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

Professional Training For

German Shepherds

Dog Training Elite in Philadelphia

Request Free Assessment


Request Free Assessment


Our German Shepherd Training Could Help:

Excessive barking
Aggression
Separation anxiety
Destructive chewing
Leash pulling
Over-protectiveness
Resource guarding

German Shepherd Training in Philadelphia, PA

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 Philadelphia, PA 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 in Philadelphia can help any German Shepherd become an incredible companion to individuals and families.

See Training Packages
An image of multiple german shepherd puppies - our Philadelphia 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 in Philadelphia 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.

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

  • Der Moua
    Apr. 29, 2025
    Working with Jaime was truly a game changer for us and our puppy, Buster. From the very beginning, Jaime went above and beyond in every single session. Before we started training, we felt a bit overwhelmed and honestly pretty hopeless. Buster is a smart pup, but we knew we had a long road ahead. That all changed after our very first consultation. Jaime immediately put us at ease with his confidence, knowledge, and clear love for what he does. He took the time to explain exactly how the training would work, step by step, and tailored the sessions to our goals. As the sessions went on, we were blown away by the progress we were making. It wasn’t just about teaching Buster commands — Jaime helped us build a foundation of trust, communication, and understanding with our dog. The transformation was incredible. By the end of our one on one sessions, we had a totally different dog, not only better behaved, but genuinely happier and more connected with us. And as dog owners, we feel so much more confident and empowered, too. What stood out most is Jaime’s passion for his work. It’s not just a job for him, it’s a calling. He’s deeply committed, patient, and genuinely cares about every dog and family he works with. That kind of dedication is rare and so appreciated. Thank you, Jaime, for helping us bring out the best version of Buster and ourselves as dog owners. We truly can’t recommend you enough!!!
  • Jaime Lake
    Mar. 31, 2025
    Taylor was the best. He was patient and immediately able to evaluate and customize a training protocol for my reactive dog, Finn. Our in-home sessions went very smoothly and Finn showed improvement each week. I chose the package with in-home and 12 group sessions after and we started with our first group session on Saturday. Finn is already less reactive and I can’t wait to see how good he is by the last group session. Highly recommend Taylor and Dog Training Elite!
  • Carolyn McKnight
    Mar. 25, 2025
    Great trainers for service dogs, beautiful boarding facility in rural setting with 15 fenced acres for dogs to explore.
  • Lori Palmer
    Mar. 11, 2025
    Taylor was amazing with our new puppy, Max. He learned so much in the lessons we had and we are looking forward to the group classes! Taylor was very flexible with our busy schedule. We can’t say enough good things about our whole experience!
  • G C
    Aug. 19, 2024
    I can’t say enough good things about Jamie and DTE! Our dog gets reactive when seeing other dogs she doesn’t know, making walks stressful. Thanks to Jamie’s help and guidance, she is much more manageable. He is patient, knowledgeable, and truly cares about our progress. Walks are more enjoyable and I feel more confident handling her in different situations. Highly recommend to anyone needing professional and effective dog training!
  • Viviana Aponte Cruz
    Feb. 28, 2025
    Jaime was very patient and a great trainer. My dog loved him and we have been able to travel by airplane without problems after training him for service dog. Definitely recommend :)
  • AW
    Jan. 30, 2025
    Taylor is the best! He was always very accommodating with scheduling and super informative during the in-home sessions. Excited to implement what we have already learned at group class and continuing to build on that knowledge!
  • Nitha Robin
    Jan. 29, 2025
    Dog Training Elite provides convenient and effective training in the comfort of our own home, I highly recommend! Our trainer was Taylor, he did an amazing job with our dog Johny, explaining the training concepts and providing helpful feedback as well as encouragement during training. He was very flexible, I couldn't ask for a better trainer and mentor to work with!
  • Kimberly Hooven
    Jan. 29, 2025
    We’ve had an amazing experience with Taylor! He came out for an initial free consultation, and right from the start, we were impressed by his knowledge and passion. After meeting him and seeing him interact with our dog we were very impressed at how knowledgeable and passionate he was. After just five home sessions, our pup has learned so much and picked up all the commands quickly. We're excited to start group classes now. We highly recommend Taylor to anyone!
  • Dustin Keen
    Jan. 29, 2025
    Cannot say enough great things about Taylor and the training he provides. He’s been flexible, professional and makes the training fun. Would highly recommend him to anyone looking for a better trained pup or dog. Chessie has been making great progress from everything we’ve learned from Taylor and we’re looking forward to the group sessions. 5 stars all around.
  • lisa Gallagher
    Dec. 10, 2024
    I cannot say enough good things about Taylor! We were blown away after the first session. His knowledge and love of dogs is apparent in his work. Not only did he spend time with myself and my husband, he spent a whole training session with our children to ensure that they were a part of the team as well! He really has changed our lives!
  • Brendan Smith
    Nov. 14, 2024
    We are super pleased with Taylor and his services. Taylor is professional, friendly and most importantly, very knowledgeable. We contacted Taylor when we realized our 125lb, 1 year old, Rottweiler named Wayne needed some professional training. He is a very friendly dog but is large and very active. After working with Taylor, Wayne has learned numerous commands, no longer pulls when he is walked, and is a lot easier to handle. I highly recommend Taylor to anyone in need of dog training.
  • Tom Spitko Jr.
    Nov. 7, 2024
    Excellent experience with Taylor and Dog Training Elite. After 5 in-home sessions we've noticed a significant difference in our dogs listening and response times. Looking forward to group training. Taylor was very patient and explained how to deliver the commands in great detail and would also go over the dogs psyche and what they may be thinking. Very helpful and highly recommend.
  • Pete Mignogna
    Oct. 11, 2024
    We had a great experience with Taylor and Dog Training Elite. Hermione is a 6 month GSD who was showing some guarding/reactive behaviors. Taylor was able to show us tips on this right away, and we saw improvements within the first week. After 5 sessions, she has become very obedient and has responded quickly to all training techniques. Very glad we went forward with the training and I highly recommend!
  • Calli Popolo
    Sep. 21, 2024
    We have just completed our one-on-one training sessions with Taylor and we have nothing but great things to say. We noticed Cooper had a fear of children and large dogs that did not always come across in the nicest of ways. Taylor assured us that this training would help Cooper gain confidence to face situations he was once fearful of. Taylor has been so patient with Cooper as he can be a little stubborn at times! Coop was always happy to see him and in a short amount of time, he has already grown so much. We highly recommend Taylor and Dog Training Elite!
  • Donna Barlow
    Sep. 5, 2024
    Taylor was very professional and Cinnamon learned quickly as long as you keep up with the training your pup will be a well mannered dog I highly recommend dog training elite
  • Michael Henley
    Sep. 5, 2024
    Taylor is a true professional, best-in-class at getting my crazy puppies Dixie & Dolly well behaved and consistently responding to commands. He also gives broader advice on raising the pups and is always cordial, polite, understanding and I would recommend him to anyone looking for a dog trainer in Chester County!
  • Daniel Flowers
    Sep. 2, 2024
    It has been a joy watching our dog transform after traning from Dog Training Elite. Trainer Vincent was professional, on time, and personable.
  • Ashley Gray
    Aug. 20, 2024
    We had a fantastic experience with Taylor and Dog Training Elite! Our dog, Tony Soprano, is a beautiful 1.5 year old Boxer. Beauty aside, Tony was stubborn, didn’t listen to anyone, and even had anxiety like the true Tony Soprano himself. We tried traditional training, and even another company with only some improvements. Tony seemed to always decide himself when he wanted to behave. After the in-home sessions with Taylor, Tony developed into a confident and obedient dog. Taylor was very patient with Tony (and us) throughout the whole process. We highly recommend Taylor and his services!
  • Whitney Hughes
    Aug. 19, 2024
    Working with Vincent and Dog Training Elite has been the greatest investment we've made for our 11 month old bernedoodle, Percy. In a matter of weeks, Percy has transformed from wild, unruly, and stubborn to well mannered and eager to learn. Training is just as much for the dog as it is for the human, and Vincent has been excellent at training us both! He is calm and confident in his instruction, and we have all greatly enjoyed working with him. I would highly recommend DTE and Vincent for all your training needs.
  • Der Moua
    Apr. 29, 2025
    Working with Jaime was truly a game changer for us and our puppy, Buster. From the very beginning, Jaime went above and beyond in every single session. Before we started training, we felt a bit overwhelmed and honestly pretty hopeless. Buster is a smart pup, but we knew we had a long road ahead. That all changed after our very first consultation. Jaime immediately put us at ease with his confidence, knowledge, and clear love for what he does. He took the time to explain exactly how the training would work, step by step, and tailored the sessions to our goals. As the sessions went on, we were blown away by the progress we were making. It wasn’t just about teaching Buster commands — Jaime helped us build a foundation of trust, communication, and understanding with our dog. The transformation was incredible. By the end of our one on one sessions, we had a totally different dog, not only better behaved, but genuinely happier and more connected with us. And as dog owners, we feel so much more confident and empowered, too. What stood out most is Jaime’s passion for his work. It’s not just a job for him, it’s a calling. He’s deeply committed, patient, and genuinely cares about every dog and family he works with. That kind of dedication is rare and so appreciated. Thank you, Jaime, for helping us bring out the best version of Buster and ourselves as dog owners. We truly can’t recommend you enough!!!
  • Jaime Lake
    Mar. 31, 2025
    Taylor was the best. He was patient and immediately able to evaluate and customize a training protocol for my reactive dog, Finn. Our in-home sessions went very smoothly and Finn showed improvement each week. I chose the package with in-home and 12 group sessions after and we started with our first group session on Saturday. Finn is already less reactive and I can’t wait to see how good he is by the last group session. Highly recommend Taylor and Dog Training Elite!
  • Carolyn McKnight
    Mar. 25, 2025
    Great trainers for service dogs, beautiful boarding facility in rural setting with 15 fenced acres for dogs to explore.
  • Lori Palmer
    Mar. 11, 2025
    Taylor was amazing with our new puppy, Max. He learned so much in the lessons we had and we are looking forward to the group classes! Taylor was very flexible with our busy schedule. We can’t say enough good things about our whole experience!
  • G C
    Aug. 19, 2024
    I can’t say enough good things about Jamie and DTE! Our dog gets reactive when seeing other dogs she doesn’t know, making walks stressful. Thanks to Jamie’s help and guidance, she is much more manageable. He is patient, knowledgeable, and truly cares about our progress. Walks are more enjoyable and I feel more confident handling her in different situations. Highly recommend to anyone needing professional and effective dog training!
  • Viviana Aponte Cruz
    Feb. 28, 2025
    Jaime was very patient and a great trainer. My dog loved him and we have been able to travel by airplane without problems after training him for service dog. Definitely recommend :)
  • AW
    Jan. 30, 2025
    Taylor is the best! He was always very accommodating with scheduling and super informative during the in-home sessions. Excited to implement what we have already learned at group class and continuing to build on that knowledge!
  • Nitha Robin
    Jan. 29, 2025
    Dog Training Elite provides convenient and effective training in the comfort of our own home, I highly recommend! Our trainer was Taylor, he did an amazing job with our dog Johny, explaining the training concepts and providing helpful feedback as well as encouragement during training. He was very flexible, I couldn't ask for a better trainer and mentor to work with!
  • Kimberly Hooven
    Jan. 29, 2025
    We’ve had an amazing experience with Taylor! He came out for an initial free consultation, and right from the start, we were impressed by his knowledge and passion. After meeting him and seeing him interact with our dog we were very impressed at how knowledgeable and passionate he was. After just five home sessions, our pup has learned so much and picked up all the commands quickly. We're excited to start group classes now. We highly recommend Taylor to anyone!
  • Dustin Keen
    Jan. 29, 2025
    Cannot say enough great things about Taylor and the training he provides. He’s been flexible, professional and makes the training fun. Would highly recommend him to anyone looking for a better trained pup or dog. Chessie has been making great progress from everything we’ve learned from Taylor and we’re looking forward to the group sessions. 5 stars all around.
  • lisa Gallagher
    Dec. 10, 2024
    I cannot say enough good things about Taylor! We were blown away after the first session. His knowledge and love of dogs is apparent in his work. Not only did he spend time with myself and my husband, he spent a whole training session with our children to ensure that they were a part of the team as well! He really has changed our lives!
  • Brendan Smith
    Nov. 14, 2024
    We are super pleased with Taylor and his services. Taylor is professional, friendly and most importantly, very knowledgeable. We contacted Taylor when we realized our 125lb, 1 year old, Rottweiler named Wayne needed some professional training. He is a very friendly dog but is large and very active. After working with Taylor, Wayne has learned numerous commands, no longer pulls when he is walked, and is a lot easier to handle. I highly recommend Taylor to anyone in need of dog training.
  • Tom Spitko Jr.
    Nov. 7, 2024
    Excellent experience with Taylor and Dog Training Elite. After 5 in-home sessions we've noticed a significant difference in our dogs listening and response times. Looking forward to group training. Taylor was very patient and explained how to deliver the commands in great detail and would also go over the dogs psyche and what they may be thinking. Very helpful and highly recommend.
  • Pete Mignogna
    Oct. 11, 2024
    We had a great experience with Taylor and Dog Training Elite. Hermione is a 6 month GSD who was showing some guarding/reactive behaviors. Taylor was able to show us tips on this right away, and we saw improvements within the first week. After 5 sessions, she has become very obedient and has responded quickly to all training techniques. Very glad we went forward with the training and I highly recommend!
  • Calli Popolo
    Sep. 21, 2024
    We have just completed our one-on-one training sessions with Taylor and we have nothing but great things to say. We noticed Cooper had a fear of children and large dogs that did not always come across in the nicest of ways. Taylor assured us that this training would help Cooper gain confidence to face situations he was once fearful of. Taylor has been so patient with Cooper as he can be a little stubborn at times! Coop was always happy to see him and in a short amount of time, he has already grown so much. We highly recommend Taylor and Dog Training Elite!
  • Donna Barlow
    Sep. 5, 2024
    Taylor was very professional and Cinnamon learned quickly as long as you keep up with the training your pup will be a well mannered dog I highly recommend dog training elite
  • Michael Henley
    Sep. 5, 2024
    Taylor is a true professional, best-in-class at getting my crazy puppies Dixie & Dolly well behaved and consistently responding to commands. He also gives broader advice on raising the pups and is always cordial, polite, understanding and I would recommend him to anyone looking for a dog trainer in Chester County!
  • Daniel Flowers
    Sep. 2, 2024
    It has been a joy watching our dog transform after traning from Dog Training Elite. Trainer Vincent was professional, on time, and personable.
  • Ashley Gray
    Aug. 20, 2024
    We had a fantastic experience with Taylor and Dog Training Elite! Our dog, Tony Soprano, is a beautiful 1.5 year old Boxer. Beauty aside, Tony was stubborn, didn’t listen to anyone, and even had anxiety like the true Tony Soprano himself. We tried traditional training, and even another company with only some improvements. Tony seemed to always decide himself when he wanted to behave. After the in-home sessions with Taylor, Tony developed into a confident and obedient dog. Taylor was very patient with Tony (and us) throughout the whole process. We highly recommend Taylor and his services!
  • Whitney Hughes
    Aug. 19, 2024
    Working with Vincent and Dog Training Elite has been the greatest investment we've made for our 11 month old bernedoodle, Percy. In a matter of weeks, Percy has transformed from wild, unruly, and stubborn to well mannered and eager to learn. Training is just as much for the dog as it is for the human, and Vincent has been excellent at training us both! He is calm and confident in his instruction, and we have all greatly enjoyed working with him. I would highly recommend DTE and Vincent for all your training needs.
A dog owner with his German Shepherd - get your professional german shepherd training in Philadelphia, PA 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 in Philadelphia 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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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 in Philadelphia.
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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 Philadelphia german shepherd trainers.

Your Expert German Shepherd Trainers in Philadelphia, PA

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 Philadelphia, PA!