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

Service Dog Training in Naperville, IL

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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
(participating locations)
Advanced medical training (participating locations)

Dog Training Elite Western Chicago

Service Dog Training in Naperville, IL

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 Naperville, IL, 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.

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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

  • Molly Carlson
    Aug. 11, 2026
    We started with three weeks of camp at the facility for our puppy. She learned so much and is doing great at home. Next step is Obedience training and then service dog training. I feel like we are in good hands along this journey. Plus they send me the cutest pictures of her!
  • Parvaneh Shidnia-Smith
    Aug. 4, 2026
    In just a few weeks, Grace and Elite Dog Training helped our pup on her journey into a becoming a well-behaved dog when around other dogs. We will probably always need to give her reminder trainings, but now, after 8 years as her doggie parents, we know how to help her with aggressive behavior. Elite Dog Training uses a method where the dog experiences a buzz from a collar. There is no pain involved. More of a tap on the shoulder to get her attention when all she can think about is her worry when seeing a dog. The buzz gets our dog to stop their thoughts and focus on us so that we can keep her safe. Before Elite Dog Training, our pup would rush other dogs, barking ferociously. I’m not sure how much she actually scared the other dogs, but she certainly freaked out their owners. We knew how much she loved going on adventures and being with us, but we couldn’t chance these encounters when in a crowded area (eg., art fairs, farmers markets). Since completing the training, our dog is able to pass other dogs with a huge reduction in these behaviors! Truly an incredible program and we highly recommend Grace! She explained everything so well and patiently worked with the two that needed the most training - my husband and I. Thank you, Grace and Elite Dog Training!
  • Ashley Ruh
    Aug. 3, 2026
    We just finished our in home training sessions with Erik and it was one of the best experiences and decisions I’ve made for my dogs, myself and my family. Erik not only took us through the motions of training, he took the time to educate myself as the owner. We did work with an ecollar and associating it with all types of commands; come, place, sit, down, heel, impulse control with treats & the ball, and keeping composure around other dogs. My lab and I have a new relationship because of Erik and all his help. We can’t wait for group classes!!
  • Hailey Klingel
    Aug. 3, 2026
    Grace was patient and a great trainer! My dog hated the e collar at first but now she doesn’t mind and it’s opened up a whole new world of adventures for us. She listens way better than before training, so I’m able to teach her new things much easier and give her more freedom.
  • Megan Mikalik
    Aug. 1, 2026
    I started taking our puppy, Oli, at about 4 months old and in just about 6 weeks of training he is doing so well! The in-home training is so useful and personal, and we’ve been able to start taking those commands with us on walks and store outings. Oli has responded well to the e-collar and we felt confident enough to take him on a vacation, and to use his commands and collar to walk the streets of Toronto. Our puppy is thriving!
  • Franklin “Frank” Crisp
    Aug. 1, 2026
    Such a great experience from start to finish. The training program was well-structured, easy to follow, and actually made a difference — my dog's behavior improved noticeably within just a few sessions. Erik was one of the trainers who worked with us and was great to deal with. Clean space, friendly vibe, and you can tell everyone there genuinely loves dogs. Highly recommend if you're looking for a place that actually delivers results
  • Maria Dokianos
    Jul. 31, 2026
    I love Elite Training! My dog needed a little help to control his high energy and they were just what I needed! Dutton had made huge strides and looking forward to continue his training.
  • Ancelmo Lopez
    Jul. 26, 2026
    We are very happy with our experience with Naperville Dog Training Elite so far! Erik was amazing to work with. He came to our home for five sessions and immediately understood our goals for our Frenchie. He really listened to what we wanted to achieve and made us feel supported and confident throughout the entire process. I appreciate him being honest about us having patience with our Frenchie and consistency being key. Erik taught us so much—not just basic commands, but how to better understand our dog's behavior, the importance of socialization, and the right training tools to help our Frenchie become less territorial and have a better interaction with our family and friends. His patience, knowledge, and encouragement made a huge difference. We're excited to begin the next phase with our 12 sessions at the training facility! We know our Frenchie will benefit from interacting with more dogs, continuing to build confidence, and learning even more skills. If you're looking for a trainer who truly cares, listens to your goals, and gives you the knowledge and confidence to continue training at home, we highly recommend Erik and the entire Dog Training Elite team!
  • Alejandro Leon Soto
    Jul. 23, 2026
    Awesome training staff and well knowledge.
  • Christian Charukiewicz
    Jun. 30, 2026
    Dog Training Elite in Naperville is made up of an outstanding team of dog trainers that deeply care about excellent outcomes for both dogs and their owners. The program we chose for our border collie, Ivy, was structured as a mix of in-home and then onsite group classes. The intent is to get the basic commands down in a distraction-free setting, which largely consists of you, the owner, being taught to effectively communicate with and provide leadership for your dog. Once the basics are down, you proceed to proofing these skills in group class with other dogs and distractions around. During our in-home classes, we had the pleasure of working with Erik, who not only walked us through the progression of basic commands (such as come, sit, down, place, off) but was also able to give detailed explanations to our many questions related to dog behavior. He also provided guidance for other specific circumstances we asked about (how to introduce a dog to cats, how to deal with anxiety during thunderstorms, etc). Once we progressed to the onsite classes, we were introduced to and worked with the rest of the DTE team who continued to offer highly individualized attention even in the group class setting (for example, helping us help Ivy work through some nervousness when she initially encountered the blacktop used during most of the training). The time we've invested in training Ivy under DTE’s guidance is truly paying off, and her progress speaks for itself. She has transformed from a wild puppy into a still wild but much more obedient and confident adolescent. Ultimately, this training is giving us exactly what we wanted, which is the ability to grant her more freedom, trusting that she will listen when it counts.
  • holly hanjra
    Jun. 29, 2026
    We have had a great experience with the training sessions for our Golden so far. Grace is highly knowledgeable and patient. Their weekend group classes are a great way to reinforce the commands especially in a group setting with distractions.
  • Jessie L
    Jun. 27, 2026
    We picked Dog Training Elite before we got our golden retriever puppy, Daisy, and started training with her right away at 10 weeks old. We have done both the puppy camp and platinum packages and had a fantastic time with both. Each day we got a written update about what the trainers worked on, how to practice at home, and we regularly got informational videos of them working with her. Now that she's graduated we've been attending group class. Group class is awesome and so much fun—it's great to practice her skills and increase her exposure to different types of distractions. We love DTE and could not recommend them enough!
  • Maureen O'Connell
    Jun. 27, 2026
    We had an amazing experience with Bos’n at Elite Dog Training! Bos’n, our yellow Labrador, blossomed during the sessions. The entire staff, especially Katie and Grace, were so patient, supportive, and knowledgeable. Bos’n loves the Saturday camps, and we’re thrilled that he’s now going to be trained as a mobility dog and for service dog work. We highly recommend them for puppy training and any service dog training!"
  • Kate
    Jun. 26, 2026
    Grace and the whole team have been wonderful to work with. They know what they are doing and our Freya is better behaved.
  • Kelsey Murray
    Jun. 5, 2026
    What a great find! Dog Training Elite has been wonderful to work with. Excellent communication and follow up! We have a 4 month old Mini golden doodle named Kolbi that is preparing for life as a therapy companion in our senior living community. We signed up for the platinum package and are looking forward to a lifetime of training and support for our Kolbi.
  • Renee Beck
    Jun. 5, 2026
    The Dog training is amazing ,our 2yr old German shepherd has learned so much in such a short time. The staff is friendly, patient and caring to the dogs and their owners. We’re very grateful to Eric and everyone here for their knowledge and support !
  • Dan Enloe
    May. 29, 2026
    Grace at Dog Training Elite was awesome! We have a miniature dachshund, that is very stubborn. We have made a lot of progress in just 5 sessions and are excited to now do the group classes. The trainers are patient and knowledgeable. My wife and I 100% recommend.
  • Kasandra Chavez
    May. 27, 2026
    This dog training has been phenomenal. I did the platinum package and have completed the 5 in home training sessions with Erik. He was very concise, consistent and respectable. I’ve seen a significant difference with my 7 month GSD Ruby and am excited to continue with group classes. Erik keeps a professional demeanor while making training light and fun.
  • Liv Dusza
    May. 26, 2026
    Grace and Erik have been amazing helping with our German shepherds behavior. We already see an improvement after the short amount of time we’ve been training with them. We will definitely be using DTE if we ever get anymore dogs.
  • Cindy Turchioe
    May. 20, 2026
    We are incredibly pleased with the results from Platinum Training for our two Australian Doodles (Rizzo and Jeter - 4 and 6 YO males)! Our only regret is that we have spent so much money on OTHER training techniques and vendors! Grace, Jamie, Erik and Leah and the rest of the crew were extremely effective in training both the canines and the humans for our 'family'! The daily video reviews and the report card on the boys were (and will be) great resources in our at home training. Excellent (and clean!) facility and staff! Biggest bonus is that we will be able to meet up with the other DTE clients on Saturday sessions that will hopefully address the reactivity of our pups. Thanks so much to Dog Training Elite Western Chicago!
A Dog Training Elite Western Chicago owner smiling with his dog in Naperville, IL.

Dog Training Elite Western Chicago

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

    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!

  2. Therapy Animal

    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.

  3. Emotional Support Animal

    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 Western Chicago

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 Western Chicago - PTSD Service Dog Training in Naperville, IL. DTE

PTSD Service Dog

If you're looking to train a PTSD service dog in Naperville, IL, 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 Western Chicago - Psychiatric Service Dog Training in Naperville, IL

Psychiatric Service Dog Training

Our psychiatric service dog training in Naperville, IL 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 Western Chicago - Mobility Service Dog Training in Naperville, IL

Mobility Support Service Dog

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

Dog Training Elite Western Chicago - Seizure Response Dog Training in Naperville, IL

Medical Response Dog Training

If you are in need of a seizure response dog in Naperville, IL, Dog Training Elite can help. Our training program is designed to help individuals with epilepsy regain independence and confidence.

Dog Training Elite Western Chicago - Autism Support Dog Training in Naperville, IL

Autism Support Service Dog

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

Dog Training Elite Western Chicago

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 Western Chicago.

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 Western Chicago.
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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 Naperville, IL with Dog Training Elite.

We Are Committed to Making a Difference

Choose DTE for Naperville Service Dog Training

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