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Military / Retired Vet Programs

Dog Training Elite Knoxville

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A military veteran and service dog - Dog Training Elite offers elite veteran service dog training in Knoxville, TN.

Dog Training Elite

Military Veteran Service Dog Training in Knoxville, TN

At Dog Training Elite Knoxville, we strongly believe in the healing power of service dogs for military veterans. That’s why we dedicate our time and passion to providing veteran service dog training in Knoxville, TN.

Service dogs can greatly assist with both the mental and physical challenges veterans may face after serving our country. Many veterans experience PTSD, physical disabilities, or other impairments, and our service dogs have been proven to help reduce symptoms and support veterans in returning to their daily routines.

Learn more about our programs designed for veterans and discover why Dog Training Elite is committed to making a difference in the community.

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A service puppy in training - Dog Training Elite offers veteran service dog training in Knoxville, TN for those who have served our country.

Dog Training Elite Knoxville

Why We Offer Service Dog Training for Military Veterans

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At Dog Training Elite Knoxville, we are passionate about helping military veterans through the support of service dogs. We offer specialized service dog training options in Knoxville, backed by scientific research and proven by our own success stories.

In a study conducted by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, veterans paired with service dogs experienced a significant reduction in PTSD symptoms and fewer self-harm ideations. The mental health and medical communities increasingly recognize service dogs’ positive impact on emotional well-being and independence, making them one of the most effective tools for veteran recovery.

At Dog Training Elite, we are dedicated to providing exceptional dog training services that provide the tools and support needed for our veterans and their dogs to thrive, offering a path toward healing and better quality of life.

A beautiful golden retriever service dog - Dog Training Elite Knoxville.

Popular Service Dog Breeds


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Finding a service dog that fits your individual needs is important, especially for military veteran support. While most dogs can be trained to become service dogs, a few breeds stand out due to their personalities and inherent traits.

Here are a few of the most popular service dog breeds:

  1. Labrador Retrievers: Labradors are intelligent, versatile, and eager to please, making them ideal for PTSD service dogs. Their trainability allows them to excel in roles like guide dogs, mobility support, and emotional support, making them highly adaptable for veterans.
  2. Golden Retrievers: Golden Retrievers are known for their calm, gentle nature and strong work ethic. They are excellent at providing mobility assistance and emotional support, especially for veterans with PTSD, due to their patient and loving temperament.
  3. German Shepherds: German Shepherds are strong, loyal, and highly intelligent, making them excellent service dogs. Their protective instincts and trainability allow them to assist with mobility, search and rescue, and provide emotional support for veterans.
  4. Malinois: Belgian Malinois are known for their deep loyalty and intelligence. Malinois are not for everyone due to their energy and drive, but for retired veterans who appreciate discipline, structure, and a deep connection, they can be life-changing companions.

Get Your Free Assessment

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!

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See An Elite Dog in Action

A service dog and his veteran owner - Dog Training Elite Knoxville.

Our Veteran Service Dog Training in Knoxville, TN

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Service dogs undergo extensive specialized training to perform their tasks and assist their owners. Our training process involves a combination of obedience training, task training, and public access training.

  • Obedience Training: This training focuses on teaching a dog basic commands, such as sit, down, heel, come, as well as proper leash manners and socialization skills.
  • Task Training: Task training is tailored to fit the needs of each individual. It involves teaching the dog to perform tasks that mitigate the person’s disability, such as retrieving items, opening doors, or providing deep pressure therapy.
  • Public Access Training: This type of training is crucial to ensure the dog remains calm, well-behaved, and non-disruptive in various public settings. This training includes exposure to different environments, distractions, and social interactions to provide a dog that can confidently navigate public spaces.
A beautiful service dog standing outside - Dog Training Elite Knoxville.

Service Dogs for Veterans & PTSD

Get Specialized Training with DTE Today

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Training with Dog Training Elite is tailored specifically for military veterans dealing with PTSD and other service-related challenges. Our programs focus on helping veterans regain independence, emotional stability, and confidence through the support of a well-trained service dog.

At Dog Training Elite, we are dedicated to providing service dog training that strengthens the bond between veterans and their dogs, guiding them toward a brighter future and supporting their healing journey.

Hear From Our Customers

Learn Why Dog owners choose Dog Training Elite

  • Sam Rapp
    Feb. 6, 2025
    Parker is reliable, consistent, extremely competent, and professional. He mixes all of these traits with a level of empathy and caring that makes him very effective. I wouldn’t trust anyone else with my thumbless child. It’s just too bad y’all don’t have a ten-star rating, because I would give him 11.
  • Tayler Wallace
    Jan. 31, 2025
    We loved working with Reina and look forward to more sessions with her!!
  • Bobbie Krag
    Jan. 8, 2025
    We were so happy with Parker, and our experience with Dog Training Elite Knoxville. Thank you so much for your continued support in training Roxy!!
  • Dannie Harris
    Jan. 14, 2025
    Another wonderful session! I highly recommend this program. The knowledge and experience of Reina is very helpful. She is very responsive to my dog’s behaviors and needs.
  • liam ross
    Jan. 22, 2025
    Carol was so great in helping us understand the process and making a decision that was right for us.. She was very knowledgeable and professional! Thanks again!
  • David Doucette
    Jan. 20, 2025
    Great job today. It was a hard one to learn but patience and perseverance got the job done!
  • Jon Wasmund
    Jan. 15, 2025
    Reina is an amazing dog trainer. What she's accomplished with my dog has truly been life changing.
  • Maryanne Hoemann
    Jan. 15, 2025
    Great info--easy to follow directions--enjoyed!!
  • Karly Kramer
    Jan. 15, 2025
    Bolt has been through tough times recently! His trainer Reina is amazing! A couple months down the road, and Bolt is doing amazingly compared to how he was with his reactivity! I am very satisfied with the progress, and how it is obvious progress! He now can calm himself down when people come to our house, and his place command helps him tremendously with his anxiety. Reina and I finished at the dog park today! I never would’ve expected being able to take my boy there. He used to pull and bark towards everything, but today, Reina showed me exactly what I should do if Bolt focuses on dogs, and how to calm his inner crazy! I’ve personally been afraid to bring Bolt to the dog park, but Reina showed me Bolt CAN do it! I am scared but excited for his Mall trip in a couple weeks! I am ready to show everyone the growth my dog has experienced. Also, Bolt absolutely loves Reina! He gets excited when she is around, and loves her positive vibes! I am very happy I decided to go with Dog Training Elite! I highly recommend if you have a reactive dog(human, dog, children, etc)!!! Thank you for everything you’ve done to help Bolt work through his emotions!
  • Sara R. Turnquist
    Jan. 15, 2025
    The training was with Reina. She was great. Clear instruction, good with the dog, and firm with training. A wonderful experience! Amazed at how quickly the training is shaping behavior and how solid their methods.
  • Jarissa Loy
    Jan. 2, 2025
    Carol was very thorough with laying out everything they offer. She was very understanding and nice about everything
  • Ben Connell
    Dec. 30, 2024
    Dog Training Elite has been great to work with. They have taught me to have a better relationship with my rescue dog. My dog Wyatt was traumatized and abused. Dog training elite helped him gain confidence, and start to trust people again. He has gone from being reactive on the leash to walking nicely in my neighborhood. Best investment ever!
  • Kristen
    Dec. 28, 2024
    Carol is a phenomenal trainer! Her expertise and professionalism stand out, and she clearly has a natural ability to connect with dogs. She is also able to teach me as an owner practical and effective techniques for training and help me understand the bc “WHY” behind it. My dog Knox’s behavior, recall, and obedience has drastically improved since working with her…and in just a short amount of time! I highly recommend Carol and Dog Training Elite in Knoxville for anyone looking for a skilled, convenient and passionate dog trainer!
  • Simon Tv
    Dec. 20, 2024
    Reina helped us train our golden retriever puppy. She was excellent and a complete professional. We are looking forward to seeing her again at our group sessions! Highly recommend Reina!
  • Hetzel Family
    Dec. 18, 2024
    Cosima was awesome! Our dog Frankie learned so much! Cosima was always patient, soft-spoken and kind. We look forward to the group training and we know that Frankie will be the best-trained dog we’ve ever had!
  • Donnie Womble
    Nov. 25, 2024
    Jennifer was great help in the office.
  • Melissa Ball
    Nov. 22, 2024
    Jen and the office are super helpful! Thank you!
  • Evan
    Nov. 22, 2024
    Staff was very kind and flexible, Jen in the office was very knowledgeable and helped me find the plans that suited my training needs, 10/10 would recommend.
  • Taya Fillmore
    Nov. 6, 2024
    I loved my experience with Dog Training Elite. Parker has helped my standard poodle Kaiser blossom into quite the gentlemen. He used to jump on people and pull on the leash but now he is a model citizen. Thank you Parker and DTE
  • Bennett Moody
    Oct. 28, 2024
    Carol was such a sweetheart! She was so nice and was so great at making my dog obey! She taught me well how to train my dog! I really recommend!