In-House Payment Plans Available to Help Fund your Dog's Education
Request Free Assessment

Request Free Assessment

Frequently Asked Questions

General
One of our trainers will visit your home to meet you and your dog and discuss any issues you're facing. We will then demonstrate one of our model dogs so you can see what you can expect after hiring our trainers. From there, we will discuss the various packages we offer and which we feel best suit your (and your dog's) needs.
We provide full obedience training that covers all basic commands, both on and off-leash. Our in-home visits target specific issues like counter-surfing, digging, and more. Unlike some trainers, we work with all breeds, including those often considered challenging.
Yes. You (and anyone in your family who wants to be involved) are integral to your dog getting trained. We need you to practice 5-6 days a week, about 15-20 minutes a day for optimal results.
Once a week. We come to you (with the silver, gold and platinum packages) once a week to start your dog off, then you come to park sessions which are held once a week in Phoenix.
To effectively resolve specific issues, we need to start with a solid foundation in obedience. This approach helps you become a confident leader for your dog, which is key to addressing and preventing behavioral problems.
Nope. Those are dangerous grounds to tread upon. We'd much rather train a vicious dog!
We train dogs of all breeds, sizes, and temperaments. Whether your dog is a tiny Chihuahua or a large Mastiff, we have the experience and expertise to work with them.
Yes. Working with and controlling aggression is one of our specialties in Phoenix.
We focus on training companion dogs for veterans and individuals with PTSD and other psychological conditions. In addition to service animals, we also train therapy dogs that visit hospitals, nursing homes, and treatment centers.
To be a service dog, your dog needs to have an even temperament. Golden Retrievers, Labrador Retrievers, Standard Poodles, Goldendoodles, etc. typically have a great temperament for service work. For some types of service work, your dog will need to have AKC certifications (such as Canine Good Citizen or Community Canine) which we are able to certify. As always, we would be happy to assess your dog's aptitude for service work for free!
Yes, we do offer personal protection training in Phoenix.
To be a personal protection dog, your dog will need to have some "drives" that can be utilized for the work. Generally, prey drive is the key drive that we look for (ie, chasing a tennis ball or going after a tug), but there are several forms that we can utilize. Your dog does not have to be vicious! We want your dog to be a great family dog first, then we need its obedience perfected; only then will we work on personal protection. Of course, we would be happy to assess your dog for free!

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 Phoenix

Dog Training Elite Phoenix - Meet Our Elite Team. Dog Training Elite in Phoenix

Meet the Team

Dog Training Elite Phoenix - Our Reviews. DTE in Phoenix, AZ

Reviews

Dog Training Elite Phoenix - Careers. DTE in Phoenix, AZ

Careers

Dog Training Elite Phoenix - Our Gallery. Dog Training Elite in Phoenix, AZ

Gallery

Dog Training Elite Phoenix - Local Dog Trainers in Phoenix, AZ. DTE

In the Community

Hear From Our Customers

Learn Why Dog owners choose Dog Training Elite

  • Mara Lockwood
    Oct. 31, 2025
    We're 3 weeks in and we had results from the very first session. Azure understood our dog so quickly and she's taught us things about our dog and dogs in general that have gone above beyond my expectations of what we'd be learning. I love how she talks about and to our dog. I also love how she does the initial training each week, tweaks it where needed, repeats it many time, then coaches us through it. This is so worth the investment!!!
  • Tom Brown
    Oct. 20, 2025
    We are in to our 3rd week......so far everyone has been very pleasant to work with....our 5month old puppy will not be the easiest to train however he's doing good for 3 lesson sessions. The training is equal for my husband and me along with our pup Norman. It is hard work but I think well worth it.
  • Christopher Wiltshire
    Oct. 6, 2025
    Exceptional experience with Dog Training Elite! The team has been absolutely amazing helping me train my Belgian Malinois, Sandy. From the very first session, they’ve been professional, patient, and incredibly knowledgeable — and it shows in Sandy’s progress. She just graduated and earned her invite to the group obedience classes, and she’s now advancing toward her Personal Protection Level 2 training! What I really love is that the trainers come to my home each week and always work around my schedule. They’re easy to work with, reliable, and genuinely care about Sandy and me. Every session is productive, positive, and fun — Sandy can’t wait to see them each time. Yes, the training isn’t cheap — but as the saying goes, cheap ain’t good and good ain’t cheap. The results and peace of mind I’ve gotten are absolutely worth it. If you want true professionals who deliver results and help you build an amazing bond with your dog, Dog Training Elite is the real deal. 🐾
  • Leida D
    Jun. 9, 2025
    They have the perfect program for my dog who is a pitti/german/mutt mix. They train you and your dog. My dog responded quickly and we saw changes in his behavior within 2 weeks.
  • Kristen Sanniec
    May. 25, 2025
    Dog training elite has given us the guidance for our Doberman puppy to be a well trained dog. They are available, helpful and are very professional. I would recommend them to anyone who needs puppy or dog training.
  • Karen Clayton
    May. 16, 2025
    We were so frustrated with our rescue-puppy that we were at wit’s end. Within the first week of training, we could tell a difference. It takes practice but we’re all learning and Kobe is so much more enjoyable. It is expensive, but worth the investment.
  • Brent Wood
    Apr. 21, 2025
    I’ve only had a few lessons but the progress I’ve seen in my 9 month old Anatolian Shepherd has been awesome! Money well spent!
  • Nickolas Rice
    Apr. 16, 2025
    Alexa has been amazing training our golden retriever puppy Chloe! No more getting jumped on and chewed like a dog bone!
  • Sandra Lazarus
    Mar. 15, 2025
    We are going enjoying our training sessions with Karen and Alexa. Both are great providing us with excellent training techniques.
  • Julia Crawford
    Mar. 11, 2025
    We just started our dog training for our mini labradoodle . We have had 3 training sessions so far with Azure and Karen. Azure did our first session and provided a lot of good info to get us started. Karen packed so much into our second session. In between sessions someone is always available to answer questions. We are so excited to see our Cooper progress through the trainings.
  • Leah C
    Mar. 5, 2025
    This place is excellent for dog training. It made a huge difference for us, we were at the end of our rope with a rescue from county who had a lot of behavioral issues. We did not know what to do and were desperate for a solution. Karen was our trainer and she was the absolute best. She was so good with our dog and the training. We could not have hoped for a better experience, it solved all of our problems. We have recommended Karen to anyone we know that is looking into dog training. 100% worth the money. Would do it again no question.
  • FaithTravelers
    Feb. 25, 2025
    Love the training. The trainers are patient, experienced, and appear to really care about both the client person and the client dog. Gave a 4 because of the cost and only two levels to choose from.
  • Gail Willmore
    Feb. 21, 2025
    If you are looking for top notch training for your dog I highly recommend Dog Training Elite. They understand behavior and train in a method that is rewarding for both your dog and the owner/trainer. Training can be stressful and the trainers understand that and are responsive to both the need of the dog and the trainer so that it is an enriching and rewarding experience for your dog and for you.
  • Cecilia Listrani
    Feb. 13, 2025
    Jaxon has turned his attitude around thanks to Alexa! She helps us and him with his training and we now feel confident taking him in public settings. Not only does Dog Training Elite help with obedience training, but also with off leash, aggression and reactivity! I would definitely recommend them for your pet!
  • Carol Hernandez
    Dec. 17, 2024
    Our 4 month old German Shepherd has improved since working with Dog Training Elite. We look forward to further improvement with working with Alexa. She’s good with our puppy Sammy.
  • Mindy Holman
    Oct. 2, 2024
    I have been very happy with their training! I feel capable and able to help my dog be successful and confident in what I’m asking her to do. Great people to work with. Highly recommend them.
  • Ryan Roudebush
    Sep. 23, 2024
    These trainers are masters at their craft! With their techniques and training our dog enjoys more freedom and the ability to go camping, hiking or whatever adventure comes our way.
  • Halal W
    Aug. 22, 2024
    Karen & Neil rock at everything. Jax went from zero to hero quickly. I've paid thousands elsewhere with little results. :( Dog Training Elite is the STANDARD of dog training. The real deal. Jax is doing amazing and will continue to be a customer for life.
  • Drevno
    Jun. 27, 2024
    This was a pricey one, but our dog needed help and this was the right place for the job. Our dog was quite reactive when people came over to our house. He really didn't like it and he would act aggressive, to the point where having someone watch him or even just having house guests over was a major ordeal. We went for the platinum package and overall the experience has been great. We've had private lessons with experienced dog trainers, they gave us the tools we need to keep our dog in check. Our dog is happier than ever and more confident, he's begun to play with our other dogs and more importantly we can have guests over without him losing his mind, he still doesn't like them but now we can get him to sit on his bed and calm down much more quickly. He gets over the guests being there and we can have a more normal life. Furthermore we had someone watch him when we went out of town for a few days (someone he's really not familiar with) and we had no issues. This was worth every penny, we got our lives back and his life is better. We're nearing the end of our private lessons but we have lifetime access to group lessons where he can continue to learn and grow. I would recommend dog training elite to anyone with a dog who needs training, and in fact I have recommended them to family.
  • Mari Griffin
    Jun. 15, 2024
    Dog Training Elite is all you need for the dog of your dreams. I have been working with Neal and his staff for 4 months now and I am blown away by how much we’ve accomplished in such a short time. My gorgeous Akita was very well trained by me in obedience but I wanted him to learn protection and socialization. I cannot recommend Neal and his team enough!!! Neal is the real deal!! If you want the dog you see in the movies then all you need to do is call Dog Training Elite.

Our Team

Neal Mestas - Owner & Trainer - DTE Arizona
Neal Mestas
Owner & Trainer - DTE Arizona

Neal has been training dogs his entire life, participating in his first competition at the age of 9. With a lifetime of dog training experience, he can read dog body language with ease. Neal is a patient trainer, his approach to teaching and training is enhanced by his passion for what he does, whether it be basic or advanced training, he loves it! He specializes in just about everything, from basic and advanced obedience, reactivity and aggression control, calming anxious or fearful dogs, protection work, temperament testing, and service dog training. Neal has two Belgian Malinois’ of his own, a 13 year old retired demo dog named Bailey, and Chewbacca, or “Chewie”. According to Megan, “Neal is ok ".

Close
Karen - Trainer
Karen
Trainer

With credentials from Animal Behavior College, Michael Ellis School for Dog Trainers, and over 10 years of professional dog training experience, Karen joins the DTE family. Karen can do it all, from service and obedience training, to titling dogs in AKC tricks, Schutzhund, French Ring, Canine Good Citizen, and so much more! Dog training runs in the family, as her father trained Search and Rescue and protection dogs. Karen’s first rescue Border Collie, Amy, was trained in agility, Frisbee and therapy work in 2002. Her 8 year old Belgian Tervuren, River, is a Confirmation champion, and holds titles in AKC tricks, CGC, Rally and Schutzhund. Her youngest Belgian Tervuren, Xeno, passed his Brevet in April of 2023. Karen enjoys the outdoors, taking her dogs on hikes, and overall, has love for animals!

Close
Azure - Trainer
Azure
Trainer

Azure was introduced to dog training by their mother who trained service dogs herself. They’ve been training dogs for over 5 years, and has recently joined our Arizona DTE family. As our lead service dog trainer, Azure is focused, determined, relationship-oriented, with a heavy focus on body language training. Azure specializes in obedience training, Canine Good Citizen testing, American Kennel Club Trick Dog testing, service training, and group park class management. Azure also has experience training disabled animals such as deaf and three-legged furry friends. Azure has a 14 year old Border Collie / Blue Heeler mix named Dash who has earned a novice trick dog title, and a Red Heeler puppy named Adrenaline, who Azure is currently training.

Close
Alexa - Trainer
Alexa
Trainer

Alexa checks all the boxes: patient, compassionate, caring, determined, dog lover. Everything you’re looking for in a dog trainer, Alexa is. She has experience with obedience and behavioral modification training. She is the owner of Gunner, the gentle giant, and Fudge Pop, the Frenchie with attitude.

Close
Megan - Operations Manager
Megan
Operations Manager

Megan makes the Arizona DTE company go ‘round. As our operations manager, Megan handles all things Dog Training Elite, from making sure our clients have what they need when they need it, filling in for trainers and office staff on sick days, handling the chaos of business, to making her employees laugh. Her introduction to DTE as a client in 2016 quickly transformed into employment, where she jumped around from state to state for the business. Megan currently resides in Arizona with her two dogs, Mazie the Belgian Malinois who does protection work, and Blue the super-mutt who is service trained. According to Neal “She’s pretty good”.

Close
A well-trained DTE dog on a surfboard.
Dog Training Elite Phoenix light star icon.

Educate, Empower, Elevate, Elite

Unleash Your Dog's Potential

Photo Gallery

See An Elite Dog in Action