An image of a german shepard with their owner - contact Dog Training Elite for your german shephard training in Greenville / Spartanburg, SC.

Professional Training For

German Shepherds

Dog Training Elite Upstate SC

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Request Free Assesment

Our German Shepherd Training Could Help:

Excessive barking
Aggression
Separation anxiety
Destructive chewing
Leash pulling
Over-protectiveness
Resource guarding

German Shepherd Training in Greenville / Spartanburg, SC

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 Greenville / Spartanburg, SC 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 Upstate SC 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 Greenville / Spartanburg 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 Upstate SC 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!

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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 Greenville / Spartanburg.
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.

Hear From Our Customers

Learn Why Dog owners choose Dog Training Elite

  • J Lauren Villano
    Nov. 18, 2024
    I am blown away!!! Billie is a 1 year old Plott Hound. Before coming to Dog Training Elite, she was chaotic. We just finished her week of training camp last week and she's a different dog! I was able to train her on my own to a certain point but I didn't know how to make it stick. DTE helped me just as much if not more than Billie. I now know how to communicate to her what her job is during certain instances. I'm now able to actually play with my nieces and nephew when they're at my house. I can take Billie on walks and actually enjoy the walk myself. I still have a 1:1 session and 6 months of group classes to continue our training, but I can already confidently say that this training is worth every penny. If your dog is food aggressive, gets overly excited by visitors, or needs an outlet for pent up puppy energy... This is the training for you and your doggo!
  • Alison Jones
    Nov. 14, 2024
    We adopted a dog with some serious anxiety that manifested as leash aggression. We’d tried another training program previously and were told that she’d never be able to go anywhere with us. Then we went to a baseball game and saw Dog Training Elite in action. I called and scheduled a free eval. I was honest and told them that my husband was likely going to say no (we’d already spent a good deal of $ on training that didn’t help our main issue). We met with our evaluator and even my husband was sold!! We haven’t looked back. The training had been so incredibly beneficial. One on one sessions in your neighborhood with different trainers is so helpful. Our last session was at Falls Park(lots of people and lots of dogs with ZERO problems). We’ve been able to take our girl camping with is. We are no longer scared to take her on outings where there might be other dogs. She so much better behaved! Not gonna lie, she’s not perfect but she’s getting there. Thank you,DTE!
  • Emese Simon
    Nov. 7, 2024
    We have been struggling with our 2 year old puppy with significant dog reactivity, to the point of being afraid to take her for a walk as she would bark uncontrollably, jump, pull. We tried multiple methods and classes, including a camp where she stayed for a month to try to get control of her behaviors, without any improvement. Once we started working with dog elite training, she was transformed. I can't believe how well she is doing now. We can walk in our neighborhood without any fear of her lunging at another puppy. She is more confident, happy dog and responds well. We are learning how to work with her and she is listening very well. We found everyone extremely helpful, knowledgeable, friendly and understanding of our challenges with our puppy. We are looking forward to attending the group lessons and continue to watch Millie's progress. Thank you Casey for your patience, guidance and help with our challenging puppy.
  • Cole O'Connor
    Nov. 6, 2024
    I cannot recommend Dog Training Elite enough! Their obedience program is truly outstanding. From our very first session, the trainers demonstrated a deep understanding of canine behavior and used positive reinforcement techniques with the e-collar that made learning enjoyable for my dog. The curriculum is well-structured, addressing everything from basic commands to more advanced skills, ensuring we stayed engaged and motivated. What impressed me the most was the personalized approach; the trainers took the time to understand my dog's unique personality and tailored their methods accordingly. The results have been incredible. My dog is more obedient, confident, and well-behaved in various situations. Furthermore, the offered support is fantastic, with resources and guidance provided to reinforce what we have learned in class. We are looking forward to the 6 months of free group sessions that was part of our package, to continue to work through our tollgate checklist so we can move on to therapy training. If you're looking for a top notch obedience program that truly makes a difference, Dog Training Elite is the way to go!
  • Laura Lee Kearns Taylor
    Nov. 3, 2024
    Our 2 pups began training at 4 months old and we are so glad we enrolled them with Elite Dog Training! It’s been 6 weeks since they completed their week of training and they have been excellent at recall and obedience. Even after the hurricane and we had no power and couldn’t use their collars, they retained their training the majority of the time. We highly recommend the competent, professional trainers that really love what they do and love the dogs too!
  • Tom Hafft
    Oct. 30, 2024
    This organization is truly "Elite". My dog was (yes, "was") very reactive to people and dogs. It became impossible to walk her, she had pulled me down twice and we were concerned I or someone else would be hurt. Within 1 week I was able to walk her without incident! I was very skeptical this could happen, but I saw for myself. Having proper guidance and training techniques turned things around. I can't thank these people enough for their patience, love of dogs and professionalism. It's worth every penny spent 😊
  • Chris Clayton
    Oct. 29, 2024
    Lucy my German Shepard had some issues. She is doing so good now. High highly recommend these guys!
  • Carol Knupp
    Oct. 29, 2024
    In need of a good dog trainer? Your puppy or dog doesn't have the best behavior? Could your life and your dog's life be better if his/her behavior was better? I know exactly how you feel. I was in the same situation. I adopted a 6 year old minature Aussie, beautiful but with several ugly behaviors. She was very food aggressive towards other dogs and me, very aggressive to people coming into the house, especially aggressive towards men, and aggressive towards dogs she encountered on our walks. Has Margot's inappropriate behaviors been completely eliminated? No. But they have been significantly reduced. She (and I) are works in progress. I am so happy to have worked with the Dog Training Elite trainers. They are experts in the field, they are patient, and love what they do. They have provided Margot and I with the knowledge and techniques we can use in a consistent, ongoing training program. Thank you, thank you!! Both Margot and mine lives have greatly improved because of this traing.
  • Dylan Scott
    Oct. 29, 2024
    Incredible experience! Highly recommend working with Dog Training Elite! I used the puppy training and advanced obedience training and I can't be more impressed with the results! All of the trainers are very experienced and it shows in the results.
  • Marni Sumbal
    Oct. 24, 2024
    We adopted Sunny four weeks ago after saying good bye to our 17 year old chihuahua. Sunny is a terrier mix and ended up at Animal Care and Control in Charlotte after being found abandoned in an apartment building with another dog. He was being fostered before we officially adopted him. He is ~1 year old (and a few months) and 16 lbs. Sunny came to us overly excited and reactive to other dogs. He was extremely barky, didn’t know how to act around strangers, would nip when he got excited and after a long walk outside, he was wound up with energy. We knew he was a very happy and smart dog but we felt he had a lot of anxiety and uncertainty about life. And with five cats in our house, his barks and wild energy made our house feel divided and stressful. After researching several different behavior training schools, we selected Dog training elite upstate because of the reviews/testimonials. We enrolled Sunny in the gold elite package which consists of two home visits, 5 days of training in the facility and six months of group classes. This package also includes the e-collar (not a shock collar), which is how the trainers work with the dogs. We were skeptical about the training (and collar) as we have no prior experience in dog training and we asked a lot of questions about the collar to make sure it was safe. After the first in-home visit with Casey, Sunny was a changed dog. We couldn’t believe how quickly he learned “come” and “off”. Sunny thrived at school and responded so well to his 3-4 different trainers, teaching him place, down, heel and sit. After each day of class, we watched a tutorial video of how to give commands and watched videos of Sunny in action. Since the training, we never say no, raise our voice or use the collar for punishment. We don't even have to use treats for rewarding good behavior. Everything Sunny learned has been through positive reinforcement. The collar is simply a mode of communication. Sunny feels secure in his collar and loves working on his new skills. He gets excited to put on his collar. After five days of his school, we saw his confidence improve, he’s not anxious anymore, the cats are calm around him, we can peacefully coexist around other dogs and he has so much more freedom in life. He is still a happy and fun dog but now relies on us to help him safely navigate this new world. We are so happy that Sunny has so many more opportunities in life thanks to his good behaviors and listening skills - all thanks to Dog Training Elite. -Marni and Karel Sumbal Greenville, SC
  • Marni Sumbal
    Oct. 24, 2024
    We adopted Sunny four weeks ago after saying good bye to our 17 year old chihuahua. Sunny is a terrier mix and ended up at Animal Care and Control in Charlotte after being found abandoned in an apartment building with another dog. He was being fostered before we officially adopted him. He is ~1 year old (and a few months) and 16 lbs. Sunny came to us overly excited and reactive to other dogs. He was extremely barky, didn’t know how to act around strangers, would nip when he got excited and after a long walk outside, he was wound up with energy. We knew he was a very happy and smart dog but we felt he had a lot of anxiety and uncertainty about life. And with five cats in our house, his barks and wild energy made our house feel divided and stressful. After researching several different behavior training schools, we selected @dogtrainingeliteupstatesc because of the reviews/testimonials. We enrolled Sunny in the gold elite package which consists of two home visits, 5 days of training in the facility and six months of group classes. This package also includes the e-collar (not a shock collar), which is how the trainers work with the dogs. We were skeptical about the training (and collar) as we have no prior experience in dog training and we asked a lot of questions about the collar to make sure it was safe. After the first in-home visit with Casey, Sunny was a changed dog. We couldn’t believe how quickly he learned “come” and “off”. Sunny thrived at school and responded so well to his 3-4 different trainers, teaching him place, down, heel and sit. After each day of class, we watched a tutorial video of how to give commands and watched videos of Sunny in action. Since the training, we never say no, raise our voice or use the collar for punishment. We don't even have to use treats for rewarding good behavior. Everything Sunny learned has been through positive reinforcement. The collar is simply a mode of communication. Sunny feels secure in his collar and loves working on his new skills. He gets excited to put on his collar. After five days of his school, we saw his confidence improve, he’s not anxious anymore, the cats are calm around him, we can peacefully coexist around other dogs and he has so much more freedom in life. He is still a happy and fun dog but now relies on us to help him safely navigate this new world. We are so happy that Sunny has so many more opportunities in life thanks to his good behaviors and listening skills - all thanks to Dog Training Elite. -Marni and Karel Sumbal Greenville, SC
  • Terri Gowdy
    Oct. 20, 2024
    We had the best experience with Dog Training Elite! All the trainers are fantastic and feel a bit like part of our family now! From our initial home visit where we talked about our personal goals for our dog and the things we needed help with, to the implementation and teaching of the skills in group class, we were just amazed at the quality and effectiveness of the program! I was a bit apprehensive about learning how to work with an e-collar, but it is a great management tool, and our dog seems happier than ever - as if he has purpose! I only wish I had done it sooner!
  • Joanne Edwards
    Oct. 20, 2024
    I could not say enough about how great everyone has been at Dog Training Elite! From the initial set up of Milo’s consultation to scheduling his lessons, the staff have always been super accommodating and responsive! Every trainer we have worked with has been amazing! Casey, Sydney, Danny, and Mackenzie loved Milo like their own pup and set us up for success! I was initially a little hesitant about working with e collars (I grew up with dogs with an electric fence and initially thought they were similar…completely different!) I tried it out on myself first and it’s amazing how such a small amount of stimulus can help you communicate with your pup better! The trainers are also super informative in the use of it and Milo adjusted pretty quickly to wearing it! I have seen such an improvement in Milo through working with DTE. Before, I stopped bringing him out with me because of his reactivity but now with the training he has done so great being in public! The e collar has provided a way for me to communicate with him on such a deeper level. He has attended puppy classes before but DTE is next level and worth the investment! I cannot thank the staff enough at DTE for working with Milo to be the bestest boy!
  • Joanne Edwards
    Oct. 19, 2024
    I could not say enough about how great everyone has been at Dog Training Elite! From the initial set up of Milo’s consultation to scheduling his lessons, the staff have always been super accommodating and responsive! Every trainer we have worked with has been amazing! Casey, Sydney, Danny, and Mackenzie loved Milo like their own pup and set us up for success! I was initially a little hesitant about working with e collars (I grew up with dogs with an electric fence and initially thought they were similar…completely different!) I tried it out on myself first and it’s amazing how such a small amount of stimulus can help you communicate with your pup better! The trainers are also super informative in the use of it and Milo adjusted pretty quickly to wearing it! I have seen such an improvement in Milo through working with DTE. Before, I stopped bringing him out with me because of his reactivity but now with the training he has done so great being in public! The e collar has provided a way for me to communicate with him on such a deeper level. He has attended puppy classes before but DTE is next level and worth the investment! I cannot thank the staff enough at DTE for working with milo to be the bestest boy!
  • Robin Flynn
    Oct. 16, 2024
    We used Elite to train our 8 month old dog. Everyone we worked was very knowledgeable and professional. We will definitely use Elite again!
  • Miss Noell
    Oct. 6, 2024
    I am so thankful I decided to choose Dog Training Elite after shopping for a training facility. The moment I met Danny, I felt like he was family and treated Bentley as one of his own dogs. His ability to connect with Bentley was instant and genuine. Mackenzie was always interactive and personal as we interacted to schedule appointments. Cassie was a natural with her soft yet commanding voice. She really pushed Bentleys to bring his best game. Sydney was so friendly and nurturing as she held Bentley accountable to accurately perform the commands. Originally, I was looking for a training facility that boards but I really wanted to be an apart of Bentley’s process although my schedule is very demanding and I didn’t know the first thing about training a dog. Danny assured me that Dog Training Elite would train me to successfully train my dog. I just have to put in post in-house training work with Bentley. I had my doubts, but I committed to the challenge and I could not be more proud of the final outcome. Thank you Dog training Elite for everything and I am so sad that we have come to the end of our training relationship but so proud of the skills and confidence both Bentley and I have gained that will last a lifetime. 🤍🤍 ~ Noell & Bentley
  • Devin Baldridge
    Oct. 3, 2024
    Where do I even start... Dog Training Elite is more than just Elite, they are working magic. We just moved to the area and were in need of a trainer for our Pitbull (Miss Lou). Miss Lou was reactive to people and we tried 2 trainers prior and they did nothing to help Miss Lou and her anxiety. Day one of meeting the team at DTE they already had Miss Lou feeling more comfortable than I have ever seen her. Our first in home visit Jared opened our eyes to how much DTE cares about dogs but more than that how knowledgeable they are. Jared was able to pet and walk Miss Lou. We knew at that moment DTE was going to change Miss Lou's life for the better and make her the loving pup we know she can be. We put Miss Lou in the week long camp and she responded so well to the training and in just 5 days Miss Lou was making some huge strides. One thing about DTE is they are going to show you how well they can train your dog, but more importantly they are going to show you how to do what they do. By no means am I an expert, but I have all the tools in my pocket to make Miss Lou the best version of herself. Miss Lou is making big steps each and everyday and we could not be where we are at with her without the team over at Dog Training Elite. Thank you DTE team, you are all amazing and look forward to seeing you at group classes!
  • Lauren Kelly
    Sep. 30, 2024
    I would pay double for this team to train my dog (and me)!! Danny and Sidney went above and beyond to make this experience awesome for our whole family. After just 6 sessions we have a new dog who we actually can enjoy!!
  • Victoria Delaney
    Sep. 26, 2024
    We have a 3 year old miniature poodle that was discarded by a breeder. She was a bundle of nerves until we got the training from Elite. The transformation has been amazing.
  • Tim Duggan
    Sep. 25, 2024
    I can’t say enough about the amazing job DTE did with my Springer Spaniel.All of the trainers were extremely professional and explained everything in detail from beginning to end.I highly recommend.
A dog owner with his German Shepherd - get your professional german shepherd training in Greenville / Spartanburg, SC 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 Upstate SC 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.

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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 and physical stimulation they need.

Dog Training Elite has developed training programs for puppies and adult dogs based on positive reinforcement. Our Greenville / Spartanburg German Shepherd trainers are dedicated to protecting your pets mental and physical health while ensuring the best possible results.

A group of dogs being trained by the expert team at Dog Training Elite Upstate SC.
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Educate, Empower, Elevate, Elite

Victory Begins With Elite Education

An adorable German Shepherd with their owner - Dog Training Elite is your go-to choice for Greenville / Spartanburg german shepherd trainers.

Your Expert German Shepherd Trainers in Greenville / Spartanburg, SC

The Dog Training Elite Difference

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Dog Training Elite uses modern training methods focused on positive reinforcement 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 method of focusing on positive behavior reinforcement 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 Greenville / Spartanburg, SC!