Stephanie is no stranger to helping people achieve their goals. From a firearms instructor to an expert dog trainer, this born and raised New Mexican brings a whole new meaning to bad-to-the-bone:) Her pooch, Cozmo, is pretty pawsome too!
With our expert dog trainer, Kayla, there is no monkeying around! Seriously! As a previous zookeeper, she trained primates, but now she is solely focused on canines. Kayla and her pup, Yuki, will bring good fortune to each of your training sessions.
Kayla’s been working with dogs professionally since May 2024, but her training journey started way back in fifth grade with her own pups (and her friends’ dogs too!). In the summer of 2023, she took her passion to a whole new level—training lions, tigers, and cheetahs in Oregon. Whether it’s house pets or big cats, Kayla has a natural gift for connecting with animals and helping them learn and thrive.
Robert S. is an experienced athletic trainer with a lifelong passion for animals. Having grown up with dogs, Robert brings a unique understanding of care and dedication to his work. Outside of his professional life, Robert volunteers as a basketball coach and enjoys hiking with his dogs, further showcasing his commitment to community and well-being. His passion for dog training enriches his approach, ensuring a balanced and healthy lifestyle for both himself and the animals he loves.
Lacey A. is a passionate dog trainer devoted to building confident, happy companions through adaptive methods fit for each dog. I love all animals and believe every creature deserves understanding and respect. When I’m not training, you’ll find me gardening, hiking, and sharing adventures with my best friend, Vader. Exploring nature together every chance possible.
John P. is a professional dog trainer with a quirky streak and a big heart for dogs. When he’s not transforming pups into well-mannered companions, he’s sipping strong coffee, listening to jazz, and channeling his creative side into everything he does.
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!
We had a wonderful experience with Dog Training Elite! John is an excellent trainer—professional, knowledgeable, and genuinely enjoyable to work with. He made every session engaging and easy to follow, and his calm, positive approach gave us confidence as new puppy owners. We saw real progress in our puppy's behavior while learning practical techniques we could continue using at home. We highly recommend John and Dog Training Elite to anyone looking for an effective, supportive, and enjoyable puppy training experience. Five stars!
Linda Newill
May. 21, 2026
I cannot recommend Dog Training Elite enough! Before working with them, our Cooper was over reactive, barked constantly, and would pull on a leash, even though he had already been through other obedience classes! Robert, our trainer, completely changed our lives. He came to our home the first nine weeks, which made Cooper and us feel comfortable. We were introduced to the e-collar, teaching us how to use it safely and effectively as a communication tool. The results were amazing! He no longer barks, walks on a leash and just passed his Public Access Test!
Thecla Johnson-Garcia
Jun. 18, 2026
I love the one-on-one training! Kayla, our trainer, has been exceptional. Marley was extremely nervous at our first training, but Kayla quickly settled him. She is patient with our dog and my husband and me. We don’t always get it the first time. She is positive and encouraging. We actually enjoy our training sessions which is different from our previous experience with dog training. I highly recommend Dig Training Elite NM!
Connie Buenafe
Jun. 5, 2026
It’s nice to sit down to dinner with 3 dogs and have a quiet, uninterrupted meal. Each dog knows where she’s supposed to be and stays there. Dog Training Elite has given us tools to address behavioral problems if they crop up.
mia aller
Jun. 2, 2026
I love working with Kayla C she is good with me and dogs
Karen Wall
May. 17, 2026
I contacted Dog Training Elite to help train my new service dog. From the first phone conversation, I could already tell it was going to be a good experience. I"ve worked with service dogs in the past, so I know good trainers and I know bad trainers. Kayla came out to my house to start the basic obedience, which was great. She was so patient and loving towards Helga. AFter that we started the group classes and these have really helped Helga socialize more and get used to the outdoors. We've been practicing for our Public Access test and hope to get that done soon so we can get to the service tasks. This company is very comprehensive and supportive with clients and doggos. I'm glad I found them before anyone else on my list.
McKenzie Thorne
May. 15, 2026
Kayla is the best! We have been working together to train my service dog, Baymax and things have been going amazingly! Kayla is patient, kind, and helpful. She listens to both mine and Baymax’s needs and training has become the best part of my week!
Brenda DeWalt
May. 14, 2026
I've been training with Kayla C., Kayla D and Abby. They've all been amazing to work with, I highly recommend Dog Training Elite New Mexico.
Gary
Apr. 19, 2026
Excellent attention and experience. Kayla was very attentive to our many questions. Wish I had found Elite long ago
vita pelletier
Apr. 8, 2026
Dog training elite was a great experience for us and our dog. Our trainer Robert was excellent!!
His knowledge and guidance made this a positive experience and we learned how to control and enjoy our dog.
Gus
Apr. 8, 2026
Kayla D was and is the most phenomenal trainer for my dog Ramon. Her expertise, patience, and genuine care has made every session engaging and effective. Ramon responds incredibly well to her guidance, and I’m thrilled to share that he is now service trained thanks to her exceptional coaching.
The team of trainers, including both Kayla’s and Lacey, has been incredibly supportive and wonderful throughout our journey. Their combined knowledge, encouragement, and personalized approach created a training experience that was not only successful but also enjoyable. It has been a lot of fun working with them, and the positive energy they bring kept us motivated every step of the way.
I wholeheartedly recommend Dog Training Elite to anyone seeking top-tier training, thoughtful instruction, and a caring, talented team. If you’re looking for excellent results and a team that truly cares about you and your dog, this is the place.
Gina Padilla
Apr. 6, 2026
Sending a big shout out to Kayla Collins for her professionalism.. she's the best dog trainer anyone could ever ask for.. thank you! from your friends..Gina and Lucy
Laurel Wright
Apr. 5, 2026
Steve is a really good instructor! The dogs took to him right away and instructions easy to follow. The dogs caught on quickly and easy to follow through for the remainder of the week. Highly recommend this form of dog training.
Jacob Lucero
Apr. 3, 2026
Could not be happier with Dog Training Elite in Albuquerque. Our dog Xochi was very reactive which made it difficult for her to enjoy many activities with us including walking in public around other dogs, having friends over to our house. Kayla C came to work with us and Xochi, helping us teach Xochi commands but also teaching us how to respond to Xochi's reactivity. After even the first session Xochi showed improvement. Finally the ultimate test was when Kayla C brought her own dog Axl into our home, and though Xochi wasn't thrilled, she allowed him to exist in our home, even sit in HER chair! The group sessions are very helpful as well, each time Xochi goes, she shows improvement and learns that other dogs are not always so scary! Now Xochi's quality of life has greatly improved because she can be at ease around new people and dogs, and she now has pack leaders who are learning how to lead her. DTE NM, Kayla C and Lacy could not have done a better job.
Tania Nevarez
Mar. 28, 2026
Great trainers with a lot of experience.
Cass Jane
Mar. 22, 2026
The weekly training really helped calm our dog down around people. We actually see a difference from day 1 to the end of training and going on walks does not feel stressful anymore!
Megan Thomson
Mar. 9, 2026
This company has really helped my dog's and my own confidence through our path to seizure alert and response training! Obedience training has come in clutch!
MaryJayne Rogers Ph.D.
Feb. 28, 2026
We decided to have our dog in training to become a service dog. He was born very timid and really struggled around people, noises, and other dogs. We have been working with Kayla C. from DTE. She is awesome! She is very friendly and easy going. Plus, she has an amazing eye for the dogs psychology and body language. We passed our Public Access test today and really thank Kayla for all if her help!
Sarah Wright
Feb. 22, 2026
Very good experience! We used Dog Training Elite New Mexico when two of our three dogs started having issues getting along with each other. After multiple emergency vet visits, we felt like we were running out of options, but our trainer Kayla showed us how to create a manageable pack environment. The dog we put through the program has come a very long way thanks to Kayla's expertise, and we feel better equipped to keep the pack in order. I appreciated that Dog Training Elite New Mexico worked WITH us on the issues so we could learn along the way and loved that they gave us the flexibility to work with our schedule. The group classes are a huge perk and our experience with those trainers have also been very positive so far. They clearly love and understand dogs and are willing to put in the effort to help their clients. Would absolutely recommend!
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.