The Beginning

Dogs are our best friends. They love us unconditionally, are always there when we need them, make us laugh, and are by our side when we cry. They can also be severe troublemakers around the house. Sorry, but there’s nothing cute about coming home to a destroyed living room—except for those guilty dog looks. And no one knows this better than John Mestas.

John worked most of his professional life in a traditional corporate role, and it began to wear on him. Then came 1976, when he decided “enough was enough” and made a life-changing decision to pursue a lifelong passion; dogs. He started Arrow Kennels, named after his beloved Golden Retriever, Arrow, as a traditional pet boarding service. Fast-forward to 2011, Arrow Kennels becomes Dog Training Elite and the rest, as they say, is history.

With the goal of turning your disobedient pup into the goodest boy on the block, Dog Training Elite offers customers innovative, in-home dog obedience services. Using decades of training experience, John and his team of experts began fine-tuning the training method that would eventually make Dog Training Elite pet franchise a huge success in the coming years.

Looking to expand the business, John and his team at DTE began to explore franchising. So, in 2014, the franchise concept for Dog Training Elite was tested regionally and continued to be tested and improved over the next five years. It was expanded nationally in 2019 and has now grown to over 170 franchise territories across 25 states and growing!

Need a little more convincing? Here is a breakdown of other facts to encourage you down the path of franchising:

• Massive Growth: Dog Training Elite is on track to quickly sell out the U.S.! In Q1 2022 alone, the brand awarded 20 Franchise Owners and 42 territories with zero signs of slowing down.
• Semi-Absentee Option: At DTE, you do not need to take on the role of dog training. Hire a lead trainer so you can focus on the business side, scaling and overseeing high-level operations.
• Work from Home: Our training sessions take place within the client’s homes, so there is no need for a physical training facility. Because there is no required buildout, Franchise Owners can get their dog training business up and running in 4-6 weeks from signing their agreement.
• Grow, Grow, Grow: 80% of Dog Training Elite Owners own multiple franchise territories because there is almost no reason not to! All that is required to grow into another territory is the additional franchise fee, marketing, and a Lead Trainer to cover the area.
• Recession Resistant: Dogs are always in demand. Pet adoptions skyrocketed with the onset of COVID-19, increasing by 110% in 2020. The demand for our dog training services has never been greater!
• Pets & Vets: At DTE, we do our best to give back in any way we can. Our non-profit organization, The Malinois Foundation, aims to train service dogs for veterans and provide individuals who have PTSD, physical disabilities, and other special needs with a dog that can comfort and assist them.

What Sets DTE’s Dog Training Franchise Apart?

Unlike many of our competitors, we tailor our elite dog training services to the individual needs of the dogs and their owners. The trainer will assess the pup's issues and develop a comprehensive program to get them on the right track. Our multi-environmental approach will ensure that your dog is well-behaved in any environment.

Our trainers' approaches aren't just, "Sit, stay, lay down, and roll over." Dog Training Elite offers seven different types of dog training: Obedience Training, Puppy Services, Service Dog Training, Personal Protection, Anxiety & Aggression Training, Service Dogs for Military/Retired Veterans, and Therapy Animal Training. We also offer Group Classes designed to place clients and their dogs in public places (surrounded by other dogs, people, smells, and sounds) so that the dogs will obey their owners regardless of the many distractions competing for their attention.

Available Dog Training Franchise Territories

As of 2023, Dog Training Elite is sold out in the following territories: Charlotte, North Carolina, Denver, Colorado, Phoenix, Arizona, San Antonio, Texas, Dallas, Texas, Houston, Texas, Utah (entire state), California, Hawaii, North Dakota, South Dakota, and Washington State. But do not worry, because all other franchise territories are available. Find one near you and let’s get the ball rolling.

Are You One of our Ideal Pet Franchise Owners?

Well, you should be a dog lover through and through. However, we prefer candidates with no dog training experience because the Franchise Owner will not necessarily be handling the training themselves; that’s what a hired lead trainer is for. If you feel the urge to perform the training yourself, we ask that you come with an open mind and a willingness to embrace our unique and detailed training techniques.

If this sounds like you and you’re ready to invest in yourself and your future, contact us today, and change your life tomorrow.