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Service Dog Breeds
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. We've created this brief guide to review 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. Take the first step towards a better future with a trained service dog by contacting Dog Training Elite Fort Wayne today!
Popular Breeds for Service Dogs
While most dogs can be trained to become service dogs, regardless of breed, a few breeds lead the pack in popularity due to their personalities and inherent traits. Here are a few of the most popular service dog breeds.
Labrador Retrievers
Labrador retrievers are among the most sought-after breeds to be service dogs for PTSD in Fort Wayne due to their intelligence, versatility, and friendly nature. They excel in various roles, including guide dogs for individuals with visual impairments, service dogs for individuals with mobility issues, and service dogs for veterans with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). Labradors are highly trainable and possess a strong desire to please, making them ideal candidates for service work.
Golden Retrievers
Golden retrievers are known for their gentle and patient nature, making them excellent service dog candidates. Their calm temperament, intelligence, and willingness to learn contribute to their success in roles such as mobility assistance, therapy dogs, and service dogs for veterans. Their ability to provide emotional support and comfort makes them particularly well-suited for individuals with PTSD or other mental health conditions.
German Shepherds
German shepherds possess a remarkable combination of strength, intelligence, and loyalty, making them an excellent choice as a service dog for veterans. Their versatility allows them to excel in various roles, including mobility assistance, search and rescue, and service dogs for individuals with psychiatric or neurological conditions. With their keen sense of observation and natural protective instincts, German Shepherds can provide physical and emotional support to their handlers.
Poodles
Poodles are renowned for their intelligence, trainability, and hypoallergenic coats, making them popular for service dog training, especially for individuals with allergies. They excel in roles such as mobility assistance, diabetic alert dogs, and medical alert dogs.
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.
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.
Who Are Service Dogs For?
Service dogs offer invaluable support and assistance to individuals facing various challenges. Service dogs are sought after by individuals with conditions such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), mobility limitations, visual or hearing impairments, autism spectrum disorders, anxiety disorders, and more. Service dogs can help provide security, independence, and emotional well-being regardless of the specific condition. If you seek a loyal and capable partner to enhance your daily life, a service dog for PTSD in Fort Wayne can make a remarkable difference.
Service Dog Training
Service dogs undergo extensive and specialized training to perform their essential tasks and assist individuals with disabilities. The 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, stay, heel, and come, as well as proper leash manners and socialization skills.
- Task Training
Task training tailors to the specific needs of the 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.
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!
Clint, Nathan, and Janella were wonderful in training our GSD, Betty. They trained in our home and neighborhood, which was great for observing Betty in her natural environment. We regularly receive compliments on Betty’s manners and impulse control. For our previous dog, we used another local trainer for a 5 day boot camp at their facility. We found Dog Training Elite to be much more effective and have seen better results. We would definitely recommend them.— Kurt Beuchel
Posted April 28th 2024
Dog Training Elite is phenomenal. Clint and Nathan provided in home dog training for our 5 month old pups, Sami & Sofi. They were professional yet genuine in their training and methods. They made it an environment that was fun yet structured. As pet owner’s for years - we learned so much from them (as did our pups). This was one of the best investments we could have ever made, not only for our pups, but for us. The change has been truly amazing!— Jodi & Don Rowlands
Posted April 26th 2024
Clint is awesome. He listens as well as ensures your understanding of the method and why. Follow his training and you will have a dog that is adjusted and able to in public. No embarrassment from your fur buddy. You will not regret the call, unless you don't make it today. It's never to late or early to start training your dog.— *
Posted March 15th 2024
We started training with another trainer and it just wasn't working. Our girl wasn't catching on and she wasn't happy. We met a very happy Dog Training Elite customer and after their glowing review we immediately signed up. In just a few weeks Clint helped us take our girl from 'not so trained' to walking in a heel OFF leash! Her behaviors went from "meh" to 'what a well behaved dog!". She is happier and more confident. We couldn't be more pleased. Clint came and worked with our girl and taught us how to do the same. We put in the work between sessions and now we have a great dog! We highly recommend Dog Training Elite!— Alicia Scott
Posted April 24th 2024
I love Fort Wayne DogTraining Elite! Clint is very thorough and clear when it comes to communication! He gives excellent examples to learn from! We also had Nathan and Janella work with our dog and did an excellent job! I love learning from each of them and happy to be on the team! 😊— Zandra Kemp
Posted April 22nd 2024
BEST TRAINERS EVER!!!! Thank you to Hope and Clint making her an ELITE dog through your program!!— Janella Benitez
Posted April 20th 2024
Clint helped to train our two dogs and wow… they have never behaved so well! We will be going to dog training elite for every dog we own!! More than worth it!— Chase Twibell
Posted April 20th 2024
I highly recommend Dog Training Elite of Fort Wayne if you're looking for a well behaved friend. Our dog's change in behavior was very noticeable during the first session. He listened, paid attention, and was responding to instructions very well. Cooper has become more confident and well behaved. We can take him anywhere without worrying about him. Clint is the best!— Gary
Posted April 19th 2024
I cannot begin to say enough good things about Dog Training Elite of Fort Wayne. From day one of training, we noticed a huge improvement in our Rottweiler\blue heeler puppy. Our puppy’s trainer, Nathan, is so helpful, knowledgeable, and a fantastic trainer. Our puppy looks forward to seeing Nathan each week. We are so pleased with the results we have had so far and look forward to our puppy’s journey on his way to becoming an Elite Dog. We owe it all to Nathan and Dog Training Elite of Fort Wayne. I highly recommend them if you are looking to train your puppy or your dog. Truly amazing!!!— chris rimmel
Posted April 19th 2024
DTE is a wonderful family owned/veteran owned dog training company that exceeded our expectations. The in-home training started when our puppy was 5 1/2 months old. We are so thankful we started her young Clint has a real gift with animals training and customer service. Our puppy went from Jumping on everyone, play biting, face licking and chasing grandkids to being very well behaved. At Seven months old the grandkids can walk/give her commands, she helps round up the chickens without chasing them or barking at them. She goes to work with me and sits in “place” for an hour at a time when told to go to place. We are working so Hope will become a therapy dog and possibly dual purpose service dog for me for a medical condition. We cannot say enough good things about Clint and his company. We highly recommend them for any type of training.— Stacy Lyn Boggs
Posted April 18th 2024
Dog Training Elite Fort Wayne is phenomenal. Nathan is fantastic. Our puppy Beefy looks forward to seeing Nathan each week.— Nicole Freeman Procise
Posted April 18th 2024
Nathan is an excellent trainer. Our dog Dolly is extremely shy and normally hides if someone she doesn't know comes to our home. After 2 visits, Dolly would welcome Nathan. Her training has helped us immensely. She's even starting to trust some strangers. Would highly recommend Dog Training Elite for anyone who wants their dog to be more obedient and easier to handle— Larry Bergman
Posted April 9th 2024
Nathan is absolutely wonderful. He is very calm mannered and informative. My dog Leo looked forward to working with Nathan each week, it showed in Leo's excitement when Nathan arrived at our home. The training was educational and fun for Leo every session.— Stacy phillips
Posted April 5th 2024
Clint and Nathan are amazing! They are so patient. Jake, my dog, learned from them with ease. I would recommend their program to everyone. Thanks guys for all your hard work! You are appreciated.— Tori Franklin
Posted April 3rd 2024
If you are looking for the best experience and training for your dog then look no further. Clint and Nathan are the best around! They provide you with the tools and training to set you and your dog up for success!!!— David Reynolds
Posted March 17th 2024
Clint and Nate are amazing! We have two bully breed puppies that have completed in home classes and graduated to become the best puppies! I highly recommend them for all your training needs. We chose the platinum package, which includes a variety of different options for more than just obedience training and unlimited group classes which we will be attending as often as we can!— Lisa Reynolds
Posted March 16th 2024
Excellent knowledge of dogs. Provides positive reinforcement and guidance. Would highly recommend.— Donna Vanvlerah
Posted March 15th 2024
I worried my dog would be too old (almost 2) but Nathan was great with him and the foundational skills he taught us have made a huge difference in his behavior. As a large dog, having these manners in place has been a game changer for our pet and everyone else in the family, and I appreciated in-home lessons, which felt more applicable to our everyday struggles.— Courtney L
Posted February 29th 2024
I wasn’t sure there was any hope to train my very stubborn German shepherd. Nathan and Clint taught me how to walk my dog and work through his doggie temper tantrums. Now I can enjoy walking my dog and I am so proud of him. He looks so handsome as we walk through the neighborhood. I now have confidence to give my dog the happy life he deserves thanks to Clint and Nathan!— Beth Ann Hargrove
Posted February 27th 2024
We have a feisty Rottweiler ( year and a half old) and have been through several trainers. Dog Training Elite has given us true results. They are the real deal! One thing I really have appreciated is the consistency in training. Part of the time we worked with Clint, the owner— and he is fantastic, but then we also had Nathan, and we didn’t miss a beat. Nathan is every bit as well-versed and it helped having different people working with our dog.They are firm, caring, compassionate and knowledgeable.It is well worth the money. Don’t go cheap. Go Elite.— Gregg Hermance
Posted February 22nd 2024
Service Dogs for Veterans & PTSDTraining with Dog Training Elite in Fort Wayne
Dog Training Elite offers comprehensive service dog training programs designed to meet your unique needs. With our expertise and personalized approach, we can help your service dog develop the skills and behaviors necessary to fulfill their vital role in enhancing your daily life.
Service dogs are an invaluable resource for individuals with disabilities, providing support, independence, and companionship. Service dogs can benefit individuals with various conditions, including PTSD, mobility limitations, autism, anxiety disorders, and more. At Dog Training Elite Fort Wayne, we offer comprehensive service dog training programs to ensure your dog has the necessary skills to meet your needs. Our expertise and personalized approach will help you forge a strong bond with your service dog and confidently navigate daily life. Take the first step towards a brighter future by contacting Dog Training Elite today and discovering how a service dog can make a remarkable difference in your life.
Proud Sponsor of The Malinois Foundation
At Dog Training Elite of Fort Wayne, 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 of Fort Wayne 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.