Sit and Stay Dog Training and Behavioral Counseling in New Jersey believes that a specially trained dog is the product of a specially trained and educated owner. Group Classes are available in Hoboken and Nutley, NJ. Joana Watsky, owner of Sit and Stay, has been a dog trainer and behavioral counselor for over fifteen years.
Services
I have to say Thanks again for helping me and Fosse train to be pet therapists. We just came back from Waterview Nursing Home in Cedar Grove and I continue to be amazed at how well Fosse has blended into this endeavor. He is very excited to "go and see the people". I have worked with Joana on several occasions with my family's rescue dogs.
A six week class teaching socialization, housebreaking, understanding dog behavior, and how to gain a nurturing relationship with your puppy. The Puppy Kindergarten class is a fun and enjoyable way to teach your puppy so much! We will go over teaching good bite inhibition, confidence and social savvy for interacting with other dogs and people, how to interact with people and other pups as well as learning how to respond quickly and reliably to basic training cues such as a recall, sit, lie down, stand and wait in the midst of other dogs and people.
A rewarding six week class encompassing learning basic dog behavior, communication skills, body language, as well as teaching basic training commands. The Basics class is designed for friendly puppies and dogs who are learning the basic commands for the first time or need a little brushing up on what they need more help on. We teach all the basic behaviors using fun exercises so that you can communicate well with your puppy or dog and have fun learning.
This class takes the basic skills that your dog has already learned to a higher level. We will add more distractions and real life situations to proof the commands as well as working towards working off leash. The class will work towards the skills to pass the Canine Good Citizen test as well as the Therapy dog test.
The in home puppy kindergarten session is an all embracing consultation which covers every question and issue the new puppy parent may have. In home sessions include unlimited phone and email consultations about all topics covered as well as literature and videos covering important information. The Basics Class is the perfect complement once your puppy is old enough to attend.
Reviews (8)
Stephanie Cannone
Oct 23, 2021
I cannot recommend Joana enough! I recently had her over for an in home session with my puppy Bowser. Im not exaggerating when I say I've noticed huge improvements immediately. He's walking so much better and listening to commands and is eager to learn. In just a few days, we've gotten to the point where with just one hand movement and a noise, he excitingly goes running into his crate.
It's so amazing! I'm having so much fun working with him and training him now. I can't wait to take her group classes! 10/10 highly recommend. So glad I took the time to research trainers and found Joana.
It's so amazing! I'm having so much fun working with him and training him now. I can't wait to take her group classes! 10/10 highly recommend. So glad I took the time to research trainers and found Joana.
Clint Galac
May 22, 2021
Joana was great in teaching proper communication between me and my puppy. Her lessons and training methods reinforce a positive and fruitful relationship between my puppy and I. She is very responsive with emails and is understanding when life happens and is willing to accommodate a make-up lesson over zoom. She has survived well through Covid and is compliant with Covid state protocol. She offers more than just puppy basics and will help you with any of your furbaby's needs. Joana is a great trainer for dogs and humans alike.
Sandra Sung Garcia
May 17, 2021
I am a new puppy owner of a 3 month old, that my family had for 3 weeks. Literally spent 2 months before puppy pick up researching dog training, puppy behaviors, positive training, watched every me vs the dog/ Zak George / simpawticos you tube vids. Purchased all the gear in advance and after 2 weeks into training I was so tired. And worried I wasn't getting anywhere.
My friend recommended Joana and I was a bit reluctant to reach out at first because of all the prep work I put in and the money I had already spent but it was 150% worth it! Very professional and gave me confidence and my family confidence that our pup was not being ruined and he would grow up to be quite a fine adult doggie. She corrected some bad habits that I assumed were correct from watching videos.
She taught and clarified training techniques that just can't be learned from a prerecorded vid that is meant for the masses. I couldn't be happier with my private training session with Joana and my pup has been so good since then, I joke that she either fixed him or broke him. Lol 5 thumbs up! Even if you've done your homework, the real time personal training with YOUR pup makes a real difference.
My friend recommended Joana and I was a bit reluctant to reach out at first because of all the prep work I put in and the money I had already spent but it was 150% worth it! Very professional and gave me confidence and my family confidence that our pup was not being ruined and he would grow up to be quite a fine adult doggie. She corrected some bad habits that I assumed were correct from watching videos.
She taught and clarified training techniques that just can't be learned from a prerecorded vid that is meant for the masses. I couldn't be happier with my private training session with Joana and my pup has been so good since then, I joke that she either fixed him or broke him. Lol 5 thumbs up! Even if you've done your homework, the real time personal training with YOUR pup makes a real difference.
Tori Magat
Feb 09, 2021
Lisa Albro
Jun 15, 2020
When we adopted our puppy and were having issues with mouthing, getting him to walk on a leash, and separation anxiety. On the recommendation of another dog owner we knew, we called Sit and Stay. Joana came to our house to work with us, and her calm, expert instruction helped us to get past those issues. She had reasonable solutions, backed by good information, for every question I asked her. Plus, my dog responded very well to her.
We brought our boy to obedience classes with Sit and Stay a few months later and once again, were impressed with Joana's professionalism, expertise, and abilities. I follow Sit and Stay's Facebook page for ongoing sound advice on keeping my dog healthy and keeping him - and us - safe and happy. I've even reached out to Joana on a few occasions with questions over the years, and she has always been responsive and helpful.
Our "puppy" is now nine years old, and I rely on Joana's advice and recommendations as he ages. We will work with her with any other dogs we bring into our family and we recommend her to anyone looking for a true, caring, professional.
We brought our boy to obedience classes with Sit and Stay a few months later and once again, were impressed with Joana's professionalism, expertise, and abilities. I follow Sit and Stay's Facebook page for ongoing sound advice on keeping my dog healthy and keeping him - and us - safe and happy. I've even reached out to Joana on a few occasions with questions over the years, and she has always been responsive and helpful.
Our "puppy" is now nine years old, and I rely on Joana's advice and recommendations as he ages. We will work with her with any other dogs we bring into our family and we recommend her to anyone looking for a true, caring, professional.
Trisha Mainiero
Jan 16, 2020
Ruth O'Leary
Apr 01, 2019
I've had two very different dogs, both of whom Joana helped me train. My first dog, a Springer Spaniel was 3 years old when I got him and I later learned had significant anxiety and some fear aggression issues. Joana was hugely supportive and non-judgemental with me (and the dog!) and helped me understand his behavior and that I had to take a "management" approach, all of which helped a lot.
I got my second dog, a Lab puppy last year and was determined to have a better experience (for all) this time around. I met with Joana for a pre-puppy planning session about 2-3 weeks before the pup came home - that was one of the best things I've ever done! I highly recommended it. Although I had read plenty of books and already had some planning done, meeting with Joana *before* the pup came home made the whole process so much easier and more successful.
I was able to ask her questions and she gave me a lot of advice on how to prepare for the first few weeks and work with the pup. I then met with her again a couple of weeks *after* the pup was with us and again, that was a huge help because of course, now I had a lot of specific questions etc. A couple of month after that, I took both the basic and advanced classes with Joana which were super. Joana is very patient, compassionate and incredibly knowledgeable about dogs and training.
She gave me a lot of insight into dog learning and behavior, and human coping techniques (!). Several times in class, she reminded us that our dogs are not robots, that they have opinions and needs and wants of their own and I think that's really important to remember when raising a dog and something a lot of dog owners don't understand at first. Lastly, Joana posts a ton of very helpful links and information on her Facebook page which really helps with your continued education as a dog parent. Working with Joana has made my dog-human relationship so much better and I thank her so much for her support.
I got my second dog, a Lab puppy last year and was determined to have a better experience (for all) this time around. I met with Joana for a pre-puppy planning session about 2-3 weeks before the pup came home - that was one of the best things I've ever done! I highly recommended it. Although I had read plenty of books and already had some planning done, meeting with Joana *before* the pup came home made the whole process so much easier and more successful.
I was able to ask her questions and she gave me a lot of advice on how to prepare for the first few weeks and work with the pup. I then met with her again a couple of weeks *after* the pup was with us and again, that was a huge help because of course, now I had a lot of specific questions etc. A couple of month after that, I took both the basic and advanced classes with Joana which were super. Joana is very patient, compassionate and incredibly knowledgeable about dogs and training.
She gave me a lot of insight into dog learning and behavior, and human coping techniques (!). Several times in class, she reminded us that our dogs are not robots, that they have opinions and needs and wants of their own and I think that's really important to remember when raising a dog and something a lot of dog owners don't understand at first. Lastly, Joana posts a ton of very helpful links and information on her Facebook page which really helps with your continued education as a dog parent. Working with Joana has made my dog-human relationship so much better and I thank her so much for her support.
Morgan Gertler
Mar 19, 2019
There is no one else I trust more when it comes to my dogs wellbeing than Joana. She has worked with us for our shelter/emaciated/no previous training dog, and our well adjusted puppy. I really owe everything I know about dogs to her. She's taught me how to advocate for their health, proper socialization as well as space when they need it. (Learning how to speak up when someone is being too friendly or touchy with my dog who clearly doesn't like it) She's recommended vets and specialists who have all been AMAZING doctors (with fantastic bedside manner) and supported/helped us navigate some very scary health issues my one dog has had. Plus, she follows her own advice.
She's a true dog lover and a dog owner herself. Her in home trainings are game changers and her classes are really great for bonding with and teaching your dog in a social environment.
She's a true dog lover and a dog owner herself. Her in home trainings are game changers and her classes are really great for bonding with and teaching your dog in a social environment.
