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Dog Training Services


Positive Dog Training in Panama City, FL

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850-829-4364


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Contact Dog Training Elite Emerald Coast

Or Call to Schedule FREE In-Home Assessment

850-829-4364


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Positive Reinforcement vs. Punishment


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 dog training in Panama City 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 Emerald Coast 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!

Dog Training Elite Emerald Coast offers expert positive dog training programs near you in Panama City.

Not all training packages may be available at our Dog Training Elite Emerald Coast location, please reference our pricing page for complete information on services offered.


Silver

$1,395

Training Equipment Included: E-Collar

  • In-Home Training SessionsOne-on-one & personalized 3 Sessions
  • Group Park Training Sessions 8 Sessions
  • Come
  • Heel (walk with you, loose leash no pulling)
  • Sit(next to you & off leash at a distance)
  • Place(go to bed)
  • Quiet(stop excessive barking & whining)
  • Off(furniture when desired)

Gold

$1,995

Training Equipment Included: E-Collar

  • In-Home Training SessionsOne-on-one & personalized 6 Sessions
  • Group Park Training Sessions 12 Sessions
  • Come
  • Heel (walk with you, loose leash no pulling)
  • Sit(next to you & off leash at a distance)
  • Place(go to bed)
  • Quiet(stop excessive barking & whining)
  • Off(furniture when desired)
  • Down(lay next to you & off leash at a distance)
  • Load Up (go into kennel, car, or dog house)
  • Manners, Safety & Boundaries
  • Calm Anxiety & Build Confidence
  • Housebreaking / Potty Training
  • STOP Jumping on People
  • STOP Mouthing & Nipping
  • STOP Chewing & Digging
  • STOP Begging & Stealing Food
  • STOP Bolting Through Doors & Running Away
  • STOP Chasing Animals, Cars & Bikes
  • STOP Reactivity (dog & human)

Platinum

$2,595

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.

Training Equipment Included: E-Collar

  • In-Home Training SessionsOne-on-one & personalized 9 Sessions
  • Group Park Training Sessions 16 Sessions
  • Come
  • Heel (walk with you, loose leash no pulling)
  • Sit(next to you & off leash at a distance)
  • Place(go to bed)
  • Quiet(stop excessive barking & whining)
  • Off(furniture when desired)
  • Down(lay next to you & off leash at a distance)
  • Load Up (go into kennel, car, or dog house)
  • Manners, Safety & Boundaries
  • Calm Anxiety & Build Confidence
  • Housebreaking / Potty Training
  • STOP Jumping on People
  • STOP Mouthing & Nipping
  • STOP Chewing & Digging
  • STOP Begging & Stealing Food
  • STOP Bolting Through Doors & Running Away
  • STOP Chasing Animals, Cars & Bikes
  • STOP Reactivity (dog & human)
  • *Stay With You on a Jog or Bike Ride (off-leash)
  • *Emotional Support Dog Training(ESA)
  • *Control Aggression(dog & human)
  • *Calm Extreme Anxiety(behavioral modification)

Platinum Puppy

$2,695

For puppies beginning at 8 weeks. Get up to 3 private puppy sessions and then 9 additional private trainings after that. With Platinum Puppy, you'll get lifetime support and group classes for your dog!

  • Private Puppy SessionsOne-on-one & personalized Up to 3 Sessions
  • In-Home Training SessionsOne-on-one & personalized 9 Sessions
  • LIFETIME SUPPORT
  • Come
  • Heel (walk with you, loose leash no pulling)
  • Sit(next to you & off leash at a distance)
  • Place(go to bed)
  • Quiet(stop excessive barking & whining)
  • Off(furniture when desired)
  • Down(lay next to you & off leash at a distance)
  • Load Up (go into kennel, car, or dog house)
  • Manners, Safety & Boundaries
  • Calm Anxiety & Build Confidence
  • Housebreaking / Potty Training
  • STOP Jumping on People
  • STOP Mouthing & Nipping
  • STOP Chewing & Digging
  • STOP Begging & Stealing Food
  • STOP Bolting Through Doors & Running Away
  • STOP Chasing Animals, Cars & Bikes
  • STOP Reactivity (dog & human)
Best In-Home Dog Trainers Near Me in Panama City
Highest Rated Dog Obedience Trainers Near You in Panama City
Top Dog Trainers Near Me in Panama City
In-Home Dog Trainers Near You in Panama City

Positive Dog Training in Panama City


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.

Pricing Programs Free Assessment

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Dog Training Elite Emerald Coast is the #1 positive dog training near you in Panama City.

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.


  • 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).
  • 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.
  • 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.

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!

Second to None! My Belgium Malinois (Scout) is a well-trained, obedient Service Dog thanks to Dog Training Elite. The one-on-one training, group training, compassion, love, and dedication are what set these trainers apart. I'm very confident in taking my service dog anywhere and rely on the training we have received together. The key to success is doing what you love, and the trainers and administration personnel, display it always. I'm very satisfied and will return to them for any other training for future pets.
— DJ Mc
Posted September 11th 2024
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Tina and Lilly have done a great job with our puppy JJ. From the first day we took him to the time training completed was a wonderful experience. They love their dogs and it shows everyday I picked JJ up. JJ looks forward to going to school. He loves it there and he would go everyday if he could. Thank you again to the complete staff at EDT. We are glad we found you and if you are considering dog training, you do not have to look any further. This is the place to go. And no, I am not getting paid to post this. Thank you again.
— Steve Trythall
Posted September 11th 2024
google
Dog Training Elite has helped our dogs reduce their anxiety and become fantastic family pets! They are the only people I would trust with our dogs!
— Rio Oros
Posted September 6th 2024
google
Josh was great with our Lab puppy! Very professional, kind and loving to our Croaker. I would highly recommend him and Dog Training Elite!
— Heather Hawthorne Phillips
Posted July 4th 2024
google
I hired them to help me train my service dog. The trainers have been great and have provided good communication and service. I would definitely recommend them for dog training.
— jay g
Posted June 26th 2023
google
Anthony has been great in training me and my puppy. He’s a wealth of wisdom and is always available for questions, etc. He is able to uncover my dog’s best potential. Strongly recommend!
— Susan Balk
Posted June 28th 2024
google
What was I thinking??? Getting a new puppy at my age??? THANK GOODNESS I stopped in Dog Training Elite here in Panama City to inquire. It had only been 5 days, 6 hours, 22 minutes and 16 seconds since we picked up our Portugese Water Dog from the Breeder. I WAS WORN OUT and he was only 11 weeks old! After talking with Lily about the options of what they could do to 'help'....and of course puppy training, lol, I left to think it over. I had already potty trained him but the puppy obedience course was an investment in time and money. When I got back home, it only took a minute to see our adorable puppy, Buoy, and realize he needed obedience training beyond what I could give him for all of us to be happy. I contacted Lily and signed up, then started the puppy program on the following Monday. Being greeted on Monday morning by Tina was one of the biggest reliefs of my life....and Buoy just layed at her feet like the most obedient dog ever! Was I dreaming? Not at all. Tina has a gift at dog training and Buoy could feel it and I could, too!!! Our new 'baby' spent the week at Dog Training Elite in Panama City, working with both Tina and Anthony, going on field trips, and by the end of the week, our little boy Buoy had some manners! They had familiarized him with the commands of sit, place, come, stay, lay, off, drop it. We sure use "off' a lot as he is still a puppy and needs to be reminded often. I'm not sure who learned the most, Buoy or me??? but I can tell you for sure that Dog Training Elite has changed our lives with a puppy here at home FOR THE BEST! Now they will be coming to our home for 3 visits as part of the program and then we will have some follow up classes. I highly recommend Dog Training Elite here in Panama City, Florida, for dogs of all ages, if they need to learn to behave.
— Kathy Swigler
Posted June 25th 2024
google
Josh, our trainer, literally saved my dog's life. Rocco was scheduled to be put down due to severe aggression issues. I was devastated to say the least. Josh came out to our home, free of charge, and on the weekend I might to add, to evaluate and help determine if Rocco could possibly be trained. Josh's ability to help train both my dogs (he trained two of them) exceeded my expectations. Josh continually exhibited an incredible amount of patience and respect with us and the dogs during our training sessions. Josh actively listened to our needs and concerns and worked with them. Rocco has earned a "stay of execution " for now and this is all due to Josh's vast amount of experience and level of expertise he brings to the dog training sessions. We cannot express our gratitude enough to Josh for helping us navigate through this difficult situation with Rocco. Lily, my contact person, and Josh are both wonderful to work with. I would highly recommend Dog Training Elite for all of your dog training needs.
— Caren Grey
Posted June 21st 2024
google
Josh our trainer saved our dog's life. Our dog's reactive behavior was out of control. We were provide techniques through behavior modifications, consistency and patience to help our dog overcome his reactivness and become well behaved. Their guidance and professionalism is phenomenal. We could not have done this without Dog Training Elite's stupendous trainer and expertise.
— Zxj Jb
Posted April 22nd 2024
google
Having recently added a Standard Schnauzer to my family, I quickly realized it had been a long time since I had raised a puppy. My experience with Elite Dog Training has been fantastic and fun! Everyone is very knowledgeable and our little puppy Memphis enjoyed his week of puppy training. Everyday he went on a field trip and he made a lot of progress. I am looking forward to continuing to use Elite Dog training as Memphis grows. Thank you so much for helping us!
— Thomas Cox
Posted April 16th 2024
google
I signed my little Schnauzer up for training with dog training elite and I am so thankful for doing it. Schnauzers can have a tendency of being a bully and he was starting to show those traits. They helped me get him under control. Plus, he is a happier puppy because he now has direction. Someone had referred me to Dog Training Elite and I am so happy for it. Thank you so much for helping my puppy. Another wonderful thing about this place is that it is owned in ran by a very kind, loving person that really loves dogs. Tina is always available to answer questions or concerns. Also, once they are done with training, you can do group training for life, Every week if you want. If you need help with a specific issue, just give them a call and they will help you with that even after training. This is not a place that trains and then drops you. They care and for the life of your puppy will be there to help. Best decision we have made with him.
— Tiffany VanSant
Posted April 9th 2024
google
Our almost 3 year old miniature schnauzer barked constantly when around other people and dogs. In addition, he had horrible impulse control. As a puppy we had attended training classes at a local pet store. Those classes centered around treat training, which is fine if you want to carry a bag of treats everywhere you go and constantly feed your dog. For us this was unsustainable. We signed up with Dog Training Elite and have seen amazing results! Anthony is wonderful with dogs and their owners! We can now take our Winston to stores and restaurants without issue (after only 6 in home sessions)! Thank you Dog Elite and Anthony!
— Maranda Griffin
Posted March 25th 2024
google
What truly sets Anthony and Tina apart is their genuine passion for what they do. They’re not just trainers; they’re true dog lovers who are deeply invested in the well-being and progress of every dog they work with. Thanks to their expertise and guidance, not only has my dog Maya made remarkable progress, but I have also been equipped with the essential tools and knowledge to effectively continue her training at home. This empowerment is exactly what every dog owner needs to build a lasting and loving bond with their pet. Anthony and Tina’s approach is both professional and personal, making the entire training experience enjoyable and highly effective. For anyone seeking dog training services, I wholeheartedly recommend Dog Training Elite!
— Sean Eversole
Posted March 11th 2024
google
We began the training with an energetic, reactive standard poodle somewhat skeptical about what could be accomplished in two weeks, but working with Anthony his behavior has totally changed for the better. Anthony has also worked with us to help us understand how to use the commands and corrections to benefit us and our dog. As a result, our dog walks calmly on a leash is much more confident and less anxious and nervous. We are all much happier because instead of leaving our dog behind, he is a joy to bring along anywhere we go. He is well behaved in crowded environments and around other dogs. He barks less at dogs and strangers and is much easier to control when we are out. We also now understand how to practice and reinforce these commands and behaviors to continue to help our dog improve. The tuition is significant, but worth every penny and I highly recommend this training and Anthony as trainer. 10 out of 10.
— Ken Cochran
Posted March 10th 2024
facebook
Anthony is very patient and calm with our five-year-old boxer. He spends a good amount of time in our home showing us how to give commands with rewards and at the same time trains her to be obedient and control her impulses. Very pleased with the company and trainer.
— Leanna Miller
Posted March 9th 2024
google
Anthony Vick is awesome. He is very passionate and compassionate with not only training my Frenchie Briggs but also very patient with me. He has excellent customer service skills and he is very understanding. I highly recommend DTE. Briggs has come along way with his training and socialization.
— Gina B
Posted March 9th 2024
google
I've been pleasantly surprised with this training at Dog Training Elite Panama City. Professional, personalized and kind. I was leary putting my trust in with anyone regarding my pups. They have been through it as rescues. Both were deemed to not live through treatment, they did. They have my heart. Anthony couldn't have been more on point with them and me. He has years of service with dog training and it shows. The best part for me personally is his directness. Not a sugarcoat reasoning with him. He is clear to reason and approach. In just 2 weeks, both of the pups have learned so much. I can't wait to see them in 10 weeks.
— Renee Larson
Posted March 4th 2024
google
Tina & her team have been absolutely FANTASTIC with my two girls! We chose the two week in facility training after searching through multiple obedience schools in our surrounding area. My girls cannot wait to go to school every morning! I would absolutely recommend Tina to anyone who asks. A well trained dog is a happy dog. Thank you Tina, Lily, Josh & Anthony!
— A Harris
Posted February 23rd 2024
google
Anthony was are trainer for Axel, his delivery was far and above previous sessions as we attended our first group session. Anthony is a true dog whisperer. I hope to have Anthony for all our future Sessions, Axel loved him!
— Gary doll
Posted November 16th 2023
google
Finding Tine Ruffin of Dog Training Elite of Panama City was the best answer to solving problems we faced with our two little dogs (one a puppy!). Our older dog was a runner and had gotten out multiple times ( I fell once trying to capture her with three other people trying to help corral her). In one session my problems on this issue were solved and I have been able to apply my training and get my runner to come to me and get her home when she gets loose! Potty issues, kennel training, anxiety issues and solving problems with walking our dogs are but a few of the other difficulties Tina has helped us master. We are in Pensacola so Tina does travel. I highly recommend Tina and her team!
— Specialists of the South
Posted February 18th 2024
google

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The Dog Training Elite Emerald Coast Difference


Dog Training Elite Emerald Coast uses modern training methods focused on positive dog training using reinforcement and bonding you and your dog. Dog Training Elite Emerald Coast trainers 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 Emerald Coast’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.

If you are searching for positive dog training near you, Dog Training Elite Emerald Coast is the place for you.

The positive dog training method of Dog Training Elite Emerald Coast 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 Emerald Coast, when you say “sit,” your dog will automatically sit without thinking about it.

Dog Training Elite Emerald Coast 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 Emerald Coast 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 Emerald Coast 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 assessment!

Pricing Programs Free Assessment

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