Dog Training Elite

Puppy Training in Connecticut

Name: Dog Training Elite of Southern CT
Address: 470 James St Suite #007, New Haven, CT, 06513, US
Telephone: 203-433-6287
Price range: $$
Rating: 5

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Our Puppy Training Could Help:

Leash and potty training

Food guarding and begging

Destructive chewing and digging

Stealing food, clothing, or other objects

Barking, howling and whining

Aggression and anxiety

Jumping and hyperactivity

Dog Training Elite

Professional Connecticut Puppy Trainers

Bringing home a new puppy is exciting, but it also comes with challenges like chewing and accidents. The most common mistake new owners make is underestimating the knowledge, commitment, and effort needed to train a new puppy.

Once a puppy begins to grow, its energy can quickly feel unmanageable. It’s all too common that a well-meaning and loving family takes on a puppy lacking the knowledge and skills to train correctly. This often results in overwhelmed owners rehoming or taking these puppies to local shelters, feeling the puppy’s disposition is bad or simply that they are not cut out to be dog owners.

At Dog Training Elite, we focus on building that bond through effective training to foster trust and communication. Our experienced Connecticut puppy trainers use proven methods to help you and your puppy succeed together.

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A little puppy sitting in grass, contact Dog Training Elite of Southern CT 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!

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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

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Three puppies receiving expert training from Dog Training Elite of Southern CT.

The Importance of Puppy Training

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Almost everyone and everything a puppy will encounter will be brand new, which can be exciting. However, puppies may not know how to respond positively and safely to new experiences without proper training. That's why Dog Training Elite believes in starting puppy training as soon as possible, so you and your pup can bond and start your adventures on the right foot!

Training the DTE way provides puppies and owners with a nurturing environment where they can learn to communicate and trust each other. Puppies have an innate desire to please, so training can be fun and even easy! Of course, it can be daunting to try and figure out how to make puppies understand concepts like potty training or commands like sit and stay on your own. That's where puppy training comes in.

Keeping a puppy safe should be the number one priority of new dog owners. By working with puppy trainers in, new puppy owners can learn how to teach their pup both basic and complex obedience skills effectively. Training a pup to be home alone, walk on a leash, wait on the threshold, and avoid consuming non-edible objects will help keep them safe when out of sight.

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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

Tess Nogueira

Jun. 10, 2026

DTE has helped us so much since starting with them. We have two dogs that were working through a lot of reactivity and separation anxiety and the change we have seen in them this early on is so amazing. Jason has give us the training expertise and tools to continue to build on the foundation we have created, and that’s just in a handful of one on one training sessions. They come to you and work in your environment which is extremely helpful. Additionally, having group classes where our pups can continue their learning and be exposed to other dogs as well is a huge plus. I’m so happy we came across DTE. Their philosophy and the way they treat our pups is very thoughtful and done with lots of care. Couldn’t recommend more!
Mindy Meyer

Jun. 2, 2026

We had a really positive experience working with Jason for basic dog training. From the very beginning, communication was excellent — responses were timely, professional, and easy to understand. It was clear they genuinely cared about helping both us and our dog succeed. The training process was organized, practical, and tailored to our dog’s needs. Jason explained techniques clearly and made sure we understood how to continue reinforcing the training at home. I appreciated that Jason focused not only on teaching commands, but also on helping us build better consistency and communication with our dog overall. We saw noticeable improvements in behavior and obedience throughout the training. Basic commands became much more reliable, and our dog gained confidence and better manners in everyday situations. The results were absolutely worth it! What stood out most was how patient, encouraging, and knowledgeable Jason was during the entire process. He created a comfortable environment for both the dog and owner, which made learning much easier and less stressful. I would definitely recommend Jason to anyone looking for reliable, effective, and professional dog training services. Great communication, solid training methods, and real results.
Skye McCashion

May. 28, 2026

We were having behavioral problems that seemed to come out of nowhere with our dog. Everywhere we turned to seemed to judge us and acted as though we were bad dog parents. Until we came across Elite. They were so kind about everything, very understanding, and truly just wanted the best for us and our dog. Iliana is an AMAZING trainer. She really cares about you and your dog and walks you through everything that’s going on with your pup and the exercises in the training. We love having her come over and going to group sessions with her!
Lauren Richitelli

May. 20, 2026

I adopted my 2 year old American bully last summer, and I reached out to Dog Training Elite to start obedience and lifestyle training immediately in Branford, CT. Jason and Illiana were both great, giving clear instructions and helping me set expectations with Ziggy. They are also very responsive - I texted Illiana after having a particularly frustrating day with my little teenager, she answered immediately and was able to talk me through what I should do and followed up in our next training session. Ziggy is well socialized, calm, and respectful in almost any situation. I feel confident taking him with me in public places and it has definitely fostered a great relationship between us - he really enjoys training, and it’s fun to watch his brain work! The group classes are also a great way to socialize with other dogs in a professional setting - and they are located at some beautiful parks I’ve never been to which is a fun bonus!
WendyLeigh C

May. 14, 2026

We are in Brookfield CT and both trainers came to us for sessions, one of the biggest perks of this company. They were always on time, always super productive and fun sessions. Also very reasonable prices in comparison to other options in CT. We did the Gold obedience package for our puppy with the goal of doing service training down the line. It went really well and we can't wait to continue when he's a little older. Highly recommend, you will not be disappointed!
Austin Witte

Apr. 23, 2026

Jason at Dog Training Elite has been a tremendous help for us with our 2 year old lab mix who was dealing with anxiety, recall, leash pulling, and impulse control. Finn loved Jason and responded super well to the lessons. My wife and I were already decent at basic training from our older dog but Finn is a bit more stubborn and needed a different training method. Jason was patient and guided us through how Finn learns and responds to training differently than our other dog. We worked on lots of things to help confidence, leash pulling, and impulse control. Jason was flexible to meet for home visits, outdoor lessons, and even Home Depot. I would recommend him to anyone in CT but we were based on Glastonbury, CT. The group training is an awesome perk as well to build confidence around other well-behaved dogs. Jason and his team were super helpful and accessible for questions we had outside of our scheduled lessons as well.
Emily J.

Apr. 23, 2026

We have two strong-minded, high-energy young beagles. Jason is a magician. Professional, patient, kind, empathetic. A gifted teacher. Our dogs love him and yours will too. If you wish to resolve any issues concerning obedience, anxiety, and/or bad/dangerous puppy habits, Jason is the answer. Well worth the investment in the quality of life for all. Loren is also a pleasure with whom to do business. A+ for this enterprise.
Lelio Vieux

Apr. 21, 2026

Here’s a clean version with Shelton mentioned clearly: ⸻ Great experience with this team in Shelton, CT! They came right to our house in Shelton, which made everything so easy. We worked with them for our dog Mitch’s basic obedience training and saw a big difference right away. He’s more focused, listens better, and overall just behaves so much better. Jason and the team were super easy to work with and really know what they’re doing. You can tell they truly care about the dogs. Highly recommend!
scott frisoli

Apr. 17, 2026

I personally worked with Jason and Illiana. I recommend both highly. We did group sessions with other dogs and training in busy malls and home training indoors and outdoor training at home. I was extremely impressed and happy to benefit from the professional calm experience of both these trainers. My dog Bear and I were held to a high standard, training which was taught with Professionalism and confidence. The results speak for themselves. I realize that much of what they teach is for my dogs sake but much of it was also for me. The interaction between Owner and Dog is key to success. I feel extremely fortunate to have been trained and supported by Jason and Illiana.
Marina Kovalskiy

Apr. 10, 2026

From the very first session Jason made training fun and stress free for our 2 year old mini poodle. His team made everything possible to turn our anxious dog in to a calmed and confident companion and a service dog Thank you Jason, Iliana and Laurent for making all this hard work to come true!
jodie vecchio

Apr. 8, 2026

Our trainer Jason was very accommodating and did an amazing job training Reggie, as well as training me as the owner. Someone was always available for questions throughout. The difference in Reggie’s behavior was even commented on by all my neighbors. Jason adapted the training to our specific needs, and to Reggie’s stubbornness. More than satisfied with our experience, recommend to anyone who has that stubborn pup that seemed untrainable. Reggie and I are both happier now and so grateful to Jason.
Keith Robertson

Mar. 19, 2026

Trainer Jay worked miracles with my high drive German Shepherd, Rocky. Rocky learned so much from Trainer Jay and my family learned how to train Rocky to be a good member of the family. By the time our private lessons were done, Rocky walked great on a leash, listened and responded extremely well to all of his commands, had almost zero reactivity. He still gets excited and jumps a little when he sees Trainer Jay but we’ll keep working on that. Thanks Trainer Jay and Dog Training Elite of Southern CT for helping with Rocky. I highly recommend Dog Training Elite of Southern CT!
Kyle

Mar. 4, 2026

10/10 experience. Great knowledgeable trainers. Helped with my Dutch Shepherd a lot. Would highly recommend.
Bauer Sumpio

Mar. 2, 2026

What’s better than competent, knowledgeable and personable dog trainers? When they come to your home and give individualized bespoke training! Iliana and Jason have been training my 7 month old goldendoodle Lola and they are outstanding …we’ve utilized all the techniques including choke, prong and e-collar. Lola is now a more confident dog and a joy to walk around our town of Woodbridge. They also run group sessions with their client dogs which is really valuable in socializing Lola to other dogs and managing her behaviors. When I take Lola to the dog park, she is very comfortable with other dogs and plays well with them! I highly recommend this dog training program. It has given me the tools to properly communicate and interact with my dog.
John Barrett

Feb. 20, 2026

Illiana has been an amazing trainer. Our dog, Finn has seen vast improvements since when we started. We would highly recommend Illiana, Jason, and dog training elite to anyone looking for help!
Bill Keyt

Feb. 17, 2026

The team at Elite has been spot on since the initial contact. Great communication and follow-up for scheduling the sessions, answering questions, providing feedback and offering suggestions. We had 5 private training sessions. Four at our house in Manchester and one of them we met at Cabela's. All proved to be very valuable and informative. Training techniques used are all chosen based on our comfort level, desired methods and objectives. We recently had our first of 12 group sessions. Our pup met up with about 6 or 7 others at Hubbard Park. We ran through a number of exercises and drills that with practice are going to lead towards great public behavior. We look forward to connecting for the rest of the group sessions. Overall we are very pleased with the services and professionalism provided by Elite. Extremely satisfied and recommend them.
Breanna Cavanaugh

Jan. 22, 2026

DTE has been a tremendous help for my dog Wally. He is a rescue pup, primarily hunting breeds with a strong prey drive. He is not very food motivated and not super people oriented, so I was worried training was going to be tricky. He is also wicked stubborn... That being said, my main goals going into his training were 1) ability to do off leash hikes 2) discipline and 3) better behavior around other dogs. We are a little over halfway through his training at this point and I can confidently say that he has already surpassed expectations, to the point where strangers who see us out are shocked that he is only 11 months old! Jason is very knowledgeable and helps you think about dog training from the perspective of the dog. Thinking from my dogs POV I feel like has really allowed us to bond and form a trusting, respectful relationship with each other. And it is what allows us to have more fun! Wally and I go on off leash hikes together almost every day and it is the highlight of all my days. Jason listens to your goals and works with you each individual session on what you think is most needed for you and your dog, rather than having a set template of how training is going to go each session. I am loving every minute with my well behaved boy and we are only getting started :) Couldn't have done it without DTE! East Hampton, CT
Alex Blum

Jan. 11, 2026

If you want an extremely professional, knowledgeable and talented animal training organization to support you and your animal for service needs, Dog Training Elite is the way to go. Loren set up the training schedule to fit my calendar. Jason, who trained my dog, very quickly understood my dog's personality and trainability and what he needed to work on to become a true service dog and to pass the service dog test. I should have found Dog Training Elite years ago!
Elizabeth Morgan

Jan. 9, 2026

My dog has had MAJOR improvements after working with Illiana!!! I used to be so anxious about how he was towards people and I no longer feel that way!! Illiana will customize the training to be exactly what you need, she’s great!!! My dog Finn is visibly less stressed whenever people come to the house!
martha bases

Jan. 7, 2026

Never ever did i think i would be able to train my dog!!! I tried to follow online programs and gave up every time, then I heard about Dog Training Elite. I called them, they were super friendly and informative and they suggested a consult. Best decision i have made! Looking back at the first meeting I think there was skepticism on both sides whether my dog could be service trained. I started working with Illiana who is extremely positive, friendly, patient and definitely knows her dogs. By the second session she instantly saw the potential my dog Poppy had. She thoughtfully and patiently taught us together, her detail and focus made it not only easy but fun and I now have a fully trained service dog. They make it so easy as they come to your home, they bring you into group settings and they work with you until you and your dog have succeeded. I cannot say enough great things about Illiana and the team, like i said, I was a huge skeptic and was proven wrong.....and it happened so much faster then i could ever imagine. Thank you so much, i am beyond grateful!!!

Reviews & Testimonials

A Connecticut puppy trainers giving a puppy positive affirmation during an in-home training session.

Dog Training Elite of Southern CT, CT

In-Home Puppy Training

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Dog Training Elite of Southern CT offers comprehensive in-home training. For the first 4-6 weeks, trainers use “treat training” before moving onto more advanced puppy training. Puppies will learn the following behaviors:

Come, down, loose-leash walking, and down
Puppy corrections (Stop biting, digging, jumping, etc.)

Crate training/ housebreaking
Focus around distractions

Trainers will also help owners learn about the following:

Socialization tips
Environmental hazards
Positive reinforcement techniques

Puppy enrichment
Caring for your puppy
And more!

Training a puppy can feel overwhelming. By pairing you with a professional trainer, not only will your puppy learn quickly, but you will feel confident and empowered to continue training your puppy after the sessions are completed. Training in your own home will help you bond with your pup so even after the professional trainer leaves, you and Fido can continue to progress together.

A puppy ready to start training with Dog Training Elite of Southern CT.

Start Puppy Training Early

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First-time dog owners are often unsure of when to begin training their dogs. For the best results, it’s essential to start training your puppy as soon as possible. You can start socialization and basic commands as soon as you bring your new puppy home. Puppies are open to new experiences and people and learn quickly while they are young. It is beneficial to take advantage of this stage. Start with basic commands like "down," "come," and "stay." If you are searching for classes, Dog Training Elite offers puppy obedience classes.

Additional Puppy Training Info

Crate Training

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A well-manered puppy receiving positive reinforcement from their owner.

Our Puppy Trainers

The DTE Approach

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We have developed a highly successful and unique positive puppy training program empowering dog owners to train. Hence, their dog knows who to obey at all times, in all situations or environments. We offer personalized training to deal with specific issues and behaviors. We even offers customized training schedules to offer you the support you need as a dog owner.

Involvement is Key!

Most dog training programs don’t allow for the involvement of owners and families. Our trainers greatly encourage owners and their families to be involved in the training process. Why? This ensures you and your family know what’s expected, allows for continued education and means all the progress isn’t lost. Your puppy won’t come home and forget everything he’s learned.

Our puppy training program consists of two phases, early training and advanced training. Puppies as young as eight weeks can begin learning with Dog Training Elite of Southern CT. Our process allows us to efficiently complete in-home puppy training services at your home or within the environment where behaviors manifest - such as in the park or around other dogs in the neighborhood.

Dog Training Elite of Southern CT

How Puppy Training Works

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We use a positive puppy training method paired with an electronic collar - not a shock collar. Unlike shock collars, electronic collars do not hurt or harm the pup. They are used only to obtain their attention, not to punish bad behavior. We believe in using constant praise to encourage good behavior. The difference becomes apparent when comparing a puppy trained out of fear to a puppy who truly desires to please.

Positive Reinforcement for Positive Pups

Positive reinforcement is the best option in puppy training. Punishments will only scare your dog, and fear can lead to aggression problems later in life. Our trainers use a classical conditioning program focusing on positive reinforcement of basic commands.

Dogs are eager to please. When they learn following basic commands results in affection or a treat, they will be happy to do as you ask. With patience - and the assistance of a professional puppy trainer - you'll be rewarded with a lifelong loyal pal.

We base our training around the "Classical Conditioning" model, also known as the "Pavlovian" response or "respondent conditioning." This means developing conditioned or automatic reflexes to commands, so when the owner says "sit," the dog automatically sits without thinking. Our unique technique ensures our program is a success no matter what behavior we encounter.

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

Educate, Empower, Elevate, Elite

Victory Begins With Elite Education

Call 203-433-6287 Free Assessment Package Details

Dog Training Elite of Southern CT

Tips on How to Bond

Training is a great way to establish a deep, loyal bond with your puppy. Outside of your training sessions, there is more you can do to strengthen your bond. Here are some more tips for how to bond with your puppy:

Learn how to "talk to them"

Your puppy may not understand the words you’re saying, but he or she will understand your tone of voice. Speaking in an excited tone of voice will get your pup excited and motivate them to do what you want them to. Speaking in a low, calm voice can help soothe and relax your puppy.

Establish a routine

Puppies thrive on routine. A consistent schedule will help your puppy adjust to their new home, and to you and your family. A puppy’s schedule needs to include eating, playtime, puppy training, potty breaks, and nap times.

Playtime and exercise

As mentioned above, playtime is an important part of your puppy’s schedule. Playing with your puppy will help strengthen your bond and stimulate their brains. Walks are an easy and great way to give your puppy much-needed exercise. Start small, walking around in your yard or driveway and gradually extending the distance around your neighborhood.

Create boundaries for you and your puppy

Creating boundaries in your home for your puppy helps strengthen your bond because your puppy will look to you for direction and guidance. It will also help your puppy avoid bad habits. Baby gates and playpens are a useful way to create physical boundaries.

Give your puppy their own space

Puppies can become overwhelmed about all the new things they’re exploring. Crate training is a perfect way to allow your puppy to have their own space where they feel safe and comfortable and help them develop some independence so they grow into a well-adjusted dog.

Cuddle your puppy

The most adorable way to bond with your puppy is by cuddling them! Snuggling with your pup can help him or her feel comforted and safe. The best time to get a cuddle session with your puppy is when they are sleepy. Cuddling also helps puppies get used to having their paws, belly, face, etc. handled, and can be a good time to introduce light grooming practices like brushing their fur.