A service dog and their owner outside - find elite service dog training in Greenville, SC with Dog Training Elite.
Dog Training Elite

Service Dog Training in Greenville, SC

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Our Service Dog Training Could Help:
Veterans or civilians with PTSD, anxiety, or depression
Children or adults with autism
Individuals with epilepsy
(participating locations)
Advanced medical training (participating locations)

Dog Training Elite Upstate SC

Service Dog Training in Greenville, SC

The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) defines a service dog as “a dog that is individually trained to do work or perform tasks for a person with a disability.” Disabilities include mental or physical impairments that affect an individual’s ability to perform one or more major life activities (walking, seeing, etc.).

Because service dogs play such a key role in the life of disabled individuals, they are protected by the law. Places of residence, employment, and commercial facilities cannot discriminate against disabled individuals with service animals. If you are wondering how to get a service dog, you can either purchase a fully trained dog or purchase a service puppy and train it.

With our service dog training in Greenville, SC, we ensure that your dog is trained to meet the specific needs of your disability, providing personalized support and empowering both dog and handler for long-term success.

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A man and his support service dog - learn more about our positive training methods at Dog Training Elite.

Our Positive Approach to Service Dog Training


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At Dog Training Elite, we believe that successful dog training requires dedication, patience, and balance. That’s why we are committed to using positive reinforcement techniques in all of our training programs.

Through balanced training, our team helps owners build trust with their dogs. This approach is especially important for service dog training because strong relationships and communication are essential for dogs to reliably assist their handler.

By focusing on encouragement rather than punishment, we created confident, well-behaved dogs that are eager to perform their best and impress their owners.

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You and your canine companion really can have it all. See how easy it can be to become a member of the elite pup society by requesting a free consultation today!

Hear From Our Customers

Learn Why Dog owners choose Dog Training Elite

  • Elena Stout
    Dec. 10, 2025
    I've had a great experience with Dog Training Elite Upstate SC. My dog, Riggins, has always been an anxious guy but since we've been working with this team his confidence has grown. Investing in this program has been one of the best decisions we've made for Riggins.
  • Charlene
    Dec. 5, 2025
    Dog Training Elite Upstate has been life-changing for our family. Our dog Arthur used to be reactive and terrible to our other dog, but their training completely turned things around. He listens now, he’s calmer, and our whole home is so much happier. We’re incredibly grateful and highly recommend them!
  • sarahs goldsmith
    Dec. 5, 2025
    Let me tell you, Dog Training Elite honestly feels like a gift. When I brought Annie home from Paws last year, the poor girl—somewhere around ten years old—was hacking away with kennel cough and had no clue what a leash was. At first I figured, how hard could it be to teach her myself? I tried. We struggled. The cough lingered, my patience thinned, and Annie still had that wild, confused look in her eyes. This year, I swallowed my pride and called DTE. Best move I could’ve made! Seriously, they’re lifesavers! Because of their help, Annie and I finally act like a real pack. The training isn’t complicated; it just asks for time and a little dedication. You can either drop your pup off at their place or have a trainer meet you at home. We chose the one-on-one visits, and I’m glad we did. Being right there, hands on, made the lessons stick for both of us. Any time a new question popped into my head after a session, I fired off a text and—no joke—I had an answer that same day. No waiting around till the next class, not feeling lost in between sessions. Now Annie strolls beside me like she was born for it, cough-free and confident. I can’t thank Dog Training Elite enough for turning things around for us.
  • Carrie McClenaghan
    Nov. 30, 2025
    We started researching training after our 6-month-old golden retriever bolted into the road without a second thought. She wasn’t reliable with boundaries or commands, and we knew we needed real help. We signed up for Dog Training Elite’s at-home program, and we truly can’t recommend them enough. They’re professional, personable, caring, and—most importantly—their training works and it lasts. It’s not a one-size-fits-all approach. They tailor the program to your dog’s specific needs and adjust as you go. After training, Poppy is trustworthy, listens consistently, and can even be walked off-leash. She’s happier than ever. We take her to Unity Park with total confidence, and having guests over is easy. She’ll place on command and handles company beautifully. Every trainer we worked with was wonderful. A special shout-out to Sydney, who quickly became Poppy’s favorite. If you’re looking for dog training, DTE is the answer.
  • Forrest Rogers
    Nov. 23, 2025
    I used to think dog training was only for “misbehaved” or aggressive dogs, but our family’s goldendoodles aren’t this way. They are super sweet, but anxious and emotionally fragile. Their acting out wasn’t aggression…it was pure anxiety, and we didn’t know how to help them. Enter: Jared & the team at Dog Training Elite. They helped us see that clear structure, leadership, and consistent commands actually give anxious dogs the peace and confidence they need. Dogs want to do the right thing, but they just need us to show them how. Through a few weeks of hands-on training, they didn’t just teach us or our dogs simple commands; they transformed how we understand and communicate with them. The end result was three calmer, happier, less anxious goldendoodles. They now listen to us even in stressful situations like crowds or outdoors, and, in a way, they seem relieved to know exactly what’s expected of them. This isn’t a quick fix; it’s a total mindset shift for you as an owner. You’ll still put in daily work, but the foundation that Dog Training Elite builds in those sessions carries you and your dogs for a lifetime. Our family is so much happier because of their help. If you have an anxious, sensitive, or “fragile” dog, don’t hesitate to give dog training a shot. They gave our dogs (and us) their confidence back! Worth every single penny. I highly recommend Jared & his team!
  • 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.
A Dog Training Elite Upstate SC owner smiling with his dog in Greenville, SC.

Dog Training Elite Upstate SC

Is a Service Dog The Same As a Therapy Dog?

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Many types of working dogs increase the quality of life for their handlers. The three main categories of working dogs are service animal, therapy animal, and emotional support animal. Each category covers different areas of support and different levels of protection under the law.

  1. Service Animal

    As mentioned above, service animals assist individuals with disabilities. Depending on the person’s needs, the service animal learns how to perform certain tasks. Guide dogs, for example, help blind individuals safely navigate their environment. Seizure response dogs respond to their handlers when the individual is having a seizure. Service animals are highly trained and specialized, and they are also offered the most protection under the law compared to therapy or emotional support animals.

    Dogs are not the only kinds of service animals - miniature horses are often trained to support individuals with disabilities!

  2. Therapy Animal

    Therapy dogs provide comfort and improve the mental well-being of individuals in hospitals, hospice care, retirement homes, nursing homes, schools, and more. These dogs must have a friendly, calm demeanor and be comfortable when handled by strangers.

    Therapy dogs are not trained to perform specific tasks, but they must be obedient and well-mannered. Therapy animals are permitted in some areas where pets are not, but they have fewer protections than service animals. All therapy dogs must be certified before they can offer their services to the community.

  3. Emotional Support Animal

    Emotional support dogs relieve loneliness, anxiety, depression, and other symptoms of mental health disorders. They provide comfort to their handlers, but they are not trained to perform specific tasks. Most emotional support animals are sensitive to the emotional changes of their handler and will remain close by at all times. Emotional support animals are not protected by the ADA, but residential buildings must permit emotional support animals.

Dog Training Elite Upstate SC

What Can Service Dogs Do?

Service dogs are crucial in assisting individuals with various disabilities and conditions, providing them with support, independence, and companionship. These highly trained dogs can perform specific tasks tailored to the needs of their handlers. Learn about breeds that make great service dogs, who can benefit from a service dog and the training that will help these pups meet their handler's needs.

Service dogs are a great help to disabled individuals thanks to their incredible ability to perform highly specialized tasks, like opening doors, switching lights on and off, assisting with balance and stability, guiding, pulling wheelchairs, answering phones and making calls, finding objects or places, unloading and loading items, clearing rooms, finding help, and many more. Service dogs improve the lives of disabled individuals by increasing their autonomy.
Individuals with certain diseases and disorders can benefit from a highly trained service dog. Dogs have an incredible sense of smell and they can detect the chemical changes associated with oncoming seizures and increases in blood pressure. Alert service dogs alert their handler to these situations to prevent a life-threatening emergency. Alert dogs also help those with extreme allergies detect potential allergens in food.
Disabled or epileptic individuals are more prone to emergencies than the average person. Service dogs are trained to alert their handler to a potential emergency, and alert surrounding individuals to an active emergency. Service dogs can also call for help on pre-programmed phones.

Additional Service Training Info

Dog Training Elite Upstate SC - PTSD Service Dog Training in Greenville, SC. DTE

PTSD Service Dog

If you're looking to train a PTSD service dog in Greenville, SC, Dog Training Elite is here to help. Our service dogs are trained to assist with symptoms such as anxiety, hyper-vigilance, and panic attacks, providing grounding emotional support.

Dog Training Elite Upstate SC - Psychiatric Service Dog Training in Greenville, SC

Psychiatric Service Dog Training

Our psychiatric service dog training in Greenville, SC helps individuals with PTSD, anxiety, and depression. We'll help train your dog to mitigate symptoms by offering emotional grounding and support during stressful situations.

Dog Training Elite Upstate SC - Mobility Service Dog Training in Greenville, SC

Mobility Support Service Dog

Enhance your independence or help a loved one with specialized mobility service dog training in Greenville, SC from Dog Training Elite. Our expert trainers teach dogs the skills they need to support their owners with mobility challenges.

Dog Training Elite Upstate SC - Seizure Response Dog Training in Greenville, SC

Medical Response Dog Training

If you are in need of a seizure response dog in Greenville, SC, Dog Training Elite can help. Our training program is designed to help individuals with epilepsy regain independence and confidence.

Dog Training Elite Upstate SC - Autism Support Dog Training in Greenville, SC

Autism Support Service Dog

Bring life-changing support to your family with Dog Training Elite's autism support dog training in Greenville, SC. Our compassionate trainers work closely with your family and dog throughout the entire process, ensuring your pup is fully prepared to provide comfort, safety, and companionship.

A service dog at a ball game with their owner - get professional Greenville service dog training with Dog Training Elite.

Dog Training Elite Upstate SC

Service Dogs for Anxiety, PTSD, and Autism

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Service dogs trained to assist handlers with severe anxiety or depression perform specific tasks that reduce the potential for panic attacks or self-harm attempts. Such tasks include deep-pressure therapy, tactile stimulation, alerting, clearing rooms, blocking strangers from approaching, and more. Service dogs trained to assist those with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) have greatly improved the lives of many veterans.

Service dogs also make a big impact on the lives of children with autism. Children with autism are often prone to meltdowns, have trouble communicating, and are quick to run off or become easily lost. Service dogs prevent and mediate all of these behaviors to provide a higher quality of life for children with autism and their families.

As autism is a spectrum disorder, each child has varying needs of assistance. Autism service dogs perform the following tasks:

  • Tracking: Children with autism often wander away, and a parent’s worst fear is turning their back for just a moment and discovering their child is gone. Autism service dogs will track the child if this ever happens.
  • Tethering: This task minimizes wandering, which is common in public settings. The child is tethered to the service dog’s leash or harness, preventing him or her from wandering away.
  • Behavior Interruption: Repetitive and ritualistic behaviors are typical of autistic children, as are meltdowns when the child becomes overstimulated. Autism service dogs recognize these negative behaviors and redirect the child’s attention when they start. A simple paw or nudge is all it takes to prevent a meltdown.
A service puppy waiting for their owner - Dog Training Elite Upstate SC.

How Do I Get a Service Dog?

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If you are wondering how to get a service dog, there are a couple of different approaches. Some service dogs are purchased outright, fully trained. Or a compatible dog is selected and trained from an early age. Training a dog from the start is the best option, especially for those with specialized needs.

Training a dog to perform service responsibilities must start from day one. Only certain breeds are suited to service work, and breeders put a lot of time into raising puppies to be service animals. Once you have purchased a service puppy, additional training is necessary to prepare your puppy for life as a service dog. This is a complicated process that involves various steps. Dog Training Elite makes getting a service dog easier with our service dog training program.

Our talented trainers can help select puppies that are prepared for a life of service from well-respected breeders. When these puppies enter the service dog training program they are closely monitored for behavior and temperament and can be fully obedience trained by the age of six months. These puppies undergo extensive socialization and additional training to ensure they are well-suited for service and therapy needs including specialized service training alongside the new handler.

This program is ideal for handlers who want to take part in the developmental years and extensive training of their service puppy.

A group of dogs being trained by the expert team at Dog Training Elite Upstate SC.
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Educate, Empower, Elevate, Elite

Victory Begins With Elite Education

A trainer, a man and his service dog - find the best service dog training in Greenville, SC with Dog Training Elite.

We Are Committed to Making a Difference

Choose DTE for Greenville Service Dog Training

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At Dog Training Elite, we are passionate about transforming lives through Greenville service dog training. Our proven, balanced training methods help create highly skilled, dependable service dogs that are both obedient and loyal to their handlers.

From mobility support and physical assistance to emotional well-being and more, Dog Training Elite is committed to providing personalized, high-quality training that makes a lasting impact.

Choose Dog Training Elite Upstate SC and experience the difference that elite training and compassionate care can make.