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Three lab puppies - Dog Training Elite offers the best puppy classes in Richmond, VA.
Dog Training Elite

Puppy Training Classes in Richmond, VA

Request Free Assessment

Request Free Assessment

Our Puppy Training Classes Could Help:
Teach basic obedience commands
Improve socialization skills
Reduce unwanted behaviors
Strengthen the bond with your puppy
Build confidence in new environments
Encourage proper leash manners
Promote calm behavior around distractions
Prepare for advanced training

Professional Training with Dog Training Elite

Puppy Classes in Richmond, VA

Bringing home a new puppy is an exciting time for any family! Puppies love to cuddle, play, and explore, but they also have much to learn before becoming well-behaved companions. Puppies can start training as soon as they come home at eight weeks old, and the benefits of training young will last their whole lifetime.

If you’re searching for professional puppy training classes in Richmond, VA, Dog Training Elite is your top choice.

We offer free in-home consultations to get your puppy on the right track from day one. Our experienced trainers work closely with you to customize a program that meets your goals and your puppy's needs.

From basic obedience to socialization classes and advanced service training, Dog Training Elite is here to guide you every step of the way.

Learn more about our specialized puppy training programs and give us a call to start your puppy’s journey toward a happy, confident life!

See Training Packages

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!

A girl hugging her pup - deepen your bond and more when you choose Richmond puppy training classes with Dog Training Elite.

Dog Training Elite Richmond

The Benefits of Puppy Training

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Our classes help your pup grow into a well-behaved dog. Here are a few benefits you can expect from choosing our elite training:

  • Deepen Your Bond With Your Puppy: Training your puppy – and continuing training with new tricks as they get older – is a great way to bond closely. Puppies have a natural desire to please and will learn to rely on you for guidance and direction, establishing a foundation of trust and love.
  • Socialize Your Dog: Obedience training, especially with group classes, helps dogs become comfortable and well-socialized around other dogs and people. This is important for when you want to take your dog on walks or invite people into your home.
  • Improve Your Dog’s Safety: Training your dog to listen and obey your commands will help them stay safe in any situation. Learning commands like “down,” “leave it,” “stop,” and “wait” can keep your dog safe from messing with dangerous things like electrical cords and other situations outdoors.
  • Provide Mental Stimulation: Good dogs can become bad dogs if they don’t have a way to work out physical and mental energy. Training as a lifelong pursuit is a great way to challenge your dog mentally and keep them engaged.
A puppy in training with Dog Training Elite professionals.

Dog Training Elite Richmond

Puppy Training Class Prices

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When you train your dog with Dog Training Elite, you get the most bang for your buck. Not only do we offer a variety of programs, but Dog Training Elite trainers are building on over 50 years of experience.

At Dog Training Elite, we are dedicated to open communication, clear timelines, and providing transparent, honest puppy training class prices. Dog Training Elite trainers love what they do and aim to build a community for clients who love their dogs just as much as we do

We specialize in strengthening the bond between your dog and your family. With our focus on positive reinforcement and classic conditioning, we create dogs who truly desire to please from the inside out.

More Classes We Offer

Dog Training Elite Richmond -

Schooling Your Pup in Obedience

Dog Training Elite Richmond -

Academy

Hear From Our Customers

Learn Why Dog owners choose Dog Training Elite

  • Lisa McCall
    Jan. 4, 2026
    Dog Training Elite Richmond is the perfect place to go for excellent dog training. My 2-year-old golden retriever is training to be a working therapy dog. Our trainer, Matt, has been working with Charlie, and we have seen so many improvements. Paul worked with us at the beginning to determine where to place Charlie, as he had completed puppy training classes in NC before moving to VA and had already passed his Canine Good Citizen Test. Matt worked one-on-one with Charlie at our home, then a few sessions at various community locations. Charlie is now attending group classes, and he is doing a fantastic job. I love how Paul and Matt look at each dog and focus on what the dog needs. They are patient, they give great advice, and my dog absolutely loves them! I highly recommend Dog Training Elite Richmond! Lisa McCall
  • Carole Bourgeacq-Hardt
    Dec. 23, 2025
    Paul and his staff were very helpful with the training of our chocolate lab, Max. At the beginning the sessions happened in a calm environment by patient and knowledgeable trainers. Then, Max was exposed to busy surroundings like Lowe’s. I feel like Paul took the time to know Max and his needs. He always has helpful comments and pointers pertinent to Max.
  • Ralph Condit
    Dec. 22, 2025
    I can’t say enough good things about Dog Training Elite and especially Paul. I needed a service dog and after being told by numerous organizations that I would have to wait several years I purchased a puppy and found DTE to help me train him. Paul was amazing and flexible when it came to where we would do training because where I lived was out of the area they could do in home training. With Paul’s great training and mentorship of working with my dog I was able to get him to his Canine Good Citizen and Advanced Canine Good Citizen and Public Access in almost record time. This was a life saver for me and helped with my ability to be out in public and just live a happier life. Paul’s continual support and group classes are a great place to work my dog around other well-behaved dogs but to be able to showcase to newer people how well the training works. Ralph
  • Kylee Nicole
    Dec. 21, 2025
    After careful consideration, hours of scouring reviews and best training programs in the area, we were brought to DTE Richmond. I called Paul and set up our training—it was SO easy and Paul was so informative and welcoming. Matt has been training our dog Samson over a stretch of months now, we still have more sessions to go and Samson was already turning into a completely different dog after our first couple of sessions. Matt has been a godsend for Samson & my husband and I. We needed a good foundation to help us help our dog learn his manners and Matt has shown us how to do that. We take everything we learn and put the work in daily. Again, cannot say enough amazing things about Matt. Samson absolutely adores him and gets so excited to see his car pull up. I highly recommend DTE, especially their platinum program. We’re very excited to start group classes and love that this is a lifetime thing we can be a part of.
  • Laura Quintero
    Dec. 21, 2025
    Matt was thorough and patient with my son and his dog, Colby. He is 8 yrs on 12/22 and he flunked the beginner session at a local pet store. He passed the repeat and didn’t finish the second. He is strong willed but as time went on we tried to use what we learned and he did have a few successes. Our big issues with the Colbmyster was excessive pulling combined with never knowing when. We decided to try DTE. The change has been pretty remarkable. Our problem now is the human element. Consistency consistency consistency 🤦🏼‍♀️
  • Samantha White Cook
    Dec. 21, 2025
    We currently use them and they are amazing are puppy is 8 months and already passed his AKC and we are starting his service training in January! All thanks to Dog training elite Richmond! Our trainer is Matt and he is very thorough and explains step by step if you have a concern not only does Matt help but the owner Paul does too ! It’s hard finding a company where the owner is involved but Paul definitely is him and Matt take turns doing the weekly group classes! The structure is great and honestly the pricing is amazing too ! And the equipment is high quality. We are so glad we went with them ! Also very family oriented !
  • Alexandra Kerlin
    Feb. 7, 2025
    Matt was professional, nice, and knowledgeable at our free home assessment for my dog Butch! I'm excited to start scheduling training sessions to help with Butch's separation anxiety behaviors and basic training. Thanks Matt! Update! We've been through our in home sessions and 6 months of group classes and DTE was phenomenal! Matt was our trainer and was always on it to help with any issue that popped up with Butch and Paul and Megan are always great! We love them and hope to come back for therapy dog training some day!
  • Cliff Gregory
    Nov. 26, 2024
    Matt handled Ponyo so smoothly, and she learned so much this week. He helped us learn to walk her better. They are the very best.
  • John R. Smith
    Dec. 2, 2025
    My Bernese Mountain puppy was thoroughly trained by Matt and Paul. They took a special interest in him and we appreciated that. I recommend DTE to anyone interested in such training. It pays off and is worth the money because it is an investment that keeps on giving.
  • justin barnes
    Nov. 14, 2025
    Paul brings the highest level integrity to everything he does. Couldn’t recommend him more!
  • Chris Owens
    Nov. 9, 2025
    Dog Training Elite Richmond has been fantastic for Champ and myself! We did the in-home program with Matt and the results have been above and beyond what I expected. Champ was a very reactive dog that had trouble focusing. It was a challenge to get him to go on walks around my apartment complex with out being overly exited about other dogs, constantly pulling. I was hesitant to take him out to other places. Matt was able to provide both me and Champ the correct way to handle these situations and the walks are now so much fun for both of us! We now know all the commands, sit, down, come, off and place. My own anxiety about some of the previous ways Champ use to act has gone down tremendously and it has been wonderful for both of us. I cannot say enough good things about Matt's approach and instruction how to address situations and his training methods. We have attended the group classes with both Matt and Paul as well which are a must. This really allowed Champ and myself to gain the confidence and experience needed in an interactive environment with other dogs. Overall, Dog Elite Training Richmond has been fantastic and I could not be more please or recommend enough!
  • Ben Lever
    Oct. 20, 2025
    Matt did a great job training our dog. He is very knowledgeable about dog behavior and personalities. He is very friendly with the dog and vice versa. The dog seemed to like him very much
  • tara boyle
    Oct. 15, 2025
    Matt took the time to listen to my concerns and address them…hopefully Otis the wonder dog will find some zen!
  • Nancy Smith
    Jul. 11, 2025
    From the moment Matt arrived to our home we felt so comfortable with his energy. He is incredibly knowledgeable. His calm and positive approach ensured us we have chosen the right person to move forward with training for our anxious german shepherd. Thank you Megan and 'Matt!
  • Joshua Kidd
    Jul. 11, 2025
    Very knowledgeable! Great first experience! Excited to continue classes
  • Georgia Delamar
    Jul. 10, 2025
    Matt answered all my questions and was very informative!
  • Jeannie Friedrich
    Jul. 10, 2025
    Matt just left after the initial assessment. I am blown away. He had Chloe calm within 20 minutes. Can’t wait to work with him!
  • Kristine Adams
    Jun. 19, 2025
    I believe we are on our third in home and Matt has been amazing!! Our rescue that has gone thru severe abuse has grown to not be afraid in a short period of time and Matt has been amazing with me to answer all my questions each visit and again the most patient. I’m so happy that Elite is whom I have chosen to help us and my sweet rescue. Thank you is not enough
  • Nicole Nikolis
    Jun. 24, 2025
    Matt was awesome. He was punctual, polite and talked us through their approach. He also told us what to expect when he was introduced to our pack. We were able to see right from the beginning how the approach worked with them!
  • Aaron Swart
    Jun. 23, 2025
    Great experience with Matt today- knowledgeable, calm, and kind. Jocko can’t wait to be a therapy dog!

Dog Training Elite Richmond

Training Essentials for Your Puppy

Here are a few puppy training tips from the expert team at Dog Training Elite! If you have any questions or want to see these methods in action, give us a call. We are more than happy to show you a demonstration and provide you with a glimpse of what our professional team can do!

At Dog Training Elite, we believe in positive reinforcement and yummy treats do the trick! We recommend a high-quality, berry-sized reward that your puppy will enjoy. Rewarding your dog while training teaches them that you approve of that behavior and maintains their motivation to perform well.
Because you’ll be handing out lots of treats, you will probably want a treat bag or pouch. There are many options out there with different sizes, shapes, and ways to carry. The benefit of getting a treat pouch is the ease of access and the ability to reward your puppy quickly. If you aren’t interested in getting a treat pouch, we recommend getting a small bag to carry you puppy’s rewards.
A clicker is a great tool to have along with rewards when training a puppy. With a clicker, you can immediately provide a positive sound when your dog performs a correct behavior, and then you can reward them with a treat. Pairing a clicker with treats is a great way to instill positive reinforcement because you teach your dog that they get a treat when they hear a click. You can buy many kinds of clickers at your local pet store, and they even have helpful clicker apps.
A good leash is another essential when bringing home a new puppy. We suggest a leash made of a durable material like leather and about 6 feet long to allow for comfortable room for both of you. Training your dog on a leash will set you up for fun walks in the future, keep your dog safe, and prevent them from getting lost while out of the house. It is also beneficial for an excited puppy who wants to run around and play while training.
You'll need a sturdy collar or harness to attach a leash while training. Deciding between a flat collar or body harness is up to your personal preference, but it is good to consider your dog's comfort and demeanor. A collar is necessary while training and for safety while out and about. A collar/harness is also the best place to attach the identification for your puppy. If anything happened to your dog, you'd be glad you had a collar with your information on it!
Getting a dog crate is a great way to housetrain your puppy. You will want to get a durable and safe crate for your dog that has enough room for them to be comfortable. You want the crate to be a place of calm and safety for your dog, not a punishment zone. Getting your puppy crate trained gives you a safe space in your home to keep them while they are unsupervised and also prevents unwanted behaviors like chewing or peeing inside.
A group of dogs being trained by the expert team at Dog Training Elite Richmond.
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A Dog Training Elite trainer and owner working with a dog in Richmond, VA.

Dog Training Elite Richmond

Start Training Today

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The early months of your puppy’s life are crucial for developing good behavior, confidence, and a strong bond with your family. At Dog Training Elite, we offer specialized training tailored to your dog’s unique needs.

We focus on essential skills like obedience, socialization, and more. Our experienced trainers are committed to helping your puppy grow into a well-mannered companion that will be a joy to have at home and in any environment.

Call us today to schedule a free consultation and get a head start on your puppy’s training journey!