I recently brought a 4 year old, 80lb Labrador home. Everything was great until we attempted the stairs in my home. He had never been up or down stairs before. With some encouragement, he was able to make it up the stairs on his own. The problem started when I tried to get him down the stairs... :) Understandably, he was very nervous to attempt going down the stairs. I tried encouragement, treats and even pulling him with his leash with no success. It was late on a Sunday evening and I was very concerned that I wouldn't be able to get him downstairs. I had called at least a dozen different resources for help with no success. I was grasping for straws when Donny from Dog Training Elite returned my voicemail. He was very calm, polite and professional. He walked me through how I needed to take a leadership role and coached me through the steps w/ my dog. In less than 15 minutes, I was able to successfully walk my dog down the stairs w/ great relief! I've been continuing to work w/ him and now he's going up and down the stairs with more confidence each time and i expect he'll be doing it on his own soon. I want to thank Donny for helping me AFTER HOURS on a Sunday evening in a desperate situation. I highly recommend this company!

Have really enjoyed working with Donny and team both individually and in group classes with our Aussie. Dog Training Elite put together a customized plan to work on Badger’s areas to improve and her behavior is sooo much better. Donny was available both in and out of session to answer questions and encourage us when things were tough. Lately, Badger has been joining the Saturday group classes to continue to socialize and grow. We couldn’t be happier with the results and wholeheartedly recommend DTE for your dog.

Mia is amazing!

Before Donny and DTE Austin while walking my dog Khalifa if I saw another dog coming towards us, I would move into a driveway or a yard to let them pass. After the first class with Donny I was actively looking for dogs to walk by on the sidewalk. Donny taught me how to have confidence to walk Khalifa by any dog. Fast forward five weeks, we've completed our 5 private lessons and both Khalifa and I are enjoying our walks together. She makes better decisions, is more relaxed, and I no longer have anxiety while walking my dog. Choosing DTE will be the best decision you make for you and your dog. The moment you meet Donny, see how professional he is and how positively your dog responds, you will know you made the right decision. You're the best! Diane & Tim

We cannot express enough how grateful we are to have found Dog Training Elite Austin. From our very first session, we knew we were in excellent hands. Our dog, Olivia, has made incredible progress thanks to the expertise and dedication of Donny, the outstanding trainer and owner. Donny's deep understanding of dog behavior and his patient, positive training methods has made our first experience as dog owners wonderful! Donny's passion for what he does shines through in every interaction. He is always professional, encouraging, and genuinely invested in Olivia's success. It's clear he loves what he does, and his enthusiasm is contagious. We always look forward to our training sessions, knowing that Olivia is in the best possible hands and meeting plenty of furry friends along the way. Thank you, Donny and Dog Training Elite Austin, for helping us build a stronger bond with Olivia and for giving her the tools to thrive. We highly recommend Dog Training Elite Austin to anyone looking for top-notch dog training services!

Donny is the man! I love my 4.5 yr old shelter pup, but I could not get him to stop barking at every door knock or new visitor as our family got ready to add a baby to the mix. Within 5 weeks, not only is the excess barking pretty much a thing of the past (it’s on me to be a good trainer and get him the last 5% if the way), he’s also a much better walker/heeler, does better interacting with other dogs, and is much more calm in general. Thanks Donny!

I wish it were possible to give more than 5 stars. We have worked with DTE Austin since bringing home our puppy in September. Between September and April, we have seen our puppy transform from being nervous on walks and a destructive girl inside to being confident off leash and a joy in our household. Donny does a great job of caring for your pet, but also making sure that you have the resources to train them properly. Donny does a wonderful job of making himself available at all times. We have called and texted him more times than I can count with questions or updates on how our girl is doing. While this program is a big investment, both financially and in time, it is SO worth the commitment.

Fantastic experience all around. Thorough, detailed, helpful, insightful, and willing to adapt to any experience your dog brings to training

Donny completely changed my relationship with our puppy, Kobe. He was a big, energetic, Lab puppy who outweighed both my kids by 4 months old. I was at the end of my rope and Donny was so empathetic and understanding. He came in and showed me that Lab puppies can be calm in the chaos, and can be well trained while young. He has taught us so much in such a short period of time. I tell everyone with a dog that they need to meet Donny. He is amazing!

Dog Training Elite is simply outstanding! From the moment we began training with our corgi Leo, they treated us like family. The staff is incredibly supportive and kind, and their trainers are top-notch. They took the time to understand Leo's needs and provided us with invaluable guidance. Thanks to them, Leo has made remarkable progress. We've recommended Dog Training Elite to friends and family because we couldn't be happier with the results. Five stars all the way!

A 5-start rating is not accidental. Donny is one of the best trainers I’ve ever worked with. Definitely the best in Austin area. I was a bit hesitant in the beginning because of the use of e-collar but with some education, patience, and trusting the process now I realize it was the best decision for both me and my dog. I strongly recommend hiring Donny. He will not disappoint.

Donny has been absolutely amazing! He gained our trust during the free evaluation, and we were very excited to work with him. During the 4 weeks of training, he did not disappoint. He taught our two dogs (4 yo terrier/poodle and 9 mo terrier/chihuahua) practical skills, which gave us and our dogs more confidence, and he helped us all be less anxious. Donny is extremely knowledgeable and had solutions to every unwanted behavior. He was patient with us and took the time to answer every question. He has given us a new life with our dogs!

After months of attempting different forms of training for our 7 month old Golden Retriever, Molson - my partner and I both felt we had reached our wits end with the constant biting, pulling and jumping. We were told by other programs he was just stubborn and defiant and that couldn’t be changed. I was constantly scouring the internet for any advice on training dogs with similar personalities, but always ended up completely hopeless. After a referral from a friend, we got in touch with Dog Training Elite (Donny) and from the first visit, we immediately saw a change in his demeanor. After fives weeks, we’ve been absolutely blown away by the progress he’s been able to make. Molson now confidently walks on and off leash by our side, plays with other dogs/people and we’ve been able to build trust that has allowed him to truly be a dog. We cannot thank Donny enough for his dedication to Molson and the confidence he’s brought us in training, it’s truly been invaluable.

I am proud to say that Dog Training Elite is my 4th and final dog trainer. Persistent, aggressive and dangerous were all words that have been used to previously describe my dog, Elton. Strangers now approach us regularly, complimenting on how well-behaved he is. Before discovering DTE, I had invested time and resources in training Elton since he was four months old (he is now 2). Despite my best efforts, his reactivity and aggression seemed to worsen over time. After a negative incident at a dog park, his reactivity heightened, causing extreme stress for both of us. Taking him outside, even for a simple potty break, became a source of anxiety due to his unpredictable behavior. My anxiety only seemed to feed his, but after numerous trainers I thought I was out of options. We resorted to tailoring our schedule to avoid potential incidents in my apartment complex, and I honestly thought making our world a little smaller was the only way to protect him and others. Choosing DTE was a turning point. From the initial consultation call with Donny, I felt supported and heard. Instead of recommending avoidance strategies suggested by other trainers, Donny outlined the goal to bring Elton to "neutral" outside and towards other dogs (his main triggers). He even said by the end of in-home sessions, Elton would be riding in elevators with other dogs (I honestly had trouble believing this one). After the phone conversation, Donny provided an in-person consultation, and he remained confident in Elton's ability to succeed. In just a few weeks of weekly home visits and trusting the training and guidance, there were significant improvements. Elton began looking to me for direction, and walks became more enjoyable. Previously, he made decisions on walks, driven by fear. Now, he was heeling more, walking safely off-leash at times, and sitting by a busy street in a down position. Instead of avoiding triggers, I began to seek them out for practice (passing dogs, bikes, etc). Over time, I was building trust in myself and Elton, because DTE empowered me with the control and confidence leading to these major improvements. DTE's approach goes beyond dog training; they deeply understand both dogs and humans, and worked patiently with me to build confidence in myself and my dog, providing me tools to feel confident and calm in situations that were previously stressful and frightening. They were there every step of the way. In just a few weeks, they surpassed my expectations and ultimately Elton took an elevator ride with two other dogs - completely calm. The group classes haven't even started yet, and I can't believe how far we've come. For anyone dealing with a reactive dog, the stress of avoiding triggers can take a lot of energy. The trust I’ve built in myself and Elton has been one of my biggest achievements, thanks to the tools and support from DTE. Thank you Donny for making this incredible impact on our lives.

I recently had the pleasure of working with Dog Training Elite Austin for my dog, Dena. Dena, a rescue, had always been a bit anxious and faced challenges in various situations, especially during our walks. From the start, Dog Training Elite Austin stood out with their approach. They didn’t just offer generic training; instead, they tailored a program specifically for Dena’s unique needs. What truly amazed me was their willingness to go above and beyond. They didn’t limit the training to a standard environment. Instead, they took the time to visit the specific areas where Dena was struggling the most. This hands-on approach made a significant difference. The results? Nothing short of remarkable. Not only did Dena become more confident and less anxious, but our walks turned into enjoyable experiences rather than stressful ones. The follow-up group classes provided by Dog Training Elite Austin have also been incredibly beneficial, reinforcing what Dena learned and helping us both grow even more. Thanks to Dog Training Elite Austin, Dena and I are now living a much happier and more enjoyable life together. I can’t thank the team enough for their dedication, expertise, and the personalized care they provided. If you’re looking for a dog training service that truly understands and caters to your dog’s needs, Dog Training Elite Austin is the place to go. Highly recommended!

I have been working with DTE since even before getting my in training service puppy. They have been wonderful and informative throughout the entire process and are really with you every step of the way. I am incredibly impressed at the progress points we're at even at still under >23 weeks. I look forward to completing our full service training and am super happy to have heard of them from a friend. I highly recommend DTE's training, from behavior, puppy, or service levels. Top notch!!

Listen, training a dog can be stressful. Heck, just thinking about training a dog can be stressful, especially if your plan is to train and have a service animal. The folks at DTE Austin, help to take that stress away. From my first conversation with Donny, and boy was he patient with me and my million questions, I felt very comfortable with this company. Anyone willing to listen to and answer me, and take what I'm pretty sure was an hour or more out of his day (before I was even a paying customer), to help guide me through the process deserves higher praise than I can give. Jenny and Seirra are just as patient and amazing, too! This team very much wants their clients to be successful and have well behaved and trained puppers. DTE may not be the cheapest training around, but as they say you get what you pay for, and I have NO regrets about making the investment and journey with this wonderful, knowledgeable, encouraging, and extremely patient group of trainers. I cannot recommend them enough and I don't think 5 stars is enough either. They deserve so many more than that!

I reached out to Dog Training Elite truly defeated. I purchased a puppy a year ago in hopes of having a gentle companion for my toddler however, soon found that the puppy was not at all gentle. My husband and I previously attended puppy courses through a different training organization and he was deemed “that dog” in class. I soon came to the conclusion that we were not a good match for the puppy and was seriously considering rehoming him. Prior to doing so, I decided to give Dog Training Elite a call. In comes the amazing Jenny. She is not only a great trainer but, an amazing person. From our first in-home training session, I saw IMMEDIATE improvement in my dog’s behavior. Not only has his behavior improved but, his confidence as well. To see the change in my dog is remarkable. I can’t believe how close I was to rehoming him. My relationship with my dog has changed for the better and I see how great of a companion he truly is. The behavior that we previously saw (jumping, nipping, counter surfing, excessive barking, etc.) is no longer. We just needed an expert trainer such as Jenny. I can’t thank her or Dog Training Elite enough. I HIGHLY recommend this company.

We had not initially planned to hire a dog trainer for our German Shepherd / Malinois puppy, but luckily a series of events led to a conversation with the Dog Training Elite team. We have been working with them in Austin, Texas for 2 years and could not be more satisfied. Donny, Jenny, and Sierra will make sure you understand training methods - even if it means an impromptu FaceTime session - their commitment to your dog’s success in their tried and true program is obvious in every interaction. Beyond the individual training, the group classes have been the perfect testing grounds for teaching our dog not to react to others. You will not be disappointed if you’re working with the Dog Training Elite Austin team. DTE training was the best investment we’ve made for our dog’s success and quality of life - and yes they taught our 75 pound pup to stand on a fire hydrant!

Cannot recommend enough! Jenny and Donny are incredibly knowledgeable, passionate about what they do, and truly care for + treat your dog like it’s their own. We’re so grateful for the opportunity to work with them, and the greater life our golden retriever lives because of it. He’s now 7 months old and walks with us off leash, listens to commands, and gets SO many compliments about how calm he is. We smile extra big every time knowing that none of this would’ve been possible without DTE Austin! Thank you Jenny and Donny!!