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

Dog Behaviorist in Knoxville, TN

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Request Free Assessment

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

Knoxville 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 Knoxville, TN, 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 Knoxville - Dog Socialization Classes in Knoxville, TN

Socialization

Our Knoxville 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 Knoxville - Dog Training Elite. How to Stop Puppy Biting Knoxville

Biting

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

Dog Training Elite Knoxville - Reactive Dog Training in Knoxville, TN. DTE

Fear & Reactiveness

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

Dog Training Elite Knoxville - Destructive Chewing & Digging Training in Knoxville, TN

Destructive Chewing & Digging

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

Dog Training Elite Knoxville - Separation Anxiety Training for Dogs in Knoxville, TN

Separation Anxiety

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

Dog Training Elite Knoxville - Excessive Barking Training in Knoxville, TN. DTE

Excessive Barking

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

Dog Training Elite Knoxville - Staying and Coming Training in Knoxville, TN. DTE

Staying & Coming

Our staying and coming training in Knoxville, TN 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.

Dog Training Elite Knoxville -

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 Knoxville - Dog & Puppy Potty Training in Knoxville, TN. DTE

Potty Training

We help dogs learn to relieve themselves outdoors with our Knoxville 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 Knoxville.

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

  • Cristine Summers
    Oct. 31, 2025
    First training with Kenna went great! Our little Poppy loved it. We’re so excited to start this journey!
  • SHERMAN NETTLES
    Oct. 29, 2025
    Great
  • patricia bruce
    Nov. 6, 2025
    Very friendly and kind .
  • Marianne Waters
    Nov. 6, 2025
    Julia doesn’t overwhem the owner (or the dog) with training. She makes it common sense.
  • Mark S
    Nov. 6, 2025
    First day of training and already seeing improvments
  • Patricia Harris
    Aug. 5, 2025
    Julia did a great job. My dog learned a lot & so did I. My dog loved her.
  • Donna Hall
    Oct. 14, 2025
    Lulu had training with Julia today. Julia is so good with her and I feel like she is progressing. My husband and I are very impressed with Julia’s knowledge and especially her patience with our sweet baby. Looking forward to next week’s lesson!
  • Laura Vinson
    Nov. 3, 2025
    Montana came for a consultation for training. She was very thorough and answered all of our questions. I highly recommend, we are so excited to start our training for our dog.
  • Ashley Martinez
    Oct. 31, 2025
    Graci was amazing! Answered all my questions ☀️
  • laurene holcomb
    Oct. 27, 2025
    Wonderful experience today with Montana from Elite..communicates clearly, knowledgable, and she is a friendly, kind person. The training is best price I have found for in home and classes. They offer service and obedience. She works individually with the dogs abilities. I am excited to have my first training.
  • Adam Jarvis
    Oct. 24, 2025
    Great first training session! She was patient and knowledgeable. We are off to a good start.
  • Sam Rapp
    Feb. 6, 2025
    Parker, Montana and team are reliable, consistent, extremely competent, and professional. They mix all of these traits with a level of empathy and caring that make them very effective. I wouldn’t trust anyone else with my thumbless child. It’s just too bad y’all don’t have a ten-star rating, because I would give him 11.
  • Leandra Edringer
    Oct. 14, 2025
    Renia, is who I have been working with so far and she is amazing. Also the company worked with me on a payment plan, due to the Government shutdown and I have never been more grateful. I highly recommend them for any training needs, from basic obedience, to a service animal.
  • Beth Mouse
    Sep. 13, 2025
    Carol did a great job and my dog is starting to improve some of his difficult behaviors. I am anxious to see more improvement in the future.
  • Melissa Childress
    Oct. 9, 2025
    Carol did a great job with presentation, and was very friendly to me and my pet.
  • Renee Marks
    Oct. 9, 2025
    Montana with Dog Training Elite is fantastic to work with. We dog parents love her and her style of training; now our baby pup, Rado, well….he would appreciate her not visiting his home 🤣😇
  • Gail
    Oct. 8, 2025
    Carol is easily one of the finest trainers I have met. I would trust her completely to work with my dog and me. I cannot afford training at this time, however. I appreciate her time and skill.
  • Wendy Etheridge
    Oct. 4, 2025
    Montana is a lovely young lady and Lydia took to her right away! This is in Nashville, by the way. She explained everything about the training program very well. She listened to the things I would like to do with Lydia and what I would like Lydia to be able to do. I appreciated her spending the amount of time she did and I felt well informed about the program. Thank you Montana, for throwing that BALL!!
  • George Weber
    Aug. 13, 2025
    Met with Parker for assessment of our dog. He was professional and helpful. Had 2nd lesson with Kenna made great strides in our dog's training Thank you Montana trained today. Great job explained all the steps and reasons for them Thank you Kenna has been training us and we couldn't be happier. Our dog has made huge improvement in obedience and makes life much more enjoyable Thank you
  • Cathy Austin
    Oct. 3, 2025
    Gracie was sweet and very personable. She explained the program in detail ans provided a estimate for the service.

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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 Knoxville.

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 Knoxville.

Your Expert Dog Behaviorist in Knoxville, TN

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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 Knoxville.
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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 Knoxville, TN, 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!