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Dog Training Services


Positive Dog Training in Nashville, TN

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615-314-8514


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Contact Dog Training Elite Central Nashville

Or Call to Schedule FREE In-Home Assessment

615-314-8514


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Positive Reinforcement vs. Punishment


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 dog training in Nashville 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 Central Nashville 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!

Dog Training Elite Central Nashville offers expert positive dog training programs near you in Nashville.

Not all training packages may be available at our Dog Training Elite Central Nashville location, please reference our pricing page for complete information on services offered.


Silver

$1,995

Training Equipment Included: E-Collar

  • In-Home Training SessionsOne-on-one & personalized 3 Sessions
  • Group Park Training Sessions 8 Sessions
  • Come
  • Heel (walk with you, loose leash no pulling)
  • Sit (next to you & off leash at a distance)
  • Place (go to bed)
  • Quiet (stop excessive barking & whining)
  • Off(furniture when desired)

Gold

$2,395

Training Equipment Included: E-Collar

  • In-Home Training SessionsOne-on-one & personalized 5 Sessions
  • Group Park Training Sessions 12 Sessions
  • Come
  • Heel (walk with you, loose leash no pulling)
  • Sit(next to you & off leash at a distance)
  • Place(go to bed)
  • Quiet(stop excessive barking & whining)
  • Off(furniture when desired)
  • Down(lay next to you & off leash at a distance)
  • Load Up (go into kennel, car, or dog house)
  • Manners, Safety & Boundaries
  • Calm Anxiety & Build Confidence
  • Housebreaking / Potty Training
  • STOP Jumping on People
  • STOP Mouthing & Nipping
  • STOP Chewing & Digging
  • STOP Begging & Stealing Food
  • STOP Bolting Through Doors & Running Away
  • STOP Chasing Animals, Cars & Bikes
  • STOP Reactivity (dog & human)

Platinum

$2,995

Platinum offers advanced obedience/behavioral modification with a goal of off-leash control. Includes additional training options and offers more one-on-one and group sessions than Gold.

Training Equipment Included: E-Collar

  • In-Home Training SessionsOne-on-one & personalized 8 Sessions
  • Group Park Training Sessions 16 Sessions
  • Come
  • Heel (walk with you, loose leash no pulling)
  • Sit(next to you & off leash at a distance)
  • Place(go to bed)
  • Quiet(stop excessive barking & whining)
  • Off(furniture when desired)
  • Down(lay next to you & off leash at a distance)
  • Load Up (go into kennel, car, or dog house)
  • Manners, Safety & Boundaries
  • Calm Anxiety & Build Confidence
  • Housebreaking / Potty Training
  • STOP Jumping on People
  • STOP Mouthing & Nipping
  • STOP Chewing & Digging
  • STOP Begging & Stealing Food
  • STOP Bolting Through Doors & Running Away
  • STOP Chasing Animals, Cars & Bikes
  • STOP Reactivity (dog & human)
  • *Stay With You on a Job or Bike Ride (off-leash)
  • *Emotional Support Dog Training(ESA)
  • *Control Aggression(dog & human)
  • *Calm Extreme Anxiety(behavioral modification)
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Highest Rated Dog Obedience Trainers Near You in Nashville
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Positive Dog Training in Nashville


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.

Pricing Programs Free Assessment

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Dog Training Elite Central Nashville is the #1 positive dog training near you in Nashville.

Our Balanced Theory

We base our training around the "Classical Conditioning" model (a.k.a. "Pavlovian" or "respondent conditioning"). This includes developing conditioned or automatic reflexes to commands. In its simplest form (after proper conditioning), when the owner says "sit," the dog automatically sits without thinking about it. Our unique techniques ensure our program is a success no matter what behavior we encounter.


  • Empowering Owners
    We empower Owners to train so their dog knows who to obey at all times.
  • Personalized
    We deal with problem behaviors on a personal basis.
  • Environment Specific
    We train wherever issues tend to arise (i.e. jogging, park, home).
  • Supportive
    We support Owners in the off-hours (when training is "not in session").
  • Involved
    We work with all members of the household.
  • Simplified & Customized
    We plan training around the owner's schedule and require only 20 min/day follow-up practice.
  • Continued Training
    Additional programs / group sessions offered after in-home training.
  • Lifetime Investment
    We follow up & are invested in the owner's success long-term.
  • Satisfaction Ratings
    Our high client satisfaction rating sets us apart from competitors.

We help your dog become a valued companion and beloved member of the family. Read what our customers have to say and then give us a call!

Our two Great Pyrenees mix pups were getting too difficult to train on our own. When the trainer (Reina) arrived 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!
— Mollie Woltmann
Posted September 25th 2024
google
Our Dog Is Now The Star of Home Depot! We only wish we'd found you sooner! Zeppelin is our rescued & when triggered, berserk dog. He goes berserk at the sight of another dog. Pulling the leash, attack mode, very loud & ferocious. We feared for ourselves as well. He was an at-risk animal from a shelter before we even knew what at-risk means. It means: at-risk of not getting adopted & staying adopted. Sounds familiar? You're at the absolute right place to make effective changes in your dog, and in your lives. Even if your dog isn't at-risk of going back to a shelter, or you're often wishing you could give it away. Don't! Especially if you're in love with your dog + they are now a member of your family. Because after Elite's expert trainers: Now he's a behavioral star! Side note: My father was a psychotherapist & professor. I can guarantee you this review is what my father would have written about Elite and our behaviorally transformed dog! Prior to Elite's incredible trainers, Izabel & Parker, we had gone through 3 trainers & medications. Many hours with $1,000 trainers and many hours on own own + without a change from his being triggered & going berserk. We as a family always watchful & afraid. Including respectfully, the department for canine behavioral-change at University of Tennessee Knoxville. The same happened with the best private Williamson County rescue trainer, no change at all. Calming medications didn't work either. No one was a match for him. Sad! Methods that failed: Prong collar walking, walking with string cheese rewards, and group dog desensitization sessions with spray bottles. All of them gave up. There was no going outside the house for us & Zeppelin. Home Depot absolutely out of the question. Previous trainers tried, and we all left the store totally defeated. NOW! For us & for the dog himself, the behavioral reconditioning and reprogramming from Elite is easily worth many times over what we paid previous trainers! The transformation is priceless. I'm so glad that I get to see it now, daily. He now knows that we are in control of his mood & that greatly calms him down. No shock collars. No training with treats. No negative or positive vocal prompts. No forced grouping training with punishments. No water-spray bottles, no leash & prong collar jerking. No stern language or mood is needed. No punishments at all, actually. Very specific vibration collar and transmitter are provided. The best & most professional equipment & expertise using them. Very professional, simply the best. Guided group training with a muzzle is coming up. Very much like Zen, less-is-more technique. 30 minute sessions. All in your own backyard, they come to you. What could be better for so vast the change? Literally, Home Depot with a triggered rescue dog is a mammoth exercise. An impossibility after all other top trainers. He simply went berserk, forcing quick exits. He's especially triggered by much smaller dogs. We do not know why. Now, we don't have to know why. Now after only 6-8 training sessions with Elite, inside Home Depot he calmly performed Heal, Sit, and Down in the store! Unbelievable! He now has no distraction nor triggers! Another dog walked inside the aisle we're in, right behind him. He just sat there, maintaining calm eye contact with us! Elite's trainers Izabel & Parker have totally cured him. They are the wisest dog psychologists you could ever dream of working with your dog! Inside Home Depot, calmly walked him, working his commands. Then the sweetest, eldest cashier came to us "May I meet your pretty dog?" He calmly sat while she gave him a doggy bacon strip! Parking lot leaving the store, a man called out "That's a beautiful dog you have there!". Before the Elite transformation there wasn't any chance for any such compliments. Now there is & yes, now he is pretty, with even more possibilities with Elite to come! One last thing: You deserve this too. Help your dog and the enjoyments will be endless.
— Bob Schmerda
Posted September 23rd 2024
google
Reina did great with Max! He absolutely loved his time with her ❤️
— Rachel Baudendistel
Posted September 19th 2024
google
Reina did excellent with training my dog Ghost. Reina is very punctual and patient with Ghost.
— Jessica Coleman
Posted September 17th 2024
google
Dog Training Elite really helped train my out of control puppy! I now have my dream dog! A dog that I am proud of!
— Natalee Wells
Posted September 13th 2024
google
I’m happy to recommend DTE! Izabel worked with us and our teenage daughter to train her (sweet but stubborn) lab puppy, Moon. Izabel is a joy to work with— she’s an excellent teacher and trainer, and we enjoyed and benefited from every single session we had with her. I’ve also appreciated the open line of communication with DTE. They are quick to respond to my texts, always helpful, and always professional. We’re excited to do another level of training soon!
— Amanda Williams
Posted August 28th 2024
google
I've been training with Isabelle since the spring, and both my dog and I have made tremendous progress. Previously, I tried service dog training with a different personal trainer, but the approach pushed me too far out of my comfort zone and didn't yield the results I needed. Isabelle from Dog Training Elite has helped me and my dog, Laszlo, gain confidence and work together as an effective team. The effectiveness of this training has far exceeded my past experiences. Thanks to this training, I’m now prepared to train any future dogs I may have. I’m truly grateful for Isabelle and this company!!
— Anna Johnson
Posted July 29th 2024
google
We’ve seen big positive behavior changes in Seamus in just a little more than a month
— mary mcdaniel
Posted July 11th 2024
google
Our 1½ year old lab has significantly calmed down. She no longer chews on anything other than her toys, and follows commands so well. Highly recommend using Dog Training Elite Central Nashville!
— Katelyn Murphy
Posted June 21st 2024
google
We have had a great experience with the trainers! Our very stubborn puppy is making great progress with each session.
— Marjana Longenecker
Posted June 19th 2024
google
Parker and Izabel are amazing! They have really helped our two dogs. Ruby and Raelynn are so much calmer and well behaved.
— Nicole Spainhoward
Posted June 17th 2024
google
We have had the best experience working with Dog Training Elite- Nashville! Especially with Izabel!! She has been great with our dogs and we have learned so much! Everything on their team has been very professional and takes training seriously! We have seen such a huge improvement in our golden retrievers!
— Halle Maddox
Posted June 15th 2024
google
I loved my time with Dog Training Elite! I really like their model where they teach my dog and I learn to reinforce it. I rarely had to feel like “the bad guy” in the process and they were always there to help when it got hard!
— Tyler Kennedy
Posted June 12th 2024
google
What a difference a well behaved dog is to take in public areas! My dog Kash went from barking at everything and some times biting, to walking in a heel and listening to commands which I never thought was possible! His confidence is slowly growing and I’m seeing a new side to him. Thank you to Izabel who was just the best to work with! Highly recommend her and Elite Dog Training to anyone looking for a trainer for their furry kiddo
— Zina Abutaleb
Posted June 5th 2024
google
The team at Dog Training Elite has been wonderful to work with, and they’ve very effectively trained both our dogs, including our daughter’s service dog. We are so grateful for their knowledge, expertise and professionalism and highly recommend them.
— Allie Davis
Posted June 5th 2024
google
Parker and his team have been amazing with both our dogs. We needed help reinforcing commands with our daughters service Dog, as well as obedience training with our other Dog. He had them doing things we thought would take months within the first visit or two. Highly effective and highly recommended.
— Eric Davis
Posted June 5th 2024
google
I was so skeptical that my 4 year old golden doodle had any chance of following commands but the team at Dog training Elite proved me wrong in the best way possible way. They are so kind and patient and just very cool people. I worked with Isabel and she was absolutely amazing. It was like have my a fun session with a friend each time. I would recommend them and Isabel confidently no matter how stubborn your fur baby may be.😊
— Denise Janus
Posted May 24th 2024
google
Parker is AMAZING!! What you have taught me in such a short period of time is mind blowing. I truly can communicate with my dog in a way I never thought possible. Dog Training Elite Nashville is hands down the BEST!
— Denise Yenchochic
Posted May 1st 2024
google
Izabel has been amazing! Great with me and my dog. She has been patient and has greatly improved my dog's behavior.
— Elizabeth Jacobs
Posted April 8th 2024
google
i love elite so much!! we’ve seen so much progress in our dog and i just know he’s going to be a great service companion. we love izabel and everything she’s done for us
— partygore
Posted March 30th 2024
google

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The Dog Training Elite Central Nashville Difference


Dog Training Elite Central Nashville uses modern training methods focused on positive dog training using reinforcement and bonding you and your dog. Dog Training Elite Central Nashville trainers 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 Central Nashville’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.

If you are searching for positive dog training near you, Dog Training Elite Central Nashville is the place for you.

The positive dog training method of Dog Training Elite Central Nashville 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 Central Nashville, when you say “sit,” your dog will automatically sit without thinking about it.

Dog Training Elite Central Nashville 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 Central Nashville 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 Central Nashville 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 assessment!

Pricing Programs Free Assessment

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