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Service Dog Training Near You
What makes a dog a service dog? Who can have a service dog, and why? We answer all these questions and more, as well as explain what sets Dog Training Elite Kansas City apart from any other dog training service.
Not all training packages may be available at our Dog Training Elite Kansas City location, please reference our pricing page for complete information on services offered.
Service Dog Training FAQs
What makes a dog a service dog?
Service dogs are dogs that have been specially trained to assist their handler or owner with specific tasks. Dog Training Elite Kansas City trains dogs to assist people with epilepsy, diabetes, PTSD, autism, and various mental illnesses.
Who are service dogs for?
Service dogs are for any individual dealing with a disability that lowers their quality of life. For example, someone who suffers from epilepsy may avoid going out in public due to a fear of falling or other consequences related to seizures. This may inhibit their independence and sense of well-being.
In addition to improving the lives of individuals, service dogs can bring a sense of security to families, such as families with autistic children. Children with autism can often feel isolated and a service dog becomes a 24/7 companion to share experiences with, connect with and love. They can also help children reintegrate into society and connect with others.
Families who have children with autism experience a decrease in stress as they are more able to engage socially in public settings and experience less anxiety at home. A service dog increases safety and has a calming presence that can minimize emotional outbursts, allowing the family to feel more secure and a child with autism to better participate in family activities.
Service dogs are for all individuals or families that are experiencing a decrease in quality of life due to disability.
What kind of training does a service dog need?
Service dog training begins with puppies. Dog Training Elite Kansas City’s service puppy training program works with breeders to adopt puppies that are fully obedience trained by six months and are ready to undergo extensive socialization and additional training to ensure they are well-suited for service and therapy needs.
Then, Dog Training Elite Kansas City places puppies with families or individuals. Further specialized service training takes place alongside the new handler. It generally takes 1-2 years for a service dog to become fully trained.
Service dog training focuses on two main areas: public access behaviors, and how to “do work or perform tasks” that assist with a disability.
Public access behaviors refer to how a service dog acts in public - well-trained service dogs remain calm in public situations and in turn help their handlers to stay calm, and are attuned to any other handler needs.
As for “do work or perform tasks,” the ADA requires that service dogs be trained to take a specific action when needed to assist the person with a disability.
For example, to assist handlers with PTSD, Dog Training Elite Kansas City trains dogs to de-escalate anxiety, wake handlers experiencing night terrors, and so on.
Do service dogs require special certification?
The ADA does not require special certification for service animals. State and local government agencies, businesses and non-profit organizations may not require documentation, such as proof that the animal has been certified, trained or licensed as a service animal, as a condition for entry. Mandatory registration of service animals in the city of residence is also not permissible under the ADA.
However, service animals are not exempt from local animal control or public health requirements, such as vaccinations, or local dog licensing and registration requirements.
Why should I train my service dog with Dog Training Elite Kansas City?
Dog Training Elite Kansas City sets itself apart from other dog training methods by focusing on positive reinforcement with a personalized, in-home approach. This method empowers owners and handlers to be an integral part of the process for sustained dog obedience and service training. For service dogs especially, it is important that handlers be present and involved every step of the way.
The positive reinforcement approach, also referred to as “Classical Conditioning” or the “Pavlovian” model has shown to be more effective with longer lasting results than any other training method.
Dog Training Elite Kansas City does not use punishments or shock collars to break bad habits. Instead, Dog Training Elite Kansas City pairs positive reinforcement training with a vibration electronic collar. An electronic collar is not a shock collar and does not harm the dog. It is used to gain the dog’s attention, similar to a tug on a leash. It is never used as a punishment for bad behavior.
Another unique aspect of training with Dog Training Elite Kansas City is that while most dog training programs train dogs at their own facilities, Dog Training Elite Kansas City specializes in in-home training, customizing training to the dog, its owners and its environment for long-lasting success.
Positive Reinforcement Training
Training takes time, commitment and balance and Dog Training Elite Kansas City is there every step of the way. With Dog Training Elite Kansas City, dogs will learn the highest level of obedience, even in the face of the toughest level of distractions. The positive-reinforcement method focuses on encouraging good behavior through ongoing praise, creating a dog that wants to please from the inside out and creating deep-rooted, sustained obedience as well as a strong bond between dog and owner.
Our Balanced Theory
We base our training around the "Classical Conditioning" model (a.k.a. "Pavlovian" or "respondent conditioning"). This includes developing conditioned or automatic reflexes to commands. In its simplest form (after proper conditioning), when the owner says "sit," the dog automatically sits without thinking about it. Our unique techniques ensure our program is a success no matter what behavior we encounter.
Empowering Owners
We empower owners to train so their dog knows who to obey at all times.
Personalized
We deal with problem behaviors on a personal basis.
Environment Specific
We train wherever issues tend to arise (i.e. jogging, park, home).
Supportive
We support owners in the off-hours (when training is "not in session").
Involved
We work with all members of the household.
Simplified & Customized
We plan training around the owner's schedule and require only 20 min/day follow-up practice.
Continued Training
Additional programs / group sessions offered after in-home training.
Lifetime Investment
We follow up & are invested in the owner's success long-term.
Satisfaction Ratings
Our high client satisfaction rating sets us apart from competitors.
clas·si·cal con·di·tion·ing PSYCHOLOGY noun A learning process that occurs when two stimuli are repeatedly paired; a response that is at first elicited by the second stimulus and is eventually elicited by the first stimulus alone.
We help your dog become a valued companion and beloved member of the family. Read what our customers have to say and then give us a call!
Love Chuck and all of his team they were able to help our crazy mastiff that is 250 lbs and thinks he was a lap dog and could jump on everyone ! He loves people and acts right now without dragging me down the street ! Thanks for what you do ! Can’t wait for weekend group events !— Bill Fry
Posted April 11th 2024
Our experience with Chuck and the entire team at Dog Training Elite has always been great! They offer so much more than just training for your pet. Would recommend to anyone wanting to train there beloved pets!— Benny Smith
Posted March 23rd 2024
The group class is great for the dogs. It helps with socializing and group work. The trainers are all great. I love the classes— jodi khazin
Posted March 22nd 2024
Dog Training Elite is the real deal! Professional, accomodating and really good people. They take the time to explain and teach my service dog (and me as his handler). Highly recommend!!— Paul Rieck
Posted October 12th 2023
Best trainers ever!!!! I have tried many. These are the best! I recommend them to everyone.— Heather Massey
Posted January 28th 2024
If I could give more than five stars I would. Very knowledgeable on different dog behaviors and really focusing their attention on what the dog and owners need/want from training. Chuck came out for a consult prior to committing and he really walked us through their program and listened to all of our concerns and our reasonings for getting our dog training. We worked with Nate and now my dog looks forward to weekly visits. Great company and employees!— Samantha Stallman
Posted January 5th 2024
Truly phenomenal team! They train you in order to train the dog rather than just focusing on the dog. Very much a "Teach a man to Fish" type of training. Our Service dog was the Royals Buck O'Neil Honoree because of their tremendous skill.— Aaron Mizell
Posted September 19th 2023
I absolutely loved Dog Training Elite. They came weekly to help both me and my dog to learn how to work together. DTE both demonstrated and allowed me to learn how to train my dog. DTE also answered all my questions, even making themselves available to continue and support my efforts in having a well trained family dog.— Dennis Aldy
Posted July 21st 2023
Our Buster Brown has improved so much, Never likes the dogs on the TV but now we can tell him off and he just grumble talks to them. We are still working on boats that pass by on the lake but consistency will win the game. cheers to the Elite team!— Douglas Scott
Posted April 15th 2023
Great group to work with and training approach if very effective and gets results.— Charles Huddleston
Posted March 28th 2023
Working Willow with Kaylee was the best! She is very good at what she does and you can tell she genuinely loves it, she never hurts your furbaby. Kaylee explains how to teach them each step in easy to understand language. She makes sure you understand before you start training at each step. This was not the cheapest place, but I feel it was the best choice. Both before and after she was trained. My dog was so skiddish, she has learned to be calm and not bark so much as she has more confidence. I would give my highest recommendations to Dog Training Elite! If I ever get another dog I'd do it again. Worth every penny. They go above and beyond to your dog be everything you dream of!— Darla Hawkins
Posted March 17th 2023
Haley with Dog Training Elite did an amazing job training our dog, Dingo. When we rescued him he didn't have really any house manners and would chase our cats, after the first lesson he was acting so much better! He gets along with our cats now and listens to us, we are beyond happy with the training! Their trainers definitely know what they're doing!— Shelby Flowers
Posted February 27th 2023
Our trainers were very helpful in teaching us and helping train our 2 yr old dog.— Molly Schwery
Posted February 22nd 2023
Excellent dog training. Best and easiest way to train a dog that I have ever come across. And the trainers are well educated on training techniques that work for everything i wanted my pup to know. I will be using this method to train all my dogs from here on out.— Steven Adams
Posted February 8th 2023
This dog training company was very pleasant and down to earth. Genuine and honest and patient. Also very professional. We were apprehensive and they were so easy to work with and let our guard down. Highly recommend.— Whitney Bennett
Posted February 8th 2023
If you are still looking for a dog trainer, your search should end here. Chuck and his team at Dog Training Elite KC truly have a vested interest in supporting your dog and you as the owner; they take the time to get to know you and your sweet fur baby. Private lessons were a great way to ease my anxiety as a dog owner, the individualized support has been so helpful. I appreciate group classes for continued learning, activity and socialization for our dog. The saying is true, "people don't care how much you know until you they know how much you care," and Dog Training Elite KC cares.— McKenna Elfrink
Posted January 31st 2023
Wonderful people who know dogs. Took our 5 month old Standard Poodle from a great puppy to my licensed diabetic service dog in 6 months. Just do the homework. They continue to provide weekly learning activities. Great group. Highly recommend.— Diane Gardner
Posted January 21st 2023
Chuck and his team are unparalleled in the dog training world. If you’re looking for an excellent trainer, look no further. I wish I called them 3 years ago.— Jim Tharp
Posted December 15th 2022
I am so in love with this company! I have two older German Shepards and I thought you couldn't teach an old dog new tricks. Well I was wrong. Chuck was amazing with our dogs and it has changed our lives. Gave me freedom of not fearing taking my pups out. One of them has been aggressive and this training was worth every penny!!! Now...practice at home is vital but honestly I loved to do it. Only really 15 minutes a day per dog for me. Amazing!!!!!!! Now at home I have peace when someone new comes over and we get to go to the dog park! Also heeling and learning that correctly changed my life as one of my pups is a big...big boy!.— Jonalyn Ell
Posted November 8th 2022
Proud Sponsor of The Malinois Foundation
At Dog Training Elite Kansas City, we believe that Service Dogs save lives. It is our mission to make these life-saving companions available to our Veterans, First Responders, Women Survivors, and Children with Medical Needs. Whether it be for PTSD, Mobility Support, or Special Needs, Dog Training Elite Kansas City works with the Malinois Foundation to heal and empower these individuals with a specialized service animal, a partner in life, and a new best friend.