Back to About Us

Meet the Team

Dog Training Elite in Panama City, FL

Request Free Assessment


Request Free Assessment


Tina Ruffin - Owner & Trainer
Tina Ruffin
Owner & Trainer
Dog Training Elite Emerald Coast
Lily Sundeen - Administrative Assistant
Lily Sundeen
Administrative Assistant
Dog Training Elite Emerald Coast
Jeremiah Gile - Trainer
Jeremiah Gile
Trainer
Dog Training Elite Emerald Coast
Maggie Flamand - Trainer
Maggie Flamand
Trainer
Dog Training Elite Emerald Coast
Jared Williams - Trainer
Jared Williams
Trainer
Dog Training Elite Emerald Coast
Tina Ruffin - Owner & Trainer
Tina Ruffin
Owner & Trainer | Dog Training Elite Emerald Coast

A Florida native, Tina earned her MBA from Florida State University and worked 23 years in the public sector before becoming a Dog Training Elite franchise owner and trainer. She is passionate about helping people build a strong bond with their dog, whether through basic obedience training or specialized training programs. When she is not working, she enjoys outdoor adventures with her dogs, Siggy, Stella and Gus, and you can often find her kayaking along the coastline with Siggy.

Close
Lily Sundeen - Administrative Assistant
Lily Sundeen
Administrative Assistant | Dog Training Elite Emerald Coast

Lily Sundeen has had a love for animals her entire life and knew she wanted to work with dogs at a very young age. She is the new mother of a very giggly boy named Theodore and also the fur-mom of 3 dogs: Sookie, Tucker, and Bruce. In her free time, she loves to swim in our local springs, hike our state parks, and spend time with her family. She is excited to help you and your fur-baby reach your training goals!

Close
Jeremiah Gile - Trainer
Jeremiah Gile
Trainer | Dog Training Elite Emerald Coast

Jeremiah served as a Law Enforcement Officer and Instructor at the police academy for 23 years. He completed his Doctorate from Liberty University and provides wellness training to first responders. Jeremiah is a proud fur-parent to a German Shepherd named Dogmeat and two cats, Callie and Buddy. He loves animals, being in nature, practicing bushcraft, and video gaming.

Close
Maggie Flamand - Trainer
Maggie Flamand
Trainer | Dog Training Elite Emerald Coast

Maggie has always had a deep love for animals, but her true passion lies with dogs. That passion has taken her across the country, training canines with her loyal Blue Heeler by her side. From Oklahoma to Hawaii, Maggie has brought her expertise to countless dogs and their owners. Now settled in Pensacola, Florida, where she's started a family, Maggie is excited to share her skills with the local community. She believes that effective training is key to giving dogs the best possible quality of life—and she’s here to help Pensacola’s furry companions thrive.

Close
Jared Williams - Trainer
Jared Williams
Trainer | Dog Training Elite Emerald Coast

Jared's interest and love for animals is rooted in his time living in Africa.  Over the last several years, he has worked with a variety of animals ranging from domestic dogs and cats to exotic felines. Jared is always looking for opportunities to learn and expand his knowledge of animals. When he is not training dogs, he volunteers his free time working at a local wildcat sanctuary, makes cosplay costumes and builds watches. Jared also has an appreciation for quality coffee, particularly African, and enjoys drinking coffee at all times of the day.

Close

Get Your Free Assessment

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!

About Dog Training Elite Emerald Coast

Dog Training Elite Emerald Coast - Customer Reviews. Hear from Happy Dog Training Elite Emerald Coast Clients
Reviews
Dog Training Elite Emerald Coast - Careers. Dog Training Elite Emerald Coast
Careers
Dog Training Elite Emerald Coast - Our Gallery. Dog Training Elite in Panama City, FL
Gallery
Dog Training Elite Emerald Coast - Local Dog Trainers in Panama City, FL. DTE
In the Community

Hear From Our Customers

Learn Why Dog owners choose Dog Training Elite

  • Vanessa hoke
    Jun. 3, 2025
    Amazing price and service. Assisted with reactivity in one dog and fear of dogs with the other dog. There is still work to do everyday but definitely gave the correct tools to do the work and help them be successful. All the trainers are amazing. Best thing we did.
  • Kimberly Dickey
    May. 28, 2025
    Tina (and her staff) have been great to work with and are especially good at meeting us "where we are" in our dog journey. :-) This has been both figuratively and literally. We have livestock guardian dogs, which are a distinct breed from most. Tina has helped us achieve our personal goals and has been willing to meet us at various locations to accomplish these objectives. We have been very comfortable and delighted with Tina's work with our new puppies! -- we highly recommend Dog Training Elite!! (I think we all owe it to our pets to get human training from Tina to be better owners.) Thanks!
  • Gabrielle Chapman
    May. 17, 2025
    Dog Training Elite Panama City is absolutely incredible!! I started my mini dachshund, Woody, here at 12 weeks old in the puppy training. The trainers had Woody sitting, doing down, coming on command, among many other commands within the first week! Sunnee has been especially incredible as we moved to in-home training. She’s very calm and gentle with her training, but highly effective. My pup absolutely loves her. I recommend Dog Training Elite for your dog training needs! They’re highly communicative and professional. Thanks Dog Training Elite PC!
  • Roy Daniels
    May. 16, 2025
    Dog training elite has been a tremendous help and a great experience. Lily has been absolutely wonderful and patient with scheduling and rescheduling. Sunnee our trainer was a pleasure to work with. She's very knowledgeable and, passionate about the training and, ensuring you get the results you desire. We noticed a difference in Val after the first session. We had a late session one evening and Val was tired. We put her in place, and she decided she was done for the day. She went to the back of her doghouse and would not come out. Sunnee climbed right in there and brought her back out. We knew then Sunnee took her job serious. Sonnee will be respectful and talk soft, but she doesn't have a problem keeping the owner and dog involved with the training. It's been a wonderful experience with great results during out time with Sunnee and Dog training elite. Thank you to the whole team. Roy & Martha
  • loni Reams
    May. 5, 2025
    If I could give more than 5 stars I would! About a year ago when our family wanted to get a puppy, we knew training was something we wanted to invest in. After searching the local area for pet trainers, we came across Dog training elite and decided to call and set up a tour. We have never had a puppy before and wanted to make sure we were setting our new addition up for success and boy have we!! Our now 1 year old Corgi has been with DTE for about 10 months and has been such an angel with commands, tricks and obedience than we could've imagined she'd be. DTE from the beginning has been so kind to our family and our pup. They have been there for any questions we have had, addressed concerns we've had promptly with our pup, provides a drop in dog camp for our girl to continue to be shown love, training and playtime with her best friends. DTE will always be a part of our journey. The whole experience we've had so far is far more valuable than money.
  • Melissa Privett
    May. 5, 2025
    Dog Training Elite has the best trainers around-- my Goldendoodle (and I!) went through two weeks of training, and it changed my relationship with him for the better. He's more obedient, more respectful of others, and I feel like I can take him anywhere without worrying about his behavior around other people. He loves his trainers, Sunny and Jeremiah! After his training was completed, he passed his Canine Good Citizen test, and he is on the way to being a therapy dog. I highly recommend Dog Training Elite!
  • Shavonne Rodriguez
    Apr. 23, 2025
    I can’t say enough good things about Dog Training Elite Emerald Coast! From the moment I reached out, Lily has been so communicative and responsive. She made the whole process feel smooth and reassuring. When I had any concerns the owner, Tina, personally called me to walk me through everything. She explained my options clearly and helped find what would work best for me—and it worked out perfectly! They genuinely listen to your needs and tailor the training to you and your dog. They even upload photos and videos to a shared Google Drive so you can see your fur baby’s daily progress, which I absolutely love. The in-home training has been a perfect fit for us since it focuses on where our pup spends the most time—at home. A huge shoutout to Sunnee, who’s been nothing short of amazing. She’s incredibly patient and teaches you things you wouldn’t even think about when it comes to dog training. I couldn’t have done this without her! With a baby due in mid-May, I was on a time crunch, and they were so understanding. They worked diligently with me to find a schedule and training plan that fit. I never once felt rushed or like a burden—they truly care about you and your dog. Their customer service and care for animals is unmatched. I 100% recommend Dog Training Elite Emerald Coast for anyone looking for professional, compassionate, and effective dog training!
  • Sharon Williams
    Apr. 17, 2025
    We needed a trainer very badly for our Berger Picard. We were very skeptical taking him to just anyone. My daughter recommended Dog training Elite , since that is where she took her schnauzer. It’s amazing how he went from not listening to anything to where he is today. Chewbacca was very stubborn, and had anxiety issues really bad. After the first week of training we were amazed how he had changed. In 3 weeks he is now a stable dog, and we are able to take him places with us without him freaking out. And he actually comes when we call him. Thank you so much Jeremiah and Sunny for all the hard work you did with Chewbacca . We would highly recommend Dog training Elite Emerald coast to anyone. And if you get Jeremiah or Sunny for the trainers you will definitely be very pleased .
  • Windows Quilter
    Apr. 16, 2025
    I've really enjoyed working with Sunnee from Dog Training Elite. She is very knowledgeable and works with myself and my dog in a professional, as well as, friendly manner.
  • James DeGraaf
    Apr. 15, 2025
    We are currently 3/4 of the way threw our training and to say we are very pleased is an understatement. Tina has brought us far more than just training our beloved Steward, she has brought us hope. I would highly recommend Dog Training Elite. They bring experience with proven results. 5 plus plus stars.
  • Ann Talkington
    Apr. 14, 2025
    Sunnee is the BEST!! Thank you so much for helping us with BOSCO. Group lessons and individual lessons really really helped with crazy behaviors and 140# big boy!! Thank you so much!!
  • Cheryl Kennedy
    Mar. 23, 2025
    Ms Betty, my shepard mix, and I moved to Pensacola in October 2024. When I adopted her I was her fourth home in one year. Needless to say she came wit a lot of issues. I'm so glad that Dog Training Elite was recommended to me! The owner, Tina, and her team are the best! Tina, was so good during our training sessions! She explained everything in detail to where it made sense, she was very patient, and in my opinion is the BEST!
  • Logan Pledger
    Mar. 23, 2025
    I cannot recommend this place enough, I wish I had the ability to leave more stars. I was referred to them by a friend and I’m beyond grateful for the recommendation. I was struggling with a shy, timid dog that made it difficult to do anything outside of my house. They gave my boy Rusty some much needed confidence and made him a much more obedient, well behaved dog all around. The staff treated him like one of their own and he was always so excited to be at the facility. I highly recommend this place for any training needs!
  • Jeremy Willes
    Mar. 7, 2025
    Tina and her team have been fantastic to work with. You could really tell they all love dogs. Amy Frenchie Arlo loved going classes daily. After the weeks of daily training. Tina kept us up-to-date with daily photo posts on a shared drive so we can monitor how Arlo was doing. We loved see the photos and hearing and seeing first hand his progress. Tina does group classes to help reinforce what the dogs learn and for their owners to learn how to operate and handle the dog to match their Training. She has setup Training with the airport to go through TSA as service animals. I am so glad for the continued support and opportunities to reinforce the training not only for my dog but for myself as his owner. It's nice to know the support will continue until both myself snd my dog feel comfortable. Thank you for all of your support, training, and genuine caring for our little Arlo. Here's a funny one where he decided to take a break in the middle of an obstacle course. They kept him busy and tuckered out daily.
  • Chanelle Williams
    Mar. 7, 2025
    I can't say enough great things about Sunnee! She is incredibly patient, knowledgeable, and truly passionate about helping our two pitbulls and their owners succeed. She worked with us on basic commands and behavior, and her guidance made such a difference. Her calm and professional approach made training enjoyable and effective, and she always took the time to answer our questions and ensure we felt confident. Thanks to her, our dog’s are better behaved and happier than ever. I highly recommend her to anyone looking for a skilled and caring dog trainer!"
  • Alexis Bertel
    Mar. 5, 2025
    When I adopted my puppy from the shelter, he had been abandoned at just four weeks old. Knowing how shelters can be, I wanted to give him a better chance at life. Early on, I started noticing signs of aggression and resource guarding, which became overwhelming. I felt hopeless at times but refused to give up on him, knowing what would happen if he went back. After doing some research, I found Lily, who was incredibly kind and quick to call me to discuss options for building my puppy’s confidence. I ultimately chose Sunnee as our trainer, and I cannot express how grateful I am for her. Sunnee is patient, creative, and truly listens. She has been incredibly supportive, and her passion for training is evident in everything she does. Thanks to her, my puppy has gained the confidence and potential I always knew he had. I highly recommend this place and Sunnee as a trainer—she has made a world of difference for us.
  • Dana Morris
    Jan. 28, 2025
    Sunnee was and continues to be an excellent trainer for our dog. She is knowledgeable and easy to work with.
  • Randall Horne
    Jan. 24, 2025
    Sunnee and Tina have done a great job with our puppy Bailey. Bailey is a now 9 month old miniature Schnauzer. Their training program works. Her main bad habit was barking at strangers (ALL strangers anywhere). We were able to train her out of this in no time. She's also getting better about the barking at our home. Great experience and you can tell they really like their Dogs (students). Thanks to the complete staff at EDT. We are really glad the Baileys doctor recommend you.
  • Patti Suggs
    Jan. 24, 2025
    Working with Dog Elite has been such a wonderful experience. The staff are great and very helpful. I've learned so much since my dog started the service dog training program. She loves the staff as well and always looks forward to group class.
  • Steve Trythall
    Sep. 11, 2024
    My wife, I and JJ had our 2nd in home with Sunnee and it was the best appointment ever. Sunnee and JJ went for a walk and instead of JJ leading the way he walked along side and is the pup we always wanted. Elite Dog Training has been a blessing for my wife and I. JJ is manageable and a joy to have in the house. Before Elite we were at our wits end, now JJ is a pleasure to be in our family. Sunnee and Lily have done a great job with JJ and even turned him into circus dog. It is always fun to see what Sunnee comes up with for a new trick. The whole EDT team will train and love your fur baby. Using EDT would be in your best interest for training or doggie daycare. It is a must!
A well-trained DTE dog on a surfboard.
Dog Training Elite Emerald Coast light star icon.

Educate, Empower, Elevate, Elite

Unleash Your Dog's Potential

Photo Gallery

See An Elite Dog in Action