Professional

Dog Training in Sarasota / Venice


How to Bond With Your Puppy

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941-926-6751


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Contact Dog Training Elite of Southwest Florida

Or Call to Schedule FREE In-Home Assessment

941-926-6751


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Develop a Stronger Bond Through Training


Bringing home a new puppy can be a fun and special time. Puppies are cute and playful and bring a lot of joy into a home! They can also bring a lot of chaos and messes. Early days spent with your puppy are important for both bonding and training. In fact, if you’re wondering how to bond with your puppy, training can be a great way, as they look to you for guidance and direction. Dog Training Elite of Southwest Florida is here to help.


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


Dog Training Elite in Sarasota / Venice can help teach you how to bond with your puppy.
Dog Training Elite of Southwest Florida In-Home Puppy Training

Dog Training Elite of Southwest Florida’s offers comprehensive in-home puppy training. For the first 4-6 weeks, trainers use “treat training” before moving onto more advanced puppy training. Puppies will learn the following behaviors:

  • Come, sit, loose-leash walking, and down
  • Puppy corrections (Stop biting, digging, jumping, etc.)
  • Crate training/ housebreaking
Trainers will also help owners learn about the following:
  • Socialization tips
  • Environmental hazards
  • Puppy enrichment
  • Caring for your puppy
  • And more!

Training a puppy can feel overwhelming. By pairing you with a professional trainer, not only will your puppy learn quickly, but you will feel confident and empowered to continue training your puppy after the sessions are completed. Training in your own home will help you bond with your pup so even after the professional trainer leaves, you and Fido can continue to progress together.

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.


Dog Training Elite of Southwest Florida is the top company near you that uses professional positive dog training methods.
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.

See Our Pricing

In-Home Puppy Trainers


Working with a trainer and your puppy in your own home will help your puppy stay focused. Dog Training Elite of Southwest Florida dog trainers create personalized training plans for individual puppies that will also address any unique needs or issues.

Once a puppy has completed in-home training, Dog Training Elite of Southwest Florida offers puppy group classes for further training. These group classes are a great option for exposing a young puppy to other dogs, people, new sounds and sights so they become well socialized.

Positive Reinforcement Training Methods


The Dog Training Elite of Southwest Florida training method focuses on encouraging proper behaviors with positive reinforcement. Punishment is never used as a form of training as it can lead to aggression and fear in dogs. Dog Training Elite of Southwest Florida does use an electronic vibration collar (not a shock collar) to help puppies stay alert, and treats for extra encouragement.

Positive reinforcement teaches a puppy that performing obedient behaviors wins love and affection from their owner. Dog Training Elite of Southwest Florida’s professional puppy trainers include owners in the training process so that puppies learn who is in charge. Working with professional trainers of Dog Training Elite of Southwest Florida, your puppy will not only develop deep-rooted obedience, but working alongside these trainers will help you and your puppy build a strong, healthy relationship founded on loyalty and trust.

Elite Dog Training in Sarasota / Venice All Breeds. All Sizes. All Ages.

Pricing Free Demo

Tips on How to Bond
With Your Puppy

Training is a great way to establish a deep, loyal bond with your puppy. Outside of your training sessions, there is more you can do to strengthen your bond. Here are some more tips for how to bond with your puppy:

Your puppy may not understand the words you’re saying, but he or she will understand your tone of voice. Speaking in an excited tone of voice will get your pup excited and motivate them to do what you want them to. Speaking in a low, calm voice can help soothe and relax your puppy.

Puppies thrive on routine. A consistent schedule will help your puppy adjust to their new home, and to you and your family. A puppy’s schedule needs to include eating, playtime, puppy training, potty breaks, and nap times.

As mentioned above, playtime is an important part of your puppy’s schedule. Playing with your puppy will help strengthen your bond and stimulate their brains. Walks are an easy and great way to give your puppy much-needed exercise. Start small, walking around in your yard or driveway and gradually extending the distance around your neighborhood.

Creating boundaries in your home for your puppy helps strengthen your bond because your puppy will look to you for direction and guidance. It will also help your puppy avoid bad habits. Baby gates and playpens are a useful way to create physical boundaries.

Puppies can become overwhelmed about all the new things they’re exploring. Crate training is a perfect way to allow your puppy to have their own space where they feel safe and comfortable and help them develop some independence so they grow into a well-adjusted dog.

The most adorable way to bond with your puppy is by cuddling them! Snuggling with your pup can help him or her feel comforted and safe. The best time to get a cuddle session with your puppy is when they are sleepy. Cuddling also helps puppies get used to having their paws, belly, face, etc. handled, and can be a good time to introduce light grooming practices like brushing their fur.

It’s OK to be nervous about bringing your puppy home. But with the professional dog trainers and programs at Dog Training Elite of Southwest Florida, plus these tips on bonding with your puppy, you will develop a rewarding relationship with your new best friend.

Schedule a free training demo today!

Pricing Programs Free Assessment

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Learn training tips on bonding with your puppy with help from Dog Training Elite in Sarasota / Venice.

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!

Whiskey was sweet but unsure of himself. He could be testy with new people. Whiskey’s demeanor and posture has shifted beautifully. Renee has been amazing in helping both of us. We look forward to continuing our journey as companions. Whiskey says, ‘obedience is hard work’ he takes himself to bed by 830p.
— AJ Schlake
Posted October 16th 2024
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It all started when Denise came for our in-home assessment, and she heard all of our concerns about our dog and was very honest about what the path(s) were for helping her. We appreciated how she made it all seem relatable and achievable. Anthony was an excellent individual dog trainer for our dog. He is patient and very instructive, and very accommodating for our dog as well as our other dog that wanted to be involved in training! Our dog has seen immense progress in just five sessions, and we are so grateful for how communicative, accommodating, and helpful Denise and her team have been. We are really looking forward to group classes!
— Jerome Schwich
Posted October 15th 2024
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Very, very happy with our experience with Dog training, we thought there was no hope for our rat looking dog. We highly recommend!!
— Kelly Spires
Posted September 17th 2024
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I couldn’t be happier with the team from Elite dog training. From my very first meeting to having now been thru my 11 home sessions, puppies then advanced obedience, Anthony has been a true delight to work with. Their methodology and hands on training of dogs and me has been excellent. After 30 years of showing English Setters I really wanted an intelligent highly trainable dog, which has turned out to be a Moyen poodle and she has been great. Planning on taking her into therapy and service work and can’t wait to continue now with group classes. Look no further, Elite is exactly that, highest quality. We’ll worth the money!!!
— Frank
Posted September 4th 2024
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We highly recommend Dog Training Elite and have had a very positive experience with our trainer Chris, who has given us such valuable puppy and obedience training lessons with our border collie Theo. Denise, the owner is also fabulous! We just came back from a group training session and noticed how much our 1 year old dog’s behavior has improved over the past few months, especially around other dogs. Thanks, Chris, Denise and group trainers for the top notch training which has been so helpful to us and Theo! 🐾
— Anne Gornto
Posted August 24th 2024
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I can't thank Chris from Dog Training Elite enough for the Service Dog Training of Leroy he provided. Quite thorough and rigorous, my (now) little service man learned quickly and the skills he gained have been so valuable for my well being I almost can't put into words what it means to me. I travel quite frequently and being able to confidently navigate busy spaces with Leroy in public not only helps keep me calm but also provides a life line if needed. This has improved my experiences not just in airplanes and at the airport but out and about as well, allowing me to feel safe and enjoy myself again, wherever we are. Most important is the specific task Leroy learned, which is now an invaluable part of my life. I recommend setting up a consultation to go over your unique dog training needs and determine the right path for your pack, whether basic obedience or service dog training. Our plan consisted of intensive in-home training to start, then once a regiment of commands were mastered we started attending group sessions, which were both fun and challenging. Surprisingly, training isn't just about our dogs, and Chris tailored some very unique public sessions for us (so grateful). This included going to the airport as well as other public spaces (mall, pet food store, dog park etc) in order to make sure I knew how to take the lead and maintain it in a variety of environments. BTW, the whole team is great ~ Anthony, Alisa and Denise were on hand during the group training, putting all the dogs through their paces and helping them master their newfound skills. Extra special thanks to Chris though, who was very patient, accommodating and put up with me getting stressed out, which was more than once! DTE SW Florida overall is a very caring group and I wouldn't hesitate to contact them and find out for yourselves how they can help you help your dogs put their best paws forward!
— Marcella Di Santo
Posted July 17th 2024
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Chris was an amazing asset to our puppy’s training. With him we have a completely different pup. Not only is our puppy’s obedience under control he is much calmer, especially in walking him. Chris changed our lives forever and taught me the tools to continue with Chevys training once he’s a year old. We look forward to seeing Chris at our group sessions.
— Nikki Hampton
Posted July 14th 2024
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Our experience with Dog Training Elite of SWF specifically CHRIS has been life changing for us. Chris has travelled far out of his usual travel zone to help us with our adopted 8yr old Lab Winter.Seriously, his patience and kind supportive instruction has made all the difference in helping Winter become a well behaved dog. Today was our first group lesson and I was very anxious as to how it would turn out. Winter did fabulous!!! I highly recommend Chris and the DTEOSWF group. They really have made a difference and it has been worth every penny. Thank you.
— Katherine Mitchell
Posted July 13th 2024
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Overall we were pleased with the 5 in-home sessions. Marshall is doing well with all of his commands. Loose leash training is still somewhat difficult, especially in the early morning when he is most excited. We could have benefitted from more calming techniques.
— Harry schoenfeld
Posted July 12th 2024
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Such an amazing team! Anthony did a wonderful job at training both German Sheps and myself! Highly recommend 🙌
— Mai Tran
Posted July 8th 2024
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Anthony was great! Cooper loved him too and we all learned a lot !!
— Dundie Crisp
Posted July 3rd 2024
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We love DTE! Highly recommend to anyone. Everyone tells me my dog is so well behaved. He’s only 7 months and listens incredibly well. He sits at the front door (with it open) and doesn’t run out before our outings. Enough said??! Chris did our in-home visits and we always felt encouraged after seeing him. Honestly I thought all this training was going to be a lot harder than it has been. They break it up so it’s little by little, and more fun and focused rather than rigid. Also they are QUICK to respond. Always. Whenever I needed to talk to Chris, he would call me soon after I texted the team. They know what they’re doing. Totally worth it. I guess you should know that we were very committed also… I was consistent in training daily and our hard work paid off. This wasn’t a once every two week training session and then expecting the dog to act right. The in-homes help with answering questions and moving to the next phase of things to work on, but if that’s the only training you do with the dog, I can’t imagine how that would be effective. Thank you Chris and DTE!!! What an awesome experience - you guys make this FUN!
— Brittany Ortiz
Posted June 19th 2024
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10/10 would recommend. Chris was very caring in communicating different ways to help me train my high energetic dog. My dog now looks for me for direction and commands. I cannot recommend DTE enough for training!
— Corrie Bexley
Posted June 5th 2024
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The in-home classes and group classes are great. My trainer Chris has helped me with training my dog Benjamin and takes time to make sure that I'm doing ok with the training. He is wealth of knowledge that has made me a better dog handler. I would recommend Dog Training Elite to anyone.
— Michael Heaton
Posted June 1st 2024
google
Chris was great to work with and our Girl Chica did amazing with him. He‘s reliable, his knowledge with dogs and how he trains is great! Chica didn’t need a lot of training and got it down really well and understood it quickly. We can definitely recommend him and Dog Training Elite to anyone that is looking to get their dog trained on or off leash at home. We are super happy. Thank you so much
— Seraina Leubin
Posted May 21st 2024
google
Chris was amazing.
— Joan Flynn
Posted May 14th 2024
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We have a reactive dog who has done really well with the training. I appreciate Anthony’s patience and knowledge. He made it fun. I’m looking forward to getting our dog to some of the group training as well
— Marjorie Shoobe
Posted April 3rd 2024
google
I can't recommend Chris from Dog Training Elite highly enough! From the very first session, it was clear that Chris is not just a dog trainer but a true professional who genuinely cares about the success of every dog he works with. My experience with him while training my pup Gaia has been exceptional in every way. Chris's patience throughout the training process was remarkable. He took the time to understand Gaia's unique personality and tailored the training sessions accordingly. His punctuality was also impressive; he always arrived on time with a smile, ready to dive into the training sessions. What sets Dog Training Elite apart is their commitment to excellence. They have a well-organized approach with a clearly defined roadmap to success. Whether it's one-on-one sessions or group classes, every aspect of the training is well-planned and executed. One thing that stood out to me was the personal touch. The team at Dog Training Elite knows their customers by name and goes above and beyond to provide help and support. This level of dedication is rare to find and speaks volumes about the company's values. But what truly sets Dog Training Elite apart is the passion that Chris and the entire team bring to their profession. They make training fun and engaging, and my pup Gaia always looks forward to her classes—a sure sign that they're doing something right!
— Andrea Couture
Posted May 9th 2024
google
Anthony at Dog Training Elite helped me get my reactive dog under control. Within just a couple sessions, we saw noticeable differences with our dog, and by the end of our at home lessons, our dog is able to be out in public and completely under control. They are communicative and responsive for scheduling and questions. We highly recommend their team for general training but specifically for reactivity/aggression. If you would have told me a year ago I would be able to walk my dog in the farmer's market, I would not have believed you, but here we are! :)
— Molly Lanners
Posted April 29th 2024
google
When we first got our Rottweiler puppy, we began to wonder if we made a mistake. She was biting, chewing on objects, jumping on people, pulling on the leash, and using the bathroom in the house. Then we hired this amazing company to help us properly train our dog. Our Stella is an unbelievable puppy with an amazingly sweet demeanor. She is so well behaved now, we have a completely different dog! She is 7 months old now, and we constantly get compliments about how well behaved she is. This trainer is worth every single dollar. The best investment you’ll ever make. Anthony is an unbelievable trainer. He understands dogs so well, assists with any questions, and is very attentive to making sure you finish training with the best dog possible. I cannot say enough good things about him and this company. 10/10 all day long!
— Tyler Vaden
Posted April 25th 2024
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