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A well-trained dog with training from an expert Dog Training Elite dog behaviorist in Charlotte, NC.
Dog Training Elite

Dog Behaviorist in Charlotte, NC

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Request Free Assessment

A happy leash trained dog walking with their owner - if you are in need of Charlotte dog behavior training, contact Dog Training Elite today!

Charlotte Dog Behavior Training

Does your dog chew on things, pee indoors, or bark excessively? If so, your dog may benefit from a dog behaviorist in Charlotte, NC, and DTE is here to help. Our experienced trainers specialize in correcting unwanted behaviors and can address various issues your dog may face at home.

Behavior-focused training differs from basic obedience training and requires knowledgeable, experienced trainers. DTE trainers can identify and address the root causes of problematic behaviors, such as separation anxiety or excessive barking, and teach your dog to respond more appropriately to those triggers.

Through consistent training and balance, your dog can learn new, desirable behaviors that last.

See Training Packages

Our Behavioral Solution Programs

Dog Training Elite Charlotte - Dog Socialization Classes in Charlotte, NC

Socialization

Our Charlotte dog socialization classes teach dogs to maintain control and obedience around other dogs, people, and various distractions, reducing fear and aggression while promoting calm, confident behavior.

Dog Training Elite Charlotte - Dog Training Elite. How to Stop Puppy Biting Charlotte

Biting

Through targeted puppy biting training in Charlotte, NC, we address aggressive tendencies and teach dogs to inhibit biting, helping them develop better self-control.

Dog Training Elite Charlotte - Reactive Dog Training in Charlotte, NC. DTE

Fear & Reactiveness

Our reactive dog training in Charlotte, NC, focuses on managing and reducing fear-based reactions to common triggers, helping dogs be more relaxed and well-adjusted.

Dog Training Elite Charlotte - Destructive Chewing & Digging Training in Charlotte, NC

Destructive Chewing & Digging

Our destructive chewing and digging training in Charlotte, NC addresses your dog’s destructive chewing and digging by redirecting these behaviors toward more appropriate and constructive outlets.

Dog Training Elite Charlotte - Separation Anxiety Training for Dogs in Charlotte, NC

Separation Anxiety

Our separation anxiety training in Charlotte, NC helps dogs overcome the stress of being alone, which curbs destructive behaviors and makes departures easier for everyone.

Dog Training Elite Charlotte - Excessive Barking Training in Charlotte, NC. DTE

Excessive Barking

We address the root causes of barking with our excessive barking training in Charlotte, NC, teaching your dog to communicate appropriately and reduce unnecessary noise.

Dog Training Elite Charlotte - Staying and Coming Training in Charlotte, NC. DTE

Staying & Coming

Our staying and coming training in Charlotte, NC focuses on improving your dog’s reliability in following essential commands like down and come, ensuring they respond promptly in any situation.

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Stealing Food, Clothing, or Other Objects

Our trainers work with your dog to curb the habit of stealing items, teaching them to respect boundaries and avoid problematic behaviors.

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Resource Guarding

We tackle resource guarding behaviors by addressing the underlying causes of your dog's insecurity. Our training helps your dog feel more secure, which reduces aggression over food, toys, or personal spaces.

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Food Guarding & Begging

Through consistent and focused training, we teach dogs to eat politely and reduce persistent begging behaviors. This approach creates a more peaceful and enjoyable mealtime experience for everyone involved.

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Mouthing, Nipping & Rough Play

Our program teaches dogs to play gently, reducing the risk of injury and making playtime safe and enjoyable.

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Anxiety & Submissive Urination

We work with anxious dogs to build their confidence. This program will help to reduce incidents of submissive urination and make your dog feel more secure.

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Jumping Up & Hyperactivity

This program helps dogs learn to greet people calmly and manage their energy levels, reducing hyperactivity and inappropriate jumping.

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Excessive Licking

We address compulsive licking behaviors, helping dogs find more appropriate ways to express themselves and reducing skin issues.

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Leashing

Our leashing program teaches dogs to walk politely on a leash, making walks more enjoyable and less stressful for you and your dog.

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Abnormal Repetitive Behaviors

We help your dog break free from compulsive actions like spinning or tail chasing, focusing their energy on healthier habits.

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Escaping

We train your dog to respect boundaries, significantly reducing the risk of escape and keeping them safe at home.

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Heeling

Our training improves your dog’s ability to heel, keeping them close by your side during walks and improving their overall leash manners.

Dog Training Elite Charlotte - Dog & Puppy Potty Training in Charlotte, NC. DTE

Potty Training

We help dogs learn to relieve themselves outdoors with our Charlotte dog potty training, reducing accidents in your home and fostering good habits that last a lifetime.

Get Your Free Assessment

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!

A dog with expert behaviorial training from Dog Training Elite Charlotte.

What is Behavioral Training?


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Behavioral and regular obedience training serve different but equally important roles in shaping a well-behaved dog.

Obedience training teaches your dog basic commands like sit, heel, and come. This training helps your dog follow instructions in different situations and builds clear communication between you and your pet.

Behavioral training, however, goes deeper by addressing the root causes of problematic behaviors like aggression, anxiety, or excessive barking. While obedience training tells a dog what to do, behavioral training focuses on changing undesirable habits and reactions.

Combining obedience training with targeted behavioral solutions helps dogs overcome specific issues, resulting in a more balanced and adjusted pet.

Hear From Our Customers

Learn Why Dog owners choose Dog Training Elite

  • Kieu USA
    Nov. 15, 2025
    Dog Training Elite Charlotte is an absolutely fantastic organization! Kimberly , Angela and Sharon are 100% professional, accommodating, friendly, and all around wonderful people, I can't thank you enough because they are the one who trained my dog to be a service dog and I can take her everywhere I thank you
  • Sarah Nijman
    Nov. 13, 2025
    Angela is phenomenal! She knows exactly what she is doing. My fur baby and I love her . This program has given me and my fur baby the confidence to navigate through life . The results were instant for my fur baby . Of course it takes time and overtime my fur baby has the confidence to thrive. Im so grateful I decided to get training through this program. It’s been 4 months and there is a major difference.
  • Courtney Scott
    Nov. 13, 2025
    My 2 pups have come SO FAR already! Trainer Kimberly is patient and kind, helping me learn better how to communicate with them. I am having more fun than ever with my pups and excited to continue building our skills. Thank you to the DTE team for making obedience training a reality for us! I did a ton of research and would choose them again, no doubt.
  • Jane Miller
    Nov. 13, 2025
    Sharon and Angela helped my girl go from an 8-week old baby to a certified service dog in under a year. The puppy training videos and 24/7 support were incredibly helpful in the beginning to establish house rules and teach basic skills, but more importantly to lay a foundation for a mutually beneficial relationship and connection between me and my dog. The program is set up perfectly to have 1x1 time with the trainer as well as multiple group classes to provide socialization with all kinds of dogs, many of whom are further along in the program and showcase good behavior that you are working towards. They provide you with all of the tools you need (tangible and intangible) and it is 100% worth it if you are willing to commit your own time and effort into practicing with your dog. Angela is patient but persistent; she gives the dog positive reinforcement and encouragement and creates an environment where they are eager to please and don’t want to give up- understanding that different dogs are motivated by different things. I recommend the program to anyone who wants to give their dog the best quality of life! Not only does the training make your life easier, but it strengthens your connection with your dog and builds their confidence and trust in you. DTE could not have been more supportive and influential throughout the process. Sharon was also very flexible with scheduling and was always available to answer any questions.
  • Lauren
    Oct. 26, 2025
    I’ve had such a great experience working with Dog Training Elite Charlotte! They’re patient, knowledgeable, and really take the time to understand my puppies’ personalities. I’ve seen such a positive change in Charlie & Ozzie — more focus, better leash manners, and less reactivity. Angela and Sharon have not only helped my puppies make huge progress, but also gave me the confidence and tools to manage situations calmly. Walks are so much more enjoyable now — I can’t recommend them enough!
  • Ainsley Stollar
    Oct. 21, 2025
    My dog Huxley went through two other trainers before we found Shawn and his team and thankfully that’s the last trainer he’s ever needed. By the end of the first day, he was fully off leash trained and his obedience was better than the work with the past two trainers combined. Almost three years later, he maintains the level that he was trained at and I am always complimented on how well behaved he is. Since our training sessions, Huxley has gained confidence, has had no behavioral issues, and is my dream dog. He was also so loved by Shawn and his family that it made me feel so good to know I had a trainer that cared. I recommend Elite to everyone I meet and cannot stress enough how important proper training is for your pup!
  • Caitlin Rattigan
    Sep. 15, 2025
    Dog Training Elite is fantastic!!! If I could give 10 stars I would. I don't know how I could have done it without Sharon, Shawn, and Angela with training our first puppy- aged dog, Scout. They all are incredible in what they do and have been amazingly kind and patient with our adopted puppy (and with us as new puppy parents) lol. They really made things understandable, fun, and practical for how to navigate life with a new puppy and they were available to support us anytime along the way if any new questions popped up. I strongly encourage them if you are looking for training for therapy dogs, service dogs and in general. It is so special seeing how the dogs trained are helping families and their communities every day with the skills they learned through Elite. :)
  • Adrienne Morris
    Jul. 20, 2025
    We had an amazing experience from the beginning! And we are still actively in training. The team at Dog Training Elite is not only professional and knowledgeable, but also truly passionate about what they do. Their methods are effective, positive, and tailored specifically to your dog’s needs and personality. Our dogs have made remarkable progress in such a short time—something we honestly didn’t think was possible! The transformation has been pretty incredible: better behavior, improved obedience, and overall happier, more confident pups. Angela is an amazing trainer! Sharon is so supportive, communicative, and always available to answer questions or provide guidance. First class all the way! They didn't just train our dogs—they trained us to be better owners too. If you're on the fence, don’t be. Dog Training Elite is worth every penny. We can't recommend them highly enough!
  • Allie Gaines
    Jul. 10, 2025
    We can’t say enough good things about our experience with Shawn and Dog Training Elite! Our dog had been struggling with bad reactivity for quite some time, and after trying different approaches on our own, we were feeling discouraged. From the very first session, it was clear that Shawn not only had a deep understanding of dog behavior but also a genuine passion for helping both dogs and their people. What really stood out was how much time he spent teaching us so we fully understood the why behind the behavior and the tools to manage and improve it. Our dog has made HUGE improvements and we feel so much more equipped to handle situations that used to be overwhelming which has made a huge difference in our day-to-day life. We are extremely grateful for Dog Training Elite and highly recommend!
  • Jordan Raniszeski
    Jun. 20, 2025
    The team at Dog Training Elite is fantastic and I couldn’t recommend them more highly. Our family are first time dog owners and we were on the struggle bus with our new puppy and starting to lose hope that we could get him to behave. After the first session, we saw improvement and by the third and fourth sessions, he was a different dog. Now our little Benji is so well behaved and is truly a joy. Thanks to the DTE family for all your help!!
  • Beth McRimmon
    May. 2, 2025
    The team at Dog Training Elite are wonderful. From the first interaction, they are focused on me and my pet. So friendly, made me feel comfortable and provided so so so much information. I would recommend them to anyone looking for training, at any level.
  • Mike Kennerly
    May. 2, 2025
    Dog Training Elite worked with Lily-Lea at my home and it’s unbelievable the difference it has made in her! Very professional, great communications, training methods and great results. So much easier to walk, have visitors to my home and I am truly thankful for their help.
  • Laura Cole Salas
    Apr. 12, 2025
    I’m so grateful that we pursued training with Dog Training Elite, it was a great experience for us dog parents and for our 4 year old Pomeranian. Since completing the program we have so much more confidence and trust with our dog, who previously had issues with wanting to run out the door and bolting away (and not listening to come back), not listening in general to come inside from our yard, and overall anxiety/excitement. She is visibly more relaxed and understands that she doesn’t have to be on high alert all the time. It was the best investment we could have made for her and us, I would 100% recommend it to anyone that loves their dog and wants to see them thrive- it would be even better to start this process with a new puppy.
  • Ashley Samuelson
    Apr. 6, 2025
    Training with Shawn and Angela has been a true life changer for us and our new family member Finnegan. We rescued Finn from North Mecklenburg Animal Rescue and wanted to give him the best life possible after being in a really horrible situation. Little did we know that golden doodles can be difficult to train. The training is a lot of work for everyone involved but let me tell you it is worth it!! The training is top notch and you will not be disappointed! They are so nice, professional and always available if needed between training sessions. We are now in the group phase of training and Finnegan is doing great! We now can take him places with us and he is loving it.
  • Rachel Reed
    Mar. 24, 2025
    Shawn, Sharon, & Angela are the type of people and trainers that immediately put you at ease because you know they have your dogs best interests at heart. When we first met them in February of 2022, the Charlotte team hadn’t trained a mobility support service dog yet, but worked to put together a training package that fit my needs. Before DTE, Landon would barely sit and lay down on command, but now because of them, I have an incredibly well trained and solid mobility support service dog! The only thing Landon struggles with is being in the crate, however this has nothing to do with DTE’s training abilities, and everything to do with me not listening to the importance of crate training. They genuinely have you and your pups best interests and know what they are doing, so use their knowledge and skills -and don’t skip the crate training ;) DTE is like our family and has been since the start. I am forever grateful to and for them! It’s an honor to be a part of the DTE pack!! You won’t regret using them as your trainers!!
  • Olivia Wolff
    Mar. 16, 2025
    We used DTE for our dog Bowie and we can't say enough good things about our experience. Bowie is like a different dog (in a good way.) By implementing the DTE method as taught by Shawn, we have seen a dramatic improvement in Bowie's behavior and habits. Not only are we more at ease, but Bowie is visibly less anxious and has been responding well to the leadership, direction and structure we are now providing for him. Thanks so much, DTE CLT!
  • Erin Souza
    Mar. 14, 2025
    Dog Elite Training was wonderful! Maisey and we learned so much! Would definitely recommend.
  • Kay Swennes
    Mar. 9, 2025
    Shawn was great helping me work with my rescue puppy Franny. She struggled with a lot of anxiety and we couldn't even walk around the block without her losing it. Franny was scared of just about everything and I didn't know how to help her. Shawn was very patient with Franny (and me) and we now enjoy nice long walks together. Franny gained a ton of confidence and now I have the tools to help her as she experiences new things. The group classes are always something we look forward to and if you have questions at other times DTE is just a text away. I highly recommend them.
  • Ros Williams
    Mar. 8, 2025
    All the staff at Elite have been more than fabulous. They worked with my other dogs prior to bringing in our golden doodle puppy to get the house in order. So far the training with our puppy is going great they have taught him so much in a short amount of time while still loving on him. We recently had some problems in house with him and the day I called both Sharon and Shawn came to the house and fixed so many little issues in just one house which made a huge difference. So glad to have them at the other end of the phone.
  • Krista Sigmon
    Mar. 6, 2025
    Maggie and I had an awesome training experience with DTE! Shawn is very passionate and excellent at what he does. The support that Shawn and Sharon provide outside of sessions is so helpful. Maggie learned so much and is doing great! She is now a joy to take on a walk and I feel confident taking her to public places. If you are thinking about hiring a trainer, just do it! Everyone in your family will be happier!

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See An Elite Dog in Action

Behavior Training Techniques

At DTE, we use proven techniques to encourage lasting behavior changes in dogs.

Here’s how we do it.

We use a clicker to mark the exact moment your dog performs the correct behavior. The click signals a coming reward and helps your dog learn which actions are worth repeating.
Similar to clicker training, this method uses a specific word or phrase like "yes" or "good" to mark the behavior. This verbal cue reinforces positive behavior and strengthens the communication between you and your dog.
By demonstrating correct behaviors with a "model" dog, other dogs in the group learn through observation. This method taps into dogs' natural tendency to imitate, making it easier for them to adopt behaviors.
Building a strong bond between dog and owner is key. We build trust and understand your dog's needs to create a cooperative training environment where your dog is more likely to respond positively.
A stick or specific spot is used to guide your dog to the desired behavior, encouraging them to touch or follow the target. Once they succeed, we reinforce the action with a reward. This technique is ideal for teaching complex behaviors and improving focus.
An owner and their happy, healthy dog with expert training from Dog Training Elite Charlotte.

Classical Conditioning, or the Pavlovian Model

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Classical conditioning, pioneered by Russian physiologist Ivan Pavlov's work, is a fundamental principle in dog training. Pavlov’s study showed dogs could learn to associate a neutral stimulus, like a bell, with food, prompting them to respond to the bell alone.

At Dog Training Elite, we apply this principle in our behavioral training programs. We pair a command with two stimuli: a clicker (or marker word) and a reward like a treat or praise. The clicker signals the correct behavior, and the reward reinforces it. This method helps dogs quickly understand what’s expected and encourages them to repeat desired behaviors.

Unlike punishment-based methods, classical conditioning shapes behavior effectively and creates a well-adjusted, happy dog.

A dog with classical conditioning training from Dog Training Elite Charlotte.

Your Expert Dog Behaviorist in Charlotte, NC

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Our certified, experienced trainers are experts in solving various behavior problems, from aggression and anxiety to excessive barking and destructive habits.

We focus on understanding your dog’s personality, environment, and behavior triggers to develop customized training plans. Our trainers will work to resolve these issues and their root causes to prevent them from returning.

What Makes Our Trainers Stand Out?
  • Certified and Experienced: Our trainers are certified professionals with years of experience handling behavioral challenges. With a proven track record of success, they’re equipped to deliver the best results for your pet.
  • Breed-Specific Knowledge: We understand the unique traits of different breeds and customize our training methods to match your dog’s natural behaviors, making the training more effective.
  • Friendly and Understanding: Our trainers are approachable and empathetic, working closely with you to build trust and create a supportive training environment for your dog.
A group of dogs being trained by the expert team at Dog Training Elite Charlotte.
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Educate, Empower, Elevate, Elite

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Why Choose Dog Training Elite?

Proven Methods for Successful Dog Training


If you're looking for a top dog behaviorist in Charlotte, NC, Dog Training Elite is the top choice.

Our experienced trainers handle various issues, including aggression, anxiety, excessive barking, and more. With a personalized approach, we help dogs overcome their challenges and build stronger, happier relationships with their owners.

No matter how challenging your dog’s behavior may seem, there is hope. Whether your dog’s behavioral issues are minor or more serious, we’re here to help.

Reach out today for a free consultation!