Positive Reinforcement vs. Punishment

Dog Training Elite Omaha

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Positive Dog Training Techniques

Positive Reinforcement Dog Training in Omaha, NE

Research shows that focusing on positive reinforcement when a desired behavior occurs and not worrying about correcting bad behavior in dogs is more effective and has longer-lasting results than training that incorporates punishment for bad behavior.

Positive reinforcement dog training in Omaha, NE works because dogs are inherently eager to please. Rewarding your dog for good behavior helps create a deep, loving relationship with your dog built on trust, as opposed to one built on fear of punishment. The difference between a dog who has been trained to obey out of fear of being punished vs. a dog who learns to obey through a positive, loving bond with their owner is huge.

Dog Training Elite Omaha trainers use treats as an initial reward for puppies and dogs learning commands. When the trainer is absent, or you’re in between obedience classes, you can continue to use treats as a reward for your dog when they exhibit a desired behavior. Dogs tend to be highly food-motivated, so this is an extremely useful tool. You can also reward your dog with a play session, take them to the dog park or anything else you know your dog enjoys. After all, you know your dog best!

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Your Questions Answered

Positive reinforcement training is a widely used and highly effective method for teaching dogs new behaviors while strengthening the bond between you and your pet. Below, we've answered some common questions about how this training approach works and why it's beneficial for all dog breeds.

Positive reinforcement training rewards dogs for good behavior with treats, praise, or play, encouraging them to repeat those behaviors. It focuses on creating a positive association with desired actions, making training enjoyable and effective for your dog.
Positive reinforcement builds trust and strengthens the bond between you and your dog. By rewarding desired behavior, your dog is more motivated to learn and respond willingly, whereas punishment can create fear and anxiety, hindering learning and damaging the relationship.
Yes, positive reinforcement training is effective for all dog breeds. Since it relies on rewarding good behavior, dogs of all breeds, sizes, and temperaments can respond well, making it a flexible and universally beneficial training method.
A white poodle smiling at one of our Omaha positive reinforcement dog trainers.

Omaha Positive Reinforcement Dog Trainers

Dog Training Elite Omaha

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As for not worrying about bad behavior – it may feel strange to act like everything is fine when your dog chews on your shoes, or goes to the bathroom inside your home. But focusing on rewarding good behavior and forgoing punishment for bad behavior is more successful in the long run.

Relying on punishment for errors and “low value” rewards, such as praise or petting are long held “traditional” methods for dog training. Punishments like flicking a dog’s nose, shocking them with a shock collar, or anything else that may cause a dog pain are unfortunately still in use today by many dog trainers.

Not only is it inhumane, but using punishment as a tool can actually backfire. For example: punishing a dog for going to the bathroom inside a house won’t teach them to go outside instead. Often, the dog only understands that the mess makes their owner mad. Instead of going outside, the dog is likely to continue to make messes indoors — where the owner can’t find them.

Punishment training also damages the relationship between dog and owner. Dogs do not understand right and wrong. Instead of associating punishment with a specific behavior they learn to avoid, as with the bathroom example, they instead learn to live in constant fear of punishment. This prevents owners from bonding with their dogs in a meaningful way.

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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 Omaha.
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.
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The Dog Training Elite Omaha Difference


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Dog Training Elite Omaha uses modern training methods focused on positive dog training using reinforcement and bonding you and your dog. Our trainers in Omaha, NE never resort to punishment to help dogs unlearn behaviors. Through a combination of commands and an electronic collar, dogs learn to follow commands at once. The electronic collar is not a shock collar and never used to punish bad behavior. Instead, it produces a sensation like the gentle tug of a leash, and is used to help recapture the attention of a dog who gets distracted.

Dog Training Elite Omaha’s method of focusing on positive behavior reinforcement nurtures a dog's loving and naturally obedient nature. The method is the same regardless of the situation, whether training a puppy, an older dog or a service dog. The positive reinforcement dog training in Omaha, NE ensures training is a success no matter what your dog’s behavior. If you have a brand new puppy who is stubborn and smart, or an older dog who has slipped into bad habits – or perhaps never learned – after proper conditioning and working with Dog Training Elite Omaha, when you say “sit,” your dog will automatically sit without thinking about it.

Dog Training Elite Omaha offers specialized in-home training services so your dog gets the attention and training he or she needs, and you learn alongside them so training continues when the trainer leaves. Dog Training Elite in Omaha, NE also offers group classes for dogs who are ready to take obedience training to the next level, and service training programs for a variety of needs.

If you’re looking to train a service dog, or just looking for a loyal four-legged companion, Dog Training Elite in Omaha, NE will help you get there with our positive dog training. You can get started today. Find a trainer near you and schedule a free in-home consultation!

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Learn Why Dog owners choose Dog Training Elite

  • Susan Bartman
    Oct. 22, 2024
    I recently completed training with my dog, Islaroo, through Dog Training Elite Omaha, and I couldn’t be more pleased with the results! We went through their training program and group classes, and I’m thrilled to share that Islaroo just passed her test to become a certified therapy dog. The trainers were incredibly patient and always willing to listen and work through any issues we encountered. They work with dogs and owners at all levels of ability, which made the experience even more comfortable for us. Group classes can sometimes be unnerving because you never know how dogs will react or how much control the owners will have. However, I’ve never felt nervous or had any concerns during these classes. Their support and expertise gave me and my family the confidence to take Islaroo anywhere, and she now even goes off-leash in many places! I highly recommend Dog Training Elite Omaha for their dedication and personalized approach
  • Desteny Miller
    Oct. 19, 2024
    Where do I even begin… Bob, Mari, and Dave came into Maverick and my life at one of the lowest points in my life. From a really traumatic experience, I learned that I wanted my high energy, slightly out of control golden retriever to be my service dog. However, I didn’t know where to go to train him to sit let alone service dog tasks to help my mental health. But I found DTE and signed up for a consultation. From the moment I met Bob and his team, I immediately knew and trusted them to help me on this journey. A few weeks after our consultation I bit the bullet and decided to sign up with them officially and we got to work. Bob and his team are SO knowledgeable, kind, and patient. Not only have they helped me train my sweet Mavvy boy but they have supported me endlessly and as a result my confidence as a dog mama and a person has grown astronomically. I simply don’t have enough words for how grateful I am for DTE Omaha. If you are needing a dog trainer for ANYTHING. DTE is SO worth the investment, time, and energy.
  • Desteny Lashay
    Oct. 19, 2024
    Where do I even begin… Bob, Mari, and Dave came into Maverick and my life at one of the lowest points in my life. From a really traumatic experience, I learned that I wanted my high energy, slightly out of control golden retriever to be my service dog. However, I didn’t know where to go to train him to sit let alone service dog tasks to help my mental health. But I found DTE and signed up for a consultation. From the moment I met Bob and his team, I immediately knew and trusted them to help me on this journey. A few weeks after our consultation I bit the bullet and decided to sign up with them officially and we got to work. Bob and his team are SO knowledgeable, kind, and patient. Not only have they helped me train my sweet Mavvy boy but they have supported me endlessly and as a result my confidence as a dog mama and a person has grown astronomically. I simply don’t have enough words for how grateful I am for DTE Omaha. If you are needing a dog trainer for ANYTHING. DTE is SO worth the investment, time, and energy.
  • Sandra Lopez
    Oct. 13, 2024
    Great trainers! My dog loves them and loves going to the group classes. Bob is really knowledgeable with service dog training. Overall we’ve had a great experience.
  • Brandy Clarke
    Oct. 5, 2024
    With the training our dogs have received we can take them anywhere with confidence. It has been so helpful
  • Stephanie Lewis
    Aug. 16, 2024
    Work with Bob and Mari has been game changing for our dog and family. Within one session we saw a huge difference, and now, several sessions in, we have a different dog entirely. We can take her in public, she’s less reactive to other dogs, she follows commands and is obedient. The investment into training her was so worth it and has brought a sense of calm to our home we didn’t know we could have with a large puppy around. Give Dog Training Elite Omaha a call. You won’t regret it!
  • Marc Lewis
    Aug. 16, 2024
    We are so pleased with the work Bob and his team have done! Our dog is so much better behaved and we better owners because of the skills we have learned at each of our training sessions. My only regret is not having done this sooner. I would recommend this training regiment to any looking hands on approach to pet ownership.
  • Lara Huskey
    Jun. 2, 2024
    Amazing! Dog Training Elite Omaha exceeds our expectations for both of our pups! Before we confined our fur babies when visitors came. Now they are well-mannered and delightful hostesses. 😊
  • Harleigh
    Jun. 1, 2024
    I would recommend Bob at Dog Training Elite daily! I had a reactive, misbehaved, and undisciplined Great Dane. I became overwhelmed and had no idea what to do with her behavior. I called Bob and he was confident that he could help me. After session one, I immediately saw a difference in behavior. I can now take Ellie with me almost anywhere! We had our first group class and not only was Bob extremely encouraging, everyone was so patient and very welcoming! Hiring Dog Training Elite was the best decision I have ever made for Ellie.
  • Katrina Wulf
    Jun. 1, 2024
    Bob and his team did a great job of training Lucky (& us!). The one-on-one training sessions and group classes have helped Lucky master skills and be more comfortable in different environments around other dogs. Lucky has made great progress and we are so glad that we found Dog Training Elite. 💙
  • Annis Clark
    May. 31, 2024
    Bob has done such an amazing job with Max as well as teaching us how to train Max. Max has learned so many commands and executes them very well. I highly recommend Dog Training Elite Omaha and Bob.
  • Trish Kirby
    May. 31, 2024
    We highly recommend Bob. Bode has come so far in his training and has become so well mannered. Bode has learned his commands so well in such a short time. Thanks, Bob!
  • Meloney Smith
    Apr. 13, 2024
    My daughter, Leslie, chose DTE Omaha for their special little man, in October, 2023. We noticed a night & day difference after Charlie's very FIRST in-home session! The patience shown to not just the dogs, but to the humans too, are unparalleled. In January, 2024, we had a sweet little girl choose us to be her Mommy & Daddy. I just put in the assessment request for Sadie to begin classes. I didn't need to 'shop around' after witnessing first-hand Charlie's transformation! For us DTE is a no-brainer! We're a military family, and very happy with the work & services DTE provides for the military community!
  • Audrey Carter
    Apr. 6, 2024
    Bob & Lyris at DTE-O are amazing!! They are so patient and understanding of my dog's trauma/reactivity. Zoe has made great strides in the 6 week (individual) classes and 2 (group) training sessions she has attended. Not only has the training helped her, it's been imperative for myself as well, to be "trained" and comfortable handling/correcting her behavior. Zoe has also gotten very good at "puppy push-ups," and seems to enjoy coming to work (class) as she is eager to listen and please. I'm so grateful to be working with DTE-O and I know for sure Zoe's outcome could've been much different if we had not found Bob & Lyris.
  • Kayla Bullock
    Feb. 23, 2024
    Absolutely the best decision I ever made for my puppy!
  • Amanda Butler
    Jan. 8, 2024
    Bob has done a great job training our dog Remy to be a service dog. Bob does one on one instruction as well as group classes. He also provides a veteran/military discount.
  • Judi Huff
    Jan. 2, 2024
    I was a bit apprehensive at first, but Bob quickly put my mind and heart at ease. The in home trainings have been foundational…with good results. Bob is a natural. He understands my dog’s temperament and works to create a connection. Briggs and I experienced our first group class last week. It was a well run class and well worth our time. There is real value in the group classes he offers! There is no hesitation in my recommendation of DTE Omaha!
  • Brittany Timperley
    Jan. 2, 2024
    Bob is absolutely incredible! He is very kind and patient, not just with the dog but with us humans who get the training too! I have noticed a HUGE difference in my HUGE Bernese Mountain Dog and it’s all thanks to this training course and the classes we’ve taken. Bernie and family are all happy!
  • Brittany Marie
    Jan. 1, 2024
    Bob is absolutely incredible! He is very kind and patient, not just with the dog but with us humans who get the training too! I have noticed a HUGE difference in my HUGE Bernese Mountain Dog and it’s all thanks to this training course and the classes we’ve taken. Bernie and family are all happy!
  • Max Martin
    Dec. 30, 2023
    I contacted Bob and Lyris after Ziggy and I got into a car accident. Ziggy became very fearful about getting into a car. With the help of Bob and Lyris, Ziggy loves to get back into the car once again for rides. I cannot say enough great things about Bob and Lyris. They have helped me train Ziggy into a great dog that listens to commands and they care about every dog they train. Thank you Bob and Lyris