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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.

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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

  • M Sarmiento
    Dec. 31, 2025
    We have been really happy with Elite dog training. We have 2 muts. We have a 11 year old and an 2 year old and they are learning a lot. Parker is excellent with both dogs and has helped us learn a lot as well. We have really seen a significant improvement in the dogs already. We would highly recommend Parker and Elite training!
  • jordan jensen
    Dec. 31, 2025
    This has been the best dog training experience we could have asked for. Our dog has learned so much and is well on the way to becoming an excellent service dog. We are incredibly grateful to the wonderful trainers who have supported our puppy’s growth and progress. Reina has been our primary trainer, and she has been outstanding and always patient, knowledgeable, and incredibly helpful in answering all of our questions. We truly appreciate all of her guidance and support.
  • Odette Lopez
    Dec. 31, 2025
    Experience/expertise, friendly and collaborative.
  • Brian Fritzel
    Dec. 31, 2025
    5 out of 5 stars – Highly Recommend Dog Training Elite! I just completed the obedience training program at Dog Training Elite with my Belgian Malinois, and I couldn’t be more pleased with the results. From the very first session, the trainers were professional, patient, and incredibly knowledgeable. They didn’t just focus on teaching commands—they empowered me as the owner with the tools and techniques to reinforce the training at home, building a stronger bond and real confidence in everyday situations. My Pup has transformed from pulling on the leash and getting easily distracted to walking calmly at heel, responding reliably to commands (even off-leash in distracting environments), and just being an all-around joy to be around. The combination of in-home sessions and group classes was perfect for progressing from basics to real-world application. What stood out most was the genuine care the team showed for both dogs and owners—they’re supportive, responsive, and truly passionate about what they do. If you’re looking for effective, positive training that lasts, Dog Training Elite is the way to go. Thank you for giving us the skills to enjoy life together even more!
  • Christopher Snow
    Dec. 31, 2025
    Matt was awesome, I'd like him for the next group of sessions I schedule.
  • Simona Monnati
    Dec. 30, 2025
    Jess, the trainer assigned to me is superb both in knowledge and manners. She has been listening carefully to the issues I wanted to solve. After only one week of work I can see a great improvement. I recommend her to anybody interested in training. Nero (my dog - a big fluffy German Shepard) loves her… I can tell he is eager to start classes! Thank you Jess for your knowledge and dedication ! Simona
  • Suzanna Gallehugh
    Dec. 30, 2025
    I worked with Michael, and he was great with my dog Oliver, who is a terrier mix. Michael was very patient and showed me exactly what to do when trying new commands with Oliver and then made sure I was doing everything correctly on my own. He also encouraged me to text him with any questions or issues that came up in between our one-on-one sessions and responded promptly. Oliver was always excited to see him for our sessions, and I now have a much calmer, less anxious, and happy dog!!
  • Blair Dowdy
    Dec. 30, 2025
    Gray and Denise with Dog Training Elite Hill Country are amazing! Their communication was clear and timely, making the entire process stress-free. The training sessions were highly effective—my dog showed noticeable improvement after just a few visits. They are incredibly helpful, offering practical tips and ongoing support that made me feel confident in continuing the training at home. I highly recommend them to anyone looking for professional, caring, and results-driven dog training!
  • Denise Buchli
    Dec. 12, 2025
    Purchased the package where the trainer came to my house for one on one training for me and my dog. The staff provides great communication and ease of scheduling. The trainers are very patient and you can tell they have a love for dogs and use tools for assistance, not punishment. I cannot say enough about how gentle they are when training!!! We have now finished our 8th training session and I am very happy with our progress! Family members who have not been around since training has started said they can really tell a difference in my dog’s behaviors!!! This photo is after training- he is exhausted!
  • Laura Chase
    Dec. 30, 2025
    The one-on-one training for both me and my dog was so successful. Our trainer took the time to work through any issues we had and took a very personalized approach. The group classes with the other dogs was super beneficial as well. I couldn’t recommend them more!
  • Joshua Scranton
    Dec. 30, 2025
    Very professional and kind! They were very helpful with any and all questions I had about my dogs training and/or what each behavior he was showing meant! I would recommend Dog Training Elite Kentuckiana to anyone who needs or wants to have their dog trained!
  • Dan C
    Dec. 29, 2025
    Jess is so helpful and wonderful to work with. She is incredibly knowledgeable and puts my wife and I at ease every time we have a session. Highly recommend her to anyone who is looking for guidance and confidence that you are raising your puppy correctly.
  • Emily Cooke
    Dec. 29, 2025
    We started our four month old husky in the obedience training program and have nothing but great things to say about Angela, Sharon and the DTE team! Any question we had about training or the process was answered thoroughly and thoughtfully. The individual in-home training sessions were incredibly helpful to us and our puppy—Angela was positive, patient and tailored each season to get the most out of our puppy without overwhelming him. We’re so grateful to the DTE team for the progress we’ve seen so far and are looking forward to group classes!
  • Felicia Carrington Wilburn
    Dec. 29, 2025
    A well trained dog is a joy to live with. Our dog trainer Laydon H. was a pleasure to work with. Day 1 she had our dog Juliette a French bulldog under her control. She immediately reinforced positive behavior. She gave clear commands and was patient with us, the dog owners and our dog. More importantly she listened to our needs. She gave us a helpful tip on what snacks to feed our sensitive stomach French bulldog. Julieete enjoys her snacks now! Thank you Laydon was giving us the tools to have a well behaved and calm dog! During this Elite training experience we also met Kayla F. who was also a good dog trainer. Before starting the lesson she ensured we didn’t have any questions from the week before. She also reviewed the previous weeks training with our dog Juliette, which I thought was very helpful. We met trainer Patrick once during public training with our dog. He was knowledgeable and very patient with Juliette. He gave her praise when needed and even offered some solutions to a few questions we had. Elite trainers are the best of the best! My husband and I thank you all for what you have done for our family. Juliette is a complete joy now in our home. We feel confident we can continue her training with the tools you gave us! Thank you Elite!
  • Keith Harrison
    Dec. 27, 2025
    Jaime has been fantastic with my dog. He explains the reasons behind my dog’s behavior and how to go about redirecting him to the desired response. Jaime has a true gift with dogs.
  • Claire Butrimowicz
    Nov. 1, 2024
    Matt was SO helpful and a great teacher. He explained why with all the commands and showed me how to use the pinch collar which Marvin was very receptive to. It was a game changer and very little pressure needed for him. We made a good re-start today and I’m looking forward to the remaining lessons as well as many follow up group lessons!
  • Riley Doherty
    Dec. 26, 2025
    All of the trainers we have worked with have been great and the group classes have been great for our dog Bear. Marshall has gone above and beyond working with Bear and recommending the best places for our lessons so we can get the most out of them. Would highly recommend Marshall and all of the other trainers we have worked with!
  • Sandra Nolin
    Dec. 24, 2025
    My niece has a 110 lb. Chesapeake Bay Retriever (Benji) that at the beginning of training was out of control aggressive. In our first evaluation meeting with Marshall, I was so impressed that I told the gal at the office that we would wait for an opening in his schedule rather than opt for another trainer. Marshall's consistency, understanding of what our family requires, and his ability to work with many different types of dogs is amazing. I have a 68 lb Leopard Catahoula (Gracie) that we needed Benji to play nice with. Marshal, with expertise, patience and grace showed us how to make this happen. He always puts safety first. He has also agreed to give us some tips on integrating a third dog that regularly visits, a 25 lb. Mini Poodle, Yorkie, Shih Tzu designer dog (Ewok). I simply can't say enough about Marshall's level of professionalism, his calmness in handling not only the dogs, but the owners as well. He has given my niece so much more of a sense of confidence in herself and her ability to manage her dog. I'll try to post some pics later.
  • Donald Vervaecke
    Dec. 23, 2025
    They are the nicest and most sincere people I have ever met. Chuck and Kat are so good at training owners and their dogs! Thank you all for helping me have a better relationship with my dog .
  • Adam Jarvis
    Dec. 23, 2025
    Phenomenal experience. Reina has been a world class trainer not only for my Malinois but for me as well. We are both progressing at a pace I believe is perfect for us. Great company, great program!