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A happy, well trained dog from Dog Training Elite, your trusted source for dog training in Wilmington, NC
Elite, Award-winning

Dog Training in Wilmington, NC

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Dog Training Elite Wilmington - Dog Training Services in Wilmington, NC

Obedience Training

We believe sustained obedience comes from empowering owners and their dogs to build strong, lasting bonds through training.

All Training Programs
Dog Training Elite Wilmington - Service Dog Training in Wilmington, NC. Dog Training Elite

Service Dog Training

Built on 40+ years of experience, Dog Training Elite proudly leads the way in professional service dog training tailored to your needs.

Service Dog Programs
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Empowering Owners

We work with dogs of any breed, size or age - and we empower owners with lifelong skills to continue successes.

  • Leash Walking & Heel Training

  • Barking Issues

  • Aggression & Reactivity 

  • Separation Anxiety

  • Jumping & Hyperactivity 

  • Sitting & Stay Commands

  • Destructive Chewing & Digging

  • Recall Training (Come When Called)

  • Boundary Training (Off Furniture or Beds)

  • Vehicle Behavior

  • Training for Specific Tasks

  • And More

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Training Programs

Flexible & Customized for your Pet

At Dog Training Elite, we go beyond basic obedience and train dogs to excel in real-world situations. Our dog training in Wilmington, NC produces dogs that are prepared for real-world challenges and enrich your daily life. We focus on creating lifelong bonds of love and trust, helping your dog become a confident, trusted family member.

Dog Training Elite Wilmington - Dog Obedience Training in Wilmington, NC. DTE

Obedience Training

Our obedience training for dogs in Wilmington, NC is designed to teach essential commands and reinforce good behavior, ensuring your dog is well-mannered in any situation.

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Dog Training Elite Wilmington - Puppy Training in Wilmington, NC. Dog Training Elite

Puppy Training

Our puppy training in Wilmington, NC builds a strong bond between you and your new puppy by focusing on early socialization, basic commands, and good behavior.

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Dog Training Elite Wilmington - Service Dog Training in Wilmington, NC. Dog Training Elite

Service Dog Training

Our Wilmington service dog training turns dogs into dependable companions, trained to perform tasks like retrieving items, providing stability, or alerting to medical conditions.

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Dog Training Elite Wilmington - Anxiety & Aggressive Dog Training in Wilmington, NC

Anxiety & Aggression

Our Wilmington aggressive dog training targets and corrects behaviors driven by anxiety and aggression, helping your dog stay calm and well-behaved in challenging situations.

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Dog Training Elite Wilmington - Therapy Dog Training in Wilmington, NC

Therapy Dog Training

Our Wilmington therapy dog training equips dogs with the skills needed to provide comfort and emotional support in various settings. These trained dogs help reduce stress, ease anxiety, and improve the overall well-being of their owners.

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Dog Training Elite Wilmington - Group Class Dog Training in Wilmington, NC. DTE

Group Training

Our group dog training classes in Wilmington, NC offer a structured environment where dogs can learn and practice essential skills while socializing with other dogs and their owners.

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All Training Programs
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Our Story

Dog Training Elite Wilmington

Welcome to Dog Training Elite Wilmington! We are a professional, family owned In-home dog training company based in Wilmington, NC.

Our Owner and Lead Trainer Troy Chipps was one of the first Dog Handlers in the United States Marine Corps. We have over 40 years of experience specializing in strengthening the bond between your dog and your family, with a strong emphasis on teaching your dog Elite Obedience, despite even the toughest level of distractions. Our Wilmington, NC dog training programs are certain to meet all of your training needs. Unlike a lot of other dog training companies, we understand that each client has different needs, so we tailor our dog training programs to accommodate your unique situation. Dog Training Elite Wilmington also trains service animals and dogs ready to volunteer in the community as therapy dogs and companions to those with special needs.

About Us

Our Team

Kati - DTE Wilmington Founder & Owner
Kati
DTE Wilmington Founder & Owner

I'm Kati Chipps, a native of Idaho with a life full of adventure, love, and cherished connections. My childhood crush turned into the love of my life and husband (Troy, our Lead Trainer). We’ve created a wonderful family, including two amazing children, a delightful granddaughter, and many animals along the way. Our journey has been enriched by the company of dogs, horses, cats, rabbits, and even a couple of hedgehogs.

From a young age, rodeo captured my heart, where I mastered skills like barrel racing and team roping. Rodeo wasn't just a sport; it was a family tradition that deepened our bonds with each other and our horses. Training horses was my passion, and it grew into training many other animals, and understanding psychology at a deeper level.

After Troy retired from the Marine Corps (see his bio), we decided to make NC our permanent home. We especially love the coastal areas, and my love for the beach is rivaled only by my affection for animals.

As I settled into this coastal haven, I felt a deep desire to reconnect with my roots and the animals that have always brought me peace. Troy also missed working with dogs. Together we decided to start Dog Training Elite Wilmington, to share a lifetime of our training experiences with new friends. My favorite part of our business is that we train in your home, where you and your dog are the most comfortable. Our entire team is eager to visit with you, learn about your unique situation, and help build an elite connection between you and your best friend.

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Troy - DTE Wilmington Founder & Lead Trainer
Troy
DTE Wilmington Founder & Lead Trainer

Hi, I'm Troy Chipps! I grew up in a small town in Idaho. After graduating high school, I joined the Marines, where I landed a pretty incredible role as a Military Dog Handler stationed out of Jacksonville, NC. I had the distinct honor of being attached to the Secret Service, providing protection for President George H.W. Bush - an experience I'll forever cherish. Who would've thought man's best friend could be trained to detect explosives and protect the President?

After my time in the military, I started my family, and made sure dogs remained a big part of our lives. I love training dogs so much that my wife and I decided to start Dog Training Elite Wilmington. Now, I'm here to share my experiences, whether it's stories from my military days, insights into dog training, or simply enjoying the journey of making your dog the superstar they were born to be. My team is excited for the opportunity to meet your dog, embark on a journey together, and make tails wag! 🐶✨

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Meet the Team

Get Your Free Assessment

You and your canine companion really can have it all. See how easy it can be to become a member of the elite pup society by requesting a free consultation today!

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Hear From Our Customers

Learn Why Dog owners choose Dog Training Elite

  • Suzanne Jones
    Oct. 30, 2025
    The absolute best we could have ever done for our dog!! Katy had been fantastic!!
  • paige diane
    Oct. 18, 2025
    Anna and the entire team at DTE are absolutely amazing. We had Miller enrolled when she was fairly young so we were a bit nervous that it may be overwhelming for her, but Anna was able to build her confidence and was SO patient with her (and us!). With being not even 6 months old, her attention span, patience, temperament, and overall behavior has been absolutely amazing and we’re beyond impressed and know we couldn’t have done it without her. We’ve learned so much through her and are so thankful to have the tools to continue to help shape our puppy. So excited for group class!!! Couldn’t recommend enough!!
  • Markim Campbell
    Oct. 9, 2025
    We are so ever grateful for Katy we learned so much and she brought with her so much knowledge and information. Our take away was an incredible experience Katy taught us how to work with our dogs reactive behavior in different challenges and how to understand his anxieties we will continue to work with Katy as needed but we left our 10 weeks with so much more confidence then we had prior thank you to elite training and thank you katy
  • Ken Elliott
    Aug. 4, 2025
    I had an exceptional experience working with Katy Filger from Dog Training Elite of Wilmington. Her professionalism and expertise truly set her apart as a dog trainer. Katy’s attention to detail is remarkable—she provides clear, concise instructions that are easy for both dogs and their owners to follow. Her training sessions are highly interactive and engaging, creating a positive and productive environment for learning. Katy’s ability to connect with both the dogs and their humans fosters a collaborative and effective training experience. I wholeheartedly recommend Katy and Dog Training Elite of Wilmington to anyone seeking top-tier dog training services!
  • Kim Wood
    Jul. 2, 2025
    I just moved into a summer rental with my big dog Henry. He refused to go down the stairs. I called Elite and Katie was here within 3 hours. She was able to get him up and the stairs and treated him so well! Elite saved our vacation. Thank you Katie and the Elite Team! We are so grateful.
  • Debbie Linton
    Jun. 24, 2025
    We really enjoyed having Miss Katy our trainer and so did Bella . Bella has learned so much so have my husband and I. They have a wonderful training program . We can really see the difference in Bella so glad we chose Dog Training Elite Wilmington give it a try you and your pet will really benefit from it. Very sadisfied 😊
  • Toni Schollenberger
    Jun. 18, 2025
    What a wonderful experience we have had with our trainer Katy! She was patient, knowledgeable and extremely easy to work with. Our Emma, a one year old lab was having major jumping up and leash pulling issues. Katy taught us how to handle these issues and reinforce positive behavior. Emma is doing very well. We will continue to practice what we have learned. She is a work in progress. My husband and I are looking forward to Saturday group lessons with Emma. I highly recommend Elite Dog Training.
  • Brooke Meyers
    Jun. 17, 2025
    Amazing service, professionalism and patience needed for this phase of training! Thank you! Would highly recommend
  • Dominador Gobaleza
    May. 31, 2025
    Katie was amazing. Personable and professional. We noticed improvements with our dog throughout the process. Thank you!!
  • Amy Leigh Speck
    May. 29, 2025
    ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ I can’t say enough good things about my experience with Katy and this amazing dog training company! From the very first meeting, Katy was kind, professional, and genuinely invested in helping my dog, Tallulah, become her best self. Tallulah had been struggling with leash pulling and reactivity toward other dogs, and I was honestly feeling a little overwhelmed. But Katy came to my home, got to know us, and created a calm, supportive environment right from the start. Her approach was gentle, clear, and incredibly effective. The progress Tallulah made under Katy’s guidance was honestly more than I hoped for. Walks used to be stressful, but now I look forward to them—and I know Tallulah does too. Katy didn’t just train my dog—she gave me the tools and confidence to keep building on everything we learned. If you’re looking for a trainer who truly cares and knows what they’re doing, I couldn’t recommend Katy more. She was a joy to work with, and I’m so thankful we found her.
  • Paula Lowther
    May. 18, 2025
    I reached out to Elite out of desperation… I rescued a dog from the streets, she was abused and sick; skinny and with sores. After bringing her home, she and my Aussie had several major altercations that were scary and dangerous. After bringing Trainer Katy into our home for training, things turned around beautifully. She said we will prevent these altercations through obedience, and it worked! I am so thankful. The 2 dogs are co-existing, and even showing playful antics toward one another. I highly recommend Dog Training Elite! It’s been miraculous!
  • Henry
    May. 8, 2025
    I am looking forward to continuing the training of our dog (Daisy) with Katy her trainer. Katy was professional and easy to work with. She showed great patience with my wife and I because we have never been through a training course with any of our dogs. She deserves the praise. Hank Barr
  • Mary Barr
    May. 8, 2025
    We are so pleased with Daisy's results from working with Katy. She is soooo good at what she does. We've never used a dog trainer before and she exceeded all our expectations. I know it was a team effort between Daisy, me, my husband and Katy. But Katy was the one who made it happen. Thanks!
  • Sharon Roberts
    Apr. 25, 2025
    This is a fantastic group of people. Our golden is training to be a therapy dog and has gone from pulling to healing, staying and following all commands. Both Katie's are excellent. I love how our trainer, Katie, provides positive feedback as we work together. She provides just the right amount of instruction so I am not overwhelmed. It is evident that I am the one in training so Sally Mae and I are both learning to obey. If you are looking for a great program to train your puppy or dog, I highly recommend Elite! Sharon
  • Caitlin Sleight
    Apr. 2, 2025
    Katy was professional and knowledgeable about training our mini dachshund. He has learned new skills of how not to be reactive, basic commands, how to heel and walk with us, how not to bolt out the door when it’s open, be obedient and proper meet and greets with other dogs. She helped train us as the dog owners too, which is half the battle!
  • Patricia Hollingsworth
    Mar. 15, 2025
    We have a young Aussie doodle named Rocco. We were bound and determined to have a well trained dog this time around. After much research, we focused on Dog Training Elite Wilmington. We scheduled a consultation in which Kati came to our home. My husband and I were very impressed by her professionalism and the knowledge. We signed up for the premium package, even though the price tag seemed high at the time. Our dog trainer, Katy was on time for her all scheduled visits. Again, we were very impressed by her knowledge and how she immediately started working with Rocco from the moment she walked in the door. She explained everything that she was doing and why it was important. Ronco has just graduated with his 10th lesson and I have to tell you Dog Training Elite Wilmington is worth every penny. Rocco is still a puppy yet he can do all the basic commands and recalls. Katy even met with us in public places where I was having difficulty controlling Rocco. We are now able to walk through a busy store and Rocco will stay by my side, sit on command, lay down, and leave things alone, even when his sniffer is extra curious. I cannot say enough about Katy‘s knowledge, patience, and calm, cool collective approach she gives with every lesson. If you let her know of something that is not working, she immediately has a way to help solve it. I highly recommend Dog Training Elite Wilmington - you will not be sorry.
  • Stephanie McNeil
    Mar. 8, 2025
    Kati was very efficient and she helped me with one of my dogs Vader. She took her time to help my mom and I train him. Highly recommend Kati.
  • Alexus Chipps
    Nov. 16, 2024
    Katy was absolutely amazing! She was consistent and reliable! She didn’t just help train our dog, she helped us with a system that can easily be maintained! Highly recommend!!
  • Don Bullard
    Sep. 20, 2024
    Excellent professionalism and experienced trainer. Working together we accomplished a lot with my Frenchie. Highly recommend.
  • Paula Mazzoccante
    Aug. 20, 2024
    The training for my golden was a fantastic experience in all aspects ! I was dealing with a lovable, energetic, sweet 4 year old pup that would not walk on a leash and immediately would hide when I would bring the leash out. Katy immediately developed a bond with her and soon developed a trust with her. Katy was patient and knowledgeable in her techniques. It was surprising how fast my dog began to respond to her training. I highly recommend Elite to anyone with a dog in need of training. Katy provided excellent recommendations and was professional and pleasant to work with even for the owner who also may need training! 😃
Reviews & Testimonials
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We Train Every Breed

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Each dog breed has different behaviors and personalities due to a combination of genetics, selective breedings, and environmental factors. At Dog Training Elite, we work with every dog. Our team understands canine behavior and the unique challenges of every breed.

We don’t believe in a one-size-fits-all approach. Instead, we apply specific breed training techniques to bring out the best in your dog. From impulse control in terriers to focused mental stimulation for herding breeds, we’ll work with you and your dog to design a personalized training plan.

Local Dog Training Services in Wilmington

And Surrounding Areas

Boiling Spring Lakes
Carolina Beach
Hampstead
Kure Beach
Leland
New Hanover County
Oak Island
Southport
Wilmington
Wrightsville Beach
A DTE trained dog - we are a proud veteran owned business!
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Dog Training Elite Wilmington is a

Proud Veteran
Owned Business

As a proud veteran-owned business, we bring the values of discipline, commitment, and service to our dog training programs. We are especially committed to supporting fellow veterans and their families. Our background drives us to deliver the highest standards in training, focused on building strong, trustworthy bonds between dogs and their owners.

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Dog Training in Wilmington, NC

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At Dog Training Elite, we’ve seen how DIY dog training can lead to inconsistent results and frustration. Our qualified professionals bring the expertise needed to assess your dog’s unique needs and apply methods that work. Choosing experienced trainers makes a noticeable difference in attaining reliable, lasting behavior changes.

We rely on a balanced training method that delivers lasting results, even with the most challenging dogs. Our trainers are skilled in addressing any behavioral issue and can help your dog to reach their full potential with encouragement and proven techniques.

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Professional Wilmington Dog Trainers

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Pet owners often have many options when it comes to dog training, including low-cost, quick-fix programs that claim immediate results. However, our training methods stand apart by focusing on sustainable, long-term success rather than temporary fixes. We provide a high standard of expert dog training that is built to last, ensuring that you and your dog benefit from a deeper, enduring bond and advanced obedience that continues over time.

Investing in effective dog training is one of the most valuable choices you can make for your pet’s health, behavior, and happiness. Our trainers are dedicated to delivering personalized training plans that target your dog’s unique needs, going beyond basic obedience to include specialized behavioral work and service dog training. Our goal is to be the last dog trainers you’ll ever need — bringing advanced training quality to the Wilmington, NC area for lasting, meaningful results.

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Educate, Empower, Elevate, Elite

Unleash Your Dog's Potential

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Award-Winning
Dog Training

With Dog Training Elite

At Dog Training Elite, we are proud to offer training services recognized for outstanding results and effective methods. With skilled trainers dedicated to helping dogs and their owners build strong, lasting relationships, we guarantee your dog receives the best care and guidance.

Our programs cover everything from basic obedience to advanced behavior modification, customized to your dog’s needs. Whether you’re addressing behavioral issues, improving obedience, or strengthening your bond, our methods deliver reliable results.

Experience the difference our award-winning training can make in your dog’s life.

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