Why Train Your Dog?
Training is an essential part of raising puppies to become well-mannered dogs. Training a puppy doesn’t mean you’ll have to stop playing, cuddling, or spoiling them. It only means that you’ll have to spend extra time and effort in making sure that the puppy understands the acceptable behaviors and that they should never cross the limits of these behaviors. Dogs naturally need strong leaders; you should, therefore, take on that role in your puppy’s life. Common puppy behavior problems include nipping, excessive barking, and destructive chewing. The best way to deal with these behaviors is to firmly issue a command (No) each time your pet exhibits the unacceptable behavior. Only reward him when he exhibits acceptable behaviors. (a comforting pat and good boy/girl) Chewing, for example, is one of the most common puppy behavior problems and usually reaches its most intense levels when the puppy starts teething, which is when he is around 5-9 months of age. While this is perfectly normal behavior in young dogs, it must be addressed rapidly through aversion techniques. So, if you don’t want your puppy chewing through your furniture or clothing, you must provide him with something else to chew on.
Elite Dog Training Recognized as Best Dog Trainer in Highland Park, Illinois for 2026
At Rich’s Elite Dog Training, we believe every dog deserves the opportunity to become a well-mannered, confident, and happy companion. We’re proud to share our 2026 recognition from the Quality Business Awards in the dog trainer category for Highland Park, Illinois!...
How to Stop Your Dog From Begging for Food at Mealtime
Does your dog stare at you, whine, paw at your leg, or hover around the dinner table every time your family eats? If so, you're dealing with one of the most common—and frustrating—dog behavior problems: begging for food. The good news is that dog begging is a behavior...
Door Bolting: How to Keep Your Dog Safe When the Door Opens
Does your dog rush the door the moment someone reaches for the handle? Door bolting may look like excitement, but it can quickly become a serious safety issue. A dog that darts through an open front door can run into traffic, get lost, approach another dog, or put...
How to Stop Your Dog From Jumping on People
A dog jumping up to greet you can seem cute when they’re a small puppy. But once that puppy grows into a full-sized adult dog, the same enthusiastic greeting can become frustrating, embarrassing, and even unsafe. Jumping is one of the common behavior problems dog...
How to Stop Your Dog from Counter Surfing for Good
If you’ve ever turned your back for just a second only to find your dinner missing from the kitchen counter, you’re not alone. Counter surfing is one of the most common behavior problems dog owners face, and unfortunately, it’s also one of the easiest habits for dogs...
The Complete Guide to Housebreaking Your Puppy
Bringing home a new puppy is exciting — but let’s be honest, housebreaking can quickly test your patience. The good news? With consistency, structure, and the right approach, most puppies can learn proper bathroom habits much faster than owners expect. At Elite Dog...
Puppy Biting: Why It Happens and How to Stop It
If you’ve recently brought home a puppy, you’ve probably discovered one thing very quickly: puppies love to bite. Hands, ankles, sleeves, shoelaces, furniture — nothing seems off limits. While puppy biting can feel frustrating (and painful), it’s actually a normal...
The Importance Of Following Breed-Specific Advice
Different breeds have different personalities and respond to in-home dog training techniques in different ways. Therefore, if you are planning to buy more than one dog or if you happen to prefer having dogs of different breeds, I strongly suggest that you look for an...
Basic Training Commands
Some of the most basic and important dog obedience commands are "heel", "sit", "stay", "down", "come", and "drop it". These may seem like very simple commands, but they are more than just cute little tricks. They are actually the keys to controlling your dog’s daily...
Dog Biting
Amongst the most feared and dangerous dog behaviors is “Biting.” Even the most aggressive dog can be trained to improve its behavior considerably. However, To successfully deal with dog biting problems, finding out how the behavior began will be necessary. The best...
