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Puppy Training and Socialization


Puppy Socialization Classes

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The Importance of Early Socialization for Puppies

Bringing home a new puppy to the family is an exciting and memorable time! There are many things to do, like potty training, obedience training, introducing your puppy to friends and family, veterinarian visits, and lots of snuggles and puppy playtime! It can be a lot, but it's important not to let things like socialization slip through the cracks. One of the most important things you can do with your puppy during the first few weeks they are home is socialization.

Properly socializing your puppy is critical to ensure they live a healthy and happy life. During socialization, you will expose your puppy to new sights, sounds, smells, people, and experiences. Doing so will desensitize them to things that might cause fear or unwanted behavior. One of the best ways to effectively socialize your puppy is in puppy socialization classes. Dog Training Elite offers guided classes for puppies that introduce them to other dogs and people in a safe and clean environment. To learn more, schedule a free training demo today!

Dog Training Elite has top puppy socialization classes.
This cute puppy is ready for training with Dog Training Elite's puppy behavior experts!

When to Socialize Your Puppy

Socialization for dogs should be happening throughout their lifetime. Still, getting a good start as early as possible is always best. Socialization for puppies starts at just three weeks old as they begin to engage with their littermates and the world around them. The "sensitive period of socialization," when puppies are primed and ready to try new things, is from 3–14 weeks of age. Because puppies can go to new homes at around eight weeks old, you only have a small window to get that necessary socialization done.

You can start Dog Training Elite puppy socialization classes as soon as you bring your puppy home at eight weeks old! Our classes are puppy safe and provide an excellent opportunity for your puppy to meet new dogs and people and have new experiences outside your home.

What Does Puppy Socialization Look Like?

Puppy socialization is not about teaching new commands or obedience but creating a positive experience around new stimuli. Puppy socialization can look like taking them around your neighborhood, letting them hear and smell things at their own pace, and offering plenty of positive reinforcement and soft treats. It can also look like introducing them to a friend's healthy dog in a safe place and allowing them to greet the dog and learn about social cues and behavior from them, all while offering treats and praise.

Our puppy socialization classes teach your puppy that even if something is new, it can be safe and fun to explore! We create opportunities for your puppy to safely meet new dogs, smell new things, hear new sounds, walk on different surfaces, and meet new friendly people. Socialization is all about removing fear and entering new situations with curiosity. We do this by ensuring they are in a safe environment and offering plenty of positive reinforcement and puppy treats.

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.


Dog Training Elite is the top company near you that uses professional positive dog training methods.
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.

See Our Pricing

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!

Totally thrilled with the training our first pup has received. She is learning rapidly and we feel more confident daily about her ability to respond appropriately in a wide variety of scenarios. Including the endless quick feedback and tips we get via texts.
— Kaiden Kelly
Posted July 22nd 2024
google
Excellent staff who is very knowledgeable and caring of you and your dog. You do have to pra tice though i it won't stick
— John Heister
Posted July 21st 2024
google
If I could give this operation 100 stars, I would. We have been taking our new 10 month old beagle, which we purchased from a Craigslist ad to Dog Training Elite St. Louis for 1 week. Before Dog Training Elite, our new pup was an out of control dog with no purpose. She barked/howled incessantly and tried to chew everything in our house. We’ve had a beagle before, so we know their temperaments, and this one was off the charts. After one week at Dog Training Elite, our new pup obeys commands, has stopped pulling on leash, and no longer screams and cries in her kennel. We still have 1 more week of daily in person training and 6 more months of group training with this crew. We are so excited to see even more progress with our pup:) This operation has been worth their weight in gold. The entire staff (if I could name them all, I would) from Matt to Alecia to Tyler, the crew at Dog Training Elite St. Louis has been professional, flexible and positive. We never thought we would have anyone other than us train our pups, but this new pup of ours really pushed our limits. Without Dog Training Elite, we would not have been able to tolerate our new beagle. Thanks to Dog Training Elite St. Louis, we now have an amazing new addition to our family, who we will be able to enjoy for years to come:)
— Gina Weeks
Posted July 21st 2024
google
Truly couldn’t recommend Dog Training Elite enough. I had a very reactive “aggressive” puppy that I was very close to dropping off at the pound and running as far as I could. I did the puppy den program and I have a completely different dog. He is sweet, loves other dogs and people, is confident and so well behaved. Jeff, Dalin, and Jake are Amazing and so so knowledgeable. They gave me all the tools that I could practice at home to be successful in training Billy. The in home training was so helpful. They were always right on time and attentive to what we needed help with. They continue to give me support with any questions or anything I’ve needed. Scheduling and communication has been awesome as well. Definitely worth the investment! There’s nothing better than a well behaved puppy/dog! So grateful for every single one of them!
— Lara Draper
Posted July 16th 2024
google
Banjo and I have been part of the DTE family for over a year. We love everyone there! Every single person there is so knowledgeable and truly knows what is best for Banjo and myself. I can’t say enough nice things about DTE and will always reccomend them for any of your training needs. I’m truly grateful for everything they’ve done for me and Banjo!
— Amanda Downes
Posted July 15th 2024
facebook
Banjo and I have been part of the DTE family for over a year. We love everyone there! Every single person there is so knowledgeable and truly knows what is best for Banjo and myself. I can’t say enough nice things about DTE and will always reccomend them for any of your training needs. I’m truly grateful for everything they’ve done for me and Banjo!
— Amanda Downes
Posted July 15th 2024
facebook
A few months ago I brought our puppy a Frenchie and Boston mixed Arlo to be accessed. I wanted to know if he would make a good service/therapy dog for my PTSD as a combat veteran. Colleen the owner met with me and Arlo that day. She did the assessment and showed us what kind of discipline we could expect from the training with another of her dogs. I was pleased to find out Arlo had the right temperament for the training. He was still a bit young so we had to wait some months before he would be mature enough for the training to be effective. Colleen and her team worked with me on the costs and a payment plan. They stayed in touch and reached out when Arlo was old enough. We started to schedule his training for 3 weeks there at the center. Our situation changed and so we are moving to Florida in about a month. Colleen felt that although we could get his training at the center done in 3 weeks. The ongoing support and additional group training would not be enough time. She reached out to another franchisee in Florida where we are moving and made sure we could start the training there with them and be able to have the close community and ongoing support. I really appreciate her taking the time to make sure mine and Arlo's best interest were put first over closing a sale. I appreciate the respect and courtesy given to me in my situation. I hope these remarks help someone with their decision to place their trust in this company and Colleen. Thanks So Much For Everything! Jeremy W.
— Jeremy Willes
Posted July 11th 2024
google
Evan and his team have worked tirelessly with me from the start. He drove several hours to help me choose the perfect pup! The team at Dog Training Elite was there for all of my silly questions and late night freakouts! Thanks! We are now over a year into our training and the team is still keeping tabs on us and helping us with tune ups!
— Chris Gravett
Posted February 15th 2024
google
Highly recommend Dog Training Elite! We trained our German Shepherds through their program and love everything about it. The care and attention to detail they have for dogs is incomparable. Kai is a phenomenal trainer!
— Haley Schenasi
Posted July 7th 2024
google
Dallin, dog training elite, frankly all the employees we’ve worked with or that have worked with our puppy coco have been fantastic. We’re new to the puppy/dog ownership process and dog training elite came highly recommend from dear friends of ours. We had an assessment and then opted for the whole den puppy package. Whether it’s been the flexibility and willingness to accommodate when I’ve needed to change appointment times, or making sure my questions and concerns are answered and addressed and proper techniques taught with each visit, our experience has been amazing. The trainers and facility staff have always been very professional and it’s been a delight anytime Dallin or Jeff have come to our home. They have given me the confidence to know how to train a dog and frankly that we can be a dog family and that everyone, including little coco, can thrive and be successful. We would highly recommend dog training elite to anyone looking for stellar dog training.
— Joseph Wixom
Posted July 7th 2024
google
My dog started training 2 weeks ago and is already a different boy. In the 3 obedience commands he has learned over all he has just become more obedient and less aggressive. I love my trainer and so does my dog. I love that they are able to train without turning my dog into a robot, he is still my sassy baby boy. He just also now listens. It has been completely worth it!
— Kaitlyn Bradshaw
Posted July 4th 2024
google
I have loved working with Dog Training Elite! The dog trainers truly care for the dogs and cater to their needs. The therapy dog program is amazing and has been very rewarding. Investing in my dog and sending him to dog training elite has been the best!
— Andrea Jensen
Posted July 3rd 2024
google
Dog training elite is an amazing operation. The staff is very friendly and really cares about their clients and pets. My dog Kona has done amazing, from their training. She can go into public places, sit, down, place, and heel. She has become very obedient. They have also helped her become very social with other dogs. I have complete confidence in her safety and health while she is in their care.
— zac barber
Posted July 3rd 2024
google
I do believe that they deserve a five star but I have only been training with my pup for 10 weeks so I can't fully give them an honest five just yet. I would like to make the complaint that I really wish I could tag them in the many posts that I like to give them credit for but I'm not able to tag then. With all that said about the business in general, I must give a huge shout out to number one: Matt, my original contact and an amazingly helpful person in so many different ways! Very friendly, response to messages in a timely manner and has so much knowledge in so many answers for you. Number two: Michelle, our trainer, has been absolutely fabulous! She it's not only there for the service dogs training but is also there for the client in numerous ways! She is very in tune with my health issues and is also very understanding about them. She is also very patient with my episodes that I may have while we are trying to train. She continues to do her job while still being compassionate about my Health situation at that moment. But she does not give up on the dog just because I have an episode. I would like to also add that whoever chose to put Michelle with me, made an amazing decision! We definitely work well together and have experienced a lot of the same types of issues that make her even more compassionate towards my situation. What more can I say? I've already written a book here.
— Michelle Downey
Posted July 1st 2024
google
Great program and staff! We are happy we went with this company. They have been absolutely amazing!
— Gumaro Obregon
Posted June 29th 2024
google
I loved Dog Training Elite! They were very professional and helped us know how to best work with our puppy. They can't wave a magic wand and produce a perfectly trained dog but they CAN give you all the tools needed to create that dog. My puppy loved her training time and we love that we can continue shaping her behavior. Thank you!
— Jennie Ward
Posted June 28th 2024
google
Tyler was absolutely amazing!!!!
— Heather Mackin
Posted June 26th 2024
google
We have nothing but good things to say about Dog Training Elite. We had two dogs trained here, one as a service dog, one as a companion. We are so pleased with the results. 100% recommend this service for anyone with a dog.
— Chas McClure
Posted June 25th 2024
google
We love Dog Training Elite! Prior to training, our two reactive corgis were unmanageable. They were extremely aggressive and causing each other harm. After just one session with Tyler, our corgis George and Sam already made significant progress. They listened better and were fighting way less. Now, with one session to go, it’s like we have two new dogs! They are extremely well behaved! We can open the gate to our patio and they don’t run out. We can walk both of them without any issues with barking or seeing other dogs. The progress they have made has been life changing. We are so grateful for the help!!!
— Alyssa Haydon
Posted June 19th 2024
google
We are in our 5th home training session and I'm doing fantastic 👏 of course my 8 months old has taught me alot during the training.
— P H
Posted June 17th 2024
google

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This woman snuggles a cute pup, grateful for Dog Training Elite's expert tips and training.

Benefits of Early Puppy Socialization Classes


Proper puppy socialization from a young age offers many benefits as dogs grow. Socialization teaches puppies about the world from a place of safety and curiosity instead of fear and anxiety. Doing this allows them to enter any situation confidently, which grants you the freedom to bring them along for the ride as you both experience life.

Starting socialization with your puppy as early as possible will give them the best chance of learning that new things aren't bad or scary. When a puppy is not allowed to desensitize and get comfortable with new sights, sounds and smells, they may become overly fearful and unwilling to try something new, which creates a very small and scary world for them.

Give your puppy the best chance at a happy and exciting life with our Dog Training Elite puppy socialization classes! Our classes will allow them to safely engage with new dogs, people, and experiences so they can grow up to be confident and curious dogs.

Find a class near you today!

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