FAQs

Dog Training Elite in Las Vegas, NV

Frequently Asked Questions

General
One of our trainers will visit your home to meet you and your dog and discuss any issues you're facing. We will then demonstrate one of our model dogs so you can see what you can expect after hiring our trainers. From there, we will discuss the various packages we offer and which we feel best suit your (and your dog's) needs.
The answer to this is in how the technology of "shock" collars (as they were called in the past) has changed a lot since they originated several years ago. The stimulation in the electronic collars we use is much like a TENS unit and provides a tapping sensation that is used to get the dog's attention on a very low level. We use a brand called Dogtra. We do not use "shock" collars, but electronic collars employed by the top obedience trainers around the world and in Las Vegas.
No. We use electronic collars to get the dogs attention only. When you work around distractions (which is one of our main focuses), keeping your dog's attention is paramount. The collar, combined with positive reinforcement (we like to use praise), help create a positive learning environment in Las Vegas for your dog.
In most cases, the collar will run at about $250, without tax, but is subject to market fluctuation in Las Vegas.
No, but your dog will wear it a lot in the beginning. The objective is to create a conditioned response with your dog; meaning that when you say 'sit', your dog sits automatically without thinking about it first. Much like Pavlov's Dogs or Pavlovian Conditioning, we create a reflex response to you giving a command using the electronic collar. That being said, after your dog is "collar-conditioned", you will be able to remove the collar and still have a dog that will be obedient.
We provide full obedience training that covers all basic commands, both on and off-leash. Our in-home visits target specific issues like counter-surfing, digging, and more. Unlike some trainers, we work with all breeds, including those often considered challenging.
Yes. You (and anyone in your family who wants to be involved) are integral to your dog getting trained. We need you to practice 5-6 days a week, about 15-20 minutes a day for optimal results.
Once a week. We come to you (with the silver, gold and platinum packages) once a week to start your dog off, then you come to park sessions which are held once a week in Las Vegas.
To effectively resolve specific issues, we need to start with a solid foundation in obedience. This approach helps you become a confident leader for your dog, which is key to addressing and preventing behavioral problems.
Nope. Those are dangerous grounds to tread upon. We'd much rather train a vicious dog!
We train dogs of all breeds, sizes, and temperaments. Whether your dog is a tiny Chihuahua or a large Mastiff, we have the experience and expertise to work with them.
Yes. Working with and controlling aggression is one of our specialties in Las Vegas.
We focus on training companion dogs for veterans and individuals with PTSD and other psychological conditions. In addition to service animals, we also train therapy dogs that visit hospitals, nursing homes, and treatment centers.
To be a service dog, your dog needs to have an even temperament. Golden Retrievers, Labrador Retrievers, Standard Poodles, Goldendoodles, etc. typically have a great temperament for service work. For some types of service work, your dog will need to have AKC certifications (such as Canine Good Citizen or Community Canine) which we are able to certify. As always, we would be happy to assess your dog's aptitude for service work for free!

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About Dog Training Elite in Las Vegas

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Meet the Team
Get to know the dedicated professionals behind Dog Training Elite in Las Vegas. Our team of experienced trainers is passionate about helping dogs and their owners build strong, lasting bonds. Learn about their backgrounds, expertise, and what drives them to deliver the highest level of training in the industry.
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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 in Las Vegas has transformed the lives of countless dogs and their families!
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Careers
Join the Dog Training Elite in Las Vegas 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.
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Gallery
Our gallery features photos and videos of dogs in training, successful graduates, and highlights from community events. See what Dog Training Elite in Las Vegas can offer your dog and get a glimpse of the work we’re passionate about.
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In the Community
At Dog Training Elite in Las Vegas, 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

  • Barry Brode
    Nov. 4, 2024
    My experience from the initial meeting with Colin through five home visits and the first group training, this past Saturday, for my five month old Akita … Absolutely 1000% legit. The first training session, which is at your home, Colin was instrumental in providing the tools that I needed, so I was able to work with Elvis. Without anxiety or apprehension. In six weeks, I have a better behaved fur baby. I would absolutely without hesitation recommend Elite Dog Training.
  • BrennanOMalley
    Oct. 16, 2024
    Nick is doing a wonderful job training my mother in laws Yorkie! Last week was the first time Penny didn’t try to turn my pants in to shorts when we came to visit! I thought she had gotten a new dog! Dog Training Elite and Nick are the best trainers, they not only train dogs but mother in laws too!
  • Steph Straub
    Oct. 16, 2024
    Working with Nick was an excellent experience! When our son started walking his relationship with our dog went downhill fast. Nick gave us simple but effective tools to keep everyone safe and build a better relationship between the two. The weekly group sessions are a great way to keep the training relevant and front-of-mind. Highly recommend!
  • Tanner Mann
    Jul. 20, 2023
    Nick was incredible with my dog, Kaya. He showed me what to do with her when she gets too excited around other dogs. My favorite was learning heel, and noticing how fast she picked up on it. If you’re looking for a place to help you and your dogs, your search is over! Thanks again, Nick!
  • Zuleika Hiraldo
    Oct. 5, 2024
    Great trainer. Always on time. Always respectful and patient. Learn a lot from Nick. It is not only the pup that got trained but I as well. Because it is not just the dog but the owner as well. It is a partnership
  • Nikki Goodden
    Jun. 25, 2023
    When we brought our 8-week-old English lab pups home I knew I wanted professional help with training. Nick has gone above and beyond our expectations. We worked hard and practiced his lessons in between sessions. The girls learned quickly and are eager to please. The additional group classes have been hugely advantageous to socialize them and reinforce skills. Nick is a gold star trainer. Patient, calm, persistent. But you have to do the work if you want results! We are now considering service training. With Nick's expertise I have no doubt our dogs will make exceptional service animals. Thank you Nick!
  • Kelsey Pugliese
    Aug. 29, 2024
    I knew there would be obstacles adopting a young rescue shepherd from the Animal Foundation so I immediately reached out to Nick to see if he could help. I am so pleased with the experience I have had with both at home sessions as well as group training. Wynnie has made tremendous progress with basic training commands (sit, stay, heel) and has overcome the obstacle of learning to play nicely with her 12-year-old dog brother at home. The socialization skills she has gained in the group setting have made me comfortable enough to bring her out in public and to the dog park. Nick does a wonderful job accessing the needs of your dog at each session and making sure to leave you with knowledge and homework to maintain the work put in during the session. I would 100% recommend this program as it not only teaches the animal but more importantly the owner so much. Thank you Nick!
  • Mary Vander Veer
    Aug. 29, 2024
    I highly recommend Nick with Dog Training Elite. He is knowledgeable, professional, personable, and training with him has been such a success for my mini dachshund, Desi. She is a therapy dog and I have so much confidence in the skills Nick has helped us with. She is attentive and off leash most of the day and I have full confidence in this due to the skills she's learned with Nick's guidance. The skills he's helped us with has made her progression into the office such a breeze. The ability to go to the group classes ongoing is so helpful to keep her skills sharp and continue to socialize with other dogs as well. Not only did he help her with baseline obedience training but she has also mastered following through with therapeutic commands as well. Any questions I have, he always has a plan ready to deal with it. Could not recommend enough!
  • Jodi Lopez
    Aug. 29, 2024
    Highly recommend Dog Training Elite Southwest Las Vegas! The one on one classes with Nick were awesome. He taught us how to have patience and to be consistent. We have seen a tremendous amount of improvement with our bull terrier, Rocket’s attention and behavior. Rocket always looks forward to group classes on the weekends !
  • Mark Gordon
    Nov. 7, 2023
    Nick is the best. He makes sure he gives the dog his utmost attention and makes sure you understand what he is trying to accomplish and makes sure your dog understands it as well. Highly recommend this person to fulfill all your training needs for your dog
  • Sonja M
    Aug. 29, 2024
    I cannot express how grateful we are to have found Nick! He is so knowledgeable, professional, personable, and ever so patient with our big puppies! We rescued two brothers and we were worried about litter mate syndrome, along with just the training involved with puppies (we're too old for all that energy ha-ha). But Nick is so fantastic, our pups love him and so do we!! He is a continuous learner and if you ask him something and he's never encountered it, I guarantee he will leave and find it out for your next training session. You can't find another more dedicated trainer than Nick!! Simply stated, he is THE BEST!!!
  • Eric Ko
    Aug. 29, 2024
    We researched a lot of other companies, we decided to hire Nick to train our brown lab to be a therapy dog. He went above and beyond, and we're very satisfied. I strongly recommended his service.
  • Brittany Vaughan
    Aug. 26, 2024
    Highly recommend! We rescued a Siberian husky/aussie mix and she needed training badly!! Nick came to Our house and worked with her and us and now she listens to us and knows all the commands! We’re just waiting for it to cool down to start the Saturday mornings at the park that’s included with the package we got!
  • Destiny Rae
    Aug. 14, 2024
    This is littlefoot! We did puppy training with Nick. I can't recommend him enough! His patience, expertise, and genuine love for dogs made the experience that much better. From day one he made Littlefoot and I so comfortable! Littlefoot is a stubborn sassy dachshund! Littlefoot actually listens now. If you’re looking for someone who truly cares and knows how to get results, Nick is the one to go to!
  • Jenny Feehan
    Jun. 17, 2024
    I’ve known Nick for a really long time and his love for dogs has always been his passion. I believe he can work you and your dog on fundamental training and bad habit breaking!
  • Danni Brooks
    Apr. 14, 2024
    My mini Labradoodle started service dog training at 12 weeks old. Colin has always been very patient and made accommodations of the training specifically to my dog’s personality. Eight months later, NOLA is now officially a certified service dog for my military PTSD. I am so happy with the results of her hard work and comfortable going into crowds without fear and anxiety. 100% recommended!
  • Shawn Izzo
    Feb. 13, 2024
    I have worked with several trainers in the valley, but Nick at Dog Training Elite has been the best. I chose DTE for my service dog training after researching several other options within Las Vegas. I am so happy with the results. Wherever I take my dog, I am always getting compliments on how well behaved she is, and I'm asked if I had her trained at a facility. I am constantly recommending Dog Training Elite and cannot say enough praises about the program. Nick is extremely patient with both you as the owner and your dog. Keep in mind, you get what you put into the program. Nick will make sure you and your dog know the basics and how the task should look before he leaves but it's on the owner to keep working with the dog between sessions. Nick is very responsive if you have questions outside of your training sessions as well. I highly recommend Nick with Dog Training Elite. I will not trust any other trainer in the valley in the future. Customer for life.
  • JT
    Feb. 8, 2024
    I met Nick through the Malinois Foundation . It’s a non-profit organization that connects veterans like myself with service dogs and dog trainers. I’ve known Nick about a year now and he helped me train and certified my service dog Roxy. She is a one year old golden retriever. Nick is nothing short of outstanding. He is courteous , kind, personable and punctual at all our training sessions. We had approximately 14 one on one sessions as well as weekly group sessions. It’s always a professional atmosphere and always a safe & healthy training environment for our animals. I couldn’t recommend Nick and DTE more. 6 stars.
  • Daniela
    Feb. 7, 2024
    Nick is very professional yet friendly and really taught us more about our dog's behavior. He works with our schedule and really cares about our progress. Fair prices as well.
  • Alison Selzler
    Jan. 16, 2024
    Nick was patient, kind and professional working with our dogs to improve thier behavior. We have multiple dogs and it is important that they are well behaved for us and our houseguests/family/friends. We worked on the introduction of our newest pup to our pack. He helped us to develop and maintain good potty training habits. Our puppy is high energy and would jump up in excitement, we have seen a remarkable improvement working with them and implementing the recommended techniques. We are greatful we connected with Nick and Dog Training Elite SWLV. Highly recommend!

Our Team

Nick Smith - Owner/Trainer
Nick Smith
Owner/Trainer

I was born and raised in Denver, Colorado and moved to Las Vegas, Nevada in 2017. After being presented a job opportunity in 2017, I decided to take a leap of faith to pursue a new career just shortly after graduating with my degree in Business Marketing. After 5 long years in the corporate world, I have decided it is time to make a change for the better. Starting my journey with Dog Training Elite has already brought my family and me so much joy, I can only imagine what the future has in store for us. I find it fascinating how intelligent dogs can be and how even a little bit of training can go a long way. We love taking our dog, Kaden, everywhere we go and our dream is to give that gift to other families around us.

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Bryanna Smith - Owner/Administrative
Bryanna Smith
Owner/Administrative

Born and raised in Las Vegas, Nevada. I grew up playing soccer and started working in the food and beverage industry right out of high school. Over the past 5 years I have worked as Human Resources in a more corporate environment along side of my husband. I look forward to making this drastic career change with my husband to not only better our lives, but those around us and in our community. With our passion for animals, I believe it’s going to be a true privilege getting to spend most of our days enhancing the lives of dogs all around us.

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 Colin and Celeste O'Keefe - Owners
Colin and Celeste O'Keefe
Owners

Colin and Celeste moved from Central Valley California to Henderson, Nevada in 2016 with their two children. Colin worked as a Construction Safety Manager on large scale utility solar projects and Celeste has been a stay at home mom since their first child was born in 2010.

Dogs are no longer only guardians or accessories for people. They often become valued family members. Empowering dog owners with proper training to enhance their daily interactions with their pets is beneficial to the dog as well as the owner.

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