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A golden retriever holding a grocery bag, our obedience training can help with these daily tasks.

Professional

Obedience Training

Dog Training Elite Michiana

Request Free Assessment


Request Free Assessment


Our Obedience Dog Training Could Help:

Basic commands
Improved behavior
Socialization
Leash manners
Bonding
Mental stimulation
Confidence building
Impulse control
Good manners in public

Dog Training Elite

South Bend / Elkhart Dog Obedience Training

One of Dog Training Elite’s most popular training services is obedience training, which includes in-home sessions and group classes. Obedience training is essential for dogs to become confident, well-behaved, and loyal pets.

A well-trained dog is better equipped to handle new environments, meet new people, and engage with other pets. By teaching them boundaries and commands, you create a safe, structured environment where they can shine as loyal and loving companions.

Starting obedience training early for puppies sets the foundation for lifelong good behavior. It’s never too late to start—older dogs can also benefit from our proven South Bend / Elkhart dog obedience training techniques.

Our services are high quality and thorough; we work hard to ensure your dogs are properly trained and ready to safely explore the world around them.

See Training Packages
A golden retriever puppy laying on the floor with its owner, contact us today for South Bend / Elkhart dog obedience training.

Our Obedience Programs


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  • Agility Through Basic Obedience Training: Mental stimulation meets physical activity with our Agility Through Basic Obedience Training. This specialized training will keep your dog active and improve mental function by combining high-energy tasks with learned discipline.
  • Puppy Obedience Training: Start your new companion off on the right paw with Puppy Obedience Training. By starting training early, you’ll ensure a well-behaved, confident, and responsive dog ready to interact with the world outside the home.
  • Off-Leash Dog Training: Freedom to let your dog off-leash on hikes, at parks, or at the beach requires a responsive and obedient dog. Our Off-Leash Dog Training will train your dog to promptly respond to commands, even when they’re not at your side.
  • Classical Conditioning Training: Classical Conditioning Training replaces negative behaviors with positive ones when the dog encounters an external stimulus. This training helps dogs become confident and trustful when their owner is present.

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!

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.
A Dog Training Elite Michiana owner smiling with his dog in South Bend / Elkhart, IN.

Dog Training Elite

Why Obedience Training is Essential

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Obedience training is an essential investment for dog owners, especially those who have never owned a dog before. Training is a fundamental step to rearing an intelligent and well-behaved dog. Without even basic obedience training, a dog will be unable to learn more advanced skills, safely leave the house, or go off-leash.

Benefits of obedience training:

  • Safety: Obedient dogs are less likely to engage in dangerous behavior, such as fighting, biting, aggressive barking, or running away. As they learn to trust and listen to their owner, they will respond to commands and stay calm in threatening situations.
  • Socialization: Puppies must be socialized with other dogs to know how to positively interact with other animals and people. Without socialization, they begin to look at animals and people as threats, which leads to unsafe behaviors.
  • Behavior: Nondangerous but unwanted behaviors such as barking, pulling, jumping, and begging can all be minimized with proper obedience training.
  • Confidence and stability: When properly trained, dogs will become more confident, and comfortable in all different environments. Dogs will be more trustful while interacting with new environments and take away the stress of bringing them out with you.
A golden retriever playing with its owner during a class in South Bend / Elkhart, IN.

Effective Training Through Positive Reinforcement and Classical Conditioning

Our Obedience Training Methods

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The goal of obedience training is in the name–training a dog to obey commands reliably. Obedience training for dogs can be lengthy and requires repetition, consistency, and positive reinforcement to achieve lasting results.

This training involves teaching a puppy or dog basic commands like sit, come, heel, or down. Dog Training Elite trainers also use obedience training to teach commands more unique to your situation.

  • Positive Reinforcement: Desired behaviors can be encouraged with positive reinforcement and reward-based training. Rewards satisfy your dog's natural desire to please and create a strong bond between dog and owner.
  • Customized Approach: We recognize that every dog is different, from breed to temperament, and because of that, they may be predisposed to certain behaviors. After meeting your dog, we will customize a training plan to meet their unique needs.
  • Professional Trainers: Dog Training Elite has highly experienced trainers who prioritize building trust between dog and owner. With years of experience to draw on, they successfully use communication and patience to get the behavioral results you want for your dog.
  • Long-Term Results: Our training methods are designed to produce lasting behavioral changes in dogs of all breeds and ages. Consistency and repetition are necessary for proper obedience training, but when you commit to training, you will be impressed with the results.

Additional Obedience Training Info

Dog Training Elite Michiana - Classical Conditioning Dog Training in South Bend / Elkhart, IN
Classical Conditioning Training

Classical conditioning dog training in South Bend / Elkhart, IN, also known as Pavlovian or respondent conditioning, is a dog training method that involves creating automatic responses to specific commands. This approach taps into a dog’s natural reflexes, making training more effective and instinctive.

Dog Training Elite Michiana - Positive Reinforcement Dog Training in South Bend / Elkhart, IN
Positive Reinforcement Training

Positive reinforcement dog trainers in South Bend / Elkhart, IN focus on rewarding dogs for good behavior to encourage them to repeat it. Using treats, praise, or play, these trainers help your dog learn quickly and happily, building a strong bond and creating a well-behaved, motivated companion.

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

Taking advantage of our South Bend / Elkhart puppy obedience classes is crucial for setting your puppy on the path to becoming a well-behaved and confident adult dog. Early training helps instill essential commands and good behavior, preventing future issues and strengthening the bond between you and your puppy.

Dog Training Elite Michiana - Off Leash Dog Training in South Bend / Elkhart, IN. Dog Training Elite
Off Leash Training

Our off-leash dog training in South Bend / Elkhart, IN, helps your dog achieve complete freedom and control, even in distracting environments. With expert guidance, we’ll teach your dog to follow commands confidently without the need for a leash, giving you both greater flexibility and trust in your dog's behavior.

Dog Training Elite Michiana - Dog Agility Training in South Bend / Elkhart, IN. DTE
Agility Through Basic Obedience Training

While we don't offer formal agility dog training in South Bend / Elkhart, IN, our basic obedience programs can significantly enhance your dog's agility. By focusing on essential commands and improving coordination, speed, and focus, your dog will develop the skills and discipline that naturally improve their agility and overall physical abilities.

A godlen retriever at a show demo with Dog Training Elite in South Bend / Elkhart, IN.

Dog Training Elite Michiana

What to Expect from Dog Training Elite’s Obedience Program

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Dog Training Elite stands apart from other dog obedience training companies. Our high-quality results and customized approach provide the desired results for dog owners everywhere.

What you can expect:

  • Initial Assessment: An experienced Dog Training Elite trainer will evaluate your dog to understand their temperament and behavior.
  • Clear Goals: The Dog Training Elite trainer will discuss with you what they found and present realistic, measurable goals for your dog. Because every dog is so different, goals will differ between all dogs to ensure each one reaches their full potential.
  • Training Schedule: We offer flexible options for in-home training sessions to fit your schedule. For best results, you should find time to work with your dog on commands and recall outside of scheduled training sessions.
  • Owner Involvement: A benefit of in-home training is owners will be taught how to continue training between sessions. Involving everyone in the household in the training process leads to even better training results.
  • Ongoing Support: We want your dog to continuously progress after obedience training, so Dog Training Elite also offers group classes or other advanced training courses.
A Dog Training Elite Michiana owner with her black lab dog, our obedience training for dogs in South Bend / Elkhart, IN can help strengthen your bond.

Start Your Training Today

Invest in Your Dog’s Future with Dog Training Elite

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Obedience training is a lifelong gift for your dog, fostering safety, social skills, and trust. At Dog Training Elite, we provide professional, customized training services for lasting results.

With a focus on balance and long-term results, we stand apart as leaders in the dog training industry and are the best option for obedience training.

Take the first step toward a better-behaved dog. Contact us today for a free consultation!

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

Common Questions About Obedience Training

Still have questions about obedience training? We’ve got you covered! Below are some frequently asked questions that might help clarify any remaining concerns you have. At Dog Training Elite Michiana, we're here to ensure you and your dog have the best training experience possible.

The earlier, the better. Puppies are welcome! That being said, old dogs truly can learn new tricks - there is no reason an older dog can’t learn basic commands.
Besides basic commands, dog obedience training can address issues such as chewing, whining or barking, jumping to greet others, and begging for food.
No. Pain or punishment is never used in any form during training programs. The electronic collars we use produces a gentle “tug” to get a dog's attention. It is not a shock collar and does not harm or alarm a pet.
In-home training is necessary because it allows trainers to focus on the particular issues of individual dogs (like terrorizing a pet cat or chasing the mailman). During in-home training sessions trainers also work side by side with owners and any other family members so the dog understands who is in control.