Positive Reinforcement vs. Punishment

Dog Training Elite Lowell / Chelmsford

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Dog Training Elite Lowell / Chelmsford online booking

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Booking Request


Dog Training Elite Lowell / Chelmsford online booking

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Positive Dog Training Techniques

Positive Reinforcement Dog Training in Lowell, MA

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 reinforcement dog training in Lowell, MA 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 Lowell / Chelmsford 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!

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Dog Training Elite Lowell / Chelmsford

Your Questions Answered

Positive reinforcement training is a widely used and highly effective method for teaching dogs new behaviors while strengthening the bond between you and your pet. Below, we've answered some common questions about how this training approach works and why it's beneficial for all dog breeds.

Positive reinforcement training rewards dogs for good behavior with treats, praise, or play, encouraging them to repeat those behaviors. It focuses on creating a positive association with desired actions, making training enjoyable and effective for your dog.
Positive reinforcement builds trust and strengthens the bond between you and your dog. By rewarding desired behavior, your dog is more motivated to learn and respond willingly, whereas punishment can create fear and anxiety, hindering learning and damaging the relationship.
Yes, positive reinforcement training is effective for all dog breeds. Since it relies on rewarding good behavior, dogs of all breeds, sizes, and temperaments can respond well, making it a flexible and universally beneficial training method.
A white poodle smiling at one of our Lowell positive reinforcement dog trainers.

Lowell Positive Reinforcement Dog Trainers

Dog Training Elite Lowell / Chelmsford

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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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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 Lowell.
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.
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The Dog Training Elite Lowell / Chelmsford Difference


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Dog Training Elite Lowell / Chelmsford uses modern training methods focused on positive dog training using reinforcement and bonding you and your dog. Our trainers in Lowell, MA 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 Lowell / Chelmsford’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 reinforcement dog training in Lowell, MA 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 Lowell / Chelmsford, when you say “sit,” your dog will automatically sit without thinking about it.

Dog Training Elite Lowell / Chelmsford 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 in Lowell, MA 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 in Lowell, MA 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 consultation!

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Learn Why Dog owners choose Dog Training Elite

  • Sarah Bazinet
    Jun. 3, 2024
    My rescue dog Dylan, who I adopted at two years old, began showing significant behavioral issues, particularly being reactive and aggressive. Seeking help, I reached out to Dog Training Elite and Matt F provided a complimentary evaluation at my home. With his expertise and his wonderful dog by his side, Matt reassured me that Dylan, despite his age and behavior, could be trained. Over 9 weeks of working with Matt F, I learned valuable insights about my actions that were contributing to Dylan’s behavior. Matt not only guided me on how to establish a strong bond with my dog Dylan but also revealed the positive changes that were possible. After completing the training, he has emerged as a completely transformed dog. His overall demeanor has undergone a remarkable shift, and we frequently receive compliments on what a well-behaved dog he has become. I am extremely grateful to Matt F for his guidance and for helping me transform my dog's life for the better.
  • Mirna Osman
    Sep. 29, 2023
    Kara was so sweet and walked me through the whole process on what I could expect training to be like. Wanted to add an update to my review as Ryker and I have completed all of our personal sessions! Woohoo! Throughout the process I got to meet many lovely trainers but primarily worked with Barbara and Mariah. They were both absolutely amazing! They were both extremely friendly and happily answered all of the many questions I had. My friends and family have seen such a massive difference in my dog Ryker who we all thought was untrainable since he’s already 5 years old, this goes to show you can definitely teach an old dog new tricks! We’re now going to be starting the group sessions and I can’t wait to keep seeing Ryker’s progress!
  • Douglas Lambert
    Oct. 20, 2023
    They came to my house and from start I loved the energy. Gave me some tips, and showed me how well his puppy is trained. I will definitely recommend
  • Matthew Tie
    Oct. 11, 2023
    Matt is awesome and really great with both dogs and handler's
  • Jeremiah Banish
    Oct. 16, 2023
    We had a great experience with Dog Training Elite! We would highly recommend it. We had Moriah as our trainer, and she worked great with our puppy.
  • John Collins
    Sep. 23, 2023
    These guys are awesome! I would truly recommend this service to any level of dog. Our dog Gunnar has shown a growing aggression to people who are not his family and it has completely turned around. The difference between week 1 and week 2 behavior was unbelievable for him. Our trainer was Matt, he is the man, we were lucky to get him. He had a remarkable skill in training our dog but was even better at teaching us the tools we needed to improve Gunnar. You definitely get what you paid for with this service, thanks elite team!
  • Marina Gil-Santamaria
    Sep. 5, 2023
    They did such an amazing job working with us to train our Bruno as a service dog to support our family through grief and loss ❤️ they were caring, patient, came to our house every week and Bruno was as excited to see them as we were. I never thought we would complete the program but with their help we did. Thank you Marcus and the entire team at Dog Training Elite!
  • Stephen Arnold
    Aug. 10, 2023
    It is amazing to see the progress our dogs have made in just 3 weeks. Marcus is a wonderful experienced trainer. I highly recommend this service
  • Adriana Jablonsky
    Aug. 3, 2023
    Great company Great staff
  • Gill Macchia
    Mar. 4, 2023
    I would highly recommend for every dog owner. Wonderful service and very knowledgeable dog trainers.
  • Kathryn Nutting
    Mar. 2, 2023
    Absolutely LOVE Marcus, Michaela, and the DTE team. Highly recommend for dogs and pups of all ages!!
  • Kayla Costa
    Feb. 28, 2023
    Michaela and Marcus at DTE are incredible with dogs of all ages, breeds and personalities! They treat every dog like their own .
  • Emily Albert
    Feb. 28, 2023
    I am so thankful for the DTE team. They are so passionate and supportive and they really made the training process so simple and adaptable to my lifestyle and schedule. Highly recommend for young pups and dogs of all ages!
  • andrew brems
    Feb. 28, 2023
    Trainers were amazing!!! Would never have guess my dog could go out in public with me and not bark at everyone. 10/10 will go back!!!!
  • Ashley Fruguglietti
    Feb. 26, 2023
    The trainers @ DogTraining Elite are amazing. I have a fearful aggressive shepherd puppy and the training has made a very positive impact in both my behavior around my dog and my dogs behavior around me and other triggers or new situations. I have already learned to be more confident and so has my dog. They are considerate that everyone is busy and do their best to answer text and calls and questions no matter what, even on a weekend. I am so thrilled I made the decision to train with them not only for myself but for my handsome boy Kota. I do not feel like I a client it feels like a great mentorship. The trainers genuinely want to see both dog and owner happy and healthy together. You will not be disappointed with the training here. The facility is beautiful and the floors are non slip. I could brag more but I think I made the best choice ever choosing them to help me grow as well as my dog.
  • Clover Haugerud
    Feb. 24, 2023
    I would give them 6 stars if I could! 😍Highly recommend coming to them for any of your dog training needs!
  • Madison Chok
    Feb. 11, 2023
    The team at Dog Training Elite was wonderful! You could tell how much they cared about the dogs and the work they put into the training sessions. Everyone was so kind, helpful, and knowledgeable. They gave me the tools needed to train my puppies and continue training at home and after we moved.
  • Nicole Rodman
    Feb. 10, 2023
    Highly recommend Dog Training Elite! They made it easy by coming to our home and including us throughout the process. They have patience and, most importantly, are extremely educated. Hugo loves his friends at DTE!
  • Tyler McCourt
    Feb. 9, 2023
    This place is amazing. I highly recommend for your dog training. 2 thumbs up 👍 👍
  • Rae Ann Caparelli
    Feb. 9, 2023
    I have worked with and for one of best dog trainers in CA and on netflix. I am SO impressed with Elite Dog Training!!! You can see the passion and love that they have for training dogs. No matter what the training problem is Marcus has the answer....I only wish I could give more than 5 stars because WOW to say I am impressed is actually an understatement!! Dont hestitate...Elite is the only dog trainer you will need!!! Photo is my Redbone coonhound on a down & focus. If you know anything about RBCH you know hounds are tough to train especially on recall. I get complimented all the time on how well behaved she is. Thank you Marcus for all your advice.