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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 of Fort Wayne location, please reference our pricing page for complete information on services offered.
Therapy Dog
Therapy dog training is based on your dog's abilities
$2,595
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 GROUP CLASSES
- Private, one-on-one training sessions 9 Sessions
- Group dog training in the community Unlimited
- An exclusive directory of therapy events and locations for you to donate your time
- Certification/Testing
- Come
- Walk with you (no more pulling)
- Sit (next to you)
- Sit (off leash, at a distance)
- Down (next to you)
- Down (off leash, at a distance)
- Wait
- Quiet (stop barking and whining)
- Load up in the car or kennel
- Place
- Heel
- No Jumping up (on people)
- Make a friend
- One personalized greeting (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!
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
Clint is awesome. He listens as well as ensures your understanding of the method and why. Follo 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
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
I started my 15 month old German shepherd with Dog training Elite around 6 weeks ago, and Nathan has been amazing!! We (family and friends included) have all noticed a huge difference with Bear already. We used to have to lock him up in a bedroom when anyone came over, however this weekend we had my sons 5th birthday party and I brought him downstairs to see how he would behave, he was perfect. He was still ornery and excited, but he didn’t bark, lunge or even act nervous around anyone at the party (and there were a handful of people he did not know). I was even comfortable enough that I took off his muzzle and let him socialize for a while. This was huge for us! We definitely would not have gotten this far without Nathan and dog training Elites’ help. I’m excited to continue with the free lifetime group classes to keep him on the right path!— Jessica A
Posted February 21st 2024
Nathan was great! Excellent teacher and very persistent with our Lab. Very pleased with the outcome so far!— Sam Hupe
Posted February 14th 2024
They were amazing. My dog did awesome and loved the trainer. Every time he came over she was so excited to see him. Very friendly and loved the fact they come to your house to train in home with you.— Heather Franks
Posted February 10th 2024
Incredible. From the first session to the last, Clint was professional and changed my dogs behavior for the better.— Darby Maggard
Posted February 6th 2024
Nathan was amazing!!!! He worked with me and my schedule and helped both our dog and family! I would recommend him and this group!— elizabeth daseler
Posted February 5th 2024
Our dog had become reactive, and this is one of the best decisions we could’ve made. We went from being worried about taking him out in public, to being able to do it comfortably, responsibly, and often. Everything was explained to us clearly, and thoroughly as we were walked through the process and we finished our last session with more knowledge and tools than we expected, with the confidence of socializing our dog in the right way. I cannot express the gratitude we have enough!!— Maura Crist
Posted February 2nd 2024
I have a Presa Canario and Nathan and Clint went above and beyond my expectations. Not many will take on this breed but they did without hesitation. They are very knowledgeable! I highly recommend!— Natalie Kay
Posted January 22nd 2024
I have a Presa Canario and dog training elite has helped me train him to be the best dog I have ever seen! Presa Canarios have a reputation and they did not hesitate to teach me all the tips and tricks I needed to make my best friend the best! Highly recommend! Nathan and Clint are extremely knowledgeable and will make sure you know what your pup needs to be the best!— Natalie Kay
Posted January 22nd 2024
The dog training elite team breaks dog obedience down to help both you as a trainer and your dog. We now have the best dog thanks to this team! They have built up Cooper's confidence to make him less scared of the stairs and to behave better with other dogs. Thankful for Clint and his team!— Aly Rauch
Posted October 2nd 2023
Staff has been so good and patient with me and my dog. Very professional and knowledgeable!!— Kim Myers
Posted January 5th 2024
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.