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Elite

Therapy Dog Training


Top Therapy Dog Trainers in Orlando, FL

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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 in Orlando location, please reference our pricing page for complete information on services offered.


Therapy Dog

Therapy dog training is based on your dog's abilities

$3,245

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).

  • Puppy Selection advice
  • Private, one-on-one training sessions in your home and the community 9 Sessions
  • Group Training Classes 24 sessions
  • Lifetime support via text/email and in-person support sessions to be scheduled at trainer’s discretion. (No more than once per month, after completing initial program.)
  • AKC Training
  • Therapy bandana, ID Card, and Certificate of Training
  • An exclusive directory of therapy events and locations for you to donate your time
  • Come
  • Sit, Down
  • Place
  • Heel
  • Quiet
  • Off, Wait
  • Leash Manners
  • People Manners
  • Load up in the car / kennel
  • Make a friend
  • Choose one personalized greeting (high five, shake, hug, etc.)
  • Top-notch off leash obedience
  • Distraction Training

Therapy Dog

Therapy dog training is based on your dog's abilities.

$3,695

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).

Training Equipment Included: E-collar

  • Private, one-on-one training sessions 9 Sessions
  • Group dog training in the community 24 Sessions
  • Therapy bandana, 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.


  • 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.

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!

Chelsea, Cheyenne, & Maria at Dog Training Elite Orlando are absolutely amazing! They truly care about their clients and they have helped my dog Ahsoka and me so much! They have helped to take my dog from a demon to an angel. I felt like I was going crazy with her behavioral struggles, but now she is confident and calm in public settings, listens at home, and is able to go everywhere with me as my service dog. She is also successfully learning scent training, with their assistance. I cannot say enough great things about DTE Orlando! I don't fully trust many people with my dogs, but I trust them implicitly. I HIGHLY recommend them!
— Brittany Harper Salisbury
Posted September 29th 2023
google
Chelsea, Cheyenne and Maria are the best! They have helped us to train our baby Marley. We are very pleased with the choice we made to join the Dog Training Elite Orlando pack.
— Michele Munoz
Posted September 22nd 2023
google
Dog Training Elite Orlando is a must do dog training program. They helped me make a crazy pulling and biting 3 month old, turn into a calm mannered service dog in under a year! She was able to pass her service test at a year old and now continues to learn from DTE’s amazing instagram posts! I highly recommend them for making your fur baby happy and obedient. Both you and your pup will love their programs!
— Sticks
Posted September 22nd 2023
google
I can’t even put adequately into words how amazing Dog Training Elite Orlando is! Chelsea, Cheyenne and Maria are the best trainers around. We did loads of research before deciding on DTE Orlando and we are beyond ecstatic that we did. We got an Australian Shepherd pup named Kida and started with their puppy program, which is great for first time dog owners or handlers! They came to us for a free evaluation and on the very first visit already had our pup eating out of the palm of their hands… literally; Working on everything from potty training to crate training and even some fun little tricks that our kids LOVED! They did such a wonderful job with our puppy training that we continued Kida’s advanced obedience and service training with them as well. Anyone who knows Australian shepherds knows they are a unique breed with lots of energy and quirky traits. DTE Orlando helped us with absolutely everything. Remember your dog isn’t a training vault! You have to be willing to put in the work on a daily basis because your dog is only as good as the work you put in as their handler. Because of the talented trainers at DTE Orlando I have been able to enjoy participating in social events again through Kida’s service training. Amusement parks… no problem! Crowded restaurants… not a big deal anymore. Shopping centers, malls, airports, cruise ships, movies, the list goes on and on. Bring your pups to DTE Orlando and I guarantee you won’t regret it! There is nobody better to trust your dogs with. And we learned they now offer boarding through their personal company Emery Ranch! Going out of town? Have your dog boarded with the best and get a refresher on some of that training at the same time!!
— Ryan Geyer
Posted September 21st 2023
google
Having contacted you guys was the best decision that I could have made for my Belgian Malinois pup. Craig is a great trainer, very friendly, also patient with our dog (mostly at the beginning). He is also very flexible with the in-home training schedules. Now we are in group classes and they are really helpful so that our dog can socialize with strangers and other dogs. We have really seen a big change in our dog thanks to the training. I strongly recommend you to contact them if you are a dog owner, you won't regret it. Thank you for everything!!
— Silvia Moreno
Posted September 19th 2023
google
I met Craig and Miriam last year and worked with them for several months. They were both extremely professional, communicated often and well, were kind and friendly, and were punctual. On the customer service side, they are a definite A+! Now onto the dog/training side of my review! I needed specific help with my Siberian Husky, so I hired them to help me achieve my training goals. I wanted to train her to loose leash walk on a flat collar or slip leash (get off her prong collar). This was a very challenging task for us to tackle as huskies LOVE to pull. I spent most of my time with Miriam doing 1:1 training, and she is fantastic!! Miriam knows a lot about working dogs, what drives them, and is familiar with the dramatic stubborn husky. She truly spent the time to get to know both of us to figure out the best way for me to teach my dog. Typical training methods were not working for us, so we got creative and developed unique games for my husky. Miriam really cares and wanted to help. She spent the time to watch my dogs behaviors, listen to what we were struggling with, and showed us not 1 but several methods! I learned that what worked yesterday, doesn't always work tomorrow. In my few months of working with Miriam and Craig, I was able to build up a large toolset of training tips to help me communicate better with my dog and we ultimately got her to pass all of her ACK-CGC Obedience exams! I definitely recommend Craig and Miriam for individualized 1:1 training! I will say this... no matter how amazing Craig and MIriam are, your dog's training will only be as good as the time YOU put into it! You also have to do the work.
— Tonya Noerr
Posted September 11th 2023
google
Thad a fantastic experience with them. They were incredibly patient and kind, and my dog responded very well to their methods. I highly recommend them to anyone looking for effective and caring dog trainers.
— Alissa Hodge
Posted September 9th 2023
google
The best of the best. Craig and Miriam are very professional. Very knowledgeable. I recommend them 100%.
— Ramon Montero
Posted August 30th 2023
google
In the short that with have been with dog elite, We have noticed a big difference in our dog’s obedience. He is still in the process of learning and we know that Craig can help to achieve success.
— Anne Lev
Posted August 29th 2023
google
We decided to get our dogs trained because we noticed their reactivity toward other dogs was getting worse. We were always embarrassed when taking them places because it would mostly end in them barking and lunging at most dogs while on the leash as well as some people. We recently finished in home training with our dogs and have began group classes (which we have always been afraid to start due to their reactivity). After the in home trainings and a couple of group classes, we are now able to take our dogs out in public with way less reactivity. It’s still a work in progress but they have made so much improvement. We look forward to seeing their continued progress
— Alexa Lawrence
Posted August 27th 2023
google
Craig and Miriam are the best trainers. They listen and are there for any problems that you may have in training your dog's. Craig trained my yellow Labrador puppy one on one and when she came home she knew all the basics! Thank you Craig! Thank you Miriam!
— Debbie Knapp
Posted August 22nd 2023
google
10000000/10 would recommend this company! All three instructors are OUT OF THIS WORLD incredible! It is worth absolutely every penny invested into this training. I now have a fully trained service dog that I can bring with me everywhere and helps me out on a daily thanks to them. If it wasn’t for their incredible training, Everest and I would not be where we are today! We now comfortably take on theme parks, airports, stores, restaurants (even fine dining)- you name it and we’ve done it! Everest was a completely different pup before beginning this program. I will say it takes a lot of hard work and dedication. You will NOT see results if you do not put in the work as an owner/handler. They taught me exactly what to do and how to do it. Any questions I had along the way, they would help, but I was the one working and training her on a daily basis to get where we are today. I often get asked in public how I got her to be such a good doggy, but the answer truly is Dog Training Elite. They teach you all the fundamental skills you need to have an incredibly behaved life-long companion. Whether it’s a service dog or not, this training program IS worth it! These three ladies are almost like a magic wand waves over our lives! If you have the opportunity to, please invest in this program! The absolute best of the best here, so don’t look any further!
— Paola Rivera
Posted August 19th 2023
google
Got a new dog. Shepard mix. I've had dogs all my life. Wasn't worried about training her myself. She became a handful to the point I was thinking of giving her up. With there help I was able to get the unacceptable behaviors under control and now she has a happy home. Me to.
— Mike Barber
Posted August 14th 2023
google
Choosing Dog Training Elite North Orlando has been the best choice for my Maltese Rocco, Craig is a brilliant trainer, he treated us with patient, respect and always have the best example, guidance to get Rocco obedience. I am so happy to see improvement in sleeping I can say he can sleep all night. I recommend their training program it really worth it.
— Rebeca Contreras
Posted August 10th 2023
google
We have been training our dog through dog training elite for the last 6 months. The team over there is absolutely incredible! With so limited ways to get service dogs, the work that they are doing is quite literally changing lives. My dog has gone from a destructive, uncontrollable puppy to a working service dog. Everyone at the time is so friendly and knowledgeable. The group classes are great to help desensitize the dogs from smells, sounds, and distractions. With each training session my dogs skills continue to grow. If you are looking to get a dog trained, especially if you need a service dog (psychiatric or alert) Dog Training Elite is the way to go!
— Aly Childs
Posted August 6th 2023
google
I HIGHLY RECOMMEND Dog Training Elite Orlando!!! My first in home session was with Chelsea. WOW! What a difference the first one hour session made for my then 7 month old Golden Doodle, and boy did my pup love her. After a few sessions with Chelsea, Cheyenne finished up “our” final training session. My doodle responded to her as if she had been training her all along. Chelsea and Cheyenne are so loving and caring yet able to keep my pups attention as well as trust throughout each training session. In my opinion they are the best in the business!!!
— Jeannie Moore
Posted August 4th 2023
google
Can begin to Express The Amazing progress and growth DTE has provided for my baby boy. The quality of life he can have as a PitBull has improved tremendously. Super grateful for the support and knowledge that each trainer has given me. Thank you for your patience through this process. Can't wait for the end results.
— Jessica Romo
Posted July 23rd 2023
google
100% RECOMMEND - Dog Training Elite Orlando is a godsend. My family got a corgi puppy (Sage) in January 2023 and at the time I never thought about doing dog training until I could not sit down on the couch to relax in the evenings without Sage constantly jumping at me. Everyone else in my house could sit down and do things except for me. When we went outside, I could not leave my property without her pulling back to come home, I couldn't even go to PetSmart or out in public without her pulling back when she heard a sound or saw other people. I saw Dog Training Elite at a home and garden show and contacted them for a consultation. When Chelsea and Maria arrived, Sage would not even come near them; if I sat close by, she wouldn't come to me. I knew I had to do something before it was too late. It was a big decision to make, but I knew it was something I needed to do. I joined the Dog Training Elite Family and within 2 weeks I saw a difference in Sage. I was able to sit down to relax, and we could walk off of our property and go for a walk. Each week I could see she was becoming more confident and started allowing Maria, Chelsea, and Cheyenne to pet her and approach her. Now when we attend group class she rolls over and wants them to scratch her belly. This was the best decision I made. Thank you, Maria, Chelsea, and Cheyenne for helping Sage and my family. You guys are the best!
— Susan Stogsdill
Posted July 15th 2023
google
When we bought our German Shepherd puppy I knew that the only way we could have this breed meant that we needed to be sure that she was fully trained. We researched many trainers and decided on Cheyenne and Chelsea. We had always had very easy dogs, temperament-wise, before our GSD and never needed formal training for them. This puppy was a new story! From the first visit I knew that our girl, Remi, was in the right hands. Having a German Shepherd has been a new challenge and Chelsea and Cheyenne at our side have given us the confidence and support to feel like we can handle her unique quirks, intelligence and reactive protective aggression. We went through the initial puppy training sessions with them and were thrilled with the results. Remi was immediately responsive to commands and was exceptionally obedient. Unfortunately, due to our schedule and circumstances, we were unable to follow through with the next phase of their recommended training and our dog became aggressive and reactive. We were feeling frustrated and concerned about our ability to keep her as a safe pet around others outside of our home. When I reached out to them about this, they immediately responded and gave me concrete suggestions and plans for how to address her behavior, despite the fact that we were at fault for not following through with the next part of the training that we were supposed to do with her. Chelsea and Cheyenne are incredibly committed to ensuring that you and your dog have the best relationship ever. Today they came to our house for over an hour to touch base and make sure that any regressions that our dog was having were addressed and nipped in the bud. They are dog whisperers, without a doubt! They not only know how to handle reactive and aggressive dogs, like ours, but they also are able to show us what to do to confidently do the same. I am so grateful that we found them and have absolute confidence in following their amazingly insightful suggestions and insight!

Posted July 15th 2023
facebook
When we bought our German Shepherd puppy I knew that the only way we could have this breed meant that we needed to be sure that she was fully trained. We researched many trainers and decided on Cheyenne and Chelsea. We had always had very easy dogs, temperament-wise, before our GSD and never needed formal training for them. This puppy was a new story! From the first visit I knew that our girl, Remi, was in the right hands. Having a German Shepherd has been a new challenge and Chelsea and Cheyenne at our side have given us the confidence and support to feel like we can handle her unique quirks, intelligence and reactive protective aggression. We went through the initial puppy training sessions with them and were thrilled with the results. Remi was immediately responsive to commands and was exceptionally obedient. Unfortunately, due to our schedule and circumstances, we were unable to follow through with the next phase of their recommended training and our dog became aggressive and reactive. We were feeling frustrated and concerned about our ability to keep her as a safe pet around others outside of our home. When I reached out to them about this, they immediately responded and gave me concrete suggestions and plans for how to address her behavior, despite the fact that we were at fault for not following through with the next part of the training that we were supposed to do with her. Chelsea and Cheyenne are incredibly committed to ensuring that you and your dog have the best relationship ever. Today they came to our house for over an hour to touch base and make sure that any regressions that our dog was having were addressed and nipped in the bud. They are dog whisperers, without a doubt! They not only know how to handle reactive and aggressive dogs, like ours, but they also are able to show us what to do to confidently do the same. I am so grateful that we found them and have absolute confidence in following their amazingly insightful suggestions and insight!
— chimene hurst
Posted July 14th 2023
google

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Proud Sponsor of The Malinois Foundation

At Dog Training Elite in Orlando, 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 in Orlando 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.

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