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A service dog and their owner outside - find elite service dog training in Sarasota / Venice, FL with Dog Training Elite.

Professional

Service Dog Training

Dog Training Elite Sarasota

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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 Sarasota

Service Dog Training in Sarasota / Venice, 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 Sarasota / Venice, 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.

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

Our Positive Approach to Service Dog Training


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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

  • Cristy Estes
    Feb. 11, 2025
    Anthony was patient and gave great feedback for what I could work on with my dog. He was very helpful.
  • Lisa
    Feb. 11, 2025
    Alisa came for an introduction and evaluation. She was prompt and professional and really took the time to explain the methods and goals of the available training programs. I look forward to working with her again.
  • Ruben Gonzalez
    Jan. 31, 2025
    I was extremely pleased and satisfied with Denise's presentation, and requirement for puppy training. what was also very impressive was her own dog the training and commands that her dog showed. Looking forward for my dog to start his puppy training and to further his training as a service dog. Thank you Denise.
  • Lisa Tucker
    Feb. 10, 2025
    Denise came to our home and spent over an hour explaining the program. She answered all of our questions. She also brought one of her own dogs to demonstrate how well the program works. She was super friendly and knowledgeable. We were definitely sold on the training.
  • Sharon Mann
    Jan. 24, 2025
    Already seeing changes in behavior! Actually took Pepper for an enjoyable walk this evening the first in many months.
  • Jann Oliveras
    Feb. 6, 2025
    Denise was fantastic! She gave a very thorough explanation, and even demonstrated with her own dog what we can look forward to. It gave us both peace of mind and hope that our reactive Doberman can learn what is expected of her and actually listen to commands rather than us being reactive to her behavior and stressed out all the time. We look forward to Luna being a more relaxed and confident member of our family!
  • Randy Taylor
    Feb. 6, 2025
    Great experience, programs were explained thoroughly. Denise was wonderful.
  • carol ousley
    Feb. 6, 2025
    He is a great trainer. Very personable and explains everything. A very nice young man. Makes sure I understand the process before leaving our meeting
  • John Cullinan
    Jan. 31, 2025
    This was our first session at home and Alisa was friendly and clear with all of instructions. She made both us and Calli, our Goldendoodle, very comfortable.
  • Maylaine Yep
    Jan. 31, 2025
    Denise arrived at our home for an initial assessment to verify if Winston, our goldendoodle, was a great fit for service dog training. I felt at ease the moment she arrived. I was well aware that this was a financial investment that would yield not only tangible but non-tangible returns as well. I can't wait to start this journey with Winston and Dog Training Elite by our sides.
  • Jane Lunsford
    Jan. 30, 2025
    Denise was a true professional with my " special " furchild. I look forward to training with this company to enrich his life further!
  • Faye Gillespie
    Jan. 29, 2025
    Anthony is awesome He realized our dog did not need a full training program, gave us a few tips to try out first. They worked! Would absolutely recommend him.
  • Honey Badger Barringer
    Jan. 24, 2025
    We are very pleased as we begin our journey with the folks for Dog Training Elite Southwest Florida.
  • Astride K
    Jan. 11, 2025
    Anthony is a blessing! Very professional, punctual and knows what is doing. If you follow his instructions, you and your pup will be set for life 😊
  • Christy Meyer
    Dec. 11, 2024
    Anthony is the Best Trainer. He tailors the training to what I need for my dog. I’m training my dog to be a service dog. He is very thorough, knowledgeable, friendly, and my dog loves him. Best program around.
  • Carmela Lucas
    Jan. 23, 2025
    Renée was great at showing me how my dog will be trained and how he and I will learn. I am looking forward to working with her for the next two weeks.
  • Sonia Velasco
    Jan. 22, 2025
    We couldn’t be happier with Dog Training Elite and our trainer Anthony. Since the first session we have seen positive results and improvement in our dog’s behavior. He loves Anthony and responds well to him and the DTE methods. Anthony is a very professional and knowledgeable trainer; he listens to our concerns and is attentive to our dog’s progress, customizing our sessions accordingly. Highly recommend Dog Training Elite whether you have a puppy, rescue or older dog. Their training programs, resources and trainers are high quality and organized for lifelong success for you and your dog.
  • Dawn Cunningham
    Jan. 22, 2025
    This wonderful trainer came and talked with helping my German Shepherd! Unfortunately for us, we have to find someone else. My dog needs more help than he can give so he is helping me to find another Trainer. This man was was kind and caring, and he was honest with me. He did not ask me to spend alot of money, when he wasn't sure we could make the dog better. These people care about dogs and helping them be the best dogs, and they enrich their lives to have a better life! Thank you for your time and honesty!
  • Doug Drabina
    Jan. 17, 2025
    Anthony is great! Easy directions and great results. Awesome for puppies
  • Suzanne Martin
    Jan. 4, 2025
    We loved Renee, she was very informative and helpful in training us!!! Nova loves her 💕
A Dog Training Elite Sarasota owner smiling with his dog in Sarasota / Venice, FL.

Dog Training Elite Sarasota

Is a Service Dog The Same As a Therapy Dog?

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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 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 Sarasota

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 Sarasota - PTSD Service Dog Training in Sarasota / Venice. Dog Training Elite Sarasota
PTSD Service Dog

If you're looking to train a PTSD service dog in Sarasota / Venice, 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 Sarasota - Psychiatric Service Dog Trainers in Sarasota / Venice
Psychiatric Service Dog Training

Our psychiatric service dog training in Sarasota / Venice, 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 Sarasota - Mobility Service Dog in Sarasota / Venice, FL. Dog Training Elite
Mobility Support Service Dog

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

Dog Training Elite Sarasota - Seizure Response Dog in Sarasota / Venice, FL
Medical Response Dog Training

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

Dog Training Elite Sarasota - Autism Support Dog Training in Sarasota / Venice, FL
Autism Support Service Dog

Bring life-changing support to your family with Dog Training Elite's autism support dog training in Sarasota / Venice, 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 Sarasota / Venice service dog training with Dog Training Elite.

Dog Training Elite Sarasota

Service Dogs for Anxiety, PTSD, and Autism

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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 Sarasota.

How Do I Get a Service Dog?

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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 Sarasota.
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Educate, Empower, Elevate, Elite

Victory Begins With Elite Education

A trainer, a man and his service dog - find the best service dog training in Sarasota / Venice, FL with Dog Training Elite.

We Are Committed to Making a Difference

Choose DTE for Sarasota / Venice Service Dog Training

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At Dog Training Elite, we are passionate about transforming lives through Sarasota / Venice service dog training. Our proven, balanced training methods 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 Sarasota and experience the difference that elite training and compassionate care can make.