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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

  • Lisa Cheek
    May. 4, 2026
    Reina was great!!!
  • Christopher Blumenshine
    May. 4, 2026
    Worked wonders for our dog. Would highly recommend
  • Tabatha White
    May. 4, 2026
    I really appreciate you for coming over and explaining everything 😌 🙏
  • Pamela Simms
    May. 4, 2026
    Kelsie is so helpful and clear with her communication and demonstration of each skill. I highly recommend her!
  • Pamela Simms
    May. 4, 2026
    Kelsie is so helpful and clear with her communication and demonstration of each skill. I highly recommend her!
  • Laurie Jenks
    May. 4, 2026
    We are extremely satisfied with our training through dog training elite. We had an aggressive Dog that needed to learn commands, such as calm, sit, down, heal, place, break, off, and quiet. The training has made a huge difference in our dogs, behavior and attitude. We are now respected by our dog, and he listens and response immediately to commands Carrie gave a lot Information In a clear easy to understand series of lessons
  • Jamie Peppers
    Mar. 30, 2026
    Brennen is a great trainer. He is very knowledgeable and calms your dog so they get a good training session. We are glad that he is our dogs trainer!!!!!
  • Sully Mirzayanov
    May. 3, 2026
    She was a good trainer.
  • Tiandra Wilde
    May. 3, 2026
    Fantastic experience with Hunter! He is incredibly patient, knowledgeable, and positive. He taught us how to communicate effectively with our dog, resulting in much better behavior and a stronger bond. My dog loved the sessions and I learned so much. Highly recommend Hunter!
  • Alisa Grady
    May. 3, 2026
    Doug, Josh, Elijah, and the other staff really care and work hard to help you train your dog.
  • Sarah Tindell
    May. 3, 2026
    We are so thankful to the team at DTE Springfield for their expertise in helping our dog, Brody (and us!), during his two-week training camp. Two weeks ago, Brody was uncontrollable on our neighborhood walks, barking at every dog or person we passed. Not only was it embarrassing, but we felt guilty watching his world shrink to the confines of our house. We were also unable to have company over without keeping him secured in another room—hardly ideal for people who enjoy hosting. I eventually stopped taking him on walks altogether for fear of his “outbursts,” which is when I decided to look into local trainers. The glowing reviews are what sold us on DTE Springfield, and I am so glad we chose them. Kristi, Jeremy, Amber, and Madi were welcoming and thorough when educating my husband and me on each day’s progress. We left every evening with clear instructions on how to practice our goals at home. By the end of the two-week camp, I was able to take Brody to his first group class of about 20 dogs. Even in a busy park with ample distractions, I couldn’t believe it—my dog was silent and controllable for the entire hour. He stayed focused on me and the training he was putting into practice in the "real world." I left that first group experience feeling like I finally have my life back with my dog. Thank you again to the DTE Springfield team. They are upfront, encouraging, and they truly believe in you and your dog if you’re willing to do the work.
  • Michelle Madej
    May. 3, 2026
    Michael has been awesome to work with! My dog Loki is training to be a service animal, and since working with him, he has gained so much confidence. Michael is very knowledgeable about dog behavior and truly understands how to build both skills and trust. He’s also very communicative, kind, and easy to work with. If you follow his guidance and consistently put in the practice to strengthen the bond and communication with your dog, you’ll see real progress quickly.
  • Kaaren Powell
    May. 3, 2026
    I had a wonderful time training with Tonya from Dog Training Elite. I wish I had more time with her but she brought us over the top to make my Aussie a great service dog! She worked with us on task training, group classes are good experience, and the airport visit was great! She was great with TSA - even got a pat down! Sat and stayed while I walked through and then came to me on command! She was great and enjoyed the experience! This is her on the plane😎👍❤️. Thanks Tonya!
  • Christopher Soukup
    Aug. 6, 2025
    02 May 2026: As expected, another great experience with the team from DTE. The training focus is not to make the dog a robot on command but to really bond a resource companion with detailed explanation in behavior dynamics. Rhett's many years of experience really shines with every session. 23 Apr 2026: Rhett was absolutely awesome working with my service dog in training. I had a gap in sessions due to medical reasons and he was great with instruction and getting us back on a structured path. Dog Training Elite has gone above and beyond in accommodating me in a rural area by coming out an hour and half just to make sure we are getting the training and resources we need! Watching my dog progress after each session and getting the handler skills needed to continue work between instructor lead sessions is really an amazing to experience. 06 Aug 2025: First day of training was exceptionally informative. Julia was extremely professional and knowledgeable instilling confidence moving forward. I definitely know I made the right choice for my service dog needs. 18 Sept 2025: Fast forward into a few sessions later and still absolutely impressed with the level of professionalism and results
  • Nate Smithson
    May. 2, 2026
    Deidre came out for the consultation and we can’t wait to get started! She did a great job explaining the process and answering our questions. Still a long way to go but we feel like we’ve made the right decision going with Dog Training Elite.
  • Kelly Flynn
    May. 2, 2026
    We purchased the gold training package for our one year old rescue dog, Herman. Working with dog training elite and Taylor has been great! When we started, Herman barely knew how to sit and was reactive towards other dogs. Taylor engaged our entire family, including our senior dog, Ellie, during the at home training sessions which was nice. The personalized at home sessions taught Herman the sit, off, quiet, down, place, and heel commands. Taylor was very flexible with scheduling our sessions which was nice. After the at home sessions, we began group classes. At our first class, Herman was overly excited and had to be calmed down in the painting lot before joining, but by our third class, he was almost non-reactive to other dogs and sits calmly in groups. Though Herman is still a bit stubborn with down and occasionally distracted during heel, I’m amazed at how far he’s come in such a short time. I highly recommend Taylor and dog training elite.
  • Micah Beene
    May. 1, 2026
    We found Dog Training Elite Greater Nashville while searching for dog training near me and couldn’t be happier. The trainers Rob and Brad showed incredible patience, kindness and gentleness. Their experience and understanding made our sessions smooth and effective. Highly recommend for anyone looking for obedience training for dogs.
  • Leticia n James Bollinger
    Apr. 28, 2026
    Absolutely amazing! So patient with all my questions. Very clear with directions and helpful with proper training.
  • Kevin Mallory
    May. 1, 2026
    Charlie and the staff at DTE were awesome with our year old Malamute / Border Collie mix, who was a handful to say the least. He just finished his two-week program. Charlie was so nice and very caring about our dog, and she took great care of him. Our dog has significantly improved his manners, is far less impulsive, and has gotten so much better on walks and runs. We know we still have work to do, but DTE created a great foundation that we will continue to build on and develop from. But the difference they have made in him already is like night and day.
  • Lauren Unger
    May. 1, 2026
    Rhett was fabulous!! Our six month dog had no awareness of his back legs couldn’t jump on the couch. I had to pick him up and carry him into the car. He couldn’t jump down from the couch or off the bed. In one session, Duke learned “place”. He had him jumping on top of picnic tables. Sitting and staying in this place. Took us to the car and trained him getting in and out of the car by himself. I didn’t think Duke could do it and I was so impressed!!! Getting him trained with this company and with him has been absolutely wonderful and highly recommend it. So much gets done in just one session. He talks you through everything. You understand the process of the way the brain works with the dog and the reasonings behind how they’re training them and why they do it that way. Five stars all the way, and if I could give more, I would! Lauren Unger