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Anxiety & Aggression

Dog Training


Top Anxiety & Aggression Dog Trainer in Tampa, FL

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One of the most difficult, necessary, and rewarding behaviors to correct in a dog is anxiety and aggression. Anxiety and aggression are behaviors that can be learned, genetic, or innate. When a dog feels threatened, the two natural responses will be fight or flight. Most dogs will attempt to put as much distance between themselves and the threat; if the threat remains they will then turn to aggression or submit. Other dogs are overly confident pack leaders and will turn first to aggression. Both of these reactions stem from anxiety and can be fixed with a balanced, positive aggressive dog training in Tampa.

Dog Training Elite in Tampa behavior modification process is highly personalized. We work to empower owners as they work alongside our professional dog trainers in Tampa to build confidence and understanding in their dogs. We work with owners in their home to slowly retrain a dog’s reactions to stressful situations and then work to integrate them back into the community. 

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


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Highest Rated Dog Obedience Trainers Near You in Tampa
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In-Home Dog Trainers Near You in Tampa

Our Aggressive Dog Behavior Training Process


We will first meet the dog in a free in-home assessment to gain an understanding of the reasons for the aggression, anxiety, or fears. We will assess triggers and build a personalized training program for each unique dog and targeting their specific behavior. For fearful and anxious dogs, our trainers will work alongside owners to build confidence. 

For overly aggressive dogs, training will help owners establish a pack leader position in the home.  We will work to desensitize a dog to their biggest triggers and anxiety and when the dog has reached a safe baseline obedience level in these situations we then introduce them to our class settings.  A muzzle is required for class settings to ensure the safety of all dogs as these classroom settings are designed to integrate the dog back into social settings successfully.

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Dog Training Elite has expert dog trainers near you in Tampa experienced in anxious and aggressive dog obedience training.

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!

Tanya is very skilled in her profession! She had my Bully Dog obeying her commands within 20 minutes! My dog had a problem with jumping with excitement when I received a visitor. She is 70 pounds and her action was painful and annoying. Thanks to DOG TRAINING ELITE, that behavior has stopped.
— E thel Fentzlaff
Posted February 17th 2024
google
First a little background.... I have this sweet, very active, energy plus Staffordshire Terrier that was my daughter's. She became very ill and couldn't handle him. I am 83 and couldn't handle him, also. I decided I needed to rehome his ad it was not fair to keep him where he was getting no exercise and little attention. We were unsuccessful in finding someone (truthfully, I was very picky and down deep didn't want to let him go). I decided to look for training and hopefully, keep him. This is where ELITE comes to the rescue! I was impressed with them right away. They are professional, friendly, animal lovers. Ryan came to interview TAZ and me and brought one of his own babies to show how little time it takes just get them understanding the basics. He even worked with TAZ for a short while and was impressed at how quickly he responded. We have had 4 sessions, and I am so impressed and proud of my boy! Because of the professionalism and dedication, they show these animals, I am able to keep my baby!! THANK YOU, ELITE: RYAN, AARON AND KIM. Carol Long
— CAROL LONG
Posted February 16th 2024
google
Tonya was awesome!! Can’t say enough good things about our experience with Dog Training Elite!! Tonya was timely, efficient and so good with our dog Maverick!!! She truly is the best and has become like family!!
— Mechelle Merrell
Posted February 11th 2024
google
DTE Suncoast is absolutely what we needed for our 6mo Border Collie, Herbert. The instructors are genuine and clearly skilled to manage specific breeds needs. I am incredibly happy with the progress we’ve made and the support Herbert has to make good decisions! Love, love, love this training program!
— Suzan Tutko
Posted February 5th 2024
google
I decided to enlist some trainers, with my great Dane puppy, Moon Pie. I chose Elite after meeting with them because I found them to be both professional and knowledgeable. I thought they could teach me how to train my dog properly and when you’re dealing with a dog that will eventually outweigh you, training is a great idea. I can’t say enough good things about these folks. I have been with them for about five months now and definitely see a difference in the puppy. You have to do the work after the lessons, but it’s so worthwhile. I’m really loving the group classes too because training outside of your home is essential to having a great dog. I highly recommend these folks.
— Living With Giants
Posted February 2nd 2024
google
Tonya is an excellent training instructor. She has the patience needed to deal this old guy and also our now 7 month old Mayley. Tonya has always been on time for our training sessions, which are done at our home whether it be done inside or out in the yard. Another plus is the Saturday sessions at a local park where Marley can socialize with other dogs in attendance. There are plenty of distractions be they other dogs being walked or very young toddlers wanting to pet our puppy. Marley still has her moments but she is still a young pup after all. I highly recommend Dog Training Elite. You will not be disappointed.
— John Cerone
Posted February 2nd 2024
google
Great trainers who are passionate about dogs!
— Renee C
Posted February 1st 2024
google
100% recommend! I hired Dog Training Elite Greater Tampa for my Cane Corso puppy and he is an angel now. The training is tailored to the owner and the pup. It is kept simplistic and tools you can use over and over again. My issue with finding a company was that I could not go to places in the early evening/late morning during the weekday. Tonya and Luis come to your house which is really a force multiplier when training your dog in their own home. If you need your dog trained, this is the place to go.
— Kevin Lowe
Posted January 31st 2024
google
Wow! I can’t say enough about Tonya and Dog Training Elite - Greater Tampa. I was no stranger to training dogs, but my current dog, Scarlett, can be very head strong. She loves people and has no impulse control. She pulled on her lease when walking and rushed the door for visitors. I could tell she knew and understood my commands, but she decided when to follow them. It was a frustrating situation, and I was becoming impatient with Scarlett which was not good for either of us. Tonya to the rescue!! Tonya is extremely patient (with me and Scarlett) and seemed to know exactly what we both needed to get us over our impasse. You can tell Tonya really cares about both her human and dog students. We both had a great experience and Scarlett absolutely loves her. I recommend Dog Training Elite to anyone who is serious about training their dog. Training your dog isn’t magic, you must work at it but having the right tools and trainer is a difference maker. Scarlett now walks beside me, comes when called, sits the first time she is asked and no longer jumps on complete strangers. Thank you, Tonya for everything! It was worth every penny.
— Mechelle Jarvis
Posted January 29th 2024
google
I am so pleased with my little Benita. With the help of Kim and Aaron she’s really picking up things quickly. So happy I made the choice to have her trained and chose Elite Dog Training .
— Patty Grace
Posted January 5th 2024
google
Good afternoon and Happy Sunday! I hope you all have had a great day. I just wanted to share that Mars is doing very good on his training just on two sessions. As a responsible dog owner and following my requirements of at least 15 minutes a day. I have a new dog. At night and during the day when he’s off training mode. He’s without his harness and collar. He still follows commands and just needs a little reinforcement here and there. He’s not the barker anymore 😂 When my other dog Reese’s barks at something he hears. Mars goes and checks at what he’s barking at and comes right back to me. It’s sad to even think that I was planning to rehome him.
— Miguel Troche
Posted December 22nd 2023
google
Tonya has helped our dog so much! Being an aussiedoodle she has a lot of energy and can be stubborn. Her behavior has completely changed since working with Tonya and everyone tells us how well behaved she is now. I am so glad I chose them to work with us and Stella. Excited to keep training with them!
— Olivia Price
Posted December 10th 2023
google
Tonya has helped our dog so much! Being an aussiedoodle she has a lot of energy and can be stubborn. Her behavior has completely changed since working with Tonya and everyone tells us how well behaved she is now. I am so glad I chose them to work with us and Stella. Excited to keep training with them!
— Olivia Price
Posted December 9th 2023
google
I first started looking for training for my puppy because I want him to eventually become a service dog. The training he’s been given has not only improved his behavior, but it’s also given me the tools I need to practice and train with him on my own. My puppy went from not listening and going potty in the house, to behaving even when I’m not giving commands. I was so worried that I wouldn’t be able to handle my new dog, and this service gave me confidence that he could become a well behaved pup.
— Joselyn Hernandez
Posted November 25th 2023
google
I highly recommend Dog Training Elite Suncoast and would refer them to anyone without hesitation!! They are professional, caring, knowledgeable trainers and we were extremely happy with our entire experience. We were very close to rehoming our French bulldog Luke due to his aggressive nature, but thanks to Aaron, Ryan and Kim...we still have our pup and he is so much better than before!! They worked wonders with Luke and also taught us (as his owners) so much. We are thankful that we chose Dog Training Elite Suncoast for our training needs...they are absolutely awesome!!
— Rebecca Phillips
Posted October 10th 2023
google
Elite Training has helped us tremendously with our dog. She was always a good dog but she is so much more obedient now then she was before we started with them. We have had several people compliment on how well-behaved our dog is. Thank you so much for helping us get her to the point she is now.
— Deborah Williamson
Posted September 21st 2023
google
Working with you was an incredible experience. Working on a 6 year old dog, I thought was impossible, I was wrong. Now Kooper is amazing and he is my service dog. Kooper learned many new things and lost bad old habits. I can do anything with him, even without a leash. For whatever needs you have with your dog, I recommend Tonya ad Luis, they are amazing.
— Francesca Ciancio
Posted September 15th 2023
google
Very knowledgeable and extraordinarily patient with dog and client. Tailored the training to our specific needs. Always on time with organized lesson plans. Truly a dog-changing experience. Thank you Tonya.
— Ed Mandel
Posted September 14th 2023
google
These words are not enough to thank Tonya for what she did with our beloved Sheepadoodle Teddy! She started teaching him the basics (sit, off, stay, place, heel, down) and being so smart that helped us to teach him a few extra commands like "paw", "watch". "high five". Teddy is a lovable puppy but has TONS of energy which gives him frequent "zoomies" or burst of enthusiastic desire to play, run, and jump over us and being big and heavy, by accident tends to push or pulls us really hard. Tonya has been able to teach him (and us!) to manage these bursts of energy and he is way calmer than before (and at the moment I'm writing this he is still a 8-month old BIG and HEAVY puppy (a bit over 60 lbs). THANKS TONYA for your continuous help, for being so caring and dedicated for your job. She is a natural animal lover so she does her job with that in mind: LOVE. THANK YOU!!
— Steven Padin-Aquino, P.E.
Posted September 1st 2023
google
Took Isla all the way to a fully qualified service animal. All I get is comments on how well behaved she is.
— Kevin E
Posted August 25th 2023
google

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Proud Sponsor of The Malinois Foundation

At Dog Training Elite in Tampa, 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 in Tampa 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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