An obedient puppy receiving expert puppy training in Nashville, TN from DTE.

Professional

Puppy Training

Dog Training Elite Central Nashville

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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

Expert Nashville 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 Nashville 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 Central Nashville 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!

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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 Central Nashville.

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.

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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!

Video Gallery

Videos

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 Nashville.
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

  • Rebecca Buchanan
    Oct. 24, 2024
    We were very impressed with Cosima and her explanation of the training process. Our dog loves her! She answered all of our questions and is very knowledgeable about training and setting our expectations.
  • Pam Collins
    Oct. 19, 2024
    He was fantastic with Pebbles and with helping Kris understand how to control her
  • Jessica Sherbourne
    Oct. 18, 2024
    Jen is great would definitely go to her again
  • Jessica A.M. Sherbourne
    Oct. 18, 2024
    Jen explains everything and answers any questions i have without leving me with more questions then answers
  • Breanna Rose
    Oct. 17, 2024
    I love working with the Dog Training Elite Central Nashville Team! They have provided me with a source of confidence when it comes to training my dog. If I ever have any questions they are always polite and reply in a timely manner. They truly are rooting for their clients to succeed!! Parker has been great in One on One sessions and always has great advice for working with Briar at home!
  • John
    Oct. 14, 2024
    Im permanently disabled and in a wheelchair. I had just bought a Burnese Mountain Dog pup and was curious about service training for her. I found DTE through web searching and took a leap with their service. I cannot express the amount of care and professionalism their team provides to each individual dog and their owner's needs. The classes/sessions occur both privately and in group settings. The locations chosen for the classes range from large stores like Lowe's, small parks, and your own home. All the training I received was expertly communicated to me as a dog owner and all training objectives are made clear throughout each individual process. I cannot recommend Dog Training Elite more to anyone looking to obedience or service training a dog.
  • David Doucette
    Oct. 11, 2024
    Great initial meeting. I think this company has the right program from my Biewer Terrier. Looking forward to seeing results!
  • Sarah Arnold
    Oct. 8, 2024
    After just four sessions with DTE, my very anxious rescue is already showing so much progress! He’s building his confidence every day with the methods the DTE team has used, and my confidence in my own ability to simultaneously be in charge and put him at ease is growing too. I used to barely be able to keep my pup outside long enough for him to do his business before some noise would scare him so badly he’d almost pull me over trying to run inside. A month into training, we’re going on real walks around the neighborhood! The DTE team is so kind, professional, helpful and responsive, and the training has improved both my and my dog’s quality of life. Couldn’t be happier with the progress we’ve made so far, and excited to continue!
  • Robert Horton
    Oct. 1, 2024
    Was well Renia is a good trainer well informed me and I learned a lot.
  • Jamie Cleaton
    Oct. 3, 2024
    Luna and I had our initial meeting with Parker today. He was very professional and well spoken. I can, from his demonstration tell that Luna will be exceptionally well prepared to be my service dog, once she’s gone through the training.
  • A Wamble
    Oct. 3, 2024
    Reina was great and explained the process for training our dog very well. Franklin grew more confident and we have seen great improvement. He loved working with Reina!
  • Abrielle Davies
    Nov. 11, 2022
    Best experience ever. I already had a good dog. And Parker came in and in a few sessions and conversations my dog is so much easier. Walking and not dragging me along, coming when called have changed my life. Parker has the best service I’ve experienced in the dog training arena, always available patient and willing to work around me to see that my dog gets the best possible training. 10/10 would recommend.
  • Family Sills
    Oct. 1, 2024
    We currently have two lab puppies training with Elite and we couldn’t be more pleased. Izabel and Parker are extremely knowledgeable, firm and kind and have supported us through a most challenging puppy stage. We are so happy to have two beautiful dogs who are responding very well to the Elite methods of training!
  • Kami Harold
    Dec. 8, 2023
    We love Izabel and the Elite team. Our daughter and pup are thriving and we couldn’t be happier.
  • Tyler Sills
    Oct. 1, 2024
    We have had a great experience with Elite! Izabel and Parker have done a wonderful job with our boys, and we are very grateful!
  • Holly Horncastle
    Sep. 30, 2024
    Dog Training Elite has been amazing! My dog, Lola, and I have made great strides as we have worked with the group, and Reina has been great! She trains ME how to train and work consistently with my pup. We are working towards therapy certification, and I’m so glad we found Dog Training Elite. Highly recommend!
  • Jennifer Hoffman
    Sep. 30, 2024
    Parker and the team at Dog Training Elite Central Nashville have been so helpful with our GSD puppy. My husband and I are first time dog owners and quickly realized we needed guidance with our high energy pup. The training team is so knowledgeable and professional, and really take the time to explain the process to us. We have seen drastic improvements in our boy after every session. We are so thankful we found Dog Training Elite Central Nashville!
  • Mollie Woltmann
    Sep. 25, 2024
    Our two Great Pyrenees mix pups were getting too difficult to train on our own. When the trainer (Reina) arrived for the assessment she knew what we needed- and we have learned so much! She loves dogs, is easy to work with, and responds quickly when there are any questions, issues, or schedule changes. Highly recommend!
  • Bob Schmerda
    Sep. 23, 2024
    Our Dog Is Now The Star of Home Depot! We only wish we'd found you sooner! Zeppelin is our rescued & when triggered, berserk dog. He goes berserk at the sight of another dog. Pulling the leash, attack mode, very loud & ferocious. We feared for ourselves as well. He was an at-risk animal from a shelter before we even knew what at-risk means. It means: at-risk of not getting adopted & staying adopted. Sounds familiar? You're at the absolute right place to make effective changes in your dog, and in your lives. Even if your dog isn't at-risk of going back to a shelter, or you're often wishing you could give it away. Don't! Especially if you're in love with your dog + they are now a member of your family. Because after Elite's expert trainers: Now he's a behavioral star! Side note: My father was a psychotherapist & professor. I can guarantee you this review is what my father would have written about Elite and our behaviorally transformed dog! Prior to Elite's incredible trainers, Izabel & Parker, we had gone through 3 trainers & medications. Many hours with $1,000 trainers and many hours on own own + without a change from his being triggered & going berserk. We as a family always watchful & afraid. Including respectfully, the department for canine behavioral-change at University of Tennessee Knoxville. The same happened with the best private Williamson County rescue trainer, no change at all. Calming medications didn't work either. No one was a match for him. Sad! Methods that failed: Prong collar walking, walking with string cheese rewards, and group dog desensitization sessions with spray bottles. All of them gave up. There was no going outside the house for us & Zeppelin. Home Depot absolutely out of the question. Previous trainers tried, and we all left the store totally defeated. NOW! For us & for the dog himself, the behavioral reconditioning and reprogramming from Elite is easily worth many times over what we paid previous trainers! The transformation is priceless. I'm so glad that I get to see it now, daily. He now knows that we are in control of his mood & that greatly calms him down. No shock collars. No training with treats. No negative or positive vocal prompts. No forced grouping training with punishments. No water-spray bottles, no leash & prong collar jerking. No stern language or mood is needed. No punishments at all, actually. Very specific vibration collar and transmitter are provided. The best & most professional equipment & expertise using them. Very professional, simply the best. Guided group training with a muzzle is coming up. Very much like Zen, less-is-more technique. 30 minute sessions. All in your own backyard, they come to you. What could be better for so vast the change? Literally, Home Depot with a triggered rescue dog is a mammoth exercise. An impossibility after all other top trainers. He simply went berserk, forcing quick exits. He's especially triggered by much smaller dogs. We do not know why. Now, we don't have to know why. Now after only 6-8 training sessions with Elite, inside Home Depot he calmly performed Heal, Sit, and Down in the store! Unbelievable! He now has no distraction nor triggers! Another dog walked inside the aisle we're in, right behind him. He just sat there, maintaining calm eye contact with us! Elite's trainers Izabel & Parker have totally cured him. They are the wisest dog psychologists you could ever dream of working with your dog! Inside Home Depot, calmly walked him, working his commands. Then the sweetest, eldest cashier came to us "May I meet your pretty dog?" He calmly sat while she gave him a doggy bacon strip! Parking lot leaving the store, a man called out "That's a beautiful dog you have there!". Before the Elite transformation there wasn't any chance for any such compliments. Now there is & yes, now he is pretty, with even more possibilities with Elite to come! One last thing: You deserve this too. Help your dog and the enjoyments will be endless.
  • Rachel Baudendistel
    Sep. 19, 2024
    Reina did great with Max! He absolutely loved his time with her ❤️
A Nashville puppy trainers giving a puppy positive affirmation during an in-home training session.

Dog Training Elite Central Nashville, TN

In-Home Puppy Training

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Dog Training Elite Central Nashville 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 Central Nashville.

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 Central Nashville - Puppy Crate Training in Nashville, TN. DTE
Crate Training
A well-manered puppy receiving positive reinforcement from their owner.

Nashville 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 Central Nashville. 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 Central Nashville puppy training outside.

Dog Training Elite Central Nashville

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 Central Nashville.
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Educate, Empower, Elevate, Elite

Victory Begins With Elite Education

Dog Training Elite Central Nashville

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.