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

Professional Training For

German Shepherds

Dog Training Elite

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

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 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 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 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 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

  • Joseph Mlinar
    Mar. 20, 2026
    This was great! You gave us great tools and advice for working with Little Boy on managing his reactivity. Working every day with muzzle-walks and inthe yard. Looking forward to the next class. Thanks!
  • Shannon Porter
    Mar. 19, 2026
    We have been working with Hannah to get our service dog Pesto trained and it’s been a great experience. Our dog adores her and she’s great at helping us keep Pesto on track. We are so happy that we choose Dog Training Elite for her training.
  • JoJo D
    Mar. 19, 2026
    I have been so happy with Dog Training Elite Clarksville. Each trainer has been excellent: Regina, Amber, and Austin. My puppy gets excited to see them. The e-collar has really helped Riley make the right choice making life more harmonious. It's more of a nudge. It, of course, is taking follow through at home, but the combined efforts will ingrain the behavior I am looking for. My puppy is the happiest girl ever. I am learning good ideas and how to work better with Riley than I would on my own. Had I not hired DTEC I would've been a lot more frustrated and had a bratty puppy. It was the right decision for us.
  • Keith Robertson
    Mar. 19, 2026
    Trainer Jay worked miracles with my high drive German Shepherd, Rocky. Rocky learned so much from Trainer Jay and my family learned how to train Rocky to be a good member of the family. By the time our private lessons were done, Rocky walked great on a leash, listened and responded extremely well to all of his commands, had almost zero reactivity. He still gets excited and jumps a little when he sees Trainer Jay but we’ll keep working on that. Thanks Trainer Jay and Dog Training Elite of Southern CT for helping with Rocky. I highly recommend Dog Training Elite of Southern CT!
  • Bruce Lund
    Mar. 19, 2026
    It’s been amazing. So glad I took the steps to get my dog in training working with Jeff
  • LoneWolf Moonboy
    Jan. 22, 2026
    Absolutely fantastic!! Jeff was very thorough and extremely informative during the assessment and Meggie killed it for our first session. I can’t wait to continue with the process!!
  • Mark Peugh
    Nov. 21, 2025
    Amber is very knowledgeable and gave us homework that makes sense and is easy to understand and apply
  • sam hoover
    Mar. 19, 2026
    Sarah does a great job working with our two dogs. She is patient and extremely knowledgeable.
  • JM Parker
    Mar. 19, 2026
    I can’t begin to tell you how much of a difference this training has made. I was very close to re homing my dog thinking it wasn’t a good fit, his personality and my expectations. Within the first week, there were many big changes that took place. The training process with Alexa kept getting better and my dog’s retention was growing stronger each week. I now have a well behaved 2 yr old guy who is respectful and fun to be with. I can’t thank you enough, Alexa for your patience and kindness.
  • George
    Feb. 26, 2026
    As Tina Turner would say, “simply the best.” Thank you. Another splendid session. Knowledgeable, caring, involved and a real mentor to all three of us. Gunner is really rounding into shape.
  • George
    Feb. 26, 2026
    As Tina Turner would say, “simply the best.” Thank you. Another splendid session. Knowledgeable, caring, involved and a real mentor to all three of us. Gunner is really rounding into shape.
  • Dainna Stelmach
    Mar. 19, 2026
    Hi we saw Jeff for our first day of training. It went great. He was wonderful with our dog and we are already seeing results. Can’t wait to see how it goes when we have had more training sessions.
  • Sandra Fredette
    Mar. 19, 2026
    Kayla was very knowledgeable about training and getting a positive outcome. Within minutes my dog was responding to commands without a struggle.
  • Tina Boutte
    Dec. 4, 2025
    Debbie was very professional and pleasant to talk with. She demonstrated the commands with Luna first and then guided me through with Luna. Great experience.
  • Heather Vance
    Mar. 19, 2026
    I can not say enough good things. We had tried another training place prior to finding Dog Training Elite that was just not working & seemed to be making our dog more stressed. This was the best investment we could have possibly made— truly the best money we could have spent and worth every penny. Our quality of life and our relationship with our dog is amazing now after this training. Every trainer genuinely cared and understood the animals. They always remember our dog by name & she was so excited to see each of them & excited to go to training. My favorite part of this training was that after the 2 weeks of 8 hours a day training, it’s followed by weekly group training we attend where we continue to learn new skills, ask the trainers questions, and socialize with other pets and their owners. I would highly recommend to anyone!
  • Susan Thomas
    Mar. 18, 2026
    George at Dog Training Elite Twin Cities was recommended to me by a breeder I respect. George had trained several of his dogs and he was very satisfied and encouraged me to call him. When I contacted George, I found him to be business like, prompt in returning texts, and patient and encouraging when working with me and Millie (my yellow lab puppy). I've been pleased with the training Millie and I have received. George really got to know the personality of Millie and helped me work on some of the behavior concerns I had with her. Now, after 10 weeks of in home training, she's become a sweet, obedient 9 month old puppy.I would highly recommend George at Dog Training Elite Twin Cities. He's a great guy.
  • Pamela Aizad
    Oct. 14, 2025
    These trainers are amazing!! They know their stuff!!They love dogs!! Jeff was great today with the Service Training
  • Britney Paul
    Jan. 14, 2026
    Julia has been amazing working with us and our Cane Corso puppy
  • Matthew Christensen
    Mar. 18, 2026
    Dog Training Elite has been nothing short of incredible. I honestly can’t say enough good things about their team and the results they’ve helped us achieve. When we started, my dog had plenty of areas that needed work—but through their structured training, patience, and clear guidance, everything changed. They don’t just train your dog—they teach you how to communicate effectively, which made all the difference. The trainers are professional, knowledgeable, and genuinely care about your dog’s success. What really stands out is the transformation. My dog has gone from needing direction to being confident, obedient, and reliable in a variety of environments. Thanks to Dog Training Elite, he’s now at the point where he’s ready to take a therapy dog test—which I never would have imagined before starting. If you’re on the fence, don’t be. This program works. It’s an investment that pays off in every aspect of your dog’s behavior and your relationship with them. Highly recommend.
  • Jackie Pettitt
    Mar. 18, 2026
    Hi my name is Jackie and I have a 18 month old Rottweiler named Nova. I rescued her June 2025 from a Facebook add, she was covered in wounds and was living outside with a bunch of other dogs in a small gravel lot. She had never been inside, around people or experienced the world so she came to me very nervous and anxious. After about 6 months of getting to know her and bringing her around to new environments and people I began to notice an escalation in her response to meeting new people which went from cowering and hiding to lingering and nipping and it was impossible for strangers to be in the house and I no longer could bring her to work. Unsure how to help her I started researching and decided to meet with Chris! He was so kind and answered all of my questions and concerns. I was then paired with Karly for training and boy is she a wealth of knowledge!!! In just two sessions we have made HUGE GAINS! Yesterday she laid in her place cot with all of the distractions and triggers of Chris walking around the house and doing things that would normally trigger her. By the end of the session she was completely relaxed and unconcerned of what was happening around her and focused on me. I could cry I am so happy! If you are looking for compassionate, caring, and highly experienced and knowledgeable trainers look no further!
A dog owner with his German Shepherd - get your professional german shepherd training 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 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.
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Victory Begins With Elite Education

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

Your Expert German Shepherd Trainers

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!