Expert Dog Training Tips from Donny Castro-Conde and Dog Training Elite Franchise

Donny Castro-Conde, a professional dog trainer and franchisee with Dog Training Elite in Austin, Texas, recently joined Fox 7 to discuss common dog behavior issues and how owners can effectively train their pets. Dog Training Elite is a franchise that provides personalized in-home and group training sessions to help dogs develop obedience and confidence. Accompanied by his well-trained Australian Shepherds, Penny and Duke, Castro-Conde shared insights on the most frequent mistakes dog owners make and how his training techniques can help.

One of the key issues Castro-Conde addressed is how owners often miscommunicate with their dogs by applying human psychology to canine behavior. "It always starts with the human — the owner,” he said. “The most common issue I see is when people try to change a dog's behavior using human psychology rather than understanding how dogs think.”

Castro-Conde emphasized that dogs rely primarily on body language, their sense of smell and their eyes before responding to verbal commands. "Words should come last,” he said. “Once we get reliable behavior, then we can add verbal commands.”

Leash training is typically the first area of focus in his training sessions. "Teaching a dog the value of leash pressure and the importance of expecting a reward when they offer a desirable behavior is key," Castro-Conde said. He also highlighted the importance of using positive reinforcement, noting that "dogs are motivated by play, affection, touch and, of course, food." By reinforcing good behavior through these means, owners can establish a strong foundation for training.

Dog Training Elite offers both one-on-one in-home training and group training sessions to help owners work through specific behavioral issues. “Even with [an older dog], you can still encourage better behavior,” Castro-Conde said. “Give us a call, find a local trainer and let’s help your dog reach its full potential.”