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When introducing a new puppy to your home, crate training is one of the most important instructions for your pup. Though some dog owners initially question the idea of crate training, a crate gives you and your dog a sense of security when used properly. Read on to learn more about the benefits of enrolling in a crate training puppy program in Knoxville, as well as important tips to keep in mind throughout the training process.
Puppy training with Dog Training Elite Knoxville gives you all the skills and tools you need to help make your new puppy a part of the family, without using shock collars. Contact us today!
What is Crate Training?
Crate training is the practice of teaching a puppy that a metal, plastic, or fabric-covered cage (crate) is their safe place. This taps into the natural denning instincts of dogs, and they will learn that the crate is their personal spot that they can retreat to whenever they desire.
In addition to offering dogs a sense of peace and territory, crate training significantly speeds up the house breaking process. Once a puppy learns that their crate is a safe place, or 'den', they will instinctively want to keep this area clean. During house breaking, keeping your puppy inside the crate dramatically reduces accidents. Keep eyes and ears open to your puppy's bathroom signals and quickly bring him or her outside. This will help your puppy learn that outside is the place to go, not inside.
Not all training packages may be available at our Dog Training Elite Knoxville location, please reference our pricing page for complete information on services offered.
Silver - $1,995
$1,995
Training Equipment Included: E-Collar
- In-Home Training SessionsOne-on-one & personalized 3 Sessions
- Group Park Training Sessions 8 Sessions
- Come
- Heel (walk with you, loose leash no pulling)
- Sit (next to you & off leash at a distance)
- Place (go to bed)
- Quiet (stop excessive barking & whining)
- Off(furniture when desired)
Gold - $2,395
$2,395
Training Equipment Included: E-Collar
- In-Home Training SessionsOne-on-one & personalized 5 Sessions
- Group Park Training Sessions 12 Sessions
- Come
- Heel (walk with you, loose leash no pulling)
- Sit(next to you & off leash at a distance)
- Place(go to bed)
- Quiet(stop excessive barking & whining)
- Off(furniture when desired)
- Down(lay next to you & off leash at a distance)
- Load Up (go into kennel, car, or dog house)
- Manners, Safety & Boundaries
- Calm Anxiety & Build Confidence
- Housebreaking / Potty Training
- STOP Jumping on People
- STOP Mouthing & Nipping
- STOP Chewing & Digging
- STOP Begging & Stealing Food
- STOP Bolting Through Doors & Running Away
- STOP Chasing Animals, Cars & Bikes
- STOP Reactivity (dog & human)
Platinum - $2,995
$2,995
Platinum offers advanced obedience/behavioral modification with a goal of off-leash control. Includes additional training options and offers more one-on-one and group sessions than Gold.
Training Equipment Included: E-Collar
- In-Home Training SessionsOne-on-one & personalized 8 Sessions
- Group Park Training Sessions 16 Sessions
- Come
- Heel (walk with you, loose leash no pulling)
- Sit(next to you & off leash at a distance)
- Place(go to bed)
- Quiet(stop excessive barking & whining)
- Off(furniture when desired)
- Down(lay next to you & off leash at a distance)
- Load Up (go into kennel, car, or dog house)
- Manners, Safety & Boundaries
- Calm Anxiety & Build Confidence
- Housebreaking / Potty Training
- STOP Jumping on People
- STOP Mouthing & Nipping
- STOP Chewing & Digging
- STOP Begging & Stealing Food
- STOP Bolting Through Doors & Running Away
- STOP Chasing Animals, Cars & Bikes
- STOP Reactivity (dog & human)
- *Stay With You on a Job or Bike Ride (off-leash)
- *Emotional Support Dog Training(ESA)
- *Control Aggression(dog & human)
- *Calm Extreme Anxiety(behavioral modification)
We help your dog become a valued companion and beloved member of the family. Read what our customers have to say and then give us a call!
I can't recommend Dog Training Elite highly enough! From start to finish, my experience with them has been exceptional. Andi in the office is an absolute gem - always friendly, polite, and incredibly efficient. She made scheduling around my hectic timetable an absolute breeze, whether it was answering the phone or swiftly returning missed calls. And when it come to Parker, our trainer, I couldn't be more impressed. Parker was punctual and well-prepared for every lesson. His expertise and patience with me and my dog was evident, and I saw significant progress with each lesson. Thank you, Dog Training Elite, for providing the service that you do!— Alisa Kellington-Welsh
Posted April 19th 2024
Best trained dog I’ve ever had. Friendly service. Our trainer Nikki is great!— Daniel Stout
Posted April 19th 2024
I had a great experience with Nikki! She worked great with Zurii and I during our training sessions. We learned a lot.— Janet Koontz
Posted April 18th 2024
What a great experience! We are so happy we chose Training Elite and Nikki was our trainer. Money well spent.— Sherry Sapp
Posted April 11th 2024
I’ve had nothing but a great experience with Dog Training Elite! Parker was our trainer and helped my crazy Labrador. My dog is now a better listener and is eager and engaged when it come to training. Thank you so much Parker and DTE! :)— Lindsay Robison
Posted April 9th 2024
Parker was very kind and detail-oriented when training my dog. Saw great results, would recommend to anyone!— Taylor Underwood
Posted April 6th 2024
Nikki was great to work with. Very skilled in dog training and really helped us with our stubborn dog— Spencer Hall
Posted April 6th 2024
AMAZING! Highly recommend Parker. He did wonders with my Golden Doodle during training sessions. His expertise and patience were truly awesome.— Maddie Lambert
Posted April 5th 2024
I cannot overstate how amazing our experience was with Parker and DTE! Their training schedule was so smooth and easy. Leaving with me and my dog, Birdie, commands to work on and practice in between each session. Birdie’s growth by the end was crazy! Highly recommend to anyone looking for dog training!— Tate Weichers
Posted April 5th 2024
Nikki is amazing! She is so knowledgeable, patient, and a true dog lover! She helped my boy go from extremely reactive to being able to ignore dogs passing by. She gets to know your dog very individually and is able to read their body language perfectly. Couldn’t recommended her or DTE more! Amazing experience.— Ashley Alba
Posted March 6th 2024
These dogs are the most well-trained and behaved dogs I've ever seen!— Katie Gurney
Posted February 20th 2024
Nikki is just an immaculate trainer, she made such drastic changes with my dog and I. I will never ever look back, thank you for all the extra effort.— Bentley Banks
Posted February 1st 2024
If you are wanting a trainer, I highly recommend Nikki Hynes. I have seen her transform dogs from skittish and fearful to bold and beautiful. A few of her own dogs have gone from shrinking violet rescue animals to NATIONAL level citizens. No dogs want to live in fear. She is a great pack leader that brings them out of their shell and shows them a better way. As long as you are willing to invest the time into your dog and follow her recommendations, you too can have a solid HAPPY, obedient partner. Best wishes to you and your pooch— Trail or Sport Horse
Posted December 16th 2023
Nikki Hyne is an experienced, professional dog trainer who loves dogs. Her ability to pinpoint behavior problems, personalities, dog signals and interactions is spot on. She is quick to see health problems that may be causing your pet issues. She keeps your dog active and challenges them to use their mind. Her training is consistent and her dogs really seem to improve in her care.— Janet Fletcher
Posted December 14th 2023
Highly recommend this, love the staff! Super friendly and extremely helpful!— Alexander Simpkins
Posted December 14th 2023
Super staff, the Knoxville surrounding areas are in great hands with Nikki, a true dog whisper you will love how your dogs respond and become more than just your best friend.— Tappie
Posted December 11th 2023
Talk about great staff and amazing training, my Boston terrier pit mix has been quite the handful. But since her time with dog training elite she has been so easy to work. Couldn’t be happier.— Timothy Ochoa
Posted December 9th 2023
Dog Training Elite is a lifesaver! Not only are Parker and Eric extremely kind and patient, they are dedicated and truly know what they’re doing. I couldn’t recommend them enough!!! 10/10 experience for me and my pup, Moose.— Hannah Seegmiller
Posted December 9th 2023
Why Should You Use Crate Training?
In addition to offering dogs a sense of peace and territory, crate training significantly speeds up the house-breaking process. Once a puppy learns that their crate is a safe place, or 'den', they will instinctively want to keep this area clean. During house-breaking, keeping your puppy inside the crate dramatically reduces accidents. Keep eyes and ears open to your puppy's bathroom signals and quickly bring him or her outside. This will help your puppy learn that outside is the place to go, not inside.
Crate training can also improve other aspects of your pet's life. A dog that is used to a crate will feel more comfortable when traveling and have a safe place to retreat during thunderstorms or noisy guests. At Dog Training Elite Knoxville, we believe that crate training can enhance the lives of both dog and owner when done properly.
Additional benefits of crate training include:
- General safety: Having your pup in their crate allows them to be alone while you are unable to watch them. Whether you are busy at home or out of the house, a crate training puppy can give you peace of mind that your pup is safe and secure.
- Effective evacuation: In emergencies, crate training can save your dog’s life as a quick, low-stress way to evacuate.
- Calmer vet visits: Should your pup be required to stay overnight at the vet’s, they will experience less stress and put up little resistance in their cage if they have been crate trained.
Proud Sponsor of The Malinois Foundation
At Dog Training Elite Knoxville, we believe that Service Dogs save lives. It is our mission to make these life-saving companions available to our Veterans, First Responders, Women Survivors, and Children with Medical Needs. Whether it be for PTSD, Mobility Support, or Special Needs, Dog Training Elite Knoxville works with the Malinois Foundation to heal and empower these individuals with a specialized service animal, a partner in life, and a new best friend.
Is Crate Training Your Puppy Necessary?
While crate training is not necessary for housebreaking, it undoubtedly makes the process easier. Owners who choose to housebreak without the use of a crate will need more time and more patience when it comes to cleaning up accidents.
Crate training is also the safest option for keeping your puppy safe when unattended, protecting them during traveling, and limiting household damage with restless puppies.
When Should You Start Crate Training?
Crate training young, starting at about 8 weeks, is the best option for most pups and their owners. Keep in mind, though, that puppies under the age of 6 months should not be confined to their crate for more than three or four hours at a time. Allowing them to stay in the crate for too long will lead to a messy space, as young puppies are unable to control their bladders or bowels for extended periods. This also applies to adult dogs who are being housetrained.
Crate Training for Puppies
Tips From Dog Training Elite in Knoxville
- While crating is an important dog training process, your dog should not spend most of their time in a crate. We advise you to never leave your dog locked in the crate for more than two hours at a time.
- If you must be away from home all day, it's best to drop your dog off with a friend so the crate does not become overly dirty and your pup isn’t confined to a small space for too long.
- Crates come in different sizes, and some options can be adjusted as your dog grows to keep them comfortable.
- When possible, leave the crate door open so your dog feels free to come and go.
- Add a doggie bed, soft blankets, and plush toys so your puppy feels comfortable inside the crate.
- Never use crating as a punishment — this will only teach your dog to fear the crate.
Dog Training Elite Knoxville includes tips and tricks for crate training in our puppy training programs. Our unique techniques based on the "Classical Conditioning" model (a.k.a. "Pavlovian" or "respondent conditioning") ensure our program is a success no matter how much crate training experience your pup has.
If you are searching for a crate training puppy program in your local area, contact us today.
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Our Balanced Theory
We base our training around the "Classical Conditioning" model (a.k.a. "Pavlovian" or "respondent conditioning"). This includes developing conditioned or automatic reflexes to commands. In its simplest form (after proper conditioning), when the owner says "sit," the dog automatically sits without thinking about it. Our unique techniques ensure our program is a success no matter what behavior we encounter.
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Empowering Owners
We empower Owners to train so their dog knows who to obey at all times. -
Personalized
We deal with problem behaviors on a personal basis. -
Environment Specific
We train wherever issues tend to arise (i.e. jogging, park, home).
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Supportive
We support Owners in the off-hours (when training is "not in session"). -
Involved
We work with all members of the household. -
Simplified & Customized
We plan training around the owner's schedule and require only 20 min/day follow-up practice.
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Continued Training
Additional programs / group sessions offered after in-home training. -
Lifetime Investment
We follow up & are invested in the owner's success long-term. -
Satisfaction Ratings
Our high client satisfaction rating sets us apart from competitors.