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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

  • Cindy DiPrimio
    Feb. 5, 2026
    At first, I wasn’t sure if this was something I wanted to do. But after training with Nathan and clint, it was definitely worth it! We have much more control over our dog. He listens so much better to us. So everyone is happy! And they gave us the tools for this to happen. We highly recommend Dog training Elite!
  • Bruce Morgan
    Feb. 14, 2026
    Magie is slowly turning an over the top wild reprobate into a responsible citizen. One week and it's night and early morning, not quite day yet. Following him with a pooper scooper has finally stopped..it's a good thing he is so cute.
  • Deborah Tomoff
    Feb. 13, 2026
    I was very impressed with Dog Training Elite Greater Cleveland. All the trainers showed incredible patience for me and a deep knowledge of training. Most importantly, every single person there was so kind, so friendly and so helpful. Their clear instructions and personalized approach was above and beyond my expectations! I would recommend these amazing people to anyone!
  • Quenton Wellington
    Jan. 29, 2026
    Josh is awesome and does a great job. I would recommend him and this company to ANYONE looking for dog training.
  • Douglas Chan, MS, LPC S, CART
    Feb. 13, 2026
    If you are looking for professional service dog training, look no further than Jan, Alex P. , the other Alex and their team at Dog Training Elite West Houston. I wanted a company that would help me train our newly adopted dog, Groot, to be a service dog for my handicapped son. Their training philosophy is rooted in canine behavioral science, positive reinforcement , corrective actions, building confidences of both dog and the handler, consistency and clear communication, which helped Groot and I build an unbreakable bond. Here are some key highlights of our experience: Expert Instruction: They didn’t just trained Groot they also trained me (the handler) and soon my son to understand canine behavior. Customized Approach: Jan and Alex tailored every session to my specific needs and Groot’s personality. With this customization it allowed Groot to learn how to be less and less reactive. Professionalism: Jan, both Alex’s and the whole team are patient, knowledgeable, and always provide helpful follow-up notes after sessions. Thanks to their guidance, Groot is now growing into a stellar working dog. Five stars plus!!!!
  • Daniel Tropea
    Oct. 28, 2025
    Marshall did very well by us. He talks a little fast. But he’s very knowledgeable. In addition he’s very thorough when asking questions.
  • Destiny Harrison
    Feb. 13, 2026
    I would definitely recommend for pup training. They were always able to accommodate my schedule for training. Always on time! Day one was Information and my trainer had everything prepared and explained each week with clarity and a follow along pamphlet. Each week I met a different training getting advice and hands on training with my pup and different trainers. We even had puppy training with their own dogs adding an extra element for my pup. I am so happy with how obedient my pup has become. I wouldn’t have been able to get him to this point without them.
  • Jenny Carr
    Feb. 13, 2026
    I am so grateful I found josh at dog training elite. I had been to 4 other trainers with my german shepherd and was told there was nothing I could do that I should buy a kennel and crate for when people came to my home and to use a muzzle when out in public which to me was not a solution but after training with Josh, River is a completely different dog josh showed me how to train River to be cordial in public and around friends and family I feel so blessed to have found Josh. River and I are now considering joing a search and rescue team. If you are trying to decide if dog training elite is right for you or worth the money it definitely is.
  • Ann Justice
    Feb. 13, 2026
    I have a puppy and Anna has been super working with him and me. She’s very patient and great explaining and demonstrating what we should be doing. I was nervous when I first contacted Elite about training but Anna relieved all my nervousness with our first session. I’m very happy that I chose Elite and Anna and I’m excited about the future training that Anna has for us
  • Ashlee Levitch
    Feb. 12, 2026
    Payton, Jennie and the team at Dog Training Elite Austin are AMAZING! My puppy has learned so much, alongside my senior dogs who wanted to get in on the lessons. SO grateful for their help. Most certainly recommending them to all my puppy parent friends.
  • Kaela Thompson
    Feb. 12, 2026
    Del has been amazing to work with! Our dog has excelled each and every lesson! We went from counter surfing, jumping and mouthing to a perfectly respectable K9. The training plans a clear, organized and achievable. Dog Training Elite is worth every single penny! Do yourself a favor by investing in your furry family member! You won’t regret it!
  • Bonnie
    Feb. 12, 2026
    The entire staff is delightful. They treated our pup so well and were super patient with him (stubborn breed) and were so informative come pick-up time. They spent however long they needed to explaining the day and we never felt rushed to leave. Answered all of our questions and never made us feel stupid for asking them. We will continue working with them through home visits (the 1st one was fantastic) and group classes. If you're looking for a place to train your dog, this is it.
  • Kim Archambault
    Jan. 29, 2026
    What a fun week. This week was "down" which seems highly acheivable and can be added with other commands. Kurtis answered every question and was knowledgeable with canine behavior; mentioned situations we didnt even think of.
  • Melissa LaLonde
    Feb. 11, 2026
    Our 5-month-old puppy, Piper, just completed her in-facility training at Dog Training Elite Greater Cleveland, and we truly could not be more grateful for this experience. From day one, the staff has been absolutely amazing — knowledgeable, patient, supportive, and genuinely invested in Piper’s success. Piper learned so much during her time there — and honestly, so did we. The team not only worked with her, but made sure we understood the training process and felt confident moving forward. The communication, consistency, and care they provided exceeded our expectations. We’re excited to now begin in-home sessions and group lessons as we continue preparing for her certification test. We know we still have a ways to go, but it’s incredibly reassuring to have Dog Training Elite Greater Cleveland by our side every step of the way. We are so thankful to be partnering with such an outstanding organization. If you’re considering training for your dog, we wholeheartedly recommend them! — Melissa, Lori, and Piper 🐾🐶
  • Bryann-Rose Arnold
    Feb. 11, 2026
    This place is great! I have, or rather, had, a very reactive heeler. She would bark at everything and everyone. Snapping, nipping and if it weren’t for her muzzle maybe even biting. I did a consultation and the woman they sent out was great. Very friendly, understanding and overall very welcoming. My dog even stopped growling in her presence which I was amazed by. A few weeks later we had our first session with Kayla C. and she is now one of my favorite people! She has a great, warm personality. She did great with my dog and even now my heeler lets Kayla touch her. 8 weeks of one on one training with Kayla and I now feel SO comfortable taking my dog out in public. She had a dog get in her face the other day and she was unbothered by it. She’s had random people come up and have conversations with me, and now people are able to get closer than 20 ft. I’m so amazingly proud of the progress my dog has made and I’m grateful to Kayla for her help in guiding us through this. There was no judgment, just understanding. I definitely recommend this group of trainers.
  • Sharon
    Dec. 31, 2025
    Logyn was empathetic with challenges experienced with our now 22 week old Lab. We visited Lowes to expose our puppy to different noises. I had so much anxiety. Not knowing how she would react to the environment. But she did well. We worked on commands. Very good training, we have homework. Thanks Logyn!
  • Riley Stanley
    Feb. 11, 2026
    Del is a great teacher and very thorough in teaching the lesson and answering all of my questions. My dog is learning very quickly, and I’m excited to see how he’ll end up once the lessons are complete!
  • Barbara Philson
    Feb. 11, 2026
    Our training today was amazing with immediately responses from our dogs. We are so pleased with the training. 😊
  • Lynne Vendetti
    Feb. 11, 2026
    Kayla and Kristen were great! Made great progress with helping with my dogs issues in the first visit. I am very happy and I know my dog and I will benefit from their help greatly
  • Jon Kristof
    Feb. 11, 2026
    Outstanding trainers who truly value your time and expectations.