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Reviews & Testimonials
Dog Training Elite Upstate SC
Hear From Our Customers
Todd Wooten
Nov. 10, 2025 - google
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 - google
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 - google
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 - google
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 - google
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 - google
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 - google
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 - google
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 - google
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 - google
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 - google
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 - google
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 - google
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 - google
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 - google
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 - google
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 - google
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 - google
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 - google
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 - google
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!
laurie rogers
Sep. 2, 2025 - google
We had three dogs in the house with an “alpha problem.” The trainers at Dog Training Elite helped walk through training our dogs to show them we are the alphas and help manage their stress! This training was so valuable for our family! It took stress off the dogs and us! It was so evident in spending time with Jared how much he cares about the dogs and their owners. We are so thankful for Dog Training Elite and highly recommend them.
Deborah Miller
Aug. 31, 2025 - google
Our 20 month old Wheaten Scottish Terrier, Maesie is like having a new dog after the training she received at Dog Training Elite - Upstate; being a Scottie she has quite a stubborn and willful personality but the Upstate Team trainers were patient, professional and incredibly knowledgeable in working with her and they taught us how to better understand her behavior; stressing the importance of our role in working with her personality. We have seen such a great improvement in her leash walking; automatically sitting at crosswalks, coming when called and now we can take her out to venues and she readily either “sits” or goes “down”. Thank you Jared, Sydney and Casey and of course kudos to Elizabeth who kept us all in line with the administrative side.
Daniel Beers
Aug. 28, 2025 - google
Thrilled with the training. The difference after the first week was tremendous, and our dog is very happy and the improvement in obedience was well worth it
Claire Jaffe
Aug. 26, 2025 - google
10/10 experience! So worth the money invested. Our dog is pretty stubborn and this program calmed him down and trained him well. We are now able to have him off leash when possible! Highly recommend.
Brett Taylor
Aug. 26, 2025 - google
Our experience with Dog Training Elite was exceptional! Our oldest dog started displaying signs of aggression towards our puppy and we wanted to put a stop to that quickly and correctly. We reached out to DTE and they immediately had a plan in place to help us out! Luffy is now much more responsive to our commands, obedient, and he has improved so much thanks to DTE! Highly recommen!
Katelyn Rogers
Aug. 26, 2025 - google
We put my dog Mollie through this program because she has a lot of anxiety that prevented her from doing things outside of the house and with other dogs! She has benefitted so much through this training. Allowing her to redirect her focus and let go of control has allowed her to be more comfortable in what used to be scary environments! She is also 6 years old- so old dogs can learn new tricks! The trainers are patient, intelligent, and encouraging throughout the process! Could not recommend them more!
Alison Toth
Aug. 18, 2025 - google
My husband and I appreciate all the help and support from Sydney and the other trainers at Dog training Elite with Abby. She has really become a part of the family
Debbie McDonough
Aug. 15, 2025 - google
We were hesitant to spend money trying to teach our beagle manners, but the results have been amazing. All the commands are almost locked in to our dogs brain, the rest is up to us. The follow up classes are great. Questions come up as our dog progressed so the follow up helps us correct our technique more than the dogs
Harry Pettigrew
Aug. 11, 2025 - google
Gia is our 3 yr old Bichon Frise rescue: decided with Elite, it was better to start training now…to be able to get nights sleep, rather than waiting for Gia to settle in. Selected personal 1 on 1 training at our residence, with a group class tail. The trainers were great, training us humans. As we expected, we could not spend the time training, that was necessary to have Gia do everything perfectly…but HUGE progress. Extremely happy with where we are.🥳 And hope to pull it all together in our tail group classes, included in the package.💪
Ann Marie Graham
Aug. 8, 2025 - google
I am so thankful I found Dog Training Elite, DTE to help me train my beautiful, goofy, big paw, obnoxious pound puppy, Stella. Stella escaped to the woods every chance she got, until we began training with DTE. Stella has been off leash since her first session. Stella now sits and waits for our UPS driver to exit his truck. She chased and almost caught a deer a few days ago, but I was able to call her back. Stella likes to chase cats, but even that is now manageable. If you are searching for a dog trainer, please don’t wait. My older dog, Harllee was on a leash for 2 years because his training elsewhere did not go as planned and I never want that to happen again. I am hopeful Stella will be a certified Therapy Dog next year. The only way that will happen is with the help of DTE. Oh! And the trainers are amazing, friendly, on time and have a lot for patience. They accommodated a short pause when Stella was spayed.
Leah Scroggs
Aug. 5, 2025 - google
The trainers at Dog Training Elite are TOP NOTCH. Every trainer that came to our home was knowledgeable, courteous, had an obvious passion for dogs, and also listened intently to any concerns or apprehensions that we had. Our dog, Petey, has truly become a positively transformed dog during and after this training and his life and ours have been made so much better because of our decision to train him with this company. My partner and I would recommend Dog Training Elite hands down to anyone needing excellent dog training!
Stephanie Borum
Aug. 4, 2025 - google
My decision to use dog training elite started with my first conversation with Mckenzie to schedule our free in home evaluation. She made me feel super comfortable and was able to answer all my questions. I had been hesitant to initiate training for my 6 year old aggressive chihuahua mix (Bean), but she made me feel at ease with several success stories from similar breeds they had encountered. Our main struggles were aggression towards people/dogs and barking. We had altered our lifestyle to not have people over and to not take Bean out in public, especially if other dogs were present. To be honest - I was skeptical starting this process and kept my expectations low. I had tried other private training and it had not worked in the past. Bean would be aggressive towards my boyfriend and myself at times, and we were tired of walking on eggshells in our own home. Our main goal with training was to feel at ease in our apartment. Anything extra would just be a cherry on top. We did the 1-week camp training, and Bean proved to be a bit stubborn but the trainers were incredibly patient and helpful during this time. His behavior has exponentially improved. He is entirely under our control in and out of the home. He has not showed any aggression towards myself or my boyfriend since we started this training. We are still working on his leash aggression around the apartment community as dogs in this area have always been his biggest trigger. He improves every day and we are so proud of him! He had previously not been able to be out on the porch (even though he LOVES to bake in the sun) due to his barking/aggression towards people and dogs walking the street, now he is able to lay out without issue (as pictured). We are so incredibly thankful to all of the staff at dog training elite and look forward to continuing to see hims improve with group training!
Erin Yezbick
Jul. 25, 2025 - google
Dog training elite gave us immediate results, and they have made sure we're still on the right track toward our goal of service dog certification. The methods they use are easy to use. Even our kids help out with our pup's training. Highly recommend.
Brenda Gail Owens
Jul. 22, 2025 - google
Our two year old goldendoodle just completed her 6 private lessons. With the guidance from the Dog Training Elite coaches she has progressed from a stubborn, uncontrollable dog to a well mannered dog that is a joy to walk. We are very pleased with the way the coaches guided us in how to handle Sadie through various situations. The coaches always arrived on time. Communication was easy. We enjoyed working with these folks as they were always courteous and pleasant. I would recommend the Dog Training Elite Upstate SC to anyone.
Margarita Oehling
Jul. 8, 2025 - google
They have been wonderful to our Luna. They provided the tools we needed to succefully train her. We are hoping she becomes a service dog in the next year.
Ed Purdy
Jun. 27, 2025 - google
Great experience. Not only were they super flexible to work with our schedule they helped work directly with our and our dogs needs. She loved everyone that came to work with her.
Greg Tarbuck
Jun. 26, 2025 - google
My wife and I are very happy with our decision to have our Tala enrolled in "Dog Training Elite Upstate SC"'s training program. We honestly feel the expense is worth it as Tala went through 5 straight days at Elite's Traing facility with 5 other dogs where they not only learned to scocialize with other dogs, but each day learned new commands that are needed to continue training once they "Graduated" that Friday. Each of those 5 days we had to drop our dog off by 9:30am and pick her up at 4:pm. They film the training and have videos posted on line by usually 1pm and by 4pm so show what was learned in the 2 sessions a day. Also, once you sign up, you have access to more informative training videos because YOU also need to be involved with your dog's training and each night after you pick them up - and after graduation of the 1st weeks trainibg - YOU - need to keep working with your dog. To help you do that - after an in-home session - soon after the graduation day, you will get invites to further "Group" training on Thursdays at their exit 39 Elite Training facilities AND also in an outdoor setting with "up to" 20 other dogs/their "parents" in Greenville on Saturdays - for 6 months. Dog parents can also seek out advice from the Elite Trainers if needed. For example, we use our final "at in-home" training session to help us how to reduce the reactivity of our dog , how to teach her to sit at the door when we were going out side until we said "come", and a little help on "heal" training. We are not there yet on reactivity because our dog's breed is very "prey" orientated but she is now good with the four cats but still have some work to do concerning small dogs - but we have a plan to correct this - thanks to Cassey, with Elite Dog Training, at our last in home visit. One thing to remember - you - have to realize you can't have a PERFECTLY trained dog without YOU being involved - for awhile at least - and Elite Dog Training is there for you and your dog for 6 months. Sorry, unable to load Tala's photo - do not keep photos on Google - as far as I know - LOL
Vicki Scott
Jun. 25, 2025 - google
They were very caring and patient with my dog whom could be very stubborn. I'm glad I brought him there.
Erin Swendrzynski
Jun. 21, 2025 - google
We had such a great experience working with Dog Training Elite! Teddy did a great job, and we all learned so much! The one on ones were very helpful and Boot Camp was the prefect option for our sweet pup. Teddy is so much better around other dogs now. He is more fun to take on walks now that he isn’t barking/jumping at every person or dog we pass. He is also doing a great job heeling instead of pulling/taking us for a walk…even our kids can easily walk him. He isn’t constantly barking at every squirrel or person that walks by our house anymore. The trainers are top notch and very knowledgeable. We have a very busy life, but Dog Training Elite was very easy to work with, they were on top of scheduling everything, and were able to work around our busy schedule. During bootcamp we were able to see pictures of Teddy hard at work, and the trainers posted videos so we could learn how to use each command. We would definitely recommend Dog Training Elite!
Eryn McKinney
Jun. 20, 2025 - google
This company has truly changed my life and my puppy’s life. She went from a nervous wreck who wouldn’t leave my front porch to running around in a field across the street off leash within a week of our first at home session. Before beginning this training I was extremely apprehensive about the e-collar but I promise just listen to what they have to say about it, I don’t know where I’d be without it. Everybody I’ve worked with has always been nothing but kind! A special shoutout to Mackenzie for answering my hundreds of questions in so much detail I couldn’t possibly be confused after that. And Casey for her patience and lots of love she gives to my nervous pup. Investing in this has been the best decision I’ve ever made for Flora and myself. I can’t wait for Flora to graduate to group lessons and watch her grow even more! Added bonus of having an extremely well trained dog thanks to dog training elite: I get to be even MORE of a dog mom and have her sit or place wherever I want (as long as it’s safe) for some super cute pictures! I’ve attached one of my most notable moments with training when I had flora hold a sit at the vet because she was so nervous and after I released her from the sit she laid down and even fell asleep while we were waiting!
Samantha Amezquita
Jun. 13, 2025 - google
Amazing! My dog is a new dog and my family and dog have all learned the importance of having commands down. What used to be a not so joyful walk in the park, is now something we ALL look forward to and take pride in seeing how more relaxed and trained our dog is. Very thankful for this team!
Kolby Galloway
Jun. 10, 2025 - google
My boy Blue and I just completed our initial week of structured obedience training with Dog Training Elite (Upstate SC) and I couldn’t be happier with the results! The progress we made in just a few days was incredible — Blue impressed me in all the best ways, and our bond is stronger than ever. The team didn’t just train my dog — they worked with both of us, helping me learn how to reinforce positive behaviors and build a consistent foundation at home. One of the best parts is that the program doesn’t end with the initial training. They offer six months of weekly group sessions after the camp, which we plan to attend regularly to stay sharp and meet other dog owners. If you’re looking for a results-driven training program that also builds your relationship with your dog, I highly recommend Dog Training Elite Upstate SC!
Julie Eaton
Jun. 5, 2025 - google
Best trainers out there! I can’t say enough about this organization and all the trainers! They are patient, kind, and really care about your fur babies! Highly recommend!
Chloe Bug XO
Jun. 5, 2025 - google
If you’re looking for high-quality, meaningful dog training—look no further! This place truly delivers. They’ve helped me and my dog in so many ways, from behavior to bonding, and I couldn’t be more grateful. Jared is absolutely amazing. You can tell he genuinely loves and cares about what he does, and it shows in every session. Highly recommend to anyone who wants real results and a deeper connection with their dog! My dog Peaches used to be very timid and food aggressive and now she is very curious and loves to take an adventure. She’s no longer food aggressive and she has calmed down a bunch.
Rebekah Frick
May. 29, 2025 - google
I have had a wonderful experience working with Dog Training Elite! We worked with three different trainers in our in-home sessions and they were all incredible. So knowledgeable and competent. They made working with the e-collar accessible and so successful for my dog Oscar and I! Oscar is doing things now that I never thought he would be capable of. I’m looking forward to participating in the group exercise classes!
Caroline Batres
May. 29, 2025 - google
Jared and Elizabeth are personal friends who truly show up for their family, friends and business. They are fantastic business owners and totally dedicated to the DTE model. You will not find a kinder pair and your pet will definitely benefit from it. 🥳
Bronwyn Bigger
May. 8, 2025 - google
We had the BEST experience with Casey and our at home training sessions! Our dog has completely changed and learned such valuable skills that have allowed us to bring her more places and do more activities. I cannot recommend this organization enough!! They are fantastic!
Jacqueline Hudak
May. 8, 2025 - google
We absolutely loved everyone at Dog Training Elite upstate SC. They did such a wonderful job helping me to feel comfortable working with my dog and his manners are stellar as a result! I would absolutely recommend their services to anyone who needs help training their perfect family pet.
Caryl Franckowski
May. 5, 2025 - google
This training experience was something quite new to us. We are so pleased with Dog Training Elite process. DTE is always available for any additional questions. The trainers are just the best. We are completely happy with the progress our puppy is making. We are eager to refer Dog Training Elite. They are the best.
Bethany Henderson
Apr. 29, 2025 - google
Choosing dog training elite was the best choice we could have made for us and our 7 year old German shepherd. Prior to training our dog was scared of everything, would run from people and never let anyone pet her, she also began showing signs of aggression to people in our home. After attending in person camp for only a few days our family/friends already noticed a difference in her. Now we are able to take her in public and she is learning the world is not so scary. Dog training elite is with you every step of the way and all the trainers are incredibly knowledgeable to help with your dog’s specific needs! We highly recommend them!
Naveya Planas
Apr. 25, 2025 - google
We got Misfit a couple of months ago and we had trouble managing his unruly teenager behavior. He liked things to go his way or he wasn't doing it. With DTE Misfit and I learned to work together to achieve better communication. His manners are getting better and he seems happier now that we have clear boundaries and he can work. We are so thankful for DTE and we can't recommend them enough! I look forward to working with my other dogs with them in the future!
Erin Morton
Apr. 25, 2025 - google
I am so proud of my puppy Palmer and appreciate you all and all yall have done SO much! I can truly see a difference and am so excited to continue to see her progress. We can't wait for group classes 🥰💛🤩
Caitlin Sexton
Feb. 1, 2022 - google
If you’re in the Greenville area and need dog training, this is who you need! I’ve known Elizabeth and Jared for years and they’re wonderful people to work with! Here are our two dogs when sofas were getting delivered, with two strangers in the house, the door wide open, and they didn't move or bark. The delivery men couldn't believe it.
Michelle Roth
Apr. 18, 2025 - google
The people who came to our home, were always so loving & caring with our Skylar. She wouldn’t do much of anything that we told her before Dog Training Elite. Now she is on her way to being great service dog for our blind & autistic son. Thanks to everyone at DTE who has helped in making Skylar the best that she can be!!! (In the picture, our Skylar is on the right.)
Cpl Runner
Apr. 16, 2025 - google
Amazing group! They train the pups and the people. Full of knowledge and tools that are helping me get one step closer to having my pup as a certified service dog.
Tricia Nolan
Apr. 15, 2025 - google
This team of dog trainers is outstanding! Our dog was aggressive and anxious,; now she is capable of following commands, and is completely off her anxiety medicine! Our family highly recommends Dog Training Elite.
Yuxuan
Apr. 5, 2025 - google
They're very informative and helpful on the phone!
Michael Rowland
Apr. 4, 2025 - google
I have always worried about getting my puppy properly trained. Dog Training Elite made it easy. They are AMAZING people who truly care for the dogs. I couldn’t have done any of this without their team and their processes. I HIGHLY recommend Dog Training Elite to anyone!!!!
Amy Kilarski
Mar. 24, 2025 - google
We adopted Mazie (3 year old lab mix) in February. Introductions to our older dog became increasingly aggressive. We were afraid we made the wrong decision bringing another dog home. We called Dog Training Elite and they were able to come to our home to get started very quickly. After a week of day camp, we saw huge improvements in Mazie and we began to feel more confident. We still have more we want to accomplish but I am truly amazed at how far she has come in such a short time. Mazie has become a beloved part of our family and now there is peace in our home. We would not be here without the guidance from all of the talented and caring trainers.
Terry Reck
Mar. 23, 2025 - google
We have completely loved our experience with Dog Training Elite! Not only the progress we have seen in our dog Brodie, (The method plain works.) but also in every interaction with every staff member. Every member of staff was wonderful, and took an active interest in our dog and his progress. If you have a dog that needs some training, do yourself a favor and give Dog Training Elite a call today.
William Hancox
Mar. 21, 2025 - google
We are truly surprised with the progress our dog, Louie has made at Dog Training Elite. We were a little skeptical in the beginning but now very enthusiastic in training our Louie. We can't wait to see what Louie will learn tomorrow. Plus, the trainers are truly animal lovers and it shows in their fantastic results.
Maria Hancox
Mar. 21, 2025 - google
We are very happy and proud of the work that you do with our Louie, excited for continuing working with you all, very professional and at the same time lovely with our puppy. Thank you for your passion and good work.🙏💝🐩🐕🦺🐾
Ally Cothran
Mar. 19, 2025 - google
My husband and I brought our first family puppy Dolly, a golden retriever, to the amazing team when she was 12 weeks old. Initial puppy training made an immediate impact and we signed up for Advanced Training at 16/17 weeks old. Dolly understands and responds to every command she learned and we continue to see her skills improve. All of the trainers and experts are truly dog-lovers, so the mix of expertise and love is impactful. Every time we met a new trainer we were impressed at how much we loved each unique personality and approach. We are so thankful we found this amazing business. We are seriously considering making Dolly a therapy dog and continuing to invest in her development. Most of all, we are so thankful we can integrate Dolly safely and lovingly into her family faster because of her new skills!
Steven Hopkins
Mar. 19, 2025 - google
We have had such a great experience with Dog Training Elite!! All the trainers have been great and very personable! They have come in and worked great/fit in with our family! Some have brought their dogs which helps with distractions for the training and getting to work with the training sessions help us be confident to continue the training through the week! Rocky has done great with the training and we are on our way to having a well behaved dog!
James Lehmann
Mar. 11, 2025 - google
We have had 3 trainers for Honey and she has come a long way. She is a very intelligent, hard headed , athletic dog. She knew commands like come and no but she made the decision to obey or not. She has learned that her humans make the decisions. She has progressed from the attitude of a 2yo human to a 4yo. The trainers were very professional and good instructors for both Honey and her hoomans.
Denson Crisler
Feb. 26, 2025 - google
If I could give this place 6 stars I would! Amazing staff, super sweet and personable. They truly work wonders for all dogs. My dog is super stubborn as a puppy and I was so shocked at the progress he’s made in the past few weeks. Would recommend to anyone!
Kernell Austin
Feb. 26, 2025 - google
When I first started I was skeptical but now I am a firm believer they are really good at what they do they are so respectable I appreciate my time with them good luck Dog Training Elite) !!!!!
Jordyn Thompson-Russell
Feb. 18, 2025 - google
I wish I could give more than 5 stars because they truly deserve it! Our sweet boy, Royal, was extremely reactive to people and dogs, which kept our family on constant alert and even prevented us from inviting guests into our home. Before training, he would bark, growl, and lunge at people and dogs. I was almost afraid they wouldn't be able to train him because of this. From the start, even just calling and talking to one of the trainers about Royal and his behavior gave us hope that they could help us. We decided that the camp was the best way for Royal to get the training he needed, and it has truly changed our lives. We got an update on the first day that he was able to be off-leash and not muzzled, which was so exciting for us to hear. Royal is becoming more confident in himself and his ability to listen and obey commands. I'm kind of in awe that this is the same dog. The trainers had excellent communication, and it's so obvious that they love what they do. It was awesome to hear about his other campmates and their progress as well. I can't recommend Dog Training Elite Upstate enough.
Mimi Greene
Feb. 14, 2025 - google
Caring, competent professionals. We just finished our in-home training and couldn’t be happier! Rooney has gone from a good dog to a great dog! Highly recommend!
Laura Cannon
Feb. 14, 2025 - google
It has been an absolutely incredible journey with Dog Training Elite Upstate SC and every single trainer who worked with my dog Fenris (3 yo German Shepherd). I 10 star recommend them if you're looking at training for your dog. A little about Fenris. Prior to coming to them for help, Fenris had been through two other training programs and numerous vet session. I love my dog but was at my wits end! He was extremely nervous all the time and was still incredibly reactive to other dogs. To the point of me being uneasy and having to restrain him on walks at the sight of another dog. As we started training with the team here, Fen made improvements every single course. The trainers started slowly to build our bond and Fens confidence. Then they brought other dogs to work alongside him, moving at his pace. By the end of our one on one sessions, Fen was able to sit in a room with 3 other dogs with zero reactivity. He's able to understand I've got him. He is much more confident and obedient without changing his personality. When I say this development made me nearly cry! I am so over the moon with the results! We can't wait to join group classes in the future. A huge thank you to every trainer that has been part of Fen's journey.
Fred Conley
Feb. 11, 2025 - google
We had a lot of trouble controlling Bandit before he attended Dog Training Elite Upstate. Since he was trained he is a different dog. He is very obedient and very happy. We recommend Upstate to anyone who would like to have a well trained dog
Leslie Fatum
Feb. 8, 2025 - google
DTE is a wonderful choice for dogs and their humans who need training! Our 4-year-old Staffie mix was developing some bad habits such as being aggressive towards other dogs and insane when we encountered cats on the street, even though he was great with our senior cats when we adopted him two years ago. But they passed away in 2023, and after we adopted two kittens this Xmas, he made us afraid for their lives if he was ever able to get to them. After a long talk with Mackenzie (who has a great story about her experiences with getting her 9-year-old Chihuahua trained) and then a free in-home evaluation with Casey - whose own shelter dog showed us some amazing stuff - we signed up for the Gold Plan. This has been money well spent! Dante is still learning, as are we, but we’re excited to start our free 6 months of classes and we know the great trainers at DTE will be there to support us all the way. They’ve worked with all kinds of dogs, all ages and all backgrounds. I was able to talk with one of their customers about her experience with them and I’d be more than willing to talk to you!
Candice Osborne
Jan. 31, 2025 - google
Wonderful experience learning how to train our dog. Not only did she learn all the commands but they taught her how to jump (which she was scared to do before) and her quality of life is much better now!
Brooke Gooch
Jan. 23, 2025 - google
They were a great help with my Shiba. Definitely understood his behavior and taught me not to let him walk all over me. He still has a way to go but is much better than he was when we started!
Kevin Garrett
Jan. 22, 2025 - google
Reaching out to Dog Training Elite was the best decision I could have possibly made for myself and Henry. He was wild and didn't care to listen to anyone. That changed from the very first visit. Being involved in the training was a huge deal and with them you're just as involved as they are. All the trainers that came were beyond smart and Henry learned each session. Now I can take him on vacations and go places without worrying about how he will act and know he will listen to me in any environment. He was a little over 1 when we started I wish I had done it as soon as I got him. 10/10 recommend.
Dominique Woodard
Jan. 21, 2025 - google
I'm lost for words, honestly. Casey and Danny truly changed not only mine but my pups life. The amount of love and care they showed my boy blew me away. They truly want nothing but the best for your dogs and it shows in the work they do. It's nice to see these trainers LOVE what they do. I truly can't say good enough things about this company. Truly. Thank you so much for everything. Please don't think twice if you're considering!
Adeline Kamis
Jan. 21, 2025 - google
all of the trainers are so sweet and lovely! They gave my dog such a great obedience foundation and have so much care for each of their clients.
Penny Boswell Grossi
Jan. 21, 2025 - google
If you have a dog that could use ANY level of training, stop looking and register with Dog Elite! One of my biggest regrets was not signing mine up sooner! I have a 10 year old chihuahua rescue that has always been pretty anxious. Adding children to my family and a move amped up her anxiety to an unmanageable level, she was constantly snappy, biting everyone and a danger to have in our home. I knew she wouldn’t be rehome-able in that state, so I convinced my husband to try one more training program (we had already spent plenty on other trainings) so if we did have to go the route of rehoming we could at least feel like we were giving her a chance. It’s been almost 4 months since training, and it is safe to say you CAN teach an old dog new tricks!! She is a completely different dog in the BEST way possible. I cannot say it enough - this training will make a world of difference for not only your dog, but for you, your family and your everyday life!
Julie Roberts Israel
Jan. 7, 2025 - google
I purused a few different options before I decided to go with DogTraining Elite for obedience training for my mini Australian Shepherd. All the trainers at the facility were top-notch professional -caring and loving towards my dog and provided the MOST amazing results when I thought the case was hopeless. I would highly recommend this team and their professionalism to anybody who is looking for Incredible obedience training for their pup 🐶
Catherine Orellana
Jan. 4, 2025 - google
Dog Training Elite has some of the most knowledgeable and compassionate trainers I’ve ever met. I chose to do the week long training where you drop off every morning at their facility and pick up in the afternoon. I have never left my baby with anyone else before, so I was nervous. Each day we went in, my puppy ran towards the door so I knew she was being loved and taken care of while I wasn’t there. If you are wanting to help your furbaby become more obedient or if you are looking into service animal training, this place is it!
Amanda Lenar
Dec. 26, 2024 - google
Dog Training Elite Upstate SC is amazing! We have a special rescue dog who endured serious trauma before we were able to save him... This has left him with severe anxiety that makes it uncomfortable to have anyone visit our home. He would bark and howl incessantly, stress poop, and clamor to get away from anyone who isn't in our family. After two in-home sessions (before and after training) plus two weeks of doggy camp training, WE HAVE A NEW DOG! He is working so hard on his commands, but more importantly, he can work through his stress and ACTUALLY enjoy company. Several people who have seen him before and after training say he's completely changed. He lets you pet him, play with him, hold him, and more - it seems like he actually enjoys it (some of the time). This is HUGE and more than we could have hoped for. Dog Training Elite Upstate SC is full of caring, compassionate, hardworking people who LOVE dogs and want to make a difference. We will be bringing our six year old petite goldendoodle to them for some basic training soon as a repeat customer! Look no further -- go with them!
Lilly Catherine
Dec. 19, 2024 - google
My Golden Retriever went to Elite Camp and has learned commands such as sit, place, come and heel. Prior to camp, she struggled with these commands and had great difficulty walking with a leash. Today, we had a session with Danny at Conestee Park and my pup practiced heeling with distractions such as children playing, car horns honking and other dogs in the vicinity. With Danny’s guidance, she overcame her fears and could heel nicely. She also was able to “place” and sit on an uneven rock and later a bench. Danny was extremely patient and helpful. We will continue practicing what we learned at group lessons. The owner and all the trainers are excellent. I would highly recommend Elite to anyone who would like a well behaved companion.
Wayne Turner
Dec. 2, 2024 - facebook
I was blow away with the love they give to every dog and time working with them. I know after the week in training. She had what it takes, but they worked with me to understand what part I needed too
Kate Murphy
Nov. 29, 2024 - google
This was my first time seeking professional training for a dog. I was uneasy at first as it was all new to me, but all the trainers took the time to explain everything to me as much as I needed and it made me feel comfortable making this commitment of time and money. I’ve seen the most amazing results from training far beyond what I imagined!! My bond with my dog has been strengthened and she has found so much enjoyment learning her tasks. All the trainers we’ve worked with have been so friendly, helpful, and smart. I’d recommend them to anyone considering to invest in training.
Heather Hayden
Nov. 23, 2024 - facebook
Absolutely amazing results!! We can’t recommend DTE enough. All the trainers we have encountered have been so sweet, knowledgeable, and patient; you can tell they love what they do. Before training, our 1.5 year old Boykin Spaniel walked, or should I say drug, us around on our walks and the only command she did somewhat consistently was sit and come (but you could forget it with any distractions). Today, Duchess can walk by our side WITHOUT a leash and can hold a sit for 5+ minutes with distractions! I could go on and on. If you are hesitant or debating if training is worth it or not, just do it! We are so pleased with our investment in our pup and we are a better family for it. Thank you DTE for teaching us the best and most effective ways to communicate with our sweet pup!
Heather Hayden
Nov. 23, 2024 - google
Absolutely amazing results!! We can’t recommend DTE enough. All the trainers we have encountered have been so sweet, knowledgeable, and patient; you can tell they love what they do. Before training, our 1.5 year old Boykin Spaniel walked, or should I say drug, us around on our walks and the only command she did somewhat consistently was sit and come (but you could forget it with any distractions). Today, Duchess can walk by our side WITHOUT a leash and can hold a sit for 5+ minutes with distractions! I could go on and on. If you are hesitant or debating if training is worth it or not, just do it! We are so pleased with our investment in our pup and we are a better family for it. Thank you DTE for teaching us the best and most effective ways to communicate with our sweet pup!
J Lauren Villano
Nov. 18, 2024 - google
I am blown away!!! Billie is a 1 year old Plott Hound. Before coming to Dog Training Elite, she was chaotic. We just finished her week of training camp last week and she's a different dog! I was able to train her on my own to a certain point but I didn't know how to make it stick. DTE helped me just as much if not more than Billie. I now know how to communicate to her what her job is during certain instances. I'm now able to actually play with my nieces and nephew when they're at my house. I can take Billie on walks and actually enjoy the walk myself. I still have a 1:1 session and 6 months of group classes to continue our training, but I can already confidently say that this training is worth every penny. If your dog is food aggressive, gets overly excited by visitors, or needs an outlet for pent up puppy energy... This is the training for you and your doggo!
Alison Jones
Nov. 14, 2024 - google
We adopted a dog with some serious anxiety that manifested as leash aggression. We’d tried another training program previously and were told that she’d never be able to go anywhere with us. Then we went to a baseball game and saw Dog Training Elite in action. I called and scheduled a free eval. I was honest and told them that my husband was likely going to say no (we’d already spent a good deal of $ on training that didn’t help our main issue). We met with our evaluator and even my husband was sold!! We haven’t looked back. The training had been so incredibly beneficial. One on one sessions in your neighborhood with different trainers is so helpful. Our last session was at Falls Park(lots of people and lots of dogs with ZERO problems). We’ve been able to take our girl camping with is. We are no longer scared to take her on outings where there might be other dogs. She so much better behaved! Not gonna lie, she’s not perfect but she’s getting there. Thank you,DTE!
Emese Simon
Nov. 6, 2024 - google
We have been struggling with our 2 year old puppy with significant dog reactivity, to the point of being afraid to take her for a walk as she would bark uncontrollably, jump, pull. We tried multiple methods and classes, including a camp where she stayed for a month to try to get control of her behaviors, without any improvement. Once we started working with dog elite training, she was transformed. I can't believe how well she is doing now. We can walk in our neighborhood without any fear of her lunging at another puppy. She is more confident, happy dog and responds well. We are learning how to work with her and she is listening very well. We found everyone extremely helpful, knowledgeable, friendly and understanding of our challenges with our puppy. We are looking forward to attending the group lessons and continue to watch Millie's progress. Thank you Casey for your patience, guidance and help with our challenging puppy.
Cole O'Connor
Nov. 6, 2024 - google
I cannot recommend Dog Training Elite enough! Their obedience program is truly outstanding. From our very first session, the trainers demonstrated a deep understanding of canine behavior and used positive reinforcement techniques with the e-collar that made learning enjoyable for my dog. The curriculum is well-structured, addressing everything from basic commands to more advanced skills, ensuring we stayed engaged and motivated. What impressed me the most was the personalized approach; the trainers took the time to understand my dog's unique personality and tailored their methods accordingly. The results have been incredible. My dog is more obedient, confident, and well-behaved in various situations. Furthermore, the offered support is fantastic, with resources and guidance provided to reinforce what we have learned in class. We are looking forward to the 6 months of free group sessions that was part of our package, to continue to work through our tollgate checklist so we can move on to therapy training. If you're looking for a top notch obedience program that truly makes a difference, Dog Training Elite is the way to go!
Laura Lee Kearns Taylor
Nov. 3, 2024 - google
Our 2 pups began training at 4 months old and we are so glad we enrolled them with Elite Dog Training! It’s been 6 weeks since they completed their week of training and they have been excellent at recall and obedience. Even after the hurricane and we had no power and couldn’t use their collars, they retained their training the majority of the time. We highly recommend the competent, professional trainers that really love what they do and love the dogs too!
Tom Hafft
Oct. 30, 2024 - google
This organization is truly "Elite". My dog was (yes, "was") very reactive to people and dogs. It became impossible to walk her, she had pulled me down twice and we were concerned I or someone else would be hurt. Within 1 week I was able to walk her without incident! I was very skeptical this could happen, but I saw for myself. Having proper guidance and training techniques turned things around. I can't thank these people enough for their patience, love of dogs and professionalism. It's worth every penny spent 😊
Chris Clayton
Oct. 29, 2024 - google
Lucy my German Shepard had some issues. She is doing so good now. High highly recommend these guys!
Carol Knupp
Oct. 29, 2024 - google
In need of a good dog trainer? Your puppy or dog doesn't have the best behavior? Could your life and your dog's life be better if his/her behavior was better? I know exactly how you feel. I was in the same situation. I adopted a 6 year old minature Aussie, beautiful but with several ugly behaviors. She was very food aggressive towards other dogs and me, very aggressive to people coming into the house, especially aggressive towards men, and aggressive towards dogs she encountered on our walks. Has Margot's inappropriate behaviors been completely eliminated? No. But they have been significantly reduced. She (and I) are works in progress. I am so happy to have worked with the Dog Training Elite trainers. They are experts in the field, they are patient, and love what they do. They have provided Margot and I with the knowledge and techniques we can use in a consistent, ongoing training program. Thank you, thank you!! Both Margot and mine lives have greatly improved because of this traing.
Dylan Scott
Oct. 29, 2024 - google
Incredible experience! Highly recommend working with Dog Training Elite! I used the puppy training and advanced obedience training and I can't be more impressed with the results! All of the trainers are very experienced and it shows in the results.
Marni Sumbal
Oct. 24, 2024 - facebook
We adopted Sunny four weeks ago after saying good bye to our 17 year old chihuahua. Sunny is a terrier mix and ended up at Animal Care and Control in Charlotte after being found abandoned in an apartment building with another dog. He was being fostered before we officially adopted him. He is ~1 year old (and a few months) and 16 lbs. Sunny came to us overly excited and reactive to other dogs. He was extremely barky, didn’t know how to act around strangers, would nip when he got excited and after a long walk outside, he was wound up with energy. We knew he was a very happy and smart dog but we felt he had a lot of anxiety and uncertainty about life. And with five cats in our house, his barks and wild energy made our house feel divided and stressful. After researching several different behavior training schools, we selected @dogtrainingeliteupstatesc because of the reviews/testimonials. We enrolled Sunny in the gold elite package which consists of two home visits, 5 days of training in the facility and six months of group classes. This package also includes the e-collar (not a shock collar), which is how the trainers work with the dogs. We were skeptical about the training (and collar) as we have no prior experience in dog training and we asked a lot of questions about the collar to make sure it was safe. After the first in-home visit with Casey, Sunny was a changed dog. We couldn’t believe how quickly he learned “come” and “off”. Sunny thrived at school and responded so well to his 3-4 different trainers, teaching him place, down, heel and sit. After each day of class, we watched a tutorial video of how to give commands and watched videos of Sunny in action. Since the training, we never say no, raise our voice or use the collar for punishment. We don't even have to use treats for rewarding good behavior. Everything Sunny learned has been through positive reinforcement. The collar is simply a mode of communication. Sunny feels secure in his collar and loves working on his new skills. He gets excited to put on his collar. After five days of his school, we saw his confidence improve, he’s not anxious anymore, the cats are calm around him, we can peacefully coexist around other dogs and he has so much more freedom in life. He is still a happy and fun dog but now relies on us to help him safely navigate this new world. We are so happy that Sunny has so many more opportunities in life thanks to his good behaviors and listening skills - all thanks to Dog Training Elite. -Marni and Karel Sumbal Greenville, SC
Marni Sumbal
Oct. 24, 2024 - google
We adopted Sunny four weeks ago after saying good bye to our 17 year old chihuahua. Sunny is a terrier mix and ended up at Animal Care and Control in Charlotte after being found abandoned in an apartment building with another dog. He was being fostered before we officially adopted him. He is ~1 year old (and a few months) and 16 lbs. Sunny came to us overly excited and reactive to other dogs. He was extremely barky, didn’t know how to act around strangers, would nip when he got excited and after a long walk outside, he was wound up with energy. We knew he was a very happy and smart dog but we felt he had a lot of anxiety and uncertainty about life. And with five cats in our house, his barks and wild energy made our house feel divided and stressful. After researching several different behavior training schools, we selected Dog training elite upstate because of the reviews/testimonials. We enrolled Sunny in the gold elite package which consists of two home visits, 5 days of training in the facility and six months of group classes. This package also includes the e-collar (not a shock collar), which is how the trainers work with the dogs. We were skeptical about the training (and collar) as we have no prior experience in dog training and we asked a lot of questions about the collar to make sure it was safe. After the first in-home visit with Casey, Sunny was a changed dog. We couldn’t believe how quickly he learned “come” and “off”. Sunny thrived at school and responded so well to his 3-4 different trainers, teaching him place, down, heel and sit. After each day of class, we watched a tutorial video of how to give commands and watched videos of Sunny in action. Since the training, we never say no, raise our voice or use the collar for punishment. We don't even have to use treats for rewarding good behavior. Everything Sunny learned has been through positive reinforcement. The collar is simply a mode of communication. Sunny feels secure in his collar and loves working on his new skills. He gets excited to put on his collar. After five days of his school, we saw his confidence improve, he’s not anxious anymore, the cats are calm around him, we can peacefully coexist around other dogs and he has so much more freedom in life. He is still a happy and fun dog but now relies on us to help him safely navigate this new world. We are so happy that Sunny has so many more opportunities in life thanks to his good behaviors and listening skills - all thanks to Dog Training Elite. -Marni and Karel Sumbal Greenville, SC
Terri Gowdy
Oct. 20, 2024 - google
We had the best experience with Dog Training Elite! All the trainers are fantastic and feel a bit like part of our family now! From our initial home visit where we talked about our personal goals for our dog and the things we needed help with, to the implementation and teaching of the skills in group class, we were just amazed at the quality and effectiveness of the program! I was a bit apprehensive about learning how to work with an e-collar, but it is a great management tool, and our dog seems happier than ever - as if he has purpose! I only wish I had done it sooner!
Joanne Edwards
Oct. 19, 2024 - google
I could not say enough about how great everyone has been at Dog Training Elite! From the initial set up of Milo’s consultation to scheduling his lessons, the staff have always been super accommodating and responsive! Every trainer we have worked with has been amazing! Casey, Sydney, Danny, and Mackenzie loved Milo like their own pup and set us up for success! I was initially a little hesitant about working with e collars (I grew up with dogs with an electric fence and initially thought they were similar…completely different!) I tried it out on myself first and it’s amazing how such a small amount of stimulus can help you communicate with your pup better! The trainers are also super informative in the use of it and Milo adjusted pretty quickly to wearing it! I have seen such an improvement in Milo through working with DTE. Before, I stopped bringing him out with me because of his reactivity but now with the training he has done so great being in public! The e collar has provided a way for me to communicate with him on such a deeper level. He has attended puppy classes before but DTE is next level and worth the investment! I cannot thank the staff enough at DTE for working with Milo to be the bestest boy!
Joanne Edwards
Oct. 19, 2024 - facebook
I could not say enough about how great everyone has been at Dog Training Elite! From the initial set up of Milo’s consultation to scheduling his lessons, the staff have always been super accommodating and responsive! Every trainer we have worked with has been amazing! Casey, Sydney, Danny, and Mackenzie loved Milo like their own pup and set us up for success! I was initially a little hesitant about working with e collars (I grew up with dogs with an electric fence and initially thought they were similar…completely different!) I tried it out on myself first and it’s amazing how such a small amount of stimulus can help you communicate with your pup better! The trainers are also super informative in the use of it and Milo adjusted pretty quickly to wearing it! I have seen such an improvement in Milo through working with DTE. Before, I stopped bringing him out with me because of his reactivity but now with the training he has done so great being in public! The e collar has provided a way for me to communicate with him on such a deeper level. He has attended puppy classes before but DTE is next level and worth the investment! I cannot thank the staff enough at DTE for working with milo to be the bestest boy!
Robin Flynn
Oct. 16, 2024 - google
We used Elite to train our 8 month old dog. Everyone we worked was very knowledgeable and professional. We will definitely use Elite again!
Miss Noell
Oct. 6, 2024 - google
I am so thankful I decided to choose Dog Training Elite after shopping for a training facility. The moment I met Danny, I felt like he was family and treated Bentley as one of his own dogs. His ability to connect with Bentley was instant and genuine. Mackenzie was always interactive and personal as we interacted to schedule appointments. Cassie was a natural with her soft yet commanding voice. She really pushed Bentleys to bring his best game. Sydney was so friendly and nurturing as she held Bentley accountable to accurately perform the commands. Originally, I was looking for a training facility that boards but I really wanted to be an apart of Bentley’s process although my schedule is very demanding and I didn’t know the first thing about training a dog. Danny assured me that Dog Training Elite would train me to successfully train my dog. I just have to put in post in-house training work with Bentley. I had my doubts, but I committed to the challenge and I could not be more proud of the final outcome. Thank you Dog training Elite for everything and I am so sad that we have come to the end of our training relationship but so proud of the skills and confidence both Bentley and I have gained that will last a lifetime. 🤍🤍 ~ Noell & Bentley
Devin Baldridge
Oct. 3, 2024 - google
Where do I even start... Dog Training Elite is more than just Elite, they are working magic. We just moved to the area and were in need of a trainer for our Pitbull (Miss Lou). Miss Lou was reactive to people and we tried 2 trainers prior and they did nothing to help Miss Lou and her anxiety. Day one of meeting the team at DTE they already had Miss Lou feeling more comfortable than I have ever seen her. Our first in home visit Jared opened our eyes to how much DTE cares about dogs but more than that how knowledgeable they are. Jared was able to pet and walk Miss Lou. We knew at that moment DTE was going to change Miss Lou's life for the better and make her the loving pup we know she can be. We put Miss Lou in the week long camp and she responded so well to the training and in just 5 days Miss Lou was making some huge strides. One thing about DTE is they are going to show you how well they can train your dog, but more importantly they are going to show you how to do what they do. By no means am I an expert, but I have all the tools in my pocket to make Miss Lou the best version of herself. Miss Lou is making big steps each and everyday and we could not be where we are at with her without the team over at Dog Training Elite. Thank you DTE team, you are all amazing and look forward to seeing you at group classes!
Lauren Kelly
Sep. 30, 2024 - google
I would pay double for this team to train my dog (and me)!! Danny and Sidney went above and beyond to make this experience awesome for our whole family. After just 6 sessions we have a new dog who we actually can enjoy!!
Victoria Delaney
Sep. 26, 2024 - facebook
We have a 3 year old miniature poodle that was discarded by a breeder. She was a bundle of nerves until we got the training from Elite. The transformation has been amazing.
Tim Duggan
Sep. 25, 2024 - google
I can’t say enough about the amazing job DTE did with my Springer Spaniel.All of the trainers were extremely professional and explained everything in detail from beginning to end.I highly recommend.
Elisabeth Allen
Sep. 23, 2024 - google
The transformation of our dog was absolutely amazing. Our dog came into our lives a couple of weeks before we started training. He was an emaciated stray who was running wild in the mountains. As a hound, we knew he’d be a little stubborn, so we needed help. The first session was shocking for us as we hadn’t seen an “e” collar used correctly before nor had our dog experienced one. Honestly, it was a little tough to watch and we saw our dog was a class A actor in his response to commands using the new collar and also when it wasn’t being used. We talked about it and decided we’d give it a try. I was a little skeptical on how he could learn so much in one week, but it was incredible. We are so glad he was able to go to the day camp (boot camp?) and from day 1, his behavior and attitude was changed. He started following commands well, after we were trained on the technique. By the end of the five days, his transformation was phenomenal. Working with him daily he continues to surprise us. Just this morning, he was on a walk and he spotted a rabbit. We put him in a sit position and he stayed while staring down the rabbit, sitting until the rabbit hopped away. There was no lunging or barking, he was the most well behaved pup. We enjoy taking him out and about to include friends’ houses, Lowe’s and a brewery, and Buddy is always such a well behaved boy. We would highly recommend DTE. It is an investment in your dog which is well worth it. I must also mention that the trainers are all top notch and have a real love for what they do. PS. We encouraged our daughter to use DTE in Virginia and her puppy is now in training and doing well.
Erin Bakeman Parker
Sep. 17, 2024 - google
We cannot say enough positive things about our experience with DTE. Our puppy, Lady, recently went through puppy training as well as e-collar training camp. There are countless benefits that we've experienced since having her professionally trained and it's so much easier working with her at home with the strong foundation that's been built. Jared, Danny, Sydney and McKenzie made the experience so fun and were always informative and great to be around. The staff is punctual, professional and you can tell they genuinely love what they do. Your dog needs this! Thanks for all you've done for our Lady!
Charles Carriger
Sep. 8, 2024 - google
DTE did a terrific job with my German Shepherd. They were patient and extremely helpful with training me how to help my best friend. I highly recommend them to help you with training
Maya Nagelberg
Aug. 31, 2024 - google
We could not be more thankful for Dog Training Elite! We started with their puppy classes, and we absolutely loved them! They helped socialize our puppy through the classes, and also started working on a few commands with us at our house. This made puppyhood such an amazing experience, and we would have been lost without the trainers’ help. We loved puppy class so much that we decided to enroll our puppy in their advanced obedience camp, and this was a game changer! Most of our one-on-ones were with Sydney and our puppy is obsessed with her! She is always so excited to see her. All of the trainers are so knowledgeable and you can tell how much they love dogs. Everyone we meet compliments how well behaved our puppy is, and she really listens so well thanks to the trainers’ hard work. I cannot recommend Dog Training Elite enough!
createdthis justtoleaveareview
Aug. 30, 2024 - google
When looking for a trainer for my pup, we were very wary of signing up with the wrong crew. After doing a little research and calling around in our area, DTE was one of the few that actually seemed to care about the training, the dogs, and the handlers - not just getting paid. My pup loved going to sessions and even after long days of training was excited to go back for more! The things my pup and I both have learned were well worth the money. The DTE crew knows what they're doing, and most importantly CARES! Thank you DTE. 11 out of 10, would recommend!
Megan Witrick
Aug. 28, 2024 - google
We can not recommend Dog Training Elite highly enough! This summer, we had the pleasure of working with them to help teach our dog some manners and how to behave in public, and the results have been amazing. The trainers were incredibly patient, compassionate, and dedicated. It was clear they genuinely cared about our dog’s well being. Our dog has made incredible strides, learning so much and becoming a happier and well behaved member of our family. We are thrilled with the progress she has made! The team works hard, always reply’s to questions promptly and were flexible with scheduling. We highly recommend Dog Training Elite.
Craig Leduc
Aug. 26, 2024 - google
Callie spent a week with Dog Training Elite and we've ALL learned so much!
Jonathan suthard
Aug. 26, 2024 - google
Words cannot express the feelings of gratitude we have for DTE. We are 6 weeks into our training and today was the ultimate pay off. While conducting some off leash training, our Shiba decided to go her own way. She trotted around a bend in the trail and was gone! I called for her and searched the area for 20 minutes, all the while using the commands and estem controller provided by DTE. As I continued calling and walking back the way we came, I walked over a small hill and here comes Nemo, running towards me, tail in the air just as fast as she could! Without the training provided by DTE, she would have been list! No words can describe the feeling of hopelessness and despair, and have them replaced with joy when I saw her coming back to the commands and following her training! If you are thinking about this type of training...do it! The price is worth it!
Tori Franklin
Aug. 18, 2024 - google
I haven’t had a dog since I was a little kid and I decided to get the same breed that I had when I was younger. I have a miniature schnauzer and she is so sweet but I didn’t realize how vocal she was. I reached out to DTE and they were so sweet! They came in and did an inhome assessment and then she started camp with them two weeks later. From day 1 I could tell a difference. My puppy is stubborn but DTE did not give up on her! Of course it will be an ongoing training process. But DTE trainers are AMAZING! I can reach out to them if I have any questions or concerns and they are always willing to help. And they truly love and care for each dog they come in contact with. So glad that I chose them! THANK YOU SOOO MUCH!
Michele Holder
Aug. 17, 2024 - google
Jared, Elizabeth and their crew have given me the tools to have the dog I have always wanted! He is incredibly well behaved and desires to work. When Maverick (my golden doodle) is timid Dog Training Elite were able to show me how to work with him. I can’t recommend this group enough. They are the dog whisperers!!
Michael Adams
Feb. 29, 2024 - google
Dog training elite is absolutely amazing. Each of the trainers were always so excited to work with Nala. They were very supportive and wanted Nala and myself to be successful. Always had quick and helpful responses to texts. 100% would recommend to anyone who wants to train their dog. Worth every penny. Nala was so happy when she graduated obedience training. I am adding to my previous review from obedience training since we have now graduated from therapy training. Five stars is not enough to express what Dog Training Elite has done for Nala and I. The only thing I have hated about having a dog is leaving her at home alone while I go to work. Dog Training Elite has helped make it so that does not have to happen anymore. Nala is going to be my schools therapy dog. I am so grateful for everything they have done from answering my texts with any questions or concerns to showing immense love for my dog. I will forever recommend Dog Training Elite with anyone who has a dream for their dog because they made mine come true.
Audrey Ivester
Aug. 12, 2024 - google
Lots of knowledge & professionalism.
Danielle Sundby
Aug. 9, 2024 - google
Words can NOT do these amazing people justice, but I’m going to try. Our first visit, the owner and another trainer couldn’t come close to Sully. He was extremely protective of me and had recently even put his mouth around the vet tech reaching towards me at an appointment. The first visit with the trainers took all of my strength, a muzzle, a strong leash and serious awareness to keep him from attacking them. I couldn’t have guests over in my own home. I was terrified they’d turn him away. Instead, they embraced him. They explained how he had self assigned this duty to protect me (I’m disabled) and just needed to learn to trust my lead. Throughout the next couple of months, I met various trainers and we kept introducing new commands. I saw my big baby blossom. He’s always been a lovebug with me, but he started to have what he truly needed. He now had a job. From sitting, to learning how to stay to learning how to be on a leash - these wonderful trainers kept us both inspired to grow and do more. Today was exhilarating. We took Sully into PetSmart and my once reactive dog to people coming near me, especially men, stayed at my side while I was in my wheelchair. From loud people to barking and excited dogs, we went through the store with ease. He walked slowly at my side and watched as every distraction went by us. It was surrral. I could NEVER have done this before. WE couldn’t have done this without the encouragement, love and guidance of every single person at Dog Training Elite. They not only love your pet as their own, but they teach you BOTH how to be different. Do different. And your bond with your dog gets even stronger as a result. I didn’t think I could be any closer to Sully, but I am. We have learned how to trust EACH OTHER. I finally have my companion do to everything with me. I can take him to get pup cups. He can go to PetSmart to pick out his toys. I can have people over in our home. I can’t thank everyone here enough. From the bottom of my heart I feel EVERY SINGLE PERSON here has a passion for helping dogs AND humans. They come to you with genuine love. Their excitement as your baby learns makes their hearts just as full as your own. They’ve become family and I’ll never use another trainer for Sully’s continued growth and for any future fur babies. Thank you guys for making Sully and me whole. ❤️❤️❤️
Sheri Price
Aug. 6, 2024 - google
They have helped my good girl become even better and supporting me on our journey to having her be a therapy dog for our school!
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About Dog Training Elite Upstate SC
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Our Team
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!
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!
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!
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!
