An obedient puppy receiving expert puppy training in Connecticut from DTE.
Dog Training Elite

Puppy Training in Connecticut

Request Free Assessment

Request Free Assessment

Our Puppy Training Could Help:
Leash and potty training
Food guarding and begging
Destructive chewing and digging
Stealing food, clothing, or other objects
Barking, howling and whining
Aggression and anxiety
Jumping and hyperactivity

Dog Training Elite

Professional Connecticut Puppy Trainers

Bringing home a new puppy is exciting, but it also comes with challenges like chewing and accidents. The most common mistake new owners make is underestimating the knowledge, commitment, and effort needed to train a new puppy.

Once a puppy begins to grow, its energy can quickly feel unmanageable. It’s all too common that a well-meaning and loving family takes on a puppy lacking the knowledge and skills to train correctly. This often results in overwhelmed owners rehoming or taking these puppies to local shelters, feeling the puppy’s disposition is bad or simply that they are not cut out to be dog owners.

At Dog Training Elite, we focus on building that bond through effective training to foster trust and communication. Our experienced Connecticut puppy trainers use proven methods to help you and your puppy succeed together.

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A little puppy sitting in grass, contact Dog Training Elite of Southern CT today.

Puppy Essentials Webinar

Free 70-Minute video

$45 Value

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Our trusted puppy class is now available "on-demand" from the comfort of your home! This webinar video is designed for owners of puppies age 8-16 weeks old, and will be accessible to you for free after completing the form below or with the purchase of one of our puppy packages!

Access Webinar

Our webinar includes education on the following topics:
  • Introducing a new puppy to your home
  • Health & well-being
  • Veterinary care & vaccines
  • Nurturing a good temperament
  • Scruffing & calming signals (e.g. dog yoga)
  • Basic Treat Obedience Including: Come, sit, loose-leash walking, and down
  • Puppy Corrections (Stop biting, digging, jumping, etc.)
  • Crate Training / Housebreaking
  • Socialization Tips
  • Environmental Hazards
  • Puppy Enrichment
  • Caring for Your Puppy
Three puppies receiving expert training from Dog Training Elite of Southern CT.

The Importance of Puppy Training


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Almost everyone and everything a puppy will encounter will be brand new, which can be exciting. However, puppies may not know how to respond positively and safely to new experiences without proper training. That's why Dog Training Elite believes in starting puppy training as soon as possible, so you and your pup can bond and start your adventures on the right foot!

Training the DTE way provides puppies and owners with a nurturing environment where they can learn to communicate and trust each other. Puppies have an innate desire to please, so training can be fun and even easy! Of course, it can be daunting to try and figure out how to make puppies understand concepts like potty training or commands like sit and stay on your own. That's where puppy training comes in.

Keeping a puppy safe should be the number one priority of new dog owners. By working with puppy trainers in, new puppy owners can learn how to teach their pup both basic and complex obedience skills effectively. Training a pup to be home alone, walk on a leash, wait on the threshold, and avoid consuming non-edible objects will help keep them safe when out of sight.

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!

Hear From Our Customers

Learn Why Dog owners choose Dog Training Elite

  • Edwin
    Jul. 27, 2026
    Jason came for the initial visit. We were impressed with his presentation and signed up. Illiana is our trainer who comes to the house and we really like her because she has a special way about her. Pia and Shultz get all excited when she comes. Both pups are responding nice to the training methods introduced at home and at the group classes. We are very happy with the service. Thank you. Ed an Cat- Pia an Shultz
  • Courtney Cole Hurley
    Aug. 12, 2026
    We had such a great experience with Dog Training Elite while working with our 8-month-old Golden Retriever puppy! Jason did our initial evaluation at our home and was incredibly thorough, attentive, and thoughtful. He took the time to understand exactly what we wanted to work on and created a training plan that was truly tailored to our puppy and our goals. We really appreciated that the approach was effective without ever feeling aggressive or overwhelming for our puppy. We then continued our 1:1 training with Iliana, and we saw tangible improvements from day one! She was patient, knowledgeable, and so great at helping both us and our puppy understand what we were working toward. The entire team has been flexible, friendly, and responsive, and it’s very clear how much they genuinely love and care about dogs. We’ve been so happy with the progress we’ve made and are looking forward to continuing our training with the group classes. Highly recommend Dog Training Elite!
  • Albert H
    Aug. 9, 2026
    From day 1 Eliana from Dog Training Elite was professional and taught us many things to work with Hazel. Hazel just 11 months and has a personality befitting a Shih Tzu so it was challenging but with patience eventually she caught on. We highly recommend DTE and look forward to Hazel’s group lessons.
  • Yani Lagoutis
    Aug. 1, 2026
    We’ve had a great experience with Dog Training Elite of Southern CT so far! The personalized training they provide for Hope has made a noticeable difference with leash walking, basic obedience, confidence, and socialization. We really appreciate that the training is tailored specifically to her rather than feeling like a one-size-fits-all approach. We’ve already seen a clear improvement in Hope and are very happy with the progress she’s making. We would definitely recommend Dog Training Elite of Southern CT to anyone looking for professional, personalized dog training!
  • caroline moore
    Jul. 31, 2026
    Jason has been an awesome trainer for Berkeley. We started training when she was just 12 weeks old, and she turned one at the end of April. In less than a year, my pit mix has become a reliable psychiatric service dog that I confidently take everywhere with me. Berkeley has flown with me on four cross-country flights between Connecticut and California, comes with me to all public places, and handles those environments incredibly well. The foundation Jason helped us build from the very beginning has made all the difference. Berkeley had some anxiety in certain situations early on, and Jason gave me practical advice and tools to help us work through it. His guidance helped build her confidence just as much as her skills! If you’re willing to put in the time and effort with your dog and follow Jason’s advice, you’ll absolutely see the results. I highly recommend him!
  • Lucia Hoyte
    Jul. 27, 2026
    We had a wonderful experience working with Ileana and the team. She was able to walk my fur son through all the steps. Scheduling was extremely easy and group session were a great experience. We made meaningful progress with socializing. I would recommend the team 100%!
  • Kyle Buchanan
    Apr. 20, 2024
    From the time my dog was 8 weeks old until now two years later I have taken my dog to Jason at Dog Training Elite of Southern CT for obedience and service dog training. His skill and expertise has been nothing less than exceptional. He taught me how to understand and work with my dog effectively bringing her to the certified service level she has recently attained. I am so grateful for all that he has done. He allowed me to gain confidence within myself throughout the training process. Training me to train her. Thank you Jason for all you have done I will always recommend you to others. I wouldn’t have made it as far as I have without your guidance and support.
  • Sandy Perreault
    Jul. 15, 2026
    Had a wonderful experience with Jason and Illana. My dog has taken large strides in controlling herself around people and other dogs. She's a terrier with a spicy attitude! Still have few more group sessions. Can't wait. I now have a basic idea on how to handle her.
  • wynne mccormick
    Jul. 6, 2026
    Me and my Catalan sheepdog mix/supermutt girl, Dooley, have been learning so much with Illiana, one of the best trainers ive met in my 27 years of dog-owning. Because Dooley loves to run, we've been focused on e-collar training so that I can take her off-leash to various areas and keep her safe and under my command. You think you know dogs and then you meet a trainer like Illiana and realize there's a lot more to learn! I definitely recommend Dog Elite and their trainers.
  • Laura Lorenzo
    Jul. 3, 2026
    DTE has proven to be the right choice for our GSD. Jason has put us on the right path for this training to be successful. Coraggio responds well to Jason. We actually feel like proud parents. This was money well spent. Stratford ,CT
  • Liana Smith
    Jun. 30, 2026
    We absolutely LOVE Dog Training Elite. Jason has been so great with our dog Rhodes. He was a very difficult puppy but with patience, persistence and guidance - he is now a well mannered member of society (most of the time haha). Group training has also been a great help. It’s exposed Rhodes to other dogs, people and environments which have helped widen his training scope. Couldn’t recommend them more - with every penny!
  • Laura Dupont
    Jun. 25, 2026
    Jason primarily helped us with leash manners for our newly adopted rescue pup. We’ve seen so much improvement so quickly and it has helped make walks more enjoyable for us all. He’s very generous with his time and happy to answer any and all questions as things come up. Highly recommend Jason!
  • Steven Albert
    Jun. 21, 2026
    My name is Steve and my dog is Nonna from Northford Ct ,We have just finished the platinum package from Dog Training Elite of Southern Ct, Training my dog to be a service dog. Lauren The owner and Wendy in the Office and Jason and Juliana, who were the instructors out in the field, going to multiple destinations to ensure proper training and socialization for our future together, was very stress-free and accommodating for times and destinations The training was so professional that everyone was relaxed through All the sessions during an after your final training when my dog is certified as a service dog, we can go twice a month for group training, which gets your socialization and training with other dogs. The veterans helping veterans nonprofit organization, took care of all the training needs in order to hit Our final goal thank you one and all It was our pleasure to have worked with you and thank you for all your help!
  • Tess Nogueira
    Jun. 10, 2026
    DTE has helped us so much since starting with them. We have two dogs that were working through a lot of reactivity and separation anxiety and the change we have seen in them this early on is so amazing. Jason has give us the training expertise and tools to continue to build on the foundation we have created, and that’s just in a handful of one on one training sessions. They come to you and work in your environment which is extremely helpful. Additionally, having group classes where our pups can continue their learning and be exposed to other dogs as well is a huge plus. I’m so happy we came across DTE. Their philosophy and the way they treat our pups is very thoughtful and done with lots of care. Couldn’t recommend more!
  • Mindy Meyer
    Jun. 2, 2026
    We had a really positive experience working with Jason for basic dog training. From the very beginning, communication was excellent — responses were timely, professional, and easy to understand. It was clear they genuinely cared about helping both us and our dog succeed. The training process was organized, practical, and tailored to our dog’s needs. Jason explained techniques clearly and made sure we understood how to continue reinforcing the training at home. I appreciated that Jason focused not only on teaching commands, but also on helping us build better consistency and communication with our dog overall. We saw noticeable improvements in behavior and obedience throughout the training. Basic commands became much more reliable, and our dog gained confidence and better manners in everyday situations. The results were absolutely worth it! What stood out most was how patient, encouraging, and knowledgeable Jason was during the entire process. He created a comfortable environment for both the dog and owner, which made learning much easier and less stressful. I would definitely recommend Jason to anyone looking for reliable, effective, and professional dog training services. Great communication, solid training methods, and real results.
  • Skye McCashion
    May. 28, 2026
    We were having behavioral problems that seemed to come out of nowhere with our dog. Everywhere we turned to seemed to judge us and acted as though we were bad dog parents. Until we came across Elite. They were so kind about everything, very understanding, and truly just wanted the best for us and our dog. Iliana is an AMAZING trainer. She really cares about you and your dog and walks you through everything that’s going on with your pup and the exercises in the training. We love having her come over and going to group sessions with her!
  • Lauren Richitelli
    May. 20, 2026
    I adopted my 2 year old American bully last summer, and I reached out to Dog Training Elite to start obedience and lifestyle training immediately in Branford, CT. Jason and Illiana were both great, giving clear instructions and helping me set expectations with Ziggy. They are also very responsive - I texted Illiana after having a particularly frustrating day with my little teenager, she answered immediately and was able to talk me through what I should do and followed up in our next training session. Ziggy is well socialized, calm, and respectful in almost any situation. I feel confident taking him with me in public places and it has definitely fostered a great relationship between us - he really enjoys training, and it’s fun to watch his brain work! The group classes are also a great way to socialize with other dogs in a professional setting - and they are located at some beautiful parks I’ve never been to which is a fun bonus!
  • WendyLeigh C
    May. 14, 2026
    We are in Brookfield CT and both trainers came to us for sessions, one of the biggest perks of this company. They were always on time, always super productive and fun sessions. Also very reasonable prices in comparison to other options in CT. We did the Gold obedience package for our puppy with the goal of doing service training down the line. It went really well and we can't wait to continue when he's a little older. Highly recommend, you will not be disappointed!
  • Austin Witte
    Apr. 23, 2026
    Jason at Dog Training Elite has been a tremendous help for us with our 2 year old lab mix who was dealing with anxiety, recall, leash pulling, and impulse control. Finn loved Jason and responded super well to the lessons. My wife and I were already decent at basic training from our older dog but Finn is a bit more stubborn and needed a different training method. Jason was patient and guided us through how Finn learns and responds to training differently than our other dog. We worked on lots of things to help confidence, leash pulling, and impulse control. Jason was flexible to meet for home visits, outdoor lessons, and even Home Depot. I would recommend him to anyone in CT but we were based on Glastonbury, CT. The group training is an awesome perk as well to build confidence around other well-behaved dogs. Jason and his team were super helpful and accessible for questions we had outside of our scheduled lessons as well.
  • Emily J.
    Apr. 23, 2026
    We have two strong-minded, high-energy young beagles. Jason is a magician. Professional, patient, kind, empathetic. A gifted teacher. Our dogs love him and yours will too. If you wish to resolve any issues concerning obedience, anxiety, and/or bad/dangerous puppy habits, Jason is the answer. Well worth the investment in the quality of life for all. Loren is also a pleasure with whom to do business. A+ for this enterprise.
A Connecticut puppy trainers giving a puppy positive affirmation during an in-home training session.

Dog Training Elite of Southern CT, CT

In-Home Puppy Training

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Dog Training Elite of Southern CT offers comprehensive in-home training. For the first 4-6 weeks, trainers use “treat training” before moving onto more advanced puppy training. Puppies will learn the following behaviors:

  • Come, down, loose-leash walking, and down
  • Puppy corrections (Stop biting, digging, jumping, etc.)
  • Crate training/ housebreaking
  • Focus around distractions

Trainers will also help owners learn about the following:

  • Socialization tips
  • Environmental hazards
  • Positive reinforcement techniques
  • Puppy enrichment
  • Caring for your puppy
  • And more!

Training a puppy can feel overwhelming. By pairing you with a professional trainer, not only will your puppy learn quickly, but you will feel confident and empowered to continue training your puppy after the sessions are completed. Training in your own home will help you bond with your pup so even after the professional trainer leaves, you and Fido can continue to progress together.

A puppy ready to start training with Dog Training Elite of Southern CT.

Start Puppy Training Early

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First-time dog owners are often unsure of when to begin training their dogs. For the best results, it’s essential to start training your puppy as soon as possible. You can start socialization and basic commands as soon as you bring your new puppy home. Puppies are open to new experiences and people and learn quickly while they are young. It is beneficial to take advantage of this stage. Start with basic commands like "down," "come," and "stay." If you are searching for classes, Dog Training Elite offers puppy obedience classes.

Additional Puppy Training Info

Dog Training Elite of Southern CT - Puppy Crate Training in Connecticut. DTE

Crate Training

A well-manered puppy receiving positive reinforcement from their owner.

Our Puppy Trainers

The DTE Approach

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We have developed a highly successful and unique positive puppy training program empowering dog owners to train. Hence, their dog knows who to obey at all times, in all situations or environments. We offer personalized training to deal with specific issues and behaviors. We even offers customized training schedules to offer you the support you need as a dog owner.

Involvement is Key!

Most dog training programs don’t allow for the involvement of owners and families. Our trainers greatly encourage owners and their families to be involved in the training process. Why? This ensures you and your family know what’s expected, allows for continued education and means all the progress isn’t lost. Your puppy won’t come home and forget everything he’s learned.

Our puppy training program consists of two phases, early training and advanced training. Puppies as young as eight weeks can begin learning with Dog Training Elite of Southern CT. Our process allows us to efficiently complete in-home puppy training services at your home or within the environment where behaviors manifest - such as in the park or around other dogs in the neighborhood.

A Dog Training Elite of Southern CT puppy training outside.

Dog Training Elite of Southern CT

How Puppy Training Works

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We use a positive puppy training method paired with an electronic collar - not a shock collar. Unlike shock collars, electronic collars do not hurt or harm the pup. They are used only to obtain their attention, not to punish bad behavior. We believe in using constant praise to encourage good behavior. The difference becomes apparent when comparing a puppy trained out of fear to a puppy who truly desires to please.

Positive Reinforcement for Positive Pups

Positive reinforcement is the best option in puppy training. Punishments will only scare your dog, and fear can lead to aggression problems later in life. Our trainers use a classical conditioning program focusing on positive reinforcement of basic commands.

Dogs are eager to please. When they learn following basic commands results in affection or a treat, they will be happy to do as you ask. With patience - and the assistance of a professional puppy trainer - you'll be rewarded with a lifelong loyal pal.

We base our training around the "Classical Conditioning" model, also known as the "Pavlovian" response or "respondent conditioning." This means developing conditioned or automatic reflexes to commands, so when the owner says "sit," the dog automatically sits without thinking. Our unique technique ensures our program is a success no matter what behavior we encounter.

Contact us today to learn more about our training programs !

A group of dogs being trained by the expert team at Dog Training Elite of Southern CT.
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Dog Training Elite of Southern CT

Tips on How to Bond

Training is a great way to establish a deep, loyal bond with your puppy. Outside of your training sessions, there is more you can do to strengthen your bond. Here are some more tips for how to bond with your puppy:

Your puppy may not understand the words you’re saying, but he or she will understand your tone of voice. Speaking in an excited tone of voice will get your pup excited and motivate them to do what you want them to. Speaking in a low, calm voice can help soothe and relax your puppy.
Puppies thrive on routine. A consistent schedule will help your puppy adjust to their new home, and to you and your family. A puppy’s schedule needs to include eating, playtime, puppy training, potty breaks, and nap times.
As mentioned above, playtime is an important part of your puppy’s schedule. Playing with your puppy will help strengthen your bond and stimulate their brains. Walks are an easy and great way to give your puppy much-needed exercise. Start small, walking around in your yard or driveway and gradually extending the distance around your neighborhood.
Creating boundaries in your home for your puppy helps strengthen your bond because your puppy will look to you for direction and guidance. It will also help your puppy avoid bad habits. Baby gates and playpens are a useful way to create physical boundaries.
Puppies can become overwhelmed about all the new things they’re exploring. Crate training is a perfect way to allow your puppy to have their own space where they feel safe and comfortable and help them develop some independence so they grow into a well-adjusted dog.
The most adorable way to bond with your puppy is by cuddling them! Snuggling with your pup can help him or her feel comforted and safe. The best time to get a cuddle session with your puppy is when they are sleepy. Cuddling also helps puppies get used to having their paws, belly, face, etc. handled, and can be a good time to introduce light grooming practices like brushing their fur.