An image of a german shepard with their owner - contact Dog Training Elite for your german shephard training in Grand Rapids, MI.

Professional Training For

German Shepherds

Dog Training Elite West Michigan

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Dog Training Elite West Michigan online booking

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Booking Request


Dog Training Elite West Michigan online booking

Request Free Assessment

Our German Shepherd Training Could Help:

Excessive barking
Aggression
Separation anxiety
Destructive chewing
Leash pulling
Over-protectiveness
Resource guarding

German Shepherd Training in Grand Rapids, MI

German Shepherds consistently rank in the top five most popular dog breeds in America—and for good reason. German Shepherds are highly intelligent and loyal. With proper training and socialization, they are also obedient and great with other dogs and children. Not to mention, they’re beautiful!

Dog Training Elite has years of experience with German Shepherd training in Grand Rapids, MI and has developed obedience programs suitable for this breed. Because of their intelligence and natural herding instincts, German Shepherds can also be trained as service dogs.

Like any intelligent dog, however, a German Shepherd without proper training can become a handful. Their intelligence can lead to stubbornness. Extensive training and socialization are key to harnessing the unique abilities of this breed and diminishing any potential destructive behaviors. Thankfully, the high intelligence of German Shepherds enables them to learn commands quickly.

With our targeted and specialized breed training programs, Dog Training Elite West Michigan can help any German Shepherd become an incredible companion to individuals and families.

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An image of multiple german shepherd puppies - our Grand Rapids german shepherd trainers ensure you pup is ready to be the best companion possible.

German Shepherd Puppies vs. Adults


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Dog Training Elite recommends starting dog training as early as possible, soon after a puppy is ready to leave its mother. Puppies are capable of learning basic commands, and smart German Shepherd puppies do great with early training.

If you adopt an older German Shepherd, or never got around to puppy training, don’t worry! Dog Training Elite West Michigan offers adult dog training programs as well. A complete puppy training typically takes a few months. Adult dog training can take longer or shorter, depending on whether a dog needs to unlearn bad habits in addition to being trained.

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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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FAQs

One of our trainers will visit your home to meet you and your dog and discuss any issues you're facing. We will then demonstrate one of our model dogs so you can see what you can expect after hiring our trainers. From there, we will discuss the various packages we offer and which we feel best suit your (and your dog's) needs.
We provide full obedience training that covers all basic commands, both on and off-leash. Our in-home visits target specific issues like counter-surfing, digging, and more. Unlike some trainers, we work with all breeds, including those often considered challenging.
Yes. You (and anyone in your family who wants to be involved) are integral to your dog getting trained. We need you to practice 5-6 days a week, about 15-20 minutes a day for optimal results.
Once a week. We come to you (with the silver, gold and platinum packages) once a week to start your dog off, then you come to park sessions which are held once a week in Grand Rapids.
We train dogs of all breeds, sizes, and temperaments. Whether your dog is a tiny Chihuahua or a large Mastiff, we have the experience and expertise to work with them.

Hear From Our Customers

Learn Why Dog owners choose Dog Training Elite

  • adrian Quintino
    Oct. 30, 2024
    We are 3 weeks into training with DTE and Osito (Mini Goldendoodle)is a whole new dog! We saw improvement after just one day of training which I didn't think it was possible! Carrie helped us make so much progress with Osito. He is so much well behaved and his Obedience has improved so much! We tried other training programs which were based on rewards like treats/food/toys. That type of training failed miserably with Osito. It was so hard to keep him engaged. We highly recommend Carrie and her DTE training program! Carrie is teaching us a system that works fantastic for us and Osito! So much progress in such a short amount of time. Can't wait to see the end result once the program has been completed! Thank you so much Carrie and DTE!
  • Alison Bowser
    Oct. 23, 2024
    Our dog, George, came to us completely untrained and just a mess. Carrie helped us make SO much progress with him. He’s a different dog! He’s so well behaved and he’s become such a great dog for our family.
  • Brady Owen
    Sep. 20, 2024
    We are very thankful we chose Carrie and Dog Training Elite West Michigan. I saw the impact good training could have on our dog after the first class. We’re very appreciative of the hard work that goes into training and look forward to each class so not only does our dog learn, but we do as well to become better dog parents!
  • Kyle Smith
    Aug. 5, 2024
    Dog Training Elite -West Michigan was a great option for Wesson, our 4 yr old Labradoodle! Carrie taught us a system that works for our dog and our family. We got our dog during Covid and never enrolled in obedience classes due to the shutdowns. While our dog was never aggressive, we needed help with commands to avoid “over joyful welcomes” with visitors and a way to turn off excessive barking at UPS, Fed Ex and other “invaders.” We actually got way more than we expected. I have a happy dog, happy wife and a happy life! I highly recommend Carrie and her Dog Training Elite program!
  • Jonci Warner
    Jul. 11, 2024
    This was my first dog so I knew I needed an expert to help me train. The convenience of at-home lessons and Carrie’s vast understanding of dog behavior was near priceless. What I noticed over all was how much she cared about our dog and its well-being. She is very passionate about her craft. Now people I meet everyday tell me what a well behaved dog I have. A great experience for sure.
  • Max Sloss
    Jul. 11, 2024
    Our trainer from Dog Training Elite West Michigan helped us train our dog ever since he was a puppy. She has helped us and our dog by training our dog to listen to our commands, and having him learn self control. Our trainer was very experienced and intelligent on what to do with dogs. She taught us as owners what to do in almost any situation that could happen to our dog. Overall this is a great service that I am grateful for and would highly recommend to everyone and I could not be happier with what they have done for us and our dog.
  • Heidi Maroney
    Jun. 23, 2024
    Carrie was wonderful with our dogs. We have 2 dogs. She was on time every lesson. Using E collars is very new to us. So we are still getting used to them. We are practicing with the e-collars daily through out daily activities. They do listen better with them and it has helped a great deal to shut down unwanted behavior. Such as excessive barking, pulling, lunging, and rough housing. It has also helped with walking the dogs with distractions. They have learned to sit and stay while people are passing by on walks. We have not started any group classes yet but are looking forward to checking them out.
  • Kristin Howarth
    Jun. 8, 2024
    We hired Carrie to train our 3 year old chocolate lab Brody. She has done an amazing job! She took the time to get to know our family and worked with us on creating a customized plan that fit our needs. Our dog has responded really well to the training. He is listening better, not jumping as much and is learning to heel. We appreciate Carrie’s hard work and dedication, you can tell she truly loves what she does. We still have a few more training sessions to go and are excited to continue to see the great progress.
  • Mitch Mileski
    Mar. 23, 2024
    Dog Training Elite, specifically our trainer Carrie, has provided amazing customer service, dependability, solutions, and empowerment 100% of the time. Carrie has been working with us and our dog Panchito for the last month or so and all I can say is, “wow!” Her experience, wisdom, and patience shows every session. Our anxious and nervous rescue pup has come so far so fast. Although this is a costly service, the mental sanity that is provided with her direction and guidance is priceless. Every day still has its challenges, but we see improvements day after day with Panchito. His confidence has risen and anxiety is melting away. I would 100% recommend DTE to others and would happily call upon their services again if needed.
  • Meghan Arnson
    Mar. 19, 2024
    Our dog Echo and our family had an amazing experience with Dog Training Elite. Carrie's expertise and dedication to helping Echo learn and grow were truly impressive. She took the time to understand Echo's unique needs and tailored the training sessions to suit her and us perfectly. Under Carrie's guidance, Echo made significant progress in her puppy training. I highly recommend Dog Training Elite and Carrie to anyone looking for exceptional dog training services."
  • Josie Van Dam
    Feb. 14, 2024
    Wallace, my nine month old English Cream Golden Retriever, and I just completed all of our individual obedience classes with Carrie. Her reassurance and patience is exactly what I need and has helped me learn how best to communicate and guide Wallace. We are excited to continue working with Carrie as Wallace moves into training to become my service dog. It has been worth every penny and I know will change my life forever.
  • Josie Van Dam
    Feb. 14, 2024
    Wallace, my nine month old English Cream Golden Retriever, and I just completed all of our individual obedience classes with Carrie. Her reassurance and patience is exactly what I need and has helped me learn how best to communicate and guide Wallace. We are excited to continue working with Carrie as Wallace moves into training to become my service dog. Worth every penny!
  • Angela Toms
    Feb. 2, 2024
    I cannot say enough good things about Dog Training Elite. They have taken our puppy who we recently rescued who was ‘skidish’, food deprived, neglected and locked in a cage for the first 7 months of her life and given her confidence, hope, and inspiration to want to please her humans. It is so sweet to see how happy it makes her to know what is expected of her and the pride she has for her learned obedience. This company is so special. You can see the love and compassion they have for their dogs and their humans! I have and will continue to recommend them to anyone who wants to form a special connection with their dog through this training that only this company could have provided for us!!
  • Drew John
    Feb. 2, 2024
    I am beyond happy with Dog Training Elite West Michigan! My expectations have been met and by far exceeded with this training style. We have 3 dogs, 2 that we “trained” with “traditional” treat based systems and when there’s not treats, there’s no obedience. This style of training is fantastic! Not only does your fur baby learn, you do as well. The bond that you get to have with this style of training is amazing. For anyone that is skeptical or thinks that this isn’t worth the time or money, YOU’RE WRONG! Best money I have ever spent! Not only do you get the expertise with the package you pick, you get care, compassion and understanding to help you through with what you’re trying to accomplish with your dog. After only 4 in home trainings, my family took our fur baby to a crowded, loud, and rambunctious atmosphere, and our pup did amazing. So much so that a ton of people came up to us and complimented how well our pup was doing! The best feeling ever is to be able to take your fur baby with you and not have to worry about anything! There is not enough space or time to say how amazing this company is. Carrie, the owner, takes her time, helps you understand the training, but also tailors each lesson to suit you and your dogs style. Our fur baby has so much confidence, pride and self affirmation, which she has gained through this training process! 10 out of 10 would recommend to anyone who has a dog that wants help with training!!!!!!!
  • Andrew Tompkins
    Feb. 2, 2024
    I am beyond happy with Dog Training Elite West Michigan! My expectations have been met and by far exceeded with this training. We have 3 dogs, 2 that we “trained” with “traditional” treat based systems and when there’s not treats, there’s no obedience. This training is fantastic! Not only does your fur baby learn, you do as well. The bond that you get to have with this training is amazing. For anyone that is skeptical or thinks that this isn’t worth the time or money, YOU’RE WRONG! Best money I have ever spent! Not only do you get the expertise with the package you pick, you get care, compassion and understanding to help you through with what you’re trying to accomplish with your dog. After only 4 in home trainings, my family took our fur baby to a crowded, loud, and rambunctious atmosphere, and our pup did amazing. So much so that a ton of people came up to us and complimented how well our pup was doing! The best feeling ever is to be able to take your fur baby with you and not have to worry about anything! There is not enough space or time to say how amazing this company is. Carrie, the owner, takes her time, helps you understand the training, but also tailors each lesson to suit you and your dogs style. Our fur baby has so much confidence, pride and self affirmation, which she has gained through this training process! 10 out of 10 would recommend to anyone who has a dog that wants help with training!!!!!!!
  • Angela Tompkins
    Feb. 2, 2024
    I cannot say enough good things about Dog Training Elite. They have taken our puppy who we recently rescued who was ‘skidish’, food deprived, neglected and locked in a cage for the first 7 months of her life and given her confidence, hope, and inspiration to want to please her humans. It is so sweet to see how happy it makes her to know what is expected of her and the pride she has for her learned obedience. This company is so special. You can see the love and compassion they have for their dogs and their humans! I have and will continue to recommend them to anyone who wants to form a special connection with their dog through this training that only this company could have provided for us!!
  • Thomas Eusebio
    Oct. 28, 2023
    DTE has been a godsend for our family. Carrie helped transform our stubborn rambunctious Samoyed into an obedient wonderful dog. No more pulling on the leash during walks and less reactivity. She has continued to improve over the course of our training. We would highly recommend DTE!
  • Kelly Gagnon
    Sep. 8, 2023
    Carrie and Jessica are AMAZING to work with and know what they are doing. You can tell they love what they do and it came out in the success of our dog Scout. He is a much happier dog which shows when he’s called and comes running to us, the smile on his face says it all. If you are questioning if this is worth it…trust me when I say IT IS!!!. Thank you to Dog Training Elite West Michigan for everything you have helped us with. We will be forever grateful. We have a new dog and new friends 💙 Bob and Kelly
  • Heather Ryan
    Aug. 13, 2023
    We have a rather rambunctious chocolate lab puppy. We’ve done other puppy training classes but he would only behave when food was being given as rewards. And he was harder and harder to walk the bigger he got. He was jumping on people and just overwhelming. We’ve had five private classes and already a new lab puppy lives with us. Things are so much better and will just keep getting better. We took him to the beach for the first time yesterday. He was very excited but recall was solid and he didn’t jump on anyone! He loves swimming. What a great investment! Highly recommend to anyone who wants a well behaved dog.
  • Heather Ryan
    Aug. 9, 2023
    The. Change in our dogs behavior is night and day. I once again love having a puppy in the house!
A dog owner with his German Shepherd - get your professional german shepherd training in Grand Rapids, MI with Dog Training Elite today.

In-Home German Shepherd Training

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Dog Training Elite offers specialized in-home German Shepherd training for both owners and dogs of any age. Working with a German Shepherd and the owner directly in the home allows dog trainers to create personalized training plans for individual dogs, as well as address any unique needs or issues.

Once a dog has completed in-home training, they can take group classes for more in-depth training - Dog Training Elite West Michigan offers both puppy and adult dog group classes.

Beginning training in the home also helps owners bond with their dogs so when the dog trainer leaves, no progress is lost.

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German Shepherd Training Tips

German Shepherds are loyal and intelligent dogs that require a thoughtful approach to training. They are eager learners, but they also need structure and clear guidance to reach their full potential.

Here are some essential training tips for German Shepherds.

Dogs, and especially German Shepherds, do best with consistency. Always make sure to use the same verbal and/or physical cues during training to avoid any confusion. Also, be consistent about rules - establish at the beginning, for example, whether or not your dog is allowed on the couch. Then, don’t change the rule under any circumstances.
German Shepherds are an energetic breed - if you don’t have a yard for your dog to play in, that’s fine, but make sure your German Shepherd gets daily exercise through walking, hiking, etc. An energetic dog with little to no exercise can become a destructive, disobedient dog.

Since German Shepherds are historically trained as working dogs, they thrive on being busy. Training is a great way to give German Shepherds the mental and physical stimulation they need.

Dog Training Elite has developed training programs for puppies and adult dogs based on positive reinforcement. Our Grand Rapids German Shepherd trainers are dedicated to protecting your pets mental and physical health while ensuring the best possible results.

A group of dogs being trained by the expert team at Dog Training Elite West Michigan.
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Victory Begins With Elite Education

An adorable German Shepherd with their owner - Dog Training Elite is your go-to choice for Grand Rapids german shepherd trainers.

Your Expert German Shepherd Trainers in Grand Rapids, MI

The Dog Training Elite Difference

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Dog Training Elite uses modern training methods focused on positive reinforcement and bonding between dog and dog owner. Dog Training Elite never resorts to the use of punishment to help dogs unlearn bad behavior. The difference becomes clear when comparing a dog that is trained out of anxiety and intimidation vs a dog who truly desires to please from the inside out.

The Dog Training Elite training theory is mostly based around classical conditioning, also known as the Pavlovian method or respondent conditioning. This includes developing conditioned or automatic reflexes to commands. In its simplest form (after proper conditioning), when an owner says "sit," their dog automatically sits without thinking about it.

Through a combination of commands and an electronic collar, dogs learn to follow commands at once. The electronic collar is not a shock collar; it is a gentle electronic pulse, similar to the tug of a leash, used to get the dog’s attention. Other dog trainers use harsh static collars or spray collars which have been shown to be less effective. Dog Training Elite’s method of focusing on positive behavior reinforcement nurtures a dog's loving and naturally obedient nature.

Ready to turn your dog into a loyal and loving companion? Contact Dog Training Elite today for professional German Shepherd training in Grand Rapids, MI!