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

Professional

Puppy Training

Dog Training Elite Knoxville

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

Expert 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.

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

Puppy Essentials Webinar

Free 70-Minute video

$45 Value

See Packages

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

  • Carmen McKinley
    Apr. 29, 2025
    Montana was extremely professional, very nice, friendly and LOVES DOGS! She was very helpful from our first training session on. I look forward in seeing how she can help in so many ways with my new puppy!!
  • Michelle Cronk
    Apr. 7, 2025
    Carol listened to our situation and explained how things work. Looking forward to working with her with our pups. Update: 4/26 first training session for both puppies and it has already made a HUGE impact 💙
  • Mark Gouveia
    Apr. 23, 2025
    Great session, we learned a lot. Can’t wait for the next one!!!
  • Alex Robison
    Apr. 23, 2025
    Liam did a fine job of explanation of services....thanks.
  • Rebecca Nelson
    Apr. 14, 2025
    I loved working with Montana! She established a great rapport with me and my dog. And, I’m so pleased with my dog’s progress in training with her.
  • Joy Crosby
    Apr. 11, 2025
    When I called, I was greeted by an extremely pleasant voice. Attached to said voice was a wonderful young lady by the name of Jen. As I am older, a lot of people don’t take the time to truly try to help me. But Jen was phenomenal. She listened to my issues, soothed my worries and then provided me with exceptional support. More companies would benefit from having a soul like hers on the other end of the phone.
  • K C
    Apr. 11, 2025
    Jen is very helpful. She has a great way of explaining the program and training process.
  • Zach
    Apr. 11, 2025
    Jen was very helpful with everything from start to finish
  • Black Widow
    Apr. 11, 2025
    When I spoke with Jen, she was incredibly helpful and professional!
  • Saba Chishti
    Apr. 10, 2025
    Lots of patience and guidance! Would highly recommend. She answered all of our questions and more
  • Kynnedy Collins
    Apr. 8, 2025
    Montana is the best! Our 6 month old puppy has been seen a couple times now by Montana and is already like a brand new dog. On top of the professionalism, Montana is a very kind and friendly woman! We always look forward to her visits and love seeing the difference in our puppy! 100% recommend this company to train your dog and Montana to train!
  • Kristy Schnetzler
    Apr. 3, 2025
    Reina is wonderful!
  • Jennifer Collins
    Apr. 2, 2025
    Best place to go for any and everything you could ever want and see in your dog! Very friendly and professional people. All around great investment!!!
  • Cameron Simmons
    Apr. 2, 2025
    My dog loved working with Parker and so did I!
  • Madison Sparks
    Mar. 29, 2025
    Reina did awesome with our Australian Shepherd puppy Ezekiel we got everything that we asked for out of the lessons for his obedience training definitely recommend!
  • Kasey Hanson
    Mar. 29, 2025
    Let me begin by saying I highly recommend Dog Training Elite. Carol is AMAZING at her job and you can tell she loves what she does. I have a 1 1/2 year old German Shepherd (Luna) that she has totally trained way beyond what I expected. She has given me the tools and the confidence to become a better owner. Luna and I have a bond that continues to grow because of Carol. Carol is so patient with her clients and always takes the time to answer our questions and our concerns. When I am in public with Luna I am constantly getting stopped and being told that Luna is the most well behaved dog they have ever seen. Please don’t hesitate in choosing Dog Training Elite, you will not be disappointed!
  • Okeme Hunter
    Mar. 6, 2025
    Great job, this company and its employees are phenomenal. They made my dog felt love, and well respected. Rena as been outstanding with her training g routine and skills needed to get my 🐾 job done. Champ is well trained and I love it !!!!! I highly recommend this team
  • Abigail Price
    Mar. 23, 2025
    We contacted Elite and received a response from Jen with a scheduled free evaluation within 24 hours. Jen communicated effectively and was very nice! Carol was the trainer who completed our evaluation and got us all set up to start our training. She was knowledgeable, empathetic, and very easy to talk to! We are excited to start our training experience with Carol!
  • kenny barnes
    Mar. 20, 2025
    Carol is Amazing! I cannot say enough great things about Carol and her incredible work training my puppy! From the very first session, it was clear that she has a deep understanding of dogs and a true passion for what she does. Carol has been instrumental in helping my pup learn basic obedience, and the results have been nothing short of amazing. Her training techniques are effective, positive, and tailored to both my puppy’s needs and my own. She is patient, encouraging, and always takes the time to explain not just what to do but why it works, which has helped me build a stronger bond with my pup. Thanks to Carol, my puppy now listens better, responds to commands, and is becoming a well-mannered companion. I highly recommend her to anyone looking for a skilled, professional, and caring dog trainer. She truly goes above and beyond! If you need help with training, look no further—Carol is the best!
  • Elizabeth Rutan
    Mar. 15, 2025
    Carol has been great for our big boy! She gave us the tools to help him feel more relaxed and less like there is about to be an intruder any second. He went from guarding the house and barking aggressively at even a passing car to now he sometimes barks when other dogs bark. We also feel more relaxed taking him out in public, which I didn’t think could happen! Thank you!
  • Carmen McKinley
    Apr. 29, 2025
    Montana was extremely professional, very nice, friendly and LOVES DOGS! She was very helpful from our first training session on. I look forward in seeing how she can help in so many ways with my new puppy!!
  • Michelle Cronk
    Apr. 7, 2025
    Carol listened to our situation and explained how things work. Looking forward to working with her with our pups. Update: 4/26 first training session for both puppies and it has already made a HUGE impact 💙
  • Mark Gouveia
    Apr. 23, 2025
    Great session, we learned a lot. Can’t wait for the next one!!!
  • Alex Robison
    Apr. 23, 2025
    Liam did a fine job of explanation of services....thanks.
  • Rebecca Nelson
    Apr. 14, 2025
    I loved working with Montana! She established a great rapport with me and my dog. And, I’m so pleased with my dog’s progress in training with her.
  • Joy Crosby
    Apr. 11, 2025
    When I called, I was greeted by an extremely pleasant voice. Attached to said voice was a wonderful young lady by the name of Jen. As I am older, a lot of people don’t take the time to truly try to help me. But Jen was phenomenal. She listened to my issues, soothed my worries and then provided me with exceptional support. More companies would benefit from having a soul like hers on the other end of the phone.
  • K C
    Apr. 11, 2025
    Jen is very helpful. She has a great way of explaining the program and training process.
  • Zach
    Apr. 11, 2025
    Jen was very helpful with everything from start to finish
  • Black Widow
    Apr. 11, 2025
    When I spoke with Jen, she was incredibly helpful and professional!
  • Saba Chishti
    Apr. 10, 2025
    Lots of patience and guidance! Would highly recommend. She answered all of our questions and more
  • Kynnedy Collins
    Apr. 8, 2025
    Montana is the best! Our 6 month old puppy has been seen a couple times now by Montana and is already like a brand new dog. On top of the professionalism, Montana is a very kind and friendly woman! We always look forward to her visits and love seeing the difference in our puppy! 100% recommend this company to train your dog and Montana to train!
  • Kristy Schnetzler
    Apr. 3, 2025
    Reina is wonderful!
  • Jennifer Collins
    Apr. 2, 2025
    Best place to go for any and everything you could ever want and see in your dog! Very friendly and professional people. All around great investment!!!
  • Cameron Simmons
    Apr. 2, 2025
    My dog loved working with Parker and so did I!
  • Madison Sparks
    Mar. 29, 2025
    Reina did awesome with our Australian Shepherd puppy Ezekiel we got everything that we asked for out of the lessons for his obedience training definitely recommend!
  • Kasey Hanson
    Mar. 29, 2025
    Let me begin by saying I highly recommend Dog Training Elite. Carol is AMAZING at her job and you can tell she loves what she does. I have a 1 1/2 year old German Shepherd (Luna) that she has totally trained way beyond what I expected. She has given me the tools and the confidence to become a better owner. Luna and I have a bond that continues to grow because of Carol. Carol is so patient with her clients and always takes the time to answer our questions and our concerns. When I am in public with Luna I am constantly getting stopped and being told that Luna is the most well behaved dog they have ever seen. Please don’t hesitate in choosing Dog Training Elite, you will not be disappointed!
  • Okeme Hunter
    Mar. 6, 2025
    Great job, this company and its employees are phenomenal. They made my dog felt love, and well respected. Rena as been outstanding with her training g routine and skills needed to get my 🐾 job done. Champ is well trained and I love it !!!!! I highly recommend this team
  • Abigail Price
    Mar. 23, 2025
    We contacted Elite and received a response from Jen with a scheduled free evaluation within 24 hours. Jen communicated effectively and was very nice! Carol was the trainer who completed our evaluation and got us all set up to start our training. She was knowledgeable, empathetic, and very easy to talk to! We are excited to start our training experience with Carol!
  • kenny barnes
    Mar. 20, 2025
    Carol is Amazing! I cannot say enough great things about Carol and her incredible work training my puppy! From the very first session, it was clear that she has a deep understanding of dogs and a true passion for what she does. Carol has been instrumental in helping my pup learn basic obedience, and the results have been nothing short of amazing. Her training techniques are effective, positive, and tailored to both my puppy’s needs and my own. She is patient, encouraging, and always takes the time to explain not just what to do but why it works, which has helped me build a stronger bond with my pup. Thanks to Carol, my puppy now listens better, responds to commands, and is becoming a well-mannered companion. I highly recommend her to anyone looking for a skilled, professional, and caring dog trainer. She truly goes above and beyond! If you need help with training, look no further—Carol is the best!
  • Elizabeth Rutan
    Mar. 15, 2025
    Carol has been great for our big boy! She gave us the tools to help him feel more relaxed and less like there is about to be an intruder any second. He went from guarding the house and barking aggressively at even a passing car to now he sometimes barks when other dogs bark. We also feel more relaxed taking him out in public, which I didn’t think could happen! Thank you!
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.

Knoxville 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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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.