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Dog Training Elite in Greenville, SC

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Frequently Asked Questions

General
One of our trainers will visit your home to meet you and your dog and discuss any issues you're facing. We will then demonstrate one of our model dogs so you can see what you can expect after hiring our trainers. From there, we will discuss the various packages we offer and which we feel best suit your (and your dog's) needs.
We provide full obedience training that covers all basic commands, both on and off-leash. Our in-home visits target specific issues like counter-surfing, digging, and more. Unlike some trainers, we work with all breeds, including those often considered challenging.
Yes. You (and anyone in your family who wants to be involved) are integral to your dog getting trained. We need you to practice 5-6 days a week, about 15-20 minutes a day for optimal results.
Once a week. We come to you (with the silver, gold and platinum packages) once a week to start your dog off, then you come to park sessions which are held once a week in Greenville.
To effectively resolve specific issues, we need to start with a solid foundation in obedience. This approach helps you become a confident leader for your dog, which is key to addressing and preventing behavioral problems.
Nope. Those are dangerous grounds to tread upon. We'd much rather train a vicious dog!
We train dogs of all breeds, sizes, and temperaments. Whether your dog is a tiny Chihuahua or a large Mastiff, we have the experience and expertise to work with them.
Yes. Working with and controlling aggression is one of our specialties in Greenville.
We focus on training companion dogs for veterans and individuals with PTSD and other psychological conditions. In addition to service animals, we also train therapy dogs that visit hospitals, nursing homes, and treatment centers.
To be a service dog, your dog needs to have an even temperament. Golden Retrievers, Labrador Retrievers, Standard Poodles, Goldendoodles, etc. typically have a great temperament for service work. For some types of service work, your dog will need to have AKC certifications (such as Canine Good Citizen or Community Canine) which we are able to certify. As always, we would be happy to assess your dog's aptitude for service work for free!

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About Dog Training Elite Upstate SC

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In the Community

Hear From Our Customers

Learn Why Dog owners choose Dog Training Elite

  • Todd Wooten
    Nov. 10, 2025
    We reached out to DTE because our dog had some concerning behavioral issues and we didn't know how to communicate with him to correct them. Not only did DTE provide training for the pup to become a trusted and loyal member of our family, they also ensured WE now have the tools to continue to foster our relationship with him. Can't thank DTE enough.
  • Heidi Odom
    Nov. 4, 2025
    We came to dog training elite after our 5 year old rescue pup started nipping due to anxiety. Sydney with dog training elite gave us tools to ensure every member of our family and guests felt safe and welcome in our home. We reviewed commands that our pup knew but weren’t always able to be enforced to emphasize structure and boundaries. Now we are able to easily welcome our home to guests of all ages without worry of jumping or nipping and each member of our family feels safe and valued. Thank you dog training elite for equipping us with these tools!
  • Maisa Gonzalez
    Oct. 30, 2025
    Our Chessy, Banks, loved working with Jared! He has improved in his behavior at home and we look forward to doing the group classes with other pups in the area.
  • Ross Rushing
    Oct. 27, 2025
    I recently adopted a 7 month old male Catahoula who was a nervous wreck with all kinds of anxiety riddled behavior like nervous pacing. I signed up for classes at Elite Upstate and within 4 in-home sessions my dog has since shifted into a loving, personable, attentive boy who enjoys going out to see people on walks or in town as well as staying indoors and having a calm day in. I can't speak highly enough of the instructors and their temperament and patience with me and my dog despite the sessions being only an hour. I learned things about my dog through their program that I might not have ever learned had I not taken this course. I now have the tools to set my dog and any future animal I have up with direction, praise, and happiness that give both of us fulfilment. I feel as if I can properly communicate with my dog now that i've completed this training.
  • Pamela Gravlee
    Oct. 23, 2025
    What an impressive transformation, After speaking with Jared, and him ensuring me that my dog was trainable in no more than 20 minutes a day. I had my doubts. What was I thinking in get a new LARGE puppy full of engery, at my advanced age😊 After Thor completed his week long class, along with our daily routine. He is becoming more than I ever expected. I now look forward to weekly training, and can’t wait to see how far he can go. You must give Dog Training Elite a try. You won’t be disappointed Thank you SO much!
  • Megan Waldron
    Oct. 10, 2025
    We adopted a dog from a rescue, he was already one years old and is a Shepard/Mal mix. Very sweet dog but very nervous around new situations and people. Shawn did a wonderful job of not just helping show us how to help our new fur baby but the “why” behind certain behaviors. We will be working with Shawn again soon on some manners and help leaning into what specifically what his breed needs to thrive.
  • Lauren Vance
    Oct. 7, 2025
    Our dog Raven is a wild child. She has SOOOO much energy and we were at a loss on how to harness it. We knew she could be such a wonderful pet if we could just figure out what she needed. Dog Training Elite Upstate showed us exactly what she needed. She needs a job. She wants to please and giving her a task frees her from trying to figure out what she should be doing. The trainers were unbelievably good. They tamed our wild child and gave us the confidence to know we can handle her. And the best part is, she’s still the same sweet silly girl. No zombies here! She just listens now and we know what we’re supposed to be doing as her leaders. I can’t thank yall enough!
  • Brian Crenshaw
    Oct. 1, 2025
    My dog Gus was a mess and destructive now we go outside without a leash and dog friendly restaurants. My wife has severe medical issues and she walks with him. If he starts to wonder off she says come and he runs to her they are inseparable now! I never thought Gus would be this well behaved.
  • Heather V
    Sep. 30, 2025
    Dog Training Elite not only helped to train my new dog but also helped me to communicate better with him. I learned his manipulation methods and how to overcome that to give him more confidence and calmness in his day to day. It was a great experience with knowledgeable and caring trainers.
  • Hannah P
    Sep. 28, 2025
    I have absolutely loved working with this company to help train my dog and would 100% recommend them to any dog owner. Not only will your dog be better behaved, but the bond between you and your dog will strengthen because you are speaking the same language. The trainers are very knowledgeable, eager to help, and quick to answer questions outside of regular training sessions. It's definitely an investment worth making if you love your dog and want to include them in multiple aspects of your life. I am thrilled to continue the training and unlock my dog's full potential!
  • Lisa stevenson
    Sep. 26, 2025
    I loved going through training with DTE! They were always available for any questions I had and I never had any issues scheduling appointments. My dog has improved and learned so much. Previously, she wouldn’t even leave the neighborhood and now she will walk downtown TR.
  • Tracey Rose
    Sep. 26, 2025
    We are thrilled with our experience with Elite. We have a now 10-month-old Golden retriever puppy who was the most difficult puppy we've ever had to train. With just 6 weeks of in-home training she is manageable, follows commands, and stays in place off leash from far distances. Our biggest issue with Maggie was an off command being that she was constantly in our older golden retrievers space and face. We now have that mastered thanks to Elite. Our trainer, Sydney, was nothing short of remarkable and Maggie fell in love with her. I cannot say enough about the response time and the overall support from everyone at Elite through the process. Anytime we had a question or a concern they were, literally, back in touch with us and responding within no time at all. We highly recommend. We were referred to them by a neighbor whose dog had amazing results and after reading the other reviews we decided to give it a try. And boy are we glad we did. You will be too!
  • Katherine Sexton
    Sep. 22, 2025
    We got our dog when she was 10 months old and it was obvious that she had not been socialized and we think she was crated most of the time. She was very skittish and obviously afraid of new surroundings. We saw firsthand the success of DTE after our 2 grand dogs completed their training and knew that we wanted to give our sweet dog every opportunity to have the best life possible. Our last one-on-one session was today. We met the trainer at Lowe’s and Marley exceeded all expectations. We are so proud of her and the progress that she has made. Now we begin group sessions and we can’t wait to see how she will shine in that environment. We recommend DTE without reservation or hesitation. One of the best decisions we have ever made.
  • Sherry Alexander
    Sep. 19, 2025
    Wonderful experience from first call to inquire to our finale in home class. Our deaf golden puppy was beyond wild and is now a treasure.
  • Amy Campbell
    Sep. 18, 2025
    Dog Training Elite was such a great experience. They were kind and very helpful. Communication was outstanding. I will be using them in the future and would highly recommend.
  • Jodie Johnson
    Sep. 16, 2025
    We saw an amazing transformation in Coby, our mini goldendoodle, from the first in home training! With the progress from the first visit until the last of the 6 week in home training, Coby is a completely different baby boy! Casey and Danny are superb trainers and we couldn't have asked for better communication with Elizabeth!! Our goal for Coby is to be my service dog for my mental health. (Or lack there of)! We're continuing with the group classes for the 6 month offerings. Then we will be on to the next step to specific service dog training for Coby, my husband, and I, we hope! I did my research before selecting Dog Training Elite Upstate for us and I didn't miss! I know we are receiving the best possible experience there is!
  • Jessica Samuels
    Sep. 16, 2025
    I would highly recommend this DTE to anyone with a dog. My pup used to be anxious and pulling me all over the place when we went out downtown or anywhere in a crowd. Now, I can take him anywhere with the confidence that he will behave, listen to my commands, and not get distracted in busy settings. A couple weeks ago, I had the scary moment when he backed out of his collar when loading him into the car while I was parallel parked on a busy road. That’s when our training kicked in. I just asked him to sit and he sat right down at my feet until I was able to leash him up again. Please remember - this training can save your dog’s life if nothing else.
  • ryan badon
    Sep. 8, 2025
    I did training for my dog Donny because he was “bad.” Turns out he wasn’t bad he was just untrained! Casey our trainer helped us realize Donny’s full potential and I am so proud of him!! We went above and beyond my expectations and I highly recommend Dog Elite! They were so nice and communication was excellent!
  • Marcella Franseen
    Sep. 5, 2025
    I used Dog Training Elite Upstate for puppy and advanced training and had a wonderful experience. The puppy training laid the foundation and the advanced training was a game-changer. Everyone was highly skilled, professional, kind, and supportive. Milo loved it and learned so much, as did I.
  • Claire Depalle
    Sep. 4, 2025
    We recently rescued our pup and while he already knew some basic commands, we are so glad we brought him to dog training elite! They helped solidify and expand his skills and commands. We did the camp option which worked great for our pup, it helped him to socialize with other dogs while also performing his skills under the pressures of their presence throughout the day. While dog training elite gives your pup the foundation, it is really up to you as the owner to continue with the training and hold your dog accountable. Even after the camp, they are super accessible to us with any of our questions and with the continued group trainings. We can’t recommend this team enough! Everyone was so kind and clearly passionate about the dogs that join DTE!

Our Team

Jared Smearman - Owner/Trainer
Jared Smearman
Owner/Trainer

Hi, I'm Jared! I grew up in North Carolina and have always had a passion for dogs. I attended the United States Naval Academy and served on active duty for eight years before my wife, Elizabeth, and I decided we wanted to grow our family in South Carolina. We have had, and will always have canine companions because of the unconditional love and joy that fills our home. Prior to becoming a professional dog trainer, I was a project manager in industrial automation and I have grown most fond of building and maintaining interpersonal relationships with clients and ensuring the experience is a positive and memorable one. I look forward to discussing your needs and seeing your relationship with your dog(s) go to new heights!

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Elizabeth Smearman - Office Manager/Trainer
Elizabeth Smearman
Office Manager/Trainer

I love kids, animals, organization, connecting with people, exercise, the outdoors, and learning! I started my career as an educator in inner-city Washington, DC, after graduating from Wake Forest University. As a former educator and mother of six (four children and two dogs), I have been immersed in the psychology of learning at all stages. Dogs process information, too, and I am eager to help you and your dog(s) connect in new, fulfilling ways, with a mutual appreciation for each other!

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Sydney - Trainer
Sydney
Trainer

Hi I’m Sydney! I grew up in beautiful Southern New Hampshire and moved to South Carolina the fall of 2019. After graduating with a degree in Psychology, I found my passion to be in Behavioral Psychology. Previously, I was gifted the opportunity to work as a Registered Behavioral Technician with kids diagnosed with autism doing Applied Behavioral Analysis therapy. As I worked with training my dog, Indu, I became eager to work with other dogs so that they can learn and understand all the potential they have in themselves and continue to grow beyond. When I’m not hanging out with pups, I teach and practice yoga, love spending time outside, and exploring all that South Carolina has to offer. I can’t wait to meet your wonderful canine kiddo!

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Casey Watkins - Trainer
Casey Watkins
Trainer

Hello! My name is Casey and I grew up here in South Carolina! I've always had a love of all animals, dogs always being my favorite. Growing up, we always had dogs and animals within our home, and I've always had a passion for animals and seeing that bond between dog and owner. I wanted to pursue veterinary care, but dog training took over that passion as I grew older. I have done work in customer service care for years, and began my journey working at a dog daycare. I've handled all different types of dogs, from toy to giant breeds for nearly five years, and did training for 2 years before coming to Dog Training Elite. I love learning about dog behavior and unlocking the potential each dog has in order for the owner and the dog to live the best life they can. Dogs are only apart for our lives; but to them, we are their whole life and I'd love nothing more than to help you strengthen that bond!

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