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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 Worcester 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 Central Mass 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!
Not all training packages may be available at our Dog Training Elite Central Mass location, please reference our pricing page for complete information on services offered.
Silver
$1,545
Training Equipment Included: E-Collar
- In-Home Training SessionsOne-on-one & personalized 3 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
$1,945
Training Equipment Included: E-Collar
- In-Home Training SessionsOne-on-one & personalized 5 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
$2,745
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)
Positive Dog Training in Worcester
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.
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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.
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!
I want to express my sincere thanks to Barbara, Mark, and Marcus at Elite Dog Training for their incredible work. Training a pitbull was a big challenge for me and my family, but with their guidance and the tools they provided, our dog has come a long way. We now feel much more confident in continuing the training on our own. Their patience, expertise, and encouragement were exactly what we needed. I highly recommend Barbara, Mark, Marcus, and the Elite Dog Training team to anyone looking for professional help with their dog!— Ricardo Andino
Posted October 19th 2024
We couldn’t be happier with our experience working with Marcus! He is incredibly knowledgeable and patient, which has made all the difference in our dog’s training. Marcus takes the time to really understand both the dog and the owner, ensuring that the training is tailored and effective. His calm demeanor and expertise have not only helped our dog learn quickly but have helped how we speak and interact with our dog to make the training more successful and the whole process enjoyable. We highly recommend Marcus to anyone looking for a trainer who truly knows what they’re doing and goes above and beyond for their clients.— Jessica Costa
Posted October 17th 2024
We had our assessment today and it went great! Marcus was wonderful. I have confidence we will gain lots from training. Had our 1st class today with Matt K. He is very knowledgeable and is way to work with. Looking forward to more! Had our 2nd class today with Tiffany. We are all learning a lot and I believe I will have a better behaved and happier dog. Looking forward to next week.— Donna Pinkus
Posted October 4th 2024
This therapy dog training program is nothing short of amazing! My dog, who used to be reactive and easily dysregulated, has completely transformed into a calm, confident therapy dog. The trainers were incredibly knowledgeable, patient, and supportive, working closely with us every step of the way. Their approach is both compassionate and effective, focusing on understanding the dog’s needs and behaviors rather than just correction. The positive reinforcement techniques they taught us made a world of difference, and I saw progress from the very first session. The skills and confidence my dog has gained are truly remarkable. I highly recommend this program to anyone looking to turn their dog into a therapy dog or even just improve their dog’s behavior. It’s been a life-changing experience for both of us! Five stars all the way!— Leeanne Hadsel
Posted October 11th 2024
Matt was wonderful to chat with! He is very knowledgeable and well spoken!— Chelsea Richard
Posted October 10th 2024
I was very impressed and satisfied with the team at Dog Training Elite. They focus on not only helping train dogs but also giving the owners the tools they need to continue making progress. They took a lot of the stress out of training our dog and the results have been excellent. Matt, Barbara, and the rest of the team are wonderful and I would highly recommend.— Travis Johnson
Posted October 7th 2024
Dog Training Elite is the best group of dog trainers I've ever worked with!— theresa bucher
Posted October 4th 2024
wow! we had a full consultation with Marcus. he gave real advice and real help. and gave us confidence to achieve our goals— kameron cole
Posted October 3rd 2024
Matt was professional, smart and a huge help highly recommend— Robert Merrill
Posted October 3rd 2024
We just finished our private lessons and I have a completely different dog know. I highly recommend Dog Training Elite to all my friend and family.— Calm In Chaos
Posted October 3rd 2024
Patrick came and did assessment of our dog and took time to listen to us and hear what we wanted to do with training for our almost 1 year old dog. i feel so relieved and happy that we will learn (and out dog) how to handle any situation with ease.— Anna
Posted October 1st 2024
Matt made us feel very comfortable and capable. I’m looking forward to our future sessions together.— Jaimee Greitzer
Posted September 30th 2024
Love Marcus!! Great staffs !My dog is getting better and better!— soo wang
Posted September 30th 2024
Matt was great! Excited to start my dog training already seen the difference in our first meet!— Dayi Sierra
Posted September 25th 2024
I am absolutely thrilled with the exceptional service provided by Marcus, a highly skilled dog trainer who visited our home today. Marcus delivered an engaging and informative presentation tailored to our new furry family member. Marcus's vast expertise in dog training, particularly in training dogs for diabetes assistance, was truly impressive. His passion and patience shone through as he addressed all our questions and concerns, putting our minds at ease. Marcus's friendly demeanor and genuine enthusiasm made the experience enjoyable and empowering. We feel confident and equipped to provide the best possible care for our doggie thanks to Marcus's expert guidance. We highly recommend Marcus to anyone seeking top-notch dog training. His dedication, knowledge, and compassionate approach make him an outstanding professional in his field. 5/5 stars from Natanael and Katherine.— Natanael Burgos
Posted September 21st 2024
Great trainers. Saw results immediately. Extremely pleased with the professionalism, knowledge and caring of all the staff.— Carol Benoit
Posted December 7th 2023
Dog Training elite of Central Massachusetts has been training my English bulldog since she was about 4 1/2 months old. She is doing amazing. Jamie is an awesome trainer. Always on time, lots of experience and is very patient. Matilda absolutely loves her. She’s now working with the E collar and is doing great. We Just had a session with Jamie. I thought Matilda had forgotten everything because we were on vacation. But I was wrong. We had a great session today. Matilda also learned a new game “find it”. She absolutely loved it. Something fun for us to do. Looking forward to working with Jamie and Dog Training Elite for a long time. I would highly Jamie as your dog trainer.— Lee Agnelli
Posted November 6th 2023
The Dog Training Elite Central Mass Difference
Dog Training Elite Central Mass uses modern training methods focused on positive dog training using reinforcement and bonding you and your dog. Dog Training Elite Central Mass 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 Central Mass’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.
The positive dog training method of Dog Training Elite Central Mass 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 Central Mass, when you say “sit,” your dog will automatically sit without thinking about it.
Dog Training Elite Central Mass 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 Central Mass 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 Central Mass 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!