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Positive Reinforcement vs. Punishment
Research shows that focusing on positive reinforcement when a desired behavior occurs and not worrying about correcting bad behavior in dogs is more effective and has longer-lasting results than training that incorporates punishment for bad behavior.
Positive dog training in Boston works because dogs are inherently eager to please. Rewarding your dog for good behavior helps create a deep, loving relationship with your dog built on trust, as opposed to one built on fear of punishment. The difference between a dog who has been trained to obey out of fear of being punished vs. a dog who learns to obey through a positive, loving bond with their owner is huge.
Dog Training Elite in Boston trainers use treats as an initial reward for puppies and dogs learning commands. When the trainer is absent, or you’re in between obedience classes, you can continue to use treats as a reward for your dog when they exhibit a desired behavior. Dogs tend to be highly food-motivated, so this is an extremely useful tool. You can also reward your dog with a play session, take them to the dog park or anything else you know your dog enjoys. After all, you know your dog best!
Not all training packages may be available at our Dog Training Elite in Boston location, please reference our pricing page for complete information on services offered.
Silver
$1,545
Training Equipment Included: E-Collar
- In-Home Training SessionsOne-on-one & personalized 3 Sessions
- Come
- Heel (walk with you, loose leash no pulling)
- Sit(next to you & off leash at a distance)
- Place(go to bed)
- Quiet(stop excessive barking & whining)
- Off(furniture when desired)
Gold
$1,945
Training Equipment Included: E-Collar
- In-Home Training SessionsOne-on-one & personalized 5 Sessions
- Group Park Training Sessions 12 Sessions
- Come
- Heel (walk with you, loose leash no pulling)
- Sit(next to you & off leash at a distance)
- Place(go to bed)
- Quiet(stop excessive barking & whining)
- Off(furniture when desired)
- Down(lay next to you & off leash at a distance)
- Load Up (go into kennel, car, or dog house)
- Manners, Safety & Boundaries
- Calm Anxiety & Build Confidence
- Housebreaking / Potty Training
- STOP Jumping on People
- STOP Mouthing & Nipping
- STOP Chewing & Digging
- STOP Begging & Stealing Food
- STOP Bolting Through Doors & Running Away
- STOP Chasing Animals, Cars & Bikes
- STOP Reactivity (dog & human)
Platinum
$2,745
Platinum offers advanced obedience/behavioral modification with a goal of off-leash control. Includes additional training options and offers more one-on-one and group sessions than Gold.
Training Equipment Included: E-Collar
- In-Home Training SessionsOne-on-one & personalized 9 Sessions
- Group Park Training Sessions 16 Sessions
- Come
- Heel (walk with you, loose leash no pulling)
- Sit(next to you & off leash at a distance)
- Place(go to bed)
- Quiet(stop excessive barking & whining)
- Off(furniture when desired)
- Down(lay next to you & off leash at a distance)
- Load Up (go into kennel, car, or dog house)
- Manners, Safety & Boundaries
- Calm Anxiety & Build Confidence
- Housebreaking / Potty Training
- STOP Jumping on People
- STOP Mouthing & Nipping
- STOP Chewing & Digging
- STOP Begging & Stealing Food
- STOP Bolting Through Doors & Running Away
- STOP Chasing Animals, Cars & Bikes
- STOP Reactivity (dog & human)
- *Stay With You on a Jog or Bike Ride (off-leash)
- *Emotional Support Dog Training(ESA)
- *Control Aggression(dog & human)
- *Calm Extreme Anxiety(behavioral modification)
Silver
$1500
- In-Home Training SessionsOne-on-one & personalized 4 Sessions
- Group Park Training Sessions 8 Sessions
- Come
- Heel (walk with you, loose leash no pulling)
- Sit(next to you & off leash at a distance)
- Place(go to bed)
- Quiet(stop excessive barking & whining)
- Off(furniture when desired)
Gold
$2,250
- In-Home Training SessionsOne-on-one & personalized 6 Sessions
- Group Park Training Sessions 12 Sessions
- Come
- Heel (walk with you, loose leash no pulling)
- Sit(next to you & off leash at a distance)
- Place(go to bed)
- Quiet(stop excessive barking & whining)
- Off(furniture when desired)
- Down(lay next to you & off leash at a distance)
- Load Up (go into kennel, car, or dog house)
- Manners, Safety & Boundaries
- Calm Anxiety & Build Confidence
- Housebreaking / Potty Training
- STOP Jumping on People
- STOP Mouthing & Nipping
- STOP Chewing & Digging
- STOP Begging & Stealing Food
- STOP Bolting Through Doors & Running Away
- STOP Chasing Animals, Cars & Bikes
- STOP Reactivity (dog & human)
Platinum
$3,250
Platinum offers advanced obedience/behavioral modification with a goal of off-leash control. Includes additional training options and offers more one-on-one and group sessions than Gold.
- In-Home Training SessionsOne-on-one & personalized 8 Sessions
- Group Park Training Sessions 16 Sessions
- Come
- Heel (walk with you, loose leash no pulling)
- Sit(next to you & off leash at a distance)
- Place(go to bed)
- Quiet(stop excessive barking & whining)
- Off(furniture when desired)
- Down(lay next to you & off leash at a distance)
- Load Up (go into kennel, car, or dog house)
- Manners, Safety & Boundaries
- Calm Anxiety & Build Confidence
- Housebreaking / Potty Training
- STOP Jumping on People
- STOP Mouthing & Nipping
- STOP Chewing & Digging
- STOP Begging & Stealing Food
- STOP Bolting Through Doors & Running Away
- STOP Chasing Animals, Cars & Bikes
- STOP Reactivity (dog & human)
- *Stay With You on a Jog or Bike Ride (off-leash)
- *Emotional Support Dog Training(ESA)
- *Control Aggression(dog & human)
- *Calm Extreme Anxiety(behavioral modification)
Positive Dog Training in Boston
As for not worrying about bad behavior – it may feel strange to act like everything is fine when your dog chews on your shoes, or goes to the bathroom inside your home. But focusing on rewarding good behavior and forgoing punishment for bad behavior is more successful in the long run.
Relying on punishment for errors and “low value” rewards, such as praise or petting are long held “traditional” methods for dog training. Punishments like flicking a dog’s nose, shocking them with a shock collar, or anything else that may cause a dog pain are unfortunately still in use today by many dog trainers.
Not only is it inhumane, but using punishment as a tool can actually backfire. For example: punishing a dog for going to the bathroom inside a house won’t teach them to go outside instead. Often, the dog only understands that the mess makes their owner mad. Instead of going outside, the dog is likely to continue to make messes indoors — where the owner can’t find them.
Punishment training also damages the relationship between dog and owner. Dogs do not understand right and wrong. Instead of associating punishment with a specific behavior they learn to avoid, as with the bathroom example, they instead learn to live in constant fear of punishment. This prevents owners from bonding with their dogs in a meaningful way.
Se habla español!
Our Balanced Theory
We base our training around the "Classical Conditioning" model (a.k.a. "Pavlovian" or "respondent conditioning"). This includes developing conditioned or automatic reflexes to commands. In its simplest form (after proper conditioning), when the owner says "sit," the dog automatically sits without thinking about it. Our unique techniques ensure our program is a success no matter what behavior we encounter.
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Empowering Owners
We empower Owners to train so their dog knows who to obey at all times. -
Personalized
We deal with problem behaviors on a personal basis. -
Environment Specific
We train wherever issues tend to arise (i.e. jogging, park, home).
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Supportive
We support Owners in the off-hours (when training is "not in session"). -
Involved
We work with all members of the household. -
Simplified & Customized
We plan training around the owner's schedule and require only 20 min/day follow-up practice.
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Continued Training
Additional programs / group sessions offered after in-home training. -
Lifetime Investment
We follow up & are invested in the owner's success long-term. -
Satisfaction Ratings
Our high client satisfaction rating sets us apart from competitors.
clas·si·cal con·di·tion·ing
PSYCHOLOGY
noun
A learning process that occurs when two stimuli are repeatedly paired; a response that is at first elicited by the second stimulus and is eventually elicited by the first stimulus alone.
We help your dog become a valued companion and beloved member of the family. Read what our customers have to say and then give us a call!
Awesome team! Very kind and assertive. Always on time and very effective training. Very knowledgeable.— shannon guimaraes
Posted March 23rd 2024
The team at Dog Training Elite has been nothing short of amazing with my 6 month old lab puppy. We are training him to be a service dog and the week to week improvements based on Dog Training Elite’s curriculum have been immense. The team of Marcus, Jamie, and Barbara have given me and my puppy the time, guidance, and confidence to progress each step on the way to our goal. I would highly recommend Dog Training Elite for any level of training for your dog.— Matt Parr
Posted January 15th 2024
I have been very pleased with the training from Elite. The trainer has been effective and it’s making a difference for our very spirited Boston Terrier.— Thomas McIsaac
Posted January 23rd 2024
We had a wonderful experience with Dog Training Elite! Marcus is so knowledgeable and caring about the dogs he works with. He helped us train our German Shepherd rescue and the results were almost immediate. Using his techniques, our pup has become less reactive and a better listener. He also teaches some pretty cool tricks! Overall, this company is outstanding and we have enjoyed every moment!— Maya Dube
Posted January 20th 2024
Professional dog trainers who know what they are doing. So glad we chose Elite. Our rescue dog was extremely fearful and difficult to train. Marcus and Matt are dog whisperers!— Andrea Adams
Posted January 11th 2024
The training provided was exactly what we needed. Everyone we dealt with was amazing! Highly recommend Dog training Elite Boston!— Rita-Marie Auble
Posted January 4th 2024
Great results with our dog as a result of the professional training we received.— John Casey
Posted January 10th 2024
The trainers were not only professional but also patient with my dog who has a long way to go. We have seen major improvements and intend to continue with the training! Would highly recommend their services to anyone who is looking for dog training!— Jael Osei - Kofi
Posted December 31st 2023
I highly recommend Dog training elite. Matt was an absolute pleasure to work with and koop loves him. They truly care about the dogs and owners. With their guidance our dog koop is a whole different dog.— Matthew Tie
Posted December 20th 2023
Our rescue dog Maggie came to us as a puppy and in spite of all the best intentions and love, she (and many of her littler mates in other homes) has been reactive in multiple ways. We used to host gatherings with friends and family, but since having Maggie, our house has had to be closed due to her unpredictable and antisocial behavior. However, we loved her completely and knew she could be the best dog if we had some help. Elite training was just the program for us. It is intensive and thorough and expects effort from both the dog and the owners, but the outcome is amazing! The trainers, specifically Matt, equipped us with the tools and skills to successfully take Maggie for walks, into public settings and we can even have friends come over again! We have learned so many ways to help Maggie succeed. She has worked hard to overcome her anxieties to meet our expectations with the help of this training. Thank you to Dog Training Elite for giving us the dog we knew she could be.— Letitia Bartow
Posted November 21st 2023
My boyfriend and I just moved to the area and were looking for a trainer for my 4 year old Dutch Shepard. I am so happy we found Dog Training Elite. From the first time we met Matt at our free consultation, it was clear he understood our goals with our dog. My dog can be difficult and reactive so I am always hesitant when bring her into new situations. Matt helped us get out of our comfort zone and taught us new techniques that have been extremely beneficial. He was able to cater to our goals and adjust the trainings as needed. We have seen so much improvement with our dog throughout our sessions and I could not recommend this training program enough!— Olivia Nortrup
Posted November 17th 2023
Marcus and Barbara delivered an amazing program and showed incredible skills in training my dog Didi. They were not only patient with my dog, but also with me as an owner to learn best practices and techniques to get better results. Regarding the program itself, one of the things I was concerned with was the E-collar, but I was surprised that majority of the training is about positive reinforcement and love (lots of pets for Didi) and the training collar is not at all what one might think. Both Marcus and Barbara showed commitment and care for dogs, and it made me feel extremely comfortable and happy with the choice. The improvement on both Didi and I started since day 1, so I cannot say enough good things about Dog Training Elite and their trainers Marcus and Barbara.— Massimo Nardi
Posted November 1st 2023
Our dog has come a long way with the 6 private sessions. She is much easier to handle. Is much calmer and seems happier. My only con is one of the trainers seemed new and not quite as knowledgeable. I asked about a specific problem about our dog chewing and she had no answer. However the next visit Jamie had a brilliant suggestion.— Laurie Weck
Posted October 28th 2023
The best decision we ever made for our sweet Augusta, was to work with Dog Training Elite. We had the most incredible training provided by Matt. Matt's dedication, passion, support and expertise are second to none. The training is as much for the humans as it is for the dog. Maybe more. I learned a ton, and I've bonded with my best friend Augusta like I never could have imagined. Thank you!!!— Red Curry
Posted September 28th 2023
From our first lesson, when Marcus was able to pat my dog, Gracie, I knew I made the right choice for a dog trainer. Only 2-4 people have been able to touch her since I’ve had her (6 years). Needless to say, I was amazed. We also worked with Jaime. She was great to work with as well with home sessions and a couple sessions at Home Depot, where Gracie handled the noise and people really well. I highly recommend Dog Training Elite!— Robin Mael
Posted September 27th 2023
Wonderful trainers. Each trainer that came to house really understood our pups and us as well. Highly recommend Dog Training Elite Boston for your training needs— Stephen Arnold
Posted September 19th 2023
Dog Training Elite has been amazing to work with!! The trainers are fantastic and their customer service is top notch!! I would highly recommend them to anyone with a dog!!! The difference I have seen in my shepherd mix’s behavior has been amazing!— Tiffany my3sweetgirls0403
Posted September 12th 2023
Marcus and his team are exemplary. they all have such a perfect touch with our puppy. we are incredibly happy with each of them and the technique they use. 100% recommend— Linda Courtiss Rheingold
Posted September 11th 2023
Dog Training Elite has been nothing but AMAZING for me and my service dog, Stella! It has always been amazing meeting with the trainers and they're always willing to answer my questions and provide a easy to understand and friendly approach. They have helped me through every step of the way to getting Stella to be the best she can be for me! I truly love DTE and I literally reccomnend it to everyone who needs dog training. Thank you so much DTE for being such an amazing and awesome part of my journey!!— kaeya!
Posted September 8th 2023
Proud Sponsor of The Malinois Foundation
At Dog Training Elite in Boston, we believe that Service Dogs save lives. It is our mission to make these life-saving companions available to our Veterans, First Responders, Women Survivors, and Children with Medical Needs. Whether it be for PTSD, Mobility Support, or Special Needs, Dog Training Elite in Boston works with the Malinois Foundation to heal and empower these individuals with a specialized service animal, a partner in life, and a new best friend.
The Dog Training Elite in Boston Difference
Dog Training Elite in Boston uses modern training methods focused on positive dog training using reinforcement and bonding you and your dog. Dog Training Elite in Boston trainers never resort to punishment to help dogs unlearn behaviors.
Through a combination of commands and an electronic collar, dogs learn to follow commands at once. The electronic collar is not a shock collar and never used to punish bad behavior. Instead, it produces a sensation like the gentle tug of a leash, and is used to help recapture the attention of a dog who gets distracted.
Dog Training Elite in Boston’s method of focusing on positive behavior reinforcement nurtures a dog's loving and naturally obedient nature. The method is the same regardless of the situation, whether training a puppy, an older dog or a service dog.
The positive dog training method of Dog Training Elite in Boston ensures training is a success no matter what your dog’s behavior. If you have a brand new puppy who is stubborn and smart, or an older dog who has slipped into bad habits – or perhaps never learned – after proper conditioning and working with Dog Training Elite in Boston, when you say “sit,” your dog will automatically sit without thinking about it.
Dog Training Elite in Boston offers specialized in-home training services so your dog gets the attention and training he or she needs, and you learn alongside them so training continues when the trainer leaves. Dog Training Elite in Boston also offers group classes for dogs who are ready to take obedience training to the next level, and service training programs for a variety of needs.
If you’re looking to train a service dog, or just looking for a loyal four-legged companion, Dog Training Elite in Boston will help you get there with our positive dog training. You can get started today.
Find a trainer near you and schedule a free in-home assessment!