An obedient puppy receiving expert puppy training in Knoxville, TN from DTE.
Dog Training Elite

Puppy Training in Knoxville, TN

Request Free Assessment

Request Free Assessment

Our Puppy Training Could Help:
Leash and potty training
Food guarding and begging
Destructive chewing and digging
Stealing food, clothing, or other objects
Barking, howling and whining
Aggression and anxiety
Jumping and hyperactivity

Dog Training Elite

Professional Knoxville Puppy Trainers

Bringing home a new puppy is exciting, but it also comes with challenges like chewing and accidents. The most common mistake new owners make is underestimating the knowledge, commitment, and effort needed to train a new puppy.

Once a puppy begins to grow, its energy can quickly feel unmanageable. It’s all too common that a well-meaning and loving family takes on a puppy lacking the knowledge and skills to train correctly. This often results in overwhelmed owners rehoming or taking these puppies to local shelters, feeling the puppy’s disposition is bad or simply that they are not cut out to be dog owners.

At Dog Training Elite, we focus on building that bond through effective training to foster trust and communication. Our experienced Knoxville puppy trainers use proven methods to help you and your puppy succeed together.

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A little puppy sitting in grass, contact Dog Training Elite Knoxville today.

Puppy Essentials Webinar

Free 70-Minute video

$45 Value

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Our trusted puppy class is now available "on-demand" from the comfort of your home! This webinar video is designed for owners of puppies age 8-16 weeks old, and will be accessible to you for free after completing the form below or with the purchase of one of our puppy packages!

Access Webinar

Our webinar includes education on the following topics:
  • Introducing a new puppy to your home
  • Health & well-being
  • Veterinary care & vaccines
  • Nurturing a good temperament
  • Scruffing & calming signals (e.g. dog yoga)
  • Basic Treat Obedience Including: Come, sit, loose-leash walking, and down
  • Puppy Corrections (Stop biting, digging, jumping, etc.)
  • Crate Training / Housebreaking
  • Socialization Tips
  • Environmental Hazards
  • Puppy Enrichment
  • Caring for Your Puppy
Three puppies receiving expert training from Dog Training Elite Knoxville.

The Importance of Puppy Training


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Almost everyone and everything a puppy will encounter will be brand new, which can be exciting. However, puppies may not know how to respond positively and safely to new experiences without proper training. That's why Dog Training Elite believes in starting puppy training as soon as possible, so you and your pup can bond and start your adventures on the right foot!

Training the DTE way provides puppies and owners with a nurturing environment where they can learn to communicate and trust each other. Puppies have an innate desire to please, so training can be fun and even easy! Of course, it can be daunting to try and figure out how to make puppies understand concepts like potty training or commands like sit and stay on your own. That's where puppy training comes in.

Keeping a puppy safe should be the number one priority of new dog owners. By working with puppy trainers in, new puppy owners can learn how to teach their pup both basic and complex obedience skills effectively. Training a pup to be home alone, walk on a leash, wait on the threshold, and avoid consuming non-edible objects will help keep them safe when out of sight.

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

  • Wendy Etheridge
    Oct. 4, 2025
    Montana is a lovely young lady and Lydia took to her right away! This is in Nashville, by the way. She explained everything about the training program very well. She listened to the things I would like to do with Lydia and what I would like Lydia to be able to do. I appreciated her spending the amount of time she did and I felt well informed about the program. Thank you Montana, for throwing that BALL!!
  • George Weber
    Aug. 13, 2025
    Met with Parker for assessment of our dog. He was professional and helpful. Had 2nd lesson with Kenna made great strides in our dog's training Thank you Montana trained today. Great job explained all the steps and reasons for them Thank you Kenna has been training us and we couldn't be happier. Our dog has made huge improvement in obedience and makes life much more enjoyable Thank you
  • Cathy Austin
    Oct. 3, 2025
    Gracie was sweet and very personable. She explained the program in detail ans provided a estimate for the service.
  • Julia Lewis
    Oct. 1, 2025
    Effective , friendly all good
  • Lyndsay Nelson
    Sep. 24, 2025
    I genuinely love the work that Dog Training Elite does. From each in home training, to public outings, the knowledge is just incredible. I learn more each session and my dog and I are genuinely comfortable in each scenario.
  • Dottie Hagood
    Aug. 28, 2025
    T first session was very educational and instructive. I have a very stubborn Doberman female that I now feel certain can be trained so that I can enjoy her. Thank you Reina, so much!!!!
  • Jeanneth Sangurima-Quiles
    Sep. 19, 2025
    Very understanding and thorough. No rush and answered all our questions.
  • Christopher Soukup
    Aug. 6, 2025
    First day of training was exceptionally informative. Julia was extremely professional and knowledgeable instilling confidence moving forward. I definitely know I made the right choice for my service dog needs. 18 Sept 2025: Fast forward into a few sessions later and still absolutely impressed with the level of professionalism and results
  • Sierra Lowder
    Sep. 13, 2025
    I’ve been training with Dog Training Elite for a few months now and it has been such a great experience. I’ve trained mostly with Graci. She has a calm, sweet & gentle personality that works great for my pup and I who are more laid back individuals. If you are looking for a place that is affordable, kind, & truly military friendly this is the place for you.
  • Beth Mouse
    Sep. 13, 2025
    Julia was very knowledgeable and gave us good information about how she would be addressing our problems with Oliver. Looking forward to learning how to improve our dog’s behavior.
  • Patricia Harris
    Aug. 5, 2025
    Carol was very warm & personable. My dog seemed to like her, & I did too. 2nd visit—great job!
  • Fred Stilling
    Aug. 19, 2025
    Reina was very attentive to my dog's needs. Very knowledgeable. A plus trainer. Guided me towards better training practices
  • kim rouse
    Sep. 11, 2025
    Carol was completely loved by our dog. That's a HUGE part in our decision making about a trainer. She was very nice, personable, kind and professional. We are hoping to be able to have her as our trainer.
  • Cynthia Green
    Sep. 10, 2025
    This place is the best! Our cute little puppy learned so much, but we learned even more! Their program is just amazing and I would highly recommend them!
  • Tamesha Peterson
    Sep. 10, 2025
    Reina was amazing and answered all my questions.
  • Rick Martin
    Jul. 9, 2025
    Let me tell youe Gracie she was a wonderful teacher. She even taught me a lot and I was pleased with her very much. She seems like she's dedicated to the animals and she wants to make them do right, and I am so proud that I am part of Gracie's team. I'm so glad We were chosen to enter this program.
  • Sam Rapp
    Sep. 8, 2025
    Montana is an excellent trainer whose care and understanding make her the best in her field.
  • Francis LoGiudice
    Sep. 3, 2025
    Kenna was very informative and explained the process very well. I beleive that we made great progress in our first session.
  • Kevin Obrien
    Jul. 2, 2025
    Great service as always our is progressing very well
  • Cameron Simmons
    Apr. 2, 2025
    My dog loved working with Montana and so did I! We are super happy she just passed her Public Access Exam thanks to the team at Elite.
A Knoxville puppy trainers giving a puppy positive affirmation during an in-home training session.

Dog Training Elite Knoxville, TN

In-Home Puppy Training

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Dog Training Elite Knoxville offers comprehensive in-home training. For the first 4-6 weeks, trainers use “treat training” before moving onto more advanced puppy training. Puppies will learn the following behaviors:

  • Come, down, loose-leash walking, and down
  • Puppy corrections (Stop biting, digging, jumping, etc.)
  • Crate training/ housebreaking
  • Focus around distractions

Trainers will also help owners learn about the following:

  • Socialization tips
  • Environmental hazards
  • Positive reinforcement techniques
  • Puppy enrichment
  • Caring for your puppy
  • And more!

Training a puppy can feel overwhelming. By pairing you with a professional trainer, not only will your puppy learn quickly, but you will feel confident and empowered to continue training your puppy after the sessions are completed. Training in your own home will help you bond with your pup so even after the professional trainer leaves, you and Fido can continue to progress together.

A puppy ready to start training with Dog Training Elite Knoxville.

Start Puppy Training Early

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First-time dog owners are often unsure of when to begin training their dogs. For the best results, it’s essential to start training your puppy as soon as possible. You can start socialization and basic commands as soon as you bring your new puppy home. Puppies are open to new experiences and people and learn quickly while they are young. It is beneficial to take advantage of this stage. Start with basic commands like "down," "come," and "stay." If you are searching for classes, Dog Training Elite offers puppy obedience classes.

Additional Puppy Training Info

Dog Training Elite Knoxville - Puppy Crate Training in Knoxville, TN. DTE

Crate Training

A well-manered puppy receiving positive reinforcement from their owner.

Our Puppy Trainers

The DTE Approach

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We have developed a highly successful and unique positive puppy training program empowering dog owners to train. Hence, their dog knows who to obey at all times, in all situations or environments. We offer personalized training to deal with specific issues and behaviors. We even offers customized training schedules to offer you the support you need as a dog owner.

Involvement is Key!

Most dog training programs don’t allow for the involvement of owners and families. Our trainers greatly encourage owners and their families to be involved in the training process. Why? This ensures you and your family know what’s expected, allows for continued education and means all the progress isn’t lost. Your puppy won’t come home and forget everything he’s learned.

Our puppy training program consists of two phases, early training and advanced training. Puppies as young as eight weeks can begin learning with Dog Training Elite Knoxville. Our process allows us to efficiently complete in-home puppy training services at your home or within the environment where behaviors manifest - such as in the park or around other dogs in the neighborhood.

A Dog Training Elite Knoxville puppy training outside.

Dog Training Elite Knoxville

How Puppy Training Works

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We use a positive puppy training method paired with an electronic collar - not a shock collar. Unlike shock collars, electronic collars do not hurt or harm the pup. They are used only to obtain their attention, not to punish bad behavior. We believe in using constant praise to encourage good behavior. The difference becomes apparent when comparing a puppy trained out of fear to a puppy who truly desires to please.

Positive Reinforcement for Positive Pups

Positive reinforcement is the best option in puppy training. Punishments will only scare your dog, and fear can lead to aggression problems later in life. Our trainers use a classical conditioning program focusing on positive reinforcement of basic commands.

Dogs are eager to please. When they learn following basic commands results in affection or a treat, they will be happy to do as you ask. With patience - and the assistance of a professional puppy trainer - you'll be rewarded with a lifelong loyal pal.

We base our training around the "Classical Conditioning" model, also known as the "Pavlovian" response or "respondent conditioning." This means developing conditioned or automatic reflexes to commands, so when the owner says "sit," the dog automatically sits without thinking. Our unique technique ensures our program is a success no matter what behavior we encounter.

Contact us today to learn more about our training programs !

A group of dogs being trained by the expert team at Dog Training Elite Knoxville.
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Educate, Empower, Elevate, Elite

Victory Begins With Elite Education

Dog Training Elite Knoxville

Tips on How to Bond

Training is a great way to establish a deep, loyal bond with your puppy. Outside of your training sessions, there is more you can do to strengthen your bond. Here are some more tips for how to bond with your puppy:

Your puppy may not understand the words you’re saying, but he or she will understand your tone of voice. Speaking in an excited tone of voice will get your pup excited and motivate them to do what you want them to. Speaking in a low, calm voice can help soothe and relax your puppy.
Puppies thrive on routine. A consistent schedule will help your puppy adjust to their new home, and to you and your family. A puppy’s schedule needs to include eating, playtime, puppy training, potty breaks, and nap times.
As mentioned above, playtime is an important part of your puppy’s schedule. Playing with your puppy will help strengthen your bond and stimulate their brains. Walks are an easy and great way to give your puppy much-needed exercise. Start small, walking around in your yard or driveway and gradually extending the distance around your neighborhood.
Creating boundaries in your home for your puppy helps strengthen your bond because your puppy will look to you for direction and guidance. It will also help your puppy avoid bad habits. Baby gates and playpens are a useful way to create physical boundaries.
Puppies can become overwhelmed about all the new things they’re exploring. Crate training is a perfect way to allow your puppy to have their own space where they feel safe and comfortable and help them develop some independence so they grow into a well-adjusted dog.
The most adorable way to bond with your puppy is by cuddling them! Snuggling with your pup can help him or her feel comforted and safe. The best time to get a cuddle session with your puppy is when they are sleepy. Cuddling also helps puppies get used to having their paws, belly, face, etc. handled, and can be a good time to introduce light grooming practices like brushing their fur.