Two dog owners and a group of pups in our Murfreesboro / Spring Hill dog socialization classes - contact Dog Training Elite to schedule your free consultation today!

Professional

Socialization Dog Training

Dog Training Elite Greater Nashville

Request Free Assessment


Request Free Assessment


Our Socialization Dog Training Could Help:

Reduce anxiety
Improve dog and other animal interactions
Build confidence with people
Reduce fear-based aggression
Encourage calm behavior in public
Teach proper responses to distractions
Strengthen bond with owner
Foster positive play

Dog Training Elite

Murfreesboro / Spring Hill Dog Socialization Classes

Socialization is crucial for a dog’s development, significantly impacting their anxiety levels, aggressive tendencies, and overall well-being. At Dog Training Elite, we recognize this importance and offer socialization training to help your pup feel comfortable around different people, animals, and unfamiliar places.

We introduce socialization in a controlled and structured way. Once you and our trainers are confident in your dog’s obedience training, we gradually introduce them to our Murfreesboro / Spring Hill dog socialization classes and public settings. By prioritizing obedience first, we ensure your dog has a strong foundation of self-control and responsiveness, making the process smoother and more successful.

At Dog Training Elite, we are committed to minimizing stress for both you and your dog. We only use positive reinforcement techniques and involve you from the very beginning. Whether you’re out for a walk, visiting a friend, or navigating a busy public space, you’ll have confidence in your abilities and your dog’s behavior.

Call us today to schedule your free consultation!

See Training Packages

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!

Three lab puppies experiencing new things together at Dog Training Elite's Murfreesboro / Spring Hill dog and puppy socialization classes.

Dog Training Elite Greater Nashville

When to Socialize Your Puppy

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Socialization for dogs should be happening throughout their lifetime. Still, getting a good start as early as possible is always best.

Socialization for puppies starts at just three weeks old as they begin to engage with their littermates and the world around them. The “sensitive period of socialization,” when puppies are primed and ready to try new things, is from 3-14 weeks of age. Because puppies can go to new homes at around eight weeks old, you only have a small window to get that necessary socialization training done.

You can start Murfreesboro / Spring Hill dog socialization classes with DTE as soon as you bring your puppy home at eight weeks old! Our classes are puppy safe and provide an excellent opportunity for your puppy to meet new dogs and people while having new experiences outside your home.

Multiple dogs sitting on a bench during a group class with Dog Training Elite.

Dog Training Elite

What Do Our Murfreesboro / Spring Hill Dog Socialization Classes Look Like?

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Puppy and dog socialization is not about teaching new commands or obedience but creating a positive experience around new stimuli. Socialization can look like taking them around your neighborhood, letting them hear and smell things at their own pace, and offering plenty of positive reinforcement and soft treats. It can also look like introducing them to a friend's healthy dog in a safe place and allowing them to greet the dog and learn about social cues and behavior from them, all while offering treats and praise.

Our socialization classes teach your puppy or dog that even if something is new, it can be safe and fun to explore! We create opportunities for your pet to safely meet new dogs, smell new things, hear new sounds, walk on different surfaces, and meet new friendly people.

Socialization is all about removing fear and entering new situations with curiosity. We do this by ensuring they are in a safe environment and offering plenty of positive reinforcement and yummy treats.

Additional Behavioral Training

Dog Training Elite Greater Nashville - Stop Puppy Biting in Murfreesboro / Spring Hill, TN. DTE
Biting
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Dog Training Elite Greater Nashville - Separation Anxiety Training for Dogs in Murfreesboro / Spring Hill, TN. DTE
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Stealing Food, Clothing, or Other Objects
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Resource Guarding
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Food Guarding & Begging
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Mouthing, Nipping & Rough Play
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Anxiety & Submissive Urination
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Jumping Up & Hyperactivity
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Abnormal Repetitive Behaviors
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Escaping
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Dog Training Elite Greater Nashville - Dog & Puppy Potty Trainer in Murfreesboro / Spring Hill, TN. DTE
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A group of dogs at our Murfreesboro / Spring Hill dog socialization classes.

Dog Training Elite Greater Nashville

Discover the Benefits of Socialization Classes Today

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Proper socialization from a young age offers many benefits as dogs grow. It teaches puppies about the world from a place of safety and curiosity instead of fear and anxiety. Doing this allows them to enter any situation confidently, which grants you the freedom to bring them along for the ride as you both experience life.

Whether you have an older dog or a brand new puppy, our Murfreesboro / Spring Hill dog socialization classes will give them the tools to be comfortable with new sights, sounds, smells, and experiences.

Give your furry companion the best chance at a happy and exciting life with our elite training. Schedule your free consultation today!

A group of dogs being trained by the expert team at Dog Training Elite Greater Nashville.
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Hear From Our Customers

Learn Why Dog owners choose Dog Training Elite

  • Tamar Gillock
    Dec. 10, 2024
    Brad and Dog Training Elite Nashville were the absolute best thing to ever happen to my dog. Our family has a miniature Aussie and boy is he a handful! Within 3 training sessions our dog Bandit was a new man! Once we were finished with our in home session it was like Brad had given us a new dog, it was amazing. I can’t speak highly enough of Brad and his ability to work with not just dogs but their owners. I would recommend them over and over!
  • Amanda Corn
    Dec. 5, 2024
    Brad with Dog Training Elite has been FANTASTIC to work with. He is great at both dog training and training us to be confident and able to effectively train our dog outside of scheduled sessions. He has helped us be able to see and unlock our dog's potential. We thought we were doing okay on our own, but Brad has helped us take our dog's obedience to a whole new level. Highly recommend Dog Training Elite Greater Nashville.
  • Brett Hinson
    Nov. 26, 2024
    Helped out tremendously!!!! Night and day difference from day 1!! Brad has been amazing!
  • Sr. Catherine Marie, O.P.
    Nov. 24, 2024
    We have been so pleased with the work of Brad Okeson at Dog Training Elite. He has done wonders with our facility dog. Our school counselor was able to reenforce the skills taught. Our dog is now able to work effectively with the children in our school and they are responsive to him. Brad has been personable and great to work with.
  • Susan Akers
    Nov. 24, 2024
    Brad has done an amazing job with our Saint Rose School therapy dog, Cosmo. He has a gentle teaching style that works beautifully to encourage and teach Cosmo.
  • Regan Smith
    Nov. 22, 2024
    Brad is an excellent trainer. Our facility dog is pretty close to perfect!
  • Lauren Lewis
    Nov. 22, 2024
    They have done a wonderful job training our sweet Cosmo! I would highly recommend them to anyone!
  • Leissa Rich
    Nov. 21, 2024
    Brad is an excellent trainer, he was so accommodative with our schedule and AMAZING with our dog! We couldn't have been more pleased with the results shown through his training course, & would totally recommend him again and again to everyone and anyone. 🩷
  • Leslie Iorio
    Nov. 11, 2024
    Where to start: Brad Okeson is an outstanding trainer as well as a supportive listener and incredible teacher. He is all of these and also generous with his time and talent. Brad has been training our dog to be a therapy dog for our school. He assessed the puppies in our dog’s litter when they were 49 days old and chose our pup for his temperament, explaining how he was chosen. The very next week, Brad began working with our puppy, Cosmo, and me, as his owner and handler, in the environment for which Cosmo was chosen: our school. Brad has faithfully, continually, and patiently addressed issues, explained our puppy’s behavior, determined goals and helped us to reach them. Brad’s demeanor is pleasant and his style is gentle and firm - Cosmo adores him. He is delightful to learn from and watch in action. Cosmo is now eight months old and he is beloved by students and faculty alike. Cosmo’s behavior is so obedient, loving, and gentle that some of my colleagues have arranged to hire Brad to work with their own dogs in their homes. I cannot adequately express the admiration and gratitude I feel for Brad Okeson but I highly recommend him to you as you consider training for your pup.
  • Randi Pentzer
    Nov. 12, 2024
    Brad is the best!!! He is so attuned and amazing at his job. He made all of our dog dreams come true as he personalized our experience down to every detail. Everything little thing I wanted to change and work on, he made happen, happily and easily. I’m so thankful I went with elite before anyone else. I truly don’t know where else I would have gotten this wonderful experience with the best results.
  • Alvin Devendorf
    Nov. 12, 2024
    Brad was a pleasure to work with and very patient with our stubborn beagle. Our beagle had food aggression issues. Brad help us understand the reason for the behavior and how to best deal with it.
  • Laura Minguela
    Oct. 21, 2024
    Very reliable! I wouldn't look anywhere else for dog training.
  • Victoria
    Oct. 18, 2024
    Brad is great. If you need your dogs trained in the Nashville area give him a call!
  • Raymond Lombardi
    Oct. 18, 2024
    Brad has an incredible way with dogs. He’s patient, knowledgeable, and does a great job at making every session productive and enjoyable. Highly recommend him to anyone looking to get better at communicating with their dog and see real progress along the way!
  • Chris Lombardi
    Oct. 17, 2024
    Brad is phenomenal at communicating with dogs and has a unique ability to make training both effective and enjoyable for both dogs and their owners. If you’re looking for a trainer who truly cares and delivers real results, I can’t recommend Brad highly enough!
  • Jesse Davis
    Sep. 12, 2024
    My 3.5 yr. old lab mix, Oreo, was becoming more reactive and territorial over time. He was our first dog (Covid dog), and we hadn’t properly socialized him or taken him places. It gradually grew to the point where we were having to put him up when guests came over and run outside to get him when anyone pulled up. His unpredictable behavior made me extremely anxious! I knew we had to do something, so I looked up dog trainers. The first thing that drew me to Elite was the free in-home evaluation and positive reviews … some related to reactivity and aggression. I met Brad and felt very comfortable with him. He was knowledgeable and extremely thorough when asking questions about history and behavior. He genuinely wanted to know what was going on with my dog and how to help him. Oreo responded well to Brad immediately. Brad was always right on time and even stayed a little longer at times to work on something we’d mention. The in-home sessions were so helpful, and he showed us what to do between visits. We are now in the stage of doing group classes, which I was very nervous about. My alpha male, reactive, unsocialized dog just attended his first group class and did amazing! I was/am shocked at how quickly he has progressed. At home, we are still figuring out guest interaction and logistics, but I have confidence knowing that on the leash I can control him in most any situation. With a bit more time and practice, I think we’ll be able to control him just using voice commands. He already responds to all of his voice commands off leach under normal circumstances. I can’t recommend Elite enough for most any issue. I honestly wasn’t sure if it would work or work well enough to be worth the cost for our dog, but it definitely has been. I realize now how wrong we went about things … we had not given him boundaries or taught him how to behave in a way he could understand. Just like with kids, I actually think he likes his boundaries and feels safe when they are in place. I’m excited for Oreo’s future and continued learning.
  • Gary Okeson
    Aug. 20, 2024
    I highly recommend Dog Training Elite. My trainer was Brad. He was very knowledgeable and patient with our dog. Great results.
  • Hayley Preston
    Jun. 1, 2024
    Dog Training Elite is absolutely the BEST. I have had dogs my entire life and never seen a dog more wild than our Flair. She is a strong black lab & has so much energy we had lost control. We could not even walk her around the block due to jumping, pulling and running. My parents nicknamed her "the wrecking ball." After being knocked down and having my elbow dislocated, I decided to get help. I'm so thankful to have found Brad. He came to our home for a consultation and then began coming on Friday mornings for training. Brad is so knowledgable, patient, caring, and kind. He is definitely the kind of person you would want training your dog. He also taught my daughter and I how to work with and support all the new behaviors Flair was learning. I was amazed at how quick she responded to training. After a few weeks she listens, follows directions, does not jump on furniture or people. Flair even walks on a leash like a champ. This morning we moved from walking in the neighborhood to Lowes. She is doing better than I ever expected and it is all because of Brad. We are so thankful to Dog Training Elite for helping us enjoy every moment with our sweet girl. Flair even got her first pup cup today as a reward for doing such a great job!
  • Cha Sloan
    Jun. 2, 2024
    We just finished our in-home classes. Brad is a great trainer. He's serious about his work but he also makes it fun. He's patient, he listens, and he cares. It's amazing what he can do with our stubborn dog, Willow, in such a short period. My husband and I have learned so much from him and we are extremely grateful. I'm happy that Jackie has joined him. She's lovely and a great trainer as well.
  • Shaelyn Alexander
    Jun. 1, 2024
    Brad is an exceptional dog trainer who transformed our Australian shepherd into the best-behaved boy both at home and in public. His expertise and effective training methods worked wonders, and we saw remarkable improvements in our dog's behavior in a short period. Brad's approach is professional, compassionate, and tailored to our dog's unique needs. We're so impressed with the results that we've already planned to have him train our new puppy, Keeko. We highly recommend Brad to anyone looking for a skilled and reliable dog trainer!