A service dog and their owner outside - find elite service dog training in Treasure Coast / Port St. Lucie, FL with Dog Training Elite.

Professional

Service Dog Training

Dog Training Elite Treasure Coast / North PB County

Request Free Assessment


Request Free Assessment


Our Service Dog Training Could Help:

Veterans or civilians with PTSD, anxiety, or depression
Children or adults with autism
Individuals with epilepsy
Advanced medical training (participating locations)

Dog Training Elite Treasure Coast / North PB County

Service Dog Training in Treasure Coast / Port St. Lucie, FL

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 Treasure Coast / Port St. Lucie, FL, 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.

See Training Packages
A man and his support service dog - learn more about our positive training methods at Dog Training Elite.

Our Pawsitive Approach to Service Dog Training


Read More
Read Less

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.

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!

Hear From Our Customers

Learn Why Dog owners choose Dog Training Elite

  • Anthony Merva
    Dec. 18, 2024
    I was very impressed with the training that my dog and I received. The staff is professional and communicates well with appointments and any questions. The trainers are very knowledgeable, helpful, and take the training very seriously. I see an amazing difference in my dog. I will be back for some more advanced training. I highly recommend them to anyone looking for training. Don’t waste your money with anyone else! Thank you Graham and Shelley.
  • Chelsea Redner
    Dec. 18, 2024
    I can't recommend this dog training enough! It truly is an investment— but hands down, the best one I've ever made. My dog was a rescue, and he came with a lot of fear and anxiety, terrified of almost everything. He wouldn’t listen to me at all, and I felt helpless. But after working with this team, my dog's transformation has been incredible. He’s become more confident, calm, and responsive. The trainers have helped him completely change his attitude and approach to the world around him. The staff is also beyond amazing—friendly, supportive, and so knowledgeable. They take the time to explain why my dog behaves the way he does, and why the training techniques work. It’s clear they genuinely care about both the dogs and the owners, and they tailor everything to my dog’s specific needs. I’ve seen results I never thought possible, and I can’t thank them enough for the positive changes in my dog's behavior. 10/10, worth every penny!
  • Matt
    Dec. 5, 2024
    Took our brand new 3-4month puppy, Bear, here for a gold course by the time the first week was done, we knew we wanted to upgrade to platinum, The course helped with all the main foundations that Bear needed. She was always a good dog but super hyper being a puppy and let that get to her a lot of the time, the course has truly taught her self control. Paired with the platinum coming with unlimited group classes for life, we are set up for success with Bear and are still learning everyday. Would definitely recommend to anyone
  • Marcy Howard
    Nov. 18, 2024
    Fabulous experience! We signed up two rowdy, hard headed dogs and now have two well trained darlings in our family!
  • Lynn Sparks
    Oct. 24, 2024
    I love Dog Training Elite Treasure Coast! I adopted a very high energy one year old lab/rhodesian ridgeback mix rescue. I’ve always had dogs but he was a handful and I was beginning to believe he was too much for me but was in love with him. So for the first time ever I decided to try a professional trainer to help train him and myself. I didn’t want to spend the money but now I am so grateful that I did!!! Just after a couple of weeks I could see such a difference in him! I wish I would have done this will all my previous dogs!! Close to finishing his training and this dog is the dog of my dreams. He totally respects me and knows his commands! The Dog Training Elite trainers are phenomenal! They are so nice and very helpful and I highly recommend them!❤️
  • billgelder
    Oct. 15, 2024
    We LOVE all the Trainers at DTE - Treasure Coast. We love the Group Training Classes that are available throughout the week and on the weekends at the Parks around the area. The Trainers are all so professional while also being very personable at the same time. The participants of DTE are all such friendly people - and DOGS! Our Lacy has completed and has earned her Good Citizen Training Certificate. And we are now in training for Hearing Assist Service Dog. Each of the Trainers are so devoted to the program and to their dogs, it's wonderful to watch how well trained their dogs are - it's inspiring. Look for Dog Training Elite in your area for exceptional professional dog training. Lacy says: Everyone smells nice and they have good treats!!!
  • Lee Abbott
    Aug. 9, 2024
    I am a US Air Force veteran and have been looking for a service dog to help me with my mobility problems. Physicians at the Veterans Administration Medical Center felt the same and recommended that I get a service dog and subsequently filled out the necessary paperwork. I approached a veteran’s organization who trains service dogs for veterans, and I selected a dog from them which was a rescued 3-year-old German Shepherd. They recommended that I take her home to bond with her and to see if she was a suitable match, which I did. They said that they would call me within the following month after a training position opened, and then they would provide her training. I took my German Shepard home and bonded with her awaiting a call from this organization. After about four weeks I got a call from them and returned my German Shepard to them for training. I left her with them for almost three weeks which was hard because of the bond that I had established with her. After this three-week period, I got a call to pick up my service dog. She was not trained as I expected, they said that they tried but could not train her because she was “untrainable and not motivated enough for training”. I had no choice but to take my untrained service dog home. Because of the bond that I established with her, there was no way that I would give her up for another dog. I searched the internet for a solution and found an organization called Dog Training Elite-Treasure Coast. I contacted their office and scheduled an appointment for an initial interview with Shelley Walker. She came out to my home the following Saturday and did her evaluation. While she evaluated me, I evaluated her and felt that she was a caring as well as a professional individual. I felt that I could trust her with my new companion and who could be in my opinion she represented the organization I needed for training my dog. She ended the evaluation and stated she would contact. Veterans giving to heroes for their opinion. The following Monday I got a call from her, and she stated that Dog Training Elite-Treasure Coast would train my German Shepard and that the training would be funded by Veterans helping Hero’s. The training program began, and the initial daily training was provided for both of us at their Ft. Pierce location. As the training progressed, I found that my service dog responded well to their training protocol and was responding well to my commands at home. It was amazing how they were able to take an “untrainable and unmotivated “dog and turn it into a trained service dog who is making my life much easier. In addition. I had an excellent interaction with all the trainers and staff at Dog Training Elite-Treasure Coast. It is my opinion that they care about and become a part of the animals and the dog owners that they train. I strongly feel that all the animals that they train are trained in a highly professional manner. I would highly recommend this organization to anyone who is considering training their dog at any of the levels that they provide. Dr. Lee j. Abbott
  • Christine Maglicic
    Feb. 22, 2024
    A very special place to take your 4 legged sweetie to learn good behavior. The trainers give each dog individual time and attention. My 7 month old mini Golden Doodle has learned so much. At the end of the day I was shown what she learned that day to practice with her. After our week of day camp, . group classes are offered. I need them as much as she does! Great experience. The learning continues for us both with the support of the staff. Glad we found them! 🐕
  • Grace Gabrielle Monteiro
    Aug. 1, 2024
    When I had my initial consult with Shelly I had no idea what I was getting myself into and I couldn’t be happier. My health suddenly took a dive about two years ago and I have been trying to find a way to help with my disability. We bumped into another service dog handler and she told us about DTE. I met one of the owners during my consultation and she put me so much at ease. Such a kind, caring person who was so knowledgeable about dogs, and who made me feel so seen. Having a dynamic disability makes it hard for people to believe that I’m sick and she was just like “how can we help” and i felt so validated. Shelley and her team have taken my 2yd GSD and helped our relationship and helped us grow together in our service dog training journey, as well as give me the knowledge to train my other 3 dogs at home. My pup is happy to help me and I am happy to have helping hand and my best friend with me so I don’t have to be scared to go places on my own anymore. I would recommend them to any person in any circumstance. This team has given me community, and given my home such peace. Thank you ❤️ I am forever grateful to you guys
  • May LaRose
    Jul. 11, 2024
    I am writing to express my heartfelt appreciation and to highly recommend the outstanding services provided by Dog Training Elite. Our beautiful 10-month-old Giant Schnauzer, Mimi, began her training journey with them a few months ago, and the results have been nothing short of remarkable. Initially, I had my doubts about whether Dog Training Elite could train Mimi to the level they described. Their promises seemed almost too good to be true, and I was skeptical about their ability to deliver. However, I am thrilled to say that they have far exceeded our expectations in every way. The dedication, hard work, and commitment of the Dog Training Elite team have been truly impressive. Mimi has been excelling in her training and is well on her way to becoming a Therapy Dog. The transformation we have seen in her behavior and skills is a testament to the exceptional training methods and the care provided by the team. We would like to extend our deepest gratitude to Shelly, Sam, Jessica, and the rest of the team at Dog Training Elite. Their professionalism, patience, and genuine love for the animals they work with are evident in everything they do. We cannot thank them enough for the positive impact they have had on our beloved Mimi. If you are considering training for your dog, I wholeheartedly recommend Dog Training Elite. Their services are truly outstanding, and they have made a significant difference in our lives and in Mimi's development. Thank you once again for your exceptional work. Vincent and May
  • D Cortes
    Jun. 19, 2024
    Such an amazing place with such amazing people and trainers. A place that Treats you like family. Their training techniques are amazing, they never stop learning and sharing their knowledge with you. If you stop learning, that’s because you stop showing up. As a veteran, I could not ask for better and knowing that I am always covered and that my dog will do what I need to when I need him There… Because not only do they train the dog, but they also train the human. It’s a package deal. You get out of it what you put into it and if you constantly work with your dog on what they teach You will have great results and have great results and such a loving companion. Honestly, I love this place and I love these people.
  • marissa maniscalco
    Jun. 14, 2024
    Shelley and her crew are amazing! In just a few weeks she helped turn my high energy misbehaved Belgian malinois into a well behaved obedient dog that i can now proudly take any and everywhere with me. With her advanced skills in high energy dogs, Shelley was able to help me get these behaviors under complete control as a first time dog owner. The best part is, she comes to you! Being apart of the learning experience WITH my dog was the most important part to me and shelley exceeded my expectations in every aspect. I highly recommended dog training elite treasure coast if you are considering training of any kind for your furry friend!
  • Randi Jones
    Jun. 9, 2024
    We have a Maltipoo puppy. Having had another that lived 15 years, we knew all the possibilities of the combination of adorable and crazy. One evening, in Tradition Square, I saw a group of incredibly well behaved dogs of all sizes and shapes. I approached the person who seemed to be leading. It was Shelly. We immediately knew we wanted to work with her and the team. While small dogs seem cute, and are often permitted to jump, bark, and misbehave, we wanted better for our guy. Yes, it’s an investment of money, and time, but so worth it. Highly recommend Dog Training Elite Treasure Coast!
  • Scott Malone
    Jun. 1, 2024
    Polly and I started training in Jan 2024 when Polly was just 9 weeks old. The goal was/is to train her up to be a service dog. And we are all on our way having passed all the test to be a service dog in training. When I was having trouble house breaking her, one of the staff member Kristin took her into her home and house broke her for me. Shelly Walker also was able to help me secure some help paying for the training through a veterans charity. Shelly, Graham, Sam, Kristin and Tina couldn’t be more patient training me to work with Polly. Polly has excellent manners and is well behaved. Any dog we get in the future will be trained by these folks. Truly the last dog trainer you’ll neee
  • Norma Kolifrath
    May. 25, 2024
    "We could not have had a more positive experience than with Dog Training Elite. All the trainers are extremely knowledgeable, professional, patient, and positive toward both not only our four legged friends but also their owners. We have learned so much and we are so grateful to have engaged Dog Training Elite as our trainers. We are very grateful for all of the diligence, care, and kindness that the Dog Training Elite trainers have shown our German Shepherd puppy Yana. I would easily and highly recommend them to anyone looking for professional training!
  • Veronica S
    May. 18, 2024
    We are so grateful for having found Dog Training Elite. Graham and Shelley have transformed our busy, energetic pack into a mindful and confident pack. We love the fact that we can now go on walks and outings with peace of mind and confidence to de-escalate unpredictable situations . The group session today was a blast and gave us the opportunity to see other owners successfully training their dogs as well. We will absolutely be sending everyone we can in their direction. Thank you and your team so much for everything and we will see you for another group session soon! ☺️
  • Dolores Pilla
    Apr. 25, 2024
    I am forever grateful to the staff. Their expertise combined with their compassion and understanding of animals is superior. They have given me the tools I need to continue with the training of my dog
  • Chris Levy
    Apr. 17, 2024
    Wow, there’s no words to describe the dramatic change in a very reactive, scared dog, transformed into a confident, well behaved and loved family pet! DTE and the entire staff are dedicated, caring, knowledgeable, professional trainers even with our challenging guy and we can’t thank them enough for making Rocket an enjoyable member of our family. Thanks DTE and I’m glad to be a part of your family and highly recommend anyone who is looking for a well mannered dog training group to consider DTE as their first and only choice. Special thanks to Graham who saw Rockets potential, Sam who finally got the Rocket mans kisses she was looking for, Kristin who put up with the ever so unpredictable attitudes of Rocket in the mornings, Tina and Shelley. You guys ROCK! Ronnie, Chris and Rocket
  • Tropicalwallart Hurricane Rita
    Apr. 14, 2024
    Elite Dog Training is all that you would hope for in a training Center. I brought in my 1.6 year old German Shepherd. The trainers are very friendly and my dog enjoyed all of his visits. He picked up his lessons and seemed happy to learn more each visit. I am very happy with our choice in using Elite Dog Training.
  • Julissa Orth
    Feb. 22, 2024
    We (my husband and myself) came across this group during a veteran event and was really impressed with the dogs they brought to demonstrate what they could do. At the time we didn't have a dog with any training needs, but they definitely left an impression. Later that year we adopted a GROWING puppy (now 70lbs) and thought we could handle training him on our own. Unfortunately, we learned through an embarrassing situation that our dog was very "rude" and not very confident in his surroundings. After that, I picked up the phone and got scheduled right away to see if he was a good fit for the program. He was a great fit and we've been going strong 4 months now (1 month of one-on-one training and 3 months of weekly follow-ups). We are no longer afraid to take our dogs in public and our pup that was trained through this program has actually become the most well-behaved dog I've ever had. I am so thankful for the team at DTE for giving me and especially my dog piece of mind and a closer relationship.
A Dog Training Elite Treasure Coast / North PB County owner smiling with his dog in Treasure Coast / Port St. Lucie, FL.

Dog Training Elite Treasure Coast / North PB County

Is a Service Dog The Same As a Therapy Dog?

Read More
Read Less

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
  2. 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, pigs, and monkeys are often trained to support individuals with disabilities!

  3. Therapy Animal
  4. 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.

  5. Emotional Support Animal
  6. 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 Treasure Coast / North PB County

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 Treasure Coast / North PB County - PTSD Service Dog in Treasure Coast / Port St. Lucie, FL. DTE
PTSD Service Dog

If you're looking to train a PTSD service dog in Treasure Coast / Port St. Lucie, FL, 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 Treasure Coast / North PB County - Psychiatric Service Dog in Treasure Coast / Port St. Lucie, FL. DTE
Psychiatric Service Dog Training

Our psychiatric service dog training in Treasure Coast / Port St. Lucie, FL 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 Treasure Coast / North PB County - Mobility Service Dog in Treasure Coast / Port St. Lucie, FL. Dog Training Elite
Mobility Support Service Dog

Enhance your independence or help a loved one with specialized mobility service dog training in Treasure Coast / Port St. Lucie, FL from Dog Training Elite. Our expert trainers teach dogs the skills they need to support their owners with mobility challenges.

Dog Training Elite Treasure Coast / North PB County - Seizure Response Dog in Treasure Coast / Port St. Lucie, FL. DTE
Medical Response Dog Training

If you are in need of a seizure response dog in Treasure Coast / Port St. Lucie, FL, Dog Training Elite can help. Our training program is designed to help individuals with epilepsy regain independence and confidence.

Dog Training Elite Treasure Coast / North PB County - Autism Support Dog Training in Treasure Coast / Port St. Lucie, FL. DTE
Autism Support Service Dog

Bring life-changing support to your family with Dog Training Elite's autism support dog training in Treasure Coast / Port St. Lucie, FL. 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 Treasure Coast / Port St. Lucie service dog training with Dog Training Elite.

Dog Training Elite Treasure Coast / North PB County

Service Dogs for Anxiety, PTSD, and Autism

Read More
Read Less

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 Treasure Coast / North PB County.

How Do I Get a Service Dog?

Read More
Read Less

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 Treasure Coast / North PB County.
Dog Training Elite Treasure Coast / North PB County light star icon.

Educate, Empower, Elevate, Elite

Victory Begins With Elite Education

A trainer, a man and his service dog - find the best service dog training in Treasure Coast / Port St. Lucie, FL with Dog Training Elite.

We Are Committed to Making a Difference

Choose DTE for Treasure Coast / Port St. Lucie Service Dog Training

Read More
Read Less

At Dog Training Elite, we are passionate about transforming lives through Treasure Coast / Port St. Lucie service dog training. Our proven methods and positive reinforcement techniques 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 Treasure Coast / North PB County and experience the difference that elite training and compassionate care can make.