Elite

Therapy Dog Training


Top Therapy Dog Trainers in Columbia, SC

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803-903-3647


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Contact Dog Training Elite Midlands SC

Or Call to Schedule FREE In-Home Assessment

803-903-3647


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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 Midlands SC location, please reference our pricing page for complete information on services offered.


Therapy Dog

Therapy dog training is based on your dog's abilities.

$3,175

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).

LIFETIME SUPPORT!

  • Puppy Selection advice
  • Private, one-on-one training sessions in your home and the community 9 Sessions
  • Group Training Classes Unlimited
  • Lifetime support via text/email and in-person support sessions to be scheduled at trainer’s discretion. (No more than once per month, after completing initial program.)
  • AKC Training
  • AKC Canine Good Citizen Testing
  • Therapy bandana, ID Card, and Certificate of Training
  • Practice testing for the Therapy Test, now or in the future
  • 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

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.


  • 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).
  • 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.
  • 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.

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!

Best dog training around! I have worked with several dog trainers with a previous dog and our youngest pup, Bailey. Justin is by far the best! He truly cares about each dog's well being and will end training sessions early if the dog is becoming too tired or stressed. After your 6 in home sessions, you then have the option of attending group classes where you'll receive further instruction, a chance to socialize your pup and guidance to help your dog be the best he can be. My Bailey went from ignoring me in the yard and afraid of anyone at the door to coming when called and remaining in his place while people enter the house. Everyone is amazed at our well behaved pup. Highly recommend Justin and his team!
— Brandi Blake
Posted February 3rd 2024
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I have a very fiesty Doberman Pincher and Justin taught us how to calm him down and make him obey. He was very calm, cool and collected. His experience with dogs is very effective. I highly recommend this company.
— Mattie Sanders
Posted February 3rd 2024
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Justin, Jeff, and Darlene with Dog Training Elite are AWESOME!!! Our dog Saint, a 90 lb. German Shepard mix is so sweet, rambunctious, and also very strong. At times, he is determined to do his own things on our daily walks which included pulling and dragging his walkers to wherever he wanted to go. We became increasingly concerned about taking our gentle giant on walks in the neighborhood. Justin is very knowledgeable and patient with both dog and owner (Saint loves to see him at the door!). Saint has learned the off, sit, place, and heel commands including heeling off leash - we have seen a significant improvement on our walks and general behavior around the house. They answered all of our questions and demonstrated the commands and "homework" as many times as needed to affect a positive outcome. We are pleased and grateful for their training and program. Thank you for all that you do!
— M. B.
Posted December 15th 2023
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Justin is an incredible dog trainer. He really cares about your dog's progress and wellbeing with a good balance of assigning and holding the owner accountable as well. Would highly recommend Justin and his Company!
— William Bossong
Posted December 14th 2023
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I thought my 9 month old Great Dane Menkoi was a show stopper before…but with the training and service that Jeff, Justin and Darlene provide, he is turning heads and keeping their attention for all the right reasons. The care, knowledge, follow up and follow through that they provide really have put us at an advantage and ensured that we’ll be able to take Menkoi everywhere we need to. Happy earlier birthday Justin!
— Tinsley
Posted September 8th 2023
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We started our puppy with Dog Training Elite for obedience training. Justin, Jeff and Darlene are great at what they do and very helpful. Our puppy is learning quickly with the program. Very happy with Dog Training Elite Midlands!
— Kayce West
Posted September 6th 2023
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The best dog training service in Columbia! We have two dogs, one of which is extremely stubborn and we had run out of patience and options. We did not know what to do and had even tried some other dog trainers and programs around. We were so skeptical of this working but it was our last hope. We originally just signed up our one dog and now we have both of them in the training program. Just a couple weeks in we saw a tremendous difference. It is so nice to be able to give our dog praise instead of always being frustrated and getting after him. Not only is the program great but the customer services in incredible! Justin and his family are kind, understanding, patient and so helpful. We recommend Dog Training Elite to everyone with a dog. Our sweet Scar and Mufasa love their training sessions with Justin!
— Ashlynn Rasmussen
Posted May 17th 2023
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I could not be more pleased with the training help we’re receiving from DTE. Both Justin and Jeff are a pleasure to work with and Kaci is quickly learning to obey new commands!!!
— Pam Webb
Posted March 29th 2023
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We have been Training with Justin for about 6 weeks now and Hazel has already learned so much. We have learned a lot too! Some of her behaviors we thought were untrainable have quickly changed. Hazel has always pulled on the leash and this is something we thought would never change. Hazel is now a pro at heel and our walks are so much more enjoyable. Justin and the other trainers are very professional and have been very patient and kind to Hazel. We strongly recommend Dog Training Elite if you have a difficult dog that you think cannot be trained.
— Michal Talley
Posted February 23rd 2023
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Our dashound Pepper would always be jumping on people, barking at people walking by, pulling on the leash when walking her. After joining Dog Training Elite, Midland, Pepper is a different dog, with only 5 weeks of training so far. She kneels, comes when called, sits, stopped jumping and barking. I highly recommend Dog Training Elite, Midlands. Owner Jeff Collett has done a wonderful job training Pepper.
— Donna Hladis
Posted February 22nd 2023
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Where do I start?! Justin, Jeff, and Darlene are all amazing! The communication and service has been excellent. Before deciding to trust DTE with training me and my pup, Justin and Jeff demoed their abilities to train , answered all of my questions, and offered training services without pressuring me. Justin has worked with me and my pup teaching us thoroughly how to work with each other everyday and answering every single question that I have had. My pup went from little to no obedience to knowing how to come, hold a place on many different items and surfaces, sit, listening to the off command, quiet, down, and heel. I am so excited to see how well we do in group sessions! I am happy I decided to trust DTE!
— Katrina Garland
Posted January 13th 2023
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We loved working with Justin and team for teaching us (and Minnie) basic obedience principles!! Our chiweenie, Minnie, has come a LONG way since we started her 6-wk program! I highly recommend DTE-they are extremely professional, knowledgeable, and caring people.
— Devin Banitt
Posted December 18th 2022
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Justin and team are fantastic. We are proud owners of a Chinese Crested Powder Puff. He is1 1/2 years old and has never had any formal training. We purchased the Gold Package and within weeks, they have turned our dog from a good dog to an amazing dog. We highly recommend them - you and your dog won’t regret it.
— Beth McDuffie
Posted November 27th 2022
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Justin and his family run a first class operation. When it comes to experience and customer service I do not believe anyone does it better in this line of business. Our Golden 'Sasha' enjoyed every session throughout the Gold package that we purchased. Worth every penny! Thank you Justin!
— Zach Woodham
Posted November 22nd 2022
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Proud Sponsor of The Malinois Foundation

At Dog Training Elite Midlands SC, 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 Midlands SC 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.

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