Sit Means Sit Atlanta Named Georgia’s Top Dog in Pet Training Services

DOUGLASVILLE, GA – January 02, 2026 – In a testament to its profound impact on pets and their owners across Metro Atlanta, Sit Means Sit Atlanta has been distinguished as a Regional Winner in the 2025 Georgia Business Journal’s prestigious Best of Georgia Awards. The facility earned the top honor in the Pet Training Services category, a recognition that highlights its excellence in a highly competitive field.

The annual Best of Georgia awards celebrate businesses that exhibit outstanding service, community impact, and innovation. The selection process, which combines widespread public voting with a thorough editorial review, ensures that only the most reputable and effective organizations are recognized. For Sit Means Sit Atlanta, this award validates a deeply held mission to foster better communication and stronger bonds between dogs and their families.

"This award means the world to our entire team," said Gema Mays, owner of Sit Means Sit Atlanta. "Every day, we witness the incredible transformations that happen when dogs receive proper training and families learn to communicate effectively with their pets. This recognition validates our mission to solve behavior problems, build confidence, and create lasting bonds between dogs and their owners."

Setting the Gold Standard in a Competitive Market

The Metro Atlanta area boasts a crowded and diverse dog training market, with numerous providers offering philosophies ranging from basic positive reinforcement to specialized behavioral science. Amid this landscape, Sit Means Sit Atlanta has carved out a reputation for delivering transformative results. The facility’s success stems from a customized, attention-based training philosophy that goes beyond simple commands.

Their approach prioritizes teaching dogs to pay attention to their owners regardless of distractions, a foundational skill for reliable obedience. A key differentiator and a highly coveted outcome for clients is the focus on achieving off-leash freedom. This advanced level of training provides dogs with a higher quality of life—allowing them to run, play, and explore safely—while giving owners peace of mind. The methodology has proven effective in addressing a wide spectrum of common and complex behavioral issues, including jumping, pulling on the leash, reactivity, and even severe aggression.

Client testimonials consistently praise the facility for achieving what many owners thought was impossible. Public reviews frequently describe dogs that were once anxious or unruly as becoming confident, calm, and well-behaved companions, a sentiment that undoubtedly contributed to their success in the public voting portion of the Best of Georgia awards.

From Troubled Pups to Top Trainers: The Leadership Story

The driving force behind Sit Means Sit Atlanta's success is a leadership team whose passion for dog training is rooted in personal experience. Both owner Gema Mays and facility manager Peyton Moebs began their journeys as clients, seeking help for their own dogs with challenging behavioral issues. Mays first came to Sit Means Sit in 2014 with a dog exhibiting extreme aggression, while Moebs sought help for her Chihuahua’s fear-based aggression.

Witnessing the life-changing results firsthand ignited a passion that turned them from clients into dedicated professionals. Their personal stories provide them with a unique empathy for families who feel overwhelmed or hopeless about their pet's behavior. This firsthand understanding is embedded in the facility’s culture of support and encouragement.

Their professional credentials further solidify their expertise. Both Mays and Moebs are certified American Kennel Club (AKC) Evaluators, qualified to administer the Canine Good Citizen (CGC) test and other AKC programs. They are also active and passionate competitors in a variety of dog sports, including Agility, Hunt Tests, and Rally, continually honing their skills. Moebs also brings extensive experience from the veterinary field, adding another layer of holistic knowledge to the team’s capabilities.

More Than Commands: Building Confident Companions and Stronger Communities

Sit Means Sit Atlanta operates on the principle that dog training is about much more than teaching a dog to sit or stay. The ultimate goal is to build a lifelong, joyful relationship between a family and its dog. The facility’s comprehensive programs—including immersive Board & Train camps, Day Training, and a Puppy Academy—are designed to create confident, well-adjusted canine citizens.

"Our approach goes beyond basic obedience commands," Mays explained. "We're building lifelong relationships between families and their dogs. Whether someone is dealing with a fearful rescue, an energetic puppy, or an aggressive adult dog, we provide the structure, skills, and support needed for lasting transformation."

This focus has a ripple effect that extends into the wider community. A well-trained dog is less likely to be relinquished to a shelter, contributes to safer neighborhoods, and allows families to integrate their pet more fully into their lives. Recognizing its role in the community, the facility also demonstrates a commitment to social responsibility through its Heroes Appreciation program, which offers discounts to police officers, firefighters, military servicemembers, rescue workers, and educators.

A Paws-itive Future: Award Fuels Growth and Expanded Offerings

Bolstered by the recognition from the Georgia Business Journal, Sit Means Sit Atlanta is poised for continued growth in 2026. The leadership team plans to build on its success by expanding program offerings and deepening its community involvement. The award serves not only as a validation of their past work but as a catalyst for future innovation.

Serving Douglasville, Carroll, Paulding, Atlanta, Marietta, and surrounding areas since 2014, the facility has become a go-to resource for dog owners seeking real solutions. In addition to its core training programs, it offers boarding and doggie daycare for clients, ensuring that training remains consistent. Specialized services like AKC certification and small pack walks further support a dog's ongoing development.

As they look ahead, the team at Sit Means Sit Atlanta is energized by the community’s support and inspired to help even more families discover the freedom and joy that come with a well-behaved canine companion.