We are an award winning, dog training company.

Welcome to Dog Training Elite! We are a dog training company with over 40 years of experience that specializes in teaching your dog to be obedient for you as well as the rest of your family, with a strong emphasis on teaching your dog the highest level of obedience, despite even the toughest level of distractions. Our programs are certain to meet all of your training needs. Unlike a lot of other dog training companies, we understand that each client has different needs, so we tailor our dog training programs to accommodate your unique situation. Dog Training Elite also trains service animals and personal protection K9's, and has donated their time to those with special needs in training personalized service dogs.

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Dog Training Franchise

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Empowering Owners

We work with dogs of any breed, size or age - and we empower owners with lifelong skills to continue successes, no matter the problem behavior.

  • Leash & potty training
  • Staying & coming
  • Destructive chewing & digging
  • Stealing food, clothing, or other objects
  • Barking, howling & whining
  • Food guarding & begging
  • Mouthing, nipping & playing rough
  • Anxiety & submissive urination
  • Jumping up & hyperactivity
  • Aggression & anxiety

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Success Stories

Puppy Training

Our dog trainers begin working with puppies as young as 8 weeks old, we will even help you select a puppy from a litter that possess a desirable and teachable temperament.

Puppy Training Programs

Service Dog Training

Dog Training Elite has a variety of service dog training packages, all of which are highly personalized to the individual seeking assistance.

Service Dog Trainer

Personal Protection

Dog Training Elite’s personal protection dog training process will ensure that a dog’s loving and social temperaments are retained as the protection skills are properly developed.

Personal Protection Program

Anxiety & Aggression Training

One of the most difficult, necessary and rewarding behaviours to correct in a dog is anxiety and aggression. Our dog trainers specializes in proper dog training techniques that help correct a dog's anxiety and aggressive behaviors.

Anxiety / Aggression Training

Military / Retired Vetrans

Dog Training Elite believes strongly in the healing power of service dogs for retired military veterans, and we donate our time and passion to training service dogs for the foundation. We also offer a 10% discount to active service members.

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Therapy Animal Training

A Dog Training Elite facility therapy dog is highly trained to have a positive impact on the health and well being of both individuals and community health.

Therapy Animal Program

Group Classes offered once basic commands are in place

Once you and your dog have basic commands in place (meaning your dog will successfully come, sit, stay and obey other basic commands), they are invited to join us for additional training that is highly valuable in further building upon already learned techniques. Our group classes are designed to place yourself and your dog in public places (surrounded by other dogs, people, smells and sounds), so that you can train your dog to obey you... regardless of the many distractions screaming for their attention!

Dog Training Classes

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Dog Training Elite is the last dog trainer you’ll ever need!

AKC S.T.A.R. Puppy Instructor
AKC Canine Good Citizen Evaluator
AKC Community Canine
Professional Retriever Trainers Association
Association of Professional Dog Trainers
International Association of Canine Professionals
AKC Member
The Malinois Foundation

Read Real Stories

Learn safe and easy to follow dog training techniques... all in your OWN environment!

Great experience from day one. Dog Training Elite was well recommended from a colleague who is a K-9 Officer and we were very happy to have chosen them to help us with our dog. We had previously worked with several other dog trainers. My family and I really enjoyed working with Aidan in training our German Shepherd. We were very happy with every aspect, from scheduling , billing and the trainers themselves! so much so, that we hired them to help with a second dog about a year later.
Fred Sorrentino
Sandy, UT
After trying in vain to train our Yellow Lab I called Dog Training Elite and Aiden came out and I kid you not within the first 10 minutes he was behaving and doing what was asked. It was like a Christmas miracle in November. Within 6 visits we had a new dog. Now with the training sessions at the park we are fine tuning our dog. Money well spent.
Daniel Thomson
Sandy, UT
We love DTE! We have an Irish Wolfhound that is so shy and this has really given her confidence! We are just about to start park lessons and I think that will help socially! Well worth the money!
Kristen Schow
Sandy, UT
John and Aiden have changed our household! We had adopted our dog, Foster, a year and half prior to making the decision to have someone come in and help us have full control over him. Foster during that first year and half pushed my wife to the point the she said if he doesn't get better we would have to get rid of him. We decided to go with Dog Training Elite and it was the best decision for all of us! Foster is one of the smartest dogs I've had it that wouldn't have been brought to the surface without the trainers that have helped us. Thanks Dog Training Elite!!
Mike Hawker
Sandy, UT
Working with John Mestas and Dog Training Elite created a whole new life for our troubled dog and our whole family. I recommend them strongly to anyone interested for any level of training. They went far beyond just training our dog, they got to know us personally and tailored the training to exactly what we needed. Thanks again John!
Zach French
Sandy, UT
My experience with Dog Training Elite has been nothing but positive, they help me certify my Service Dog Wolf. And the training we received was outstanding We both enjoyed the park training with other groups and their dogs. Thank you for all the help you have given me and Wolf.
Dennis Lopez
Sandy, UT
I literally hated my dog and wanted to get rid of him. He chewed everything and would drag my daughter around by her hood of her coat. He would never listen, chase our neighbors chickens and even bit me in the face. Our last hope was Dog Training Elite and I could not ask for a better dog. I can walk him without a leash. He listens to me and my kids and now a can't imagine life without him. Thank you Dog Training Elite for the best dog ever.
Ashley Corpron
Sandy, UT
Having John as our trainer means that I have freedom again. Without my service dog Tia I would be confined to my home. Thanks John and all of Dog Training Elite UT for giving me my life back. Kathy, Kevin, Buddy, and Tia
Kathy Johnson
Sandy, UT
Working with John has been a great pleasure and a lot of fun for both me and my dogs! Great trainer and person! :-)
Barret W. Flowers
Sandy, UT
The folks at Dog Training Elite are, in a word, awesome! After only two sessions my black Russian terrier sits and heels like a pro. The problems I was having were as much mine as they were my dog’s. The trainers showed me the correct way to let her know what I wanted her to do and we’ve been sailing right along ever since. I can hardly wait for our next session!
Patsy W.
Sandy, UT
Jana and I just finished our fourth session. Baxter, has learned to come, sit, stay, go to place, be quiet, not jump up on people (unless invited) and we are now working on some assistance commands. This program is so effective because the expert trainers have broken lessons into understandable steps and they take the time to make sure that we all know what to do.
Clyde and Jana S.
Sandy, UT
Pebbles goes on hikes with us now…off leash and behaves amazingly! Thanks John!
Dennis C.
Sandy, UT
I just want to say what a pleasure it is to have John help us with our 2 yellow labs! If we hadn’t found John we would have had to get rid of the dogs!
Doug J.
Sandy, UT
My Husband and I are returning clients. We have a German Shepherd who is now 7 and is a wonderful dog thanks to his training. We have reenlisted the help of John again with a 2 year old that we adopted from the shelter. In 3 short weeks our new pup has come a long way. Thank you Dog Training Elite for your wonderful services. We look forward to the park sessions this week.
Clay and Farrah H
Sandy, UT
Our Rottweiler has been trained by Seth and Jennifer and is doing awesome! Couldnt have asked Seth to do any better of a job with him! We love that we also get to socialize him and have him well behaved even with distractions in the park during park class. Highly recommend Seth at Dog Training Elite TX for even the most stubborn breeds!
Lyndsay Geiger
San Antonio, TX
I've used Dog Training Elite Texas to do personal protection training with two of my dogs and could not be happier with the results. I highly recommend Seth. He's an excellent trainer and takes great care to train not only the dog, but his clients.
Whitley Cheatham
San Antonio, TX
My boy Goliath has come a long way and is doing great since we started to train him with Dog Training Elite. Seth and Jennifer have been great with us! I recommend this program to everyone!
Mario A. Mendez
San Antonio, TX
Seth is such an amazing trainer. Rufus is now a completely different dog. He is now able to be around dogs and people. We can now take him everywhere, thanks to Seth.
Jenn Lopez
San Antonio, TX
Seth is an awesome trainer couldn't be any happier having him train my dog. The things he can train your dog to do is just awesome. Thank you Dog Training Elite for everything you have done for me and my dog.
Kevin Cecil
San Antonio, TX
Absolutely love Seth! He has done amazing things for our rescue boy and our Neo. They are so well behaved and we owe that all to Seth and Dog Training Elite!
Daniel and Kimberly Bernal
San Antonio, TX
Seth has done wonders with our dog. It's so worth the effort to have a dog that can be well behaved.
Meg Reyes
San Antonio, TX
Could not have expected better results with our two weimaraners! Highly recommend!
Krysti Wall
San Antonio, TX
Our 2 yr old yellow lab Kailani had been to a few trainers and still did not listen to us when there were "distractions" (which is often). She wanted to play with every thing that moved around her (bunnies, other dogs, people walking, kids playing). Neal came for our first session and we saw results immediately. Then Chris took over and wow....here we are 4 weeks later and she is off leash part of the time already (with few distractions) and responding very quickly to all the training methods. Could not be happier!!!!
Beth Correa
Phoenix, AZ
Neal has taught our Aussie so much in a few sessions, we cannot believe the improvement! Of course, he has also taught us so much! AMAZING trainer! Highly recommend Dog Training Elite!
Lisa Marie Denslow
Phoenix, AZ
We have had just a few sessions with dog training elite and our very stubborn great Dane. She weighs more than I do and would pull me around on a leash. After one class I had her walking calmly by my side. They do amazing work. And they treat their dogs like family members. No aggression or intimidation tactics used on your dogs, it's all about giving calm, steady, and consistent commands along with positive reinforcement and lots of practice. We are so happy with the results we have gotten in just a short period!!
Kristen Thiem
Phoenix, AZ
Amazing! Neil has been awesome with our dog BamBam who was showing aggression around a year old and after talking with tons of other trainers Neil and Bailey were a breath of fresh air! After only 4 classes she is walking side by side with other dogs and was even off leash with them - it's been amazing to see how confident not only she is but myself as well! Thanks Neil and Seth!!! Seth - thank you for all your help, I am so thankful and BamBam is one happy girl!
Christina Rodriguez
Phoenix, AZ
We have been working with Jessa from dog training elite and will recommend them to everyone we can. Jessa has gone above and beyond what we were expecting spending extra time with us and DBO, She cares about the dogs and it reflects in her training! Thank you Dog Training Elite!
Brad and Suzi Reaser
Phoenix, AZ
Neal has been absolutely amazing with our dog Harlee! After the first session, there was an instant change. She actually listened to us! She responded to the commands immediately and all it took was working with her each day. That simple! Neal is a very professional and patient trainer who helped transform a dog that wouldn't listen into a well behaved dog. We highly recommend Dog Training Elite AZ!!
Peggy Schwartz
Phoenix, AZ
Neal and Dog Training Elite have helped transform our terror of a pup, into a well behaved pup. The training starts working immediately following the first session. We are amazed every day by his new behavior. Highly recommend Dog Training Elite! Thanks!
Ryan Holmstead
Phoenix, AZ
I think Dog Training Elite AZ is the BEST training I have seen. Their dogs are an AMAZING example of how dogs should act...well trained & full of LOVE!!!! Can't say enough GREAT things about their work!!!!
Diane Balzer
Phoenix, AZ
Thank you Neil for changing our crazy German Short Haired Pointer into a attentive working family dog. We are amazed at the changes in just 5 weeks!
Rachel Matthews Hills
Phoenix, AZ
We have now trained two dogs with dog training elite and could not be more satisfied, Neal is always attentive to our needs and answers any questions whenever we have them. I would highly recommend them to anyone who wants to get the most out of there dogs. Our dogs are so obedient we can take them everywhere with us and we have so much fun. Thanks DTE!
Terrill Clouse
Phoenix, AZ
Aiden is the best dog trainer I've ever had. We accomplished so much is such a short time! I have two dogs, one a 2 year old Labradoodle and a 6 month old Goldendoodle. The puppy was crazy and out of control. He is totally normal and very obedient. I can take both with me anywhere without a leash and the stay right with me. If you have ANY issues with your dog, Dog Training Elite can fix them!!! Best money spent!
Barbara Godfrey
Lehi, UT
This is a great dog training program - we had tried several other types of programs with no success with our dog. He is now a pleasure to have out in public and is well behaved!
Kate Loman
Lehi, UT
This was the best thing I have done for my dogs. My dogs learned quickly are it has made a much happier home. I love when people comment on how well behaved by dogs are.
George Weisenburger
Lehi, UT
Henry was pretty disobedient before, doing what he wanted when he wanted, and didn't listen to me at all. He got away with everything and it was making me crazy. I was unhappy and I'm sure he was too because I was always yelling at him. After training, he is super responsive. He responds when I call him, he isn't barking nearly as much anymore, and he's a lot more affectionate with me now. He's happy and so am I thanks to this training!
Jenny Read
Lehi, UT
Dog Training Elite helped me get my Baby Blu Service Dog certified. They met with me weekly and taught me what was needed to get her properly trained to be beside me in public. Don't know what I would have done without them. I would recommend Dog Training Elite to anyone who is looking into a Service Dog.
Randy Fujita
Lehi, UT
Aidan was amazing for my little muggin! We have stopped the bolting, aggressive behaviors have improved significantly, and the potty habits have changed dramatically. Aidan was so good to me as well. He was patient with me as well as my dog, which I appreciated. I was impressed with his knowledge and with the knowledge of those I spoke with over the phone when I needed some help as well. I highly recommend them! I am possibly getting a dog again in the near future and would trust them hands down for the next journey. :)
Kristina Peterson
Lehi, UT
Dog training elite has done miracles with my two dogs. Best behaved dogs at any park I take them too. Family and kid friendly first. Protection work has been amazing as well. Aidan and his team are next level. Highly recommend Dog Training Elite
Elias Fairman
Lehi, UT
Beautiful people helping families in special ways.
Carolyn McFall
Lehi, UT

Our Balanced Theory

We base our training around the "Classical Conditioning" model (aka "Pavlovian"or "respondent conditioning"). This includes developing conditioned or automatic reflexes to commands. In it's simplest form (after proper conditioning) -- when owner says 'sit', dog automatically sits without thinking about it. Our unique techniques ensure our program is a success no matter the behavior we encounter.

  • Empowering Owners

    We empower owners to train so 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 (ie. jogging, park, home).

  • Supportive

    We support owners in the off-hours (when training is "not in session").

  • Involved

    We work with all members of household.

  • Simplified & Customized

    We plan training around owner's schedule and require only 15 min/day follow-up practice.

  • Continued Training

    Additional programs / group sessions offered after in-home training.

  • Lifetime Investment

    We follow-up & are invested in owner's success long-term.

  • Satisfaction Ratings

    Our high client satisfaction rating sets us apart from competitors.

clas·si·cal con·di·tion·ng PSYCHOLOGY noun
                      - A learning process that occurs when two stimuli are repeatedly paired; a response that is at first elicited by the second stimulus is eventually elicited by the first stimulus alone.

Wondering if we have dog training services near you?

Our processes allow for us to easily complete our training services at your home or within the environment where behaviors manifest— such as in the park or around other dogs while you walk through the neighborhood! At Dog Training Elite, we provide professional dog training services in the following areas and more!

Free In-Home Evaluation Find Local Trainer

Dog Trainer

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Bonding with Your New Puppy

Bringing home a new puppy isn’t all fun and games. It takes hard work and commitment to build a strong, solid bond between you and your dog that will last all your lives. Here are some ways you can strengthen your relationship with your new puppy.

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