Service Dog Breeds


The Best Service Dogs for Veterans & PTSD in Providence / New Bedford

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Or Call to Schedule FREE In-Home Assessment

401-399-4177


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Service Dog Breeds

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. We've created this brief guide to review 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. Take the first step towards a better future with a trained service dog by contacting Dog Training Elite Rhode Island today!

Dog Training Elite offers professional training of service dogs for veterans in Providence / New Bedford.

Popular Breeds for Service Dogs

While most dogs can be trained to become service dogs, regardless of breed, a few breeds lead the pack in popularity due to their personalities and inherent traits. Here are a few of the most popular service dog breeds.


Labrador retrievers are among the most sought-after breeds to be service dogs for PTSD in Providence / New Bedford due to their intelligence, versatility, and friendly nature. They excel in various roles, including guide dogs for individuals with visual impairments, service dogs for individuals with mobility issues, and service dogs for veterans with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). Labradors are highly trainable and possess a strong desire to please, making them ideal candidates for service work.

Golden retrievers are known for their gentle and patient nature, making them excellent service dog candidates. Their calm temperament, intelligence, and willingness to learn contribute to their success in roles such as mobility assistance, therapy dogs, and service dogs for veterans. Their ability to provide emotional support and comfort makes them particularly well-suited for individuals with PTSD or other mental health conditions.

German shepherds possess a remarkable combination of strength, intelligence, and loyalty, making them an excellent choice as a service dog for veterans. Their versatility allows them to excel in various roles, including mobility assistance, search and rescue, and service dogs for individuals with psychiatric or neurological conditions. With their keen sense of observation and natural protective instincts, German Shepherds can provide physical and emotional support to their handlers.

Poodles are renowned for their intelligence, trainability, and hypoallergenic coats, making them popular for service dog training, especially for individuals with allergies. They excel in roles such as mobility assistance, diabetic alert dogs, and medical alert dogs.

An adorable golden doodle service pup trained by Dog Training Elite Rhode Island, ready to help their owner throughout the day!

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.


Dog Training Elite Rhode Island is the top company near you that uses professional positive dog training methods.
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.

See Our Pricing

Dog Training Elite trained service dogs for veterans can help them with PTSD and so much more.

Who Are Service Dogs For?

Service dogs offer invaluable support and assistance to individuals facing various challenges. Service dogs are sought after by individuals with conditions such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), mobility limitations, visual or hearing impairments, autism spectrum disorders, anxiety disorders, and more. Service dogs can help provide security, independence, and emotional well-being regardless of the specific condition. If you seek a loyal and capable partner to enhance your daily life, a service dog for PTSD in Providence / New Bedford can make a remarkable difference.

Training a service dog for disablities like autism, is a Dog Training Elite specialty.

Service Dog Training

Service dogs undergo extensive and specialized training to perform their essential tasks and assist individuals with disabilities. The training process involves a combination of obedience training, task training, and public access training.

  • Obedience Training

    This training focuses on teaching a dog basic commands, such as sit, stay, heel, and come, as well as proper leash manners and socialization skills.

  • Task Training

    Task training tailors to the specific needs of the individual. It involves teaching the dog to perform tasks that mitigate the person's disability, such as retrieving items, opening doors, or providing deep pressure therapy.

  • Public Access Training

    This type of training is crucial to ensure the dog remains calm, well-behaved, and non-disruptive in various public settings. This training includes exposure to different environments, distractions, and social interactions to provide a dog that can confidently navigate public spaces.

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!

Danielle was great. We have a 10 month old bully mix who is very energetic we also have a child on the way and knew we needed help before she arrives. She helped us to get him to listen to us and follow directions both around the house and while out on walks. We have seen steady improvement with our dog as his training progresses.
— Benjamin Phillips
Posted April 23rd 2024
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I am a student at Roger Williams University working on a dog scent project. I couldn’t have been happier with picking Dog Training Elite to help me out. Kona was very well trained puppy who showed great work doing her smell training. I would highly recommended this company for all type of training. Danel greatly helped me out answering any and all questions I had. And she did it with a smile on her face the entire time.
— Seth Jablonki
Posted April 23rd 2024
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In Dec 2022 I brought home an 8 week old, highly energetic, husky malamute shepherd mix. It was immediately clear that I needed more training than I knew at the time and I enlisted the help and expertise of Danielle at Dog Training Elite. I started with the puppy training package which provided the fundamentals. I then followed that with Advanced Training, which built on the fundamentals and included e-collar training and group classes. The group classes are where the rubber meets the road and the practice of all the training you’ve done comes together in practical application. Danielle excels at providing patient instruction to the dog and the owner. She offers solutions to problems that aren’t a one size fits all solution. I chose Danille because I highly valued a balanced training approach that came by way of treats and praise, as well as using the modern tools at our disposal including prong collars and e-collars. The e-collar is an invaluable communication tool and I knew it would be the right method for my dog. I highly recommend Danielle, her approach, and her training.
— John Babb
Posted March 30th 2024
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I would definitely recommend Dog Training Elite!! The amount of care and one on one experience is worth the money! I've seen such improvement in my pup since we started!
— Kimberly Thompson
Posted February 26th 2024
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Excellent organization, and Danielle is awesome!
— Joe Crabb
Posted February 10th 2024
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We recently got a puppy to be little sister to our 6-year old lab mix, and looked into training for them both. We couldn’t be happier to have found Danielle at Dog Training Elite RI. They have both come so far with their obedience training, and we will also be doing service animal training. Danielle’s love of dogs shines through in all of her classes. This was the best decision for the happiness of our fur babies!!
— Robert Bolt
Posted December 2nd 2023
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Daniel is the best, From the initial training to the followup classes we have been very happy.
— gary chiasson
Posted November 22nd 2023
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Danielle and her team are fabulous! My dog, Phil, is very before and she work with him with such patience and care. He has built up his confidence and training skills so much with Danielle’s help. Highly highly recommend
— Caroline Barr
Posted November 19th 2023
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Owen has come a long way since starting training with Elite. He has improved with listening and understanding commands , as well as leash behavior. Highly recommended
— Jeff Palumbo
Posted October 21st 2023
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Danielle was great! Extremely easy to work with and made you feel comfortable right away. She really listened to your concerns and helped recreate the situation so that you can work through it in real time. My dog is extremely reactive and she worked with me to give me the tools and confidence I need to help my dog. I am grateful for the training and would recommend her to those whether you are just starting off or need help on problematic behaviors such as reactivity!
— Jessica Contois
Posted October 6th 2023
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My boyfriend and I have had such a positive experience with them. Our trainer is so patient and attentive to our dog, Skye, and he loves her. She is super helpful with any advice that we may need to better work with him. Would definitely recommend to anyone looking for a dog trainer.
— Jamila Coulter
Posted October 3rd 2023
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We highly recommend Danielle from Dog Training Elite Rhode Island. Our dog was experiencing aggression through his anxiety and Danielle was able to turn our dog into a confident and proud boy! She was knowledgeable in her practice and beyond patient while training our dog. We cannot thank her enough!
— Miriam Eble
Posted September 30th 2023
google
We are so impressed with Danielle and Dog Training Elite! Aggie Rose, our Jack Russell, has really benefited from the private and group classes offered by Danielle. Aggie’s behavior around other dogs and humans has improved beyond our expectations – no more barking at other dogs, jumping on guests or pulling on her leash. Danielle has an approach that combines patience & knowledge into successful training sessions. The real bonus was Danielle’s ability to customize the training to address Aggie’s unique quirks. She helped Aggie to stop attacking the shovel and rake, making it possible to have her outside while working in the yard. After a few sessions, we were able to garden again with Aggie tagging along and only digging when we asked her too! Aggie Rose is a calmer and happier family member and we owe it to Danielle and Dog Training Elite. Thank you so much, Danielle!
— Jeffrey Coolidge
Posted September 22nd 2023
google
Excellent
— Francelly Montano
Posted September 3rd 2023
google
I 100% recommend hiring Danielle to train your pup! She deals with all types of dogs with various training needs. Our 10 month old mini Australian shepherd puppy has completely transformed her behavior after just 5 private sessions. She still has to attend group classes and I can’t wait to see her progress even further. Thank you so much Danielle!
— Kelly Compton
Posted September 1st 2023
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Danielle knows what she’s doing with dogs. She is very patient, she goes out of her way to help dog owners train their own dogs, and she’s very accommodating. My dog has become much less reactive, and much more obedient.
— Diana Oehrli
Posted August 12th 2023
google
It has been a great experience for me as a new dog owner and for my dog to learn so quickly the few commands. My dog knows all the commands to be around small children, busy public spaces and to stay within boundaries in big open spaces.
— caroline murphy
Posted August 6th 2023
google
We love Danielle- she was fantastic and did such an excellent job with our pup Remy! We have seen such a positive difference in his behavior since training with Danielle. We would highly recommend Dog Training Elite to anyone looking for one on one training. Thank you Danielle- and Scruffy and Kona too! It's been a pleasure working with you and we look forward to Group Classes.
— Cathy M
Posted July 12th 2023
google
Zappa is the best dog, so good natured and loving. He is, however 86 pounds and full of energy not knowing his own strength. We contacted Elite and Danielle responded right away. We talked for a while and she answered all my questions. I set up an appointment and after meeting Danielle, we knew she was right for us and Zappa. With Danielle’s patience & kindness Zappa has come a long way. He is no longer jumping when company comes to the house, which is huge! We can’t thank Danielle enough for all she’s done and continues to do for Zappa. He adores her!
— Teresa Letourneau
Posted July 1st 2023
google
Danielle is amazing! She did a puppy consultation on our puppy and had him following new commands within minutes. I would highly recommend her to anyone needing puppy or older dog training. Thank you Danielle!
— Cynthia MacDonald
Posted June 29th 2023
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All Reviews Set Up an Assessment Today!

Service Dogs for Veterans & PTSDTraining with Dog Training Elite in Providence / New Bedford

Dog Training Elite offers comprehensive service dog training programs designed to meet your unique needs. With our expertise and personalized approach, we can help your service dog develop the skills and behaviors necessary to fulfill their vital role in enhancing your daily life.

Service dogs are an invaluable resource for individuals with disabilities, providing support, independence, and companionship. Service dogs can benefit individuals with various conditions, including PTSD, mobility limitations, autism, anxiety disorders, and more. At Dog Training Elite Rhode Island, we offer comprehensive service dog training programs to ensure your dog has the necessary skills to meet your needs. Our expertise and personalized approach will help you forge a strong bond with your service dog and confidently navigate daily life. Take the first step towards a brighter future by contacting Dog Training Elite today and discovering how a service dog can make a remarkable difference in your life.

Let Dog Training Elite take care of the service dog training so you can have support in your life while in Providence / New Bedford.

Proud Sponsor of The Malinois Foundation

At Dog Training Elite Rhode Island, 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 Rhode Island works with the Malinois Foundation to heal and empower these individuals with a specialized service animal, a partner in life, and a new best friend.

Learn More