A group of well-trained dogs walking at one of Dog Training Elite's dog training classes in Columbia, SC.

Professional

Dog Training Classes

Dog Training Elite Midlands SC

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Request Free Assessment


Two Dog Training Elite experts teaching dogs at one of our expert Columbia dog training classes.

Dog Training Classes in Columbia, SC

Dog Training Elite offers top-tier dog training classes in Columbia, SC designed to meet the unique needs of every dog and owner. We use proven techniques to shape your dog into a well-behaved, confident pet.

Our classes cater to dogs of all ages and breeds, providing each dog with personalized attention and care. From puppy training to advanced obedience, our programs help your dog thrive in any environment. Join us and see the difference professional training can make in your dog’s life.

See Training Packages

Our Dog Training Classes

Dog Training Elite Midlands SC -
Camps

Our dog boot camps in Columbia, SC provides an immersive experience for dogs needing focused training. Perfect for complex behavioral issues, this camp has personalized one-on-one sessions that lead to fast, lasting progress.

Dog Training Elite Midlands SC - Puppy Training Classes in Columbia, SC. DTE
Puppy Classes

Puppy classes in Columbia, SC lay the foundation for a well-behaved dog. Focusing on basic obedience, socialization, and good manners, our fun and engaging classes help your puppy develop positive habits early on.

Dog Training Elite Midlands SC -
Schooling Your Pup in Obedience

DTE’s dog training school in Columbia, SC teaches essential obedience skills, from basic commands to advanced behaviors. These structured lessons help your dog become more responsive and well-behaved.

Dog Training Elite Midlands SC -
Academy

Our canine academy in Columbia, SC is ideal for preparing dogs for service work or tackling specific behavioral challenges. With the help of our skilled trainers, your dog will gain the discipline and focus needed to succeed in demanding situations.

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!

A proud, obedient dog with receiving expert training at a Dog Training Elite Midlands SC outdoor class.

Why Are Dog Training Classes Important?


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DIY dog training often results in frustration and inconsistent outcomes. Without expert guidance, you may unknowingly reinforce bad habits. This can make it difficult to manage stubborn behaviors and leave you with a confused and unruly pup.

Professional training classes offer several benefits, including:

  • Consistency: Professional classes provide a structured environment for consistent dog training sessions. This regularity helps reinforce new behaviors, making it easier for your dog to understand and remember what they’ve learned. With each session building on the last, your dog can develop strong, reliable habits that stick.
  • Expert Guidance: Skilled trainers bring years of experience and understanding of canine behavior. They offer clear, step-by-step instructions and proven techniques to address your dog’s needs. This expert guidance allows you to tackle even the most stubborn behaviors.

Investing in professional training classes sets your dog up for long-term success, helping them grow into a trusted family member.

Hear From Our Customers

Learn Why Dog owners choose Dog Training Elite

  • Matt Hancock
    May. 9, 2025
    Very friendly, seemed knowledgeable about training dogs. Looking forward to the experience.
  • Jeri England
    Apr. 15, 2025
    Crystal is wonderful and knows just how to relate to Archie. She's training us both to be better and much happier. We are enjoying our sessions.
  • Katherine Anderson
    Apr. 24, 2025
    Crystal is marvelous with my dog, Earle. She gives him very clear commands, that he usually obeys. She explains what she’s doing to me very clearly. I would highly recommend Crystal and Justin. In fact, I have recommended them.
  • Dottie Reynolds
    Apr. 25, 2025
    Crystal is amazing. Each time she tells us what she plans to have our dog Ocho do in each session, I think to myself— yeah, good luck with that. But, she is in full command but in a very positive and supportive way. The Elite process is well organized and systematic. In just 3 weeks, we have seen a remarkable difference. Thank you, Crystal!
  • Peyton Cross
    Apr. 29, 2025
    Justin and his team were amazing throughout the entire process. They explained in depth the reasons and processes of training my dog. Would definitely recommend to anyone looking for a trainer for their pup.
  • Sprint Data Solutions
    Mar. 28, 2025
    Elite did a good job with the lesson and training as always
  • John Ogle
    Apr. 23, 2025
    Dog Training Elite has done an exceptional job with our puppy. The transformation after five sessions is amazing. It is worth the investment!
  • Shawn Covington
    Mar. 14, 2025
    I feel as if we made the right decision using Dog Training Elite. They are very knowledgeable and friendly.
  • Betty Pearson
    Jan. 14, 2025
    Take his time and shows a LOT of patience with my CoCo and me. Highly recommend!
  • Cathy Blanks
    Mar. 28, 2025
    Instructors are extremely knowledgeable and my dog responded immediately. Already seeing behavior improvement after 2 sessions.
  • Rhonda VanMeter
    Apr. 17, 2025
    Crystal is outstanding. The program is well designed and has been very effective so far.
  • Janet Dennis
    Feb. 24, 2025
    Justin is very patient with our fur baby and with us. We are more than pleased with our experience.
  • Alec Pettigrew
    Apr. 11, 2025
    Our initial assessment with Crystal went well. Packages and expectations for results were made clear. Crystal was accommodating and respectful.
  • Brian Pioreck
    Jan. 28, 2025
    Professional, polite, straight forward, and honestly. Crystal explained the whole process as well as expectation that would be set. She provided a skills demonstration in a practice environment and made it clear that success relied on my investment.
  • Bonita Dominique
    Apr. 11, 2025
    Excellent Dog Traing
  • Amanda Boozer
    Apr. 7, 2025
    Crystal came to our house for an initial evaluation. She was patient, kind, and seemed confident and knowledgeable.
  • Leah Thomas
    Mar. 26, 2025
    In a short 3 weeks, we have already seen great improvement with our puppy, Ruby. Justin is 100%! Knowledgeable, kind, patient, wonderful with Ruby. Highly recommend
  • Mary Raunikar
    Mar. 25, 2025
    I cannot recommend Justin and Crystal enough! When I rescued a 30 lb 3 month old Great Pyrenees for my first time owning a dog solo, I didn’t realize what I was in for. If you know anything about Pyrs, you know it’s a miracle my dog listens to me at all and possesses any sense of urgency whatsoever. I attempted training him on my own for about a month before I reached my limit. When I had my consultation with Justin, I finally saw the light at the end of the land shark puppy phase. Justin and Crystal helped Bug go from an unmotivated, reactive, fluffy escape artist with an attitude to an extremely well-behaved therapy dog with consistent recall, great manners, and top notch off leash obedience that will last the rest of his life. I can say with 100% confidence that working with Justin and Crystal has been the best choice I have made as a dog owner! If you are the kind of person that loves to get compliments from family, friends, and strangers about how well behaved and well trained your dog is, Justin and Crystal are the dog trainers for you!
  • Stacey Rostek
    Mar. 19, 2025
    He was great! He knew how to handle our aggressive dog in difficult situations when training him!
  • jerri strother
    Mar. 8, 2025
    My dog Keebo has been going through in house training for the past 5 weeks and it has been great. My friend also has her dogs Tucker and Sadie in training. I never thought it would be possible to have visitors walk through the door and it could be calm in the house. Prior to training our three 100 lb dogs would go crazy and bombard the visitor. It was very chaotic. Now we can place our dogs in their spot and they will stay there as the visitor enters the house. Quietly. It’s wonderful. They have also learned how to heal, sit, down ect. Our dogs all knew basic commands but the difference is now the commands mean sit and stay. Down and stay until you give the command to release them. I even texted Justin one day and said how amazing it was that the HVAC guy could come into the house and our dogs didn’t go crazy. It’s one thing to go through training and feel like it’s working but when you can actually try it for the first time with a visitor it’s wonderful. We are so thankful to Justin and his team. They are patient and have a very calming demeanor. It’s been a great experience and we are looking forward to group sessions at the park soon. If you live in Lexington, Chapin or the Lake Murray area please give them a try. You won’t be disappointed.
  • Matt Hancock
    May. 9, 2025
    Very friendly, seemed knowledgeable about training dogs. Looking forward to the experience.
  • Jeri England
    Apr. 15, 2025
    Crystal is wonderful and knows just how to relate to Archie. She's training us both to be better and much happier. We are enjoying our sessions.
  • Katherine Anderson
    Apr. 24, 2025
    Crystal is marvelous with my dog, Earle. She gives him very clear commands, that he usually obeys. She explains what she’s doing to me very clearly. I would highly recommend Crystal and Justin. In fact, I have recommended them.
  • Dottie Reynolds
    Apr. 25, 2025
    Crystal is amazing. Each time she tells us what she plans to have our dog Ocho do in each session, I think to myself— yeah, good luck with that. But, she is in full command but in a very positive and supportive way. The Elite process is well organized and systematic. In just 3 weeks, we have seen a remarkable difference. Thank you, Crystal!
  • Peyton Cross
    Apr. 29, 2025
    Justin and his team were amazing throughout the entire process. They explained in depth the reasons and processes of training my dog. Would definitely recommend to anyone looking for a trainer for their pup.
  • Sprint Data Solutions
    Mar. 28, 2025
    Elite did a good job with the lesson and training as always
  • John Ogle
    Apr. 23, 2025
    Dog Training Elite has done an exceptional job with our puppy. The transformation after five sessions is amazing. It is worth the investment!
  • Shawn Covington
    Mar. 14, 2025
    I feel as if we made the right decision using Dog Training Elite. They are very knowledgeable and friendly.
  • Betty Pearson
    Jan. 14, 2025
    Take his time and shows a LOT of patience with my CoCo and me. Highly recommend!
  • Cathy Blanks
    Mar. 28, 2025
    Instructors are extremely knowledgeable and my dog responded immediately. Already seeing behavior improvement after 2 sessions.
  • Rhonda VanMeter
    Apr. 17, 2025
    Crystal is outstanding. The program is well designed and has been very effective so far.
  • Janet Dennis
    Feb. 24, 2025
    Justin is very patient with our fur baby and with us. We are more than pleased with our experience.
  • Alec Pettigrew
    Apr. 11, 2025
    Our initial assessment with Crystal went well. Packages and expectations for results were made clear. Crystal was accommodating and respectful.
  • Brian Pioreck
    Jan. 28, 2025
    Professional, polite, straight forward, and honestly. Crystal explained the whole process as well as expectation that would be set. She provided a skills demonstration in a practice environment and made it clear that success relied on my investment.
  • Bonita Dominique
    Apr. 11, 2025
    Excellent Dog Traing
  • Amanda Boozer
    Apr. 7, 2025
    Crystal came to our house for an initial evaluation. She was patient, kind, and seemed confident and knowledgeable.
  • Leah Thomas
    Mar. 26, 2025
    In a short 3 weeks, we have already seen great improvement with our puppy, Ruby. Justin is 100%! Knowledgeable, kind, patient, wonderful with Ruby. Highly recommend
  • Mary Raunikar
    Mar. 25, 2025
    I cannot recommend Justin and Crystal enough! When I rescued a 30 lb 3 month old Great Pyrenees for my first time owning a dog solo, I didn’t realize what I was in for. If you know anything about Pyrs, you know it’s a miracle my dog listens to me at all and possesses any sense of urgency whatsoever. I attempted training him on my own for about a month before I reached my limit. When I had my consultation with Justin, I finally saw the light at the end of the land shark puppy phase. Justin and Crystal helped Bug go from an unmotivated, reactive, fluffy escape artist with an attitude to an extremely well-behaved therapy dog with consistent recall, great manners, and top notch off leash obedience that will last the rest of his life. I can say with 100% confidence that working with Justin and Crystal has been the best choice I have made as a dog owner! If you are the kind of person that loves to get compliments from family, friends, and strangers about how well behaved and well trained your dog is, Justin and Crystal are the dog trainers for you!
  • Stacey Rostek
    Mar. 19, 2025
    He was great! He knew how to handle our aggressive dog in difficult situations when training him!
  • jerri strother
    Mar. 8, 2025
    My dog Keebo has been going through in house training for the past 5 weeks and it has been great. My friend also has her dogs Tucker and Sadie in training. I never thought it would be possible to have visitors walk through the door and it could be calm in the house. Prior to training our three 100 lb dogs would go crazy and bombard the visitor. It was very chaotic. Now we can place our dogs in their spot and they will stay there as the visitor enters the house. Quietly. It’s wonderful. They have also learned how to heal, sit, down ect. Our dogs all knew basic commands but the difference is now the commands mean sit and stay. Down and stay until you give the command to release them. I even texted Justin one day and said how amazing it was that the HVAC guy could come into the house and our dogs didn’t go crazy. It’s one thing to go through training and feel like it’s working but when you can actually try it for the first time with a visitor it’s wonderful. We are so thankful to Justin and his team. They are patient and have a very calming demeanor. It’s been a great experience and we are looking forward to group sessions at the park soon. If you live in Lexington, Chapin or the Lake Murray area please give them a try. You won’t be disappointed.

Photo Gallery

See An Elite Dog in Action

Benefits of Dog Training Classes

Dog training classes offer a range of benefits for both dogs and their owners. Participating in these classes helps improve your dog's behavior, enhances their social skills, and strengthens your bond.

Here are five key benefits of enrolling your dog in training classes:

Training classes teach essential commands and behaviors, making your dog more responsive and obedient in various situations. This improved obedience leads to a more harmonious household and better control in public spaces.
Classes allow your dog to interact with other dogs and people, helping them develop better social skills. This exposure can reduce fear or aggression and promote friendly behavior.
Training classes offer a structured environment where your dog can learn systematically. Routine helps reinforce positive behaviors and ensures your dog receives consistent training.
Working together in a training class strengthens the bond between you and your dog. As you collaborate on learning new skills, you build trust and improve communication with your pet.
Professional trainers provide valuable insights and techniques that may not be available through self-training. Their expertise can help address specific behavioral issues and meet your dog’s needs.
A dog owner from Dog Training Elite Midlands SC giving their dog positive reinforcement.

Positive Reinforcement Only

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At Dog Training Elite, we use positive reinforcement because it’s the most effective and humane way to train dogs. Rewarding good behavior helps dogs understand what is expected, resulting in faster and more consistent progress.

Punishment-based training, on the other hand, can lead to fear, anxiety, and even aggression. While it might force temporary obedience, it often breaks trust and makes long-term progress harder to achieve. We focus on positive reinforcement to build a safe, supportive environment where your dog can make lasting behavioral changes.

Science-Backed Training Method

Research supports that positive reinforcement is the most effective way to train dogs. Veterinarians and animal behaviorists worldwide recommend this science-backed approach for safe, successful training.

  • Proven Effectiveness: Studies show that dogs trained with positive reinforcement learn new behaviors faster and retain them longer than those trained with punishment-based methods. This approach taps into a dog’s natural desire for rewards and praise, which results in more consistent behavior overall.
  • Reduces Behavioral Issues: Positive reinforcement decreases the likelihood of developing behavioral issues such as aggression, fear, or anxiety. Unlike punishment-based training, which can create or worsen these problems, this method encourages calm and confident behavior by associating learning with positive outcomes.
  • Encourages a Positive Learning Environment: By focusing on rewards rather than punishment, positive reinforcement creates a stress-free environment where dogs are more motivated to learn and participate in training sessions.
  • Supports Long-Term Results: This method teaches specific behaviors while promoting a general eagerness to learn and adapt. Dogs trained this way are more likely to continue behaving well and responding positively to new challenges, resulting in long-term success beyond initial training.
  • Strengthens the Human-Animal Bond: The trust and communication built through positive reinforcement create a strong bond between dogs and their owners. This method makes training rewarding for the dog, leading to a more positive relationship.
A dog with their owner at a Dog Training Elite Midlands SC dog training class.

Empowering Owners With Columbia Dog Training Classes

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We empower dog owners with flexible, personalized training programs that fit their schedules and needs. Our training equips you with practical skills to guide your dog’s behavior and tackle challenges, regardless of your experience with dog ownership.

Our approach focuses on clear communication and mutual respect, helping you teach your dog in a way that strengthens your bond. We adjust our methods to fit your dog’s personality and your lifestyle for the most successful results.

As you and your dog progress through our training, you’ll notice a shift in how your dog responds to commands and interacts with you. Everyday situations become easier to manage, walks are more enjoyable, and your home feels more peaceful. The skills you gain will help you and your pup navigate any situation confidently.

Basic Commands That Make Your Life Easier
  • Sit: Teaching your dog to sit on command is one of the most fundamental skills. It helps manage your dog’s behavior during family gatherings, at the door, or in public places, creating a calmer environment.
  • Heel: Training your dog to heel prevents leash pulling and promotes a stronger connection between you and your dog during walks. Your dog will learn to walk calmly by your side, making walks more enjoyable.
  • Come: The come command keeps your dog safe by making sure they return to you when called. Whether at a park or in your backyard, this command prevents your dog from wandering off or getting into trouble.
  • Down: Teaching your dog this commands can help manage their energy levels and behavior in various situations, making them easier to handle during visits, mealtimes, or when you need them to settle down. We train your dog to remain calm until given the appropriate commands like "come", "heel", or "break".
  • Leave It: The leave it command is invaluable for preventing your dog from picking up harmful objects or getting into things they shouldn’t. It helps you keep them safe while teaching self-control.
  • Place: Training your dog to go to a designated spot, like a bed or mat, is useful when you need them to settle down during mealtimes, when guests are over, or while you focus on work.
A group of dogs being trained by the expert team at Dog Training Elite Midlands SC.
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Educate, Empower, Elevate, Elite

Victory Begins With Elite Education

DTE: the Best Choice for Dog Training Classes

Learn How Training Classes Can Improve Your Dog’s Life


Dog Training Elite is your top choice for dog training. We provide the tools and guidance necessary for lasting success, whether you’re aiming to address specific behavioral issues, improve obedience, or strengthen the bond with your pet.

Our expert trainers use proven techniques for lasting behavior improvements. With a focus on balance and personalized training, your dog will learn quickly and retain those skills over time.

Contact us today to start seeing the benefits of professional training!