Meet the Faculty of “I Said Sit!”

Head Trainer, Certified TrainerLexi is a CPDT-KA and CBATI-KA and has been working with dogs of all kinds since 2018 when she started working at I Said Sit as a kennel attendant, where she realized what her dream career was - training dogs & their people. She believes that dog training is about understanding the instincts of dogs, how to read their body language, and how they learn.Committed to providing the most convenient, effective solutions to her clients' dog training needs, she avidly pursues continuing education and professional development by attending several seminars per year and keeping up-to-date on industry literature. She believes that each dog is an individual and, just like people, they have different learning styles that require a unique approach. When not helping clients to enjoy easier lives with their canine companions, Lexi spends time going camping and training her cat Phoebe new tricks.

Certified Trainer, Certified Behavior ConsultantAvailable for in-home training onlyFrom a young age, Sean has lived with and cared for many species of animals, and has been interested in their behavior.  His spark for animal behavior ignited when he adopted and started training his first dog, Finn. Soon after discovering his passion for dog training, he began working at a dog daycare and volunteering with the local animal control office in order to gain real-world experience working with dogs, while reading every book on the subject he could get his hands on.After some time,  he went back to school, at the Karen Pryor Academy for Animal Training and Behavior. While there, he gained technical knowledge, and hands-on skill teaching pet owners and training pet dogs, which he continues to hone and improve at “I Said Sit”, and through his commitment to continuing education, and has since attained multiple certifications. Sean currently lives in West LA with his wife, Raquel, his two dogs, Finn and Potato, and his cat, Toothless.

Certified Trainer, Fear Free Certified® Professional TrainerChynna has been training dogs and an AKC evaluator since 2018. She quickly noticed the benefits of training your dog. A confident, trained dog makes your day easier and better. When dogs go through training, it's as if they learn a new language they can use to speak with us. This communication tends to make life easier and happier for all involved.Animals play a big part in Chynna's life. She believes that every pet deserves to live their lives to the fullest, especially dogs! Every dog is different so training them is constantly making small adjustments and celebrating individual victories. Over the years, she has developed the passion and the patience required to bring out the best in our canine companions, while also ensuring the experience is positive and enjoyable for them.Chynna's goal as a trainer is to make sure all dogs live happy, fulfilling lives and to make sure all owners know how to make that happen. Training science is constantly evolving so she eagerly keeps up on her own studies. Her current pets are two chihuahua mixes named Gertrude and Ethel, two turtles, three guinea pigs, 7 frogs and 12 parakeets who all coexist in the same room.

Certified TrainerDanielle has been training dogs since 2021. She obtained her Bachelors of Science degree from Iowa State University in Animal Science (2024). She learned not just about the behavior and wellbeing of animals, but also their diets, physiology, and ability to improve human life. Through training on campus, she has experience with personal dogs, service dogs, and struggling shelter dogs. She is continuing her education by working towards as many certifications as she can alongside a master’s degree in Human-Canine Life Science.  She believes that training improves both the humans’ and the dogs’ lives and leads to a stronger bond between the two. Additionally, she will celebrate the small training successes just as much as the large ones and knows that patience and time are the best methods to success. She lives with her cat, Smudge, and service dog in training, Spoons.  

TrainerDe’Jane’, called DJ for short, was born and raised into a hardworking family who migrated from Belize to LA .  DJ started training dogs in 2020 and is passionate about helping dogs and their owners build strong, trusting relationships. She utilizes positive reinforcement and specializes in obedience training, agility, and behavioral adjustment training. Her approach focuses on understanding each dogs unique personality and needs to ensure that the training is both effective and enjoyable. Fostering a positive environment where learning is fun for both dogs and their handler is key to her training process.She has come to recognize the urgent need for comprehensive support for all animals in our communities. Her long term goal is to establish a sanctuary that provides shelter, rehabilitation, and education for all animals in need.When not training dogs, you can find her swimming or hiking with her fur friend Pepsi, a 12 year old Yorkshire Terrier. He enjoys boiled chicken and swimming.

Certified TrainerMarlen has always admired animals, especially dogs. She grew up in a household that had many different dogs throughout the years. It wasn’t until Max, a Pitbull Terrier mix, that she learned she had a natural affinity for dog training. Without the help of any resources or knowledge of dog training, she taught him how to do basic obedience skills like sitting and waiting for his food bowl. Due to only being 11 years old, she was never able to take such a big, strong dog on walks. It is something that has always stuck with her to this day. Not being able to let him experience the world turned into a desire to help owners enjoy their dogs in all aspects of life.When it comes to training, Marlen finds it important for dogs to be able to thrive and experience life. She knows from personal experience what an amazing feeling it is to be complimented on how well-behaved your dog is, as well as being able to see them achieve things that you started to lose hope in. At the end of the day, she wants owners to feel proud of their dogs. She sees training as a wonderful tool to create a good relationship with your dog. Marlen is invested in being able to be a fountain of information and tools to owners, so for that reason she is currently working towards getting her CPDT-KA in spring 2025. She is also attending school to be a certified animal nutritionist as well as looking forward to becoming a CGC evaluator and continuing her education with seminars and workshops.

Certified TrainerBen, born and raised in New York, always possessed a deep passion for animals—a passion that would later transform into his lifelong calling. Following his film studies at CU Boulder, Ben relocated to Los Angeles to build a successful career in TV commercial production, all while dedicating his spare time to caring for dogs.It was the adoption of Focaccia, a rescue dog, that revealed Ben's gift for training. Confronted with Focaccia's reactive behavior, Ben embarked on a mission to gain his trust and seamlessly integrate him into the family. Today, Ben and Focaccia enjoy games of fetch and leisurely walks, a testament to Ben's dedication and a far cry from the anxious, reactive dog they initially encountered at the shelter.As a trainer, Ben derives immense satisfaction from helping pet parents achieve their training objectives and cultivate joyful, enduring bonds with their animals. He is exceptionally diligent in his approach and maintains a keen personal interest in each pet he trains. A dedicated health and fitness enthusiast, Ben also enjoys exploring diverse culinary experiences and maintaining an active lifestyle through regular gym workouts.