A well-trained dog with training from an expert Dog Training Elite dog behaviorist in Knoxville, TN.

Behavioral Solutions

Dog Training Elite Knoxville

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A happy leash trained dog walking with their owner - if you are in need of Knoxville dog behavior training, contact Dog Training Elite today!

Knoxville Dog Behavior Training

Does your dog chew on things, pee indoors, or bark excessively? If so, your dog may benefit from a dog behaviorist in Knoxville. TN, and DTE is here to help. Our experienced trainers specialize in correcting unwanted behaviors and can address various issues your dog may face at home.

Behavior-focused training differs from basic obedience training and requires knowledgeable, experienced trainers. DTE trainers can identify and address the root causes of problematic behaviors, such as separation anxiety or excessive barking, and teach your dog to respond more appropriately to those triggers.

Through consistent training and positive reinforcement, your dog can learn new, desirable behaviors that last.

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Our Behavioral Solution Programs

Dog Training Elite Knoxville - Knoxville Dog Socialization Classes. DTE
Socialization

Our Knoxville dog socialization classes teach dogs how to interact positively with other dogs and people, which helps reduce fear and aggression while promoting calm, confident behavior.

Dog Training Elite Knoxville - Stop Puppy Biting in Knoxville, TN. DTE
Biting

Through targeted puppy biting training in Knoxville, TN, we address aggressive tendencies and teach dogs to inhibit biting, helping them develop better self-control.

Dog Training Elite Knoxville - Reactive Dog Training in Knoxville, TN. DTE
Fear & Reactiveness

Our reactive dog training in Knoxville, TN, focuses on managing and reducing fear-based reactions to common triggers, helping dogs be more relaxed and well-adjusted.

Dog Training Elite Knoxville - Destructive Chewing and Digging Training in Knoxville, TN
Destructive Chewing & Digging

Our destructive chewing and digging training in Knoxville, TN addresses your dog’s destructive chewing and digging by redirecting these behaviors toward more appropriate and constructive outlets.

Dog Training Elite Knoxville - Separation Anxiety Training for Dogs in Knoxville, TN. DTE
Separation Anxiety

Our separation anxiety training in Knoxville, TN helps dogs overcome the stress of being alone, which curbs destructive behaviors and makes departures easier for everyone.

Dog Training Elite Knoxville - Excessive Barking Training in Knoxville, TN. DTE
Excessive Barking

We address the root causes of barking with our excessive barking training in Knoxville, TN, teaching your dog to communicate appropriately and reduce unnecessary noise.

Dog Training Elite Knoxville - Staying and Coming Training in Knoxville, TN. DTE
Staying & Coming

Our staying and coming training in Knoxville, TN focuses on improving your dog’s reliability in following essential commands like down and come, ensuring they respond promptly in any situation.

Dog Training Elite Knoxville -
Stealing Food, Clothing, or Other Objects

Our trainers work with your dog to curb the habit of stealing items, teaching them to respect boundaries and avoid problematic behaviors.

Dog Training Elite Knoxville -
Resource Guarding

We tackle resource guarding behaviors by addressing the underlying causes of your dog's insecurity. Our training helps your dog feel more secure, which reduces aggression over food, toys, or personal spaces.

Dog Training Elite Knoxville -
Food Guarding & Begging

Through consistent and focused training, we teach dogs to eat politely and reduce persistent begging behaviors. This approach creates a more peaceful and enjoyable mealtime experience for everyone involved.

Dog Training Elite Knoxville -
Mouthing, Nipping & Rough Play

Our program teaches dogs to play gently, reducing the risk of injury and making playtime safe and enjoyable.

Dog Training Elite Knoxville -
Anxiety & Submissive Urination

We work with anxious dogs to build their confidence. This program will help to reduce incidents of submissive urination and make your dog feel more secure.

Dog Training Elite Knoxville -
Jumping Up & Hyperactivity

This program helps dogs learn to greet people calmly and manage their energy levels, reducing hyperactivity and inappropriate jumping.

Dog Training Elite Knoxville -
Excessive Licking

We address compulsive licking behaviors, helping dogs find more appropriate ways to express themselves and reducing skin issues.

Dog Training Elite Knoxville -
Leashing

Our leashing program teaches dogs to walk politely on a leash, making walks more enjoyable and less stressful for you and your dog.

Dog Training Elite Knoxville -
Abnormal Repetitive Behaviors

We help your dog break free from compulsive actions like spinning or tail chasing, focusing their energy on healthier habits.

Dog Training Elite Knoxville -
Escaping

We train your dog to respect boundaries, significantly reducing the risk of escape and keeping them safe at home.

Dog Training Elite Knoxville -
Heeling

Our training improves your dog’s ability to heel, keeping them close by your side during walks and improving their overall leash manners.

Dog Training Elite Knoxville - Dog & Puppy Potty Trainer in Knoxville, TN. DTE
Potty Training

We help dogs learn to relieve themselves outdoors with our Knoxville dog potty training, reducing accidents in your home and fostering good habits that last a lifetime.

Get Your Free Consultation

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!

A dog with expert behaviorial training from Dog Training Elite Knoxville.

What is Behavioral Training?


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Behavioral and regular obedience training serve different but equally important roles in shaping a well-behaved dog.

Obedience training teaches your dog basic commands like sit, heel, and come. This training helps your dog follow instructions in different situations and builds clear communication between you and your pet.

Behavioral training, however, goes deeper by addressing the root causes of problematic behaviors like aggression, anxiety, or excessive barking. While obedience training tells a dog what to do, behavioral training focuses on changing undesirable habits and reactions.

Combining obedience training with targeted behavioral solutions helps dogs overcome specific issues, resulting in a more balanced and adjusted pet.

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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 Knoxville.
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

  • Bennett Moody
    Oct. 28, 2024
    Carol was such a sweetheart! She was so nice and was so great at making my dog obey! She taught me well how to train my dog! I really recommend!
  • Dylan Heaton
    Oct. 28, 2024
    Carol is great. Super happy with the training and work they did.
  • Jessica Sherbourne
    Oct. 18, 2024
    Loved working with jen she did an amazing job
  • Jessica A.M. Sherbourne
    Oct. 18, 2024
    Jen is really great and helpful
  • two long
    Oct. 9, 2024
    The experience was amazing, my dog Preston had a great time. Thank you Parker for the the experience.
  • William Wicks
    Oct. 9, 2024
    Best customer service by far, Buster loved it. Would definitely recommend to anyone living in Knoxville. Parker is by far the best dog trainer.
  • Malinda Manchester
    Oct. 4, 2024
    Great experience with knowledgeable people
  • Holly Horncastle
    Sep. 30, 2024
    Dog Training Elite has been amazing! My dog, Lola, and I have made great strides as we have worked with the group, and Reina has been great! She trains ME how to train and work consistently with my pup. We are working towards therapy certification, and I’m so glad we found Dog Training Elite. Highly recommend!
  • Mollie Woltmann
    Sep. 25, 2024
    Our two Great Pyrenees mix pups were getting too difficult to train on our own. When our trainer arrived (Reina) for the assessment she knew what we needed- and we have learned so much! She loves dogs, is easy to work with, and responds quickly when there are any questions, issues, or schedule changes. Highly recommend!
  • Rachel Baudendistel
    Sep. 19, 2024
    Reina did great with Max! He absolutely loved his time with her ❤️
  • Jessica Coleman
    Sep. 17, 2024
    Reina has been an excellent dog trainer for my pup, Ghost. She is consistently punctual and patient in her work with Ghost.
  • Natalee Wells
    Sep. 13, 2024
    Dog Training Elite has been awesome to work with! My dog had a few issues like jumping on people, and pulled me on a leash! Now I can have guests over and not be embarrassed!
  • April Dustin
    Aug. 5, 2024
    I can not thank Dog Training Elite enough for sending us Nikki, she from the very beginning of our training helped and improved our Shiloh Shepherd. Nikki listened to our concerns and answered all our questions as they came along. She was instrumental in achieving our Service Dog goals! Thank you for everything you do! I highly recommend her for all your dog training needs! ❤️🐾
  • Alisa Kellington-Welsh
    Apr. 19, 2024
    I can't recommend Dog Training Elite highly enough! From start to finish, my experience with them has been exceptional. Andi in the office is an absolute gem - always friendly, polite, and incredibly efficient. She made scheduling around my hectic timetable an absolute breeze, whether it was answering the phone or swiftly returning missed calls. And when it come to Parker, our trainer, I couldn't be more impressed. Parker was punctual and well-prepared for every lesson. His expertise and patience with me and my dog was evident, and I saw significant progress with each lesson. Thank you, Dog Training Elite, for providing the service that you do!
  • Daniel Stout
    Apr. 19, 2024
    Best trained dog I’ve ever had. Friendly service. Our trainer Nikki is great!
  • Janet Koontz
    Apr. 18, 2024
    I had a great experience with Nikki! She worked great with Zurii and I during our training sessions. We learned a lot.
  • Sherry Sapp
    Apr. 11, 2024
    What a great experience! We are so happy we chose Training Elite and Nikki was our trainer. Money well spent.
  • Lindsay Robison
    Apr. 9, 2024
    I’ve had nothing but a great experience with Dog Training Elite! Parker was our trainer and helped my crazy Labrador. My dog is now a better listener and is eager and engaged when it come to training. Thank you so much Parker and DTE! :)
  • Taylor Underwood
    Apr. 6, 2024
    Parker was very kind and detail-oriented when training my dog. Saw great results, would recommend to anyone!
  • Spencer Hall
    Apr. 6, 2024
    Nikki was great to work with. Very skilled in dog training and really helped us with our stubborn dog

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See An Elite Dog in Action

Behavior Training Techniques

At DTE, we use techniques rooted in positive reinforcement to encourage lasting behavior changes in dogs. Our methods focus on rewarding desired behaviors with treats or praise, creating a positive association that motivates dogs to repeat those actions.

Here’s how we do it.

We use a clicker to mark the exact moment your dog performs the correct behavior. The click signals a coming reward and helps your dog learn which actions are worth repeating.
Similar to clicker training, this method uses a specific word or phrase like "yes" or "good" to mark the behavior. This verbal cue reinforces positive behavior and strengthens the communication between you and your dog.
By demonstrating correct behaviors with a "model" dog, other dogs in the group learn through observation. This method taps into dogs' natural tendency to imitate, making it easier for them to adopt positive behaviors.
Building a strong bond between dog and owner is key. We build trust and understand your dog's needs to create a cooperative training environment where your dog is more likely to respond positively.
A stick or specific spot is used to guide your dog to the desired behavior, encouraging them to touch or follow the target. Once they succeed, we reinforce the action with a reward. This technique is ideal for teaching complex behaviors and improving focus.
An owner and their happy, healthy dog with expert training from Dog Training Elite Knoxville.

Classical Conditioning, or the Pavlovian Model

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Classical conditioning, pioneered by Russian physiologist Ivan Pavlov's work, is a fundamental principle in dog training. Pavlov’s study showed dogs could learn to associate a neutral stimulus, like a bell, with food, prompting them to respond to the bell alone.

At Dog Training Elite, we apply this principle using positive reinforcement in our behavioral training programs. We pair a command with two stimuli: a clicker (or marker word) and a reward like a treat or praise. The clicker signals the correct behavior, and the reward reinforces it. This method helps dogs quickly understand what’s expected and encourages them to repeat desired behaviors.

Unlike punishment-based methods, classical conditioning with positive reinforcement shapes behavior effectively and creates a well-adjusted, happy dog.

A dog with classical conditioning training from Dog Training Elite Knoxville.

Your Expert Dog Behaviorist in Knoxville, TN

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Our certified, experienced trainers are experts in solving various behavior problems, from aggression and anxiety to excessive barking and destructive habits.

We focus on understanding your dog’s personality, environment, and behavior triggers to develop customized training plans. Our trainers will work to resolve these issues and their root causes to prevent them from returning.

What Makes Our Trainers Stand Out?
  • Certified and Experienced: Our trainers are certified professionals with years of experience handling behavioral challenges. With a proven track record of success, they’re equipped to deliver the best results for your pet.
  • Breed-Specific Knowledge: We understand the unique traits of different breeds and customize our training methods to match your dog’s natural behaviors, making the training more effective.
  • Friendly and Understanding: Our trainers are approachable and empathetic, working closely with you to build trust and create a supportive training environment for your dog.
A group of dogs being trained by the expert team at Dog Training Elite Knoxville.
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Why Choose Dog Training Elite?

Proven Methods for Successful Dog Training


If you're looking for a top dog behaviorist in Knoxville, TN, Dog Training Elite is the top choice.

Our experienced trainers handle various issues, including aggression, anxiety, excessive barking, and more. With a personalized approach focused on positive reinforcement, we help dogs overcome their challenges and build stronger, happier relationships with their owners.

No matter how challenging your dog’s behavior may seem, there is hope. Whether your dog’s behavioral issues are minor or more serious, we’re here to help.

Reach out today for a free consultation!