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Puppy Obedience Training

Dog Training Elite Richmond

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An adorable puppy being held by their owner - get professional puppy obedience training in Richmond, VA with Dog Training Elite today.

Dog Training Elite

Puppy Obedience Training in Richmond, VA

When it’s time to bring your new puppy home, one of the best things you can do for their well-being and your sanity is to start obedience training as soon as possible. Puppies are eager to learn and starting training early can prevent unwanted behaviors like chewing, whining, nipping, and accidents.

At Dog Training Elite, we offer professional puppy obedience training in Richmond, VA. Our team has the resources and knowledge you need to feel confident in controlling your new companion and setting your puppy up for lifelong success.

Learn more about our specialized approach to obedience training and book a free consultation with our team to eliminate those unwanted behaviors!

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A little puppy sitting in grass, contact Dog Training Elite Richmond today.

Puppy Essentials Webinar

Free 70-Minute video

$45 Value

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Our trusted puppy class is now available "on-demand" from the comfort of your home! This webinar video is designed for owners of puppies age 8-16 weeks old, and will be accessible to you for free after completing the form below or with the purchase of one of our puppy packages!

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Our webinar includes education on the following topics:
  • Introducing a new puppy to your home
  • Health & well-being
  • Veterinary care & vaccines
  • Nurturing a good temperament
  • Scruffing & calming signals (e.g. dog yoga)
  • Basic Treat Obedience Including: Come, sit, loose-leash walking, and down
  • Puppy Corrections (Stop biting, digging, jumping, etc.)
  • Crate Training / Housebreaking
  • Socialization Tips
  • Environmental Hazards
  • Puppy Enrichment
  • Caring for Your Puppy

Understanding Puppy Obedience Training

Dog Training Elite

Many behaviors that puppies exhibit are completely normal during the “puppy stage,” but if left unaddressed, they can develop into more serious concerns as your puppy grows.

Early obedience training is key to preventing these issues from becoming ingrained habits. Below are some common issues puppies often display, along with the underlying causes:

Puppies explore the world with their mouths, and teething puppies chew to soothe sore gums. While this is natural, it can become a problem when they chew on furniture, shoes, or other household items.
Nipping is a way for puppies to play and communicate, but as they grow, this behavior can become painful and unwanted. Puppies often learn bite inhibition from their littermates, but without proper guidance, they may continue to nip or bite when interacting with people.
Puppies often whine to express discomfort, fear, or a desire for attention. While it may seem cute at first, persistent whining can be a sign of anxiety or other underlying issues, and it may lead to attention-seeking behaviors if not addressed properly.
Jumping is a natural behavior for puppies as they seek to get closer to their handlers. Puppies jump to greet people, but as they grow, this behavior can become overwhelming or even dangerous, especially for small children or elderly individuals.
Puppies are still learning bladder and bowel control, so accidents are common. Without consistent training and guidance, house soiling can become a persistent issue.
Puppies are naturally excited about exploring their surroundings and often pull on the leash to get to where they want to go. Without proper leash training, this behavior can lead to difficulties controlling your dog on walks as they get bigger and stronger.
Puppies bark to communicate, get attention, or out of excitement. However, excessive barking can indicate boredom, fear, or territorial behavior. If not addressed, barking can become a nuisance, especially in social settings or shared living environments.
Digging is often a natural instinct for puppies, especially certain breeds. They may dig to bury toys, cool off, or out of boredom. Without proper intervention, this behavior can lead to damaged lawns and gardens, as well as unwanted messes.
Some puppies develop anxiety when left alone for extended periods. Signs of separation anxiety can include destructive behavior, excessive barking or whining, and even accidents inside the house. Without addressing the root of the anxiety, this behavior can escalate into more severe emotional and behavioral problems as the puppy grows.
Puppies have a natural prey drive, causing them to chase after fast-moving objects, such as squirrels, cars, or even children. Without training, this instinctual behavior can become dangerous, putting the puppy and others at risk, especially in busy areas or near roads.
An adorable puppy being trained by the experts at Dog Training Elite - get Richmond puppy obedience training today.

Puppy Training 101

How to Train a Puppy

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The #1 mistake new puppy owners make when learning how to train a puppy is waiting too long to start puppy training. Other common mistakes include:

  • Avoiding Crates: Crate training is not meant to be a form of punishment or isolation for a puppy or dog. Not only can it help with potty training, as dogs instinctively don’t want to soil their own space, but a crate can provide a safe place for a puppy or dog to go when they are feeling overwhelmed in their environment.
  • Not Puppy-Proofing Your Home: Much like baby-proofing, puppy-proofing a home is necessary to prevent the destruction of personal items, as well as to protect a puppy from harmful things like wires or toxic chemicals. Make sure these things are out of reach, or protected with a gate or another kind of barrier.
  • Scolding or Harmful Punishment: Pushing a puppy’s face into a mess or scolding them after an accident is a prime example of when focusing on positive reinforcement is far more effective than punishment. Puppies don’t understand what they’ve done wrong after the fact. Instead, they’ll associate their owner’s anger with the mess, which can lead to anxiety and cause them to hide their accidents in less obvious places around the house.
  • Failing to Socialize: The window of time between eight weeks and 16 weeks in puppy time is critical for learning to socialize with other dogs and humans. This can lead to antisocial, anxious, or even aggressive behavior when the puppy becomes a dog. Puppy classes at Dog Training Elite are a great way to achieve socialization.

Additional Obedience Training Info

Dog Training Elite Richmond - Classical Conditioning Dog Training. DTE
Classical Conditioning Training
Dog Training Elite Richmond - Positive Reinforcement Dog Training. DTE
Positive Reinforcement Training
Dog Training Elite Richmond - Off Leash Dog Training. Dog Training Elite
Off Leash Training
Dog Training Elite Richmond -
Agility Through Basic Obedience Training
An adorable golden doodle puppy with Dog Training Elite Richmond.

Puppy Training with Dog Training Elite

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Dog Training Elite can help puppy owners learn how to train a puppy and avoid common mistakes, empowering owners to train at home with all the right tools. This is accomplished with our comprehensive in-home puppy training. For the first 4-6 weeks, trainers use “treat training” before moving on to more advanced puppy training. Treat training helps with the following behaviors:

  • Come, sit, loose-leash walking, and down
  • Puppy Corrections (Stop biting, digging, jumping, etc.)
  • Crate Training/ House Breaking

Trainers will also help owners learn about the following:

  • Socialization Tips
  • Environmental Hazards
  • Puppy Enrichment
  • Caring for Your Puppy
  • And more!

Video Gallery

Videos

FAQs

One of our trainers will visit your home to meet you and your dog and discuss any issues you're facing. We will then demonstrate one of our model dogs so you can see what you can expect after hiring our trainers. From there, we will discuss the various packages we offer and which we feel best suit your (and your dog's) needs.
We provide full obedience training that covers all basic commands, both on and off-leash. Our in-home visits target specific issues like counter-surfing, digging, and more. Unlike some trainers, we work with all breeds, including those often considered challenging.
Yes. You (and anyone in your family who wants to be involved) are integral to your dog getting trained. We need you to practice 5-6 days a week, about 15-20 minutes a day for optimal results.
Once a week. We come to you (with the silver, gold and platinum packages) once a week to start your dog off, then you come to park sessions which are held once a week in Richmond.
We train dogs of all breeds, sizes, and temperaments. Whether your dog is a tiny Chihuahua or a large Mastiff, we have the experience and expertise to work with them.
A dog being trained with {Fran_brand_name} - puppy obedience training in Richmond, VA.

Start Puppy Obedience Training Today


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After initial training at home, obedience classes are also a great option for exposing a young puppy to other dogs, people, new sounds, and sights. Combining obedience classes with training at home will ensure a well-behaved puppy that learns quickly.

The Dog Training Elite training method focuses on encouraging proper behaviors with positive reinforcement. Punishment is never used as a form of training as it can lead to aggression and fear in dogs.

Positive reinforcement teaches a puppy that performing obedient behaviors wins love and affection from their owner. Our professional puppy trainers include owners in the training process so that puppies learn who is in charge. By working alongside owners, trainers will help owners and puppies build a strong, healthy relationship founded on loyalty and trust.

Contact us today to start your puppy training journey!

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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Hear From Our Customers

Learn Why Dog owners choose Dog Training Elite

  • Katy Carter
    Oct. 29, 2024
    Patient. Kind fun, sweet, good at the dogs. Excellent
  • Dave Traub
    Nov. 12, 2024
    Paul is a very good dog trainer. He understands dogs and is very patient. He always explains the reasons behind the training methods.
  • Mary Mills
    Nov. 8, 2024
    Ella lives working with paul! We've learned a lot from his methods of training!
  • Dallas Weston
    May. 30, 2024
    Paul, our trainer is very easy to work and give us needed help. Our dog has improved greatly.
  • david palombo
    Nov. 5, 2024
    Matt was friendly and knowledgeable.
  • Cari Dixon
    Oct. 31, 2024
    Very knowledgeable very patient with us and our Bear❤️We have learned so much He breaks things down so we understand we are doing what we are doing. It makes is so much easier to work with our Bear. He doesn’t talk above our knowledge. He is very sincere. It has been a wonderful experience.
  • Merrilea Goulet
    Oct. 25, 2024
    We were so discouraged prior to our first appointment with Paul, we have a 2yr old German Shepherd rescue who is very reactive and high energy. Paul has done two sessions with her and the transformation has been nothing short of incredible! She has gone from being anxious and unruly to much more calm and listening. Paul is so patient explaining the “why” as well as the “how” to us. We couldn’t be happier!
  • Abigail Blaha
    Oct. 15, 2024
    Working with Dog Training Elite Richmond and having Paul as our trainer has been a treat. I interviewed a lot of trainers in the area, as I was very particular in who I wanted to work with and the results I was trying to accomplish with my dog. I am glad I chose to work with this company. Paul helped us to set the ground work obedience needed to accelerate to the more complex goals I had. He is detailed and thorough in his education, and answered any questions I had along the way. They were very flexible in scheduling visits around my work schedule, and Paul was enthusiastic about working in public places once we were ready for it. The group classes that this company adds to the training plan are such a bonus, especially for a dog recovering from reactivity. Paul is clearly passionate about his work and the wellbeing of dogs, and I have gained so much confidence as a handler. He is encouraging to both dogs and humans as they learn together. My dog and I are now able to do things together that I didn’t dream would have been possible before this experience. Our world has opened up in such a positive way, and our bond is even stronger. If you are a dog guardian considering training, especially if you are facing reactivity concerns, reach out to Dog Training Elite Richmond to help.
  • Ellen Moriarty
    Aug. 18, 2024
    Outstanding! Paul was exceptionally patient training our puppy during obedience training, and then in preparing her to be a therapy dog. He was also very good at training me to be a good handler. They were accommodating in setting up the training schedule and were flexible when we had to make last-minute changes. Highly recommend them for training your dog!
  • Alexa McBride
    Jul. 9, 2024
    Cannot recommend this program enough! I live roughly an hour south of Richmond and was pleasantly surprised to find a training program of this caliber able to complete sessions in my home!
  • David Hamilton
    Jun. 7, 2024
    If you have a new puppy or young teenager who needs training, DTE is the company to choose. Paul and his team are first rate and will help much in growing your pet into a well mannered friend. His methods are sound and us old folks are learning all the ways we have been wrong in trying to manage our energetic Sheltie. Give them a call you won't be disappointed.
  • Sioux Hudson
    May. 30, 2024
    Amazing program with great results! I love that the first few lessons are at home. My service dog has delighted and amazed people for his wonderful manners and obedience. Thank you Paul
  • John Lore
    Apr. 1, 2024
    Paul at Dog Training Elite Richmond is outstanding. He genuinely cares about the dogs he trains and shows great interest in their progress. His training methods are effective, and our dog has improved immensely thanks to Paul. Highly recommend his services for anyone looking for real results.
  • Leigh Rooke
    Feb. 15, 2024
    Wonderful owner, kind and patient. Thank you Paul!
  • Susan Hudson
    Feb. 13, 2024
    We have mastered, SIT, PLACE(STAY implied) COME, OFF and now DOWN( STAY implied)from up close, to 100 feet away. Zipper is 7 months old and we are only 5-6 weeks into Dog Training Elite with Paul. I could not be more pleased! I have trained dogs and horses in the past so the language and intentions are clear. I ask 15 minutes of questions before in home training starts. I am always validated and enlightened.
  • Amanda Bulifant
    Feb. 6, 2024
    This training is the real deal. What I love (besides my dog that listens) is that I know the way to help her to be a better behaved dog.
  • MARIELLA WRIGHT
    Nov. 12, 2023
    I started training for my dog Nala about 2 months ago. She is a petite size 18 Pound Golden doodle and overall a good dog she just needed some manners when I have company especially. She use to jump , nibbles ,on people’s feet incl. our and was very territorial in our home when we had anyone showing up. Always barked at strangers or anything comes her way. To be honest I thought about rehome if no improvements are made. Then I signed her up for training with ELITE. BEST thing I could have done. I was mad at my self that I haven’t done it sooner. Completely different dog after the first 2 in home sessions Paul knows his stuff and he is so awesome to work with. Nala love him and is very comfortable with him now. I recommend ELITE 100 Prozent to anyone. Do not hesitate. Money so well spent for a piece of mind.
  • Megan Eik
    Aug. 8, 2023
    We love working with Dog Training Elite! Paul is such a phenomenal trainer and is extremely knowledgeable in his trade. Everyone in our family has mentioned how our corgi Gingers training has transformed him into a completely different dog from where we started. He used to bark at everything that moved, jump up on guests, and barely ever listen to a command. It’s a night and day difference from the first training session.
  • Sloan Lennon
    Aug. 8, 2023
    Our experience with Paul from Dog Training Elite Richmond has been nothing short of transformative. One of the standout features of their service is that they come to your home, providing personalized training in an environment familiar to your pet. From the very first session, the shift in behavior of our corgi, Ginger, was clearly evident. Anyone familiar with corgis knows of their characteristically headstrong nature, and Ginger was no exception with his stubborn streak. However, with Paul's guidance, we saw immediate results within a couple days and an awe-inspiring transformation in Ginger within mere weeks. Previously, Ginger's challenges, like bouts of incessant barking, jumping on visitors, and his inherent stubbornness, had us at our wit's end. However, under Paul’s expert training, we were not only able to curb these behaviors but Ginger also swiftly passed his AKC Canine Good Citizen test and subsequently achieved his Service Dog Certification. It's a joy to see him thrive! The freedom we now enjoy with Ginger is incomparable. Being able to take him anywhere without a second thought about his behavior is liberating. Everywhere we venture, we are met with admiring glances and praises for Ginger's discipline and training. Our Saturdays are further enriched by the group classes at Dog Training Elite, where Ginger mingles with other well-trained dogs, continuously expanding his learning in a lively community atmosphere. Paul's personable demeanor, coupled with his expertise, ensures that every training session is both enjoyable and productive. And whenever we encounter a new challenge with Ginger, Paul's readiness to assist, combined with his patience and enthusiasm, shines through. In conclusion, Dog Training Elite Richmond comes with my highest recommendation. For anyone hoping to transform their furry companion's behavior while building a strong bond, this is undoubtedly the place to be!
  • Christi Dorrell
    Aug. 7, 2023
    Loved working with Paul! Great guidance and very good with communication. We have now implemented their training techniques to our other 2 dogs as well.