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Three lab puppies - Dog Training Elite offers the best puppy classes in Wilmington, NC.

Professional

Puppy Training Classes

Dog Training Elite Wilmington

Request Free Assessment

Request Free Assesment

Our Puppy Training Classes Could Help:

Teach basic obedience commands
Improve socialization skills
Reduce unwanted behaviors
Strengthen the bond with your puppy
Build confidence in new environments
Encourage proper leash manners
Promote calm behavior around distractions
Prepare for advanced training

Professional Training with Dog Training Elite

Puppy Classes in Wilmington, NC

Bringing home a new puppy is an exciting time for any family! Puppies love to cuddle, play, and explore, but they also have much to learn before becoming well-behaved companions. Puppies can start training as soon as they come home at eight weeks old, and the benefits of training young will last their whole lifetime.

If you’re searching for professional Wilmington puppy training classes, Dog Training Elite is your top choice.

We offer free in-home consultations to get your puppy on the right track from day one. Our experienced trainers work closely with you to customize a program that meets your goals and your puppy's needs.

From basic obedience to socialization classes and advanced service training, Dog Training Elite is here to guide you every step of the way.

Learn more about our specialized puppy training programs and give us a call to start your puppy’s journey toward a happy, confident life!

See Training Packages

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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FAQs

One of our trainers will visit your home to meet you and your dog and discuss any issues you're facing. We will then demonstrate one of our model dogs so you can see what you can expect after hiring our trainers. From there, we will discuss the various packages we offer and which we feel best suit your (and your dog's) needs.
We provide full obedience training that covers all basic commands, both on and off-leash. Our in-home visits target specific issues like counter-surfing, digging, and more. Unlike some trainers, we work with all breeds, including those often considered challenging.
Yes. You (and anyone in your family who wants to be involved) are integral to your dog getting trained. We need you to practice 5-6 days a week, about 15-20 minutes a day for optimal results.
Once a week. We come to you (with the silver, gold and platinum packages) once a week to start your dog off, then you come to park sessions which are held once a week in Wilmington.
We train dogs of all breeds, sizes, and temperaments. Whether your dog is a tiny Chihuahua or a large Mastiff, we have the experience and expertise to work with them.
A girl hugging her pup - deepen your bond and more when you choose Wilmington puppy training classes with Dog Training Elite.

Dog Training Elite Wilmington

The Benefits of Puppy Training

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Our classes help your pup grow into a well-behaved dog. Here are a few benefits you can expect from choosing our elite training:

  • Deepen Your Bond With Your Puppy: Training your puppy – and continuing training with new tricks as they get older – is a great way to bond closely. Puppies have a natural desire to please and will learn to rely on you for guidance and direction, establishing a foundation of trust and love.
  • Socialize Your Dog: Obedience training, especially with group classes, helps dogs become comfortable and well-socialized around other dogs and people. This is important for when you want to take your dog on walks or invite people into your home.
  • Improve Your Dog’s Safety: Training your dog to listen and obey your commands will help them stay safe in any situation. Learning commands like “down,” “leave it,” “stop,” and “wait” can keep your dog safe from messing with dangerous things like electrical cords and other situations outdoors.
  • Provide Mental Stimulation: Good dogs can become bad dogs if they don’t have a way to work out physical and mental energy. Training as a lifelong pursuit is a great way to challenge your dog mentally and keep them engaged.
A puppy in training with Dog Training Elite professionals.

Dog Training Elite Wilmington

Puppy Training Class Prices

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When you train your dog with Dog Training Elite, you get the most bang for your buck. Not only do we offer a variety of programs, but Dog Training Elite trainers are building on over 50 years of experience.

At Dog Training Elite, we are dedicated to open communication, clear timelines, and providing transparent, honest puppy training class prices. Dog Training Elite trainers love what they do and aim to build a community for clients who love their dogs just as much as we do

We specialize in strengthening the bond between your dog and your family. With our focus on positive reinforcement and classic conditioning, we create dogs who truly desire to please from the inside out.

More Classes We Offer

Dog Training Elite Wilmington -
Schooling Your Pup in Obedience
Dog Training Elite Wilmington -
Academy

Hear From Our Customers

Learn Why Dog owners choose Dog Training Elite

  • 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! 😃
  • Laurie McGeoghegan
    Jun. 3, 2024
    This program was a wonderful fit for me and my dog, Finn. Our trainer, Katy, is excellent to work with. Katy is patient, kind, knowledgable and Finn loved her (and I did, too!)! I purchased the platinum plan which includes 10 in-home training sessions and then unlimited group classes. Katy came to our house each time on time and ready to work, and Finn really responded to the training techniques. I feel confident that I have better command of Finn now and he learned a few cool tricks, as well. I would absolutely recommend Dog Training Elite of Wilmington and we look forward to beginning our group classes on Saturday! Thank you, Katy! We will miss our Mondays with you!
  • Shirley Tedesco
    Feb. 2, 2024
    My name is Shirley and my dog Brandy. We live in a suburb of Wilmington, N.C. 4 years ago, I rescued Brandy from a shelter. She was 10 months old. She has from day one, been a very energetic and friendly, loving dog. However, she displayed the following behavioral issues: 1) pulling on the leash (I had to stop walking her, 2) jumping on people, 3) not coming when called 4) Very aggressive when seeing other dogs. She now is 5yrs old and continues to be sweet and loving. But she had been far from obedient. I had enrolled her in a number of dog training classes including a 3week stay at a boot camp obedience program that all proved to be unsuccessful. At the boot camp. I was informed that she did well there. On her last day of training, I was given a demonstration of how obedient she was with the trainers. However, as the dog owner, I was provided with less than 2 hours of training instructions. After the amount of money that I had paid for what I thought would be “good training” turned out to be extremely disappointed. I had resigned myself to never having Brandy becoming an obedient pup. It was disheartening. And then I discovered while browsing the WEB, “ELITE AWARD WIINNING DOG TRAINING***** in Wilmington. After reading their positive reviews, their mission statements, and meeting with the Owner, I enrolled Brandy in their training program. Darren and Katy who I now refer to as “my Angels” provided the training and so much support. All training was done at my home where Brandy was the most comfortable. The results far exceeded my expectations for both Brandy and myself. Darren and Katy are phenomenal trainers. Their philosophy in training dogs is unique and uses gentle guidance. The training session were always fun and engaging for both Brandy and me. Every training session began with playing with Brandy and ending the session with play time again. She always looked forward to their visits. Katy and Darren were always patient and supportive, answering all my questions and addressing all concerns. Their support included checking in with me between training sessions and addressing any questions/concerns I had and providing recommendations as needed. This never occurred with any of the prior training programs. I was also given homework assignments and tips to practice at home and reinforce what was learned during each training session. After only a few weeks of training, Brandy is a completely different dog. She... • No longer pulls on her leash nor gets distracted. Our walks are longer and enjoyable. • Comes immediately when I call her. • Greets people without jumping on them. • Does not try to “escape” when someone comes to the door. • Has become sweeter and more loving. • Is a happier dog and I am a happier human. Darren and Katy helped me achieve all my goals. I am so very grateful for all their work and all their support.
  • Cedric Green
    Jan. 4, 2024
    Loved the service came out to my home and trained my 13 week old shi tzu zak the trainer was lovely and very helpful definitely recommend
  • Kathleen Gilliam
    Jan. 1, 2024
    I got a new puppy recently and Hayley came and helped me set her up for success! She provided awesome tips and was super friendly, I'm very satisfied and can't wait for another session in the future!
  • Leanne Young
    Dec. 20, 2023
    I was having trouble walking my strong black lab who likes to take the lead and pull me down the street. He often gets distracted, and wants to follow a scent and would end up dragging me into bushes or the grass. It was painful to say the least. I tried using treats, a gentle leader leash and a pinch collar to keep him next to me without success. I called Dog Training Elite because I couldn’t take it anymore. Caden came to my house for a free consultation. After testing my dog’s ability to obey commands, Caden assured me the technique they use would train him to walk beside me on our walks. I CANNOT believe the difference the training has made! It took 3 sessions, with daily training from me in between. The trainer, Mark was very detailed and thorough as to what I needed to do to get the behavior I needed from my dog. He was patient with me and spelled out everything I need to know. I am beyond thankful! I now have a dog who walks beside me. I would give this company a 10 star review if I could!
  • diana topjian
    Dec. 20, 2023
    We had an amazing experience with the team and 2 of our pups we currently have under rescue. In the short time they worked with them, the difference was truly impressive. Thank you! #freedombridgeanimalrescuenc
  • Abby Ramsey
    Dec. 6, 2023
    We loved working with the Dog Training Elite team! We did their puppy training with our 3 month old Labrador Retriever. They gave us the tools to teach our puppy basic commands and laid the foundation for a well-behaved pup. It was super helpful to have access to the trainers via text or call if we had any questions or needed advice (even over a holiday weekend!). We can't wait to work with them more!
  • Alexandria Price
    Nov. 10, 2023
    Katy is the best and I cannot recommend her enough!! I loved working with her and my pups love her even more!!
  • Averee Gerold Coley
    Nov. 5, 2023
    Darren and Kati joined us and our pup this afternoon. It was a great experience with educational tips and tricks to help our dog listen and love to learn. 5 out of 5 stars! We will be booking more sessions.
  • Kiernan Berger
    Oct. 31, 2023
    What a great experience this has been. We had a good dog and he’s only gotten better. The knowledge from the trainers goes beyond teaching our dog to be better, but has helped us be better owners for our dog. The difference in a few short weeks is nothing short of life changing for our family.
  • Madison Berger
    Oct. 30, 2023
    I’d highly recommend Dog Training Elite to anyone. The dog trainers are fantastic and in just a couple of weeks we saw drastic improvements in our dog. We are so thankful for Dog Training Elite!
  • JAKE MOORE
    Oct. 19, 2023
    Great attention to detail. Would highly recommend to friends and family.
  • Ramiro Rodriguez
    Oct. 18, 2023
    Very professional and knowledgeable in dog training. Their trainers were able to assist with training our Irish Setter with ease and ensure that we understood what was needed to be good dog parents and have a successful program. Highly recommended for anyone looking for top quality dog training and professional services! 🦮🐾

Dog Training Elite Wilmington

Training Essentials for Your Puppy

Here are a few puppy training tips from the expert team at Dog Training Elite! If you have any questions or want to see these methods in action, give us a call. We are more than happy to show you a demonstration and provide you with a glimpse of what our professional team can do!

At Dog Training Elite, we believe in positive reinforcement and yummy treats do the trick! We recommend a high-quality, berry-sized reward that your puppy will enjoy. Rewarding your dog while training teaches them that you approve of that behavior and maintains their motivation to perform well.
Because you’ll be handing out lots of treats, you will probably want a treat bag or pouch. There are many options out there with different sizes, shapes, and ways to carry. The benefit of getting a treat pouch is the ease of access and the ability to reward your puppy quickly. If you aren’t interested in getting a treat pouch, we recommend getting a small bag to carry you puppy’s rewards.
A clicker is a great tool to have along with rewards when training a puppy. With a clicker, you can immediately provide a positive sound when your dog performs a correct behavior, and then you can reward them with a treat. Pairing a clicker with treats is a great way to instill positive reinforcement because you teach your dog that they get a treat when they hear a click. You can buy many kinds of clickers at your local pet store, and they even have helpful clicker apps.
A good leash is another essential when bringing home a new puppy. We suggest a leash made of a durable material like leather and about 6 feet long to allow for comfortable room for both of you. Training your dog on a leash will set you up for fun walks in the future, keep your dog safe, and prevent them from getting lost while out of the house. It is also beneficial for an excited puppy who wants to run around and play while training.
You'll need a sturdy collar or harness to attach a leash while training. Deciding between a flat collar or body harness is up to your personal preference, but it is good to consider your dog's comfort and demeanor. A collar is necessary while training and for safety while out and about. A collar/harness is also the best place to attach the identification for your puppy. If anything happened to your dog, you'd be glad you had a collar with your information on it!
Getting a dog crate is a great way to housetrain your puppy. You will want to get a durable and safe crate for your dog that has enough room for them to be comfortable. You want the crate to be a place of calm and safety for your dog, not a punishment zone. Getting your puppy crate trained gives you a safe space in your home to keep them while they are unsupervised and also prevents unwanted behaviors like chewing or peeing inside.
A group of dogs being trained by the expert team at Dog Training Elite Wilmington.
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A Dog Training Elite trainer and owner working with a dog in Wilmington, NC.

Dog Training Elite Wilmington

Start Training Today

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The early months of your puppy’s life are crucial for developing good behavior, confidence, and a strong bond with your family. At Dog Training Elite, we offer specialized training tailored to your dog’s unique needs.

We focus on essential skills like obedience, socialization, and more. Our experienced trainers are committed to helping your puppy grow into a well-mannered companion that will be a joy to have at home and in any environment.

Call us today to schedule a free consultation and get a head start on your puppy’s training journey!