Careers

This is truly the best money I've ever spent. Our boy Moose has made remarkable progress with the DTE team in less than six months. We used to avoid taking him in public -- he was over-excited, a nightmare on the leash, and just wanted to jump on people (which is particularly unpleasant with an 80lb lab). Today, the difference is night and day. Not only has Moose come to learn his manners, but my husband and I are now equipped with the tools to properly guide our dog in high-stress or high-stimuli situations. DTE does not take a one-size-fits-all approach. The team understands that each dog learns at its own pace, each handler has its own limitations, and every family's goals are slightly different. DTE pairs your goals with the current condition of your dog to help you prepare a training plan that is achievable yet effective. Whether you need help with basic obedience, confidence building, or advanced service-level training, please see DTE. Their knowledge is unmatched, coupled with sincere care for the dog. We placed Moose in the two-week day camp program followed by bi-monthly group classes. The day camp really helped accelerate Moose's progress, and we loved the daily training videos the team posted for us (they were both educational and adorable). The group classes have helped ensure Moose stays on track, and has actually continued his positive progress. For the time, effort, attention, and ongoing support the team dedicates, their pricing is extremely reasonable. Kim, Aaron, Ryan, Jana, Jerry, Nadine, and Bethany -- I cannot thank you enough for the life you've given our family with Moose.

I have had the best experience at DTE! I have a 16 week old Aussie living with three young children and I would not have survived without the expertise that they have provided. They have helped my once land shark of a puppy develop the manners he needs to live with my three young children. Thank you so much for all the patience you have had with our family and Ham. If you come to DTE you will never need another trainer they are so supportive and any problems that arise they are right there to help you and support you.

Tonya did an incredible job training Ellie and me! She immediately connected with Ellie. I would give 6 stars if possible.

We started with Dog Training Elite after interviewing a few places when our pup was roughly 12 weeks old. He started with puppy camp, puppy obedience and got the nickname Vampire from one of the trainers, and now in service training. We've trained our other dogs in the past with other companies before, and this has been the best experience by far. Patient, skilled, and genuinely good with our big, slow-maturing bubba. The foundation they built with Atlas is solid and they keep us accountable, too.

Tonya turned my skittish standard poodle into a confident service dog that excels at what he does! At home training is the best way to train your dog, as not only was my Teddy getting trained, but so was I! It was magical to see him grow and learn and Tonya was so supportive on our journey. Thank you so much Tonya!

We cannot express enough how grateful we are to have found Tonya as our dog trainer for our beloved pup, Roumie. From our very first session, it was clear that Tonya is not just a trainer; she is a true dog whisperer. Her gentle and patient demeanor puts me and Roumie at ease, creating an environment where learning can thrive. Tonya takes the time to truly understand Roumie’s personality and needs, forging a connection that feels like an extension of our family. She invests herself fully in not just the training process, but in empowering us as a family to be the best dog owners we can be. Her practical tips and techniques have made a significant difference in setting Roumie up to be the well-behaved doodle in our community. What we appreciate most is her ability to tailor her approach to fit our family dynamics, ensuring that every member feels involved and capable. Tonya’s support has been invaluable, and we leave each session feeling more confident and equipped to handle any situation with Roumie. We wholeheartedly recommend Tonya to anyone looking for a compassionate and effective dog trainer. With her guidance, Roumie is not only learning but also thriving. Thank you, Tonya, for everything you do!

I can’t say enough wonderful things about Dog Training Elite! My daughter and I absolutely love and appreciate them—if I could give 10 stars, I would! They’ve been an integral part of our journey with Wolfie, our almost five-month-old husky. From puppy camp to obedience training, and now into the service dog program, they’ve been phenomenal. Kim, the owner, is like a guiding maternal figure—so warm and dedicated. And Aaron, her son, is equally incredible—so supportive and kind. They hold you and your dog accountable in the best way possible—firm but always respectful, never making you feel pressured or uneasy. The support they provide is just invaluable—especially with the personal videos that help us keep practicing at home. If you’re looking for dog training, especially for service dog training, this is the place!

We just completed our advanced obedience and service dog training with Tonya and couldn’t be happier with the results! Together we were able to harness the goofy energy of a Chocolate Lab and successfully pass the public access and service dog tests. Tonya will introduce the command to your dog and then teach YOU how to continue teaching your pet, gives you homework between lessons and asks for videos so she can continue to evaluate the dogs and handlers progress all while providing you the support you need to be successful. We couldn’t be happier with Tonya and DTE and we continue with occasional group lessons and outings even after completion to help keep us sharp.

This has been an amazing experience! My Lab puppy is learning manners and control. I really didn’t think it was possible! Tonya is the best

Do yourself a favor & choose Dog Training Elite Greater Tampa. After the loss of my husband & dog, I had a huge hole to fill. Having some medical issues myself, I knew I needed a Service Dog. Tonya has been the absolute best not only with Jethro but with me. Training has gone slower because of a slow healing surgery but Tonya has hung in there with me showing so much patience. Her knowledge is amazing. I ask a lot of questions because I want to get this right. She can teach us so much in a matter of minutes, it’s unbelievable. I promise you won’t regret choosing Tonya. I will never be able to thank her enough for the gift she has given me. Jethro has already accompanied me to TGH for an overnight stay & what a difference it made in my life. Thank you, Tonya. You truly change lives. ❤️

My dog has done a complete turnaround they are awesome. Great trainers. I would highly recommend them

I had a wonderful time training with Tonya from Dog Training Elite. I wish I had more time with her but she brought us over the top to make my Aussie a great service dog! She worked with us on task training, group classes are good experience, and the airport visit was great! She was great with TSA - even got a pat down! Sat and stayed while I walked through and then came to me on command! She was great and enjoyed the experience! This is her on the plane😎👍❤️. Thanks Tonya!

Dog Training Elite Suncoast has the best staff that truly makes you feel apart of their family. Their consistency with our wild pup has given us so much hope and eagerness to continue to come back!

Our trainer, Tonya, is patient with our dog and explains everything we need to do to continue with the training. Our dog, Lacey, loves her.

Aaron is a great trainer. So far we have done two classes and our dog Otto is doing great. Can’t wait to start the group classes.

We have been working with Dog Training Elite Suncoast for the last three months as we are working toward service dog level for my daughter. We have had only a great experience. The Elite Suncoast team have all been super kind, flexible, professional, adaptable, knowledgeable... I have only postive things to say and will continue to recommend them to friends and family! Five stars!

Excellent experience to have Tonya come into our home and train our puppy. Always very accommodating with scheduling, we are a busy family so the at home training was the best! I highly recommend Dog Training Elite you will see promising results in the comfort of your own home.

I cannot recommend DTE enough. They’ve been absolutely amazing working with my dog, Ozzy. He’s not even finished with his training yet, but he’s already a completely different dog. The improvement in his manners, obedience, and overall behavior has been incredible to see. What I appreciate most is their honesty and integrity. They don’t try to sell you more than you need—they recommend the training packages that truly fit you and your dog, nothing more and nothing less. That kind of transparency is rare and really speaks to their professionalism. Ozzy is training to become a service dog, and the foundation they’re helping build is already making a huge difference. I’m so glad they were the first trainers I reached out to. If you want to better your dog while also becoming a better dog owner yourself, I would highly recommend them.

The whole team at Dog Training Elite Suncoast in Clearwater is amazing. From our intro session and all the way through training, we've felt confident in their methodology and results. You can feel their care and love for dogs in everything they do and I'd definitely recommend them to anyone looking to get their dog properly service animal trained. Thank you to Aaron, Ryan, Nadine, Jerry, and Kim!

Tonya has been an awesome trainer towards my pet, Cori and myself. She is very very caring. My pet cori loves Tonya very much. We consider Tonya as family. I highly recommend Ms Tonya.