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A mobility support dog can increase an individual’s independence and quality of life, a service dog can assist with tasks that are impossible or difficult for their handler to do on their own. A trained brace and mobility service dog can be taken anywhere and is trained to their handler’s specific mobility needs which can include standing, transferring positions, stability assistance, retrieving dropped items, retrieving medication or specific items, ambulatory assistance, recognizing and assisting in emergency situations, alerting others in the home or in public settings in emergencies, pulling a wheelchair for a short distance, opening/closing doors and emotional support.
Mobility support dogs help to increase independence and provide the stability, safety, and support that allows for increased activity and peace of mind. Dog Training Elite of Southwest Florida’s mobility service dog training program is highly successful as it is personalized and inclusive of the handler and their family. Our programs are set up to produce the best results possible and we have found that training our service dogs alongside their owners in their own home promotes bonding, lasting results, and a positive working relationship.
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Not all training packages may be available at our Dog Training Elite of Southwest Florida location, please reference our pricing page for complete information on services offered.
Mobility Support Dog Training
16 One-on-One Sessions
Call for Details
A mobility support dog can increase an individual's independence and quality of life by assisting with tasks that are difficult or impossible to complete on their own. A brace and mobility support dog can be taken anywhere and are trained to their handlers specific mobility and ambulatory needs. Mobility service dog tasks are customizable, but examples include:
- Forward Momentum Pull
- Counterbalance
- Open Doors with Adaptive Equipment
- Turn Lights On/Off
- Item Retrieval
About Mobility Support Dogs
Most brace and mobility support dogs wear a specially designed harness that allows both the dog and handler to safely and securely work together to provide stable ambulation. Those who could benefit from a service dog specifically trained in brace and mobility support include:
- Those with vertigo and balance disorders often suffer from dizziness and are often unstable when walking. A mobility and brace support dog can help orient, ground, and stabilize their handler as they ambulate.
- Many physical disabilities such as cerebral palsy, MS, spina bifida or back injuries can lead to irregularities in balance, gait, stability and ambulation. Mobile support dogs provide stability and counterbalance support which can allow their handler to walk safely with assistance.
- Some medications or disabilities have adverse side effects that can impair alertness and the ability to safely walk and respond to emergencies. A service dog can be trained to help navigate a disoriented handler through both regular daily activities and emergency situations.
- Those who have health risks that cause unconsciousness can benefit from a trained service dog that can retrieve help, call emergency services on a special phone, and reposition their handler if they are unable to breathe.
- Muscle dystrophy disorders, strokes, and many other conditions can reduce one’s strength, coordination, stability, and ability to complete simple tasks such as opening drawers or reaching light switches. A mobility service dog can complete simple daily tasks that are difficult for their handler to accomplish due to their diminished mobility.
Dog Training Elite of Southwest Florida Offers Free Assessments
Dog Training Elite offers free in-home assessments to assess if a current family dog can be trained to become a mobility support service dog or can help you select a service puppy or dog for training. We offer a unique in-home dog training method that involves owners in the training process, ensuring that training is never undone and both owners and their dogs are bonding and empowered.
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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.
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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).
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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.
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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.
clas·si·cal con·di·tion·ing PSYCHOLOGY noun
A learning process that occurs when two stimuli are repeatedly paired; a response that is at first elicited by the second stimulus and is eventually elicited by the first stimulus alone.
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!
10/10 would highly recommend Dog Training Elite of SW Florida. Anthony was our trainer, and he was awesome! Anthony was very helpful, knowledgeable and patient (with us and our Vizsla pup, Ziggie). He taught us the skills to succeed in training Ziggie (and vice-versa!). Much thanks to Anthony!— Maggie
Posted April 17th 2024
We were very happy with the work that Dog Training Elite staff did with our puppy and us! He truly has become an even better and loving version of himself!— Stephen Scogna
Posted April 16th 2024
We have been having a great experience with Elite! Big shout-out to Anthony! Thank you for working so patiently with Max (and us! 😊)— Joanne Weiss
Posted April 12th 2024
Anthony/trainer is Outstanding . Within the first few minutes of the vet first session he was able to train my then naughty Pug named Pearl. Then he trained me to train her. I was very nervous when Pearl graduated to group training. She did so well Alisa owner/trainer called her a “Rock Star”! Denise owner/trainer even spent extra time with Pearl and me on some issues I was having with her being stubborn. Chris/trainer also spent extra time with us on the down command. It is called Dog Training ELITE for a reason. All the trainers were very patient with me. They are the ones who are truly “Rock Stars”!— Ed Shilney
Posted April 9th 2024
The training sessions were great, our trainer went out of his way to help and instruct. The one thing I’d appreciate more of was more one on one time, like twice the number of lesson for the cost we paid, as the strong willed puppy we have often wore out during the lessons, as did my mother and I, and needed more of that intense and intentional focused training with the professional.— Alys West
Posted January 3rd 2024
I loved my experience with DTE! They were always on time and clear communicators and taught me so much about dog training! My dogs, Nash and Kila, are amazing examples of the hard work that DTE puts into their clients! I love my pups so much and I am so glad we chose to work with Dog Training Elite Southwest Fl.— Andie Haslam
Posted April 5th 2024
We have a reactive dog who has done really well with the training. I appreciate Anthony’s patience and knowledge. He made it fun.— Marjorie Shoobe
Posted April 3rd 2024
Couldn't be happier with Dog Training Elite, and Chris. The first session with Chris we had to chase Parker around the yard for 10 minutes to catch him to get the lessons started. Now I can retrieve him from most anywhere (not-so much if other dogs are involved). Can't wait for the group classes. We might have muddied the waters a bit by bringing a new puppy in the house, but so far all is well.— Russell Gnant
Posted March 13th 2024
We were so lucky to find the most amazing trainers for our puppy Sydney. Chris has been fantastic. Sydney has learned so much and so have we. They are amazing. We are so happy to know that we found the best place to learn and get such great support!!!— Barbara sellinger
Posted March 11th 2024
Our dog has been difficult to train (on the leash with distractions)but the different techniques we have been taught have started to work. Dog training Elite won’t give up until the right method works. The group class is extremely important and helpful. There are several trainers that attend and are willing to help if needed.— Janis Schechter
Posted February 22nd 2024
It has been a great team to work with. They are very knowledgeable and our dog is responding to the training. It's been very easy.— Lorin Cartwright
Posted March 5th 2024
I was impressed by this organization from the first phone call with Denise, to the in home assessment with Alissa to our in home training sessions with Anthony. I have 2 siblings, rescued from the streets of Aruba. Maya is very reactive and cannot sit still and Cooper is just the opposite but they are inseparable. Anthony was very patient and working together we figured out how to train them separately without a lot of drama. It had been an amazing journey to see the progress they have made so far We are looking forward to the rest of our journey. Thank you everyone from Patti, Walter, Cooper and Maya— Patti Baptiste
Posted March 4th 2024
This has been the best investment of time and money. Our Teddy is well on his way to being the perfect dog thanks to Chris’s invaluable training tips. I highly recommend Elite Dog Training.— Margaret Lopez
Posted February 9th 2024
Winston is a new man! He is still making progress and has finished his home training.— Judy Romano
Posted February 5th 2024
Very pleased with this portion of Oliver’s training. Chris was there for not only training but to answer other sometimes unrelated questions. He was very patient with Oliver. Always available for questions— Douglas Childers
Posted February 3rd 2024
I can’t say enough great things about DTE! They’ve helped me tame my sweet, although aptly named, pit bull puppy “Riot” from a wild boy to a polite and well mannered boy. From yanking and tugging on leashes, ignoring commands, and chasing the poor cat to actually listening to me! It seriously only took a single class to notice a difference! And the more we practiced, the better we both got! Thank you DTE, y’all are the GOAT!— Rachel Norris
Posted December 3rd 2023
Can’t say enough amazing things about Dog Training Elite of Southwest Florida. My 1.5 year old dog, Griffin has made a full transformation with the skills of the trainers. Can’t thank them enough!— Tori Lennartz
Posted November 22nd 2023
From evaluation to training, Dog Training Elite has been our life saver. Our trainer Chris has been amazing with our Eleven and taught us how to transform her from bad behaviors into an obedient and submissive dog. All of our family and friends have recognized what a different dog she has become in such a short time. Consistency is the key. Thank you Chris we are forever grateful for you, your knowledge and skills.— Debi Pickelsimer
Posted November 20th 2023
Proud Sponsor of The Malinois Foundation
At Dog Training Elite of Southwest Florida, 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 of Southwest Florida 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.