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

Service Dog Training in Cleveland, OH

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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
(participating locations)
Advanced medical training (participating locations)

Dog Training Elite in Cleveland Metro

Service Dog Training in Cleveland, OH

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 Cleveland, OH, 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 Positive 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.

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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!

Hear From Our Customers

Learn Why Dog owners choose Dog Training Elite

  • Alexi Cook
    Aug. 28, 2026
    The experience was even better than expected! The staff here are very friendly, I was nervous and excited for this journey, they definitely made me feel more comfortable with the training and were amazing with our pup! Our dog looked forward to coming in everyday :) We are excited for some group classes next!
  • Michelle Kollar
    Aug. 21, 2026
    I got the platinum Package for my Great Pyrenees, because I’ve never had a big dog before and was really nervous. Dog training Elite not only helped me to feel confident with my dog, but trained him onsite and in my home until I was comfortable. All the trainers are excellent. I highly recommend investing in your dog through Dog Training Elite if you want less chaos in your home. 😊
  • Angela Dephilips
    Aug. 14, 2026
    I am a master trainer who travels the country saving dogs in line for euthanasia, I met Josh and his team a little over a year ago and not only were they welcoming, friendly and supportive they allowed me to come work dogs with them and they have come over and helped me with my dogs too. The owner of this facility is transparent and very knowledgeable . I count on Josh for some of my hardest questions and hardest dogs. I highly recommend Josh and his team to anyone looking to level up their knowledge on working dogs or pets!
  • Mark Dephilips
    Aug. 14, 2026
    Amazing place great trainers. Josh came out tested a potential protection dog for us. Amazing work. 💯 great company
  • Andrea Adkins
    Aug. 5, 2026
    What an amazing experience we had. Our now 10 month old Mastiff started lunging and bitting strangers out of no where. After doing some research I desperately wanted people I could trust and had the experience to handle my pup. We met with Kevin and Brian. It was scary for me at first because of Dukes ( pup) reaction. They assured me he would do great. To be honest, I was scared to see my pups reaction and I wasn't very hopeful. We went with the platinum plan because Duke would receive the most exposure and hands on training that we felt he needed. Duke loved it. Day two he was waiting at the door to leave. I was unsure of the E collor but it turned out to be a helpful tool especially working with Duke and his lunging. His behavior changed almost instantly. We absolutely are working on strangers, but what a world of difference with him! And me!! They have honestly restored my confidence back. Brian and Kevin have taught me just as much as they taught my pup and I truly cant thank them enough.
  • Erin McGinty
    Aug. 5, 2026
    All I can say is “WOW, why didn’t we do this sooner?” We stumbled on DTE and had a great home consult with Kevin and Brian, who assured us our rambunctious 6-year-old lab (Rory) was indeed not too old to learn a few new tricks. All we wanted out of DTE was to have a dog that walked in a nice heel that everyone in the family could handle. What we got was so much better! Rory has always been a good boy (what dog isn’t?), but now he listens more intently and has some great manners. We could not be happier with the overall experience and support we’ve received from Kevin and Brian. They took time during the consult to make sure all our questions were answered, and made sure at the end of every day that we understood the commands and how to work with Rory. They spent time explaining why the training functions as it does and why the teach commands in the order they do. They addressed any training issues we had immediately and have been fantastic to work with. We cannot thank Kevin and Brian enough for listening to all our concerns with Rory and ecollars, for taking time to explain every training point, and for all the training tips/ best practices they gave us. We would recommend Dog Training Elite to anyone without hesitation If you’re wondering if it’s worth it, we say YES! Thank you Kevin, Brian, and all of the Dog Training Elite team!
  • Madeline Anderson
    Jul. 27, 2026
    It’s not often that we find ourselves saying something is worth every penny, but Kevin proved some things are! His true love for dogs and dedication to his craft shone through in every session. We find ourselves at least once a day saying how grateful we are to have gone through these trainings. They have sincerely made our day to day lives seamless and stress-free. Grizzly is more confident and happy than ever!
  • Shawn
    Jul. 26, 2026
    Josh and his team were absolutely awesome! They were professional, knowledgeable, and great to work with from start to finish. We saw a huge improvement and couldn’t be happier with the results. I would highly recommend Josh and his team for all of your dog training needs!
  • sarah
    Jul. 22, 2026
    Excellent trainers! The dogs are cared for like family!
  • Joyce Forristell
    Jul. 10, 2026
    We chose Elite Dog training based on all the 5 star reviews they had compared to other training programs. Josh came to the house and did a tremendous job of describing the program and answering all our questions and concerns- this was so important for us. Then Josh came back before we started the program and instructed us on the collar - again answering all our questions and concerns - we felt confident that we chose the right place! Josh is an amazing resource and a wealth of knowledge on dog behavior- he is calm- patient and reassuring! We brought our 8 month old Newfie that weighed 91#’s at the time for obedience training so that her size (she is estimated to get around 125#’s) would be manageable for us to control and we wanted good manners! After training we have a fantastic dog that listens, is happy and playful! We owe this great training to Kevin- Haley and Brian (not to mention Josh’s guidance) What knowledgeable - patient- informative and professional trainers!! Kevin was the Trainer that worked closely with Abbey and he did a FANTASTIC job! He taught us so much about behavior - training tactics and patient practices! What an Outstanding Trainer! Abbey took to him and trusted him and they formed such a bond!! Our experience with Dog Training Elite has been EXCELLENT and beyond our expectations! Reviews like this are appropriate because of their Professionalism and Knowledge Base!! Strongly recommend!!!
  • Eric Logan
    Jun. 27, 2026
    Fantastic training for my 4 year old Golden. My boy loved his trainer and responded very well to everything he was taught. I will also say the business is run extremely professionally. Very good communication at every step of the process. Every question I had was answered quickly and you can tell Josh and the trainer Kevin are great at what they do. I also like the fact that there are group classes every so often that you can train with other graduates of the program at a park.
  • Shannon King
    Jun. 27, 2026
    Josh was great at training and we couldn't be happier with how our dog rip has been. Highly recommend.
  • Andriana Rosa
    Jun. 24, 2026
    The Best decision we made for Cody and my family!! I honestly thought my dog, Cody, was untrainable. Cody is a 6-year-old, energetic Labrador Retriever who would pull us down the street every single time we went for a walk. We couldn’t take him to parks, he wouldn’t listen, and he had a hard time bonding with strangers. I truly believed that was just the way he was. Then we met Kevin. From the very beginning, Kevin was patient, knowledgeable, and incredibly understanding. What amazed me most was how quickly he bonded with Cody. Seeing someone connect with my dog the way Kevin did gave me hope that things could actually change. Kevin took the time to teach both Cody and me in a way that was easy to understand and follow. He never made me feel overwhelmed and was always willing to answer questions and help us work through challenges. His patience with both of us was something I’ll always appreciate. One of Cody’s biggest challenges was being around other dogs. Walks were stressful because he would react whenever we passed another dog, and I was constantly worried about how he would behave. Kevin worked with us through those issues and helped Cody learn how to stay calm and focused. Now we can walk past other dogs with so much more confidence. Today, Cody walks perfectly by my side. The pulling is gone, his bad habits have improved tremendously, and he listens so much better. The difference in our daily lives is unbelievable. We can finally enjoy walks, trips to the park, and family outings without stress. It’s honestly been such a breath of fresh air!!🥹 Words can’t fully express how grateful I am for everything Kevin has done for us. When I say we tried everything for Cody before the training, I mean everything!! At one point, we even wondered if Cody had sudden rage syndrome because of the way he would act. Our neighbors thought he was a horrible dog and that he would never change, but Kevin saw something completely different in him.Before Kevin We tried no-pull leashes, anxiety medication for trips to parks and the vet, muzzles, different training methods, and everything else you can think of, and nothing worked at all!! If you’re considering training for your dog, I cannot recommend Kevin enough. I had so many doubts and fears that Cody would never change, but Kevin proved me completely wrong. Thanks to his patience, knowledge, and dedication, Cody is a completely different dog today. Thank you, Kevin, for helping me build a better relationship with my dog and making our lives so much easier. I will absolutely be recommending you to all of my friends and family! ❤️
  • Penelope Koach
    Jun. 18, 2026
    Hayley is the best. Not only is she great at Dog Training but she’s a really nice person to be around.
  • Olena Fergurson
    May. 27, 2026
    Everyone was very professional, kind, understanding and very thorough in the training. Very accommodating with the schedule as well. I can honestly say that they exceeded my expectations of training my dog. Great place
  • Kerri Warner
    May. 23, 2026
    Highly recommend DTE! Perfect combination of on site training and in home instruction. Josh, Kevin, Brian, and Hailey are amazing to work with! My dog has amazingly better behavior!
  • Susan & Bryan Berry
    May. 22, 2026
    Josh, Brian, Kevin, and Haley are great to work with. The results we saw with Foundry have been amazing. Foundry is a very reactionary family member when seeing another dog, unknown person, and wild animals especially deer. We were not able to get Foundry’s attention during his reactionary episodes but the Elite team have brought him down from 100 to a 0 while also training us to do the same. We are not experts so will continue our due diligence to keep Foundry on the calm path forward. Thank you Elite team, you truly are elite!! Bryan and Susan. Picture is week after training!
  • Robin Oleson
    May. 15, 2026
    I sincerely can not express my gratitude for how professional the team is at the North Olmsted facility. I honestly thought my dog would be a tough dog to train, boy was I wrong, within a couple of days I started to see Moose transform into a completely different dog. I would highly recommend Dog Training Elite Greater Cleveland in North Olmsted to anyone that wants quality training with a team that truly loves what they do. Once again Thank you all from the buttom of my heart. Moose also thanks you!
  • Sydney Berg
    Apr. 22, 2026
    I have so many good things to say about Dog Training Elite, I don’t know where to begin! We did both of our dogs, a Cardigan Corgi and Teacup Pomeranian. The trainers helped so much. I was in the hospital and my boyfriend was taking the dogs to training. Everyday the trainers walked him through what my dog had done that day and let him take videos so I could keep up on training myself! Josh is a rockstar! He helped us through the whole process and was very understanding! If you are looking for training that will last and allow your dog to be the best version of themselves then I would HIGHLY recommend Dog Training Elite Cleveland!
  • Maxwell Rowe
    Apr. 22, 2026
    I can’t say enough good things about Dog Training Elite. From the very first session, it was clear they truly understand dogs and how to communicate with them in a way that actually works. They took the time to get to know both me and my dogs, tailoring the training to fit our specific needs instead of using a one-size-fits-all approach. The results have been incredible. My dogs are more confident, well-behaved, and responsive than I ever thought possible—and our bond is stronger because of it. What I appreciated most was how patient, encouraging, and knowledgeable they were throughout the entire process. They didn’t just train my dog; they taught me how to be a better, more consistent owner. If you’re looking for someone who genuinely cares and delivers real results, Josh, Brian, Kevin and Hayley are who you want. Worth every penny. Highly recommend! ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
A Dog Training Elite in Cleveland Metro owner smiling with his dog in Cleveland, OH.

Dog Training Elite in Cleveland Metro

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

    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 are often trained to support individuals with disabilities!

  2. Therapy Animal

    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.

  3. Emotional Support Animal

    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 Cleveland Metro

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 Cleveland Metro - PTSD Service Dog Training in Cleveland, OH. DTE

PTSD Service Dog

If you're looking to train a PTSD service dog in Cleveland, OH, 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 Cleveland Metro - Psychiatric Service Dog Training in Cleveland, OH

Psychiatric Service Dog Training

Our psychiatric service dog training in Cleveland, OH 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 Cleveland Metro - Mobility Service Dog Training in Cleveland, OH

Mobility Support Service Dog

Enhance your independence or help a loved one with specialized mobility service dog training in Cleveland, OH from Dog Training Elite. Our expert trainers teach dogs the skills they need to support their owners with mobility challenges.

Dog Training Elite in Cleveland Metro - Seizure Response Dog Training in Cleveland, OH

Medical Response Dog Training

If you are in need of a seizure response dog in Cleveland, OH, Dog Training Elite can help. Our training program is designed to help individuals with epilepsy regain independence and confidence.

Dog Training Elite in Cleveland Metro - Autism Support Dog Training in Cleveland, OH

Autism Support Service Dog

Bring life-changing support to your family with Dog Training Elite's autism support dog training in Cleveland, OH. 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 Cleveland service dog training with Dog Training Elite.

Dog Training Elite in Cleveland Metro

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 Cleveland Metro.

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 Cleveland Metro.
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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 Cleveland, OH with Dog Training Elite.

We Are Committed to Making a Difference

Choose DTE for Cleveland Service Dog Training

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At Dog Training Elite, we are passionate about transforming lives through Cleveland service dog training. Our proven, balanced training methods 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 Cleveland Metro and experience the difference that elite training and compassionate care can make.