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

Puppy Training in Nashville, 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 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!

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 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.

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

  • Vicki Stephens
    Jul. 2, 2026
    We contacted them . We had lost hope of our dog being trained. The dog ,was displaying what we considered aggressive behavor . However that was not the case .The dog had way too much energy and he was being confined to much . Meaning he was on a leash ,and crated at night . The company came to make an assessment . We was assured the dog trainable . Austin ,came .what a transformation ‼️‼️‼️ We call. Austin The Dog Whisperer. The dog loves Austin . We highly recommend Austin . .
  • Antonio Banuelossanchez
    Jun. 18, 2026
    This was our 3rd week with Austin training Murry and he has been so amazing and patience with our dog that I would highly recommend him to anyone that want their dog training, the expertise and patience with our dog has been nothing but fenomenal.
  • Brady ORourke
    Jun. 30, 2026
    I have trained two dogs with Elite. It’s been truly life changing for me and the staff is always so kind and knowledgeable. Dublin passed today and she is so excited!
  • Kane Cox
    Jun. 27, 2026
    Aiden did a great job explaining the process, expected results, and timeframe. He listened to my concerns and answered all of my questions.
  • Ava Aldridge
    Jun. 27, 2026
    10/10 she was super nice im saving up to do this now! Very excited to start hopefully in a few months ill have enough
  • Donna Hall
    Jun. 27, 2026
    There are no words to describe how great Rhett is with our little Lulu. She has learned so much since beginning her training at Dog Training Elite. She is always very obedient whether it be at home or in public. She is already doing service task for my husband and continues to learn so much from Rhett. Rhett is so knowledgeable and so kind. If you want your dog trained, you really need to check out DTE!!!
  • Tina Ford
    Jun. 26, 2026
    Rhett was wonderful Very knowledgeable And very respectful
  • Patricia Holdridge
    Jun. 23, 2026
    Red did a great job today. Coco is learning quickly. Thanks.
  • Jack Bunzow
    Jun. 15, 2026
    Life savers for my dog and me especially. Everyone I’ve spoken with and I have had a training session with has been incredible, and knows exactly what is best for my dog. I am not even done with all my sessions and my dog Cosmo has already become so well trained. Couldn’t recommend them enough.
  • Anj Schoeff
    Jun. 17, 2026
    Very knowledgeable and left us feeling confident in the skills to continue with our puppy.
  • maison etzler
    Jun. 22, 2026
    Red does a great job. Fully explains what to do and why you do it. Strongly recommend him
  • Amanda Genco
    Jun. 22, 2026
    Great first training session!!
  • Beatrice Schneider
    Jun. 21, 2026
    Rhett was great! His knowledge about dogs(all breeds) and their tendencies was amazing. The man was full of knowledge and the best part was he answered all our questions about issues we are having with our pups with an explanation that made sense and phrased where we understood it. He explained their training packages and how they worked but never pressured us to sign up. My sister and I decided immediately after his evaluation of our pups, answering all our questions and explaining how the training will work that this was the right company and trainer for us! Can’t wait to work with Rhett on training us “humans “ on how to train our dogs! Don’t know if our babies Essex and Morris are excited but us humans are. After we have done some training, I will be back with another review from our dogs as to how things went. 😂
  • Alixandra Rieck
    Jun. 17, 2026
    We have been having the best experience with Red from Dog Training Elite. The format of the lessons are great and we feel so supported through this whole experience. Red made us feel like we can achieve our goals and he helped with any question we had. I always felt comfortable asking any questions and Red always had a helpful answer that really worked! He’s so knowledgeable and we cannot thank him enough for the happy doggies we have!
  • LOBO
    Jun. 18, 2026
    Reina is fire, Dog Training Elite is dope.
  • Your worse nightmare
    Jun. 18, 2026
    Austin is an excellent instructor he will guide you through all your lessons and you will learn more from him than you can ever imagine. He is also amazing with the dogs.
  • Kathy Buckles
    Jun. 18, 2026
    Enjoyed Austin very much.
  • The Lighthouse
    Jun. 17, 2026
    Rhett with Dog training Elite in Knoxville is great at breaking steps down, advocating for the client and the doggy, and great at boosting confidence. I had a bad run with a positive only trainer who didn't know what to do with an anxious dog and on top of that they weren't positive only with humans and totaled my confidence. Rhett came in and raised my confidence back and has helped my dog become more confident. I can wait to see what the 8wks has in store.
  • Heather Smith
    Jun. 16, 2026
    Very happy with our training with Rhett! We are learning so much!
  • grace blunt
    Jun. 16, 2026
    Rhett is the best! His love for dogs shows through all he does . The dogs love him back. We start task training today I love the knowledge he has and the calm and understanding way of teaching that makes sense. Thank you Rhett and DTE!
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.

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 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.