced levels.

Pricing Summary

Classes require upfront payment for packages with no refunds offered. Puppy Kindergarten and other group classes have set package fees. Private lessons are available via video call. Specific pricing not listed publicly; registration and payment handled through online forms.

Policies

No refunds are offered for classes due to high demand and limited spots. Cancellations should be communicated as soon as possible to allow spot replacement. Puppies must not have visited dog parks or attended other daycare/boarding facilities to enroll in Puppy Kindergarten or Playtimes. Clients must not wear footwear previously worn at dog parks to class.

Sit Happens Dog Training Center is a professional dog training facility in Missoula, MT, offering group classes, private lessons, and playtime sessions focused on positive reinforcement training. All instructors are certified by the Certification Council for Professional Dog Trainers (CCPDT), with head trainer Sarah Spencer holding over 25 years of professional training experience since 1997. They specialize in puppy kindergarten, companion manners, behavior modification for reactive and anxious dogs, agility, nosework, and trick training. The facility maintains small class sizes for individualized attention and provides a clean, safe, indoor environment year-round. They enforce a strict no-dog-park policy to protect unvaccinated puppies and prevent disease spread. Their trainers emphasize building strong human-dog relationships through clear communication and enjoyable, science-based methods. They also offer online video training for private lessons and host puppy playtimes to support socialization in a controlled setting.

Their staff includes certified trainers with expertise in reactivity, anxiety, and behavioral rehabilitation, and they support owners at all experience levels—from first-time puppy owners to competitive agility handlers. Additional services include puppy daycare, nosework games, and canine fitness training. They are known for compassionate, patient instruction and ongoing support via phone or email.

Sit Happens is the only dog training center in Missoula with all instructors CCPDT-certified, and they prioritize dog well-being over forceful techniques, making them a trusted choice for families and competitive handlers alike.

Accomplishments

Sarah Spencer, founder and head coach, has been CPDT-KA certified since 2010 and has trained dogs in Agility, Nosework, Conformation, Freestyle, Flyball, Herding, Obedience, Rally, and more—earning multiple titles. She was the first person in Montana to become an APDT C.L.A.S.S. Evaluator. All staff are CPDT-KA certified. Trainers regularly attend workshops, conferences, and dog sport camps to advance their skills.

How to Get Started!

Register online for a class package, select a time slot, and pay. After registration, a confirmation email with class instructions is sent. For private lessons, contact via email or phone to schedule a video session. Puppy Kindergarten requires proof of vaccination and a vet visit prior to enrollment.