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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 Worcester, as well as important tips to keep in mind throughout the training process.
Puppy training with Dog Training Elite Central Mass 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 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)
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
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 Central Mass, 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 Worcester
- 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 Central Mass 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.