A service dog and their owner outside - find elite service dog training in Atlanta, GA with Dog Training Elite.

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Service Dog Training

Dog Training Elite in Atlanta

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Our Service Dog Training Could Help:

Veterans or civilians with PTSD, anxiety, or depression
Children or adults with autism
Individuals with epilepsy
Advanced medical training (participating locations)

Dog Training Elite in Atlanta

Service Dog Training in Atlanta, GA

The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) defines a service dog as “a dog that is individually trained to do work or perform tasks for a person with a disability.” Disabilities include mental or physical impairments that affect an individual’s ability to perform one or more major life activities (walking, seeing, etc.).

Because service dogs play such a key role in the life of disabled individuals, they are protected by the law. Places of residence, employment, and commercial facilities cannot discriminate against disabled individuals with service animals. If you are wondering how to get a service dog, you can either purchase a fully trained dog or purchase a service puppy and train it.

With our service dog training in Atlanta, GA, we ensure that your dog is trained to meet the specific needs of your disability, providing personalized support and empowering both dog and handler for long-term success.

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A man and his support service dog - learn more about our positive training methods at Dog Training Elite.

Our Pawsitive Approach to Service Dog Training


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At Dog Training Elite, we believe that successful dog training requires dedication, patience, and balance. That’s why we are committed to using positive reinforcement techniques in all of our training programs.

Through balanced training, our team helps owners build trust with their dogs. This approach is especially important for service dog training because strong relationships and communication are essential for dogs to reliably assist their handler.

By focusing on encouragement rather than punishment, we created confident, well-behaved dogs that are eager to perform their best and impress their owners.

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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FAQs

One of our trainers will visit your home to meet you and your dog and discuss any issues you're facing. We will then demonstrate one of our model dogs so you can see what you can expect after hiring our trainers. From there, we will discuss the various packages we offer and which we feel best suit your (and your dog's) needs.
We provide full obedience training that covers all basic commands, both on and off-leash. Our in-home visits target specific issues like counter-surfing, digging, and more. Unlike some trainers, we work with all breeds, including those often considered challenging.
Yes. You (and anyone in your family who wants to be involved) are integral to your dog getting trained. We need you to practice 5-6 days a week, about 15-20 minutes a day for optimal results.
Once a week. We come to you (with the silver, gold and platinum packages) once a week to start your dog off, then you come to park sessions which are held once a week in Atlanta.
We train dogs of all breeds, sizes, and temperaments. Whether your dog is a tiny Chihuahua or a large Mastiff, we have the experience and expertise to work with them.

Hear From Our Customers

Learn Why Dog owners choose Dog Training Elite

  • Kaitlyn Taylor
    Nov. 23, 2024
    The terms "professional," "personable," and "efficient" scarcely encapsulate the outstanding training and demeanor that Whit Gray provides! My dog had been labeled as "fear aggressive," as Whit accurately described. He would nip at strangers and exhibited discomfort with being touched, although he was comfortable around my family members. Additionally, he appeared intimidated by toddlers and unfamiliar faces in our home. After just four one-on-one training sessions, I observed a remarkable transformation in my dog! What I appreciated most about Whit was his patience and professionalism in his training techniques, complemented by his thorough explanations of his methods and their underlying rationale. He offered me reassurance and guidance on how to teach my dog right from wrong. Whit not only excels as a trainer but also maintains an approachable and responsive demeanor when I had inquiries about my dog's behavior or needed to reschedule sessions. His communication was consistently professional and efficient. I wholeheartedly recommend Whit as a trainer for anyone seeking a patient and skilled professional. Thank you, Whit!
  • Madelyn Spain
    Nov. 8, 2024
    Absolutely thrilled with the transformation our pup has undergone thanks to Mike and Gosia! Initially, I was hesitant about their training methods, but the results have been nothing short of life-changing. We had tried treat-based training, but it just wasn’t enough—she wasn’t really grasping the commands, and we constantly had to keep an eye on her. Fast forward to today, and she’s a trained service dog that I can confidently take anywhere. Her behavior garners so many compliments, and I finally feel the peace of knowing she’s well-trained and trustworthy, even around other dogs, thanks to the group training sessions. The group training has been invaluable, as she’s learned to follow commands amidst distractions, which has made a huge difference in real-world situations. Mike and Gosia go above and beyond—they genuinely care about the dogs and their clients. When our dog had surgery, they reached out to check on her, showing just how dedicated they are to the well-being of their “students.” Their passion for what they do is evident, and it’s clear they love their work. I can’t recommend them enough—if you’re on the fence, trust me, this is the best decision we ever made for our dog and our family!
  • Alaina Hornsby
    Nov. 8, 2024
    Mikie & Dixie have made SO much progress from training! Gosia & Mike were so patient with our newly rescued, very skiddish, dogs. The pups went from scattering like cockroaches with any amount of freedom or any noise to following us off leash in a Home Depot in the loud lumber department & following us down the path to our dock or wherever we lead them.p Thank you!!!
  • Rhonda Hazen
    Nov. 7, 2024
    Our 1 yr old English Cream Golden Retriever needed training for basic commands. Ashia was wonderful! She achieved what we had hoped for and our sweet pup is now well behaved!!
  • Karen S
    Sep. 7, 2023
    We are very pleased with Dog Elite Training. Gosia is amazing and was very thorough about training our baby Leia. We seriously recommended their services. Training goes a long way when it comes to everyday circumstances and we are glad that we decided to get Leia on board with their Gold program. Can’t wait to try their Therapy Dog program. We are so grateful about having all the support from Dog Elite to get Leia where she is now. Jessica was also very quick to communicate throughout the whole program and to accommodate schedule changes when needed. Kudos to their excellent customer service!
  • Jane Fahey
    Oct. 8, 2024
    Gosia and Michael Billedo of Dog Training Elite-Northeast clearly love dogs and love what they do. They are patient and disciplined trainers who know how to read both the dog and the dog owner to suggest what will help the dog to master all the commands. I recommend them without qualification to anyone who wants to enjoy the peace of mind of having your dog comply with commands.
  • Leslie Lady
    Sep. 19, 2024
    I can't say enough about Michael and Gosia. They were professional, great with my dog, flexible, and encouraging even when I was not learning as well as my dog. Thank you!
  • Alyse Santoro Martinez
    Sep. 16, 2024
    Michael and Gosia are a great duo in obedience dog training! They worked slowly and in detail with my dog that I thought would require aggression training. I learned of her reactivity triggers and how boundaries are so critical. I recommend Elite Training to anyone who is looking to make any change in behavior with their dog. You can’t not see a difference to follow!
  • Cindy Jacobs
    Sep. 14, 2024
    Mike was amazing in helping train Dolly and me. Mike gave me the confidence to give Dolly the best forever home. He was patient and encouraging to both of us and always listened to any challenges I was having with “homework”. I highly recommend using Dog Training Elite Northeast Atlanta.
  • Addie Rodriguez
    Sep. 14, 2024
    I’m not sure who Michael trained more - us or the dogs! We had a wonderful experience with Dog Training Elite from start to finish. I will admit, I was extremely skeptical that our two large, rambunctious hound dogs (1yr and 2yrs old) could ever follow commands or walk nicely on leashes without pulling my arms out of their sockets. If you told me I would be able to take them both out in public or even sit down at an outdoor cafe table while they laid at our feet I would have choked. But here we are! Michael is so knowledgeable and dedicated to what he does, and he was able to guide us in training two dogs with very different personalities with ease. While training was both a financial and time commitment (reinforcement practice at home is critical!), we found it to be completely worth the investment. He was very flexible in scheduling our training sessions as we have 3 active sons and a full time job. We have already recommended Michael and Dog Training Elite to our friends and family who see how much it has changed our dogs. I’m so thankful!
  • J Y
    Sep. 5, 2024
    Mike was amazing. I hired him to help me build trust with my American Pit Bull Terrier, Samson. Samson is 2 and started to experience anxiety when he was around children, working breed dogs, and select others. Samson knew basic commands, but he wasn't focusing on me which led me to hire Mike and his wife. I'm so grateful I did because now, Samson focuses on me, has learned new commands, and his an overall happier dog. I would recommend this amazing company to anyone searching for top quality dog training.
  • Kamaryn
    Sep. 2, 2024
    Gosia is the best! She not only taught my dog but she taught me as well! She gave me the tools that I needed to continue to keep up with my dogs training as he continues to grow. 10/10 would recommend Dog Training Elite Northeast Atlanta!
  • Mary Armstrong
    Aug. 16, 2024
    I love that they come to us for the training. They were very helpful and great to work with! Thanks for all the help with puppy training. We cannot wait to start obedience next.
  • Gail Walker
    Jun. 22, 2024
    Our pup is almost 2 years old and very headstrong. We have had 2 trainers before without being able to get him to obey. Mike was great with him. He runs to his place, runs to me when I call and does a great heel. I highly recommend them to anyone trying to get a well behaved dog!
  • Ellie Hamstra
    Jun. 17, 2024
    I have been working with DTE for about 8 months now on training my mini goldendoodle, Maya. Gosia and Mike have been extremely informative, kind, generous, helpful and encouraging since day one, and it has not dwindled one bit in these 8 months. Gosia helped me day - 10 (10 days before getting a dog) pick a pup with a good temperament for my needs and has been beyond amazing and wonderful every day since. They provide helpful documents, info and reminders; encouragement and availability via phone; clear communication with scheduling and payments; and personalized training in my house, out in public, and at the Saturday group classes. This has been the best set up for dog training for me: affordable, Mike and Gosia come to me, and they continually give me vision and aid when training is challenging. Together, we are training Maya as a service dog, but I know any level of training through them is nothing less than personal, doable, and enjoyable! Thanks DTE!!!! You’re changing me and Mayas lives for the best!!!!
  • Ruthi Lambert
    Jun. 1, 2024
    Whit and his family are incredibly talented at making sure that obedience training is accessible to the dog owner and to the dog. Whit is always available to answer questions, and he always shows up if help is needed. My dog Duke used to be dog reactive and was horrible at obedience. Now, Duke is a service animal. Whit changed both of our lives for the better, and his knowledge and expertise has not stopped since Duke passed his training. He continues to be a support and continues to offer classes. The customer service experience became more familial over time, and we are so grateful as a family to have him and his team be a part of our lives.
  • Ruth Lambert
    Jun. 1, 2024
    Whit and his family are incredibly talented at making sure that obedience training is accessible to the dog owner and to the dog. Whit is always available to answer questions, and he always shows up if help is needed. My dog Duke used to be dog reactive and was horrible at obedience. Now, Duke is a service animal. Whit changed both of our lives for the better, and his knowledge and expertise has not stopped since Duke passed his training. He continues to be a support and continues to offer classes. The customer service experience became more familial over time, and we are so grateful as a family to have him and his team be a part of our lives.
  • Zach Edenfield
    May. 30, 2024
    The training sessions were great. Very detailed and left a guideline after every session to get more practice in with our Wesley. He has learned so much and loves showing off his new abilities.
  • Ness Marie LLC
    May. 22, 2024
    This company is AMAZING! They are super patient and most definitely know what they are doing! I would def refer them to people! Started off as trainers and ended as a forever relationship! My dog can’t sit still as soon as she sees Gosia (who was her trainer) she gets super excited and happy and starts whining it’s soooo cute!! Mike and Gosia thank you for everything !! 💙💝
  • jewelya nelson
    May. 22, 2024
    BEST TRAINERS OUT THERE! My dog started out a couple months ago and his progress is unreal! Gosia and Mike are FANTASTIC!!
A Dog Training Elite in Atlanta owner smiling with his dog in Atlanta, GA.

Dog Training Elite in Atlanta

Is a Service Dog The Same As a Therapy Dog?

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Many types of working dogs increase the quality of life for their handlers. The three main categories of working dogs are service animal, therapy animal, and emotional support animal. Each category covers different areas of support and different levels of protection under the law.

  1. Service Animal
  2. As mentioned above, service animals assist individuals with disabilities. Depending on the person’s needs, the service animal learns how to perform certain tasks. Guide dogs, for example, help blind individuals safely navigate their environment. Seizure response dogs respond to their handlers when the individual is having a seizure. Service animals are highly trained and specialized, and they are also offered the most protection under the law compared to therapy or emotional support animals.

    Dogs are not the only kinds of service animals - miniature horses, pigs, and monkeys are often trained to support individuals with disabilities!

  3. Therapy Animal
  4. Therapy dogs provide comfort and improve the mental well-being of individuals in hospitals, hospice care, retirement homes, nursing homes, schools, and more. These dogs must have a friendly, calm demeanor and be comfortable when handled by strangers.

    Therapy dogs are not trained to perform specific tasks, but they must be obedient and well-mannered. Therapy animals are permitted in some areas where pets are not, but they have fewer protections than service animals. All therapy dogs must be certified before they can offer their services to the community.

  5. Emotional Support Animal
  6. Emotional support dogs relieve loneliness, anxiety, depression, and other symptoms of mental health disorders. They provide comfort to their handlers, but they are not trained to perform specific tasks. Most emotional support animals are sensitive to the emotional changes of their handler and will remain close by at all times. Emotional support animals are not protected by the ADA, but residential buildings must permit emotional support animals.

Dog Training Elite in Atlanta

What Can Service Dogs Do?

Service dogs are crucial in assisting individuals with various disabilities and conditions, providing them with support, independence, and companionship. These highly trained dogs can perform specific tasks tailored to the needs of their handlers. Learn about breeds that make great service dogs, who can benefit from a service dog and the training that will help these pups meet their handler's needs.

Service dogs are a great help to disabled individuals thanks to their incredible ability to perform highly specialized tasks, like opening doors, switching lights on and off, assisting with balance and stability, guiding, pulling wheelchairs, answering phones and making calls, finding objects or places, unloading and loading items, clearing rooms, finding help, and many more. Service dogs improve the lives of disabled individuals by increasing their autonomy.
Individuals with certain diseases and disorders can benefit from a highly trained service dog. Dogs have an incredible sense of smell and they can detect the chemical changes associated with oncoming seizures and increases in blood pressure. Alert service dogs alert their handler to these situations to prevent a life-threatening emergency. Alert dogs also help those with extreme allergies detect potential allergens in food.
Disabled or epileptic individuals are more prone to emergencies than the average person. Service dogs are trained to alert their handler to a potential emergency, and alert surrounding individuals to an active emergency. Service dogs can also call for help on pre-programmed phones.

Additional Service Training Info

Dog Training Elite in Atlanta - PTSD Service Dog in Atlanta, GA. DTE
PTSD Service Dog

If you're looking to train a PTSD service dog in Atlanta, GA, Dog Training Elite is here to help. Our service dogs are trained to assist with symptoms such as anxiety, hyper-vigilance, and panic attacks, providing grounding emotional support.

Dog Training Elite in Atlanta - Psychiatric Service Dog in Atlanta, GA. DTE
Psychiatric Service Dog Training

Our psychiatric service dog training in Atlanta, GA helps individuals with PTSD, anxiety, and depression. We'll help train your dog to mitigate symptoms by offering emotional grounding and support during stressful situations.

Dog Training Elite in Atlanta - Autism Support Dog Training in Atlanta, GA. DTE
Autism Support Service Dog

Bring life-changing support to your family with Dog Training Elite's autism support dog training in Atlanta, GA. Our compassionate trainers work closely with your family and dog throughout the entire process, ensuring your pup is fully prepared to provide comfort, safety, and companionship.

A service dog at a ball game with their owner - get professional Atlanta service dog training with Dog Training Elite.

Dog Training Elite in Atlanta

Service Dogs for Anxiety, PTSD, and Autism

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Service dogs trained to assist handlers with severe anxiety or depression perform specific tasks that reduce the potential for panic attacks or self-harm attempts. Such tasks include deep-pressure therapy, tactile stimulation, alerting, clearing rooms, blocking strangers from approaching, and more. Service dogs trained to assist those with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) have greatly improved the lives of many veterans.

Service dogs also make a big impact on the lives of children with autism. Children with autism are often prone to meltdowns, have trouble communicating, and are quick to run off or become easily lost. Service dogs prevent and mediate all of these behaviors to provide a higher quality of life for children with autism and their families.

As autism is a spectrum disorder, each child has varying needs of assistance. Autism service dogs perform the following tasks:

  • Tracking: Children with autism often wander away, and a parent’s worst fear is turning their back for just a moment and discovering their child is gone. Autism service dogs will track the child if this ever happens.
  • Tethering: This task minimizes wandering, which is common in public settings. The child is tethered to the service dog’s leash or harness, preventing him or her from wandering away.
  • Behavior Interruption: Repetitive and ritualistic behaviors are typical of autistic children, as are meltdowns when the child becomes overstimulated. Autism service dogs recognize these negative behaviors and redirect the child’s attention when they start. A simple paw or nudge is all it takes to prevent a meltdown.
A service puppy waiting for their owner - Dog Training Elite in Atlanta.

How Do I Get a Service Dog?

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If you are wondering how to get a service dog, there are a couple of different approaches. Some service dogs are purchased outright, fully trained. Or a compatible dog is selected and trained from an early age. Training a dog from the start is the best option, especially for those with specialized needs.

Training a dog to perform service responsibilities must start from day one. Only certain breeds are suited to service work, and breeders put a lot of time into raising puppies to be service animals. Once you have purchased a service puppy, additional training is necessary to prepare your puppy for life as a service dog. This is a complicated process that involves various steps. Dog Training Elite makes getting a service dog easier with our service dog training program.

Our talented trainers can help select puppies that are prepared for a life of service from well-respected breeders. When these puppies enter the service dog training program they are closely monitored for behavior and temperament and can be fully obedience trained by the age of six months. These puppies undergo extensive socialization and additional training to ensure they are well-suited for service and therapy needs including specialized service training alongside the new handler.

This program is ideal for handlers who want to take part in the developmental years and extensive training of their service puppy.

A group of dogs being trained by the expert team at Dog Training Elite in Atlanta.
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Educate, Empower, Elevate, Elite

Victory Begins With Elite Education

A trainer, a man and his service dog - find the best service dog training in Atlanta, GA with Dog Training Elite.

We Are Committed to Making a Difference

Choose DTE for Atlanta Service Dog Training

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At Dog Training Elite, we are passionate about transforming lives through Atlanta service dog training. Our proven methods and positive reinforcement techniques help create highly skilled, dependable service dogs that are both obedient and loyal to their handlers.

From mobility support and physical assistance to emotional well-being and more, Dog Training Elite is committed to providing personalized, high-quality training that makes a lasting impact.

Choose Dog Training Elite in Atlanta and experience the difference that elite training and compassionate care can make.