FAQs

🐾 Meet Denise and Tanner 🐾

Hello, I'm Denise, and this is my exuberant Goldendoodle, Tanner. As an AKC Certified Trainer, I specialize in various advanced training techniques, including Puppy Development, Service Dog Training, Fetch and Mobility Training, as well as Scent and Diabetic Alert Training.

Driven by a deep passion for giving back, my mission is to help people foster a stronger bond with their canine companions. There's nothing more rewarding than witnessing the positive impact we can create together, transforming not just the lives of the dogs but also the owners and their families.

I thrive on being goal-oriented and am dedicated to making a lasting difference. Through the proven methods of Dog Training Elite, I ensure clear and consistent training, sticking to a process that delivers remarkable results. And here's the best part – I believe in having fun during training sessions, because building a better relationship with your dog should be an enjoyable journey!

Join me in the wonderful world of dog training, where every day brings new opportunities to make a positive change.

Alisa is an AKC Certified Trainer and co-owner of Dog Training Elite, responsible for the design, structure, and quality of every training program offered. With 21 years of experience as a public school educator, she brings a disciplined, methodical approach to teaching that emphasizes clarity, consistency, and measurable progress.

Her work is grounded in the science of animal behavior and learning. Alisa specializes in puppy development, service dog training, item retrieval, mobility assistance, scent work, and diabetic alert training. She approaches training as a system—ensuring dogs and handlers are taught complementary skills that support clear communication and long-term reliability.

Alisa is highly detail-oriented and personally oversees program development, trainer education, and session structure. She sets the standard for how training is delivered and ensures every trainer operates with the same level of precision and accountability. Clients frequently request her by name because of consistent results and a training experience that is structured, calm, and effective.

Danielle and Carter (7-year-old loyal and loving Goldendoodle) moved to southwest Florida from Pittsburgh, PA. Danielle studied business marketing at the University of Phoenix and proceeded to work in the demanding, fast-paced, corporate setting, shaping campaigns for several iconic brands. As a beer and spirits ambassador, she created ads for Guinness, Sam Adams, Absolut, Patron, and many more. Then switching industries, she boosted Pillsbury, Cheerios, and YoPlait sales, growing annually during her tenure at General Mills. Danielle jokes, “I went from destroying livers to ‘healthying’ hearts!”.

Danielle helps people fall in love with brands because of her creativity and results-oriented personality. Danielle has a proven track record of achievements in developing new social media strategies and creating original social media content. Allow Danielle photos and videos of your dog in training, and you’ll be amazed at the content she creates for you!

My name is Deene and this is my rescue mix, Tucker. As a child, I was scared to be around dogs because I was bitten by a German Shepherd. As an adult, I have fallen in love with every dog I have met! I learned that a well-trained dog becomes a treasured companion who is safe around people and who also has a pretty darn good quality of life themselves!

I spent most of my career in higher education and marketing/management consulting. For 16 years, I found myself owning and operating a KOA campground that was located along a rails-to-trails bike trail. During that time, I learned a lot about how dogs react and behave on a trail with many other dogs and people around-plus wildlife to add some mystery.

I am amazed every day with just how brilliant a dog can be and how quickly they learn new behaviors. I look forward to seeing you and your dog achieve great success!

If your dog is reactive on walks, anxious at home, or hard to manage around distractions, Renee is the kind of trainer families look for. Renee is our Head Facility Trainer, an AKC Certified Trainer, and a former teacher who’s known for calm, step-by-step coaching that makes owners feel confident. Clients also love her instructional videos, a lasting resource you can keep and use long after training ends.

Renee’s passion began with her rescue, Nash, and the training that helped Nash overcome fear and live more confidently. Renee works hands-on with dogs every single day, training in real-life environments with real-world distractions—experience that matters when you want results that hold up outside of class. She also has training experience in scent work and service dog foundations, helping dogs build focus, confidence, and reliable skills in everyday settings.

Renee constantly trains and learns with respected professionals nationwide to stay current on modern techniques that work for busy families. Her training style focuses on:

• Calmer walks + better manners (less pulling, jumping, barking, and “big reactions”)
• Confidence for anxious or reactive dogs (clear steps that reduce stress and overreactions)
• Reliable listening in real life (skills that work around people, dogs, and distractions)
• Simple, owner-friendly routines (easy homework you can repeat and maintain)Clear communication and fair structure (so your dog understands expectations and settles faster)

Families appreciate her calm approach, clear direction, and training that holds up in real life.

If you’ve ever wondered what it looks like to truly understand a dog, meet Jessica. As our Director of Training, she leads our training team and is the person both clients and trainers turn to when clarity, insight, and results matter most. With 10+ years of experience, Jessica has a rare ability to read what a dog is communicating—and then explain it to owners in a way that finally makes everything click.

Jessica is AKC certified and has administered hundreds of evaluations, but her greatest strength lies in her calm presence and deep understanding of behavior. She began training animals at 15 years old, starting with horses, which shaped her patient, grounded approach—especially valuable for dogs who are anxious, reactive, or easily overwhelmed.

Clients frequently share how quickly they see changes working with Jessica—often in the very first session. She’s known for helping dogs focus, improving real-life reliability on walks and around distractions, and creating calmer, more confident behavior at home and in public. Just as importantly, she empowers owners with clear communication, simple steps, and a clear plan for what comes next, building confidence on both ends of the leash.

Jessica is deeply committed to ongoing education and has spent years studying dog behavior through books, professional mentorships, and daily hands-on work. She excels at smart problem-solving, addressing behavior at its source rather than masking symptoms, and uses fair structure and accountability to reduce stress and create consistency. Her favorite moments are the ones clients talk about most: when a fearful dog relaxes, a reactive dog gains confidence, and an owner finally understands their dog.

Continuing education highlights include:

• Advanced leash handling and behavior-modification strategies that help clients turn reactivity into calmer walks and measurable progress.
• Relationship-building plus structure that creates better focus, stronger engagement, and real-life reliability.
• High-distraction obedience systems that improve follow-through when it matters most—at home and in public.
• A clear, responsible framework for tools and pressure when appropriate, keeping training fair, purposeful, and stress-reducing.
• Ongoing professional development to keep her approach current, evidence-informed, and easy for owners to implement.

Meet Kelsie Johnson, Peanut and Houndoom! Kelsie has a passion for training service dogs and has worked with dogs for about 10 years. Before this, she studied game art and design at Ringling College and taught math, science, and art in elementary and middle school—which probably explains why Kelsie loves creatively turning big goals into clear, doable steps. At home, her crew keeps her inspired: Peanut, a rescued Husky–Doberman mix who kicked off Kelsie's training journey and is now enjoying a well-earned retirement; Houndoom, a Native American Indian Dog stepping in as Peanut’s replacement; and Eevee, her tiny Chihuahua with a big personality.

Kelsie's approach is blended and balanced—always humane, always tailored to the dog-and-handler team in front of her. “All things service dog” is Kelsie's happy place, from task training and public-access prep to the everyday manners that make life smoother. Kelsie is constantly reading and researching dog behavior, psychology, and training styles, and she brings the best of that back to her clients. Kelsie has been curious about training since she was a kid (early experiments even included teaching a family cat to walk on a leash). Kelsie's goal is simple: help people understand their dogs more clearly so they can move through the world together with trust, joy, and independence.

With over 30 years of experience in administration and customer service, Sherri is passionate about creating positive experiences for both clients and their dogs. After taking time to raise her family, she is excited to return to doing what she loves and to be part of the Dog Training Elite team.

Outside of work, Sherri is deeply involved in her community, volunteering as the secretary for the organization that supports her daughter’s high school marching band. She enjoys spending time with family and friends and especially loves the companionship of her 13-year-old Miniature Schnauzer, Sprinkles, who continues to inspire her love for dogs and the bond they share with their people.

Hi, I’m Blaize, a dog trainer focused on helping pet dogs and their owners build calm, reliable behavior at home and in everyday life—alongside my canine partner, Ranger.

I have hands-on experience with a variety of breeds, energy levels, and temperaments, including daily work with high-drive dogs, which strengthens engagement, impulse control, and dependable obedience. My training approach is built on clear structure, consistency, and reward-based skill development, with a focus on practical skills for home routines, walks, and public settings.

I completed the DTE Puppy & Obedience Training Program (puppy development, foundational manners, and owner coaching) and stay committed to continuing education and mentorship. Outside of client work, I participate in protection sport training as a structured outlet for my personal dogs, further refining my handling and training skills.