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Positive Reinforcement vs. Punishment
Research shows that focusing on positive reinforcement when a desired behavior occurs and not worrying about correcting bad behavior in dogs is more effective and has longer-lasting results than training that incorporates punishment for bad behavior.
Positive dog training in Fort Wayne works because dogs are inherently eager to please. Rewarding your dog for good behavior helps create a deep, loving relationship with your dog built on trust, as opposed to one built on fear of punishment. The difference between a dog who has been trained to obey out of fear of being punished vs. a dog who learns to obey through a positive, loving bond with their owner is huge.
Dog Training Elite of Fort Wayne trainers use treats as an initial reward for puppies and dogs learning commands. When the trainer is absent, or you’re in between obedience classes, you can continue to use treats as a reward for your dog when they exhibit a desired behavior. Dogs tend to be highly food-motivated, so this is an extremely useful tool. You can also reward your dog with a play session, take them to the dog park or anything else you know your dog enjoys. After all, you know your dog best!
Not all training packages may be available at our Dog Training Elite of Fort Wayne location, please reference our pricing page for complete information on services offered.
Silver
$1,295
- In-Home Training SessionsOne-on-one & personalized 3 Sessions
- Group Park Training Sessions 8 sessions
- Come
- Heel (walk with you without pulling)
- Sit(next to you & off leash at a distance)
- Off(furniture when desired)
- Quiet(stop excessive barking & whining)
- Place(go to bed)
Gold
$1,695
- In-Home Training SessionsOne-on-one & personalized 5 Sessions
- Group Park Training Sessions 24 Sessions
- Train Owners Leadership Skills
- Lifetime phone support
- Come
- Place(go to bed)
- Heel(walk with you without pulling)
- Sit(next to you & off leash at a distance)
- Off(furniture if desired)
- Quiet(stop excessive barking & whining)
- Down(next to you & off leash at a distance)
- Housebreaking / Potty Training
- Calm Anxiety & Build Confidence
- Get into Car or Kennel
- STOP Running Away
- STOP Jumping on People
- STOP Puppy Biting
- STOP Chasing Animals
- STOP Chewing
- STOP Digging
- Additional 1-on-1 classes available for purchase
- Additional group classes available for purchase
Platinum
$2,295
Most Popular Package
Platinum offers advanced obedience/behavioral modification with a goal of off-leash control. Includes additional training options and offers more one-on-one and group sessions than Gold.
LIFETIME GROUP CLASSES
- In-Home Training SessionsOne-on-one & personalized 8 Sessions
- Group Park Training Sessions Unlimited
- Train Owners Leadership Skills
- Lifetime phone support
- AKC Canine Good Citizen Certification
- Come
- Place(go to bed)
- Heel(walk with you without pulling)
- Sit(next to you & off leash at a distance)
- Off(furniture if desired)
- Quiet(stop excessive barking & whining)
- Down(next to you & off leash at a distance)
- Housebreaking / Potty Training
- Build Confidence
- Get into Car or Kennel
- STOP Running Away
- STOP Jumping on People
- STOP Puppy Biting
- STOP Chasing Animals
- STOP Chewing
- STOP Digging
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Choose to Address Advanced Concerns:
- Calm Anxiety
- Control Aggression(dog & human) -
Or Choose One Tailored Skill Below: *Specialized training options based upon your dog's abilities.
- Therapy dog training
See Details
- Emotional Support Dog Training
- Ride on a Golf Cart, Skateboard, or Wagon
- Stay with You on Jog, Hike, or Bike Ride
- Other Custom Command Approved by Trainer - Additional 1-on-1 classes available for purchase
- Additional group classes available for purchase
Positive Dog Training in Fort Wayne
As for not worrying about bad behavior – it may feel strange to act like everything is fine when your dog chews on your shoes, or goes to the bathroom inside your home. But focusing on rewarding good behavior and forgoing punishment for bad behavior is more successful in the long run.
Relying on punishment for errors and “low value” rewards, such as praise or petting are long held “traditional” methods for dog training. Punishments like flicking a dog’s nose, shocking them with a shock collar, or anything else that may cause a dog pain are unfortunately still in use today by many dog trainers.
Not only is it inhumane, but using punishment as a tool can actually backfire. For example: punishing a dog for going to the bathroom inside a house won’t teach them to go outside instead. Often, the dog only understands that the mess makes their owner mad. Instead of going outside, the dog is likely to continue to make messes indoors — where the owner can’t find them.
Punishment training also damages the relationship between dog and owner. Dogs do not understand right and wrong. Instead of associating punishment with a specific behavior they learn to avoid, as with the bathroom example, they instead learn to live in constant fear of punishment. This prevents owners from bonding with their dogs in a meaningful way.
Se habla español!
Our Balanced Theory
We base our training around the "Classical Conditioning" model (a.k.a. "Pavlovian" or "respondent conditioning"). This includes developing conditioned or automatic reflexes to commands. In its simplest form (after proper conditioning), when the owner says "sit," the dog automatically sits without thinking about it. Our unique techniques ensure our program is a success no matter what behavior we encounter.
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Empowering Owners
We empower Owners to train so their dog knows who to obey at all times. -
Personalized
We deal with problem behaviors on a personal basis. -
Environment Specific
We train wherever issues tend to arise (i.e. jogging, park, home).
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Supportive
We support Owners in the off-hours (when training is "not in session"). -
Involved
We work with all members of the household. -
Simplified & Customized
We plan training around the owner's schedule and require only 20 min/day follow-up practice.
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Continued Training
Additional programs / group sessions offered after in-home training. -
Lifetime Investment
We follow up & are invested in the owner's success long-term. -
Satisfaction Ratings
Our high client satisfaction rating sets us apart from competitors.
clas·si·cal con·di·tion·ing
PSYCHOLOGY
noun
A learning process that occurs when two stimuli are repeatedly paired; a response that is at first elicited by the second stimulus and is eventually elicited by the first stimulus alone.
We help your dog become a valued companion and beloved member of the family. Read what our customers have to say and then give us a call!
Our little Georgi had a great time learning from two great trainers, Nathan & Clint. They both loved on Georgi while training her and she looked forward to the training. They were very clear and consistent with their commands to Georgi and with explanation of the commands to both my wife and myself. We are able to continue our training throughout the week with ease. The 5 weeks flew bye and we look forward to the park visits on Saturdays. I would highly recommend them to anyone looking to build a stronger relationship with their puppies.— Todd Mullins
Posted September 26th 2024
Our dog Pete has made a major transformation. Nate has been so helpful and has great knowledge. He has helped us to learn how to be better pet owners. Thank you Nate. We highly recommend Dog Training Elite.— connie McDaniels
Posted September 13th 2024
Nathan was my trainer and he was great. My dog is smart, but easily distracted and very stubborn. Nathan was very good with my dog. He was very good at explaining how the training works and giving me good tips when my dog was being challenging. I would recommend this training to anyone who wants their dog to be well trained and happy.— kelli faulkner
Posted September 5th 2024
Dog training Elite training program did wonders for my boy. They were fexible and accommodating to my schedule for training. Trained me as well as my boy. Great people to work with and their knowledge is extensive.— Brandi Bilger
Posted August 25th 2024
Clint and his team have done wonders for my 3 year old GSD. I would highly recommend their program.— Zack Solmonson
Posted August 18th 2024
We had a Soft Coated Wheaton who needed help with some behavioral issues (aggressive towards other dogs, barking, walking, etc.). Dog Training Elite has helped tremendously. The in home training was great for our whole family to learn together. Also the in home training helped our dog learn in a familiar environment (full of the usual distractions). Nathan the trainer was always kind, patient, and helpful in answering all of our questions. Nathan has taught our whole family tools and commands to help our dog improve tremendously with his behavior issues. We highly recommend Dog Training Elite.— Scott Herman
Posted August 4th 2024
Nathan is phenomenal! Our Great Dane Tiberius has transformed and became manageable. We are very grateful, and could not be happier with the results.— scott Tegtmeyer
Posted June 27th 2024
My 2 year old shih tzu, Buddy was driving me crazy with all the barking and lunging at other dogs and cars. I now have a much calmer dog - who listens when I give him a command. The difference is AMAZING! Nathan is great at communicating the method and why. It's obvious he loves dogs. I highly recommend Dog Training Elite!— Lisa Holler
Posted June 19th 2024
I would recommend Dog Training Elite of Ft Wayne to anyone that wants their dog to be awesome. In just the 2 months of private lessons, my husband and i have seen an improvement in our dog. And I want to give a huge shout out to Clint and Zandra to help me train Athena— Erica McNutt
Posted May 29th 2024
I got a golden retriever puppy September 2023. This pup was scared to get in a car & did not like walks. I hired Elite to help me with training. They were awesome!! Clint, Nathan & Zandra were all part of his training. He just turned 1 on 5/25/2024 & he is the best behaved dog I have ever had. He loves his walks and has no problem getting in the car. I recommend them highly!— Pamela Fike
Posted May 26th 2024
Bella was a pretty good dog, but with the help of Nathan and Clint, she is more well mannered and is ready to continue her journey as a therapy pup! Very thankful for Nathan and Clint at Dog Training Elite! Highly Recommend!!— Jenny Nott
Posted May 17th 2024
It's been an amazing experience training with my boy Khan. Clint's approach to dog training is highly effective. Looking forward to the group classes next.— Jeremy Potts
Posted May 14th 2024
We have recently wrapped up our 1 on 1 training sessions with Nathan from Elite. What a huge difference he has made in our young German Shepherd! When first contacting Elite, our pup was a bit out of control and had anxiety issues. With Nathan's help she is now well behaved and enjoys going out to meet the public. She has surprised us all with her progress. I can't wait to start our park group trips with her! A big THANK YOU to Nathan and Elite!!!— Lori Myers
Posted May 7th 2024
Clint, Nathan, and Janella were wonderful in training our GSD, Betty. They trained in our home and neighborhood, which was great for observing Betty in her natural environment. We regularly receive compliments on Betty’s manners and impulse control. For our previous dog, we used another local trainer for a 5 day boot camp at their facility. We found Dog Training Elite to be much more effective and have seen better results. We would definitely recommend them.— Kurt Beuchel
Posted April 28th 2024
Dog Training Elite is phenomenal. Clint and Nathan provided in home dog training for our 5 month old pups, Sami & Sofi. They were professional yet genuine in their training and methods. They made it an environment that was fun yet structured. As pet owner’s for years - we learned so much from them (as did our pups). This was one of the best investments we could have ever made, not only for our pups, but for us. The change has been truly amazing!— Jodi & Don Rowlands
Posted April 26th 2024
Clint is awesome. He listens as well as ensures your understanding of the method and why. Follow his training and you will have a dog that is adjusted and able to in public. No embarrassment from your fur buddy. You will not regret the call, unless you don't make it today. It's never to late or early to start training your dog.— *
Posted March 15th 2024
We started training with another trainer and it just wasn't working. Our girl wasn't catching on and she wasn't happy. We met a very happy Dog Training Elite customer and after their glowing review we immediately signed up. In just a few weeks Clint helped us take our girl from 'not so trained' to walking in a heel OFF leash! Her behaviors went from "meh" to 'what a well behaved dog!". She is happier and more confident. We couldn't be more pleased. Clint came and worked with our girl and taught us how to do the same. We put in the work between sessions and now we have a great dog! We highly recommend Dog Training Elite!— Alicia Scott
Posted April 24th 2024
I love Fort Wayne DogTraining Elite! Clint is very thorough and clear when it comes to communication! He gives excellent examples to learn from! We also had Nathan and Janella work with our dog and did an excellent job! I love learning from each of them and happy to be on the team! 😊— Zandra Kemp
Posted April 22nd 2024
BEST TRAINERS EVER!!!! Thank you to Hope and Clint making her an ELITE dog through your program!!— Janella Benitez
Posted April 20th 2024
The Dog Training Elite of Fort Wayne Difference
Dog Training Elite of Fort Wayne uses modern training methods focused on positive dog training using reinforcement and bonding you and your dog. Dog Training Elite of Fort Wayne trainers never resort to punishment to help dogs unlearn behaviors.
Through a combination of commands and an electronic collar, dogs learn to follow commands at once. The electronic collar is not a shock collar and never used to punish bad behavior. Instead, it produces a sensation like the gentle tug of a leash, and is used to help recapture the attention of a dog who gets distracted.
Dog Training Elite of Fort Wayne’s method of focusing on positive behavior reinforcement nurtures a dog's loving and naturally obedient nature. The method is the same regardless of the situation, whether training a puppy, an older dog or a service dog.
The positive dog training method of Dog Training Elite of Fort Wayne ensures training is a success no matter what your dog’s behavior. If you have a brand new puppy who is stubborn and smart, or an older dog who has slipped into bad habits – or perhaps never learned – after proper conditioning and working with Dog Training Elite of Fort Wayne, when you say “sit,” your dog will automatically sit without thinking about it.
Dog Training Elite of Fort Wayne offers specialized in-home training services so your dog gets the attention and training he or she needs, and you learn alongside them so training continues when the trainer leaves. Dog Training Elite of Fort Wayne also offers group classes for dogs who are ready to take obedience training to the next level, and service training programs for a variety of needs.
If you’re looking to train a service dog, or just looking for a loyal four-legged companion, Dog Training Elite of Fort Wayne will help you get there with our positive dog training. You can get started today.
Find a trainer near you and schedule a free in-home assessment!