Got Sit Spotlight: Marvin Versteeg

It starts with a knock on the door.

Outside, dressed in Converse tennis shoes, a red Got Sit t-shirt and a 100-watt smile, is Marvin Versteeg. We welcome him in, introduce him to our dogs. He proceeds with our in-home consultation while magically (it seems) getting our wayward dogs to follow directions before our very eyes. We’re mesmerized. Who is this guy? Where did he come from? How is he doing this?  Inquiring minds want to know.

We all know Marvin is the driving force behind Got Sit Dog Training. We know he’s a dog training sensei. We know he’s high energy, intently focused and extremely passionate about his work. Oh, and there’s his preoccupation with Harley’s. That’s also well known.  But as Shakespeare said, “All the world’s a stage… And one man in his time plays many parts.” Marvin too plays many parts. Some with dogs, some without.

Originally from southern California, Marvin moved to the Pacific Northwest in 1995. Before starting Got Sit in 2007, he tried his hand at acting, worked in the finance industry, owned an excavation company, and kept training dogs as a hobby along the way. Becoming a dog trainer full time wasn’t in his game plan. In 2007, a lightbulb came on and with the help of a seven year old German shepherd named Hannah, Got Sit was born. His incredible problem solving skills and experiences led him to develop his state of the art, unique training system and to start Got Sit Dog Training. The rest is history.

When he’s not working, Marvin’s outside camping, hiking and generally enjoying the great outdoors. He’s the proud father of three children, one of which (Corey) recently joined the Got Sit team. He’s an avid Seahawks fan and baseball aficionado. He has an affinity for pie à la mode and motorized machines: cars, boats, jet skis, motorcycles. Did we mention his Harley obsession? He owns a couple and rides them every chance he gets.

Regardless of what he’s doing, Marvin always circles back to dogs. He loves performing with his dog, Tango. Home shows, group classes, neighbors’ backyards, city parks… the venue doesn’t matter. To watch them is to behold a unique pas de deux that’s deeply inspiring and highly compelling. The energy, passion and love he has for his dog and their work together is palpable. It’s no wonder he’s a highly regarded expert.

By the time our in-home consultation finishes, we’re hooked. Marvin’s expertise and experience, not to mention the cool tricks with Tango, show us a dog-training world we want to be part of. However, as we progress through the program, we discover Marvin brought more than dog training through our front doors. Life-changing passion, unwavering commitment and unbridled enthusiasm came with him. The result? A better quality of life for ourselves, our families and our dogs.

Thank you Marvin.