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Military / Retired Vet Programs

Dog Training Elite

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A military veteran and service dog - Dog Training Elite offers elite veteran service dog training.

Dog Training Elite

Military Veteran Service Dog Training

At Dog Training Elite, we strongly believe in the healing power of service dogs for military veterans. That’s why we dedicate our time and passion to providing veteran service dog training.

Service dogs can greatly assist with both the mental and physical challenges veterans may face after serving our country. Many veterans experience PTSD, physical disabilities, or other impairments, and our service dogs have been proven to help reduce symptoms and support veterans in returning to their daily routines.

Learn more about our programs designed for veterans and discover why Dog Training Elite is committed to making a difference in the community.

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A service puppy in training - Dog Training Elite offers veteran service dog training for those who have served our country.

Dog Training Elite

Why We Offer Service Dog Training for Military Veterans

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At Dog Training Elite, we are passionate about helping military veterans through the support of service dogs. We offer specialized service dog training options, backed by scientific research and proven by our own success stories.

In a study conducted by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, veterans paired with service dogs experienced a significant reduction in PTSD symptoms and fewer self-harm ideations. The mental health and medical communities increasingly recognize service dogs’ positive impact on emotional well-being and independence, making them one of the most effective tools for veteran recovery.

At Dog Training Elite, we are dedicated to providing exceptional dog training services that provide the tools and support needed for our veterans and their dogs to thrive, offering a path toward healing and better quality of life.

A beautiful golden retriever service dog - Dog Training Elite.

Popular Service Dog Breeds


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Finding a service dog that fits your individual needs is important, especially for military veteran support. While most dogs can be trained to become service dogs, a few breeds stand out due to their personalities and inherent traits.

Here are a few of the most popular service dog breeds:

  1. Labrador Retrievers: Labradors are intelligent, versatile, and eager to please, making them ideal for PTSD service dogs. Their trainability allows them to excel in roles like guide dogs, mobility support, and emotional support, making them highly adaptable for veterans.
  2. Golden Retrievers: Golden Retrievers are known for their calm, gentle nature and strong work ethic. They are excellent at providing mobility assistance and emotional support, especially for veterans with PTSD, due to their patient and loving temperament.
  3. German Shepherds: German Shepherds are strong, loyal, and highly intelligent, making them excellent service dogs. Their protective instincts and trainability allow them to assist with mobility, search and rescue, and provide emotional support for veterans.
  4. Poodles: Poodles are highly intelligent and easily trained, making them great service dogs, particularly for those with allergies due to their hypoallergenic coats. They excel in roles such as mobility assistance and medical alert dogs, offering a versatile solution for individuals with diverse needs.

Get Your Free Assessment

You and your canine companion really can have it all. See how easy it can be to become a member of the elite pup society by requesting a free consultation today!

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A service dog and his veteran owner - Dog Training Elite.

Our Veteran Service Dog Training

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Service dogs undergo extensive specialized training to perform their tasks and assist their owners. Our training process involves a combination of obedience training, task training, and public access training.

  • Obedience Training: This training focuses on teaching a dog basic commands, such as sit, down, heel, come, as well as proper leash manners and socialization skills.
  • Task Training: Task training is tailored to fit the needs of each individual. It involves teaching the dog to perform tasks that mitigate the person’s disability, such as retrieving items, opening doors, or providing deep pressure therapy.
  • Public Access Training: This type of training is crucial to ensure the dog remains calm, well-behaved, and non-disruptive in various public settings. This training includes exposure to different environments, distractions, and social interactions to provide a dog that can confidently navigate public spaces.
A beautiful service dog standing outside - Dog Training Elite.

Service Dogs for Veterans & PTSD

Get Specialized Training with DTE Today

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Training with Dog Training Elite is tailored specifically for military veterans dealing with PTSD and other service-related challenges. Our programs focus on helping veterans regain independence, emotional stability, and confidence through the support of a well-trained service dog.

At Dog Training Elite, we are dedicated to providing service dog training that strengthens the bond between veterans and their dogs, guiding them toward a brighter future and supporting their healing journey.

Hear From Our Customers

Learn Why Dog owners choose Dog Training Elite

  • Julie Burns
    Dec. 11, 2025
    Henry is a Chihuahua with lots of personality who also has a rebellious side. I have never used a training service before and was very apprehensive about it. During assessment Kristi helped calm those fears showing the compassion of helping Henry. Henry attended the two week camp and after the first couple of days his behavior started to change. While Henry was learning new commands us parents were being taught how to talk / help him with life long skills. I am very appreciative and grateful for the team.
  • Jeff Martin
    Sep. 16, 2025
    Knowledgeable and understanding of the needs of different dogs. Knows when to train and when a dog is done. Happy to have her training my feral rescue and training me. Over the course of all the lessons, she has helped me understand how to train Cole and the results are a dog who initially was scared of everything and now is more confident and understanding of what is asked of him in various commands.
  • clyde baughman
    Dec. 11, 2025
    Alaina was fantastic. I actually learned more than the dog. She was very good. Fancy didn’t want her to leave. All you guys are great.
  • Laura Smith
    Oct. 16, 2025
    Jeff was great with our dog Sera, she loved him and his dog. We are really excited to start training with him. Had our 3rd lesson with Meggie and it was very good she have us great advice. Meggie and Happy were awesome to work with and she is very positive. Finally went to a puppy socialization class with Jeff. It was really good for my puppy and really showed me what I still need to work on. Seraphina did really well and I was super pleased. I definitely have my work cut out for me though cause she could careless about treats. She just wants to play. She was definitely ready for bed last night and she's still tired this morning..LOL Jeff was out today and he was excellent with Seraphina. She is a very stubborn alpha puppy and he really helped me to understand how to handle her stubborn side. She is already listening better, but i am working on being the alpha in or relationship. I had to tie her to my desk cause I told her to stay and she kept leaving. Eventually I was able to untie her and she stayed and fell asleep 😴 💤
  • Ray Scott
    Dec. 11, 2025
    Very knowledgeable and easy to work with!
  • Dave Ohlson
    Dec. 11, 2025
    I was at odds with my Dog Dexter. I was glad or should I say lucky that I found dog training elite emerald coast! They know how to teach your dog to do whatever you request them to do! I am so happy I went with their service! You won’t be disappointed!!!!!!!!!
  • Caitlin Bogue
    Feb. 11, 2025
    Had a follow up this afternoon because we've had a break from group sessions. I got great pointers on picking up where we left off and found out that we were better off than we thought which was encouraging. DTE does great follow up to ensure success.
  • Michael Kamens
    Dec. 10, 2025
    He did a great job explaining how they train
  • Erin Sanford
    Dec. 10, 2025
    Soooo helpful and patient
  • Matthew Dean
    Dec. 10, 2025
    Have a 5 yr old hound that had regressed and was super stubborn - after a week of camp and two home visits she’s well on her way to being a model dog. Ears are no longer for decoration but she listens and responds better than before, manners have improved, and she’s more focused.
  • Thomas Weaver
    Dec. 18, 2024
    Another great training session. Very happy with the DTE process and the progress in medical alert training.
  • Davina Martin
    Dec. 10, 2025
    Started with a dog that was all over the place! NOW he's calmer and the commands learned helps keep him this way!
  • Elena Stout
    Dec. 10, 2025
    I've had a great experience with Dog Training Elite Upstate SC. My dog, Riggins, has always been an anxious guy but since we've been working with this team his confidence has grown. Investing in this program has been one of the best decisions we've made for Riggins.
  • Shane Van
    Dec. 10, 2025
    Jan was a wonderful trainer and patient with Jolene. The training has given Jolene more confidence and she has become a fun pup to be around. Would highly recommend!
  • Edward Brey
    Dec. 10, 2025
    Dog Training Elite has been an incredible experience for us. Our trainer, Marshall, is outstanding—not only in training our dog Abby, but also in guiding us as owners. In just a month, we’ve seen a substantial difference in Abby’s behavior and confidence. I highly recommend Dog Training Elite and Marshall to anyone looking for effective, supportive training.
  • Stephanie Cisek
    Dec. 10, 2025
    McCall (and everyone else at DTE) was absolutely incredible—it truly felt like she treated Gunner like her own!! She took our dog—a well-known trash goblin—to a certified good boy. Gunner is seriously the most well-behaved and obedient boy now! He LOVED going every morning, and would even start whining in the car as soon as we turned into the parking lot! We’re excited to start the group classes to keep up on Gunner’s training!
  • S Saal
    Dec. 10, 2025
    Very hard to explain in few words how wonderful this dog training company is. You have to understand that not only the dogs are trained we, the owners, have to be trained too and all the trainers have the ability to communicate with both, remembering that dogs are easier than us parents!☺️I got all 3 packages starting from puppy to service dog. Max is 9 months old now and the difference since he started at 2 months old is amazing. Every single class Max and I learn something different, never boring. The group classes are fun because these dogs are alike having the same training and service dogs that already graduated are always present in these classes showing our babies the right behavior .
  • Bethany Hillman
    Dec. 9, 2025
    Megan is amazing. She has been super patient as we are learning how to train our puppy. She knows a lot about dogs and how they communicate with us. She has lots of ideas and solutions to our specific asks as well.
  • Debbie Ellen
    Dec. 9, 2025
    Jessica has been a God send for me and my boy! it is incredible the amount of knowledge she has. I am so grateful and so happy to have her as our trainer!
  • Joyce Ferrone
    Jul. 31, 2025
    Meggie was great. Came to our home, met our puppy and answered our many questions. We are looking forward to teaching our darling puppy to be a great dog. She taught us how to calm our over activated puppy!!!! So helpful