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

Professional

Service Dog Training

Dog Training Elite Northeast Ohio

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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
Advanced medical training (participating locations)

Dog Training Elite Northeast Ohio

Service Dog Training in Cleveland, OH

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 Cleveland, OH, 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.

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!

Hear From Our Customers

Learn Why Dog owners choose Dog Training Elite

  • Candice Parr
    Feb. 4, 2025
    Elite training is top-notch. I interviewed several facilities before we decided on Kevin & Andrea and their incredible team. We have been through a few trainings so far and see such a difference in our Brutus already! After we committed to Elite we mentioned it to a friend and she said her Pup had gone through the training and went above and beyond praising Elite and their caring staff. If you want someone with years of experience and treat both yourself and your Pup(s) with respect you want Elite. I procrastinated too long so as they say, just do it, and you will never look back!! A+++++++
  • david silberstein
    Feb. 2, 2025
    David my German Shepherd Zeke would highly recommend Dog Training Elite Kevin , Andria are awesome really are compassionate about training Zeke is really making amazing progress very satisfied highly recommend Dog Training Elite.
  • Sean Hartnett
    Jan. 20, 2025
    Kevin was an incredible trainer for my dog, very patient & kind. Learned my dogs temperament fast & adjusted training for his personality which worked great!
  • Veronica Issac
    Jan. 18, 2025
    Great team of trainers! I have been skeptical of the use of e-collars for training but we needed something different to help with reactivity. The owners are wonderful. They come to you. They sat with me during our evaluation to understand what my pup needed. As a single person with a job with long hours, the yrainers have been very flexible with scheduling. They have been so patient with our training, working through real world scenarios. My pup has made such progress. And best of all, we have access to training for the life of my pup. I'm so grateful to have found Dog Training Elite Northeast OH. It has been such an enjoyable experience.
  • Michael Conley
    Jan. 10, 2025
    I'm am so happy that we found DTE. The Johnsons treat every dog like they are one of their own. They go above and beyond to cater to your training needs. Having used other trainers in the past, DTE far exceeded my expectations and highly recommended them. Thank you Kevin, Andresla, Jimmy and Dennis!
  • Ryan Savage
    Nov. 28, 2024
    Dog Training Elite is AWESOME! The owners are the nicest people, they really know what they're doing. If you need dog training, DTE is definitely the way to go. They offer service dog, therapy dog, and obedience training. Great guys overall.
  • Lynn Dutsch
    Nov. 22, 2024
    We were at our wit's end with our puppy but Dog Training Elite Northeast Ohio changed our lives for the better from the very first lesson. We have truly enjoyed our experience and have even been able to use the same techniques with our 5 year old dog. We absolutely recommend Kevin, Andrea, and the entire team for any dog or puppy that needs training. It has been such a pleasure to go from one semi-behaved dog and a crazy puppy, to 2 very well behaved dogs with happy owners! Thank you Kevin, Andrea, and the entire team.
  • dominick lesinski
    Nov. 14, 2024
    Thanks DTE Northeast Ohio!
  • kim pintar
    Nov. 12, 2024
    Kevin and Andrea were amazing with our very anxious and nervous Louie. They helped him work through a lot of his fears with an extreme amount of patience and reassurance. They also taught us how to train our dog in a way that was the best for him and build our confidence. What meant the most was how Kevin and Andrea cared when we lost our other dog, Margo. Great dog trainers!!
  • Abby Atkins
    Nov. 12, 2024
    I am so grateful for Kevin, Andrea, and Jimmy! They were so patient as we navigated training two dogs. My pitbull has skin issues so they worked with me on making sure the collar we used didn’t affect his skin. They were all so encouraging and gave my pups so much love. It was a great experience and I’m looking forward to continue the training with the pack walks.
  • Tiffany Brock
    Nov. 12, 2024
    AMAZING STAFF! We are so thankful to have connected with this group. They go above and beyond. We have a pack for life ❤️ Kevin and Andrea have been such a great resource, even before I had my pup! Andrea spoke with me for an hour or so about where to start in looking for a puppy as my service dog. We connected again after finding the best pup ever (thanks to Andreas expert advice on breeder selection). We got to work training and it just seemed like such an easy process, even with all the hard work! We had the tools, knowledge, and support to get where we are today!
  • julz vern
    Nov. 11, 2024
    Really happy with Dog Training Elite Northeast Ohio I am disabled and suffer from PTSD my doctor referred me to get a companion and or Service Dog My son purchased this beautiful German Shepard not only for Emotional Support, but for Protection as well. We love that we can count on Élite for training Baby Girl we see the changes in her every day. We love that it is a life time program if we should need it and the extra touch is the get togethers at the park with other dogs and their owners. We also love the Crew and the Owners they really take pride working with the dogs everyday, you can see the results at the end of the day when its time to teach the owners LOL
  • Bernard Agin
    Nov. 11, 2024
    Marley is a 7 year old cavachon. Happy dog. But a gleeful barker at dogs and people. A leash puller!! Still happy as can be. Walks like a champ. Even ignores those chatty squirrels and swarms of deer. Marley is becoming a trained PSA. And we owe it to Kevin, Andrea and Elite.
  • I P
    Nov. 11, 2024
    I can’t say enough good things about the Dog Training Elite Team. If you are looking for a practical approach to obedience training, look no further. The platinum dog training program set the foundation for success for our 1yr. Old Bully. He was reactive towards people and animals, making walks and community outings difficult. Kevin and Andrea, take the time to understand your needs. One-on-one sessions offer a better understanding of dog behavior and proper technique. I especially enjoyed the Doggie Day camps. Unlike board and train programs, our boy spent the day training and playing with new friends. Then, he was allowed to come home at the end of the day, where we completed our homework(Practice)! The entire staff at the training facility is knowledgeable, caring, and dedicated to helping your pup be all it can be. Be assured that when you partner with the DTE team, they will be committed to the long-term success of your fur baby.
  • Leslie McIntyre
    Nov. 10, 2024
    Very clear and positive way of dealing with issues your pup may have. The trainers are encouraging no matter what happens, or how stubborn your dog is. They figure out ways to solve all problems. Extremely happy to have hired them
  • Kaleigh Hunt
    Nov. 10, 2024
    Dog Training Elite has forever changed our lives. I got my first puppy, Vienna, and while I loved her, I struggled through the puppy stage and remember feeling overwhelmed. That changed once we started training with Kevin and Andrea. Now, Vienna is incredibly well-behaved and receives compliments wherever we go. We’re so grateful for the work they put into helping us with our dog. Their family-run facility makes you and your pet feel like family too. We’ll definitely be going through Dog Training Elite for our next puppy!
  • Susan Patterson
    Aug. 26, 2024
    Our dog did very well and we were very pleased with the results. The team members are all great with the dogs and we look forward to future training sessions.
  • Katie Fioritto
    Jun. 28, 2024
    I came across Dog Training Elite from a Google search when an unexpected health problem and upcoming surgery meant we needed to sharpen our puppy’s skills, and fast. From the moment I first contacted them and talked with Andrea, I knew we were in good hands. Toni and Andrea did our free home consultation and reviewed in detail their philosophies and different programs available. We started our six week in home training program the next week and after the first training session we could already see a positive difference in our pup. They provided instructions with the skills to work on each week and took their time to make sure we were comfortable. We had the opportunity to meet a few different trainers over the weeks (Kevin and Bernadette) and everyone was so kind and professional. We haven’t yet done the group classes but I appreciate them ensuring that your dogs skills are consistent, not only at home but also outside of the home and with distraction. I highly recommend Dog Training Elite Northeast Ohio to anyone looking for help with training their dog.
  • Reannin Bailey
    Jun. 4, 2024
    Could not recommend more! Had my pug thing trained to be a service dog. They offer boot camps, at home visits, public outings, group classes, and a free consultation! They are super patient and friendly, and never made me feel rushed or stupid.
  • Yvonne Thompson
    May. 25, 2024
    We gave our rescue Grey a great home with lots of patience and love! "DOG TRAINING ELITE" gave us the tools, training and skillset to build on that foundation! With their help, we have been able to build Grey's confidence so he can be a GREAT DOG!!! The owners Kevin, and Andrea and their team are great pack leaders!!! Their leadership builds confidence in the handlers and canines to trust and have confidence in each other. We strongly recommend DOG TRAINIG ELITE for all dog training. Lynn & Yvonne
A Dog Training Elite Northeast Ohio owner smiling with his dog in Cleveland, OH.

Dog Training Elite Northeast Ohio

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
  2. 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!

  3. Therapy Animal
  4. 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.

  5. Emotional Support Animal
  6. 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 Northeast Ohio

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 Northeast Ohio - PTSD Service Dog Training in Cleveland. Dog Training Elite Northeast Ohio
PTSD Service Dog

If you're looking to train a PTSD service dog in Cleveland, OH, 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 Northeast Ohio - Psychiatric Service Dog Trainers in Cleveland
Psychiatric Service Dog Training

Our psychiatric service dog training in Cleveland, OH 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 Northeast Ohio - Mobility Service Dog in Cleveland, OH. Dog Training Elite
Mobility Support Service Dog

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

Dog Training Elite Northeast Ohio - Autism Support Dog Training in Cleveland, OH
Autism Support Service Dog

Bring life-changing support to your family with Dog Training Elite's autism support dog training in Cleveland, OH. 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 Cleveland service dog training with Dog Training Elite.

Dog Training Elite Northeast Ohio

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 Northeast Ohio.

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 Northeast Ohio.
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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 Cleveland, OH with Dog Training Elite.

We Are Committed to Making a Difference

Choose DTE for Cleveland Service Dog Training

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At Dog Training Elite, we are passionate about transforming lives through Cleveland 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 Northeast Ohio and experience the difference that elite training and compassionate care can make.