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A golden retriever holding a grocery bag, our obedience training can help with these daily tasks.

Professional

Obedience Training

Dog Training Elite Wilmington

Request Free Assessment


Request Free Assessment


Our Obedience Dog Training Could Help:

Basic commands
Improved behavior
Socialization
Leash manners
Bonding
Mental stimulation
Confidence building
Impulse control
Good manners in public

Dog Training Elite

Wilmington Dog Obedience Training

One of Dog Training Elite’s most popular training services is obedience training, which includes in-home sessions and group classes. Obedience training is essential for dogs to become confident, well-behaved, and loyal pets.

A well-trained dog is better equipped to handle new environments, meet new people, and engage with other pets. By teaching them boundaries and commands, you create a safe, structured environment where they can shine as loyal and loving companions.

Starting obedience training early for puppies sets the foundation for lifelong good behavior. It’s never too late to start—older dogs can also benefit from our proven Wilmington dog obedience training techniques.

Our services are high quality and thorough; we work hard to ensure your dogs are properly trained and ready to safely explore the world around them.

See Training Packages
A golden retriever puppy laying on the floor with its owner, contact us today for Wilmington dog obedience training.

Our Obedience Programs


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  • Agility Through Basic Obedience Training: Mental stimulation meets physical activity with our Agility Through Basic Obedience Training. This specialized training will keep your dog active and improve mental function by combining high-energy tasks with learned discipline.
  • Puppy Obedience Training: Start your new companion off on the right paw with Puppy Obedience Training. By starting training early, you’ll ensure a well-behaved, confident, and responsive dog ready to interact with the world outside the home.
  • Positive Reinforcement Training: We use Positive Reinforcement Training and ongoing praise to encourage good behavior. Reward-based training methods encourage your dog’s natural desire to please and help develop your dog into a loyal companion.
  • Off-Leash Dog Training: Freedom to let your dog off-leash on hikes, at parks, or at the beach requires a responsive and obedient dog. Our Off-Leash Dog Training will train your dog to promptly respond to commands, even when they’re not at your side.
  • Classical Conditioning Training: Classical Conditioning Training replaces negative behaviors with positive ones when the dog encounters an external stimulus. This training helps dogs become confident and trustful when their owner is present.

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!

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! 🦮🐾
A Dog Training Elite Wilmington owner smiling with his dog in Wilmington, NC.

Dog Training Elite

Why Obedience Training is Essential

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Obedience training is an essential investment for dog owners, especially those who have never owned a dog before. Training is a fundamental step to rearing an intelligent and well-behaved dog. Without even basic obedience training, a dog will be unable to learn more advanced skills, safely leave the house, or go off-leash.

Benefits of obedience training:

  • Safety: Obedient dogs are less likely to engage in dangerous behavior, such as fighting, biting, aggressive barking, or running away. As they learn to trust and listen to their owner, they will respond to commands and stay calm in threatening situations.
  • Socialization: Puppies must be socialized with other dogs to know how to positively interact with other animals and people. Without socialization, they begin to look at animals and people as threats, which leads to unsafe behaviors.
  • Behavior: Nondangerous but unwanted behaviors such as barking, pulling, jumping, and begging can all be minimized with proper obedience training.
  • Confidence and stability: When properly trained, dogs will become more confident, and comfortable in all different environments. Dogs will be more trustful while interacting with new environments and take away the stress of bringing them out with you.
A golden retriever playing with its owner during a class in Wilmington, NC.

Effective Training Through Positive Reinforcement and Classical Conditioning

Our Obedience Training Methods

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The goal of obedience training is in the name–training a dog to obey commands reliably. Obedience training for dogs can be lengthy and requires repetition, consistency, and positive reinforcement to achieve lasting results.

This training involves teaching a puppy or dog basic commands like sit, come, heel, or down. Dog Training Elite trainers also use obedience training to teach commands more unique to your situation.

  • Positive Reinforcement: Desired behaviors can be encouraged with positive reinforcement and reward-based training. Rewards satisfy your dog's natural desire to please and create a strong bond between dog and owner.
  • Customized Approach: We recognize that every dog is different, from breed to temperament, and because of that, they may be predisposed to certain behaviors. After meeting your dog, we will customize a training plan to meet their unique needs.
  • Professional Trainers: Dog Training Elite has highly experienced trainers who prioritize building trust between dog and owner. With years of experience to draw on, they successfully use communication and patience to get the behavioral results you want for your dog.
  • Long-Term Results: Our training methods are designed to produce lasting behavioral changes in dogs of all breeds and ages. Consistency and repetition are necessary for proper obedience training, but when you commit to training, you will be impressed with the results.

Additional Obedience Training Info

Dog Training Elite Wilmington - Classical Conditioning Dog Training in Wilmington, NC. DTE
Classical Conditioning Training

Classical conditioning dog training in Wilmington, NC, also known as Pavlovian or respondent conditioning, is a dog training method that involves creating automatic responses to specific commands. This approach taps into a dog’s natural reflexes, making training more effective and instinctive.

Dog Training Elite Wilmington - Positive Reinforcement Dog Training in Wilmington, NC. DTE
Positive Reinforcement Training

Positive reinforcement dog trainers in Wilmington, NC focus on rewarding dogs for good behavior to encourage them to repeat it. Using treats, praise, or play, these trainers help your dog learn quickly and happily, building a strong bond and creating a well-behaved, motivated companion.

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

Taking advantage of our Wilmington puppy obedience classes is crucial for setting your puppy on the path to becoming a well-behaved and confident adult dog. Early training helps instill essential commands and good behavior, preventing future issues and strengthening the bond between you and your puppy.

Dog Training Elite Wilmington - Off Leash Dog Training in Wilmington, NC. Dog Training Elite
Off Leash Training

Our off-leash dog training in Wilmington, NC, helps your dog achieve complete freedom and control, even in distracting environments. With expert guidance, we’ll teach your dog to follow commands confidently without the need for a leash, giving you both greater flexibility and trust in your dog's behavior.

Dog Training Elite Wilmington -
Agility Through Basic Obedience Training

While we don't offer formal agility dog training in Wilmington, NC, our basic obedience programs can significantly enhance your dog's agility. By focusing on essential commands and improving coordination, speed, and focus, your dog will develop the skills and discipline that naturally improve their agility and overall physical abilities.

A godlen retriever at a show demo with Dog Training Elite in Wilmington, NC.

Dog Training Elite Wilmington

What to Expect from Dog Training Elite’s Obedience Program

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Dog Training Elite stands apart from other dog obedience training companies. Our high-quality results and customized approach provide the desired results for dog owners everywhere.

What you can expect:

  • Initial Assessment: An experienced Dog Training Elite trainer will evaluate your dog to understand their temperament and behavior.
  • Clear Goals: The Dog Training Elite trainer will discuss with you what they found and present realistic, measurable goals for your dog. Because every dog is so different, goals will differ between all dogs to ensure each one reaches their full potential.
  • Training Schedule: We offer flexible options for in-home training sessions to fit your schedule. For best results, you should find time to work with your dog on commands and recall outside of scheduled training sessions.
  • Owner Involvement: A benefit of in-home training is owners will be taught how to continue training between sessions. Involving everyone in the household in the training process leads to even better training results.
  • Ongoing Support: We want your dog to continuously progress after obedience training, so Dog Training Elite also offers group classes or other advanced training courses.
A Dog Training Elite Wilmington owner with her black lab dog, our obedience training for dogs in Wilmington, NC can help strengthen your bond.

Start Your Training Today

Invest in Your Dog’s Future with Dog Training Elite

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Obedience training is a lifelong gift for your dog, fostering safety, social skills, and trust. At Dog Training Elite, we provide professional, customized training services for lasting results.

With a focus on positive reinforcement and long-term results, we stand apart as leaders in the dog training industry and are the best option for obedience training.

Take the first step toward a better-behaved dog. Contact us today for a free consultation!

A group of dogs being trained by the expert team at Dog Training Elite Wilmington.
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Dog Training Elite Wilmington

Common Questions About Obedience Training

Still have questions about obedience training? We’ve got you covered! Below are some frequently asked questions that might help clarify any remaining concerns you have. At Dog Training Elite Wilmington, we're here to ensure you and your dog have the best training experience possible.

The earlier, the better. Puppies are welcome! That being said, old dogs truly can learn new tricks - there is no reason an older dog can’t learn basic commands.
Besides basic commands, dog obedience training can address issues such as chewing, whining or barking, jumping to greet others, and begging for food.
No. Pain or punishment is never used in any form during training programs. A combination of positive reinforcement and an electronic collar has proven to be 100% successful. The electronic collar produces a gentle “tug” to get a dog's attention. It is not a shock collar and does not harm or alarm a pet.
In-home training is necessary because it allows trainers to focus on the particular issues of individual dogs (like terrorizing a pet cat or chasing the mailman). During in-home training sessions trainers also work side by side with owners and any other family members so the dog understands who is in control.