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Puppy Training


How to Get a Puppy to Stop Biting

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There is so much to love about puppies. They’re adorable, snuggly, loving and playful. But puppies also come with some destructive behaviors — accidents inside the house, chewing on things they aren’t supposed to, and perhaps worst of all, biting.

Biting, or “mouthing,” is part of how a puppy learns about the world. It’s often meant to be a playful behavior, but those sharp little teeth can hurt! Here are a few tips on how to stop puppy biting in Treasure Coast / Port St. Lucie, even in a playful way.

Looking for more comprehensive puppy training? Check out our Puppy Essentials Webinar or schedule a free in-home assessment with one of our professional trainers.

Dog Training Elite Treasure Coast offers a professional puppy training program near you in Treasure Coast / Port St. Lucie to teach how to get a puppy to stop biting.

Not all training packages may be available at our Dog Training Elite Treasure Coast location, please reference our pricing page for complete information on services offered.


In Home - Gold

$2,395

This program is for dogs that are 4 plus months and older.

Training Equipment Included

  • In-Home Training SessionsPrivate & Personalized (5 Sessions)
  • Group Class Training Sessions (6 Months)
  • Come
  • Place(go to bed)
  • Heel (walk with you without pulling)
  • Sit(next to you & off leash at a distance)
  • Off(furniture if desired)
  • Quiet(stop excessive barking & whining)
  • Down(next to you & off leash at a distance)
  • Load Up (go into car or kennel)
  • Manners, Safety & Boundaries
  • Calm Anxiety & Build Confidence
  • Housebreaking / Potty Training
  • STOP Jumping on People
  • STOP Mouthing & Nipping
  • STOP Chewing & Digging
  • STOP Begging & Stealing Food
  • STOP Bolting Through Doors & Running Away
  • STOP Chasing Animals, Cars & Bikes

In Home - Platinum

$3,645

This program is for dogs that are 4 months and older.

OUR MOST POPULAR PROGRAM!

Training Equipment Included

  • In-Home Training SessionsPrivate & Personalized (8 Sessions)
    + **(Lifetime Training Support Included)
  • Group Class Training Sessions (Lifetime access included)
  • After completing the program, take advantage of Up to 2 drop-in days at the Training Center
  • ADVANCED:

  • Come
  • Place(go to bed)
  • Heel (walk with you, loose leash no pulling)
  • Sit(next to you & off leash at a distance)
  • Off(furniture when desired)
  • Quiet(stop excessive barking & whining)
  • Down(next to you & off leash at a distance)
  • Load Up (go into car or kennel)
  • Manners, Safety & Boundaries
  • Calm Anxiety & Build Confidence
  • Housebreaking / Potty Training
  • STOP Jumping on People
  • STOP Mouthing & Nipping
  • STOP Chasing Animals, Cars & Bikes
  • STOP Chewing
  • STOP Digging
  • STOP Bolting Through Doors & Running Away
  • Noise Desensitization (doorbell, vacuum, etc.)
  • Reactivity, Resource Guarding
  • Control Aggression(dog & human)
  • Public Outing Training

**Our platinum program offers you lifetime training support for the life of your dog!

Best In-Home Dog Trainers Near Me in Treasure Coast / Port St. Lucie
Highest Rated Dog Obedience Trainers Near You in Treasure Coast / Port St. Lucie
Top Dog Trainers Near Me in Treasure Coast / Port St. Lucie
In-Home Dog Trainers Near You in Treasure Coast / Port St. Lucie

Our Balanced Theory

We base our training around the "Classical Conditioning" model (a.k.a. "Pavlovian" or "respondent conditioning"). This includes developing conditioned or automatic reflexes to commands. In its simplest form (after proper conditioning), when the owner says "sit," the dog automatically sits without thinking about it. Our unique techniques ensure our program is a success no matter what behavior we encounter.


  • Empowering Owners
    We empower Owners to train so their dog knows who to obey at all times.
  • Personalized
    We deal with problem behaviors on a personal basis.
  • Environment Specific
    We train wherever issues tend to arise (i.e. jogging, park, home).
  • Supportive
    We support Owners in the off-hours (when training is "not in session").
  • Involved
    We work with all members of the household.
  • Simplified & Customized
    We plan training around the owner's schedule and require only 20 min/day follow-up practice.
  • Continued Training
    Additional programs / group sessions offered after in-home training.
  • Lifetime Investment
    We follow up & are invested in the owner's success long-term.
  • Satisfaction Ratings
    Our high client satisfaction rating sets us apart from competitors.

We help your dog become a valued companion and beloved member of the family. Read what our customers have to say and then give us a call!

Wow, there’s no words to describe the dramatic change in a very reactive, scared dog, transformed into a confident, well behaved and loved family pet! DTE and the entire staff are dedicated, caring, knowledgeable, professional trainers even with our challenging guy and we can’t thank them enough for making Rocket an enjoyable member of our family. Thanks DTE and I’m glad to be a part of your family and highly recommend anyone who is looking for a well mannered dog training group to consider DTE as their first and only choice. Special thanks to Graham who saw Rockets potential, Sam who finally got the Rocket mans kisses she was looking for, Kristin who put up with the ever so unpredictable attitudes of Rocket in the mornings, Tina and Shelley. You guys ROCK! Ronnie, Chris and Rocket
— Chris Levy
Posted April 17th 2024
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Elite Dog Training is all that you would hope for in a training Center. I brought in my 1.6 year old German Shepherd. The trainers are very friendly and my dog enjoyed all of his visits. He picked up his lessons and seemed happy to learn more each visit. I am very happy with our choice in using Elite Dog Training.
— Tropicalwallart Hurricane Rita
Posted April 14th 2024
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We (my husband and myself) came across this group during a veteran event and was really impressed with the dogs they brought to demonstrate what they could do. At the time we didn't have a dog with any training needs, but they definitely left an impression. Later that year we adopted a GROWING puppy (now 70lbs) and thought we could handle training him on our own. Unfortunately, we learned through an embarrassing situation that our dog was very "rude" and not very confident in his surroundings. After that, I picked up the phone and got scheduled right away to see if he was a good fit for the program. He was a great fit and we've been going strong 4 months now (1 month of one-on-one training and 3 months of weekly follow-ups). We are no longer afraid to take our dogs in public and our pup that was trained through this program has actually become the most well-behaved dog I've ever had. I am so thankful for the team at DTE for giving me and especially my dog piece of mind and a closer relationship.
— Julissa Escobar
Posted February 22nd 2024
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I've been very pleased with the one-on-one instruction. Sam is flexible and understanding, patient and professional. Buddy graduated and we have been attending group classes. At the center and in the park here in PSL, the trainers are committed and centered. We are most definitely glad we made the investment in Buddy's training. I would recommend DTETC to anyone!
— Susan Barrett Finazzo
Posted March 2nd 2024
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I started with Elite Training of the Treasure Coast with my 5 month old of Golden Retriever, Maggie. Over the 6 weeks training classes; my dog knows sit, down, place, come, and heel. The head trainer has taught me how to begin & strength my bond with Maggie. This has allowed training to go smoother and to see the results of our hard work together. I highly recommend Elite Dog training of the Treasure Coast with your dog. It has allowed Maggie to come out in public with a puppy with good manners and calm. The picture below is a group of graduates on an outing at the Vero Car show in (Feb 2024).
— Mary Massie
Posted February 28th 2024
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Dog Training Elite has been amazing! My dog started training with them about 7 months ago and his behavior has improved dramatically. I don’t have to worry about him tormenting our cats anymore! All of the instructors are calm, professional and enthusiastic. I highly recommend this company for all dog training needs!
— Karla Antonio
Posted February 24th 2024
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A very special place to take your 4 legged sweetie to learn good behavior. The trainers give each dog individual time and attention. My 7 month old mini Golden Doodle has learned so much. At the end of the day I was shown what she learned that day to practice with her. After our week of day camp, . group classes are offered. I need them as much as she does! Great experience. The learning continues for us both with the support of the staff. Glad we found them! 🐕
— Christine Maglicic
Posted February 22nd 2024
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First rate experience. Office help great always calls back. Trainer Shelly knows her stuff. Helped us with Rosie to give her confidence to stay home alone. Trained and explained every step, we went through. We would recommend Dog Training Elite!
— Nancy Briganti
Posted February 21st 2024
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I would like to rate my experience as amazing Dog Training Elite has taking every step and helping me become a better dog handler and also my dog just passed the canine good citizen and public access test a big thanks to Shelly and Sam for your service and support
— Deb
Posted January 9th 2024
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Wonderful people who care so much about their clients and their dogs. They are top tier trainers!
— Dog Training Elite Northeast Ohio
Posted January 8th 2024
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Exceptional training. I worked with Shelly with a dual service dog and her insight is very valuable. It was easy to schedule appointments even with my crazy schedule changing. Could not recommend a better trainer to work with.
— frenchbulldogs100
Posted October 26th 2023
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I was at a point where I wasn’t enjoying my dog, Krueger. He had zero respect for my husband and I and he became unmanageable; I would dread when my husband would have to leave the state for work because being around Krueger on my own for an extended period of time was so unbelievably overwhelming for me. Don’t get me wrong, we love our dog!! He is so funny and goofy! …but he is a Great Dane and at that time, he was already an 80 pound puppy 😳 I contacted Dog Training Elite and was automatically put at ease after speaking with Kristin. Shelley came over to evaluate Krueger the following week and I instantly felt that she was an angel sent from heaven. She was with us for only half an hour and I quickly already saw a change in my dog. Fast forward to today: KRUEGER IS NOW A WELL-MANNERED, RESPECTFUL BOY!!! We are still in the early stretch of his training with DTE, but I am so so grateful for this company. Krueger has learned about boundaries and restraint and he is such a pleasure to be with. My husband and I have bonded with him through training and we have truly been given the tools to communicate what we need from Krueger. It really is such an amazing feeling ☺️ We look forward to working with Shelley and we thank Dog Training Elite for giving us our sanity back lol.
— Kristen Stokes
Posted October 11th 2023
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I have had an incredible experience with this amazing company. I was referred from my veterinarians front desk receptionist. Their willingness to offer payment plans sets them apart from the rest. When it comes to training big dogs like my Great Dane, they excel. Their expertise and dedication truly shine. Highly recommended! 🐾 Dog Training Elite is simply fantastic! #DogTrainingElite
— Renee Serrichio
Posted September 7th 2023
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Dog training Elite has been great. I brought a new pup into my family.. My fear was not being able to find anyone who was capable of training a Cane Corso as they are very smart but stubborn suckers.. Dog training elite were more than ready for the challenge. My pup "Ares" picked up everything taught. On top of that, I had to reschedule more times than I could count, each and every time Ashley and the team were overly accomodating. Prior to working with Dog Training Elite, I spoke to a couple of other trainers, none of which were worth a second conversation... This teams ability to work with my schedule was beyond fantastic. On top of their flexibility, the cost was very affordable and worth every penny. Thank you, Ash, Kristin, and everyone else involved... Great team and fantastic results
— john sefchick
Posted August 31st 2023
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My boyfriend and I purchased our very first Belgian Malinois puppy at 8 weeks old. If you are familiar with this breed then you know how high energy they are and how much mental stimulation they require. As Coral got older we thought maybe we had gotten in over our heads with getting this breed because of how loud, mouthy and bossy she was becoming. She would jump on us when arriving home, bite our arms to the point of bleeding, and bark uncontrollably at us. We started researching dog trainers around us and the search led us to Dog Training Elite with Shelley and Graham. I had two requirements when I was interviewing trainers: experience with the Belgian Malinios breed and a trainer who involved the owner with the training and didn’t just take the dogs to their facility for 8 weeks. Dog training Elite met those requirements and blew our expectations out of the water! She helped us work with Coral but also taught us to be the dog trainer so our bound with our little puppy would continue to develop. Coral has excelled way quicker than we could have ever expected and she has became the dog of our dreams because of Shelley! AND, The best part is we get to stay involved with these trainers after our 8 sessions are over because of their platinum package, which includes group training for life and a ‘refresher’ session with our trainer once a month! We not only have a great dog trainer but also feel like we made some friends with these great people too!
— Megan Knox
Posted August 19th 2023
facebook
My boyfriend and I purchased our very first Belgian Malinois puppy at 8 weeks old. If you are familiar with this breed then you know how high energy they are and how much mental stimulation they require. As Coral got older we thought maybe we had gotten in over our heads with getting this breed because of how loud, mouthy and bossy she was becoming. She would jump on us when arriving home, bite our arms to the point of bleeding, and bark uncontrollably at us. We started researching dog trainers around us and the search led us to Dog Training Elite with Shelley and Graham. I had two requirements when I was interviewing trainers: experience with the Belgian Malinios breed and a trainer who involved the owner with the training and didn’t just take the dogs to their facility for 8 weeks. Dog training Elite met those requirements and blew our expectations out of the water! She helped us work with Coral but also taught us to be the dog trainer so our bound with our little puppy would continue to develop. Coral has excelled way quicker than we could have ever expected and she has became the dog of our dreams because of Shelley! AND, The best part is we get to stay involved with these trainers after our 8 sessions are over because of their platinum package, which includes group training for life and a ‘refresher’ session with our trainer once a month! We not only have a great dog trainer but also feel like we made some friends with these great people too!
— Megan Knox
Posted August 19th 2023
google
Ashley was amazing and worked with our dog who was deaf. The difference in him from before we started training and after is amazing. It’s a very well run efficient company and everyone is very nice
— Laura Irwin
Posted August 19th 2023
google
Elite has been an awesome experience! We are only halfway through our training and we have already gotten our moneys worth. Bingo was a 6 mos old rescue puppy with no training and now she is well on her way to become a service dog for our son. Elite gives you all the tips and tools to succeed, as long as you commit the time to your pup you cannot fail!
— Rebecca Booth
Posted August 14th 2023
google
Of course this place is amazing! And this is why I chose to work with this company, the people at the treasure coast unit and training center are just so kind, smart and have such a feeling for home and family. Truly one big family, I've not seen many companies that have such a huge support system and really bring people and their dogs together. ALWAYS MY NUMBER ONE PICK FOR DOG TRAINING!
— Ashley Hollgarth
Posted July 28th 2023
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The personalized training is amazing! The trainers are very patient with not only the dog but with the owners. They take the time to explain and show how to succeed! I am super excited that we are now family with DTE!
— Tanya Kendall
Posted July 21st 2023
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Dog Training Elite Treasure Coast offers expert services - like how to stop puppy biting.

How to Get a Puppy to Stop Biting? Teach them that Biting Hurts

Getting a puppy to quit mouthing is actually very simple. You just have to teach your puppy that biting hurts.

How do you teach this? By helping your puppy learn “bite inhibition.” Bite inhibition is a puppy or a dog’s ability to control how hard they bite. Typically puppies learn bite inhibition from playing with other puppies. Biting or mouthing is a common play tactic between puppies and dogs, but occasionally a puppy will bite too hard. This causes their playmate to yelp with pain and stop playing.

The reaction of the bitten puppy helps the puppy who did the biting realize their mistake and learn not to bite so hard. Just like puppies learn how to be gentle with each other, they can learn the same lesson from humans. Even if your puppy has learned bite inhibition while playing with other puppies or dogs, they still need to be taught how sensitive human skin is.

Follow the example of your puppy’s playmates. Let your puppy mouth your hands during play. When they bite you too hard, yelp like a puppy and let your hand go limp to indicate that you have been hurt. This should stop your puppy from continuing to bite you or continuing to play. When they stop, or if they attempt to make you feel better by licking your hand, praise your puppy and resume play. You can also try “time-outs” for your puppy, where you stop playing for 20 seconds after being bitten.

The goal is to teach your puppy that if they bite, playing stops. If they are gentle, play continues. Make sure to reward your puppy with praise and possibly treats when they do a good job. At Dog Training Elite, we know positive reinforcement is the best and most effective way to train puppies and dogs.

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Proud Sponsor of The Malinois Foundation

At Dog Training Elite Treasure Coast, we believe that Service Dogs save lives. It is our mission to make these life-saving companions available to our Veterans, First Responders, Women Survivors, and Children with Medical Needs. Whether it be for PTSD, Mobility Support, or Special Needs, Dog Training Elite Treasure Coast works with the Malinois Foundation to heal and empower these individuals with a specialized service animal, a partner in life, and a new best friend.

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Take it to the Next Level

Once your puppy understands that they shouldn’t bite human skin hard, start working on teaching them not to bite human skin at all. Use the same techniques of yelping and stopping play. Over time, gradually reduce the amount of biting you allow until your puppy eventually learns not to bite at all.

Some other techniques for to stop mouthing include the distraction method. If your puppy tends to want to bite you when you pet him, distract him with treats so he’ll get used to being touched without mouthing your hands or arms. Keep your puppy’s favorite toy with you, and if she starts mouthing your hands, give her the toy to bite instead.

What to Avoid

There are some behaviors we humans tend to engage in when we want to play with puppies that actually encourage them to bite. If you’re at a loss for how to stop a puppy from biting, make sure to avoid these habits:

  • Avoid wiggling your fingers or toes in your puppy’s face to entice them to play. This encourages your puppy to bite your hands and feet.
  • Don’t jerk your hands away from your puppy if they bite you. They might lunge forward to grab you with their mouth.
  • Never slap or hit a puppy for biting. This ineffective and cruel and can backfire as a training method. Your puppy might start to play more aggressively, with more biting, or they can become afraid of you.

At Dog Training Elite, we never use physical punishment to train puppies and dogs. We focus on rewarding desired behaviors. This method of training helps build a strong, loving bond between puppies and their owners.

Dog Training Elite Treasure Coast has an award winning program in Treasure Coast / Port St. Lucie, including how to get a puppy to stop biting.

Start Puppy Training Now

Teaching your pup not to bite is a huge accomplishment. But puppies have so much more to learn, and even the thought of having to train a puppy can be overwhelming. If you’re struggling with your puppy’s destructive behavior or looking for help with general training, call Dog Training Elite. We have a tried and true training method that really works for dogs of any age, including puppies. Dog Training Elite offers both individual in–home training and obedience classes for puppies.

In–home training is the perfect way to help you and your puppy bond while working with one of our professional trainers. Our trainers will adapt training to your environment and needs and empower you to continue training on your own. Obedience classes are also a great way to help your puppy learn by exposing them to other dogs and people and new sights and sounds. Combining in–home training with obedience classes ensures a well–behaved puppy who learns quickly.

What are you waiting for? Contact Dog Training Elite today for a free in–home assessment or schedule a free training demo to see what your puppy can become.

Dog Training Elite Treasure Coast can teach you how to stop puppy biting.