An obedient puppy receiving expert puppy training in Knoxville, TN from DTE.
Dog Training Elite

Puppy Training in Knoxville, TN

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 Knoxville 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 Knoxville 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 Knoxville 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 Knoxville.

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

  • Daniel Harvey
    May. 9, 2026
    Rhett has been awesome to work with. They had a trainer that didn't work out for our first lesson but they didn't count that against us and since then he has been amazing. He is great not only getting the dog started on the commands but also teaching me and my family how to handle the different situations.
  • Paula Bran
    May. 9, 2026
    Elite Dog Training has been such a positive experience for both me and my baby Manon as we begin her service dog journey. Rhett, Kaitlyn, Reina, and even the few lessons I had with Jaime and Parker have all been incredibly kind, knowledgeable, and supportive. What I appreciated most is how they truly listened to my concerns without judgment and always made me feel comfortable asking questions. Their guidance, patience, and encouragement have made a huge difference in helping us build a strong foundation. You can tell they genuinely care about both the dogs and their people. I’m very grateful for their help and would absolutely recommend them to anyone looking for thoughtful, compassionate, and effective dog training.
  • Jamie Oliva
    May. 8, 2026
    He was kind, and sweet to the dogs. Knowledgeable and caring, patient and friendly.
  • Shelly Benoit
    May. 6, 2026
    Reina was awesome!!! Knowledgeable, extremely friendly and patient with our fur baby!
  • Domestic Violence Legal Advocate
    May. 5, 2026
    My initial meeting with ELITE was incredible!! I met Rhett & Katlin. They were so kind & so knowledgeable! Just my first meeting but my dog responded so well to them. So excited!! My baby boy will finally get what he needs! ❤️😊
  • Clare M Donahue
    May. 5, 2026
    Taught me a lot in the one hour session we had. Was very informative, kind and patient with my dog. Explained everything very well!
  • David Trent
    Apr. 24, 2026
    Good visit we'll informed of the training process! Very friendly your man!!
  • Lisa Cheek
    May. 4, 2026
    Reina was great!!!
  • Tabatha White
    May. 4, 2026
    I really appreciate you for coming over and explaining everything 😌 🙏
  • Christopher Soukup
    Aug. 6, 2025
    02 May 2026: As expected, another great experience with the team from DTE. The training focus is not to make the dog a robot on command but to really bond a resource companion with detailed explanation in behavior dynamics. Rhett's many years of experience really shines with every session. 23 Apr 2026: Rhett was absolutely awesome working with my service dog in training. I had a gap in sessions due to medical reasons and he was great with instruction and getting us back on a structured path. Dog Training Elite has gone above and beyond in accommodating me in a rural area by coming out an hour and half just to make sure we are getting the training and resources we need! Watching my dog progress after each session and getting the handler skills needed to continue work between instructor lead sessions is really an amazing to experience. 06 Aug 2025: First day of training was exceptionally informative. Julia was extremely professional and knowledgeable instilling confidence moving forward. I definitely know I made the right choice for my service dog needs. 18 Sept 2025: Fast forward into a few sessions later and still absolutely impressed with the level of professionalism and results
  • Lauren Unger
    May. 1, 2026
    Rhett was fabulous!! Our six month dog had no awareness of his back legs couldn’t jump on the couch. I had to pick him up and carry him into the car. He couldn’t jump down from the couch or off the bed. In one session, Duke learned “place”. He had him jumping on top of picnic tables. Sitting and staying in this place. Took us to the car and trained him getting in and out of the car by himself. I didn’t think Duke could do it and I was so impressed!!! Getting him trained with this company and with him has been absolutely wonderful and highly recommend it. So much gets done in just one session. He talks you through everything. You understand the process of the way the brain works with the dog and the reasonings behind how they’re training them and why they do it that way. Five stars all the way, and if I could give more, I would! Lauren Unger
  • Heather Smith
    Apr. 30, 2026
    Rhett is great! Very knowledgeable and is helping us tremendously with pur Beagle
  • Kimberly Logan
    Apr. 30, 2026
    I thoroughly enjoyed working with Reina!
  • Jordan Turner
    Apr. 30, 2026
    Yesterday I got to witness & be part of a training session in my store, Pet Supermarket. The trainer, Rhett, showed incredible knowledge and patience with the dog, as well as the handler involved! I’ve never had the chance to witness public training for a service animal, so I was thrilled they chose my store to hold the session in! I’d highly recommend them after seeing how knowledgeable the trainers are!
  • Kaylee Ellington
    Apr. 30, 2026
    We’ve had such a great experience with Dog Training Elite Knoxville, and especially with our trainer Rhett. He has been absolutely wonderful to work with—knowledgeable, patient, and genuinely invested in our dog’s progress. From the very beginning, Rhett took the time to understand our puppy’s specific needs and gave us clear, practical guidance that made a real difference. You can tell he truly cares, not just about training dogs, but about helping owners feel confident too. We’ve seen such a positive change in our puppy’s behavior, and it’s made everyday life so much easier and more enjoyable. We’re really grateful for Rhett’s support and would highly recommend Dog Training Elite Knoxville to anyone looking for professional, effective, and compassionate training.
  • Mac
    Apr. 29, 2026
    Excellent team of trainers. Parker explained everything we worked ine thoroughly. He was very engaging and focused on helping me and my pup learn and improve. Highly recommend.
  • Donna Hall
    Oct. 14, 2025
    Lulu had training with Rhett today. He is so good with the dogs and puts so much thought into what each dog needs individually. I’m really happy and excited about the fact that he really wants our Lulu to succeed at everything she does and he is willing to go the extra mile to see that she does!
  • Elizabeth Ingram
    Apr. 28, 2026
    Great training session
  • Elizabeth Ely
    Apr. 28, 2026
    Rhett does a great job training. He has patience and passion.
  • grace blunt
    Apr. 28, 2026
    Rhett is knowledgeable and can explain things in a clear and understandable manner without being condescending. I left today thinking my dog is not failing because I was about to give up on her becoming a service dog.
A Knoxville puppy trainers giving a puppy positive affirmation during an in-home training session.

Dog Training Elite Knoxville, TN

In-Home Puppy Training

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Dog Training Elite Knoxville 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 Knoxville.

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 Knoxville - Puppy Crate Training in Knoxville, TN. 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 Knoxville. 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 Knoxville puppy training outside.

Dog Training Elite Knoxville

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 Knoxville.
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Dog Training Elite Knoxville

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.