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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 Raleigh / Cary, even in a playful way.
Looking for more comprehensive puppy training? Check out our Puppy Essentials Webinar or schedule a free in-home evaluation with one of our professional trainers.

Not all training packages may be available at our Dog Training Elite of the NC Triangle location, please reference our pricing page for complete information on services offered.
Silver
$1,195
- In-Home Training SessionsOne-on-one & personalized 3 Sessions
- Group Park Training Sessions 8 Sessions
- Come
- Loose Leash Walking
- Sit(next to you & off leash at a distance)
- Off(furniture when desired)
- Quiet(stop excessive barking & whining)
- Place(go to bed)
Gold
$1,895
- In-Home Training SessionsOne-on-one & personalized 5 Sessions
- Group Park Training Sessions 12 Sessions
- Come
- Loose Leash Walking
- Sit(next to you & off leash at a distance)
- Off(furniture when desired)
- Quiet(stop excessive barking & whining)
- Place(go to bed)
- Heel(walk with you, no more pulling)
- Down(lay next to you & off leash at a distance)
- Load Up (go into kennel, car, or dog house)
- Calm Anxiety & Build Confidence
- Housebreaking / Potty Training
- Manners, Safety & Boundaries
- STOP Jumping on People
- STOP Biting & Nipping
- STOP Bolting Through Doors, Running Away & Chasing Animals
- STOP Begging & Stealing Food
- STOP Chewing & Digging
Platinum
$2,395
Platinum offers advanced obedience/behavioral modification with a goal of off-leash control. Includes additional training options and offers more one-on-one and group sessions than Gold.
- In-Home Training SessionsOne-on-one & personalized 8 Sessions
- Group Park Training Sessions 16 Sessions
- Come
- Loose Leash Walking
- Sit(next to you & off leash at a distance)
- Off(furniture when desired)
- Quiet(stop excessive barking & whining)
- Place(go to bed)
- Heel(walk with you, no more pulling)
- Down(lay next to you & off leash at a distance)
- Load Up (go into kennel, car, or dog house)
- Calm Anxiety & Build Confidence
- Housebreaking / Potty Training
- Manners, Safety & Boundaries
- STOP Jumping on People
- STOP Biting & Nipping
- STOP Bolting Through Doors, Running Away & Chasing Animals
- STOP Begging & Stealing Food
- STOP Chewing & Digging
- *STOP Reactivity (dog & human)
- *Stay With You on a Jog, Hike, or Bike Ride
- *Emotional Support Dog Training(ESA)
- *Control Agression
- *Calm Extreme Anxiety(behavior modification)




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.
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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).
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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.
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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.
clas·si·cal con·di·tion·ing
PSYCHOLOGY
noun
A learning process that occurs when two stimuli are repeatedly paired; a response that is at first elicited by the second stimulus and is eventually elicited by the first stimulus alone.
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!
I can not say enough good things about Dog Training Elite San Antonio! The entire team is fabulous! I had no idea how I would go about getting a service dog for myself. They helped me with everything! They evaluated the dog we adopted and the training sessions have been amazing! They are very responsive when I call and super supportive! Love, love them! We have now enrolled another one of our dogs in some basic training. Thank goodness for y’all! 💕🥰💕—
Posted March 21st 2023
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Posted March 20th 2023
Originally came to DTE to help with leash aggression on my GSD puppy. After working with her a couple sessions, they identified that she was leash reactive, not aggressive, and her behavior is now under control between the 1:1 sessions with Hunter and Matt and the group sessions with all of the trainers (can't leave out Dom!). She has been enrolled in the personal protective training and is progressing nicely. The combination of 1:1 sessions and the group sessions at the training facility help the handlers learn proper training techniques and safety. Obedience and control of your K9 is always stressed in the protection classes and combines perfectly with the obedience training offered by DTE. I'm very happy with the knowledge, professionalism and service of the staff and look forward to working with them more in the future.— Timothy Holdener
Posted March 19th 2023
We started service dog training with DTE in January 2023. We are now in group classes with Roselle. We cannot say enough great things about DTE STL. We drive an hour and twenty minutes each direction to go to training, and it is worth every minute and mile.— Natasha Bassett
Posted March 18th 2023
We LOVE Elite! Matt was incredibly helpful at our initial meeting. He was open and transparent by what we could expect from the dog trainer's, our dog and from ourselves. Freyja, our German Shepherd, has thrived under their training. Our trainer Hunter has been amazing! She went from being terrified of being in a new space to confidently doing all the commands she has learned. Can't wait to see how much she grows and learns.— Keri Ann Hunt
Posted March 18th 2023
Dog training Elite is one of the most professional training companies I’ve seen. They trained my German Shepherd Sofia as a service dog. As a disabled combat vet, my service dog was much needed to help me with ptsd and mobility issues out in public and I could not imagine my daily life without her. Dog training elite is definitely your go to for service dogs, they will not only meet your needs and expectations but they will also exceed them!!— Kyler Witt
Posted March 15th 2023
Where to begin?!? We had taken our puppy to another training facility, but it was unfruitful. Our puppy had been attacked twice and was extremely reactive to many situations. Since starting classes with Dog Training Elite San Antonio, our puppy has done a complete turn around. She's able to walk along with other dogs she's unfamiliar with, stopped barking and reacting to strangers, is able to play with her 8 week old fur cousin, no longer jumps and bites because of her excitement/anxiety. We have no words to express our gratitude in helping us help our puppy! The entire team has been excellent, especially Adakias!!!!!— Jessica Draney
Posted March 14th 2023
Dog training elite did an amazing job with our Doberman puppy! McCall did a great job with creating a safe environment for our pup to learn and be independent. Additionally, we trained our pup with her litter mate, which was fun and challenging. We had a really great experience and would recommend this for anyone who wants to build a better relationship with their dog and become more confident with obedience.— Alicia May
Posted March 13th 2023
Love this company and their whole team! We had the pleasure of working with multiple trainers including Neil, Aspen, Mark, and Taylor. They were patient with us as new dog owners and took their time training both us and our dog on their program. Having private lessons followed by group lessons allowed us and our dog to learn the rules and practice them at home before applying them in a controlled environment. This significantly reduced my anxiety about bringing our dog in public and around our friends and family. We consistently receive compliments about how well behaved our dog is and those started shortly after we started the program!— Jenna Leger
Posted March 13th 2023
I have worked with Dog Training Elite with two of my dogs. My first dog Branch who was 6 months when we started the program. Branch was very aggressive towards other dogs. Thanks to the owner Neil and his helper Chris my dog Branch is a well rounded dog who became my Service Dog. Unfortunately, Branch who is 6 yrs old now, has hurt his leg and needed to be retired so I began Training my new dog Felicia who is now enrolled with Dog Training Elite. She is only 11 months old and has past her Service Dog Test. Neil came to our home to evaluate Felicia and assisted in getting the process started. Taylor was the trainer who came to my home to continue training with me and Felicia. Taylor also met me and Felicia for our public training and made sure she was completing the task she will be providing. If there was something I needed to work on or if I had any questions Taylor was always able to provide me feedback. Taylor is very passionate and very knowledgeable with the process for continued training. Aspen was the trainer who completed the Service Dog Test and I appreciate how thorough she was at making sure Felicia was able to complete the task she will provide for me ongoing. I would recommend Dog Training Elite and have given out their information as we have traveled in our RV across country because they are wonderful at what they do. I greatly appreciate how much patience Neil and his Team have with dogs and their families. Especially, when helping us train Branch through his aggressive behaviors. If it wasn't for Dog Training Elite we would not have a second dog.—
Posted March 11th 2023
I have worked with Dog Training Elite with two of my dogs. My first dog Branch who was 6 months when we started the program. Branch was very aggressive towards other dogs. Thanks to the owner Neil and his helper Chris my dog Branch is a well rounded dog who became my Service Dog. Unfortunately, Branch who is 6 yrs old now, has hurt his leg and needed to be retired so I began Training my new dog Felicia who is now enrolled with Dog Training Elite. She is only 11 months old and has past her Service Dog Test. Neil came to our home to evaluate Felicia and assisted in getting the process started. Taylor was the trainer who came to my home to continue training with me and Felicia. Taylor also met me and Felicia for our public training and made sure she was completing the task she will be providing. If there was something I needed to work on or if I had any questions Taylor was always able to provide me feedback. Taylor is very passionate and very knowledgeable with the process for continued training. Aspen was the trainer who completed the Service Dog Test and I appreciate how thorough she was at making sure Felicia was able to complete the task she will provide for me ongoing. I would recommend Dog Training Elite and have given out their information as we have traveled in our RV across country because they are wonderful at what they do. I greatly appreciate how much patience Neil and his Team have with dogs and their families. Especially, when helping us train Branch through his aggressive behaviors. As you can see in the photo Branch is able to lay down beside Felicia. Prior to Dog Training Elite working with him this would have never been possible.— Tonya Emery
Posted March 11th 2023
Professional and knowledgeable group. If you want to learn how to have full control of your K9 companion then Dog Training Elite is well worth the time and investment. Don’t be fooled by others!—
Posted March 11th 2023
Worth every penny!!! The trainers here are very knowledgeable, patient, and understanding. Especially Savanna and Taylor, they have gone above and beyond to help out with our dog. In a few short weeks he has made big changes in his obedience and aggression. I am super impressed and glad to have them as our dogs trainers— Danielle Geist
Posted March 9th 2023
I actually found them by google and boy was I so happy I did. This team is just perfect and full of knowledge on dogs. We went through the Service dog program they have and I can’t begin to explain how grateful I am to now have my own service dog. Each training session was fun and my dog and I learned so much in each class. Group classes with Savanah Taylor and Aspen were insightful and inspirational because we were around others like us. Also so much fun! Service dog group training with Mark, Savanah and Taylor was perfectly designed to help accustom our dogs to so many distractions. I appreciated it. But Taylor was outstanding, knowledgeable, full of energy, kind, patient, if you get to work with her your dog will gain a friend and work with a respectful trainer! Thanks DTE!— Rachel Fameree
Posted March 9th 2023
I can’t say enough about the amazing team at Dog training elite! We signed up our two dogs for their programs and it has been worth every penny! Taylor has been amazing and incredibly helpful with our puppy Sunny In our home. Reno took on our Portuguese water dog for the 10 day training at their facility and was amazing as well! Worth it! You won’t regret it!!— Jill Clark
Posted March 9th 2023
I love Dog Training Elite! Finding them was one of the best things I could have done for me and my dog. We started with basic obedience and he did so so well. They were patient with him and us and taught us what to do and how to do it well to succeed. We are now 9 months into our service training and it's going so well too! This has taken more patience and time to learn but we're asking hard things of my dog and myself 😅 but they are very supportive and patient. I love all of their trainers and recommend them to anyone who needs help training their dog whether it's basic obedience issues or reactivity, every penny is worth having Dog Training Elite in your corner. They know their stuff.— Catherine Belnap
Posted March 1st 2023
The Ballards and their staff are amazing people! They truly have become part of our family. They have helped change two of my sons lives raising, training and loving their service dogs. I will 100% use their services for all current and future training needs and recommend anyone who wants top notch training to use them as well.—
Posted March 1st 2023
I cannot express how strongly I am recommending Dog Training Elete. They have helped me deal with some serious dog issues. Not to mention the solid foundations they have established in the fundamentals of dog training. Be assured they will be with you for the whole process of training a well behaved and well adjusted dog.— Dana Fessler
Posted February 28th 2023
We have loved working with Dog Training Elite! We started with a new pup and now have a 2 year old trained psychiatric service dog. Trevor, Colleen and their team have been so helpful and have been there to answer any questions. We would highly recommend them to anyone who needs help with a pup!— Madi
Posted February 28th 2023
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 of the NC Triangle, 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 of the NC Triangle work's with the Malinois Foundation to heal and empower these individuals with a specialized service animal, a partner in life, and a new best friend.






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.
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 evaluation or schedule a free training demo to see what your puppy can become.