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What is a Therapy Dog?
A therapy dog is a dog that performs a service for other people. Typical therapy dog tasks are going to nursing homes or hospitals to cheer people up. For your dog to qualify, he/she must be friendly with strangers, and with training, be able to work around a high level of distraction and to understand personal boundaries, such as not jumping up, licking, mouthing, etc.
Research shows that therapy dogs can have a positive effect on a patient’s mood, stress, and pain levels during facility stays. Children, in particular, respond positively to therapy dogs. They are more motivated to participate in treatments, feel optimistic about the future, and experience an overall sense of calm when a certified therapy dog is present.
Therapy dogs can promote social interaction between individuals within communities that may not otherwise experience socialization typically. Therapy dogs offer unconditional love, non-judgmental interaction, reduce stress, anxiety, and loneliness and provide an overall positive distraction to ailments.
Goals for Your Therapy Companion
- Socialization
- Lower Pain Levels
- Motivation
- Provide Comfort
- Decrease in Stress, Anxiety, and Depression
- Promote Healing
- Increase Overall Optimism
- Ease Loneliness
Not all training packages may be available at our Dog Training Elite Los Angeles location, please reference our pricing page for complete information on services offered.
Therapy Dog
Therapy dog training is based on your dog's abilities.
Call for Details
A therapy dog volunteers alongside you, where permitted, and provides comfort to others. Examples include cheering people up at nursing homes or hospitals.
A good therapy dog is naturally friendly with strangers, able to work around a high level of distraction (with training), and able to understand personal boundaries, such as not jumping up, licking, mouthing, etc (with training).
- Private, one-on-one training sessions 6 Sessions
- Group dog training in the community Up to 3 Months
- Therapy bandanna, certification and ID Cards
- An exclusive directory of therapy events and locations for you to donate your time
- Certification/Testing
- Come
- Walk with you (no more pulling)
- Sit (next to you)
- Sit (off leash, at a distance)
- Down (next to you)
- Down (off leash, at a distance)
- Wait
- Quiet (stop barking and whining)
- Load up in the car or kennel
- Place
- Heel
- No Jumping up (on people)
- Make a friend
- One personalized greeting (high five, shake, hug, etc.)
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.
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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).
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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.
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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!
"John (Elite Dog Training School) is simply phenomenal! His expertise in dog training is unmatched, and his passion for helping dogs and their owners shines through in every session. With his patient approach and tailored techniques, he transforms even the most stubborn pups into well-behaved companions. John's commitment to positive reinforcement ensures a trusting bond between dogs and their humans. If you're looking for a dog trainer who delivers results with compassion and professionalism, look no further than John!"— shohreh farokhnia
Posted April 15th 2024
Thank you to my trainer Jon for teaching me on keeping my dog Otis clam I recommend Jon the Dog Trainer if anybody’s interested hit him up he is the best trainer. He teaches very well.— krystel mercado
Posted April 13th 2024
The trainers at Dog Training Elite are warm and understanding. My golden's separation anxiety is now much more manageable.— Joachim Valdez
Posted March 7th 2024
Just the loveliest and best experience with Efecan! Truffles has finally stopped being reactive every time anyone walks past our house, which was seriously driving us crazy. Thank you so much guys!— Bec Bowman
Posted March 5th 2024
My Clyde is a timid 9 year old rescue dog. Dog Training Elite showed me you can teach an old dog new tricks. After trying to train her for over a year, I came to realize this was beyond my capabilities. I am so grateful for Jon and Dog Training Elite. He was beyond patient. Not only he trained my dog but also took the time to train me, which was probably even more difficult. I love that they come to you and teach you in your home. Now I get compliments when I take him to places as he is very well behaved. Well worth every penny spent.— Camille Archibald
Posted February 20th 2024
I recently had the pleasure of working with Jon to improve the walking experience with my dogs, and I couldn't be happier with the results. Before his guidance, walking my dogs was a constant struggle, with each pulling in different directions and becoming easily distracted by every scent and object on the ground. Jon was incredibly patient and knowledgeable, demonstrating effective techniques to make our walks more enjoyable for both me and my dogs. His gentle approach and clear communication style made the training sessions productive and enjoyable. What impressed me the most was Jon's professionalism and dedication to his craft. He took the time to understand my dogs' unique behaviors and tailored his methods to suit their needs. His genuine love for animals was evident in every interaction, and my dogs responded positively to his guidance. Thanks to Jon, walking my dogs has become a pleasurable experience rather than a dreaded chore. I highly recommend his services to anyone in need of professional dog training.— Gillian Bigelson
Posted February 15th 2024
Proud Sponsor of The Malinois Foundation
At Dog Training Elite Los Angeles, 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 Los Angeles 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.