Two dog owners and a group of pups in our South Bend / Elkhart dog socialization classes - contact Dog Training Elite to schedule your free consultation today!

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Socialization Dog Training

Dog Training Elite Michiana

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Our Socialization Dog Training Could Help:

Reduce anxiety

Improve dog and other animal interactions

Build confidence with people

Reduce fear-based aggression

Encourage calm behavior in public

Teach proper responses to distractions

Strengthen bond with owner

Foster positive play

Dog Training Elite

South Bend / Elkhart Dog Socialization Classes

Socialization is crucial for a dog’s development, significantly impacting their anxiety levels, aggressive tendencies, and overall well-being. At Dog Training Elite, we recognize this importance and offer socialization training to help your pup feel comfortable around different people, animals, and unfamiliar places.

We introduce socialization in a controlled and structured way. Once you and our trainers are confident in your dog’s obedience training, we gradually introduce them to our South Bend / Elkhart dog socialization classes and public settings. By prioritizing obedience first, we ensure your dog has a strong foundation of self-control and responsiveness, making the process smoother and more successful.

At Dog Training Elite, we are committed to minimizing stress for both you and your dog. We use proven techniques and involve you from the very beginning. Whether you’re out for a walk, visiting a friend, or navigating a busy public space, you’ll have confidence in your abilities and your dog’s behavior.

Call us today to schedule your free 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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Three lab puppies experiencing new things together at Dog Training Elite's South Bend / Elkhart dog and puppy socialization classes.

Dog Training Elite Michiana

When to Socialize Your Puppy

Socialization for dogs should be happening throughout their lifetime. Still, getting a good start as early as possible is always best.

Socialization for puppies starts at just three weeks old as they begin to engage with their littermates and the world around them. The “sensitive period of socialization,” when puppies are primed and ready to try new things, is from 3-14 weeks of age. Because puppies can go to new homes at around eight weeks old, you only have a small window to get that necessary socialization training done.

You can start South Bend / Elkhart dog socialization classes with DTE as soon as you bring your puppy home at eight weeks old! Our classes are puppy safe and provide an excellent opportunity for your puppy to meet new dogs and people while having new experiences outside your home.

Dog Training Elite

What Do Our South Bend / Elkhart Dog Socialization Classes Look Like?

Puppy and dog socialization is not about teaching new commands or obedience but creating a positive experience around new stimuli. Socialization can look like taking them around your neighborhood, letting them hear and smell things at their own pace, and offering plenty of soft treats. It can also look like introducing them to a friend's healthy dog in a safe place and allowing them to greet the dog and learn about social cues and behavior from them, all while offering treats and praise.

Our socialization classes teach your puppy or dog that even if something is new, it can be safe and fun to explore! We create opportunities for your pet to safely meet new dogs, smell new things, hear new sounds, walk on different surfaces, and meet new friendly people.

Socialization is all about removing fear and entering new situations with curiosity.

Additional Behavioral Training

Biting

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Dog Training Elite Michiana - Reactive Dog Training in South Bend / Elkhart, IN. DTE

Fear & Reactiveness

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Dog Training Elite Michiana - Destructive Chewing and Digging Training in South Bend / Elkhart, IN

Destructive Chewing & Digging

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Separation Anxiety

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Excessive Barking

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Dog Training Elite Michiana - Staying and Coming Training in South Bend / Elkhart, IN. DTE

Staying & Coming

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Stealing Food, Clothing, or Other Objects

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Resource Guarding

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Food Guarding & Begging

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Mouthing, Nipping & Rough Play

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Anxiety & Submissive Urination

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Jumping Up & Hyperactivity

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Excessive Licking

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Leashing

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Abnormal Repetitive Behaviors

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Escaping

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Heeling

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Dog Training Elite Michiana - Dog & Puppy Potty Trainer in South Bend / Elkhart, IN. DTE

Potty Training

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A group of dogs at our South Bend / Elkhart dog socialization classes.

Dog Training Elite Michiana

Discover the Benefits of Socialization Classes Today

Proper socialization from a young age offers many benefits as dogs grow. It teaches puppies about the world from a place of safety and curiosity instead of fear and anxiety. Doing this allows them to enter any situation confidently, which grants you the freedom to bring them along for the ride as you both experience life.

Whether you have an older dog or a brand new puppy, our South Bend / Elkhart dog socialization classes will give them the tools to be comfortable with new sights, sounds, smells, and experiences.

Give your furry companion the best chance at a happy and exciting life with our elite training. Schedule your free consultation today!

A group of dogs being trained by the expert team at Dog Training Elite Michiana.

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Hear From Our Customers

Learn Why Dog owners choose Dog Training Elite

Randy Schmidt

Apr. 26, 2025

Awesome, handle a highly anxious dog with skill and patience.
Caiya Raes

Apr. 22, 2025

If anyone has considered working with this company, I highly recommend! They came out quickly to do a free consultation and got our first session scheduled quickly. Sarah, who has worked with my dog over his whole course of training was very informative, sweet and someone I really enjoyed spending my sessions with. They are very flexible with scheduling and come to your home for training which is a huge plus! I enjoyed their training so much, I decided to extend my package to further work on training. Overall, I am beyond happy with my experience with this company and Sarah. I look forward to the group sessions where my doggo will continue to learn and grow. Bentley and I thank you so much!
Anna Kosloski

Nov. 27, 2024

Princess past her service dog test. And I owe all the guidance to the Dog Training Elite Michiana for everything!!!!
Darlene Ralph

Apr. 21, 2025

Great experience, Rich is very knowledgeable and we enjoyed getting first hand information on puppy training,
Angie Davis

Apr. 18, 2025

The free consultation was great and very informative. I have faith that they'll be able to fix my needs. I will add more later as the training begins and prospers.
Virginia Warsco

Dec. 20, 2024

Demon adores Sarah and responds well to her energy. We love her and how much better our relationship is with our boy since starting training with Dog Training Elite. I adore her and enjoy our training sessions. When I met with Rich I was like many people who didn’t understand the way that each training tool works when used properly and under their guidance I became the owner demon needs to be his best self. I highly recommend them for your training needs.
James Jesse

Apr. 7, 2025

Both our first and second meetings were great. We are already seeing positive results
Joan Bartus

Apr. 6, 2025

I was so happy to find DTE Michiana to help with my yellow lab Cash. I reached out to them after my dog had an altercation with an unfriendly neighbor dog resulting in a potential dangerous dog designation. I purchased the Platinum training program which consisted of 8 in home training sessions and lifetime group training with other dogs. Cash's reactive behavior was corrected quickly, and I particularly liked that the training sessions were in our home where we could practice the commands and boundaries in a familiar setting. The group sessions allowed us to practice what Cash learned at home with the distractions of an outdoor environment along with other dogs. Rich, Sarah and Lyra run a first class business. Rich and Sarah are very knowledgeable dog trainers and are flexible to work around your schedule. Lyra is quick to respond to emails and communication with DTE is great. I am very happy with the services I have received and would highly recommend DTE Michiana.
Kandy Grzegorek

Mar. 27, 2025

He was very friendly< Showed me what am getting into. Atlas responded to some of his techniques right away. Looking forward to the whole experience.
Erin

Mar. 23, 2025

We are so grateful to find Elite Dog Training! They have been so wonderful to work with, both for us and for our dog! It is very obvious how much they care about dogs and how knowledgeable they are. We couldn’t recommend them more!
Jessica Fuller

Mar. 22, 2025

Training with Dog Training Elite Michiana has been the best decision for our Golden Retriever. Rich and Sarah are extremely knowledgeable. Our Golden has been learning by leaps and bounds and we are excited for her to become a therapy dog. Training with DTEM is personalized to your dog every single session. Trainers do an excellent job of training the dog AND educating the owners.
Savannah Shepherd

Mar. 21, 2025

Dog Training Elite has been a wonderful experience and they have helped me get my dog under control, and have taught me how to train my dog, they are sweet and they care deeply about there clients! Wonderful company
Mark Ellis

Nov. 20, 2024

My dog, Madigan, has completed her Basic Obedience, and I am very pleased with the results. Today we finished up proofing her skills with Sarah. Can't wait to start attending group classes. Also, Madigan is being trained as my Service Dog and that training starts next month. Looking forward to continuing with Dog Training Eliote Michaiana.
Kimberly Ridenour

Nov. 13, 2024

Rich is great with home training. I would highly recommend their services. Sarah is awesome as well. Just had our last training session and so pleased the progress that our Sadie made! ❤️
Kenneth Jongsma

Dec. 20, 2024

Always patient, works to solve behavioral problems from multiple angles. You can tell he likes what he does. Excellent trainer.
Jamie Wiles-Smith

Dec. 4, 2024

We have been working with Rich and now Sarah for several months with our 10 mo old puppy. I highly recommend them. Both trainers are very kind, encouraging and patient with our family as we work on improving our skills. They introduce games to keep the sessions fun. Our daughter feels more confident and comfortable as a result of their time.
Joan Getz

Dec. 2, 2024

Rich has been awesome training Ruby and Me. He is positive, professional and very good at his job. We are so glad to have picked him to help Ruby become a great therapy dog!!
carl

Nov. 25, 2024

We are very pleased with the help we have received from Rich of Dog Training Elite. We needed professional help training our unruley Jack Russels to make them more compliant and to help them get along better with another addition to our family, a little Yorkie. Thank you Rich for your knowledge and professionalism. You are helping to make our home happier!
Janet Harcek

Nov. 11, 2024

Rich is great! Thanks to him, Maisie is the best behaved dog we have ever owned!
shane spangler

Oct. 24, 2024

I got the puppy platinum package and I had a great experience. My dog Maus is very well behaved and has come a long way. He is much less reactive than he was, and Rich and his team has taught me how to teach my dog how to behave properly. It does require work on my part, but that work really pays off. I couldn't be happier.
Randy Schmidt

Apr. 26, 2025

Awesome, handle a highly anxious dog with skill and patience.
Caiya Raes

Apr. 22, 2025

If anyone has considered working with this company, I highly recommend! They came out quickly to do a free consultation and got our first session scheduled quickly. Sarah, who has worked with my dog over his whole course of training was very informative, sweet and someone I really enjoyed spending my sessions with. They are very flexible with scheduling and come to your home for training which is a huge plus! I enjoyed their training so much, I decided to extend my package to further work on training. Overall, I am beyond happy with my experience with this company and Sarah. I look forward to the group sessions where my doggo will continue to learn and grow. Bentley and I thank you so much!
Anna Kosloski

Nov. 27, 2024

Princess past her service dog test. And I owe all the guidance to the Dog Training Elite Michiana for everything!!!!
Darlene Ralph

Apr. 21, 2025

Great experience, Rich is very knowledgeable and we enjoyed getting first hand information on puppy training,
Angie Davis

Apr. 18, 2025

The free consultation was great and very informative. I have faith that they'll be able to fix my needs. I will add more later as the training begins and prospers.
Virginia Warsco

Dec. 20, 2024

Demon adores Sarah and responds well to her energy. We love her and how much better our relationship is with our boy since starting training with Dog Training Elite. I adore her and enjoy our training sessions. When I met with Rich I was like many people who didn’t understand the way that each training tool works when used properly and under their guidance I became the owner demon needs to be his best self. I highly recommend them for your training needs.
James Jesse

Apr. 7, 2025

Both our first and second meetings were great. We are already seeing positive results
Joan Bartus

Apr. 6, 2025

I was so happy to find DTE Michiana to help with my yellow lab Cash. I reached out to them after my dog had an altercation with an unfriendly neighbor dog resulting in a potential dangerous dog designation. I purchased the Platinum training program which consisted of 8 in home training sessions and lifetime group training with other dogs. Cash's reactive behavior was corrected quickly, and I particularly liked that the training sessions were in our home where we could practice the commands and boundaries in a familiar setting. The group sessions allowed us to practice what Cash learned at home with the distractions of an outdoor environment along with other dogs. Rich, Sarah and Lyra run a first class business. Rich and Sarah are very knowledgeable dog trainers and are flexible to work around your schedule. Lyra is quick to respond to emails and communication with DTE is great. I am very happy with the services I have received and would highly recommend DTE Michiana.
Kandy Grzegorek

Mar. 27, 2025

He was very friendly< Showed me what am getting into. Atlas responded to some of his techniques right away. Looking forward to the whole experience.
Erin

Mar. 23, 2025

We are so grateful to find Elite Dog Training! They have been so wonderful to work with, both for us and for our dog! It is very obvious how much they care about dogs and how knowledgeable they are. We couldn’t recommend them more!
Jessica Fuller

Mar. 22, 2025

Training with Dog Training Elite Michiana has been the best decision for our Golden Retriever. Rich and Sarah are extremely knowledgeable. Our Golden has been learning by leaps and bounds and we are excited for her to become a therapy dog. Training with DTEM is personalized to your dog every single session. Trainers do an excellent job of training the dog AND educating the owners.
Savannah Shepherd

Mar. 21, 2025

Dog Training Elite has been a wonderful experience and they have helped me get my dog under control, and have taught me how to train my dog, they are sweet and they care deeply about there clients! Wonderful company
Mark Ellis

Nov. 20, 2024

My dog, Madigan, has completed her Basic Obedience, and I am very pleased with the results. Today we finished up proofing her skills with Sarah. Can't wait to start attending group classes. Also, Madigan is being trained as my Service Dog and that training starts next month. Looking forward to continuing with Dog Training Eliote Michaiana.
Kimberly Ridenour

Nov. 13, 2024

Rich is great with home training. I would highly recommend their services. Sarah is awesome as well. Just had our last training session and so pleased the progress that our Sadie made! ❤️
Kenneth Jongsma

Dec. 20, 2024

Always patient, works to solve behavioral problems from multiple angles. You can tell he likes what he does. Excellent trainer.
Jamie Wiles-Smith

Dec. 4, 2024

We have been working with Rich and now Sarah for several months with our 10 mo old puppy. I highly recommend them. Both trainers are very kind, encouraging and patient with our family as we work on improving our skills. They introduce games to keep the sessions fun. Our daughter feels more confident and comfortable as a result of their time.
Joan Getz

Dec. 2, 2024

Rich has been awesome training Ruby and Me. He is positive, professional and very good at his job. We are so glad to have picked him to help Ruby become a great therapy dog!!
carl

Nov. 25, 2024

We are very pleased with the help we have received from Rich of Dog Training Elite. We needed professional help training our unruley Jack Russels to make them more compliant and to help them get along better with another addition to our family, a little Yorkie. Thank you Rich for your knowledge and professionalism. You are helping to make our home happier!
Janet Harcek

Nov. 11, 2024

Rich is great! Thanks to him, Maisie is the best behaved dog we have ever owned!
shane spangler

Oct. 24, 2024

I got the puppy platinum package and I had a great experience. My dog Maus is very well behaved and has come a long way. He is much less reactive than he was, and Rich and his team has taught me how to teach my dog how to behave properly. It does require work on my part, but that work really pays off. I couldn't be happier.

Reviews & Testimonials