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Service Dog Training Near You
What makes a dog a service dog? Who can have a service dog, and why? We answer all these questions and more, as well as explain what sets Dog Training Elite Mid Oregon apart from any other dog training service.
Not all training packages may be available at our Dog Training Elite Mid Oregon location, please reference our pricing page for complete information on services offered.
Service Dog Training FAQs
What makes a dog a service dog?
Service dogs are dogs that have been specially trained to assist their handler or owner with specific tasks. Dog Training Elite Mid Oregon trains dogs to assist people with epilepsy, diabetes, PTSD, autism, and various mental illnesses.
Who are service dogs for?
Service dogs are for any individual dealing with a disability that lowers their quality of life. For example, someone who suffers from epilepsy may avoid going out in public due to a fear of falling or other consequences related to seizures. This may inhibit their independence and sense of well-being.
In addition to improving the lives of individuals, service dogs can bring a sense of security to families, such as families with autistic children. Children with autism can often feel isolated and a service dog becomes a 24/7 companion to share experiences with, connect with and love. They can also help children reintegrate into society and connect with others.
Families who have children with autism experience a decrease in stress as they are more able to engage socially in public settings and experience less anxiety at home. A service dog increases safety and has a calming presence that can minimize emotional outbursts, allowing the family to feel more secure and a child with autism to better participate in family activities.
Service dogs are for all individuals or families that are experiencing a decrease in quality of life due to disability.
What kind of training does a service dog need?
Service dog training begins with puppies. Dog Training Elite Mid Oregon’s service puppy training program works with breeders to adopt puppies that are fully obedience trained by six months and are ready to undergo extensive socialization and additional training to ensure they are well-suited for service and therapy needs.
Then, Dog Training Elite Mid Oregon places puppies with families or individuals. Further specialized service training takes place alongside the new handler. It generally takes 1-2 years for a service dog to become fully trained.
Service dog training focuses on two main areas: public access behaviors, and how to “do work or perform tasks” that assist with a disability.
Public access behaviors refer to how a service dog acts in public - well-trained service dogs remain calm in public situations and in turn help their handlers to stay calm, and are attuned to any other handler needs.
As for “do work or perform tasks,” the ADA requires that service dogs be trained to take a specific action when needed to assist the person with a disability.
For example, to assist handlers with PTSD, Dog Training Elite Mid Oregon trains dogs to de-escalate anxiety, wake handlers experiencing night terrors, and so on.
Do service dogs require special certification?
The ADA does not require special certification for service animals. State and local government agencies, businesses and non-profit organizations may not require documentation, such as proof that the animal has been certified, trained or licensed as a service animal, as a condition for entry. Mandatory registration of service animals in the city of residence is also not permissible under the ADA.
However, service animals are not exempt from local animal control or public health requirements, such as vaccinations, or local dog licensing and registration requirements.
Why should I train my service dog with Dog Training Elite Mid Oregon?
Dog Training Elite Mid Oregon sets itself apart from other dog training methods by focusing on positive reinforcement with a personalized, in-home approach. This method empowers owners and handlers to be an integral part of the process for sustained dog obedience and service training. For service dogs especially, it is important that handlers be present and involved every step of the way.
The positive reinforcement approach, also referred to as “Classical Conditioning” or the “Pavlovian” model has shown to be more effective with longer lasting results than any other training method.
Dog Training Elite Mid Oregon does not use punishments or shock collars to break bad habits. Instead, Dog Training Elite Mid Oregon pairs positive reinforcement training with a vibration electronic collar. An electronic collar is not a shock collar and does not harm the dog. It is used to gain the dog’s attention, similar to a tug on a leash. It is never used as a punishment for bad behavior.
Another unique aspect of training with Dog Training Elite Mid Oregon is that while most dog training programs train dogs at their own facilities, Dog Training Elite Mid Oregon specializes in in-home training, customizing training to the dog, its owners and its environment for long-lasting success.
Positive Reinforcement Training
Training takes time, commitment and balance and Dog Training Elite Mid Oregon is there every step of the way. With Dog Training Elite Mid Oregon, dogs will learn the highest level of obedience, even in the face of the toughest level of distractions. The positive-reinforcement method focuses on encouraging good behavior through ongoing praise, creating a dog that wants to please from the inside out and creating deep-rooted, sustained obedience as well as a strong bond between dog and owner.
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.
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!
Deidre is fantastic and has brought out a whole new side of our dog. Instructions are clear and tailored to us and how we learn. She has amazing insight into how to clean up our commands and how to fix anything we are struggling with. I'm so grateful that we chose to do this.— Erica Gravity
Posted September 19th 2024
My dog loves her. She is so excted to be here. She knows het job well.— Cherie Zeeman
Posted September 19th 2024
Today was our fourth training session with Elite, I couldn’t be happier. Bailey has trained with both Meaghan and Deidre both trainers have been AWESOME! Every single training session has helped me to be the best leader I can be. Bailey is my first from scratch puppy, I was so concerned that I would do things with her that would lead to bad behaviors that she would have to unlearn and it would be my fault, as soon as we started our training with Elite those fears went away immediately!! With Elites help I am confident we will achieve our goals!! I am so grateful! Bailey is doing so well, I can’t wait until we complete our training and we can go everywhere together! I am really look forward to being able to go through the doors that were closed on me 17 years ago when I suffered a traumatic brain injury. I know with Elites help Bailey and I will be ready to explore a whole new world together and that will change my life! Conclusion… If you are looking for assistance training your puppy or dog, without a shred of hesitation I would recommend that you give ELITE the opportunity to help you in the ways they are helping us!! It is an investment with limitless rewards for you and your puppy!!— Kimberly Gagon
Posted September 18th 2024
Kind, experienced, and effective trainers made this a wonderful experience. I noticed an improvement after our first session. Highly recommend!— Chris Davis
Posted September 18th 2024
Where do I begin, this training experience was amazing. I am throughly impressed with the knowledge passed along from the one, the only… Deidre Wilson. Deidre’s energy is amazing and makes learning for my dog and I so much more positive and enjoyable. I will forever recommend Dog Training Elite of Utah County to anyone with a K9 young or old.— HawaiianPrepper
Posted September 18th 2024
This has been the absolute best experience. Deidre was incredible. She made me and my dog feel do comfortable.— Samantha Rasmussen
Posted September 18th 2024
Dog Training Elite Charlotte is undoubtedly a God-sent help with our puppy. We started noticing that our rather calm puppy was growing too fast and in part, developing bad habits he picked up at other day boarding places. We noticed rough playing behavior, jumping, barking to demand attention, counter surfing among other things. I started looking around for at-home training and DTE was the first contact I made. I submitted an online inquiry and Sharon called back within the hour. After feeling good about our conversation I called others to see what else was out there. Some didn't return my calls and/or voicemails, others had very much a one-size-fits-all approach so overall my wife and I decided to call back DTE and ask Sharon and her team to help us. Shawn was at our home the following week. We can talk all day long about our amazing experience with Dog Training Elite but here are the basic points that I hope drives home our overall experience: -Instantly calmer dog after 1st lesson -No more rough housing -Morning/afternoon walks are much better now -No more counter surfing -Peace around the house while doing daily chores -Calm puppy It's important to note that Shawn loves to educate on the behavioral aspect and psychology of why dogs are the way they are and act. This alone is very helpful because it helps dog owners understand and come up with solutions on how we can best help our dogs. We are still continuing to work with our puppy in all the areas that Shawn, Sharon and Angela have helped us during the 1-1 at home sessions and we understand this isn't a one time thing but rather a lifelong continuation of enforcing the basic rules that these pack animals abide by. This only *truly* works if you (dog owner) work at it continually for the sake of your dog if all else fails.— Byron Penados
Posted September 17th 2024
Deidre is so awesome and she is welcoming. I feel safe around her and I trust her!! I feel more strengthened and empowered after her training.— Joshua Jackson
Posted September 17th 2024
The trainer was great. He was able to train me... and Juno (my Bernese) as well. We have gone from a dog with little obedience to a dog that walks without a leash. Something I didn't expect, the bonds between Juno and me are stronger.— Tim Rose
Posted September 14th 2024
Lily is 4 years old & needed some help listeninng to me. After only two training sessions, she's paying attention to me & her barking problem has been reduced 90%. I'm happy & she's happy too!— Diana Grant
Posted September 8th 2024
AMAZINGGG. Would recommend to any and everyone. My dog Mia has transformed right before my eyes!! She’s confident, listening and easier to maintain on a day to day. Sean, Sharon and his daughter are super attentive and passionate about their training. I trusted Mia 100% with them both every step of the way.— Mekkah M
Posted September 4th 2024
Trainers are sensitive to Dog’s personality and the specific concerns of owners. Excellent feedback on the commands taught during training. They detail your dog’s “report card”. They are pleasant & patient in teaching & having owners demonstrate understanding & use of learned commands with their pet. We love that we bring our Pet home for the evening & a reassuring night’s sleep!— Sharonanne Brunet
Posted September 3rd 2024
Gosh, I can't love this place more. Jan is FANTASTIC. He trained our service dog, Leia, and I have zero negative things to say. He is thorough, patient, and so knowledgeable. If we ever get another dog we will 100% come back here and request him. You won't be disappointed in using DTE!— Ashley Upton
Posted September 2nd 2024
We have three girls that we absolutely adore, but we have had some challenges with our oldest and youngest. While we have a good amount of knowledge, we need extra help/training on how to help reactivity that has recently become a bigger issue. So my husband found Dog Training Elite, and we have been super impressed. Diedre came to our house for the consultation and because of her, I decided that this was the company we would go with to help us. She also is the person that comes to our house for training sessions. Her knowledge and expertise on dogs who are reactive/aggressive/stubborn is amazing and she answers our questions and concerns with such knowledge. She doesn’t make me feel like a crappy dog owner. She makes me feel at ease and also feel empowered that I can changed my dogs behaviors with what she is teaching us. We still have more training to do, but I believe with what I have experienced so far, we will be able to have a house that is not full of tension! I also want to share my experience with Kaycee. Kaycee is who I have texted/called with questions and to set up the appointment times. She is so easy to talk to, she always texts back to see how things are going, and I don’t feel judge for what I’m experiencing with my ladies. The care she has for how my dogs are and how training is going is amazing. She is quick to respond, even when I tell her that she doesn’t have to respond quickly. The whole team clearly cares about the household and wants to help, which I’m forever grateful for. I am so impressed with this company so far, I had to share a review now even though training is not done yet. While the training is an investment, this training is worth it!!!— Jesika T
Posted August 30th 2024
I have loved DTE and will happily recommend them to my friends and neighbors. They are professional, but also friendly and down to earth. We have loved the trainers we’ve worked with equally. Jeff is awesome! Our pup has loved him, and so do we. He is very knowledgeable and has helped us tremendously. Dallin is the best too! He is so gentle and friendly with our sweet dog, and we love his style. Our lives are so much better thanks to DTE and we are so happy with their service.— Caroline Morris
Posted August 29th 2024
Words cannot express the deepest sense of gratitude I have for Dog Training Elite Northern Utah. Our puppy Sage was completely unmanageable. We had basically lost hope and were at our wits end, unsure of what our next step was with her. Thankfully, we found DTENU. They trained us in the art of handling our puppy. They listened to our concerns and we re always available for feedback or any questions we had. We could not have done this without Trevor, who took us under his wing and shared his passion for training and handling dogs. Thank you to Colleen, Matt, Lexie, Fona and Griffin. I absolutely recommend this company for any of your dog training needs.— PAOLA ECHEVERRI
Posted August 28th 2024
Highly recommend Caroline at Dog Training Elite Colorado Springs. Our dog had become very reactive and aggressive at door knocks and doorbell rings. We needed 100% in-home training sessions to correct this behavior. Caroline was excellent and showed us how to re-train our dog within several sessions. He loved working with her and got excited at every one of her visits. She's amazing!— Laurie Carroll
Posted August 27th 2024
Our puppy Veuve spent 10 days training with Elite dog Training of Charlotte. Even though she was only 6months old it was a great foundation for her and us too. She is now 1 year and is still learning and growing but we feel like we have a better dog because of our lessons. Highly recommended— Kate Sudikoff
Posted August 23rd 2024