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At Dog Training Elite Wilmington, we know that every dog is an individual and requires different training methods. Maybe your dog needs to work on separation anxiety or learn how to stop barking at the mailman. Dog Training Elite Wilmington stands out by also looking at what breed your dog is when making training goals.
We don’t discriminate when it comes to breeds, but we know that some species need more specialized training in certain areas. Whatever your dog’s breed, Dog Training Elite Wilmington can help you and your dog overcome any obstacles related to obedience and socialization. Regardless of breed, size or temperament, Dog Training Elite Wilmington is capable of breed specific training for all dogs that come to our doorstep.
Not all training packages may be available at our Dog Training Elite Wilmington location, please reference our pricing page for complete information on services offered.
What Role Does Breed Play?
When it comes to training, the breed of your dog can play a pretty significant role. Generally, dogs share qualities of loyalty, kindness and intelligence, regardless of breed. Specific breeds, however, may have a trait not as prevalent in other breeds. For example, some breeds bred for working roles tend to be more energetic and intelligent than breeds bred to be more of a companion. At Dog Training Elite Wilmington, we use breed specific training to shape a plan to fit you and your dog.
Is Training Affected By Breed?
While we look at what challenges owners face with specific breeds, the key to dog training is maintaining a consistent schedule to ensure the desired behavior you seek.
The training programs offered at Dog Training Elite Wilmington come in a general form, but we also provide breed-specific training to target breed-specific issues. Suppose your breed is highly energetic. In that case, we have programs to help you and your dog maintain an active and healthy lifestyle while ensuring that your dog retains the standard obedience training that any dog needs.
Some of the Wilmington breed specific training programs we offer include:
German Shepherd Training
German Shepherds are a popular breed for herding and other working roles. They have many beautiful traits, including strength, vigilance and confidence. German Shepherds are very intelligent as well, making them excellent candidates for dog training with their quick learning. Dog Training Elite Wilmington can help bring your German Shepherd’s great qualities to the forefront and allow them to be the best companion for your family.
Beagle Training
Beagles have historically been bred for pack hunting, making them an intelligent and curious breed. Beagles are very compassionate and companionable dogs, making them perfect for families and work as therapy dogs. Dog Training Elite Wilmington harnesses the strong qualities your Beagle has and turns them into a well-trained companion.
Pitbull Training
Pitbull breeds include the American Staffordshire Terrier, Staffordshire Bull Terrier, and other bull-type dog breeds. Sadly, Pitbulls have a history of being bred for blood sports. This history has caused fear and misinformation when it comes to Pitbull temperament. The breed has been known for being aggressive or intimidating, but the breed is better understood for being tender and loving with its owners and companions. Dog Training Elite Wilmington is experienced in handling Pitbulls and helping owners build loving and loyal relationships with them.
Boxer Dog Training
The Boxer breed is known for its muscular build and expressive face. They’re also very alert and energetic. Boxers have a rich history of being bred for hunting and herding. They make excellent companions for active families, and with proper training techniques from Dog Training Elite Wilmington, we’ll ensure your Boxer is happy and fulfilled.
Doberman Training
Dobermans are mighty and loyal dogs. As companion dogs, they will adopt a protective nature when it comes to family and property. Because of these traits, it’s important to begin their training early. Proper socialization and obedience training will help prevent unwanted aggression and behavior. Dog Training Elite Wilmington can help you maintain your dog’s outgoing and playful nature while reining in the fierce attitude they might have.
Golden Retriever Training
As one of the most popular breeds to have as companions, Golden Retrievers are wonderfully outgoing and loving. They are excellent working dogs and commonly used as service animals as they are knowledgeable and possess a calm temperament. Dog Training Elite Wilmington is ready and capable of turning your Golden Retriever puppy/dog into the perfect family companion.
Labrador Training
Labradors make great family dogs. They are an intelligent breed that loves to please. Labradors take direction well and are easy to train. This breed is also perfect as a companion dog, making them suitable for work as a therapy dog. Early socialization and professional training are crucial to raising a well-behaved Labrador. The experienced trainers of Dog Training Elite Wilmington can assist you in training this impressive breed.
Goldendoodle Training
Goldendoodles are a special breed that possesses the loveable traits of the Poodle and Golden Retriever. They are eager to learn, compassionate, patient and very loving. Goldendoodles’ nature makes it a perfect breed candidate for training in general obedience and service dog training. They are an excellent breed for families, and Dog Training Elite Wilmington knows how to turn this breed into the perfect companion.
French Bulldog Training
French bulldogs are a great addition to any home and especially well-suited to city life. Even though this breed is fairly easy-going, training is crucial to keep your dog safe in and out of your home. At Dog Training Elite Wilmington, we specialize in breed-specific training. Contact us today to schedule a free training demo!
Though breed-specific training is taken into account, all of Dog Training Elite Wilmington’s training programs are based on a foundation of consistency and positive reinforcement. Punishment does not yield positive results. Dogs are eager to please, regardless of breed, and if they’re rewarded for good behavior, they’ll stick to good behavior.
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.
clas·si·cal con·di·tion·ing PSYCHOLOGY noun A learning process that occurs when two stimuli are repeatedly paired; a response that is at first elicited by the second stimulus and is eventually elicited by the first stimulus alone.
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!
Excellent professionalism and experienced trainer. Working together we accomplished a lot with my Frenchie. Highly recommend.— Don Bullard
Posted September 20th 2024
The training for my golden was a fantastic experience in all aspects ! I was dealing with a lovable, energetic, sweet 4 year old pup that would not walk on a leash and immediately would hide when I would bring the leash out. Katy immediately developed a bond with her and soon developed a trust with her. Katy was patient and knowledgeable in her techniques. It was surprising how fast my dog began to respond to her training. I highly recommend Elite to anyone with a dog in need of training. Katy provided excellent recommendations and was professional and pleasant to work with even for the owner who also may need training! 😃— Paula Mazzoccante
Posted August 20th 2024
This program was a wonderful fit for me and my dog, Finn. Our trainer, Katy, is excellent to work with. Katy is patient, kind, knowledgable and Finn loved her (and I did, too!)! I purchased the platinum plan which includes 10 in-home training sessions and then unlimited group classes. Katy came to our house each time on time and ready to work, and Finn really responded to the training techniques. I feel confident that I have better command of Finn now and he learned a few cool tricks, as well. I would absolutely recommend Dog Training Elite of Wilmington and we look forward to beginning our group classes on Saturday! Thank you, Katy! We will miss our Mondays with you!— Laurie McGeoghegan
Posted June 3rd 2024
My name is Shirley and my dog Brandy. We live in a suburb of Wilmington, N.C. 4 years ago, I rescued Brandy from a shelter. She was 10 months old. She has from day one, been a very energetic and friendly, loving dog. However, she displayed the following behavioral issues: 1) pulling on the leash (I had to stop walking her, 2) jumping on people, 3) not coming when called 4) Very aggressive when seeing other dogs. She now is 5yrs old and continues to be sweet and loving. But she had been far from obedient. I had enrolled her in a number of dog training classes including a 3week stay at a boot camp obedience program that all proved to be unsuccessful. At the boot camp. I was informed that she did well there. On her last day of training, I was given a demonstration of how obedient she was with the trainers. However, as the dog owner, I was provided with less than 2 hours of training instructions. After the amount of money that I had paid for what I thought would be “good training” turned out to be extremely disappointed. I had resigned myself to never having Brandy becoming an obedient pup. It was disheartening. And then I discovered while browsing the WEB, “ELITE AWARD WIINNING DOG TRAINING***** in Wilmington. After reading their positive reviews, their mission statements, and meeting with the Owner, I enrolled Brandy in their training program. Darren and Katy who I now refer to as “my Angels” provided the training and so much support. All training was done at my home where Brandy was the most comfortable. The results far exceeded my expectations for both Brandy and myself. Darren and Katy are phenomenal trainers. Their philosophy in training dogs is unique and uses gentle guidance. The training session were always fun and engaging for both Brandy and me. Every training session began with playing with Brandy and ending the session with play time again. She always looked forward to their visits. Katy and Darren were always patient and supportive, answering all my questions and addressing all concerns. Their support included checking in with me between training sessions and addressing any questions/concerns I had and providing recommendations as needed. This never occurred with any of the prior training programs. I was also given homework assignments and tips to practice at home and reinforce what was learned during each training session. After only a few weeks of training, Brandy is a completely different dog. She... • No longer pulls on her leash nor gets distracted. Our walks are longer and enjoyable. • Comes immediately when I call her. • Greets people without jumping on them. • Does not try to “escape” when someone comes to the door. • Has become sweeter and more loving. • Is a happier dog and I am a happier human. Darren and Katy helped me achieve all my goals. I am so very grateful for all their work and all their support.— Shirley Tedesco
Posted February 1st 2024
Loved the service came out to my home and trained my 13 week old shi tzu zak the trainer was lovely and very helpful definitely recommend— Cedric Green
Posted January 3rd 2024
I got a new puppy recently and Hayley came and helped me set her up for success! She provided awesome tips and was super friendly, I'm very satisfied and can't wait for another session in the future!— Kathleen Gilliam
Posted December 31st 2023
I was having trouble walking my strong black lab who likes to take the lead and pull me down the street. He often gets distracted, and wants to follow a scent and would end up dragging me into bushes or the grass. It was painful to say the least. I tried using treats, a gentle leader leash and a pinch collar to keep him next to me without success. I called Dog Training Elite because I couldn’t take it anymore. Caden came to my house for a free consultation. After testing my dog’s ability to obey commands, Caden assured me the technique they use would train him to walk beside me on our walks. I CANNOT believe the difference the training has made! It took 3 sessions, with daily training from me in between. The trainer, Mark was very detailed and thorough as to what I needed to do to get the behavior I needed from my dog. He was patient with me and spelled out everything I need to know. I am beyond thankful! I now have a dog who walks beside me. I would give this company a 10 star review if I could!— Leanne Young
Posted December 20th 2023
We had an amazing experience with the team and 2 of our pups we currently have under rescue. In the short time they worked with them, the difference was truly impressive. Thank you! #freedombridgeanimalrescuenc— diana topjian
Posted December 20th 2023
We loved working with the Dog Training Elite team! We did their puppy training with our 3 month old Labrador Retriever. They gave us the tools to teach our puppy basic commands and laid the foundation for a well-behaved pup. It was super helpful to have access to the trainers via text or call if we had any questions or needed advice (even over a holiday weekend!). We can't wait to work with them more!— Abby Ramsey
Posted December 6th 2023
Katy is the best and I cannot recommend her enough!! I loved working with her and my pups love her even more!!— Alexandria Price
Posted November 10th 2023
Darren and Kati joined us and our pup this afternoon. It was a great experience with educational tips and tricks to help our dog listen and love to learn. 5 out of 5 stars! We will be booking more sessions.— Averee Gerold Coley
Posted November 5th 2023
What a great experience this has been. We had a good dog and he’s only gotten better. The knowledge from the trainers goes beyond teaching our dog to be better, but has helped us be better owners for our dog. The difference in a few short weeks is nothing short of life changing for our family.— Kiernan Berger
Posted October 31st 2023
I’d highly recommend Dog Training Elite to anyone. The dog trainers are fantastic and in just a couple of weeks we saw drastic improvements in our dog. We are so thankful for Dog Training Elite!— Madison Berger
Posted October 30th 2023
Great attention to detail. Would highly recommend to friends and family.— JAKE MOORE
Posted October 19th 2023
Very professional and knowledgeable in dog training. Their trainers were able to assist with training our Irish Setter with ease and ensure that we understood what was needed to be good dog parents and have a successful program. Highly recommended for anyone looking for top quality dog training and professional services! 🦮🐾— Ramiro Rodriguez
Posted October 18th 2023