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Service Dog Breeds
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. We've created this brief guide to review 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. Take the first step towards a better future with a trained service dog by contacting Dog Training Elite Greater Philadelphia today!
Popular Breeds for Service Dogs
While most dogs can be trained to become service dogs, regardless of breed, a few breeds lead the pack in popularity due to their personalities and inherent traits. Here are a few of the most popular service dog breeds.
Labrador Retrievers
Labrador retrievers are among the most sought-after breeds to be service dogs for PTSD in Lancaster due to their intelligence, versatility, and friendly nature. They excel in various roles, including guide dogs for individuals with visual impairments, service dogs for individuals with mobility issues, and service dogs for veterans with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). Labradors are highly trainable and possess a strong desire to please, making them ideal candidates for service work.
Golden Retrievers
Golden retrievers are known for their gentle and patient nature, making them excellent service dog candidates. Their calm temperament, intelligence, and willingness to learn contribute to their success in roles such as mobility assistance, therapy dogs, and service dogs for veterans. Their ability to provide emotional support and comfort makes them particularly well-suited for individuals with PTSD or other mental health conditions.
German Shepherds
German shepherds possess a remarkable combination of strength, intelligence, and loyalty, making them an excellent choice as a service dog for veterans. Their versatility allows them to excel in various roles, including mobility assistance, search and rescue, and service dogs for individuals with psychiatric or neurological conditions. With their keen sense of observation and natural protective instincts, German Shepherds can provide physical and emotional support to their handlers.
Poodles
Poodles are renowned for their intelligence, trainability, and hypoallergenic coats, making them popular for service dog training, especially for individuals with allergies. They excel in roles such as mobility assistance, diabetic alert dogs, and medical alert dogs.
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.
Who Are Service Dogs For?
Service dogs offer invaluable support and assistance to individuals facing various challenges. Service dogs are sought after by individuals with conditions such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), mobility limitations, visual or hearing impairments, autism spectrum disorders, anxiety disorders, and more. Service dogs can help provide security, independence, and emotional well-being regardless of the specific condition. If you seek a loyal and capable partner to enhance your daily life, a service dog for PTSD in Lancaster can make a remarkable difference.
Service Dog Training
Service dogs undergo extensive and specialized training to perform their essential tasks and assist individuals with disabilities. The 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, stay, heel, and come, as well as proper leash manners and socialization skills.
- Task Training
Task training tailors to the specific needs of the 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.
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!
We had the best experience with Elite Dog Training! I could not be happier! Our trainer, Toni, was amazing to work with. We have seen great improvement in our dogs behavior. Worth every cent!!— Emma Cooper
Posted November 7th 2023
I can not say enough about Toni and Betsy! I have had dogs all of my life and this is the first time that I am so Proud to have a really well behaved dog. I get compliments about my dog Sadie all the time. She is our first service dog that we trained through dog training elite and we are very pleased with their program! I now have the tools for life! I highly recommend Dog Training Elite Philadelphia/Lancaster! Thank you so much Toni and Betsy! Rachelle and Bryan Storm— Rachelle Storm
Posted October 15th 2023
My GSD is aggressive with other dogs and children. The only dog training company I could find to work with her was Dog Training Elite! Lizzy is flowing the commands that were taught to us in our one on one sessions, has now started group sessions and did so well in her first session and climbed up and sat with the grandson for the first time! The trainers are so knowledgeable with dog training and they care about the dogs and families they help!! The best investment I ever made!! I highly recommend Dog training Elite with Betsy and her trainers!! All I can say is thank you for saving our dog!!!— Ramona Lunger
Posted August 21st 2023
I contacted many different dog trainers in the Lancaster area, but none of them was willing to work with dogs that had aggression issues with the exception of Dog Training Elite! I was afraid I would have to give up Lizzy my GSD because of her aggression toward children and other dogs. Then Betsy and Audra showed up at my door, assessed Lizzy and agreed to take her on!! Lizzy is doing so well with the commands and her confidence level has grown so much that she was playing with our grandson for the first time! These trainers are professional and know what they are doing!! And they love the dogs they train! I am no longer worried about losing Lizzy! All I can say is thank you for saving my dog!— Ramona Lunger
Posted August 21st 2023
This was one of the best investments I’ve ever made. I have a Bernese Mountain Dog who used to pull on walks, wouldn’t come, would only listen to commands when he wants to, he is now public access certified and we get compliments all the time on how well behaved he is for a one year old puppy. Not only is he a well trained dog, I feel like my relationship with him is so much stronger because we worked and still work together on training every day. I tell everyone with dogs about Dog Training Elite. Could not recommend this company enough!— Brittany Ritter
Posted July 23rd 2023
I rescued my hound (we live in Philadelphia) about a year ago and it had been a rollercoaster with behaviors, anxiety and scary runaways. Choosing Dog Training Elite has greatly improved all of these issues. With Rubies patience, knowledge and guidance I can whole heartedly say that my girl is better than I could have ever hoped for. She has so much more confidence, the mental stimulation from training and having a job makes her happy and tired, and I feel like we have developed a stronger bond based on trust and obedience. In just a couple of months my once runaway can be trusted off-leash and is hyper focused on me and my commands. The e-collar has been incredible. When I put it on my dog in the morning before we walk she immediately understands that is it time to “work” aka listen. I could not be happier with our training experience or more grateful for Rubie!— Samantha Ortolano
Posted July 9th 2023
These trainers are absolutely amazing! Toni worked with Teddy our station dog and now he serves his community! Thank you ladies!!— Kristen Kovacs
Posted July 3rd 2023
Betsy and Audra have been incredible. We are working with them to train our young husky as an autism service dog for our daughter. Their professionalism and kindness is beyond compare. They go the extra mile for their clients, even calling us “family.” They incorporate all of us in Layla’s training and makes sure we are comfortable before moving onto the next phase. We are so thankful for them and would recommend them to anyone!— Zak Adams
Posted May 5th 2023
We are training two of our dogs to be service dogs, one of whom is a complex guy. Betsy has done an outstanding job with them. She is highly knowledgeable, sensitive, intuitive, friendly, super responsible, and works with our specific needs. We have seen instant and dramatic improvement, which makes our lives so much easier and enjoyable with the dogs. And they are having fun, too--they just love her, and so do we. We all look forward to training sessions! We're so grateful to Betsy for this huge improvement in our lives.Highest recommendation.— Kristin Witbeck Lee
Posted April 20th 2023
I highly recommend training with Dog Training Elite Lancaster! Betsy has an incredible knowledge base on dog behavior and how to train them with a caring attitude. I had such a hard time getting my dog to listen to be in public, but with Betsy’s methodology, we were able to have my pup listen to me 100% of the time! On top of advanced obedience training we went through the service dog training package. Her empathetic and strategic approach to successfully train my dog to do the tasks I need was incredible. Seriously life changing and I am so grateful for her help!!! 10/10 recommend!!!!— Rubie Nathanson
Posted April 20th 2023
I adore Betsy and Dog Training Elite ! She has trained our pitbull mix. When we started , she was an out of control pup that was driving me crazy !!! After the training, I can keep her under control - fabulous manners and comes every time I call her ! Sounds minor - but this has been a total life changer. I plan to train with Betsy with my next pup and all future ones. Thank you Betsy !!!!— Rachael Morinelli
Posted April 16th 2023
Service Dogs for Veterans & PTSDTraining with Dog Training Elite in Lancaster
Dog Training Elite offers comprehensive service dog training programs designed to meet your unique needs. With our expertise and personalized approach, we can help your service dog develop the skills and behaviors necessary to fulfill their vital role in enhancing your daily life.
Service dogs are an invaluable resource for individuals with disabilities, providing support, independence, and companionship. Service dogs can benefit individuals with various conditions, including PTSD, mobility limitations, autism, anxiety disorders, and more. At Dog Training Elite Greater Philadelphia, we offer comprehensive service dog training programs to ensure your dog has the necessary skills to meet your needs. Our expertise and personalized approach will help you forge a strong bond with your service dog and confidently navigate daily life. Take the first step towards a brighter future by contacting Dog Training Elite today and discovering how a service dog can make a remarkable difference in your life.
Proud Sponsor of The Malinois Foundation
At Dog Training Elite Greater Philadelphia, 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 Greater Philadelphia work's with the Malinois Foundation to heal and empower these individuals with a specialized service animal, a partner in life, and a new best friend.
