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What is a Therapy Dog?
A therapy dog is a dog that performs a service for other people. Typical therapy dog tasks are going to nursing homes or hospitals to cheer people up. For your dog to qualify, he/she must be friendly with strangers, and with training, be able to work around a high level of distraction and to understand personal boundaries, such as not jumping up, licking, mouthing, etc.
Research shows that therapy dogs can have a positive effect on a patient’s mood, stress, and pain levels during facility stays. Children, in particular, respond positively to therapy dogs. They are more motivated to participate in treatments, feel optimistic about the future, and experience an overall sense of calm when a certified therapy dog is present.
Therapy dogs can promote social interaction between individuals within communities that may not otherwise experience socialization typically. Therapy dogs offer unconditional love, non-judgmental interaction, reduce stress, anxiety, and loneliness and provide an overall positive distraction to ailments.
Goals for Your Therapy Companion
- Socialization
- Lower Pain Levels
- Motivation
- Provide Comfort
- Decrease in Stress, Anxiety, and Depression
- Promote Healing
- Increase Overall Optimism
- Ease Loneliness
Not all training packages may be available at our Dog Training Elite Central Nashville location, please reference our pricing page for complete information on services offered.
Therapy Dog
Therapy dog training is based on your dog's abilities.
$2,745
A therapy dog volunteers alongside you, where permitted, and provides comfort to others. Examples include cheering people up at nursing homes or hospitals.
A good therapy dog is naturally friendly with strangers, able to work around a high level of distraction (with training), and able to understand personal boundaries, such as not jumping up, licking, mouthing, etc (with training).
Training Equipment Included: E-Collar
- Puppy Selection advice
- Private, one-on-one training sessions in your home and the community 7 Sessions
- Group Training Classes 16 sessions
- AKC Testing
- Therapy bandana, ID Card, and Certificate of Training
- An exclusive directory of therapy events and locations for you to donate your time
- Come
- Sit, Down
- Place
- Heel
- Quiet
- Off, Wait
- Leash Manners
- People Manners
- Load up in the car / kennel
- Make a friend
- Choose one personalized greeting (high five, shake, hug, etc.)
- Top-notch off leash obedience
- Distraction Training
Emotional Support Animal Training
Emotional Support Animal training is based on your dog's abilities.
$2,745
An Emotional support dog provides comfort and companionship to its handler at home. ESA's have housing rights with medical endorsement (but not public access rights).
A good emotional support dog promotes improved mood through positive interactions, touch therapy, and maintaining a routine.
Training Equipment Included: E-Collar
- Puppy Selection advice
- Private, one-on-one training sessions in your home and the community 7 Sessions
- Group Training 16 sessions
- Come
- Heel
- Sit/Down
- Place
- Off
- Quiet
- Leash Manners
- People Manners
- Load-up (in Car or Kennel)
- No Jumping up (on people)
- One personalized Command/Skill (high five, shake, hug, etc.)
Our Balanced Theory
We base our training around the "Classical Conditioning" model (a.k.a. "Pavlovian" or "respondent conditioning"). This includes developing conditioned or automatic reflexes to commands. In its simplest form (after proper conditioning), when the owner says "sit," the dog automatically sits without thinking about it. Our unique techniques ensure our program is a success no matter what behavior we encounter.
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Empowering Owners
We empower Owners to train so their dog knows who to obey at all times. -
Personalized
We deal with problem behaviors on a personal basis. -
Environment Specific
We train wherever issues tend to arise (i.e. jogging, park, home).
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Supportive
We support Owners in the off-hours (when training is "not in session"). -
Involved
We work with all members of the household. -
Simplified & Customized
We plan training around the owner's schedule and require only 20 min/day follow-up practice.
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Continued Training
Additional programs / group sessions offered after in-home training. -
Lifetime Investment
We follow up & are invested in the owner's success long-term. -
Satisfaction Ratings
Our high client satisfaction rating sets us apart from competitors.
clas·si·cal con·di·tion·ing PSYCHOLOGY noun
A learning process that occurs when two stimuli are repeatedly paired; a response that is at first elicited by the second stimulus and is eventually elicited by the first stimulus alone.
We help your dog become a valued companion and beloved member of the family. Read what our customers have to say and then give us a call!
Had a great experience with Shawn and would recommend 10/10— Jake Holmes
Posted April 26th 2024
Had a Great experience at the Dog Training Elite Clarksville. High recomend. Shawn was super.— Penny Hale
Posted April 25th 2024
Dog Training Elite has been life changing! Our lab is now the most obedient dog. If you’re looking for dog training, look no further!— Lindsay Robison
Posted April 21st 2024
I love Dog Training Elite and how far my dog has come with her aggression towards other dogs. It has given us so much freedom with her now! I am so thankful!— Andie Haslam
Posted April 21st 2024
Working with Parker has been so helpful! I learned so much and my dog has made so much progress. Can’t say enough good things about Dog Training Elite!— Hannah Mason
Posted April 21st 2024
Shawn is great with the doggos. He did amazing with my pup. You can tell he takes his job serious and loves these animals.— Alex Fotias
Posted April 20th 2024
Shawn is amazing with our dog. The connection they share is as if they have been together for the past 8 years. Highly recommend.— John Buie
Posted April 20th 2024
5-STARS all the way! I cannot recommend Dog Training Elite enough, especially thanks to Parker, their incredible dog trainer. Parker's depth of knowledge and expertise in canine behavior is truly impressive. His ability to teach both dogs and their owners is unmatched; he breaks down complex concepts into easy-to-understand lessons. What's more, Parker's patience knows no bounds. He takes the time to ensure every dog and owner feels comfortable and confident through out the training process. If you're looking for top-notch dog training, look no further! Thank you Parker and Dog Training Elite!— Alisa Kellington-Welsh
Posted April 19th 2024
We love elite! Izabel is the best and our Goldendoodle, Nash has made so much progress!— Kami Harold
Posted March 30th 2024
These dogs are the most well-trained and behaved dogs I've ever seen!— Katie Gurney
Posted February 20th 2024
Wow, so happy with my experience here. The amount of knowledge that I learned from dog training elite was incredible. My pup and I are so grateful for the experience.— Timothy Ochoa
Posted December 9th 2023
One of the most premier and professional dog training companies I’ve ever been affiliated with! If you live in the area and you’re looking for a good trainer in, look no further.— Ethan Seegmiller
Posted December 8th 2023
We met with Dog Training Elite earlier in the year and decided to go with them to train our Great Dane Shada. We could not be happier with them. The transformation that she has made is nothing short of spectacular. Before working with them she was eating poo and was very misbehaved. Now not only has those been rectified, we went even further and had her trained as my service animal. Their attentiveness, natural ability and hands on experience are second to none. Thank you, Thank you, Thank you.— Jonathan Breckel
Posted November 28th 2023
Proud Sponsor of The Malinois Foundation
At Dog Training Elite Central Nashville, we believe that Service Dogs save lives. It is our mission to make these life-saving companions available to our Veterans, First Responders, Women Survivors, and Children with Medical Needs. Whether it be for PTSD, Mobility Support, or Special Needs, Dog Training Elite Central Nashville works with the Malinois Foundation to heal and empower these individuals with a specialized service animal, a partner in life, and a new best friend.