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Off Leash Dog Training in Richmond, VA

Dog Training Elite

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A group of pups practicing off leash dog training in Richmond, VA with Dog Training Elite.

Dog Training Elite

Richmond Off-Leash Dog Training

Off-leash training is a rewarding process requiring patience, strong communication, and trust between you and your dog. Many owners seek this training to give their pets freedom outdoors, allowing them to roam, explore, and exercise while maintaining control of their behavior and safety.

At Dog Training Elite, we believe off-leash training is about more than freedom. It’s about trust, safety, and reliability. Whether your goal is to enjoy outdoor time together, improve behavior at home, or simply have a calmer, more responsive dog, our off-leash training program in Richmond, VA helps make it happen.

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The Benefits of Off-Leash Dog Training

Families across Richmond choose off-leash dog training for all kinds of reasons. Here’s what makes it so impactful:

Dogs who are allowed to move freely get more exercise. They run, jump, explore, and burn energy. This leads to a healthier weight, stronger muscles, and improved endurance. A tired dog is usually a well-behaved dog.
Off-leash training requires your dog to think, make choices, and control their impulses, which improves their confidence and helps reduce anxiety. Many families tell us their dogs seem calmer and more content once they begin off-leash work.
Whether you’re in the backyard, out on a trail, or simply having guests over, you want a dog that knows how to behave. Off-leash training teaches dogs how to greet politely, resist jumping, stay calm around distractions, and respond to direction without being physically restrained.
Emergencies happen. Doors get left open. Leashes get dropped. When your dog knows how to stay with you and come when called, you can rest easier knowing they’re prepared for the unexpected.
Two beautiful huskies off leash at a park - Dog Training Elite offers the best Richmond off leash training for owners and families.

What to Expect from Dog Training Elite’s Training Program

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Our training is built around real families and real lives. We don’t use a one-size-fits-all method. Instead, we take time to understand your family’s needs, your lifestyle, and your goals with your dog.

Step One: A Personalized Plan

We begin with a free in-home consultation to learn more about your dog’s behavior and your priorities. From there, we create a custom, step-by-step training plan. Whether you live in an apartment or have a large backyard, we’ll help your dog learn to behave off-leash.

Step Two: Real-World Training

We don’t believe in sterile classrooms or unrealistic settings. We train where life happens—in your home, in your yard, and around your neighborhood. That way, your dog learns to respond in the same places where they’ll be expected to behave every day.

Step Three: Mastering Practical Skills

Your dog will learn to:

  • Come immediately when called
  • Walk at your side without pulling
  • Stay focused despite distractions
  • Respond reliably, even with freedom to move

Step Four: Coaching for You, Too

Many families tell us that what made the biggest difference wasn’t just what the dog learned, but what they learned as owners. Our trainers work closely with you to explain every step, demonstrate every technique, and build your confidence. You’ll walk away knowing how to handle your dog with or without a leash.

Step Five: Ongoing Support

Training doesn’t stop when the program ends. We offer ongoing group classes and advanced options to help maintain your dog’s skills and continue their growth. Some families move on to service dog training, therapy dog work, or advanced behavioral skills.

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A beautiful ausie dog off leash thanks to the professional off leash dog training in Richmond, VA from Dog Training Elite.

Schedule Your Training with DTE Today


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You don’t need to hike remote trails or break leash laws to benefit from off-leash dog training. If your dog ever spends time in the house, the yard, or anywhere they aren’t physically tethered to you, they should know how to behave without a leash. It makes life easier, safer, and a whole lot more enjoyable.

At DTE, our leash and obedience training is built around structure, communication, and confidence, for both you and your dog. We don’t rush the process, and we don’t cut corners. We give families the tools to succeed and the support to sustain it.

Ready to see what your dog can do? Contact Dog Training Elite today to schedule your free consultation. We’ll help you create a plan that fits your life, supports your dog, and gives you both the freedom to enjoy each other more than ever because life is better with a trained dog!

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!

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See An Elite Dog in Action

Hear From Our Customers

Learn Why Dog owners choose Dog Training Elite

  • Arjun Kainth
    Jun. 6, 2025
    Paul and his team are fantastic and their love of animals shines in the training experience!
  • Ellan Armstead
    Jun. 2, 2025
    Very pleased with the assessment! Matt was calm, courteous and friendly with both of the dogs, and was able to very quickly and accurately understand what my dog needs to improve and was able to recommend the exact program that we need, definitely recommend!
  • Dave McGrath
    May. 22, 2025
    Dublin was a rowdy silver lab puppy. Thanks to Paul, and the Dog Training Elite program, he’s now an amazing Service Dog! Dublin’s progression from basic obedience through final Service Dog Certification was remarkable. This dog has directly impacted my quality of life. I’m constantly getting comments of how well-behaved he is and I can’t thank the DTE Richmond team enough! Their personal commitment to build on the unique bond between dog and owner is what makes them different. They are the best!
  • Linda Huckstep
    Mar. 31, 2025
    Matt Perales is a great trainer, and a very nice person.
  • Angela Haule
    May. 19, 2025
    I learned so much during our first session. I'm looking forward to continuing to work with Matt to help Ruby achieve her Therapy Dog certification.
  • Willie Addison
    Apr. 29, 2025
    Matt was prompt exactly early and seemed knowledgable.
  • Amina Alidina
    Apr. 24, 2025
    It has been pleasure meeting you Matt for home assessment it was wonderful experience and we are looking forward to start regular training.
  • Rebecca Taylor
    Mar. 7, 2025
    I absolutely believe we have the best trainer, Matt. He has come into our home and won the trust of our 10 month old GSD, Bocephus. It’s amazing the transformation we have witnessed by Matt’s training. Not only is Bocephus retaining what he has taught him, Matt, has taught us how to understand our dog as well. So, if you are reading the reviews to make sure this is the place for your dogs, then please trust in this company!! Best decision we have ever made!! Matt is THE BEST!!!
  • Katie Gurrentz
    Jan. 30, 2025
    We had our consult with Matt today for our puppy. He was very organized and helpful. We discussed a plan for our dog and I’m very excited to select a program and begin training! The whole process has been simple and straight forward. We also met and worked with Paul during our process. He was great to work with and our puppy is really catching on well to the training!
  • Kelly Gartner
    Mar. 14, 2025
    Excellent information for my introductory meeting. Would trust working with him!
  • C Pessemier
    Mar. 14, 2025
    When we started working with Paul at Dog Training Elite, our newly adopted one-year-old German Shepherd, Wyatt, was not leash trained, had tons of energy, and just about knocked us over when he jumped on us. If Wyatt saw another dog while we tried to walk him, he barked and lunged like crazy, and it was tough to hold him back. He's a big boy! He wasn't aggressive but just wanted to play with other dogs, and he made it known. After we started lessons in our home with Paul, we saw the difference immediately. By the fifth lesson, Wyatt's leash walking improved significantly, and he learned and followed the place, sit, down, heel, and off commands. Now, we can walk him anywhere and he does an amazing job. Other dogs, kids playing, and wild rabbits are still triggers for him, but it's easy to get him back in the zone with all the training we learned to apply with him. Yes, Paul trained us too! 😊 We have graduated to group lessons with other dogs, which Wyatt loves. Below is a picture of Wyatt in the place command, on a platform, in group training. We are so thankful to Paul for showing us how to train Wyatt. It has given us so much freedom to know we can take him for walks and do so many things we couldn't before because he is a pretty well-behaved dog now. 100% worth every penny!
  • Rebecca McMahan
    Feb. 21, 2025
    Matt was excellent! I am hoping to contract them to help train my greyhound to be a service animal. Fingers crossed!
  • N Carter
    Mar. 7, 2025
    Very kind and very knowledgeable with my dog! Great customer service and we so glad we made the right choice to pick Dog Training Elite! Matt is the best!!!!
  • Christopher Splisgardt
    Feb. 24, 2025
    Matt did a great job explaining how the training will work and what to expect. Looking forward to begin training with him!
  • Al Becker
    Feb. 18, 2025
    We enjoyed the visit.
  • Lissette Ramirez
    Feb. 17, 2025
    We have just recently had our 5th class with Dog Training Elite of Richmond and Matt has been great to work with. As I have an older dog, his body tires out faster than his brain… Matt gave me ideas on activities/things I can teach my dog to tire out his brain. He’s been patient and offered a wealth of knowledge on the importance of confidence building with my reactive dog. I’m am looking forward to the day that we can easily to regular dog things: walk around other dogs, go to the park, hike a trail, walk Cary street, go to the pet expo, and maybe even run the lure course at the pet expo! I’m hopeful that sometime we’ll be able to these things soon!!
  • 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!
  • Angel Inspire
    Feb. 6, 2025
    Very informative, knowledgeable with dog training and puppies behavior, learning tips for puppy, training programs and payment plans are available with ease. All in all a pleasant visit and looking forward to participating in a training program.
  • Hannah Mayton
    Jan. 23, 2025
    Paul was a pleasure to work with! He helped bring structure into myself & my dog’s life which has substantially improved her behavior & willingness to obey! He was so patient with her & helped me adapt & learn how to take control back over my home. I would recommend he & his business to everyone! The training techniques they use are beyond effective & I saw improvements in as little as 2 sessions.
  • Kathleen Adams
    Jan. 5, 2025
    Matt Perales gave an interesting and persuasive presentation; and I have no doubt that he would have helped me to train my dog very well. The ONLY reason that I didn't sign up for training right then and there is because Dog Training Elite uses electronic collars during their training sessions. As Matt explained, only very low settings are used except in cases of dogs who know what the commands are and the dog is refusing to obey. But I don't want to use any amount of aversive conditioning to train my dog. Thank you for coming out to see us, Matt.