Therapy Dog Training in Springfield, MO

I would like to take a minute to express how incredible my experience was with DTE. They not only gave me an incredible experience along with a lot of hands on teachings so I personally would understand each step of their process in training, but they took my Belgian Malinois, Beau, and brought him from complete chaos, to pure obedience. I could not be more thrilled in how Beau has transformed from a true "Malingator" to the pet of my dreams. Beau is a herding dog, and my grandchildren were the perfect size for him to attempt to herd. The fear that Beau could or would possibly harm them is why I came to DTE. If they ran around or away from him, he'd chase them, jump up and attempt to herd them. Fortunately no harm ever came to my grandkids, but now the fear is 100% gone. He is the most loved and protective animal a human could ask for, and thanks to DTE, he is now very obedient with all of us, and surprisingly, just wants constant love and affection from us all at all times. He has not even remotely attempted to herd the kids, and all of them can now run around safely and be crazy without fear of this 60 lbs Malinois running their way. Thank you DTE for your patience and understanding when I needed to leave for my family emergency during our training times. Being gone a month, and having only 1 lesson remaining, you took an extra training class day out of your day and time to have Beau and myself regroup and then to continue again another week later. I was in complete awe of your compassion and I couldn't thank you more!! You are all so amazing and I am 100% in love with all you have taught me and Beau with your lessons. To whom ever is reading this, just know this; You will forever be grateful for the experience and knowledge you'll gain and put to use at home and in the community for you and your fur baby once you have DTE teach you all you'll need to know to have the best and most loved obedient dog ever. Sincerely with all my love, Christine

We found Dog Training Elite Springfield after googling service dog training online. We are from Alaska and we needed a service dog for my daughter (Isabelle) who attends MSU. Being so far away as a mom it was important to me that my daughter would have the support she needed. After one meeting with Kristi & Jeremy I knew they were a great fit for us. They helped us find a puppy that fit our needs and immediately got training off to a great start. With the training and guidance from Kristi and her staff Isabelle & Sage excelled at their training. Sage is an amazingly trained 9 month old puppy who was able to pass her public access test at only 8 months old!!! We feel like family at Dog Training Elite and Isabelle & Sage will continue learning and training with them. I highly recommend Kristi and her team to anyone who simply needs their dog to be polite and listen or wants to go the extra mile to train their dog to the service dog level.

I had previously hired two different trainers with poor results for my sweet golden retriever. One was a 2 week that I left here there and received zero direction afterwards, and the other was for basic obedience. When she was young, she was attacked on a hike by two off leash dogs and she became reactive and a little hard to manage. It became embarrassing because my family would refer to her as a psycho and little monster dog. I came to dog training elite in a vulnerable and desperate place and left with relief and excitement! Lennon was previously ripping my arm off on walks, barking uncontrollably when seeing another dog, and uncontrollable when guests came over. I no longer need a choke chain, I have had a couple guests with her settling quickly, and when we have seen a dog on a walk she responded quickly to commands! I really enjoyed the two week training and the little sessions afterwards to make sure I was grasping the skill. They are also very inclusive and accessible with written homework, as well as videos to ensure success. I think what blew my mind the most (almost to happy tears) was attending my first group class and while Lennon was initially overwhelmed, she was able to be around like 20 dogs and stay in a sit or down. This has resulted in a deeper bond and my sweet girl feeling more confident and secure! She is still her silly self that gets the zoomies and very playful, but no longer in a burdensome way. I’m grateful I found them, and Kristi, Jeremy, and Amber are so passionate and encouraging! It was so comforting to see Lennon be so excited to go to class each day! Highly recommend them for any issues you’re having with your pup!

We brought our VERY reactive dog (jumping, launching, leash pulling, hyper, nipping etc) to his first day of training and he already walked out with HUGE progress. After his first session, we did our homework the trainers gave us (do not miss this step) and I almost immediately saw a change in his attitude towards distractions. We invited a family member over to see if this training would work for “outsiders” not regularly in our home. Our dog would typically jump all over guests. Well, everything changed, it took only a few commands to get him to settle down and listen. Which in our experience previously it would usually end up with having to put him away in his kennel left to bark/whin/claw at his kennel. Not this time, He listened, he learned that those commands he learned are for everyone and everything. This allowed a peaceful rest of the evening with family, while our dog was polite and respectful to Everyone when I tell him and he learned that being respectful and obedient= all the cuddles and love. YAY!! This is something that I never thought could happen with our dog. We can have guests over and not “apologize about our dog’s behavior”. We just finished our Day 2 and again, bad behaviors are being reversed! It’s incredible to see how much he has improved in less than 48 hours! He is the good boy I knew he could be. Aside from all the improvements, I can see that he is so proud too when he gets a command right (no denying the tail wagging and slobbery smiles), and it makes me feel good that I got him the guidance he deserves. Kristi and her team are incredibly knowledgeable and supportive. Trust them with your pup, they know exactly what they are doing.

The best dog training program I could have imagined! I recently acquired my first Belgian malinois, being a young adult male I wanted to make sure I had a solid base of training so I knew I could communicate well with him. I frequently hike with my dobies and wanted him to be able to have the same off leash privileges my girls do, as he was rowdy and had "selective hearing" when it came to being off leash. He also started having separation anxiety issues when kenneled and he couldn't see me. He started with day training and he absolutely excelled! They are so great at answering questions and concerns and taught me how to communicate clearly with my boy. I went from being overwhelmed and unsure to confident in my abilities to handle a maligator! Lol! Separation anxiety no longer is an issue and he responds off leash with no second thought. He loves going places and is chill and composed with no issues. I could not recommend a training program more than Dog Training Elite!

I use Elite Dog Training for my son’s service dog, and I have had the best experience! I reached out to them to help with an autism service dog for my son, but I had no idea where to begin. From our very first meeting, Kristy helped me decide on a breed of dog, a plan for training, and gave me confidence that I could do this! We have been with Kristy and Jeremy for 4 months now, and my pup is so good with commands and is now the best behaved out of all of our animals. Not only does my dog get excited about camp days and loves to see everyone there, he is learning so much which has made the puppy period so much easier. I highly recommend them to anyone who doesn’t know where to start or needs high quality dog training. I am forever grateful that I found them!

We cannot say enough good things about this dog training experience. Our dog came in with serious aggression issues, and we were honestly feeling overwhelmed and unsure if real change was even possible. Abby was attacking our other dogs, the cats, the neighbor kid, the grandson… it was awful. We tried giving her to good homes and tried on our own to train her, but the aggression just continued, despite our repeated efforts in our training. From the very first session, the trainers were calm, confident, and incredibly knowledgeable. They never rushed the process and took the time to truly understand our dog’s triggers and behavior. We had no other options with Abby.. What impressed us most was how patient and composed the trainers were, even in the most challenging moments. They handled our dog with firm guidance, compassion, and clear communication—never fear or frustration. Watching them work was eye-opening; their techniques were effective, humane, and tailored specifically to our dog’s needs. In 2 weeks, we saw remarkable progress. Our dog became more responsive, less reactive, and far more manageable in situations that once felt impossible. Just as important, we learned how to continue the training at home with confidence and consistency. They worked with us together and individually to ensure that our dog was trained safely and consistent. If you have a dog with aggression issues and feel like you’ve tried everything, this team is absolutely worth it. They don’t just train dogs—they restore hope and build trust. We are beyond grateful for the transformation they helped make possible. 🐾 This was week 2 of our amazing transformation. Thank you Elite!

Score!! Gracie’s nail trims have transformed from teeth gnashing, snarling, and growling into calm, stress-free pedicures. Our 75-pound Golden Doodle used to make anything involving her feet and nails feel impossible. After completing Dog Training Elite’s (DTE) 2-week Obedience Training, we were amazed at the progress Gracie made in such a short time. Over the past five months, we’ve continued reinforcing her obedience at home and attending weekly classes whenever possible. The result is a stronger, more trusting relationship with Gracie that goes far beyond basic commands. While not perfect, we still take an occasional walk-away break during grooming, we’re celebrating the wins! We couldn’t be happier with the training and the continued support from the entire DTE staff—they truly are elite.

I can’t thank Dog Training Elite enough for their help. I adopted an Australian Shepherd in May 2025 and we were struggling with his daily destruction and directing his smart brain elsewhere. He also struggled big time with separation anxiety issues and breaking out of his kennel. I received their card at my vet’s office when I had to resort to medication for him - surrendering him was NOT an option. From the get go, I felt like Kristi listened to me and my concerns and gave me hope that they could help us. We received 1 on 1 lessons to help teach me how to communicate with my boy and give him a “job.” Our last session, he was able to go into a kennel with clear direction and sit quietly!! We’ve now graduated to group lessons to stay accountable and it is fun to see other dogs who have done this too! While there was a bit of sticker shock, I believe that making this investment into my dog and family member will pay for itself! He is almost like a different dog but more like the same dog now with manners and clear direction. I highly recommend their services and they truly care about both families and dogs alike. Thank you Kristi, Jeremy and team for your hard work!

Henry is a Chihuahua with lots of personality who also has a rebellious side. I have never used a training service before and was very apprehensive about it. During assessment Kristi helped calm those fears showing the compassion of helping Henry. Henry attended the two week camp and after the first couple of days his behavior started to change. While Henry was learning new commands us parents were being taught how to talk / help him with life long skills. I am very appreciative and grateful for the team.

Absolutely love the people here! They relate to you and your dog and always go out of their way to help fix any problem. I always get compliments on my golden retriever for being so calm and collected while out in public. They’ve made my dream of having a service animal come true and I couldn’t thank them enough for it!

We recently signed our puppy Colter up for the two week day camp training. We are very happy with the results and progress that he has made. He started out very anxious and lacking in confidence. He has gained a lot of confidence and he is now able to handle stressful situations much better than before. My wife and I also learned a lot about how to work with him. We have the building blocks we need to continue his training beyond the class. I would highly recommend Dog Training Elite!

Super please with the time and training invested in my dog, myself and (our daughters). We appreciate the straightforward advice and clarity given for questions asked.

We were at our wits end with our Catahoula Abby. She was not listening, would nip at children, and was very aggressive around other dogs and people she did not know. After the first week, she has been transformed to a brand new dog. She Is now the best behaved dog I’ve ever owned. I have been training coonhounds and dogs my whole life, but these guys worked a miracle. I would recommend them for any dog, especially high energy dogs. They are kind, caring, and compassionate. Their tools and their practice is top-notch and very professional. We cannot thank you enough! The cost is definitively worth the end result. We could not be happier with all of their staff and the results that we see!!

They have controlled my dog beyond words. They are very nice and polite of any time they demonstrate the tasks. They make sure you get the training before you leave.

Hi! My name is Bentley and yes I have always been this handsome!! My Maw has been talking about 5/5 stars, I don’t have a clue about any of dat. All I know is my Maw brought me to meet some new friends one day, and boy howdy these new friends were the nicest group of gals I ever did meet! From the minute I walked (okay I was dragged in by my Maw) on day one the smile that Sara gave me, warmed my heart. Then Amber and McKenzie-these gals are top notch! They spent their days with me they always talked to me calmly and reassuring. And all the fun activities I got to learn!!! Maw thought I was a tad bit on the timid side, shy, barked incessantly and sometimes scared of my own shadow, but me and them there gals? We showed Maw a thing or two!!! Fore ya know it I’m walking in those doors real proud like, Sara just beaming her purtty smile at me, and oh all the lovings and “atta boys” from Amber and McKenzie…. It does a handsome boy like me good to feel so confident!! Adventures out with Maw these days are so much more fun, I walked right beside her, not scaredy cat anymore even when other big dogs walk past, I just hold my head high and strut past! I don’t even bark!!! Guess what? You can be as Stinkin cute as me AND confident AND have great manners too-all ya gotta do is have your Maw or Paw sit a spell and jaw with these here fine folks and they will teach Maw or Paw a thing or two while you get to have fun activities. 5/5 stars

While checking out dog training programs we came across Dog training Elite Springfield. Had no idea what it would entail but called and set up an appointment with Kristi and Jeremy owners and both dog trainers. Wasn't sure what we needed other than help with a rough and rowdy terrier named Auggie. They explained and demonstrated, with the use of their own dog how training could transform Auggie into the puppy we could be proud of. The cost of the course includes all you need to get great results. We took the chance and are glad we did. From the first day We were extremely satisfied with his progress. We were shocked to see how much he learned in one day. The course also includes training for the owners/parents. The staff are young, Knowledgeable and pleasant to work with. All in all, it is one of the best investments we could have made for our fur baby Auggie.

Wonderful people! Great dog trainer.

We have had a great experience here. Our puppies have loved being there and have learned so much. We are heading towards training, one to be a service dog and the other to be a therapy dog. They have done wonders with both of them. I can’t wait to finish training with them and appreciate all the time and energy they put into each puppy. I highly recommend.

I recommend this place for dog training to anyone who wants their dog to be the best it can possibly be, not only the dog but you as well. I have felt myself grow and change during this process. They focus of training the person so as to train the dog and I think that is something everyone needs!