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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 Kansas City 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 Kansas City 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 Kansas City location, please reference our pricing page for complete information on services offered.
Gold
$2,195
Training Equipment Included: E-Collar, Training Place Cot
- In-Home Training SessionsOne-on-one & personalized 5 Sessions
- Group Park Training Sessions 6 Months
- Come
- Heel(walk with you without pulling)
- Sit(next to you & off leash at a distance)
- Off(furniture if desired)
- Quiet(stop excessive barking & whining)
- Place(go to bed)
- 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
- Go home(go into kennel or dog house)
- Wait
- STOP Begging & Stealing Food
- STOP bolting through doors
Platinum
$3,495
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.
Training Equipment Included: E-Collar, Training Place Cot
- In-Home Training SessionsOne-on-one & personalized 8 Sessions
- Group Park Training Sessions Unlimited
- Community Training SessionsOne-on-one with you & trainer 2 Sessions
- 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
- Get into Car or Kennel
- STOP Running Away
- STOP Jumping on People
- STOP Puppy Biting
- STOP Chasing Animals
- STOP Chewing
- STOP Digging
- Go home(go into kennel or dog house)
- Wait
- STOP Begging & Stealing Food
-
STOP bolting through doors
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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
Positive Dog Training in Kansas City
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.
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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!
Cat is the best. She worked with our dog in a way that helped them learn quickly. She was patient and kind. I was not expecting our dog to learn as quickly as she did.— Emily LaMar
Posted August 24th 2024
Haylee with Dog Training Elite has been doing an awesome job of teaching us to work with our dogs, Penelope and Oliver. Haylee has made sure each lesson has been tailored to the individual issues we were trying to work on with them. Additionally, she verifies that we have understood what is being taught so that we can continue to work with the dogs on our own. Chuck, Kaylee and Haylee have been completely invested in our progress. We were impressed both with our dogs and our own progress after each lesson! His prices were reasonable which was another plus! Chuck and his team have always been responsive and returned our messages and calls quickly or could easily reschedule if something arose that would conflict. We highly recommend Dog Training Elite for training your dogs of any age.— Amanda Kunkel Beech
Posted August 13th 2024
Haylee with Dog Training Elite has been doing an awesome job of teaching us to work with our dogs, Penelope and Oliver. Haylee has made sure each lesson has been tailored to the individual issues we were trying to work on with them. Additionally, she verifies that we have understood what is being taught so that we can continue to work with the dogs on our own. Chuck, Kaylee and Haylee have been completely invested in our progress. We were impressed both with our dogs and our own progress after each lesson! His prices were reasonable which was another plus! Chuck and his team have always been responsive and returned our messages and calls quickly or could easily reschedule if something arose that would conflict. We highly recommend Dog Training Elite for training your dogs of any age.— Amanda Beech
Posted August 13th 2024
This company is very very accommodating, flexible and understanding. They are super good at training and explaining how to do it. They are patient with the dogs and really know how to get it done. In short THEY ARE THE BEST. I highly recommend 👌— DAVID DREDGE
Posted August 10th 2024
Wonderful people who know dogs. Took our 5 month old Standard Poodle from a great puppy to my licensed diabetic service dog in 6 months. Just do the homework. They continue to provide weekly learning activities. Great group. Highly recommend.— Diane Gardner
Posted January 21st 2023
My trainer, Cat, was wonderful to work with, as was the entire team. Training was kind, efficient and effective from Cat, and I’m very glad that training was held mostly at my home. Juniper and I put in the hard work each week - which is a must. It paid off- Juniper passed her certification, and we’re looking forward to the unlimited group classes. Another great feature of Dog Training Elite’s program! I would definitely recommend this group to anyone looking for a solid training program.— Kimberly Christopher
Posted August 6th 2024
Love Chuck and all of his team they were able to help our crazy mastiff that is 250 lbs and thinks he was a lap dog and could jump on everyone ! He loves people and acts right now without dragging me down the street ! Thanks for what you do ! Can’t wait for weekend group events !— Bill Fry
Posted April 11th 2024
Our experience with Chuck and the entire team at Dog Training Elite has always been great! They offer so much more than just training for your pet. Would recommend to anyone wanting to train there beloved pets!— Benny Smith
Posted March 23rd 2024
The group class is great for the dogs. It helps with socializing and group work. The trainers are all great. I love the classes— jodi khazin
Posted March 22nd 2024
Dog Training Elite is the real deal! Professional, accomodating and really good people. They take the time to explain and teach my service dog (and me as his handler). Highly recommend!!— Paul Rieck
Posted October 12th 2023
Best trainers ever!!!! I have tried many. These are the best! I recommend them to everyone.— Heather Massey
Posted January 28th 2024
If I could give more than five stars I would. Very knowledgeable on different dog behaviors and really focusing their attention on what the dog and owners need/want from training. Chuck came out for a consult prior to committing and he really walked us through their program and listened to all of our concerns and our reasonings for getting our dog training. We worked with Nate and now my dog looks forward to weekly visits. Great company and employees!— Samantha Stallman
Posted January 5th 2024
Truly phenomenal team! They train you in order to train the dog rather than just focusing on the dog. Very much a "Teach a man to Fish" type of training. Our Service dog was the Royals Buck O'Neil Honoree because of their tremendous skill.— Aaron Mizell
Posted September 19th 2023
I absolutely loved Dog Training Elite. They came weekly to help both me and my dog to learn how to work together. DTE both demonstrated and allowed me to learn how to train my dog. DTE also answered all my questions, even making themselves available to continue and support my efforts in having a well trained family dog.— Dennis Aldy
Posted July 21st 2023
Our Buster Brown has improved so much, Never likes the dogs on the TV but now we can tell him off and he just grumble talks to them. We are still working on boats that pass by on the lake but consistency will win the game. cheers to the Elite team!— Douglas Scott
Posted April 15th 2023
Great group to work with and training approach if very effective and gets results.— Charles Huddleston
Posted March 28th 2023
Working Willow with Kaylee was the best! She is very good at what she does and you can tell she genuinely loves it, she never hurts your furbaby. Kaylee explains how to teach them each step in easy to understand language. She makes sure you understand before you start training at each step. This was not the cheapest place, but I feel it was the best choice. Both before and after she was trained. My dog was so skiddish, she has learned to be calm and not bark so much as she has more confidence. I would give my highest recommendations to Dog Training Elite! If I ever get another dog I'd do it again. Worth every penny. They go above and beyond to your dog be everything you dream of!— Darla Hawkins
Posted March 17th 2023
Haley with Dog Training Elite did an amazing job training our dog, Dingo. When we rescued him he didn't have really any house manners and would chase our cats, after the first lesson he was acting so much better! He gets along with our cats now and listens to us, we are beyond happy with the training! Their trainers definitely know what they're doing!— Shelby Flowers
Posted February 27th 2023
Our trainers were very helpful in teaching us and helping train our 2 yr old dog.— Molly Schwery
Posted February 22nd 2023
The Dog Training Elite Kansas City Difference
Dog Training Elite Kansas City uses modern training methods focused on positive dog training using reinforcement and bonding you and your dog. Dog Training Elite Kansas City 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 Kansas City’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 Kansas City 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 Kansas City, when you say “sit,” your dog will automatically sit without thinking about it.
Dog Training Elite Kansas City 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 Kansas City 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 Kansas City 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!