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Puppy Obedience Training

Dog Training Elite

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Request Free Assessment


An adorable puppy being held by their owner - get professional puppy obedience training in Cleveland, OH with Dog Training Elite today.

Start Training Young with DTE

Puppy Obedience Training in Cleveland, OH

Training is one of the most important steps in raising a well-mannered dog. Pups are eager to learn from a young age, and structured training helps prevent unwanted behaviors before they become habits.

DTE offers professional obedience training for pups in Cleveland, OH that is designed to meet your needs. Our experienced trainers focus on building strong communication, reinforcing positive behaviors, and preparing puppies for more advanced training techniques as they grow.

See Training Packages
A little puppy sitting in grass, contact Dog Training Elite in Cleveland Metro today.

Puppy Essentials Webinar

Free 70-Minute video

$45 Value

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Our trusted puppy class is now available "on-demand" from the comfort of your home! This webinar video is designed for owners of puppies age 8-16 weeks old, and will be accessible to you for free after completing the form below or with the purchase of one of our puppy packages!

Access Webinar

Our webinar includes education on the following topics:
  • Introducing a new puppy to your home
  • Health & well-being
  • Veterinary care & vaccines
  • Nurturing a good temperament
  • Scruffing & calming signals (e.g. dog yoga)
  • Basic Treat Obedience Including: Come, sit, loose-leash walking, and down
  • Puppy Corrections (Stop biting, digging, jumping, etc.)
  • Crate Training / Housebreaking
  • Socialization Tips
  • Environmental Hazards
  • Puppy Enrichment
  • Caring for Your Puppy

The Benefits of Puppy Training

Dog Training Elite

Early training shapes a puppy’s behavior for life. Teaching structure, commands, and impulse control early makes daily life easier and sets the stage for a well-behaved dog.

Without proper guidance, puppies can quickly develop habits like jumping, barking, or chewing that become harder to correct over time.
Training strengthens communication and trust, creating a better relationship between owner and dog.
Exposure to new people, places, and other dogs helps puppies become more adaptable and reduces anxiety in unfamiliar situations.
Obedience commands provide control in unpredictable situations, keeping puppies out of harm’s way.
An adorable puppy being trained by the experts at Dog Training Elite - get Cleveland puppy obedience training today.

Puppy Training 101

Key Commands For Puppies

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Obedience commands help puppies understand what is expected of them and how to respond in different situations. These skills are fundamental for shaping a well-behaved and responsive dog:

  • Down: The "down" command teaches a puppy to lie down and stay in place until released. This command helps with impulse control and keeps a dog calm in busy environments or when guests visit.
  • Break: "Break" lets the puppy know they are free to move after following a previous command. This command helps structure training by showing the puppy when a command is over and they are allowed to move.
  • Heel: "Heel" teaches a puppy to walk calmly at the owner’s side rather than pulling ahead or lagging behind. Practicing this skill improves leash control, makes walks more enjoyable, and helps the dog stay focused in public settings.
  • Come: A reliable recall command is one of the most important skills a dog can learn. "Come" trains a puppy to return immediately when called, helping to prevent dangerous situations like running into traffic or getting lost.
  • Leave It: "Leave it" teaches a puppy to ignore or drop objects they shouldn’t touch, such as harmful food, household items, or dangerous materials. This command helps prevent destructive behavior and keeps the puppy safe.

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An golden retriever puppy outdoors - recieve expert guidance and training today from Dog Training Elite in Cleveland Metro.

What to Expect from Dog Training Elite’s Puppy Program

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Training a puppy can feel overwhelming, especially for first-time owners. Professional training makes the process easier by providing clear structure, proven methods, and expert guidance to help puppies learn faster and with better results.

Dog Training Elite offers in-home training programs structured to meet the needs of each dog. When you sign up for our puppy training program, you can expect:

  1. Initial Assessment: Our trainers will provide a personalized evaluation of your puppy’s temperament, behavior, and current skills to create a customized training plan.
  2. Training Schedule: Private, in-home sessions are scheduled to fit your routine, allowing your puppy to learn in a familiar environment with real-world distractions.
  3. Clear Goals: Training focuses on impulse control and basic commands, helping your puppy develop respect and responsiveness.
  4. Owner Involvement: Hands-on guidance ensures you feel confident reinforcing commands at home for long-term success.
  5. Ongoing Support: Additional group classes and advanced training programs are available after puppy training to continue building on your puppy’s progress.

Dog Training Elite gives owners the tools and support they need to raise a well-behaved puppy without the frustration of trial and error.

A dog being trained with Dog Training Elite - book puppy obedience training in Cleveland, OH today.

Start Obedience Training with Your Puppy Today


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The first few months of a puppy’s life are the most important for shaping their behavior, but training during this stage doesn’t have to be difficult. With the right approach, even the most energetic dogs can learn obedience and self-control.

Dog Training Elite provides expert guidance to make puppy training effective and rewarding. Our hands-on techniques keeps you actively involved in the process, teaching you how to reinforce good behavior even after the sessions are completed.

Schedule a free consultation today to learn more about our training programs.

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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See An Elite Dog in Action

Hear From Our Customers

Learn Why Dog owners choose Dog Training Elite

  • Danielle Zaremba
    Feb. 12, 2025
    Dog Training Elite is truly a business with trainers who have a heart and do everything possible to help a dog. I highly recommend Josh and his team for all training needs. CLE Dog Rescue Crew
  • Kevin Mcquade
    Feb. 12, 2025
    The Dog Training Elite Greater Cleveland team demonstrated exceptional patience, knowledge, and experience during my dog's Basic obedience lessons, and their dedication and enthusiasm were the perfect ingredients for achieving rapid progress and lasting results. As a bonus, having a certified Dog behavior expert guided us through the In home dog training process made us feel confident that our furry friend was in capable and knowledgeable hands during the Service Dog Training journey.
  • La Law
    Feb. 12, 2025
    The Dog Training Elite Greater Cleveland team demonstrated exceptional empathy, patience, experience, knowledge, and affection as they helped us work through basic obedience lessons and overcome challenges with our puppy Training needs. Fritz had become the best Pupoy and I cannot say enough good things about everyone - they truly are the best!!
  • Cheryl Willis
    Feb. 12, 2025
    Josh and Lexi were amazing. I have a 1 year old golden retriever I thought untrainable just because he was so rambunctious. Not only were they able to work with me and Dune on training, Dune is now at the end training to become a therapy dog! I can’t not express how much they have worked with him as well as myself. I know have a well mannered dog. It is amazing. Thank you for all you guys do! We can’t what to go on our therapy journey. Cheryl
  • David Rodriguez
    Feb. 10, 2025
    Josh and his team were the greatest of help training my pup. The care and expertise they showed was amazing. I would highly recommend them to anyone looking for an incredibly competent training company.
  • david rodriguez
    Feb. 10, 2025
    The patience and encouragement provided by Dog Training Elite Greater Cleveland's Dog Trainer was impressive during the Basic obedience lessons, expertly guiding our pup towards significant improvements.
  • Zach N.
    Apr. 21, 2023
    We cannot recommend Josh and DTE highly enough. He is very knowledgeable and exceptional with our puppy, Noli. He explains things to us in a very clear way and helps us understand how to interact and train our stubborn baby Golden Retriever. Josh is very professional and a great communicator who made scheduling classes very easy and effortless. We look forward to more classes with Josh. Look no further for your dog training needs.
  • Kent H
    Feb. 4, 2025
    Just finished training for our 15 lbs dog Winston. NIGHT AND DAY transformation! Before, Winston would bark non stop when guests were at our house, it was very frustrating, we felt we had tried everything online. Winston went in for the 1 week session and by Wednesday already had a majority of the learning done. This team is just incredible. Cannot recommend enough :)
  • Candice Parr
    Feb. 4, 2025
    Elite training is top-notch. I interviewed several facilities before we decided on Kevin & Andrea and their incredible team. We have been through a few trainings so far and see such a difference in our Brutus already! After we committed to Elite we mentioned it to a friend and she said her Pup had gone through the training and went above and beyond praising Elite and their caring staff. If you want someone with years of experience and treat both yourself and your Pup(s) with respect you want Elite. I procrastinated too long so as they say, just do it, and you will never look back!! A+++++++
  • Lisa Edwards
    Feb. 3, 2025
    I can't say enough wonderful things about my experience with Josh and Dog Training Elite. In Jan 2024, my mother and unexpectedly inherited a Cane Corso mix, an 85 lb flight risk, aggressive towards human and other animals. Josh came all the way to Akron and helped us. His training methods, patience and knowledge saved the dog's life. Today she he runs off leash and responds immediately to the commands. Thank you Josh!!
  • david silberstein
    Feb. 2, 2025
    David my German Shepherd Zeke would highly recommend Dog Training Elite Kevin , Andria are awesome really are compassionate about training Zeke is really making amazing progress very satisfied highly recommend Dog Training Elite.
  • Lance Matthews
    Jan. 31, 2025
    Josh and Lexi with Dog Training Elite are outstanding. Lexi has done wonders with my Vizsla puppy. She is being trained as my service dog; I am a disabled Vet. It is necessary for me to have a dog for specific tasks. Their commitment with training is nothing short of exemplary. Josh will be taking additional time for additional training so my pup can transition to a working dog.
  • James Hand
    Jan. 31, 2025
    They far exceeded our expectations. Josh and Lexiwere always patient and with our dog and us. I could not control Miles and now she is off leash. I would recommend them to everyone and can’t say enough good things about our experience.
  • Sean Hartnett
    Jan. 20, 2025
    Kevin was an incredible trainer for my dog, very patient & kind. Learned my dogs temperament fast & adjusted training for his personality which worked great!
  • Veronica Issac
    Jan. 18, 2025
    Great team of trainers! I have been skeptical of the use of e-collars for training but we needed something different to help with reactivity. The owners are wonderful. They come to you. They sat with me during our evaluation to understand what my pup needed. As a single person with a job with long hours, the yrainers have been very flexible with scheduling. They have been so patient with our training, working through real world scenarios. My pup has made such progress. And best of all, we have access to training for the life of my pup. I'm so grateful to have found Dog Training Elite Northeast OH. It has been such an enjoyable experience.
  • Michael Conley
    Jan. 10, 2025
    I'm am so happy that we found DTE. The Johnsons treat every dog like they are one of their own. They go above and beyond to cater to your training needs. Having used other trainers in the past, DTE far exceeded my expectations and highly recommended them. Thank you Kevin, Andresla, Jimmy and Dennis!
  • Erin Kelly
    Jan. 6, 2025
    Lexi was great to work with! We are so glad we now have the knowledge and skills to continue training our puppy. Happy we started with the puppy classes and then advanced, as she had a lot of the basics down and just needed to apply it to the ecollar. Also really love that they come and do in home sessions!
  • Dana Raponi
    Jan. 4, 2025
    Josh demonstrated exceptional patience, experience, knowledge, kindness, and professionalism throughout our entire experience, from the initial conversation and assistance with getting our E collar set up and working to our in-home dog training sessions. The expertise of their trained dog behavior expert in Basic obedience lessons a was invaluable, making the entire process seamless and highly effective. We have learned so much and it is only going to make us better dog parents as well, and it is also helped to make the transition for our new pup into our home with our other dogs! So very highly recommended!!!
  • Joseph Schafer
    Dec. 20, 2024
    Great experience very thorough and knowledgeable. Very detailed made our experience and handling our dog a breeze
  • Nicole Scholl
    Dec. 20, 2024
    Josh and his team of trainers are absolutely the best. Their professionalism, caring and knowledge made our family and dog training a breeze. In 2 weeks we had an amazing obedient dog!
  • Danielle Zaremba
    Feb. 12, 2025
    Dog Training Elite is truly a business with trainers who have a heart and do everything possible to help a dog. I highly recommend Josh and his team for all training needs. CLE Dog Rescue Crew
  • Kevin Mcquade
    Feb. 12, 2025
    The Dog Training Elite Greater Cleveland team demonstrated exceptional patience, knowledge, and experience during my dog's Basic obedience lessons, and their dedication and enthusiasm were the perfect ingredients for achieving rapid progress and lasting results. As a bonus, having a certified Dog behavior expert guided us through the In home dog training process made us feel confident that our furry friend was in capable and knowledgeable hands during the Service Dog Training journey.
  • La Law
    Feb. 12, 2025
    The Dog Training Elite Greater Cleveland team demonstrated exceptional empathy, patience, experience, knowledge, and affection as they helped us work through basic obedience lessons and overcome challenges with our puppy Training needs. Fritz had become the best Pupoy and I cannot say enough good things about everyone - they truly are the best!!
  • Cheryl Willis
    Feb. 12, 2025
    Josh and Lexi were amazing. I have a 1 year old golden retriever I thought untrainable just because he was so rambunctious. Not only were they able to work with me and Dune on training, Dune is now at the end training to become a therapy dog! I can’t not express how much they have worked with him as well as myself. I know have a well mannered dog. It is amazing. Thank you for all you guys do! We can’t what to go on our therapy journey. Cheryl
  • David Rodriguez
    Feb. 10, 2025
    Josh and his team were the greatest of help training my pup. The care and expertise they showed was amazing. I would highly recommend them to anyone looking for an incredibly competent training company.
  • david rodriguez
    Feb. 10, 2025
    The patience and encouragement provided by Dog Training Elite Greater Cleveland's Dog Trainer was impressive during the Basic obedience lessons, expertly guiding our pup towards significant improvements.
  • Zach N.
    Apr. 21, 2023
    We cannot recommend Josh and DTE highly enough. He is very knowledgeable and exceptional with our puppy, Noli. He explains things to us in a very clear way and helps us understand how to interact and train our stubborn baby Golden Retriever. Josh is very professional and a great communicator who made scheduling classes very easy and effortless. We look forward to more classes with Josh. Look no further for your dog training needs.
  • Kent H
    Feb. 4, 2025
    Just finished training for our 15 lbs dog Winston. NIGHT AND DAY transformation! Before, Winston would bark non stop when guests were at our house, it was very frustrating, we felt we had tried everything online. Winston went in for the 1 week session and by Wednesday already had a majority of the learning done. This team is just incredible. Cannot recommend enough :)
  • Candice Parr
    Feb. 4, 2025
    Elite training is top-notch. I interviewed several facilities before we decided on Kevin & Andrea and their incredible team. We have been through a few trainings so far and see such a difference in our Brutus already! After we committed to Elite we mentioned it to a friend and she said her Pup had gone through the training and went above and beyond praising Elite and their caring staff. If you want someone with years of experience and treat both yourself and your Pup(s) with respect you want Elite. I procrastinated too long so as they say, just do it, and you will never look back!! A+++++++
  • Lisa Edwards
    Feb. 3, 2025
    I can't say enough wonderful things about my experience with Josh and Dog Training Elite. In Jan 2024, my mother and unexpectedly inherited a Cane Corso mix, an 85 lb flight risk, aggressive towards human and other animals. Josh came all the way to Akron and helped us. His training methods, patience and knowledge saved the dog's life. Today she he runs off leash and responds immediately to the commands. Thank you Josh!!
  • david silberstein
    Feb. 2, 2025
    David my German Shepherd Zeke would highly recommend Dog Training Elite Kevin , Andria are awesome really are compassionate about training Zeke is really making amazing progress very satisfied highly recommend Dog Training Elite.
  • Lance Matthews
    Jan. 31, 2025
    Josh and Lexi with Dog Training Elite are outstanding. Lexi has done wonders with my Vizsla puppy. She is being trained as my service dog; I am a disabled Vet. It is necessary for me to have a dog for specific tasks. Their commitment with training is nothing short of exemplary. Josh will be taking additional time for additional training so my pup can transition to a working dog.
  • James Hand
    Jan. 31, 2025
    They far exceeded our expectations. Josh and Lexiwere always patient and with our dog and us. I could not control Miles and now she is off leash. I would recommend them to everyone and can’t say enough good things about our experience.
  • Sean Hartnett
    Jan. 20, 2025
    Kevin was an incredible trainer for my dog, very patient & kind. Learned my dogs temperament fast & adjusted training for his personality which worked great!
  • Veronica Issac
    Jan. 18, 2025
    Great team of trainers! I have been skeptical of the use of e-collars for training but we needed something different to help with reactivity. The owners are wonderful. They come to you. They sat with me during our evaluation to understand what my pup needed. As a single person with a job with long hours, the yrainers have been very flexible with scheduling. They have been so patient with our training, working through real world scenarios. My pup has made such progress. And best of all, we have access to training for the life of my pup. I'm so grateful to have found Dog Training Elite Northeast OH. It has been such an enjoyable experience.
  • Michael Conley
    Jan. 10, 2025
    I'm am so happy that we found DTE. The Johnsons treat every dog like they are one of their own. They go above and beyond to cater to your training needs. Having used other trainers in the past, DTE far exceeded my expectations and highly recommended them. Thank you Kevin, Andresla, Jimmy and Dennis!
  • Erin Kelly
    Jan. 6, 2025
    Lexi was great to work with! We are so glad we now have the knowledge and skills to continue training our puppy. Happy we started with the puppy classes and then advanced, as she had a lot of the basics down and just needed to apply it to the ecollar. Also really love that they come and do in home sessions!
  • Dana Raponi
    Jan. 4, 2025
    Josh demonstrated exceptional patience, experience, knowledge, kindness, and professionalism throughout our entire experience, from the initial conversation and assistance with getting our E collar set up and working to our in-home dog training sessions. The expertise of their trained dog behavior expert in Basic obedience lessons a was invaluable, making the entire process seamless and highly effective. We have learned so much and it is only going to make us better dog parents as well, and it is also helped to make the transition for our new pup into our home with our other dogs! So very highly recommended!!!
  • Joseph Schafer
    Dec. 20, 2024
    Great experience very thorough and knowledgeable. Very detailed made our experience and handling our dog a breeze
  • Nicole Scholl
    Dec. 20, 2024
    Josh and his team of trainers are absolutely the best. Their professionalism, caring and knowledge made our family and dog training a breeze. In 2 weeks we had an amazing obedient dog!