An image of a german shepard with their owner - contact Dog Training Elite for your german shephard training in Albuquerque / Santa Fe, NM.
Dog Training Elite

German Shepherd Dog Training in Albuquerque / Santa Fe, NM

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Our German Shepherd Training Could Help:
Excessive barking
Aggression
Separation anxiety
Destructive chewing
Leash pulling
Over-protectiveness
Resource guarding

German Shepherd Training in Albuquerque / Santa Fe, NM

German Shepherds consistently rank in the top five most popular dog breeds in America—and for good reason. German Shepherds are highly intelligent and loyal. With proper training and socialization, they are also obedient and great with other dogs and children. Not to mention, they’re beautiful!

Dog Training Elite has years of experience with German Shepherd training in Albuquerque / Santa Fe, NM and has developed obedience programs suitable for this breed. Because of their intelligence and natural herding instincts, German Shepherds can also be trained as service dogs.

Like any intelligent dog, however, a German Shepherd without proper training can become a handful. Their intelligence can lead to stubbornness. Extensive training and socialization are key to harnessing the unique abilities of this breed and diminishing any potential destructive behaviors. Thankfully, the high intelligence of German Shepherds enables them to learn commands quickly.

With our targeted and specialized breed training programs, Dog Training Elite New Mexico can help any German Shepherd become an incredible companion to individuals and families.

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An image of multiple german shepherd puppies - our Albuquerque / Santa Fe german shepherd trainers ensure you pup is ready to be the best companion possible.

German Shepherd Puppies vs. Adults


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Dog Training Elite recommends starting dog training as early as possible, soon after a puppy is ready to leave its mother. Puppies are capable of learning basic commands, and smart German Shepherd puppies do great with early training.

If you adopt an older German Shepherd, or never got around to puppy training, don’t worry! Dog Training Elite New Mexico offers adult dog training programs as well. A complete puppy training typically takes a few months. Adult dog training can take longer or shorter, depending on whether a dog needs to unlearn bad habits in addition to being trained.

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You and your canine companion really can have it all. See how easy it can be to become a member of the elite pup society by requesting a free consultation today!

Hear From Our Customers

Learn Why Dog owners choose Dog Training Elite

  • Gina Padilla
    Apr. 6, 2026
    Sending a big shout out to Kayla Collins for her professionalism.. she's the best dog trainer anyone could ever ask for.. thank you! from your friends..Gina and Lucy
  • Laurel Wright
    Apr. 5, 2026
    Steve is a really good instructor! The dogs took to him right away and instructions easy to follow. The dogs caught on quickly and easy to follow through for the remainder of the week. Highly recommend this form of dog training.
  • Jacob Lucero
    Apr. 3, 2026
    Could not be happier with Dog Training Elite in Albuquerque. Our dog Xochi was very reactive which made it difficult for her to enjoy many activities with us including walking in public around other dogs, having friends over to our house. Kayla C came to work with us and Xochi, helping us teach Xochi commands but also teaching us how to respond to Xochi's reactivity. After even the first session Xochi showed improvement. Finally the ultimate test was when Kayla C brought her own dog Axl into our home, and though Xochi wasn't thrilled, she allowed him to exist in our home, even sit in HER chair! The group sessions are very helpful as well, each time Xochi goes, she shows improvement and learns that other dogs are not always so scary! Now Xochi's quality of life has greatly improved because she can be at ease around new people and dogs, and she now has pack leaders who are learning how to lead her. DTE NM, Kayla C and Lacy could not have done a better job.
  • Tania Nevarez
    Mar. 28, 2026
    Great trainers with a lot of experience.
  • Cass Jane
    Mar. 22, 2026
    The weekly training really helped calm our dog down around people. We actually see a difference from day 1 to the end of training and going on walks does not feel stressful anymore!
  • Megan Thomson
    Mar. 9, 2026
    This company has really helped my dog's and my own confidence through our path to seizure alert and response training! Obedience training has come in clutch!
  • MaryJayne Rogers Ph.D.
    Feb. 28, 2026
    We decided to have our dog in training to become a service dog. He was born very timid and really struggled around people, noises, and other dogs. We have been working with Kayla C. from DTE. She is awesome! She is very friendly and easy going. Plus, she has an amazing eye for the dogs psychology and body language. We passed our Public Access test today and really thank Kayla for all if her help!
  • Sarah Wright
    Feb. 22, 2026
    Very good experience! We used Dog Training Elite New Mexico when two of our three dogs started having issues getting along with each other. After multiple emergency vet visits, we felt like we were running out of options, but our trainer Kayla showed us how to create a manageable pack environment. The dog we put through the program has come a very long way thanks to Kayla's expertise, and we feel better equipped to keep the pack in order. I appreciated that Dog Training Elite New Mexico worked WITH us on the issues so we could learn along the way and loved that they gave us the flexibility to work with our schedule. The group classes are a huge perk and our experience with those trainers have also been very positive so far. They clearly love and understand dogs and are willing to put in the effort to help their clients. Would absolutely recommend!
  • Bryann-Rose Arnold
    Feb. 11, 2026
    This place is great! I have, or rather, had, a very reactive heeler. She would bark at everything and everyone. Snapping, nipping and if it weren’t for her muzzle maybe even biting. I did a consultation and the woman they sent out was great. Very friendly, understanding and overall very welcoming. My dog even stopped growling in her presence which I was amazed by. A few weeks later we had our first session with Kayla C. and she is now one of my favorite people! She has a great, warm personality. She did great with my dog and even now my heeler lets Kayla touch her. 8 weeks of one on one training with Kayla and I now feel SO comfortable taking my dog out in public. She had a dog get in her face the other day and she was unbothered by it. She’s had random people come up and have conversations with me, and now people are able to get closer than 20 ft. I’m so amazingly proud of the progress my dog has made and I’m grateful to Kayla for her help in guiding us through this. There was no judgment, just understanding. I definitely recommend this group of trainers.
  • John Yan
    Jan. 22, 2026
    Dog Training Elite New Mexico truly set the bar for what a supportive, professional, and passionate team looks like. From the very beginning, I was met with kindness, patience, and genuine support from Justin and Kayla. This wasn’t just a team, it felt like a family that truly cared about one another, the wonderful dogs, and every client who walked through the door. I’m deeply grateful for the trust they placed in me, the lessons they shared, and the countless moments of teamwork, laughter, and growth along the way. Being surrounded by people who lead with heart and purpose made the work so meaningful every single day. Thank you for the memories, the friendships, and the impact you’ve had on me. I’ll always be thankful for my time with Dog Training Elite New Mexico 🐾👋❤️
  • Pamela Schaefer
    Jan. 18, 2026
    We have been training our 18 month old German shepherd mix rescue and our 8 month old Golden Mountain Doodle during the past year. I cannot find the words to recommend Kayla highly enough. She is professional, kind, punctual, loving to our dogs and has done wonders training our dogs. She truly is the best!
  • Sarah
    Jan. 16, 2026
    Working with these teams has been a mind blowing experience! The knowledge Kayla D and Kayla C have when it comes to training is phenomenal. Both of them have brought Rico into a place I’d never have thought we could go. I’m incredibly thankful I found them and can’t wait to work some more with them
  • Megan Black
    Jan. 7, 2026
    I loved working with Dog Training Elite! Kayla was phenomenal with our boy Roan! I enjoyed every one-on-one session. Every single question I had, she answered and explained very well, in a way that helped make sense of different behaviors and cues dogs give. I also appreciated that they were very workable with our busy schedule, as we have four kids and another dog, so we are constantly on the go. I'm thankful that we got the package that we did so that way going forward we are able to forever go to group sessions, and continue our training with our boy. I feel like that will continually be so beneficial! If you're debating if you should work with Dog Training Elite, just go for it-you won't be disappointed!
  • Lacey A
    Jan. 3, 2026
    Kayla has been the best trainer I've ever worked with. She is incredibly knowledgeable and understood exactly how to approach every issue I ran into when training my pup Vader. At 8 months old Vader is the best dog I've ever had. All of that is thanks to Kayla and all the other trainers who have been there to teach me the best way to teach my dog. Since I dont have any other dogs to play with my VERY social puppy she would occasionally bring her dog so they could play after training if we had time. Which was also a great way for him to learn respectful playing. I will forever be thankful of her generosity. I look forward to working more with Kayla and the other trainers since Vader and I still have a long way to go for him to become an official service dog!
  • Tam Cobb
    Jan. 3, 2026
    Abby was a great trainer who helped me with my dog's reactivity and ensuring the basics were solid. She was easy to follow and results driven. DTE has a good stable of trainers including Kayla x 2 for group sessions and service dog training.
  • mckenize russell
    Dec. 18, 2025
    It was a pleasure working with Kayla. She helped me a great deal with my girl Tootsie and gave her and I the confidence and tools to continue to make a very scared pup into a great dog. Tootsie has already come so far from where we started and I couldn't be more excited about our future.
  • Roseanne Cheng
    Dec. 8, 2025
    Excellent results for our 2-year old Labrador Retriever! The training sessions were very accessible for us and we learned so much about our dog! We now appreciate how smart she is and how much she enjoys having a job to do! Our family is grateful for all of the support in training our dog!
  • Maria Felski
    Dec. 5, 2025
    Elite helped us gain control of our lives again! We came to Elite with our dog-reactive pitt, Athena. John helped us capitalize on Athena’s deep desire to please and, under his guidance, we made significant progress with her in our 5 weeks of classes. As an added plus - Athena loved John and had loads of fun. We still have a lot of work to do, but for the first time we feel hopeful and energized about our training journey. Money well spent!
  • Valerie Pacini
    Nov. 18, 2025
    Dog Training Elite Albuquerque was wonderful training me and my now service dog. The trainers helped me learn to be a good handler and teammate with my dog. All the trainers were patient, knowledgeable and compassionate with me and my dog. I especially value the fact that they understand that service dogs are still dogs who need love and kindness. Kayla brought fun and enthusiasm to our training sessions. The one on one sessions gave us time to focus on what my dog needed, and the group sessions helped Cooper practice being 'just a dog', hanging out in the park with other babies and their people. I highly recommend DTE for all canine training needs. Another important reason I love DTE: I had approached other service dog programs to train my Cooper, but they said that he was "too old" for that. (He was 7 and 8 when I asked). Dog Training Elite didn't automatically turn him down. They considered his breed (Sheltie) and its longer life span and they assessed his demeanor and temperament (he's calm, patient and attached to me the way a service dog needs to be) for suitability as a service dog. DTE said he was "halfway there on his own" and seemed to be a good candidate to train and refine skills as a service dog. Guess you can teach an "old" dog new tricks after all--if you have the right trainers.
  • T Braunschweiger
    Nov. 19, 2025
    What a fantastic company. Kayla D is absolutely phenomenal. She began helping me train Ranger, (a mind of his own, Golden Doodle) about nine or 10 months ago. Ranger has passed his access test, can now go with me into restaurants and act civilized, fly on planes with me, (he has 4 round-trips logged), and he has just learned to be a quality pet. His job is Deep Pressure Therapy used for my anger, ptsd. He is continuously working on that. Kayla D has been instrumental in shaping my new friend. She herself has become a friend. If your looking to train your pet for service or if you just want a well behaved pet, I could not recommend DTE and Kayla more! Tony. Retired Paramedic/ FF and Veteran.
A dog owner with his German Shepherd - get your professional german shepherd training in Albuquerque / Santa Fe, NM with Dog Training Elite today.

In-Home German Shepherd Training

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Dog Training Elite offers specialized in-home German Shepherd training for both owners and dogs of any age. Working with a German Shepherd and the owner directly in the home allows dog trainers to create personalized training plans for individual dogs, as well as address any unique needs or issues.

Once a dog has completed in-home training, they can take group classes for more in-depth training - Dog Training Elite New Mexico offers both puppy and adult dog group classes.

Beginning training in the home also helps owners bond with their dogs so when the dog trainer leaves, no progress is lost.

Additional Breeds We Train

Dog Training Elite New Mexico - Labrador Dog Training in Albuquerque / Santa Fe, NM. DTE

Labrador

Dog Training Elite New Mexico - Goldendoodle Training in Albuquerque / Santa Fe, NM. Dog Training Elite

Goldendoodle

Dog Training Elite New Mexico - Beagle Dog Training in Albuquerque / Santa Fe, NM. DTE

Beagle

Dog Training Elite New Mexico - Pitbull Training in Albuquerque / Santa Fe, NM. DTE

Pitbull

Dog Training Elite New Mexico - Doberman Training in Albuquerque / Santa Fe, NM. DTE

Doberman

Dog Training Elite New Mexico - Border Collie Training in Albuquerque / Santa Fe, NM. DTE

Border Collie

Dog Training Elite New Mexico - Golden Retriever Training in Albuquerque / Santa Fe, NM. DTE

Golden Retriever

Dog Training Elite New Mexico - French Bulldog Training in Albuquerque / Santa Fe, NM. DTE

French Bulldog

German Shepherd Training Tips

German Shepherds are loyal and intelligent dogs that require a thoughtful approach to training. They are eager learners, but they also need structure and clear guidance to reach their full potential.

Here are some essential training tips for German Shepherds.

Dogs, and especially German Shepherds, do best with consistency. Always make sure to use the same verbal and/or physical cues during training to avoid any confusion. Also, be consistent about rules - establish at the beginning, for example, whether or not your dog is allowed on the couch. Then, don’t change the rule under any circumstances.
German Shepherds are an energetic breed - if you don’t have a yard for your dog to play in, that’s fine, but make sure your German Shepherd gets daily exercise through walking, hiking, etc. An energetic dog with little to no exercise can become a destructive, disobedient dog.

Since German Shepherds are historically trained as working dogs, they thrive on being busy. Training is a great way to give German Shepherds the mental stimulation they need.

A group of dogs being trained by the expert team at Dog Training Elite New Mexico.
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An adorable German Shepherd with their owner - Dog Training Elite is your go-to choice for Albuquerque / Santa Fe german shepherd trainers.

Your Expert German Shepherd Trainers in Albuquerque / Santa Fe, NM

The Dog Training Elite Difference

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Dog Training Elite uses modern training methods focused on balance and bonding between dog and dog owner. Dog Training Elite never resorts to the use of punishment to help dogs unlearn bad behavior. The difference becomes clear when comparing a dog that is trained out of anxiety and intimidation vs a dog who truly desires to please from the inside out.

The Dog Training Elite training theory is mostly based around classical conditioning, also known as the Pavlovian method or respondent conditioning. This includes developing conditioned or automatic reflexes to commands. In its simplest form (after proper conditioning), when an owner says "sit," their dog automatically sits without thinking about it.

Through a combination of commands and an electronic collar, dogs learn to follow commands at once. The electronic collar is not a shock collar; it is a gentle electronic pulse, similar to the tug of a leash, used to get the dog’s attention. Other dog trainers use harsh static collars or spray collars which have been shown to be less effective. Dog Training Elite’s training methods nurtures a dog's loving and naturally obedient nature.

Ready to turn your dog into a loyal and loving companion? Contact Dog Training Elite today for professional German Shepherd training in Albuquerque / Santa Fe, NM!