203-433-6287 Call 203-433-6287 Free Assessment
Back to Local Training

Military / Retired Vet Programs

Dog Training Elite of Southern CT

Call 203-433-6287 Package Details
Request Free Assessment
Call 203-433-6287 Us
Texting Terms and Conditions
Request Free Assessment
Call Us
A military veteran and service dog - Dog Training Elite offers elite veteran service dog training in Connecticut.

Dog Training Elite

Military Veteran Service Dog Training in Connecticut

At Dog Training Elite of Southern CT, we strongly believe in the healing power of service dogs for military veterans. That’s why we dedicate our time and passion to providing veteran service dog training in Connecticut.

Service dogs can greatly assist with both the mental and physical challenges veterans may face after serving our country. Many veterans experience PTSD, physical disabilities, or other impairments, and our service dogs have been proven to help reduce symptoms and support veterans in returning to their daily routines.

Learn more about our programs designed for veterans and discover why Dog Training Elite is committed to making a difference in the community.

See Training Packages
A service puppy in training - Dog Training Elite offers veteran service dog training in Connecticut for those who have served our country.

Dog Training Elite of Southern CT

Why We Offer Service Dog Training for Military Veterans

Read More
Read Less

At Dog Training Elite of Southern CT, we are passionate about helping military veterans through the support of service dogs. We offer specialized service dog training options in Connecticut, backed by scientific research and proven by our own success stories.

In a study conducted by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, veterans paired with service dogs experienced a significant reduction in PTSD symptoms and fewer self-harm ideations. The mental health and medical communities increasingly recognize service dogs’ positive impact on emotional well-being and independence, making them one of the most effective tools for veteran recovery.

At Dog Training Elite, we are dedicated to providing exceptional dog training services that provide the tools and support needed for our veterans and their dogs to thrive, offering a path toward healing and better quality of life.

A beautiful golden retriever service dog - Dog Training Elite of Southern CT.

Popular Service Dog Breeds

Read More
Read Less

Finding a service dog that fits your individual needs is important, especially for military veteran support. While most dogs can be trained to become service dogs, a few breeds stand out due to their personalities and inherent traits.

Here are a few of the most popular service dog breeds:

  1. Labrador Retrievers: Labradors are intelligent, versatile, and eager to please, making them ideal for PTSD service dogs. Their trainability allows them to excel in roles like guide dogs, mobility support, and emotional support, making them highly adaptable for veterans.
  2. Golden Retrievers: Golden Retrievers are known for their calm, gentle nature and strong work ethic. They are excellent at providing mobility assistance and emotional support, especially for veterans with PTSD, due to their patient and loving temperament.
  3. German Shepherds: German Shepherds are strong, loyal, and highly intelligent, making them excellent service dogs. Their protective instincts and trainability allow them to assist with mobility, search and rescue, and provide emotional support for veterans.
  4. Malinois: Belgian Malinois are known for their deep loyalty and intelligence. Malinois are not for everyone due to their energy and drive, but for retired veterans who appreciate discipline, structure, and a deep connection, they can be life-changing companions.

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!

Call 203-433-6287 Free Assessment

Photo Gallery

See An Elite Dog in Action

An adorable dog obstacle training with Dog Training Elite of Southern CT. See Gallery
An golden retriever at a show demo with Dog Training Elite of Southern CT. See Gallery
A group of dogs being trained by experts at Dog Training Elite of Southern CT. See Gallery
An adorable Australian Shepherd on a place platform with Dog Training Elite of Southern CT. See Gallery
An adorable golden retriever puppy service training Dog Training Elite of Southern CT. See Gallery
A service dog and his veteran owner - Dog Training Elite of Southern CT.

Our Veteran Service Dog Training in Connecticut

Read More
Read Less

Service dogs undergo extensive specialized training to perform their tasks and assist their owners. Our training process involves a combination of obedience training, task training, and public access training.

  • Obedience Training: This training focuses on teaching a dog basic commands, such as sit, down, heel, come, as well as proper leash manners and socialization skills.
  • Task Training: Task training is tailored to fit the needs of each individual. It involves teaching the dog to perform tasks that mitigate the person’s disability, such as retrieving items, opening doors, or providing deep pressure therapy.
  • Public Access Training: This type of training is crucial to ensure the dog remains calm, well-behaved, and non-disruptive in various public settings. This training includes exposure to different environments, distractions, and social interactions to provide a dog that can confidently navigate public spaces.
A beautiful service dog standing outside - Dog Training Elite of Southern CT.

Service Dogs for Veterans & PTSD

Get Specialized Training with DTE Today

Read More
Read Less

Training with Dog Training Elite is tailored specifically for military veterans dealing with PTSD and other service-related challenges. Our programs focus on helping veterans regain independence, emotional stability, and confidence through the support of a well-trained service dog.

At Dog Training Elite, we are dedicated to providing service dog training that strengthens the bond between veterans and their dogs, guiding them toward a brighter future and supporting their healing journey.

Hear From Our Customers

Learn Why Dog owners choose Dog Training Elite

  • Edwin
    Jul. 27, 2026
    Jason came for the initial visit. We were impressed with his presentation and signed up. Illiana is our trainer who comes to the house and we really like her because she has a special way about her. Pia and Shultz get all excited when she comes. Both pups are responding nice to the training methods introduced at home and at the group classes. We are very happy with the service. Thank you. Ed an Cat- Pia an Shultz
  • Courtney Cole Hurley
    Aug. 12, 2026
    We had such a great experience with Dog Training Elite while working with our 8-month-old Golden Retriever puppy! Jason did our initial evaluation at our home and was incredibly thorough, attentive, and thoughtful. He took the time to understand exactly what we wanted to work on and created a training plan that was truly tailored to our puppy and our goals. We really appreciated that the approach was effective without ever feeling aggressive or overwhelming for our puppy. We then continued our 1:1 training with Iliana, and we saw tangible improvements from day one! She was patient, knowledgeable, and so great at helping both us and our puppy understand what we were working toward. The entire team has been flexible, friendly, and responsive, and it’s very clear how much they genuinely love and care about dogs. We’ve been so happy with the progress we’ve made and are looking forward to continuing our training with the group classes. Highly recommend Dog Training Elite!
  • Albert H
    Aug. 9, 2026
    From day 1 Eliana from Dog Training Elite was professional and taught us many things to work with Hazel. Hazel just 11 months and has a personality befitting a Shih Tzu so it was challenging but with patience eventually she caught on. We highly recommend DTE and look forward to Hazel’s group lessons.
  • Yani Lagoutis
    Aug. 1, 2026
    We’ve had a great experience with Dog Training Elite of Southern CT so far! The personalized training they provide for Hope has made a noticeable difference with leash walking, basic obedience, confidence, and socialization. We really appreciate that the training is tailored specifically to her rather than feeling like a one-size-fits-all approach. We’ve already seen a clear improvement in Hope and are very happy with the progress she’s making. We would definitely recommend Dog Training Elite of Southern CT to anyone looking for professional, personalized dog training!
  • caroline moore
    Jul. 31, 2026
    Jason has been an awesome trainer for Berkeley. We started training when she was just 12 weeks old, and she turned one at the end of April. In less than a year, my pit mix has become a reliable psychiatric service dog that I confidently take everywhere with me. Berkeley has flown with me on four cross-country flights between Connecticut and California, comes with me to all public places, and handles those environments incredibly well. The foundation Jason helped us build from the very beginning has made all the difference. Berkeley had some anxiety in certain situations early on, and Jason gave me practical advice and tools to help us work through it. His guidance helped build her confidence just as much as her skills! If you’re willing to put in the time and effort with your dog and follow Jason’s advice, you’ll absolutely see the results. I highly recommend him!
  • Lucia Hoyte
    Jul. 27, 2026
    We had a wonderful experience working with Ileana and the team. She was able to walk my fur son through all the steps. Scheduling was extremely easy and group session were a great experience. We made meaningful progress with socializing. I would recommend the team 100%!
  • Kyle Buchanan
    Apr. 20, 2024
    From the time my dog was 8 weeks old until now two years later I have taken my dog to Jason at Dog Training Elite of Southern CT for obedience and service dog training. His skill and expertise has been nothing less than exceptional. He taught me how to understand and work with my dog effectively bringing her to the certified service level she has recently attained. I am so grateful for all that he has done. He allowed me to gain confidence within myself throughout the training process. Training me to train her. Thank you Jason for all you have done I will always recommend you to others. I wouldn’t have made it as far as I have without your guidance and support.
  • Sandy Perreault
    Jul. 15, 2026
    Had a wonderful experience with Jason and Illana. My dog has taken large strides in controlling herself around people and other dogs. She's a terrier with a spicy attitude! Still have few more group sessions. Can't wait. I now have a basic idea on how to handle her.
  • wynne mccormick
    Jul. 6, 2026
    Me and my Catalan sheepdog mix/supermutt girl, Dooley, have been learning so much with Illiana, one of the best trainers ive met in my 27 years of dog-owning. Because Dooley loves to run, we've been focused on e-collar training so that I can take her off-leash to various areas and keep her safe and under my command. You think you know dogs and then you meet a trainer like Illiana and realize there's a lot more to learn! I definitely recommend Dog Elite and their trainers.
  • Laura Lorenzo
    Jul. 3, 2026
    DTE has proven to be the right choice for our GSD. Jason has put us on the right path for this training to be successful. Coraggio responds well to Jason. We actually feel like proud parents. This was money well spent. Stratford ,CT
  • Liana Smith
    Jun. 30, 2026
    We absolutely LOVE Dog Training Elite. Jason has been so great with our dog Rhodes. He was a very difficult puppy but with patience, persistence and guidance - he is now a well mannered member of society (most of the time haha). Group training has also been a great help. It’s exposed Rhodes to other dogs, people and environments which have helped widen his training scope. Couldn’t recommend them more - with every penny!
  • Laura Dupont
    Jun. 25, 2026
    Jason primarily helped us with leash manners for our newly adopted rescue pup. We’ve seen so much improvement so quickly and it has helped make walks more enjoyable for us all. He’s very generous with his time and happy to answer any and all questions as things come up. Highly recommend Jason!
  • Steven Albert
    Jun. 21, 2026
    My name is Steve and my dog is Nonna from Northford Ct ,We have just finished the platinum package from Dog Training Elite of Southern Ct, Training my dog to be a service dog. Lauren The owner and Wendy in the Office and Jason and Juliana, who were the instructors out in the field, going to multiple destinations to ensure proper training and socialization for our future together, was very stress-free and accommodating for times and destinations The training was so professional that everyone was relaxed through All the sessions during an after your final training when my dog is certified as a service dog, we can go twice a month for group training, which gets your socialization and training with other dogs. The veterans helping veterans nonprofit organization, took care of all the training needs in order to hit Our final goal thank you one and all It was our pleasure to have worked with you and thank you for all your help!
  • Tess Nogueira
    Jun. 10, 2026
    DTE has helped us so much since starting with them. We have two dogs that were working through a lot of reactivity and separation anxiety and the change we have seen in them this early on is so amazing. Jason has give us the training expertise and tools to continue to build on the foundation we have created, and that’s just in a handful of one on one training sessions. They come to you and work in your environment which is extremely helpful. Additionally, having group classes where our pups can continue their learning and be exposed to other dogs as well is a huge plus. I’m so happy we came across DTE. Their philosophy and the way they treat our pups is very thoughtful and done with lots of care. Couldn’t recommend more!
  • Mindy Meyer
    Jun. 2, 2026
    We had a really positive experience working with Jason for basic dog training. From the very beginning, communication was excellent — responses were timely, professional, and easy to understand. It was clear they genuinely cared about helping both us and our dog succeed. The training process was organized, practical, and tailored to our dog’s needs. Jason explained techniques clearly and made sure we understood how to continue reinforcing the training at home. I appreciated that Jason focused not only on teaching commands, but also on helping us build better consistency and communication with our dog overall. We saw noticeable improvements in behavior and obedience throughout the training. Basic commands became much more reliable, and our dog gained confidence and better manners in everyday situations. The results were absolutely worth it! What stood out most was how patient, encouraging, and knowledgeable Jason was during the entire process. He created a comfortable environment for both the dog and owner, which made learning much easier and less stressful. I would definitely recommend Jason to anyone looking for reliable, effective, and professional dog training services. Great communication, solid training methods, and real results.
  • Skye McCashion
    May. 28, 2026
    We were having behavioral problems that seemed to come out of nowhere with our dog. Everywhere we turned to seemed to judge us and acted as though we were bad dog parents. Until we came across Elite. They were so kind about everything, very understanding, and truly just wanted the best for us and our dog. Iliana is an AMAZING trainer. She really cares about you and your dog and walks you through everything that’s going on with your pup and the exercises in the training. We love having her come over and going to group sessions with her!
  • Lauren Richitelli
    May. 20, 2026
    I adopted my 2 year old American bully last summer, and I reached out to Dog Training Elite to start obedience and lifestyle training immediately in Branford, CT. Jason and Illiana were both great, giving clear instructions and helping me set expectations with Ziggy. They are also very responsive - I texted Illiana after having a particularly frustrating day with my little teenager, she answered immediately and was able to talk me through what I should do and followed up in our next training session. Ziggy is well socialized, calm, and respectful in almost any situation. I feel confident taking him with me in public places and it has definitely fostered a great relationship between us - he really enjoys training, and it’s fun to watch his brain work! The group classes are also a great way to socialize with other dogs in a professional setting - and they are located at some beautiful parks I’ve never been to which is a fun bonus!
  • WendyLeigh C
    May. 14, 2026
    We are in Brookfield CT and both trainers came to us for sessions, one of the biggest perks of this company. They were always on time, always super productive and fun sessions. Also very reasonable prices in comparison to other options in CT. We did the Gold obedience package for our puppy with the goal of doing service training down the line. It went really well and we can't wait to continue when he's a little older. Highly recommend, you will not be disappointed!
  • Austin Witte
    Apr. 23, 2026
    Jason at Dog Training Elite has been a tremendous help for us with our 2 year old lab mix who was dealing with anxiety, recall, leash pulling, and impulse control. Finn loved Jason and responded super well to the lessons. My wife and I were already decent at basic training from our older dog but Finn is a bit more stubborn and needed a different training method. Jason was patient and guided us through how Finn learns and responds to training differently than our other dog. We worked on lots of things to help confidence, leash pulling, and impulse control. Jason was flexible to meet for home visits, outdoor lessons, and even Home Depot. I would recommend him to anyone in CT but we were based on Glastonbury, CT. The group training is an awesome perk as well to build confidence around other well-behaved dogs. Jason and his team were super helpful and accessible for questions we had outside of our scheduled lessons as well.
  • Emily J.
    Apr. 23, 2026
    We have two strong-minded, high-energy young beagles. Jason is a magician. Professional, patient, kind, empathetic. A gifted teacher. Our dogs love him and yours will too. If you wish to resolve any issues concerning obedience, anxiety, and/or bad/dangerous puppy habits, Jason is the answer. Well worth the investment in the quality of life for all. Loren is also a pleasure with whom to do business. A+ for this enterprise.
Reviews & Testimonials