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Meet the Team

Dog Training Elite in Howard County, MD

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Christy Dugan - Owner
Christy Dugan
Owner
Dog Training Elite of Central Maryland
Tammy McGrady - Administrative Assistant
Tammy McGrady
Administrative Assistant
Dog Training Elite of Central Maryland
Richard Murphy - Trainer
Richard Murphy
Trainer
Dog Training Elite of Central Maryland
Christy Dugan - Owner
Christy Dugan
Owner | Dog Training Elite of Central Maryland

A Maryland native, Christy has had dogs her entire life. She began her professional journey as a Veterinary Technician, where she developed an understanding of the unique characteristics and needs of various breeds. Later, she spent 16 fulfilling years as the owner of a business teaching sports and fitness to young children, including those with diverse abilities. This role instilled in her the importance of patience, positive reinforcement, and adapting to individual learning styles – skills she now applies to her passion for dog training.

Christy is also a passionate advocate for mental health and believes in the transformative impact that dogs can have on individuals with PTSD, depression, anxiety, and autism. She loves being part of the journey where well-trained dogs make meaningful differences in people’s lives.

At Dog Training Elite Central Maryland, Christy helps families build stronger bonds with their dogs through balanced training methods. She's dedicated to providing in-home training for family dogs, service dogs, and therapy dogs, believing that well-trained dogs can enrich lives and strengthen communities.

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Tammy McGrady - Administrative Assistant
Tammy McGrady
Administrative Assistant | Dog Training Elite of Central Maryland

Growing up in Anne Arundel County, dogs were my world. My family always adopted from shelters like the SPCA and the Animal Welfare Society, and I cherished the bond I had with each of our rescued pups. One shy girl we adopted spent the first few days hiding, but with patience and love, she became my shadow. That experience sparked my passion for helping dogs overcome challenges and thrive in their homes.

Over the years, I've volunteered at BARCS and a few rescues, walking dogs, assisting with adoption events, and fundraising. In 2023, I joined Dog Training Elite because of their balanced approach to training, which combines positive reinforcement with clear communication and consistent expectations. Working alongside Christy, I'm constantly amazed by her ability to clearly communicate with both dogs and their owners, creating a strong foundation for understanding and cooperation. I'm passionate about helping families develop fulfilling relationships with their dogs, whether it's through in-home training, assistance with service dog training, mastering basic obedience, or overcoming behavioral challenges.

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Richard Murphy - Trainer
Richard Murphy
Trainer | Dog Training Elite of Central Maryland

Richard’s love for dogs began at a young age, growing up hunting and bonding with them. These early experiences shaped his deep appreciation for their incredible potential and the unique bond between dogs and their owners. As an experienced dog trainer, Richard finds immense joy in helping families transform their dogs into well-behaved, obedient companions and assisting individuals in need of highly trained service dogs or therapy dogs.

Richard is particularly passionate about witnessing the transformation of dogs and their owners, knowing his work helps keep dogs in happy, loving homes. In his free time, he dedicates himself to training his golden retriever, who is on the path to becoming a certified therapy dog, blending his personal and professional passions.

With a commitment to providing expert dog training services, Richard strives to improve the lives of dogs and their owners. Whether working with family pets, service dogs, or therapy dogs, he ensures every dog has the opportunity to succeed, strengthen their bond with their families, and become a valued member of the household.

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About Dog Training Elite of Central Maryland

Dog Training Elite of Central Maryland - Customer Reviews. Hear from Happy Dog Training Elite of Central Maryland Clients
Reviews
Our testimonials showcase the success stories of dogs and their owners who have benefited from our training programs. From basic obedience to advanced service dog training, see how Dog Training Elite of Central Maryland has transformed the lives of countless dogs and their families!
Dog Training Elite of Central Maryland - Frequently Asked Questions. Dog Training Elite of Central Maryland
FAQs
Our FAQs cover the most common inquiries about our training methods, programs, and what you can expect when working with Dog Training Elite of Central Maryland. If you’re curious about anything related to our services, this is where you will find the information you need.
Dog Training Elite of Central Maryland - Careers. Dog Training Elite of Central Maryland
Careers
Join the Dog Training Elite of Central Maryland family! If you’re passionate about dogs and interested in making a difference, explore career opportunities with us. We are always looking for dedicated individuals who share our commitment to excellence in dog training and customer service. Discover how you can grow with us and become a part of a team that truly cares about dogs and their owners.
Dog Training Elite of Central Maryland - Our Gallery. Dog Training Elite in Howard County, MD
Gallery
Our gallery features photos and videos of dogs in training, successful graduates, and highlights from community events. See what Dog Training Elite of Central Maryland can offer your dog and get a glimpse of the work we’re passionate about.
Dog Training Elite of Central Maryland - Local Dog Trainers in Howard County, MD. DTE
In the Community
At Dog Training Elite of Central Maryland, we’re proud to be an active part of the community we serve. Check out recent events in our area where we’ve had the privilege to participate in local events, support fellow small businesses, and promote responsible dog ownership.

Hear From Our Customers

Learn Why Dog owners choose Dog Training Elite

  • juju sandhu
    Jan. 28, 2025
    Sheru learnt a lot while in training. For myself being first time dog owner it meant a lot. Lots of very practical tips so that your puppy behaves the way you expect. I was very happy with conversations and timely responses. The meeting were scheduled taking into consideration of our other commitments. The staff is very trained and very professional. I personally will recommend Dog Training Elite of Central MD if you need help training your dog. Thank you Christy Richard and Tammy for your help. Juju Singh
  • Kate Baumgart
    Jan. 24, 2025
    We had been looking for dog training for our headstrong dog Rudder when we met Christy at a boat show. From the moment we began talking we felt safe and heard with our goals for our boy. We are boaters and were concerned about his safety on the boat as well as day to day manners that needed some sharpening. After working with other trainers prior we hesitated to hire another trainer for fear of wasting money or being unsuccessful. We spoke to Christy and her team a few times throughout the day and had every one of our questions answered with patience and respect. We continued to research and think about starting the process for a few weeks before scheduling the evaluation and as soon as she met Rudder we were confident in her abilities and impressed with how she interacted with him. We immediately signed up with the goal of him being well mannered enough to attend a large Christmas party. The only thing we would have changed was starting sooner. After one session we immediately saw improvements and by Christmas he was so well mannered he was the talk of the party. Everyone was impressed and he has only improved more since then. I went from being a skeptic of hiring another trainer to singing the praises of Christy, Richard, and Tammy. They work seamlessly as a team to ensure success and understanding every step of the way. We could not have asked for a better experience. When they say they want you to be successful and will do what it takes to get you there they mean it. I would recommend them over and over again! Thank you Dog Training Elite!
  • Michelle Walker
    Jan. 2, 2025
    Winston our puppy was crazy until we met Chrissy and Richard! The training was amazing from my first session! Chrissy answers questions 24/7 and Richard was awesome with me during my home sessions. Richard made sure I was confident with the commands before he left! Thanks Elite!
  • Veronica D
    Sep. 4, 2024
    Richard and Christy helped get our puppy super well trained..Thank you Dog Training Elite of Maryland
  • David Schilling
    Sep. 3, 2024
    Christy was awesome with our 2 yr old lab, Tucker. She was very patient with him and we saw great results from her work. They regularly followed up to see how he was doing with his homework and to see if we had any questions or problems. If he was slow to grasp a lesson , they were more than willing to go over the lesson again at the next session. Would highly recommend!!!
  • Maria Lee
    Sep. 1, 2024
    I highly recommend Dog Training Elite. My trainer, Christy, was fantastic! I had rescued a pitbull mix (Blue). A few days later, I reached out to Christy about in-home training. Christy came to my home to do an evaluation. I really liked how comfortable and confident she was when handling Blue. I signed up for their in-home training program so that we would be in our normal environment (with distractions) during the training. The best part of the training was that Christy would work with Blue first until he understood the command. Once he knew the command, Christy would than train me on how to use the command with Blue. It allowed me to watch and ask questions before trying the command myself. In addition, I felt that Christy went above and beyond what other trainers would do. I had a lot of dog related questions beyond our immediate training session. Christy patiently answered my questions and provided her insights. Even when I texted her asking for additional help with Blue, Christy made time to help me with my request. Blue is a better dog because of the training. Blue doesn't jump on people anymore, I know how to handle him when he sees rabbits & squirrels, and he knows his commands very well. Blue and I have a better relationship because of the training. Very grateful for Christy and her Team.
  • KarenSue Dean
    Jul. 17, 2024
    What a great experience we had with Dog Training Elite of CM! They took the time to understand our pooch and worked with us to help her overcome her impulsiveness and reactivity. We never dreamed in a million years that we would be able to take a walk around buses, trucks, bikes, scooter and runners let alone other dogs. We can't recommend them enough and would definitely use them again if the need ever arises.
  • kasey thomas
    Apr. 27, 2024
    We have had nothing but great experiences with Dog Training Elite for the last few months. The trainers are honest, set realistic expectations, and are dedicated to helping their clients reach their training goals. The one-on-one sessions really helped set my puppy up for success for our first group session. We have seen significant improvement with every session and I highly recommend Dog Training Elite for anyone who is looking for obedience, consistency, and overall a more well-behaved dog.
  • Ishita Rahman
    May. 10, 2024
    Christy and Richard have both been amazing. Helped train my not so well behaved older dog.
  • Kellina Nolan
    May. 6, 2024
    We absolutely love, love, love Dog Training Elite. They were so patient training our very nervous puppy. The in home training is phenomenal & we really enjoy the group sessions. The group sessions have been so helpful in socializing our puppy. It’s worth every penny & we have been so happy with the training.
  • Kevin Dunn
    Apr. 24, 2024
    A great experience and worth every penny! We are first time dog owners and this was exactly what we needed.Stanly follows all commands off, sit, down wait and finally free when he can end the commands. Walking actually became dangerous as Stanley went from 2 to 6 months we were the ones being walked or pulled down the street. We now love walks our arms are relaxed and the walks are a pleasure. Dinners are normal again as Stan will PLACE and stay down until he is told to “free” Stanley loves to please so he enjoys it also. Christie the owner is great following up and her trainer Sean is great too. Kevin
  • Carrie M
    Mar. 22, 2024
    Dog Training Elite has by far exceeded my expectations when providing guidance for both my daughter's service dog and my personal dog. They worked with us 1:1 to develop a plan tailored to our family's needs and were always available for questions or concerns. Having at home training was perfect for our scheduling and then pairing with group sessions gave us a well rounded experience for our dogs. Highly recommend!
  • LaToya Cross
    Mar. 22, 2024
    We had the pleasure of working with Christy to train my dog to be a service dog for me. She is so amazing, patient and understanding. My dog has fallen in love with her and lights up while wagging his tail so much when he sees her. I would HIGHLY recommend them for training.
  • Rachael Logan
    Mar. 20, 2024
    Highly recommend. Christy and her team truly know dogs, understand dog behaviour, and are able to help us understand and work with our highly active dog! I have seen so much improvement. The instructions are clear and very doable.
  • Dave Bond
    Feb. 5, 2024
    My Wife & I could not be more pleased with the overall experience we've had working with Christy & Richard from Dog Training Elite! We've seen a tremendous improvement in Baxter's (our 2 year old, German Shepherd Mix) responsiveness to commands, and his general behavior, and we're confident that we now have the tools we need to successfully continue his Training on our own. They came to our home for multiple sessions, addressed all of our concerns, and were very easy to work with! Their passion, communication & flexibility made Training much easier than we ever expected...Highly Recommend!
  • Cheri Chalk
    Feb. 5, 2024
    Excellent business! I can’t say enough about our trainer Christy, she was amazing with our dog Beau and us. He’s a different dog after he completed his training. I highly recommend Christy and her team at Dog Training Elite Central Maryland!
  • Nicole Mazzella
    Dec. 11, 2023
    This training is a game-changer! I was amazed at how quickly we saw results and how easy it is to follow. I would recommend to anyone!
  • Annie
    Oct. 12, 2023
    Excellent trainers and an excellent investment. I made more progress in 6 months with my goldendoodle than I did the previous year of training. Their expertise in service animal training, especially with tasks has been a wonderful help!
  • Emery Nelson
    Oct. 2, 2023
    Dog Training Elite of Central Maryland is amazing!!! Our Goldendoodle was and is an extremely high-energy dog. We were having such a hard time teaching him not to jump on people and run them over as they came into our home. After just a couple of sessions with Christy, our Oliver is like a new man. Don't get me wrong, he is still super high-energy. The difference is, he now listens to our commands. Going on walks is fun again. Thank you, Christy and Dog Training Elite!!
  • Kenneth Sarkady
    Sep. 26, 2023
    Training was excellent!! Experience with trainers were great. Highly recommend this trainer to everyone.
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