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When introducing a new puppy to your home, crate training is one of the most important instructions for your pup. Though some dog owners initially question the idea of crate training, a crate gives you and your dog a sense of security when used properly. Read on to learn more about the benefits of enrolling in a crate training puppy program in Fort Wayne, as well as important tips to keep in mind throughout the training process.
Puppy training with Dog Training Elite of Fort Wayne gives you all the skills and tools you need to help make your new puppy a part of the family, without using shock collars. Contact us today!
What is Crate Training?
Crate training is the practice of teaching a puppy that a metal, plastic, or fabric-covered cage (crate) is their safe place. This taps into the natural denning instincts of dogs, and they will learn that the crate is their personal spot that they can retreat to whenever they desire.
In addition to offering dogs a sense of peace and territory, crate training significantly speeds up the house breaking process. Once a puppy learns that their crate is a safe place, or 'den', they will instinctively want to keep this area clean. During house breaking, keeping your puppy inside the crate dramatically reduces accidents. Keep eyes and ears open to your puppy's bathroom signals and quickly bring him or her outside. This will help your puppy learn that outside is the place to go, not inside.
Not all training packages may be available at our Dog Training Elite of Fort Wayne location, please reference our pricing page for complete information on services offered.
Silver
$1,295
- In-Home Training SessionsOne-on-one & personalized 3 Sessions
- Group Park Training Sessions 8 sessions
- Come
- Heel (walk with you without pulling)
- Sit(next to you & off leash at a distance)
- Off(furniture when desired)
- Quiet(stop excessive barking & whining)
- Place(go to bed)
Gold
$1,695
- In-Home Training SessionsOne-on-one & personalized 5 Sessions
- Group Park Training Sessions 24 Sessions
- Train Owners Leadership Skills
- Lifetime phone support
- Come
- Place(go to bed)
- Heel(walk with you without pulling)
- Sit(next to you & off leash at a distance)
- Off(furniture if desired)
- Quiet(stop excessive barking & whining)
- Down(next to you & off leash at a distance)
- Housebreaking / Potty Training
- Calm Anxiety & Build Confidence
- Get into Car or Kennel
- STOP Running Away
- STOP Jumping on People
- STOP Puppy Biting
- STOP Chasing Animals
- STOP Chewing
- STOP Digging
- Additional 1-on-1 classes available for purchase
- Additional group classes available for purchase
Platinum
$2,295
Most Popular Package
Platinum offers advanced obedience/behavioral modification with a goal of off-leash control. Includes additional training options and offers more one-on-one and group sessions than Gold.
LIFETIME GROUP CLASSES
- In-Home Training SessionsOne-on-one & personalized 8 Sessions
- Group Park Training Sessions Unlimited
- Train Owners Leadership Skills
- Lifetime phone support
- AKC Canine Good Citizen Certification
- Come
- Place(go to bed)
- Heel(walk with you without pulling)
- Sit(next to you & off leash at a distance)
- Off(furniture if desired)
- Quiet(stop excessive barking & whining)
- Down(next to you & off leash at a distance)
- Housebreaking / Potty Training
- Build Confidence
- Get into Car or Kennel
- STOP Running Away
- STOP Jumping on People
- STOP Puppy Biting
- STOP Chasing Animals
- STOP Chewing
- STOP Digging
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Choose to Address Advanced Concerns:
- Calm Anxiety
- Control Aggression(dog & human) -
Or Choose One Tailored Skill Below: *Specialized training options based upon your dog's abilities.
- Therapy dog training
See Details
- Emotional Support Dog Training
- Ride on a Golf Cart, Skateboard, or Wagon
- Stay with You on Jog, Hike, or Bike Ride
- Other Custom Command Approved by Trainer - Additional 1-on-1 classes available for purchase
- Additional group classes available for purchase
We help your dog become a valued companion and beloved member of the family. Read what our customers have to say and then give us a call!
The training was exceptional. Both Nathan and Clint were fantastic. Knowledgeable and professional. My two older dogs 10 and 8 had never received training and really needed some help - I needed some help - and within a few sessions and I really saw a transformational change. I feel much more comfortable taking my dogs out in public. On walks. One of the best investments I’ve made. Highly recommend!!!— Patrice Jordan
Posted October 1st 2024
We had a fantastic experience with Dog Training Elite Fort Wayne! Our 5-month-old English Shepherd didn’t even know her name or how to wear a collar before we started training. Nathan and Clint worked with us over six sessions, and the transformation has been incredible. They not only helped her learn commands but also taught us why she behaves the way she does and how she responds to different situations. We learned what behaviors to watch for and how to set her up for success. Each session was informative, and they were always available to answer questions, review commands, and provide guidance for at-home training. Highly recommend for anyone looking to build a strong foundation with their dog!— Jenna Harter
Posted October 1st 2024
Our little Georgi had a great time learning from two great trainers, Nathan & Clint. They both loved on Georgi while training her and she looked forward to the training. They were very clear and consistent with their commands to Georgi and with explanation of the commands to both my wife and myself. We are able to continue our training throughout the week with ease. The 5 weeks flew bye and we look forward to the park visits on Saturdays. I would highly recommend them to anyone looking to build a stronger relationship with their puppies.— Todd Mullins
Posted September 26th 2024
Our dog Pete has made a major transformation. Nate has been so helpful and has great knowledge. He has helped us to learn how to be better pet owners. Thank you Nate. We highly recommend Dog Training Elite.— connie McDaniels
Posted September 13th 2024
Nathan was my trainer and he was great. My dog is smart, but easily distracted and very stubborn. Nathan was very good with my dog. He was very good at explaining how the training works and giving me good tips when my dog was being challenging. I would recommend this training to anyone who wants their dog to be well trained and happy.— kelli faulkner
Posted September 5th 2024
Dog training Elite training program did wonders for my boy. They were fexible and accommodating to my schedule for training. Trained me as well as my boy. Great people to work with and their knowledge is extensive.— Brandi Bilger
Posted August 25th 2024
Clint and his team have done wonders for my 3 year old GSD. I would highly recommend their program.— Zack Solmonson
Posted August 18th 2024
We had a Soft Coated Wheaton who needed help with some behavioral issues (aggressive towards other dogs, barking, walking, etc.). Dog Training Elite has helped tremendously. The in home training was great for our whole family to learn together. Also the in home training helped our dog learn in a familiar environment (full of the usual distractions). Nathan the trainer was always kind, patient, and helpful in answering all of our questions. Nathan has taught our whole family tools and commands to help our dog improve tremendously with his behavior issues. We highly recommend Dog Training Elite.— Scott Herman
Posted August 4th 2024
Nathan is phenomenal! Our Great Dane Tiberius has transformed and became manageable. We are very grateful, and could not be happier with the results.— scott Tegtmeyer
Posted June 27th 2024
My 2 year old shih tzu, Buddy was driving me crazy with all the barking and lunging at other dogs and cars. I now have a much calmer dog - who listens when I give him a command. The difference is AMAZING! Nathan is great at communicating the method and why. It's obvious he loves dogs. I highly recommend Dog Training Elite!— Lisa Holler
Posted June 19th 2024
I would recommend Dog Training Elite of Ft Wayne to anyone that wants their dog to be awesome. In just the 2 months of private lessons, my husband and i have seen an improvement in our dog. And I want to give a huge shout out to Clint and Zandra to help me train Athena— Erica McNutt
Posted May 29th 2024
I got a golden retriever puppy September 2023. This pup was scared to get in a car & did not like walks. I hired Elite to help me with training. They were awesome!! Clint, Nathan & Zandra were all part of his training. He just turned 1 on 5/25/2024 & he is the best behaved dog I have ever had. He loves his walks and has no problem getting in the car. I recommend them highly!— Pamela Fike
Posted May 26th 2024
Bella was a pretty good dog, but with the help of Nathan and Clint, she is more well mannered and is ready to continue her journey as a therapy pup! Very thankful for Nathan and Clint at Dog Training Elite! Highly Recommend!!— Jenny Nott
Posted May 17th 2024
It's been an amazing experience training with my boy Khan. Clint's approach to dog training is highly effective. Looking forward to the group classes next.— Jeremy Potts
Posted May 14th 2024
We have recently wrapped up our 1 on 1 training sessions with Nathan from Elite. What a huge difference he has made in our young German Shepherd! When first contacting Elite, our pup was a bit out of control and had anxiety issues. With Nathan's help she is now well behaved and enjoys going out to meet the public. She has surprised us all with her progress. I can't wait to start our park group trips with her! A big THANK YOU to Nathan and Elite!!!— Lori Myers
Posted May 7th 2024
Clint, Nathan, and Janella were wonderful in training our GSD, Betty. They trained in our home and neighborhood, which was great for observing Betty in her natural environment. We regularly receive compliments on Betty’s manners and impulse control. For our previous dog, we used another local trainer for a 5 day boot camp at their facility. We found Dog Training Elite to be much more effective and have seen better results. We would definitely recommend them.— Kurt Beuchel
Posted April 28th 2024
Dog Training Elite is phenomenal. Clint and Nathan provided in home dog training for our 5 month old pups, Sami & Sofi. They were professional yet genuine in their training and methods. They made it an environment that was fun yet structured. As pet owner’s for years - we learned so much from them (as did our pups). This was one of the best investments we could have ever made, not only for our pups, but for us. The change has been truly amazing!— Jodi & Don Rowlands
Posted April 26th 2024
Clint is awesome. He listens as well as ensures your understanding of the method and why. Follow his training and you will have a dog that is adjusted and able to in public. No embarrassment from your fur buddy. You will not regret the call, unless you don't make it today. It's never to late or early to start training your dog.— *
Posted March 15th 2024
We started training with another trainer and it just wasn't working. Our girl wasn't catching on and she wasn't happy. We met a very happy Dog Training Elite customer and after their glowing review we immediately signed up. In just a few weeks Clint helped us take our girl from 'not so trained' to walking in a heel OFF leash! Her behaviors went from "meh" to 'what a well behaved dog!". She is happier and more confident. We couldn't be more pleased. Clint came and worked with our girl and taught us how to do the same. We put in the work between sessions and now we have a great dog! We highly recommend Dog Training Elite!— Alicia Scott
Posted April 24th 2024
Why Should You Use Crate Training?
In addition to offering dogs a sense of peace and territory, crate training significantly speeds up the house-breaking process. Once a puppy learns that their crate is a safe place, or 'den', they will instinctively want to keep this area clean. During house-breaking, keeping your puppy inside the crate dramatically reduces accidents. Keep eyes and ears open to your puppy's bathroom signals and quickly bring him or her outside. This will help your puppy learn that outside is the place to go, not inside.
Crate training can also improve other aspects of your pet's life. A dog that is used to a crate will feel more comfortable when traveling and have a safe place to retreat during thunderstorms or noisy guests. At Dog Training Elite of Fort Wayne, we believe that crate training can enhance the lives of both dog and owner when done properly.
Additional benefits of crate training include:
- General safety: Having your pup in their crate allows them to be alone while you are unable to watch them. Whether you are busy at home or out of the house, a crate training puppy can give you peace of mind that your pup is safe and secure.
- Effective evacuation: In emergencies, crate training can save your dog’s life as a quick, low-stress way to evacuate.
- Calmer vet visits: Should your pup be required to stay overnight at the vet’s, they will experience less stress and put up little resistance in their cage if they have been crate trained.
Is Crate Training Your Puppy Necessary?
While crate training is not necessary for housebreaking, it undoubtedly makes the process easier. Owners who choose to housebreak without the use of a crate will need more time and more patience when it comes to cleaning up accidents.
Crate training is also the safest option for keeping your puppy safe when unattended, protecting them during traveling, and limiting household damage with restless puppies.
When Should You Start Crate Training?
Crate training young, starting at about 8 weeks, is the best option for most pups and their owners. Keep in mind, though, that puppies under the age of 6 months should not be confined to their crate for more than three or four hours at a time. Allowing them to stay in the crate for too long will lead to a messy space, as young puppies are unable to control their bladders or bowels for extended periods. This also applies to adult dogs who are being housetrained.
Crate Training for Puppies
Tips From Dog Training Elite in Fort Wayne
- While crating is an important dog training process, your dog should not spend most of their time in a crate. We advise you to never leave your dog locked in the crate for more than two hours at a time.
- If you must be away from home all day, it's best to drop your dog off with a friend so the crate does not become overly dirty and your pup isn’t confined to a small space for too long.
- Crates come in different sizes, and some options can be adjusted as your dog grows to keep them comfortable.
- When possible, leave the crate door open so your dog feels free to come and go.
- Add a doggie bed, soft blankets, and plush toys so your puppy feels comfortable inside the crate.
- Never use crating as a punishment — this will only teach your dog to fear the crate.
Dog Training Elite of Fort Wayne includes tips and tricks for crate training in our puppy training programs. Our unique techniques based on the "Classical Conditioning" model (a.k.a. "Pavlovian" or "respondent conditioning") ensure our program is a success no matter how much crate training experience your pup has.
If you are searching for a crate training puppy program in your local area, contact us today.
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Our Balanced Theory
We base our training around the "Classical Conditioning" model (a.k.a. "Pavlovian" or "respondent conditioning"). This includes developing conditioned or automatic reflexes to commands. In its simplest form (after proper conditioning), when the owner says "sit," the dog automatically sits without thinking about it. Our unique techniques ensure our program is a success no matter what behavior we encounter.
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Empowering Owners
We empower Owners to train so their dog knows who to obey at all times. -
Personalized
We deal with problem behaviors on a personal basis. -
Environment Specific
We train wherever issues tend to arise (i.e. jogging, park, home).
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Supportive
We support Owners in the off-hours (when training is "not in session"). -
Involved
We work with all members of the household. -
Simplified & Customized
We plan training around the owner's schedule and require only 20 min/day follow-up practice.
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Continued Training
Additional programs / group sessions offered after in-home training. -
Lifetime Investment
We follow up & are invested in the owner's success long-term. -
Satisfaction Ratings
Our high client satisfaction rating sets us apart from competitors.