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Positive Reinforcement vs. Punishment

Dog Training Elite Sarasota

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A black and white corgi sitting on a skateboard smiling, choose positive reinforcement dog training in Sarasota / Venice, FL.

Positive Dog Training Techniques

Positive Reinforcement Dog Training in Sarasota / Venice, FL

Research shows that focusing on positive reinforcement when a desired behavior occurs and not worrying about correcting bad behavior in dogs is more effective and has longer-lasting results than training that incorporates punishment for bad behavior.

Positive reinforcement dog training in Sarasota / Venice, FL works because dogs are inherently eager to please. Rewarding your dog for good behavior helps create a deep, loving relationship with your dog built on trust, as opposed to one built on fear of punishment. The difference between a dog who has been trained to obey out of fear of being punished vs. a dog who learns to obey through a positive, loving bond with their owner is huge.

Dog Training Elite Sarasota trainers use treats as an initial reward for puppies and dogs learning commands. When the trainer is absent, or you’re in between obedience classes, you can continue to use treats as a reward for your dog when they exhibit a desired behavior. Dogs tend to be highly food-motivated, so this is an extremely useful tool. You can also reward your dog with a play session, take them to the dog park or anything else you know your dog enjoys. After all, you know your dog best!

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Dog Training Elite Sarasota

Your Questions Answered

Positive reinforcement training is a widely used and highly effective method for teaching dogs new behaviors while strengthening the bond between you and your pet. Below, we've answered some common questions about how this training approach works and why it's beneficial for all dog breeds.

Positive reinforcement training rewards dogs for good behavior with treats, praise, or play, encouraging them to repeat those behaviors. It focuses on creating a positive association with desired actions, making training enjoyable and effective for your dog.
Positive reinforcement builds trust and strengthens the bond between you and your dog. By rewarding desired behavior, your dog is more motivated to learn and respond willingly, whereas punishment can create fear and anxiety, hindering learning and damaging the relationship.
Yes, positive reinforcement training is effective for all dog breeds. Since it relies on rewarding good behavior, dogs of all breeds, sizes, and temperaments can respond well, making it a flexible and universally beneficial training method.
A white poodle smiling at one of our Sarasota / Venice positive reinforcement dog trainers.

Sarasota / Venice Positive Reinforcement Dog Trainers

Dog Training Elite Sarasota

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As for not worrying about bad behavior – it may feel strange to act like everything is fine when your dog chews on your shoes, or goes to the bathroom inside your home. But focusing on rewarding good behavior and forgoing punishment for bad behavior is more successful in the long run.

Relying on punishment for errors and “low value” rewards, such as praise or petting are long held “traditional” methods for dog training. Punishments like flicking a dog’s nose, shocking them with a shock collar, or anything else that may cause a dog pain are unfortunately still in use today by many dog trainers.

Not only is it inhumane, but using punishment as a tool can actually backfire. For example: punishing a dog for going to the bathroom inside a house won’t teach them to go outside instead. Often, the dog only understands that the mess makes their owner mad. Instead of going outside, the dog is likely to continue to make messes indoors — where the owner can’t find them.

Punishment training also damages the relationship between dog and owner. Dogs do not understand right and wrong. Instead of associating punishment with a specific behavior they learn to avoid, as with the bathroom example, they instead learn to live in constant fear of punishment. This prevents owners from bonding with their dogs in a meaningful way.

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A recent dog graduate sitting in front of a Dog Training Elite Sarasota car, contact us today for positive dog training in Sarasota / Venice, FL.

The Dog Training Elite Sarasota Difference


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Dog Training Elite Sarasota uses modern training methods focused on positive dog training using reinforcement and bonding you and your dog. Our trainers in Sarasota / Venice, FL never resort to punishment to help dogs unlearn behaviors. Through a combination of commands and an electronic collar, dogs learn to follow commands at once. The electronic collar is not a shock collar and never used to punish bad behavior. Instead, it produces a sensation like the gentle tug of a leash, and is used to help recapture the attention of a dog who gets distracted.

Dog Training Elite Sarasota’s method of focusing on positive behavior reinforcement nurtures a dog's loving and naturally obedient nature. The method is the same regardless of the situation, whether training a puppy, an older dog or a service dog. The positive reinforcement dog training in Sarasota / Venice, FL ensures training is a success no matter what your dog’s behavior. If you have a brand new puppy who is stubborn and smart, or an older dog who has slipped into bad habits – or perhaps never learned – after proper conditioning and working with Dog Training Elite Sarasota, when you say “sit,” your dog will automatically sit without thinking about it.

Dog Training Elite Sarasota offers specialized in-home training services so your dog gets the attention and training he or she needs, and you learn alongside them so training continues when the trainer leaves. Dog Training Elite in Sarasota / Venice, FL also offers group classes for dogs who are ready to take obedience training to the next level, and service training programs for a variety of needs.

If you’re looking to train a service dog, or just looking for a loyal four-legged companion, Dog Training Elite in Sarasota / Venice, FL will help you get there with our positive dog training. You can get started today. Find a trainer near you and schedule a free in-home consultation!

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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

  • Ruben Gonzalez
    May. 2, 2025
    Renee Juliano, is an outstanding dog trainer, every time she comes she amazes me with her Superior training knowledge. my dog Sailor is so lucky to have her as his trainer. Thank you Renee
  • Ann Marie Persico
    Apr. 15, 2025
    Denise was prompt and extremely knowledgeable of proper dog training with use of various teaching modalities. My dog was very comfortable meeting Denise and so was I!!! I would recommend obedience training with Dog Training Elite.
  • NiloM
    Apr. 30, 2025
    Jessica has been an absolute blessing for our family. We are expecting a baby in a couple of months and our french bulldog(Luna) was starting to show signs of resource guarding and crate aggression. She had bitten me, my wife, and my mother. A couple weeks later with the help of Jessica, Luna has completely done a 180. You can really tell that she cares deeply for dogs and has made a genuine bond with our dog. We are rebuilding our relationship with Luna and training obedience. 5/5 stars definitely worth the money. We no longer have any fears of keeping Luna in our family!
  • Michael Hook
    Mar. 14, 2025
    Working out well😎
  • Ron Martin
    Mar. 10, 2025
    Today My dog Nova and I did our Public Access Test. Our trainer Renee Juliano a highly trained Dog Handler with Dog Training Elite. This test is to ensure that dogs that have public access are stable. The Bottom Line of this test is that Nova demonstrates she is safe to be in public and that I demonstrates I has control of Nova at all times. Our final Result was "Pass." Renee is a valuable quality skill in her trade nothing but the best.
  • Tonzathome
    Apr. 25, 2025
    Anthony is amazing with dogs! Our doodle is very receptive to the training!
  • Jay B
    Apr. 23, 2025
    5 stars aren’t enough to praise our experience with Dog Training Elite. We are 8 weeks into the program and Alisa has been phenomenal as our in-home trainer. Her knowledge and patience was critical not only with Roxy, but with us too. We learned that successful training is just as much up to us as it is to the dog (if not moreso). She customized her approach and sped up and slowed down as needed based on how we all performed. She also touched base with us in between our weekly sessions and answered all our questions and concerns along the way. Group training on Saturdays has also taken Roxy to a whole new level of confidence and Jess, Anthony & Renee have been a tremendous help. Thank you all!
  • TK
    Apr. 22, 2025
    Denise did a wonderful job. She was extremely engaging, knowledgeable and encouraging of our dog Beau’s potential to be a great addition to our family. I would highly recommend Dog Training Elite for any obedience training for your dog!
  • Linda Moore
    Apr. 16, 2025
    Good first session with Jessica.
  • Geraldine Mercado
    Apr. 14, 2025
    Anthony is the best. It is obvious that he loves dogs and knows how to train them.
  • Sandi Bundy
    Mar. 26, 2025
    Denise was extremely thorough, very knowledgeable, and I’m super excited to get started training my new puppy!! I have confidence that he will be extremely successful (and the most handsome pup ever!!❤️) Jessica is amazing at what she does! We’re 2 sessions in and I’m so amazed! I have learned a lot as well.
  • Jane McGinty
    Apr. 9, 2025
    Anthony handled our dog very well and he was very patient with us! We will continue our training with him for sure. Have already recommended him to other people
  • Ellie “Ellie” Bres
    Mar. 4, 2025
    My initial introduction to Dog Training Elite today exceeded my expectations. Although my puppy is only 7 months old, this will be the THIRD time enrolling in Dog Training and Obedience classes. After completing our evaluation, I feel confident my young boy will excel throughout the classes we have enrolled in. We discussed my concerns regarding my puppy's high-strung behavior and difficulty in focusing. In the short period of time we were there, the trainer demonstrated a few basic ways, when applied consistently , how my puppy responded with relative ease. With that said, given the proper instructions and my determination to work with my little boy, I'm excited to see him grow into a happy, eager to please fun companion.
  • martha joy
    Jan. 24, 2025
    Exceptional 1st session for my 5 month old poodle puppy. I’m looking forward to our next session. Alisa is knowledgeable & patient & is a great trainer for me & my dog Daisy. Daisy 🌼 really responded to her technique.
  • Kenneth Maltabes
    Apr. 9, 2025
    Tony is excellent! He has been getting our dog ready to pass the service test and is always available for any questions and very quick to assist us with any difficulties that arise WITHOUT amplifying our anxiety. I could not have asked for a better trainer!!!
  • TF
    Apr. 9, 2025
    Renee at Elite Dog Training is most certainly the premier dog and handler whisperer. I have a beautiful, but originally sky/skittish Labradoodle that she helped me grow into a confident, fully functioning service dog. I am forever grateful for everyone at Elite Dog Training. The skills coaching is superb but more than anything it’s the “little” things she said that motivated me and Leah build confidence over time.
  • John Carter
    Mar. 21, 2025
    First visit today. Denise was so nice and already thought me a few things. I am confident they will be able to help us and Marshmallow to get to where we want to be. Thank you so much. Looking forward to the future.
  • Colleen Krumm
    Apr. 3, 2025
    Great assessment visit with Denise. Explained everything, answered all of our questions, no pressure, and direct access for questions.
  • Ekaterina Cherkasova
    Mar. 31, 2025
    Jessica was amazing! She is very experienced in her job. Today she taught my dog Murphy to swim and my dog is only three months old so that’s amazing! And I’m looking forward to working with her until my dog is a service dog!
  • Bill Flowers
    Mar. 28, 2025
    Again great info from Jessica. Sent her a text about 8 am with an issue that developed yesterday and 3 hours later she was here to help out and will swing by late afternoon to make sure we are good with the crate I bought today. She is so focused on what she is trying to accomplish. You cannot beat that.
  • Ruben Gonzalez
    May. 2, 2025
    Renee Juliano, is an outstanding dog trainer, every time she comes she amazes me with her Superior training knowledge. my dog Sailor is so lucky to have her as his trainer. Thank you Renee
  • Ann Marie Persico
    Apr. 15, 2025
    Denise was prompt and extremely knowledgeable of proper dog training with use of various teaching modalities. My dog was very comfortable meeting Denise and so was I!!! I would recommend obedience training with Dog Training Elite.
  • NiloM
    Apr. 30, 2025
    Jessica has been an absolute blessing for our family. We are expecting a baby in a couple of months and our french bulldog(Luna) was starting to show signs of resource guarding and crate aggression. She had bitten me, my wife, and my mother. A couple weeks later with the help of Jessica, Luna has completely done a 180. You can really tell that she cares deeply for dogs and has made a genuine bond with our dog. We are rebuilding our relationship with Luna and training obedience. 5/5 stars definitely worth the money. We no longer have any fears of keeping Luna in our family!
  • Michael Hook
    Mar. 14, 2025
    Working out well😎
  • Ron Martin
    Mar. 10, 2025
    Today My dog Nova and I did our Public Access Test. Our trainer Renee Juliano a highly trained Dog Handler with Dog Training Elite. This test is to ensure that dogs that have public access are stable. The Bottom Line of this test is that Nova demonstrates she is safe to be in public and that I demonstrates I has control of Nova at all times. Our final Result was "Pass." Renee is a valuable quality skill in her trade nothing but the best.
  • Tonzathome
    Apr. 25, 2025
    Anthony is amazing with dogs! Our doodle is very receptive to the training!
  • Jay B
    Apr. 23, 2025
    5 stars aren’t enough to praise our experience with Dog Training Elite. We are 8 weeks into the program and Alisa has been phenomenal as our in-home trainer. Her knowledge and patience was critical not only with Roxy, but with us too. We learned that successful training is just as much up to us as it is to the dog (if not moreso). She customized her approach and sped up and slowed down as needed based on how we all performed. She also touched base with us in between our weekly sessions and answered all our questions and concerns along the way. Group training on Saturdays has also taken Roxy to a whole new level of confidence and Jess, Anthony & Renee have been a tremendous help. Thank you all!
  • TK
    Apr. 22, 2025
    Denise did a wonderful job. She was extremely engaging, knowledgeable and encouraging of our dog Beau’s potential to be a great addition to our family. I would highly recommend Dog Training Elite for any obedience training for your dog!
  • Linda Moore
    Apr. 16, 2025
    Good first session with Jessica.
  • Geraldine Mercado
    Apr. 14, 2025
    Anthony is the best. It is obvious that he loves dogs and knows how to train them.
  • Sandi Bundy
    Mar. 26, 2025
    Denise was extremely thorough, very knowledgeable, and I’m super excited to get started training my new puppy!! I have confidence that he will be extremely successful (and the most handsome pup ever!!❤️) Jessica is amazing at what she does! We’re 2 sessions in and I’m so amazed! I have learned a lot as well.
  • Jane McGinty
    Apr. 9, 2025
    Anthony handled our dog very well and he was very patient with us! We will continue our training with him for sure. Have already recommended him to other people
  • Ellie “Ellie” Bres
    Mar. 4, 2025
    My initial introduction to Dog Training Elite today exceeded my expectations. Although my puppy is only 7 months old, this will be the THIRD time enrolling in Dog Training and Obedience classes. After completing our evaluation, I feel confident my young boy will excel throughout the classes we have enrolled in. We discussed my concerns regarding my puppy's high-strung behavior and difficulty in focusing. In the short period of time we were there, the trainer demonstrated a few basic ways, when applied consistently , how my puppy responded with relative ease. With that said, given the proper instructions and my determination to work with my little boy, I'm excited to see him grow into a happy, eager to please fun companion.
  • martha joy
    Jan. 24, 2025
    Exceptional 1st session for my 5 month old poodle puppy. I’m looking forward to our next session. Alisa is knowledgeable & patient & is a great trainer for me & my dog Daisy. Daisy 🌼 really responded to her technique.
  • Kenneth Maltabes
    Apr. 9, 2025
    Tony is excellent! He has been getting our dog ready to pass the service test and is always available for any questions and very quick to assist us with any difficulties that arise WITHOUT amplifying our anxiety. I could not have asked for a better trainer!!!
  • TF
    Apr. 9, 2025
    Renee at Elite Dog Training is most certainly the premier dog and handler whisperer. I have a beautiful, but originally sky/skittish Labradoodle that she helped me grow into a confident, fully functioning service dog. I am forever grateful for everyone at Elite Dog Training. The skills coaching is superb but more than anything it’s the “little” things she said that motivated me and Leah build confidence over time.
  • John Carter
    Mar. 21, 2025
    First visit today. Denise was so nice and already thought me a few things. I am confident they will be able to help us and Marshmallow to get to where we want to be. Thank you so much. Looking forward to the future.
  • Colleen Krumm
    Apr. 3, 2025
    Great assessment visit with Denise. Explained everything, answered all of our questions, no pressure, and direct access for questions.
  • Ekaterina Cherkasova
    Mar. 31, 2025
    Jessica was amazing! She is very experienced in her job. Today she taught my dog Murphy to swim and my dog is only three months old so that’s amazing! And I’m looking forward to working with her until my dog is a service dog!
  • Bill Flowers
    Mar. 28, 2025
    Again great info from Jessica. Sent her a text about 8 am with an issue that developed yesterday and 3 hours later she was here to help out and will swing by late afternoon to make sure we are good with the crate I bought today. She is so focused on what she is trying to accomplish. You cannot beat that.