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Breed Specific Training

Dog Training Elite Pittsburgh, PA

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Pittsburgh Breed-Specific Plans for Effective Obedience and Socialization

Tailored Training for Every Dog

At Dog Training Elite Pittsburgh, we know that every dog is an individual and requires different training methods. Maybe your dog needs to work on separation anxiety or learn how to stop barking at the mailman. Dog Training Elite stands out by also looking at what breed your dog is when making training goals.

We don’t discriminate when it comes to breeds, but we know that some species need more specialized training in certain areas. Whatever your dog’s breed, DTE can help you and your dog overcome any obstacles related to obedience and socialization. Regardless of breed, size or temperament, Dog Training Elite Pittsburgh is capable of breed specific training in Pittsburgh, PA for all dogs that come to our doorstep.

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Breeds We Train

Dog Training Elite Pittsburgh - German Shepherd Training in Pittsburgh, PA. DTE
German Shepherd

German Shepherds are a popular breed for herding and other working roles. They have many beautiful traits, including strength, vigilance and confidence. German Shepherds are very intelligent as well, making them excellent candidates for dog training with their quick learning.

Dog Training Elite Pittsburgh can help bring your German Shepherd’s great qualities to the forefront and allow them to be the best companion for your family.

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Dog Training Elite Pittsburgh - Labrador Training in Pittsburgh, PA. Dog Training Elite
Labrador

Labradors make great family dogs. They are an intelligent breed that loves to please. Labradors take direction well and are easy to train.

This breed is also perfect as a companion dog, making them suitable for work as a therapy dog. Early socialization and professional training are crucial to raising a well-behaved Labrador. The experienced trainers of Dog Training Elite Pittsburgh can assist you in training this impressive breed.

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Dog Training Elite Pittsburgh - Goldendoodle Training in Pittsburgh, PA. Dog Training Elite
Goldendoodle

Goldendoodles are a special breed that possesses the loveable traits of the Poodle and Golden Retriever. They are eager to learn, compassionate, patient and very loving.

Goldendoodles’ nature makes it a perfect breed candidate for training in general obedience and service dog training. They are an excellent breed for families, and Dog Training Elite Pittsburgh knows how to turn this breed into the perfect companion.

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Dog Training Elite Pittsburgh - Beagle Dog Training in Pittsburgh, PA. Dog Training Elite
Beagle

Beagles have historically been bred for pack hunting, making them an intelligent and curious breed. Beagles are very compassionate and companionable dogs, making them perfect for families and work as therapy dogs.

Dog Training Elite Pittsburgh harnesses the strong qualities your Beagle has and turns them into a well-trained companion.

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Dog Training Elite Pittsburgh - Pitbull Training in Pittsburgh, PA. DTE
Pitbull

Pitbull breeds include the American Staffordshire Terrier, Staffordshire Bull Terrier, and other bull-type dog breeds. Sadly, Pitbulls have a history of being bred for blood sports. This history has caused fear and misinformation when it comes to Pitbull temperament.

The breed has been known for being aggressive or intimidating, but the breed is better understood for being tender and loving with its owners and companions. Dog Training Elite Pittsburgh is experienced in handling Pitbulls and helping owners build loving and loyal relationships with them.

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Dog Training Elite Pittsburgh - Boxer Dog Training in Pittsburgh, PA. DTE
Boxer

The Boxer breed is known for its muscular build and expressive face. They’re also very alert and energetic.

Boxers have a rich history of being bred for hunting and herding. They make excellent companions for active families, and with proper training techniques from Dog Training Elite Pittsburgh, we’ll ensure your Boxer is happy and fulfilled.

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Dog Training Elite Pittsburgh - Doberman Training in Pittsburgh, PA. DTE
Doberman

Dobermans are mighty and loyal dogs. As companion dogs, they will adopt a protective nature when it comes to family and property. Because of these traits, it’s important to begin their training early.

Proper socialization and obedience training will help prevent unwanted aggression and behavior. Dog Training Elite Pittsburgh can help you maintain your dog’s outgoing and playful nature while reining in the fierce attitude they might have.

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Dog Training Elite Pittsburgh - Border Collie Training in Pittsburgh, PA. DTE
Border Collie

Border Collies are known for their incredible intelligence and boundless energy, making them one of the most agile and trainable breeds. Often regarded as the best herding dogs, they thrive on mental and physical challenges.

Their sharp minds and strong work ethic make them ideal for advanced training and dog sports. Dog Training Elite Pittsburgh is ready to harness your Border Collie’s potential, turning them into a well-behaved and focused companion that excels in any task you set before them.

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Dog Training Elite Pittsburgh - Golden Retriever Training in Pittsburgh, PA. DTE
Golden Retriever

As one of the most popular breeds to have as companions, Golden Retrievers are wonderfully outgoing and loving. They are excellent working dogs and commonly used as service animals as they are knowledgeable and possess a calm temperament.

Dog Training Elite Pittsburgh is ready and capable of turning your Golden Retriever puppy/dog into the perfect family companion.

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Dog Training Elite Pittsburgh - French Bulldog Training in Pittsburgh, PA. DTE
French Bulldog

French bulldogs are a great addition to any home and especially well-suited to city life. Even though this breed is fairly easy-going, training is crucial to keep your dog safe in and out of your home.

At Dog Training Elite Pittsburgh, we specialize in breed-specific training. Contact us today to schedule a free training demo!

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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!

Call 724-299-1371 Free Assessment
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What Role Does Breed Play?

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When it comes to training your dog, understanding their breed can be crucial for achieving the best results. While all dogs generally share qualities like loyalty, kindness, and intelligence, specific breeds often have unique traits that influence their behavior and learning style. For instance, dogs bred for working roles, such as Border Collies or German Shepherds, tend to be more energetic and intelligent, excelling in tasks that challenge their minds and bodies. On the other hand, companion breeds like Bulldogs or Shih Tzus may have a more laid-back demeanor, requiring a different approach that emphasizes patience and positive reinforcement.

At Dog Training Elite Pittsburgh, we recognize the importance of considering these breed-specific tendencies when developing a training plan. Our approach tailors methods to suit your dog’s natural instincts and behaviors, whether they are a high-energy herder, a protective guardian, or a relaxed companion. This personalized strategy ensures that your dog reaches their full potential, creating a well-behaved and happy companion that fits seamlessly into your lifestyle.

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Videos

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E Collar. Dog Training Elite

Dog Training Elite is a professional, family-owned dog training company with over 40 years of experience that specializes in strengthening the bond between your dog and your family, with a strong emphasis on teaching your dog the highest level of obedience, despite even the toughest level of distractions.

A group of dogs walking at a Dog Training Elite Pittsburgh group class
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Group Focus Exercise. Dog Training Elite

In a safe, controlled environment, we guide your dog through essential socialization skills, teaching them to remain calm, focused, and well-mannered, even in the midst of distractions.

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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 Pittsburgh.
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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Hear From Our Customers

Learn Why Dog owners choose Dog Training Elite

  • Lora
    Sep. 7, 2024
    I stopped Vince in South Park’s parking lot after he had just finished a training program out there and asked him a question about an issue I’m having with my new dog. He was so kind, helpful and informative. He gave me multiple suggestions on how to address the issue. He knew a lot specifics about my breed of dog and dog behavior in general. If you are looking for a good, honest person to help you with training your dog Vince is your guy!
  • Allie Creasy
    Sep. 2, 2024
    My wife and I now have our fifth German Shepherd. The first three lived between 10 and 14 years. Number four died unexpectedly at seven. That was 19 months ago. We've had our Long Hair German Shepherd, Teddy, for 18 months now. At four months Teddy completed her basic puppy training. Shortly after that we began looking for a seasoned, mature professional trainer. We found what we were looking for when Vince Conrad of Dog Training Elite came to our house to see if we were all a good fit for each other. We started our six in home training and finished up with Teddy making great progress! Both Teddy and I feel like we both had the best training! I like to think of the in home training as the class room work. We have now completed six of the 12 group training sessions with six more to come. I call the group sessions the "field work". Each session builds off the previous session. Vince is so skilled and patient. He is always firm, with a calming demeanor. When Teddy was about nine months old it was nearly impossible to take her for a walk. At 73 I need a dog that will walk with me without pulling me down the road. Last week we were out for a walk when we came to our neighbors house. They were out at the curb waiting to see Teddy. As we got to the couple I told Teddy to sit, and she did. They spent a bit of time to pet her and to make a fuss. I then told her down to which she got all the way down and stayed there calmly until I commanded her to "come". This couple are trained Greyhound rescue "parents", their son is a professional dog trainer and their daughter is a Vet. Their final comment to me carries a lot of weight. They said that Teddy's progress is remarkable. I hope my experience with Vince helps you make a decision about finding the right trainer. I can't thank Vince enough. Don Creasy Pittsburgh
  • Will Porter
    Aug. 20, 2024
    Wish I could give 10 stars. They are so awesome and amazing at what they do! Tonya was incredible and got me and my dog to exactly where we wanted with the training! Best in the area!
  • Cynthia Desjardins
    Aug. 14, 2024
    I only have good comments about my experience so far with Dog Training Elite. Not only with the knowledge and experience of Vince, but also his patience and generosity. He was able to assess and understand my dog very well and adapted the training according to her needs and behaviors. He was there when I was discouraged and ready to give up, I can’t be more grateful.
  • Ilana Diamond
    Aug. 7, 2024
    My dog Sage and I worked with Vince from Dog Training Elite Pgh and we couldn't be happier. Vince was very knowledgeable and patient providing clear guidance to me how to best help Sage learn new skills. I was amazed at how quickly Sage picked up sitting at the front door when people arrive (instead of jumping on them) and going to her place and staying for relatively long periods of time (20-30 min). I highly recommend Vince!
  • Jinnelle Little
    Jun. 30, 2024
    Vince has helped my dog Fig and I with so much training. Before training, my dog was reactive with so many things including kids, other dogs, neighbors and more. Not only has he hep me with her reactivity that has improved way more than I could have, the communication between my dog and I is stronger! She understands what I’m asking of her, she walks better with me, and she listens better. We go hiking off leash, camping, and so much. I feel more comfortable taking her places that I couldn’t before. I’m so glad I can take her with me more without the anxiety of how she is going to react. Vince is a great trainer who is patient calm and diligent!
  • Kayla Burzio
    Jun. 17, 2024
    Nick and I reached out to Vince to help with our 4 year old German Shepard, Rosa, with reactivity issues, leash training, and to help boost her self obedience. We knew the moment we met with Vince he was going to be super helpful to our family. He took the time and patience to explain all the ins and outs of this journey. He never was watching the clock during our training sessions, was great in making suggestions to get the biggest bang for our buck during sessions, and captured this awesome photo of us on Rosa’s last in house training session. We still have group sessions available to us that we are very excited to start with Vince and the other clients/dogs that he works with. We are grateful for his services and see the improvements in our pup!
  • Rebecca Gillenwater
    Jun. 17, 2024
    I knew training would be very important for my very energetic Aussie. Vince from Dog Training Elite has been the perfect person to train us! Liam had several issues causing him to not be able to enjoy life to the fullest. However these last few weeks with Vince he has progressed to a more confident and happy pup. I can't wait to see where he goes from here! Thanks so much for the help.
  • Judith Gusky
    Jun. 17, 2024
    I am so glad we found Vince. We've had other dogs over the years, but never sought out a trainer. And never could bring our dogs out much to public events or handle them well on walks.I always felt a little inadequate as a dog owner. Lots of love, but little discipline. We wanted a smaller dog this time, thinking she would be easier to control for a 70-something couple. This time we decided to seek help from a trainer. Vince has essentially given us the skills, the techniques, the patience, and the understanding of consistency to make all our lives better...including Olive. Vince is gentle, knowledgeable, and a very good teacher. He has made the training process seem so easy and the results are often instant (and lasting as long as you practice, practice, practice). Olive is a happy, well-behaved, loving dog (2-years old in September). I had a dream for years of having a "therapy" dog to take into healthcare facilities. We are now confident that Olive will be able to fulfill my dream and that she will continue to build her confidence without stress or frustration. Vince made this all possible. He is the best!!
  • karie turner
    Jun. 3, 2024
    Vince has been the best experience for training with loki. Loki was scared and, Vince took his time in building trust with loki. Loki has come a far way and building confidence and obedience, thanks to Vince. Vince is easy to work with and always there if you have any questions. I’m glad I found Vince for loki, it’s been a pleasure continuing to working along side a great trainer.
  • M P
    May. 30, 2024
    Our family couldn't be happier with the results of our training sessions with Vince! It was worth every penny! Admittedly, we were nervous about e-collar training at first. Vince answered all of our questions calmly and reassuringly. Having Vince train our 18 month old lab in our home was a real game changer. He addressed challenges in real time and was always happy to work with us to customize the training to our needs. Best of all, it is clear that Vince loves his canine clients. This alone made it so easy to trust him with our puppy. His calm and confident demeanor put both our dog and his pack (our family) at ease. Vince clearly puts the client's needs first. He never seemed like he was in a hurry to leave and he was always available for questions when they occurred outside of our training time. The opportunity to continue practicing with the group sessions is another benefit that we just love. We completed our 6 sessions recently and continue to practice regularly with our dog. Already he is calmer at the door, more polite when greeting guests and his regular recall is outstanding. Additionally, his recall with distractions is noticeably improving. We live near a lake in the summer and our pup is living his best life as he can be off leash more and more. Everyone who sees him comments on what a well-behaved boy he is . I am so glad we found Dog Training Elite!
  • DeAnna Harris
    May. 11, 2024
    Super excited to get started on training with Dog Training Elite. We just had our consult and feel great and very hopeful that our Jasper is going to have every opportunity to be the best doberman ever and for us as owners to be the best owners for Jasper.
  • Briana Lanay
    Jan. 28, 2024
    Mr Conrad is an excellent trainer he has helped my fear aggressive border collie gain confidence now our daily walks have become a lot easier and she hardly reacts to people and other dogs. Overall this was an amazing experience
  • Linda Zemanick
    Dec. 9, 2023
    I have a 2 year old. Lab and I can’t say enought. About how her training from Vince at Dog Training Elite Pittsburgh has helped her and is! Vince is very knowledgeable about training with individual one on one class and group classes. Whatever you need help with your dog Vince can fix it! I have a well behaved dog now that only continues to get better as she gets older . He is reasonably priced and is always available for questions or new concerns. DTEP gets my outstanding review. Give Vince a call ! You will be very happy with his training for your dog!! Sincerely, Linda Z
  • Czarina Michka
    Nov. 13, 2023
    Vince was always punctual and sympathetic to my concerns regarding dog training/behavior. He gave thorough explanations and was flexible with the agenda of each class, tailoring them to my priorities. Even before signing on with him, he provided an in-depth consultation and answers, with examples, to all my questions. He was encouraging, yet realistic, and openly discussed the ongoinging responsibilities of the dog owner throughout the training process. I highly recommond Dog Training Elite Pittsburgh to any owner who wants to reach the next level of dog obedience and is willing to put in the required work necessary thereof.
  • Lynn Antonucci
    Sep. 11, 2023
    Vince is the trainer that I needed for Dakoda-my 9mth old German shepherd. I tried other trainers and didn't get results. Vince is calm and patient and works to train you, not just your dog. I live a little bit out of his usual area, but Vince went the extra miles for me, and I am so thankful he did!
  • Lynn Bacha Antonucci
    Sep. 11, 2023
    Vince is the trainer that I needed for Dakoda-my 9mth old German shepherd. I tried other trainers and didn't get results. Vince is calm and patient and works to train you, not just your dog. I live a little bit out of his usual area, but Vince went the extra miles for me, and I am so thankful he did!
  • Steven Padin-Aquino, P.E.
    Jul. 21, 2023
    My dog Teddy is still in training. He got nearly all his one to one trainings at our home with Tonya and now he has been in 3 group sessions so far. Tonya is not just knowledgeable and experienced as a dog trainer but her best qualities are her natural love for animals, her patience and her way to make them what we considered impossible. Teddy is a 7 MO sheepadoodle puppy and gets too excited around dogs and other people. He wish to play all the time so he gets jumpy and drags us whenever he wants to be playing. Tonya has been able to teach him basic commands and has been helping us to teach him to stay quieter. If you are in the need to get professional help along with loving care with your pup, Tonya and Luis are your answer. I recommend them 100%!
  • Taylor Koch
    Jul. 7, 2023
    Vince is a wonderful dog trainer. He met Henry and I at no cost to assess his good and bad behaviors at home. Vince’s calm, patient and kind demeanor made me confident that he would be able to train Henry and educate me every step of the way. After our first training session Henry stopped nipping “puppy biting” at my sleeves and ankles. We have since worked on learning new commands and skills together that make having a puppy more enjoyable and even fun. I would recommend Vince to anyone who is looking to have a better relationship with their dog and who is even interested in service dog training.
  • Taylor Koch
    Jul. 6, 2023
    Vince is a wonderful dog trainer. He met Henry and I at no cost to assess his good and bad behaviors at home. Vince’s calm, patient and kind demeanor made me confident that he would be able to train Henry and educate me every step of the way. After our first private training season Henry stopped nipping “puppy biting” at my sleeves and ankles. We have since worked on learning new commands and skills together that make having a puppy more enjoyable and even fun. I would recommend Vince to anyone who is looking to have a better relationship with their dog and who is even interested in service dog training.
Reviews & Testimonials

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Dog Training Elite Pittsburgh, PA

Is Training Affected By Breed?

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While we look at what challenges owners face with specific breeds, the key to dog training is maintaining a consistent schedule to ensure the desired behavior you seek.

The training programs offered at Dog Training Elite Pittsburgh come in a general form, but we also provide breed-specific training to target breed-specific issues. Suppose your breed is highly energetic. In that case, we have programs to help you and your dog maintain an active and healthy lifestyle while ensuring that your dog retains the standard obedience training that any dog needs.

Though breed-specific training is taken into account, all of Dog Training Elite’s training programs are based on a foundation of consistency and positive reinforcement. Punishment does not yield positive results. Dogs are eager to please, regardless of breed, and if they’re rewarded for good behavior, they’ll stick to good behavior.

A group of dogs being trained by the expert team at Dog Training Elite Pittsburgh.
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We are Here for You and Your Dog!

Dog Training Elite Pittsburgh, PA

Dog Training Elite Pittsburgh offers training programs not just for large breeds but smaller breeds as well. We don’t discriminate based on breed; we just know that some breeds require more specific and specialized training, especially if they intend to become service animals.

Large, small, purebred or mutt - Dog Training Elite’s program trains dogs for life. Contact us today for more information on when and where we can train your dog to become the best companion for your family.