Request a Free Evalution & Demo

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, 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 location, please reference our pricing page for complete information on services offered.
Silver
Pricing Coming Soon!
- In-Home Training SessionsOne-on-one & personalized 4 Sessions
- Come
- Heel(walk with you without pulling)
- Sit(next to you & off leash at a distance)
- Off(furniture if desired)
- Quiet(stop excessive barking & whining)
- Place(go to bed)
Gold
Pricing Coming Soon!
- In-Home Training SessionsOne-on-one & personalized 5 Sessions
- Group Park Training Sessions 6 Months
- Come
- Heel(walk with you without pulling)
- Sit(next to you & off leash at a distance)
- Off(furniture if desired)
- Quiet(stop excessive barking & whining)
- Place(go to bed)
- Down(next to you & off leash at a distance)
- Housebreaking / Potty Training
- Calm Anxiety & Build Confidence
- Get into Car or Kennel
- STOP Running Away
- STOP Jumping on People
- STOP Puppy Biting
- STOP Chasing Animals
- STOP Chewing
- STOP Digging
- Go home(go into kennel or dog house)
- Wait
- STOP Begging & Stealing Food
- STOP bolting through doors
Platinum
Pricing Coming Soon!
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 5 Sessions
- Group Park Training Sessions 8 Months
- Community Training SessionsOne-on-one with you & trainer 2 Sessions
- 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)
- Housebreaking / Potty Training
- Build Confidence
- Get into Car or Kennel
- STOP Running Away
- STOP Jumping on People
- STOP Puppy Biting
- STOP Chasing Animals
- STOP Chewing
- STOP Digging
- Go home(go into kennel or dog house)
- Wait
- STOP Begging & Stealing Food
- STOP bolting through doors
-
Choose to Address Advanced Concerns:
- Calm Anxiety
- Control Aggression (dog & human) -
Or Choose One Tailored Skill Below: *Specialized training options based upon your dog's abilities.
- Therapy dog training
See Details
- Emotional Support Dog Training
- Ride on a Golf Cart, Skateboard, or Wagon
- Stay with You on Jog, Hike, or Bike Ride
- Other Custom Command Approved by Trainer




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.
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!
We are absolutely thrilled with the Training that our Eddie received from Parker and Jason - we started with him as a puppy and everyone is amazed at how well he's doing for such a young dog. I recommend them to all of my neighbors. Well worth the money for a well behaved puppy!— Brenda Douglass
Posted June 8th 2023
After working with several dog trainers and still not achieving our intended goals, we contacted Josh with Dog Training Elite of Greater Cleveland. Josh was presented with an interesting duo— a 5 year old Yellow Lab set in his ways and holding a subtle dislike toward the 1 year old Black Lab with no manners. This resulted in nothing short of chaos in our home. After Josh’s evaluations of the dogs and explaining his program, it was evident that his training techniques and vast experience were a perfect fit to reach our intended goals. After our first training session, we began to see immediate results— the constant barking, jumping on people, and ill-behavior was extinguished. The results were immediate, consistent, and continuing. In terms of training sessions, certainly, there was an ease of scheduling each time, excellent communication/feedback from Josh, professionalism, efficiency, and clear explanations of the training technique and excellent follow up. With Josh’s training we are well on our way to having our dogs enhance our lives and enjoying their company. The support between sessions was always available. Josh’s training is unmatched. We couldn’t be more satisfied with the results. Without hesitation, I would strongly recommend Josh and Dog Training Elite of Greater Cleveland. Thank you Josh!— Terese Montag
Posted June 7th 2023
Parker and Jason are phenomenal dog trainers. We have a Malinois and worked with Parker in the home for 8 sessions. By the end of those 8 sessions my dog, Malcolm, was able to stay in his place while company came to the house. We also have been able to take him in public just about anywhere without fear of negative behavior. We have now “graduated” to the group sessions with Jason. These are so much fun for us and the dog because he has always struggled being around other dogs. I am so glad I invested in this training. Ultimately it has made my dog more confident and our bond stronger.— Taylor Netterville
Posted June 7th 2023
We are so pleased we chose your company for training. Malancy is so good at her job that we were fortunate to get her. We’ve come to love her and what isn’t to love. Our puppy has learned from the best of the best. We’re gonna miss her. This is the best training in this area.— Tom Gaumer
Posted June 7th 2023
Dog Training Elite is an incredible business. Parker is so slay and nose what to do. He is practically a medium for dogs, like a mind reader. What a fabulous lad.— Emme Haslam
Posted June 7th 2023
After using several other trainers with our Lady, we found Dog Training Elite Upstate at the home&garden show. We were so impressed with Jared’s techniques. Within one week we signed up our Lady up. Even with her knowing commands, she still had issues with other dogs. She was very protective of myself and her back yard. Jared and the other trainers managed to get her to realize it’s a safe place. We can’t say enough about Dog Training Elite Upstate. If you want the best training for your pooch, give them a call. Below is our girl, Lady after a day of training.—
Posted June 6th 2023
It was a pleasure working with Josh. We have a very stubborn young Labrador in Max. Josh was patient and worked well with Max. We saw immediate results after each session with Josh. We Highly recommend Josh.— William Shell
Posted June 6th 2023
Wow! This friendly, expert group of trainers provided consistently encouraging instruction for me and my pup. We enjoyed the comprehensive training sessions and would HIGHLY recommend DTE - but only if you want to see real, life-improving changes. I am so glad to be training with DTE!— Kathryn Walsh
Posted June 5th 2023
Full stars sorry i give the wrong star to wrong person..every helpful..really nice and helpful..high recommend— Daniela Vargas
Posted June 4th 2023
Cheyenne came out for first training visit for our border collie, Hubert. She is very knowledgeable and made sure we understand how to work with him on new skills. We had been taking him elsewhere for basic training before beginning his service dog training with Elite. The one exception was as she was leaving: she made a comment that we baby him too much; however she didn't give any examples so we would know how to correct it.— Donna Friesen
Posted June 4th 2023
Carrie is an amazing trainer! We’ve received so many complaints about our dog’s behavior since starting DTE. I would highly recommend the program for anyone who is looking for a caring trainer and program that works with both your dog and you!— Jonathan Seyferth
Posted June 2nd 2023
Calling DTE was one of the best things we’ve done for our dogs. Every single trainer was knowledgeable and true professionals. Money well spent.!!!— Stephanie McBride
Posted June 2nd 2023
Trainers are very patient and calm with my high anxiety puppy. They are able to get her to listen and obey commands without stressing out. Only 2 lessons in and see a huge improvement in her behavior.— Kimberly Olsen
Posted June 2nd 2023
Cheyenne is the ultimate dog whisperer. She is fantastic with our dog. I highly recommend them.— Rose Nelson
Posted June 2nd 2023
Amazing work! Our dog is learning so fast and listens so well. She is a bit stubborn so this is just an amazing experience to have her learn so quickly.— Valerie Ortiz
Posted June 2nd 2023
She was good explaining the things we worked on. She was very good with the dog. Very nice and very patient.— Gary Grady
Posted June 1st 2023
I tried to self train my dog, which went ok but we were not making the progress I wanted for her. Since we started training with DTE she has made exceptional progress after each season. Their entire group is dedicated to what is best for the dogs. Our experience has been wonderful!— Rae Beebe
Posted June 1st 2023
The staff over at Dog Training Elite are the best. I was amazed at how passionate the trainers are while working with your dog. This company definitely gets a 5 star review...Great Job Guys and Gals!!!!!— Barry Sawyer
Posted June 1st 2023
Classical conditioning works best for my dog, Jisoo. She becomes the rockstar of dog obedience and behavior skills while attending DTE training sessions. Currently, Jisoo is working hard to earn the Psychiatric Service Dog. Thank you so much to her DTE trainer, Colin, for the patience and persistence. I learned a lot about dog training. Kudos to DTE-Henderson!— Aidy Resurreccion
Posted June 1st 2023
Dog Training Elite has helped us train the dog of our dreams. Clint is fantastic, and his methods work. Our 10 month old mini schnauzer is very well behaved on and off leash. She’s great in public places, she’s a pleasure to be with, and people are always commenting on her good behavior. It definitely takes practice and repetition, but it’s worth all the time and $. We earnestly tried reward-only training, and it couldn’t touch the results we’ve gotten working with Dog Training Elite. I wouldn’t get another dog without enrolling them in the program. Don’t hesitate to get started.— Lowe Family
Posted May 31st 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.
Se habla español!
Proud Sponsor of The Malinois Foundation
At Dog Training Elite, 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 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.