Positive Reinforcement vs. Punishment

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Positive Dog Training Techniques

Positive Reinforcement Dog Training in Dallas, TX

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 reinforcement dog training in Dallas, TX 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 Dallas 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!

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Your Questions Answered

Positive reinforcement training is a widely used and highly effective method for teaching dogs new behaviors while strengthening the bond between you and your pet. Below, we've answered some common questions about how this training approach works and why it's beneficial for all dog breeds.

Positive reinforcement training rewards dogs for good behavior with treats, praise, or play, encouraging them to repeat those behaviors. It focuses on creating a positive association with desired actions, making training enjoyable and effective for your dog.
Positive reinforcement builds trust and strengthens the bond between you and your dog. By rewarding desired behavior, your dog is more motivated to learn and respond willingly, whereas punishment can create fear and anxiety, hindering learning and damaging the relationship.
Yes, positive reinforcement training is effective for all dog breeds. Since it relies on rewarding good behavior, dogs of all breeds, sizes, and temperaments can respond well, making it a flexible and universally beneficial training method.
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Dallas Positive Reinforcement Dog Trainers

Dog Training Elite Dallas

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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.

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FAQs

One of our trainers will visit your home to meet you and your dog and discuss any issues you're facing. We will then demonstrate one of our model dogs so you can see what you can expect after hiring our trainers. From there, we will discuss the various packages we offer and which we feel best suit your (and your dog's) needs.
We provide full obedience training that covers all basic commands, both on and off-leash. Our in-home visits target specific issues like counter-surfing, digging, and more. Unlike some trainers, we work with all breeds, including those often considered challenging.
Yes. You (and anyone in your family who wants to be involved) are integral to your dog getting trained. We need you to practice 5-6 days a week, about 15-20 minutes a day for optimal results.
Once a week. We come to you (with the silver, gold and platinum packages) once a week to start your dog off, then you come to park sessions which are held once a week in Dallas.
We train dogs of all breeds, sizes, and temperaments. Whether your dog is a tiny Chihuahua or a large Mastiff, we have the experience and expertise to work with them.
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The Dog Training Elite Dallas Difference


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Dog Training Elite Dallas uses modern training methods focused on positive dog training using reinforcement and bonding you and your dog. Our trainers in Dallas, TX 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 Dallas’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 reinforcement dog training in Dallas, TX 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 Dallas, when you say “sit,” your dog will automatically sit without thinking about it.

Dog Training Elite Dallas 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 Dallas, TX 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 Dallas, TX 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 consultation!

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Learn Why Dog owners choose Dog Training Elite

  • Elizabeth McKenzie
    Apr. 19, 2023
    Felicity has been training Benson for just a couple months and the difference she has helped make in him are nothing short of amazing!!! The company is easy to work with, compassionate and you can tell their goal is not only 100% customer satisfaction but also care for the dogs. Felicity answers all my questions, gives amazing advice and ensures I understand how to practice with Benson. I am very pleased with every aspect of Dog Training Elite and recommend them wholeheartedly. Update: Benson passed his 2nd public access test today with Felicity! She has been with him every step of the way. I wish I had the words to explain how amazing she is. Benson has come a long way and will definitely be an amazing mobility service dog.
  • Bri Arroyo
    Jan. 27, 2024
    Before we brought our Golden Retriever puppy home, we knew that we wanted to enlist the aid of a trainer to teach her but also teach us how to efficiently train our new puppy. Felicity was our trainer— she was great! She was super knowledgeable and patient with the millions of questions that we had. Hazel really enjoyed her training sessions and she is learning so fast. I cannot recommend Felicity and Dog Training Elite Dallas enough! I know the work we put in with training Hazel now will benefit her in the future.
  • Ross Murrell
    Jan. 27, 2024
    Felicity has been a fantastic dog trainer. Our dog has made such swift progress after working with her. We couldn’t be more happy that we get to work with her. She is truly gifted.
  • Karen Winget
    Dec. 29, 2023
    We were at our wits end with our rescue pup. Had tried everything and I mean everything with no luck. We were determined to not give up on her. But we were all fretting over whether she was a good fit in our lives. Found this company and called for an evaluation. We knew whatever we invested in this dog would bring us years of joy. It has transformed our fearful, anxious dog into a wonderful happy pup. (She’s got more training to do but she’s doing awesome! ) We had Felicity, Luke, and Euni work with us over 6 weeks in our home. Felicity saw her on the first and last visit and immediately noticed an huge change in her! Our sweet pup is making such good progress! Best trainers ever as they worked with us to help us work with her. Awesome experience and I highly recommend them!
  • Jericca Cassani
    Dec. 23, 2023
    Every trainer that I have worked with is exceptionally knowledgeable, kind, professional, and overall very easy to talk to and to learn from. My dog is becoming more confident with every session, and I am very grateful to Dog Training Elite for making that happen ❤️
  • Kimberly Margowski
    Dec. 22, 2023
    I am so pleased with this company I begin to tell you how they have changed my life with my new adopted baby girl . She was so scared and wanted to bite everyone and in one week that behavior had changed. Felicity, Tyler and all the trainers at Dog Training Institute are professionals and know exactly what they are doing. I would recommend these guys to anyone !!
  • Allie Xirinachs
    Dec. 20, 2023
    Dog Training Elite was the best thing we did for our 7-month-old Vizsla! We had a good foundation with basic commands prior to enrolling him, but we certainly did not feel confident enough to allow him off-leash when we go on the trails and needed help with impulse control as far as staying in place for longer periods of time and less excitable greetings. After just a few days at the facility, we saw such a difference, and by the end of the two weeks, we had a pup with so much impulse control and incredible manners. Not to mention--the e-collar wasn't something I felt confident training myself, since my biggest concern was creating a negative relationship with it, but they did a fantastic job. We've now also done in-home training sessions, which we focused on remaining neutral and not greeting ever dog when we're out, and his progress in just one session was tremendous. We can't stop saying enough great things about Tra, Felicity, Yuni, Kelly, and the rest of the DTE team. The facility was clean, and most importantly, the trainers exhibit such an understanding of canine behavior and psychology. Although it's a little bit pricier than other facilities we looked into, my husband and I have said repeatedly it was worth every penny. We met another pup that was the same age as ours that was so rowdy and excitable, and the owners told us they had just finished training with another well-known facility that we happened to look into as well. Needless to say, we were so glad we didn't end up choosing that facility. Their personalized approach is what makes the biggest difference. DTE exceeded our expectations, and we're incredibly grateful for the time, patience, and compassion they showed our Maverick. If you want top-notch training that delivers great results, DTE won't disappoint.
  • Allison Xirinachs
    Dec. 20, 2023
    Dog Training Elite was the best thing we did for our 7-month-old Vizsla! We had a good foundation with basic commands prior to enrolling him, but we certainly did not feel confident enough to allow him off-leash when we go on the trails and needed help with impulse control as far as staying in place for longer periods of time and less excitable greetings. After just a few days at the facility, we saw such a difference, and by the end of the two weeks, we had a pup with so much impulse control and incredible manners. Not to mention--the e-collar wasn't something I felt confident training myself, since my biggest concern was causing a negative relationship with it, but they did a fantastic job. We've now also done in-home training sessions, which we focused on remaining neutral and not greeting ever dog when we're out, and his progress in just one session was tremendous. We can't stop saying enough great things about Tra, Felicity, Yuni, Kelly, and the rest of the DTE team. The facility was clean, and most importantly, the trainers exhibit such an understanding of canine behavior and psychology. Although it's a little bit pricier than other facilities we looked into, my husband and I have said repeatedly it was worth every penny. We met another pup that was the same age as ours that was so rowdy and excitable, and the owners told us they had just finished training with another well-known facility that we happened to look into as well. Needless to say, we were so glad we didn't end up choosing that facility. For us, their personalized approach is what makes the biggest difference. DTE exceeded our expectations, and we're incredibly grateful for the time, patience, and compassion they showed our Maverick. If you want top-notch training that delivers great results, DTE won't disappoint.
  • Terre From Texas
    Sep. 11, 2023
    I am having a great experience with Dog Training Elite Dallas. Felicity is our trainer, and she is fantastic. My doggie is a dachshund and they are known to be stubborn by nature. However, Felicity teaches her new skills quickly and efficiently, and teaches me how to practice and reinforce those skills. She is firm while also being warm and kind. Both my doggie and I love working with her!
  • Tracy Michel
    Aug. 26, 2023
    This has been a great experience for our dog. Felicity, his trainer, has been great with Lido and he has learned to not puppy bite as much and has learned to take different commands very well. He has become a much more obedient dog. Lido actually gets very excited every time he gets time with Felicity. Thanks for all your help!
  • Brianna Donley
    Aug. 25, 2023
    We absolutely loved working with dog training elite!! They were amazing at helping us with our malinois mix! Felicity, Luke, Tra, Cheyanne, and Kyler were all great. We enjoyed our experience so much we’re going to add protection training!
  • Janet Millinder
    Aug. 23, 2023
    So far the training has been great. My dog has been responding very well to the training.
  • Ashley Dodge
    Aug. 8, 2023
    In a month, they have been able to help me train my puppy on the way to become my service dog! They are so understanding and supportive! The training focuses on positive as opposed to negative reinforcement on the collar which makes Draco more excited to put it on in the morning. Places I used in the past used it as a negative which made my dog (originally attempted to be a therapy dog) fearful and avoided having it on. Note: The first image was his first day training in public and in the second image he did not have his vest on, but still instinctively went into "tuck".
  • Sheena McIntire
    Jul. 18, 2023
    Luke has been so amazing with my puppy, Punxsy (she will be 8 months on July 25, 2023). Luke is so compassionate, knowledgeable, and patient. He was integral getting her trained as a service dog. His training enabled me to fly home with her to see my family in Delaware. As a service dog, she was able to stay with me in the cabin of the airplane, laying at my feet. I have PTSD from my time in the military, and he taught Punxsy skills to comfort me. Luke is amazing, and Punxsy and I thank you so much! Sheena and Punxsy
  • joann askew
    Jul. 17, 2023
    DTE is amazing.. I have a rescue that has forgotten how to be a dog.. Felicity has worked with me and my Happy girl and not only helped my fur baby start to open up but she is helping me to become that dog mom I need to be for her.. Thank you Felicity 🥰
  • Alex Weiss
    Jul. 11, 2023
    Excellent training: we did the puppy camp - 4 sessions. 2 were with Luke and 2 with Felicity. The training provided exceptional value to us: we saw how to approach puppy training, both answered all our questions and then some. We are progressing nicely with our puppy’s training and the training we received at Dog Training Elite Frisco provided us the right direction and a boost! Very thankful for their support and patience - I feel we went through the training ourselves. Thank you Luke and Felicity!
  • Cassandra Keller
    Jul. 5, 2023
    Felicity helped my pup, Noodle learn basic skills that have helped in the puppy phase. It was amazing seeing with a little guidance, how much easier the puppy stage has been. Definitely recommend!
  • Jennifer Robb
    Jun. 21, 2023
    Fantastic! Huge difference in our dogs and Felicity is awesome!!!!
  • Donna Friesen
    Jun. 4, 2023
    Cheyenne came out for first training visit for our border collie, Hubert. She is very knowledgeable and made sure we understand how to work with him on new skills. We had been taking him elsewhere for basic training before beginning his service dog training with Elite. The one exception was as she was leaving: she made a comment that we baby him too much; however she didn't give any examples so we would know how to correct it.
  • Stephanie McBride
    Jun. 2, 2023
    Calling DTE was one of the best things we’ve done for our dogs. Every single trainer was knowledgeable and true professionals. Money well spent.!!!