An image of a german shepard with their owner - contact Dog Training Elite for your german shephard training in Nashville, TN.
Dog Training Elite

German Shepherd Dog Training in Nashville, TN

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Our German Shepherd Training Could Help:
Excessive barking
Aggression
Separation anxiety
Destructive chewing
Leash pulling
Over-protectiveness
Resource guarding

German Shepherd Training in Nashville, TN

German Shepherds consistently rank in the top five most popular dog breeds in America—and for good reason. German Shepherds are highly intelligent and loyal. With proper training and socialization, they are also obedient and great with other dogs and children. Not to mention, they’re beautiful!

Dog Training Elite has years of experience with German Shepherd training in Nashville, TN and has developed obedience programs suitable for this breed. Because of their intelligence and natural herding instincts, German Shepherds can also be trained as service dogs.

Like any intelligent dog, however, a German Shepherd without proper training can become a handful. Their intelligence can lead to stubbornness. Extensive training and socialization are key to harnessing the unique abilities of this breed and diminishing any potential destructive behaviors. Thankfully, the high intelligence of German Shepherds enables them to learn commands quickly.

With our targeted and specialized breed training programs, Dog Training Elite Central Nashville can help any German Shepherd become an incredible companion to individuals and families.

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An image of multiple german shepherd puppies - our Nashville german shepherd trainers ensure you pup is ready to be the best companion possible.

German Shepherd Puppies vs. Adults


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Dog Training Elite recommends starting dog training as early as possible, soon after a puppy is ready to leave its mother. Puppies are capable of learning basic commands, and smart German Shepherd puppies do great with early training.

If you adopt an older German Shepherd, or never got around to puppy training, don’t worry! Dog Training Elite Central Nashville offers adult dog training programs as well. A complete puppy training typically takes a few months. Adult dog training can take longer or shorter, depending on whether a dog needs to unlearn bad habits in addition to being trained.

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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

  • Tessa Tuttle
    Sep. 24, 2025
    I would 100% recommend these guys to help with your pup needs. They are so awesome, so very grateful for there help. Steve my dog, and I are so happy.
  • Taya Fillmore
    Sep. 24, 2025
    I am so grateful that I decided to do Dog Training with Dog Training Elite. My standard poodle used to pull on the leash all the time and jump on guests. Now he is the most distinguished gentleman, I am so happy with his progress and training!
  • Brooklyn Borgquist
    Sep. 1, 2025
    thank you so much to Parker at Dog Training Elite for helping me with my rambunctious Labradoodle. He used to bark at every thing outside our door. It felt like we couldn’t even have dinner and talk to each other without hearing Myers bark. Now he can lay down on his place and relax while we eat dinner. I’m so grateful that we decided to invest in dog training!
  • Sadie Eyre
    Aug. 27, 2025
    Thank you so much to Parker at dog training, elite for saving our sanity when it came to our dog. I was at my wits end with my dog, jumping all over everybody and pulling on the leash. Now she is so polite and walks like an angel. I loved my private in-home sessions with the trainers. Everybody was so amazing! Thank you, Dog Training Elite!
  • McKay Peery
    Aug. 27, 2025
    I am so grateful that I called Dog Training Elite! My dog was jumping on every guest that walked in the door and counter surfing. She would get sick and I would take her to the vet from what she would eat. Now she respects the boundaries of our guests that come over and no longer counter surfs. Thank you so much to Parker at dog training late for your expertise and help. I would recommend dog turning elite to everyone!!
  • Mark Hodge
    Aug. 26, 2025
    Thank you Montana and Parker for your patient endurance while training our very stubborn French Bulldog. Our dog Gideon has aggressive tendencies and Elite trainers has given us the tools needed to work toward a more obedient/well behaved pup. Still work to do, but making progress!
  • julie warren
    Aug. 18, 2025
    My insecure golden retriever lacked confidence and social skills! Elite did a great job of not only building his confidence, but helping me understand him.
  • Simon Tv
    Aug. 14, 2025
    I am so pleased with DTE!!! We currently have a 1 year old golden retriever at 78 pounds. Callahan! Named after “Dirty Harry Inspector Callahan” Clint Eastwood… We had senior pups a Beagle and Bassett Hound before they recently passed. With Callahan we have gone from seniors at 20 mph to Callahan at 100 mph (!) Callahan’s breeder recommended dog training. I have never done dog training. Googling, I saw DTE had great reviews. We started with 1 on 1’s at our house. Then group training! Some shout outs to the fabulous trainers at group : Montana, Liam and Andi. All professional and know what they are doing with dogs. I’m probably forgetting someone? But all excellent. But I’m not forgetting PARKER! I swear this man must have been raised with wolves and dogs. He’s part of the pack and instinctively knows how to handle dogs. I had issues with Callahan heeling and running after everything on our walks. Squirrels, runners, cyclists, etc. Parker has helped me control Callahan. We have the proper collar. Parker taught me collar adjustment, collar location on dog’s neck and leash snap. I learned change direction when I see distraction. Like a bunny. Parker also had me practice on him as if he were the dog, feeling the dog pull and learning when I needed to snap. At first I was late lots with my snap but eventually I got the hang of it. Highly recommend DTE. Worth the investment in training a dog. They are responsive and flexible to meet you and your dog’s needs. And request Parker if you really need lots of help! Catherine and Callahan
  • Alexis Pantorilla
    Aug. 11, 2025
    Dog training elite has been a GAME CHANGER!!! Cannot recommend them enough. My dog got attacked and has never been the same. Within the first two sessions she was already a completely different dog. I’ve been recommending them to everyone I see- every time I leave my house people comment saying that my dog is so well behaved. Sooo so so well worth it over and over again. If you’re thinking about doing it- DO IT!
  • Mark Esposito
    Aug. 9, 2025
    I am so glad that I put my dog Winnie in training with Dog Training Elite. We had found her as a stray on the side of the road in Nashville and she needed training to be able to adjust to living in our house. She now is amazing with respecting all of our house guests that come over and grown so much in confidence. Thank you to Parker at Dog Training Elite in Nashville for all of your help!
  • audrey esposito
    Aug. 9, 2025
    Rizzo is my sweet rescue dog that constantly barked at everything! On walks he was very reactive towards other dogs. He wasn’t a bad dog but just really annoying! He now stops barking when I tell him to, and I can walk past other dogs with no barking or reactivity. If you are looking for dog training in Nashville give them a call! They changed my life! And Rizzo loves the trainers!:)
  • Helen K
    Aug. 9, 2025
    Trainers were great! My dog has become calmer, walks better on a leash and recalls commands quicker.
  • Mac Mullen
    Aug. 2, 2025
    I’m astonished at how much my dog has retained in the duration of this course. Parker, Kenna and Montana were FANTASTIC trainers for my boy. He is disciplined and loves to train- I can only thank the team for making it so fun. He is great with other dogs, very patient and obedient, which is hard to train into his breed. I’m very happy we went with Dog Training Elite Central Nashville, 5 stars.
  • Jessica Riley
    Jul. 22, 2025
    Montana is a true dog lover and was amazing with our (very stubborn) dog. She was patient, supportive, and really helped us understand how to work with Koa instead of against him. Training felt less stressful and way more doable with her guidance. We only wish we had found Montana and her team earlier.
  • Kade Carter
    Jul. 11, 2025
    I was out in Nashville for the summer and got an emotional support dog to help me out with my stressful job. Before I found Parker and Dog Training Elite, Russel was a bit to rambunctious he was always barking and some neighbors were upset. I am super happy with their training program and Russel is now a huge blessing to me. THANKS GUYS
  • Jessica Lucyshyn
    Jun. 30, 2025
    We are very pleased with the training! Our dog has learned so much in a short time!
  • Jess and Marty Dulworth
    Jun. 25, 2025
    Parker was amazing at helping out our big guy Earl here in Nashville! Earl was too rough around kids sometimes and he wasn’t able to play with our family. He totally changed and is very gentle and loving!
  • Frank Stone
    Jun. 18, 2025
    Zoe was pretty barky and seemed scary coming out to neighbors. She is now really friendly and very loving around new people. Super happy with Parker and all the work they did at Dog Training Elite. Highly recommend, definitely worth the cost.
  • Connor Harman
    Jun. 17, 2025
    Training has been great! The staff is awesome, making the process easy. Excited to finish the training and start the service dog portion. Highly recommend dog training elite
  • Nolan Rhem
    Jun. 16, 2025
    Our dog, Teddy, is 9 years old. Although not really aggressive, he would get highly anxious when strangers came over (even if they were friends) and bark nonstop. It was hard to have guests in our home. We were concerned that he was too old to be trained not to behave this way. Montana was able to teach Teddy a handful of basic commands within a few weeks. When ordered to behave with these commands, we noticed Teddy quickly become much less anxious with practically no barking at all around guests. Montana did a great job with Teddy and I highly recommend Dog Training Elite.
A dog owner with his German Shepherd - get your professional german shepherd training in Nashville, TN with Dog Training Elite today.

In-Home German Shepherd Training

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Dog Training Elite offers specialized in-home German Shepherd training for both owners and dogs of any age. Working with a German Shepherd and the owner directly in the home allows dog trainers to create personalized training plans for individual dogs, as well as address any unique needs or issues.

Once a dog has completed in-home training, they can take group classes for more in-depth training - Dog Training Elite Central Nashville offers both puppy and adult dog group classes.

Beginning training in the home also helps owners bond with their dogs so when the dog trainer leaves, no progress is lost.

Additional Breeds We Train

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Goldendoodle

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Beagle

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Pitbull

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Doberman

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Border Collie

Dog Training Elite Central Nashville - Golden Retriever Training in Nashville, TN. DTE

Golden Retriever

Dog Training Elite Central Nashville - French Bulldog Training in Nashville, TN. DTE

French Bulldog

German Shepherd Training Tips

German Shepherds are loyal and intelligent dogs that require a thoughtful approach to training. They are eager learners, but they also need structure and clear guidance to reach their full potential.

Here are some essential training tips for German Shepherds.

Dogs, and especially German Shepherds, do best with consistency. Always make sure to use the same verbal and/or physical cues during training to avoid any confusion. Also, be consistent about rules - establish at the beginning, for example, whether or not your dog is allowed on the couch. Then, don’t change the rule under any circumstances.
German Shepherds are an energetic breed - if you don’t have a yard for your dog to play in, that’s fine, but make sure your German Shepherd gets daily exercise through walking, hiking, etc. An energetic dog with little to no exercise can become a destructive, disobedient dog.

Since German Shepherds are historically trained as working dogs, they thrive on being busy. Training is a great way to give German Shepherds the mental stimulation they need.

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

Victory Begins With Elite Education

An adorable German Shepherd with their owner - Dog Training Elite is your go-to choice for Nashville german shepherd trainers.

Your Expert German Shepherd Trainers in Nashville, TN

The Dog Training Elite Difference

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Dog Training Elite uses modern training methods focused on balance and bonding between dog and dog owner. Dog Training Elite never resorts to the use of punishment to help dogs unlearn bad behavior. The difference becomes clear when comparing a dog that is trained out of anxiety and intimidation vs a dog who truly desires to please from the inside out.

The Dog Training Elite training theory is mostly based around classical conditioning, also known as the Pavlovian method or respondent conditioning. This includes developing conditioned or automatic reflexes to commands. In its simplest form (after proper conditioning), when an owner says "sit," their dog automatically sits without thinking about it.

Through a combination of commands and an electronic collar, dogs learn to follow commands at once. The electronic collar is not a shock collar; it is a gentle electronic pulse, similar to the tug of a leash, used to get the dog’s attention. Other dog trainers use harsh static collars or spray collars which have been shown to be less effective. Dog Training Elite’s training methods nurtures a dog's loving and naturally obedient nature.

Ready to turn your dog into a loyal and loving companion? Contact Dog Training Elite today for professional German Shepherd training in Nashville, TN!