A German Shepherd laying on the floor - Dog Training Elite offers aggressive dog training in Grand Rapids, MI thats designed to help your dog's anxiety and build confidence.

Professional Training For

Anxiety & Aggression

Dog Training Elite West Michigan

Request Free Assessment


Request Free Assessment


Our Anxiety & Aggression Training Could Help:

Excessive barking
Growling or snapping
Lunging
Pacing or restlessness
Trembling or shaking
Destructive chewing
Nipping or biting
Resource guarding

Helping Dogs Feel Calm & Confident

Aggressive Dog Training in Grand Rapids, MI

One of the most difficult, necessary, and rewarding behaviors to correct in a dog is anxiety and aggression. These behaviors can be learned, genetic, or innate. When a dog feels threatened, their natural response is either fight or flight.

Most dogs will try to distance themselves from the perceived threat; if that's not possible, they may resort to aggression or submission. Some dogs, particularly those who see themselves as confident pack leaders, may turn to aggression as their first response.

Both of these reactions are rooted in anxiety and can be effectively addressed with Dog Training Elite's balanced aggressive dog training in Grand Rapids, MI.

See Training Packages
An adorable pitbull outside on the grass - Dog Training Elite helps dogs of all breed manage their anxiety with our Grand Rapids aggressive dog training.

Understanding Aggressive Behaviors in Dogs


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Aggression is one of the most concerning behaviors your dog can exhibit. If left unchecked, an aggressive dog can pose a serious threat to family members, strangers, other dogs, or even themselves.

Many dog owners struggle with how to recognize early warning signs of aggression or how to effectively address these tendencies. Identifying and managing aggressive behavior early on is crucial in preventing it from escalating into more dangerous situations.

Common signs of aggression in dogs include:

  • Growling or bearing teeth
  • Threatening barks
  • Standing rigid and/or taller
  • Raised fur
  • Nipping and biting

Aggression often stems from underlying issues like fear, anxiety, improper training, or negative environments. Dogs that have been rescued from poor situations or found on the street are particularly susceptible to developing aggressive behaviors.

At Dog Training Elite, we specialize in professional dog training for aggression, helping your dog transform from fearful or aggressive to a happy, friendly, and loyal companion.

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!

Hear From Our Customers

Learn Why Dog owners choose Dog Training Elite

  • Mary N
    May. 8, 2025
    Carrie has been great to work with It took some getting used to her approach but it works!I highly recommend Dog Training Elite West Michigan. Mary Nalbach
  • Elise VanDyken
    May. 6, 2025
    Carrie's expertise was so appreciated We needed to get our black lab that was adopted at age 3 to learn to heel on walks. Fantastic coaching!! Rocky will be great on a leash because of her.
  • Julie Schmuker
    Apr. 24, 2025
    Carrie has been absolutely amazing with my girls. We saw an immediate improvement in their focus and attitude after the first meeting. I never knew my girls were so smart and eager to learn. Thank you Carrie for helping us keep our little stubborn one. What you have taught us and them has truly transformed the way we all interact.
  • Ann-Marie Ellis
    Apr. 17, 2025
    Would HIGHLY recommend Dog Training Elite! We have worked with Carrie and are so impressed with her knowledge, professionalism, and care. She has been invaluable in teaching us how to best train our dog. She makes a point to understand our family and home so she can best help us to train our dog effectively. We have already seen such gains with our dog (that is only 6 months old). We are so grateful for Dog Training Elite.
  • amber deneen
    Apr. 15, 2025
    We have been working with Carrie for a few weeks now and are seeing some very positive results! The e-collar is an excellent tool to communicate with our dog and has helped us with some frustrations. Carrie is very knowledgeable and patient with us. In a positive way, she has brought to our attention things we were doing as owners that weren't so helpful. I have enjoyed the in home training session because I am able to learn the commands first hand. This type of personalized training has helped me gain more confidenc. I am looking forward to group training soon and learning more!
  • jodi morton
    Apr. 9, 2025
    We are so thankful for Carrie and her expertise! We contacted Carrie once we were at our wits end with our 6 month old puppy who had separation anxiety and aggression. She helped us feel more in control and she gave us tools to help our puppy (and us!) feel successful! Carrie is a life saver!
  • Heidi Maroney
    Mar. 23, 2025
    We trained with Carrie about 8 months ago. The website said she was good with training dogs with anxiety and aggression. This was why we hired her. We have 2 rescue dogs. Our youngest had a lot of anxiety and was acting aggressively. Challenge was she wasn't even a year old and we wanted to help train the fear and aggression out of her. Unfortunately, when they were tired they got into a fight. My husband put his hand in-between them and was bitten. This was NOT a normal thing and it has not happened again. As expensive as the training was, we couldn't complete the socialization group classes because she insisted we put a muzzle on her. We tried and the amount of anxiety, fear and aggression increased with the muzzle. So we couldn't go to the classes. We have been socializing her and she LOVES people now. She shows zero aggression and is no longer so fearful! The tools the trainer used were good and we are still using them. I am only doing this review so other dog parents dont try to use this company for anxiety and aggression training. What worked is a lot of love, using the buttons and keeping them from rough housing when playing. The buttons work however we now just have to show them we are about to button them for them to do exactly what we ask them to. They do seem to understand English! So in a lot of ways this training gave us some great tools. Socialization has happened on lots of walks and the vet. They sit before meeting anyone and are doing really well. Just keep in mind the suggestion for muzzles for aggressive dogs with anxiety. The pictures below are our dogs. The youngest one is the one thinking she is a cat!
  • Timothy Ellis
    Mar. 21, 2025
    Carrie has been amazing to work with, and we have seen incredible results with our Golden Retriever (Moose). We started working with Dog Training Elite West Michigan when Moose was a puppy. My wife is new to dog ownership and Carrie gave us tips and training that made even the puppy stage a blast. We are now training with the e-collar, and seeing incredible results. I'll be honest I was initially skeptical because I figured e-collar meant shock training. This is completely different, the e-collar serves more as gentle nudge to each command, not a shock for punishment. We all even tested the feeling of the e-collar as a family prior to using. I appreciate Carrie's professionalism, and highly recommend Dog Training Elite West Michigan.
  • Vanessa Walstra
    Feb. 23, 2025
    We have had such a positive experience with Carrie and Dog Training Elite! They have been helpful and patient and clearly love the animals they work with and believe in the work they are doing.
  • Britt Barnett
    Feb. 21, 2025
    Carrie is the best! We have two dogs. One is seven years old and one is three months old. She started training them at the same time and it’s made a world of difference after just three sessions!
  • Kent Walstra
    Feb. 20, 2025
    I’ve been very impressed with Ozzy’s progress. He loves working with his trainer, and he’s eager to learn and practice new tasks—largely because of what he and my daughter are learning together. This has been a very good choice for our family.
  • Samantha Goodwin
    Feb. 20, 2025
    I am so thankful to have found Dog Training Elite. Their unique training approach has been a perfect fit for us. I am always impressed by the passion, dedication and progress in our sessions. Eloise is already such a well behaved member of our family and will one day be a great therapy dog. Highly recommended this company!
  • AJ Walstra
    Feb. 7, 2025
    This training has been absolute gold! What I’m learning about training my dog and, maybe more importantly, communicating and working with my dog, is truly priceless.
  • Sally Jo Klokkert
    Dec. 19, 2024
    Carrie was so kind and patient with my girl Billy and I. I’m so happy and proud of the progress we have made and would HIGHLY recommend dog training elite west Michigan to anyone
  • Sally Jo Klokkert
    Dec. 19, 2024
    Carrie was so kind and patient with my girl Billy and I. I’m so happy and proud of the progress we have made and would HIGHLY recommend dog training elite west Michigan to anyone
  • sally klokkert
    Dec. 19, 2024
    I’m a 62 year old woman who rescued a beautiful black and tan on hound. She is as strong as a bull and sweet as pie. She pulled me to my knees to many times to count and when guest came over she would almost knock them over with affection.i needed help and a friend found elite training for me. I signed up and with some training myself and a little help with my dog my dog is a well behaved love who will stay put until I give the command. Carrie worked miracles at showing my pup and myself who we could be. 💜
  • sally klokkert
    Dec. 19, 2024
    I’m a 62 year old woman who rescued a beautiful black and tan on hound. She is as strong as a bull and sweet as pie. She pulled me to my knees to many times to count and when guest came over she would almost knock them over with affection.i needed help and a friend found elite training for me. I signed up and with some training myself and a little help with my dog my dog is a well behaved love who will stay put until I give the command. Carrie worked miracles at showing my pup and myself who we could be. 💜
  • Melissa Weining
    Dec. 12, 2024
    We have been blessed with a few wonderful dogs as family pets. But in September we had the opportunity to get a Belgian Malinois puppy, Dakota. She is a joy, but we knew that for her to reach her full potential as our pet, we would need professional help. Carrie and Dog Training Elite West Michigan have been a tremendous help and Dakota is making amazing progress! With each training session we see growth and discipline in Dakota's behavior. My husband and I agree it is money very well spent for our furry companion! Dog Training Elite is convenient, professional, knowledgeable, and all around fantastic!! Carrie takes her job very serious for the sake of our dog and our family, and has exceeded all of our expectations!!
  • Kylie Kamppinen
    Dec. 10, 2024
    Carrie with Dog Training Elite has been absolutely wonderful. My silver Labrador retriever named Opal is so well trained. She has helped us through all of the hard puppy stages. I have gotten so many compliments on how well behaved my dog is and it is all thanks to Carrie.
  • Christy Moore Greenman
    Nov. 13, 2024
    Our puppy has officially graduated from Dog Training Elite West Michigan! Investing in Carrie and her training techniques was the best choice I could have made! We welcomed our puppy into our home with the hopes of him becoming a therapy dog at my school. He has learned so much with Carrie! Although therapy dog training will start a little bit later, we finally enjoy walking him and having people over without him jumping on everyone! If you’ve ever thought about investing in training for your own dog(s), I would highly recommend Carrie.
  • Mary N
    May. 8, 2025
    Carrie has been great to work with It took some getting used to her approach but it works!I highly recommend Dog Training Elite West Michigan. Mary Nalbach
  • Elise VanDyken
    May. 6, 2025
    Carrie's expertise was so appreciated We needed to get our black lab that was adopted at age 3 to learn to heel on walks. Fantastic coaching!! Rocky will be great on a leash because of her.
  • Julie Schmuker
    Apr. 24, 2025
    Carrie has been absolutely amazing with my girls. We saw an immediate improvement in their focus and attitude after the first meeting. I never knew my girls were so smart and eager to learn. Thank you Carrie for helping us keep our little stubborn one. What you have taught us and them has truly transformed the way we all interact.
  • Ann-Marie Ellis
    Apr. 17, 2025
    Would HIGHLY recommend Dog Training Elite! We have worked with Carrie and are so impressed with her knowledge, professionalism, and care. She has been invaluable in teaching us how to best train our dog. She makes a point to understand our family and home so she can best help us to train our dog effectively. We have already seen such gains with our dog (that is only 6 months old). We are so grateful for Dog Training Elite.
  • amber deneen
    Apr. 15, 2025
    We have been working with Carrie for a few weeks now and are seeing some very positive results! The e-collar is an excellent tool to communicate with our dog and has helped us with some frustrations. Carrie is very knowledgeable and patient with us. In a positive way, she has brought to our attention things we were doing as owners that weren't so helpful. I have enjoyed the in home training session because I am able to learn the commands first hand. This type of personalized training has helped me gain more confidenc. I am looking forward to group training soon and learning more!
  • jodi morton
    Apr. 9, 2025
    We are so thankful for Carrie and her expertise! We contacted Carrie once we were at our wits end with our 6 month old puppy who had separation anxiety and aggression. She helped us feel more in control and she gave us tools to help our puppy (and us!) feel successful! Carrie is a life saver!
  • Heidi Maroney
    Mar. 23, 2025
    We trained with Carrie about 8 months ago. The website said she was good with training dogs with anxiety and aggression. This was why we hired her. We have 2 rescue dogs. Our youngest had a lot of anxiety and was acting aggressively. Challenge was she wasn't even a year old and we wanted to help train the fear and aggression out of her. Unfortunately, when they were tired they got into a fight. My husband put his hand in-between them and was bitten. This was NOT a normal thing and it has not happened again. As expensive as the training was, we couldn't complete the socialization group classes because she insisted we put a muzzle on her. We tried and the amount of anxiety, fear and aggression increased with the muzzle. So we couldn't go to the classes. We have been socializing her and she LOVES people now. She shows zero aggression and is no longer so fearful! The tools the trainer used were good and we are still using them. I am only doing this review so other dog parents dont try to use this company for anxiety and aggression training. What worked is a lot of love, using the buttons and keeping them from rough housing when playing. The buttons work however we now just have to show them we are about to button them for them to do exactly what we ask them to. They do seem to understand English! So in a lot of ways this training gave us some great tools. Socialization has happened on lots of walks and the vet. They sit before meeting anyone and are doing really well. Just keep in mind the suggestion for muzzles for aggressive dogs with anxiety. The pictures below are our dogs. The youngest one is the one thinking she is a cat!
  • Timothy Ellis
    Mar. 21, 2025
    Carrie has been amazing to work with, and we have seen incredible results with our Golden Retriever (Moose). We started working with Dog Training Elite West Michigan when Moose was a puppy. My wife is new to dog ownership and Carrie gave us tips and training that made even the puppy stage a blast. We are now training with the e-collar, and seeing incredible results. I'll be honest I was initially skeptical because I figured e-collar meant shock training. This is completely different, the e-collar serves more as gentle nudge to each command, not a shock for punishment. We all even tested the feeling of the e-collar as a family prior to using. I appreciate Carrie's professionalism, and highly recommend Dog Training Elite West Michigan.
  • Vanessa Walstra
    Feb. 23, 2025
    We have had such a positive experience with Carrie and Dog Training Elite! They have been helpful and patient and clearly love the animals they work with and believe in the work they are doing.
  • Britt Barnett
    Feb. 21, 2025
    Carrie is the best! We have two dogs. One is seven years old and one is three months old. She started training them at the same time and it’s made a world of difference after just three sessions!
  • Kent Walstra
    Feb. 20, 2025
    I’ve been very impressed with Ozzy’s progress. He loves working with his trainer, and he’s eager to learn and practice new tasks—largely because of what he and my daughter are learning together. This has been a very good choice for our family.
  • Samantha Goodwin
    Feb. 20, 2025
    I am so thankful to have found Dog Training Elite. Their unique training approach has been a perfect fit for us. I am always impressed by the passion, dedication and progress in our sessions. Eloise is already such a well behaved member of our family and will one day be a great therapy dog. Highly recommended this company!
  • AJ Walstra
    Feb. 7, 2025
    This training has been absolute gold! What I’m learning about training my dog and, maybe more importantly, communicating and working with my dog, is truly priceless.
  • Sally Jo Klokkert
    Dec. 19, 2024
    Carrie was so kind and patient with my girl Billy and I. I’m so happy and proud of the progress we have made and would HIGHLY recommend dog training elite west Michigan to anyone
  • Sally Jo Klokkert
    Dec. 19, 2024
    Carrie was so kind and patient with my girl Billy and I. I’m so happy and proud of the progress we have made and would HIGHLY recommend dog training elite west Michigan to anyone
  • sally klokkert
    Dec. 19, 2024
    I’m a 62 year old woman who rescued a beautiful black and tan on hound. She is as strong as a bull and sweet as pie. She pulled me to my knees to many times to count and when guest came over she would almost knock them over with affection.i needed help and a friend found elite training for me. I signed up and with some training myself and a little help with my dog my dog is a well behaved love who will stay put until I give the command. Carrie worked miracles at showing my pup and myself who we could be. 💜
  • sally klokkert
    Dec. 19, 2024
    I’m a 62 year old woman who rescued a beautiful black and tan on hound. She is as strong as a bull and sweet as pie. She pulled me to my knees to many times to count and when guest came over she would almost knock them over with affection.i needed help and a friend found elite training for me. I signed up and with some training myself and a little help with my dog my dog is a well behaved love who will stay put until I give the command. Carrie worked miracles at showing my pup and myself who we could be. 💜
  • Melissa Weining
    Dec. 12, 2024
    We have been blessed with a few wonderful dogs as family pets. But in September we had the opportunity to get a Belgian Malinois puppy, Dakota. She is a joy, but we knew that for her to reach her full potential as our pet, we would need professional help. Carrie and Dog Training Elite West Michigan have been a tremendous help and Dakota is making amazing progress! With each training session we see growth and discipline in Dakota's behavior. My husband and I agree it is money very well spent for our furry companion! Dog Training Elite is convenient, professional, knowledgeable, and all around fantastic!! Carrie takes her job very serious for the sake of our dog and our family, and has exceeded all of our expectations!!
  • Kylie Kamppinen
    Dec. 10, 2024
    Carrie with Dog Training Elite has been absolutely wonderful. My silver Labrador retriever named Opal is so well trained. She has helped us through all of the hard puppy stages. I have gotten so many compliments on how well behaved my dog is and it is all thanks to Carrie.
  • Christy Moore Greenman
    Nov. 13, 2024
    Our puppy has officially graduated from Dog Training Elite West Michigan! Investing in Carrie and her training techniques was the best choice I could have made! We welcomed our puppy into our home with the hopes of him becoming a therapy dog at my school. He has learned so much with Carrie! Although therapy dog training will start a little bit later, we finally enjoy walking him and having people over without him jumping on everyone! If you’ve ever thought about investing in training for your own dog(s), I would highly recommend Carrie.
A dachshund in their home - contact Dog Training Elite today for in-home anxiety and aggressive dog training in Grand Rapids, MI.

Our Personalized Aggressive Dog Behavior Training

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At Dog Training Elite, we understand that every dog is unique, and we have developed a comprehensive training program specifically to eliminate aggressive behaviors across various breeds.

  1. Initial In-Home Assessment: We begin with a free in-home assessment where we meet your dog to understand the underlying causes of their aggression, anxiety, or fears. During this session, we identify triggers and gather the necessary information to develop a personalized training plan.
  2. Personalized Training Plan Development: Based on the assessment, we create a customized training program tailored to your dog’s specific needs. This plan targets the unique behaviors and triggers that contribute to their aggression.
  3. Building Confidence and Establishing Leadership: Our trainers work closely with you to establish your role as the pack leader in your home. For fearful and anxious dogs, we focus on building confidence and reducing the fears that trigger aggressive behavior.
  4. Desensitization and Obedience Training: For overly aggressive dogs, we use desensitization techniques to reduce reactivity to triggers and anxieties. Obedience training are key components of this stage.
  5. Group Class Integration: Once your dog reaches a safe baseline of obedience, we gradually introduce them to group class settings. These classes are designed to help your dog reintegrate into social environments successfully. For safety, a muzzle is required during these sessions to protect all dogs involved.
  6. Ongoing Support and Reinforcement: We continue to support you and your dog throughout the training process, offering guidance and reinforcement to ensure lasting success. Our goal is to help your dog become a loving, loyal, and well-behaved member of your family.

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Dog Training Elite West Michigan - Therapy Dog Training Program in Grand Rapids
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An adorable dog outside - Dog Training Elite offers training for all kinds of dog breeds.

Why Choose Dog Training Elite?

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At Dog Training Elite, we approach aggressive dog behavior with the utmost care and attention. Here are some key aspects of our methods that set us apart:

  • Trainers Who Care and Listen: Our trainers are genuinely invested in the well-being of both you and your dog. We take the time to listen, understand your dog’s unique needs, and provide personalized, long-lasting solutions that truly make a difference.
  • Commitment to Excellence: We stand behind our work with a strong commitment to delivering the highest quality training. At Dog Training Elite, we strive for excellence in every session, ensuring your dog receives the best possible care and that you are completely satisfied with the results.
A group of dogs being trained by the expert team at Dog Training Elite West Michigan.
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Educate, Empower, Elevate, Elite

Victory Begins With Elite Education

An adorable golden retriever and their owner - get your Grand Rapids aggressive dog training consultation today and take the first step towards a long-lasting relationship.

Take the First Step Today

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Aggression is a complex behavior best handled by professional trainers like Dog Training Elite. We love dogs and believe that punishment should never be used in our training programs. We rely on proven, balanced training methods to achieve consistent and long-lasting results.

For elite aggressive dog training, contact our team and schedule your free consultation today.