COVID-19 Update
PLEASE NOTE: Training classes are being conducted via live, interactive, online video training
AND in-person.
​We are offering hybrid classes where you can be at the training center OR at home and participate in real time.
​Online is easy and fun - you don't need to be a tech genius to participate. 
​CLICK HERE to learn more about our video training.

Sarah Spencer CPDT-KA, CTDI, CCFC

Founding Owner & Head Coach

Sarah has been a Certified Professional Dog Trainer (CPDT-KA) since 2010 but has been training professionally since 1997. She is also a Certified Trick Dog Instructor and Canine Conditioning Fitness Coach. Her journey into dog training began with her first dog, a Husky puppy named Joey, who was well above her skill level; and a desperate need to learn those skills, quickly turned into a love for training. She holds a Professional Membership with the Association of Professional Dog Trainers (APDT), and is also a member of the Musical Dog Sport Association (MDSA), the North American Dog Agility Council (NADAC), the Missoula agility club A Rover Runs Through It (ARRTI), the National Association of Canine Scent Work (NACSW) and was the first person in Montana to become an APDT Canine Life And Social Skills (C.L.A.S.S.) Evaluator. She likes to keep her dogs minds busy and bodies active and "do all the things!"
Sarah loves working with puppies and their people and is invested in helping puppies get off to the best start possible. She is passionate about helping people improve their relationship with their dogs and sharing her knowledge and love of doing different activities with them-- Sarah has competed in Agility, Nosework, Conformation, Freestyle, Flyball, Herding, Obedience, Water Dog Trials and Rally Obedience and earned many Agility, Nosework, Conformation, Freestyle, Flyball, Obedience, Tricks,  Parkour and Rally Titles with multiple dogs of different breeds. She has also trained her dogs in Tracking, Sledding, Treibball and Drill Team. Several of her dogs have also been in TV commercials and movies! Her more recent passions include working towards becoming certified as a Canine Fitness Trainer as well as a Raw Dog Food Nutrition Specialist.
In all her spare time, she enjoys attending trials, workshops, conferences, and dog sport camps to further her knowledge and hone her training skills so she can better help her clients and their dogs.
Picture
Jean Biggins CPDT-KA
Private Lesson Coach
Jean has been a Certified Professional Dog Trainer (CPDT-KA) since 2013, and she is a member of the Association for Professional Dog Trainers (APDT). Jean started her journey as a dog trainer almost a decade ago after adopting a Red Heeler in need of behavioral rehabilitation. She specializes in reactivity and anxiety cases as well as behavior modification plans for other problem behaviors (jumping up, pulling  on leash, running off, house-soiling, nuisance barking, resource guarding, and more). Jean also loves to teach basic skills, introduce new learners to positive reinforcement training and foster a better relationship between people and their dogs through clear communication. You will often hear her say "You may not always think you're training, but your dog is always learning". She works to inspire all her clients to incorporate training into their everyday interactions as a way of life to get the most out of their relationship with their dog!



Picture
Emma Elgin CPDT-KA
Coach & Puppy Daycamp Top Dog
Emma has been a Certified Professional Dog Trainer (CPDT-KA) since 2022 and received her Certified Veterinary Assistant Diploma in 2017.
Emma has had a love for animals since she was a small child. She used to check out stacks of books every week from the library and read as much as she could about animals. As she developed her knowledge on dogs she soon began checking out books on dog training. She started training with dogs in 2009 when she adopted her first rescue dog, Sugar. She continued to work with rescue dogs and foster from 2008-2014. She has developed a love and enjoyment working with and training dogs as well as miniature horses, rats, rabbits, and her cats. 

Call or text us at
​(406) 356-6007

Email us at
​Info@SitHappensMT.com

Or fill out our
​contact form

/

  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  • 5
Come check out Sit Happens! Not only are the basic classes a great foundation for your dog to be a well mannered canine companion, but there are so many more fun classes beyond that! Oddly enough Tricks class has been almost as useful as Companion Manners! Rio can wipe her feet when she comes in from the rain, close cabinet doors, pick up her toys and present her belly on command (a useful trick for the vet’s office). Thanks to Sarah and Jean for always being available for questions and having an alternative when one way of teaching a trick doesn’t work.
--Michelle B., Missoula

/

  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  • 5

/

  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  • 5
"I was having all kinds of trouble with my dog. He was barking, chewing on everything, and in general being a big trouble maker. I searched around for some training classes and settled on Sit Happens. I am glad I did not go with the box store training but instead went to someone with years of experience.  After just a few classes he seemed to be developing self confidence and his home behavior started to improve. After implementing their advice, Marvel is doing waaaaay better. Thanks Sit Happens for helping me turn my Marvel from a super villain to a super hero!"
​--Kandi J., Missoula

/

  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  • 5

/

  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  • 5
"So grateful for the guidance, knowledge, and compassion we have found with SIT Happens. Awesome name aside, they have been our trusted resource as we have navigated puppyhood with our Llewellin Setter. Whether it has been socialization, doggy daycare, training classes, or a reassuring voice on the other end of the line, they have never let us down. Thank you, Sarah. You've made a world of difference for us. Very grateful for you."
-- Carrie D., Missoula

/

  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  • 5

/

  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  • 5
I feel so lucky to have found people who are truly knowledgeable, always learning, and focused on creating positive, loving relationships between dogs and their owners. Another trainer might have tried to convince me to use more forceful techniques with my reactive Great Dane, but they have worked to teach me how to work with him rather than just work him. They've also helped me train an agility dog that will be going for his first title ever soon. I recommend them to everyone. Totally trustworthy and they care about your dog's well being first and foremost. A million stars."
--Amanda F., Missoula

/

  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  • 5

/

  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  • 5
Thanks Sarah for introducing my canine family to Noseworks! My 4 yr old lab & 2 yr old doodle LOVE this game and its the perfect activity to wear them out when we can’t walk outside. A great way to work on the bond with your dog. I’m still amazed when I can see them “catch and follow” the scent back to the hide. What amazing noses they have! For minimal investment, and mostly equipment you can find around your house, you can be set up to do Noseworks. Try it- you’ll be glad you did!
​--Michelle B., Missoula

/

  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  • 5

/

  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  • 5
"We've been coming to Sit Happens since before we even brought our first dog home. Through the years we've gotten so much great advice and support, and we've made a lot of friends going to classes and playtimes. We don't know what we would do without them."
​--Greg B., Lolo

/

  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  • 5

/

  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  • 5
“I really wanted to get my dog into group classes, but I was very nervous. He’s a rambunctious, distractible and often mischievous boy, and this would have been my first group class with him. I knew group classes would be a challenge, and I was very nervous. I reached out to Sarah and explained my situation. She said that we can give it a try and if it doesn’t work out, I could use my class fee for private lessons.
Sarah is awesome! Her classes are fun, light hearted and she really connects with students. Despite my boy’s occasional antics, she helped me work through them and build confidence. She gives each student equal individual attention. I took all 3 of her agility classes and graduated to advanced agility. The classes are very fun and honestly addicting! We might not be winning titles anytime soon, but I feel very confident with Sarah’s help we can work towards building the skills to enter agility trials, which was never really something I thought would be possible.
Sarah has been such an amazing support both inside and outside of the classroom and goes the extra mile for her students, whether they are serious competitors or just here to have fun. Sit Happens also offers a variety of fun classes I’ve added to my bucket list. I could not recommend Sit Happens more!”
​--Stephanie V., Arlee

/

  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  • 5

/

  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  • 5
Puppy Kindergarden is fantastic!! It was a great way for my insecure, male doodle puppy to be exposed to a LOT of different things in a short amount of time in a safe space. Everything is less scary if you’ve seen/felt/heard it before.  Pairing Puppy Playtime with that was even better! A good way for puppies to learn proper socialization while still getting to burn off puppy energy. The staff is trained to watch for escalations and diffuse it in a safe way so over exuberant puppies learn fair play and insecure puppies stay safe. He still has play dates with friends he made in puppy play time 2 years ago.
Do yourself and your puppy a favor and come check it out.
--Michelle B., Missoula

/

  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  • 5

/

  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  • 5
​"Thank you SIT Happens for the training class! We brought our 11 month old Shiba Inu Yuki in to get her to focus a bit more and to start her on a track of better manners. After 6 weeks I am happy to say she is definitely doing better. There will always be things we need to reinforce with her, but I feel like she is much more aware and attentive than she was when she started."
--Adam R., Missoula

/

  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  • 5

/

  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  • 5
​"I am not sure if there is a class I haven't taken at Sit-H. Love the place! Sarah is a great trainer and always keeps classes fun. It is so nice to have an indoor facility for fun classes especially in the non-summer months."
--Laura H., Missoula

/

  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  • 5
  • 0
  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  • 5
  • 6
  • 7
  • 8
  • 9