Obedience Training
We believe sustained obedience comes from empowering owners and their dogs to build strong, lasting bonds through training.
Service Dog Training
Built on 40+ years of experience, Dog Training Elite proudly leads the way in professional service dog training tailored to your needs.
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Empowering Owners
We work with dogs of any breed, size or age - and we empower owners with lifelong skills to continue successes.
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Leash Walking & Heel Training
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Barking Issues
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Aggression & Reactivity
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Separation Anxiety
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Jumping & Hyperactivity
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Sitting & Stay Commands
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Destructive Chewing & Digging
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Recall Training (Come When Called)
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Boundary Training (Off Furniture or Beds)
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Vehicle Behavior
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Training for Specific Tasks
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And More
Obedience Training
Our obedience training for dogs in Tampa, FL is designed to teach essential commands and reinforce good behavior, ensuring your dog is well-mannered in any situation.
Puppy Training
Our puppy training in Tampa, FL builds a strong bond between you and your new puppy by focusing on early socialization, basic commands, and good behavior.
Service Dog Training
Our Tampa service dog training turns dogs into dependable companions, trained to perform tasks like retrieving items, providing stability, or alerting to medical conditions.
Anxiety & Aggression
Our Tampa aggressive dog training targets and corrects behaviors driven by anxiety and aggression, helping your dog stay calm and well-behaved in challenging situations.
Therapy Dog Training
Our Tampa therapy dog training equips dogs with the skills needed to provide comfort and emotional support in various settings. These trained dogs help reduce stress, ease anxiety, and improve the overall well-being of their owners.
Group Training
Our group dog training classes in Tampa, FL offer a structured environment where dogs can learn and practice essential skills while socializing with other dogs and their owners.
Our Story
Dog Training Elite in Tampa
Our programs are flexible and designed to meet the needs of each client’s schedule and their dog’s unique behavior, home environment, and situation. We are a family-owned, professional dog training company with over 40 years of experience specializing in strengthening the bond between you and your dog.
We provide in-home dog training, covering everything from basic obedience to advanced skills, along with specialized programs such as Service Animal and Therapy Dog training. Regardless of your dog's breed, size, or behavior challenges, the team at Dog Training Elite is ready to assist. Reach out to our expert dog trainers in Tampa today!
About Us
Tonya Stafford
Owner & Trainer
Tonya has always had a passion for animals and people. Dog Training Elite provided her with an opportunity to serve both and fulfill a dream in the process.
Tonya has a bachelor’s in psychology from Moravian University and a master’s in Training and Development from the University of St. Francis. She spent her early professional career as a children’s mental health social worker and spent several years in the pharmaceutical industry prior to her career in dog training.
Tonya has had several breeds of dogs through the years and loves all breeds large and small, but has a particular fondness for Rhodesian Ridgebacks and bully breeds, of which she has had the pleasure of being a dog mom to both. As an owner of the Dog Training Elite Tampa franchise, Tonya’s goal is to help dogs of all sizes, ages, and temperaments and their owners to improve their relationships and quality of life together. She believes that you really can teach an old dog (and its owner!) new tricks, and is excited to meet you and your fur babies to discuss your training goals.
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Luis Rodriguez
Owner & Trainer
Luis developed his love for dogs through his first dog, Ranger, a Rottweiler trained for protection, but loving and loyal to his entire family, and playfully gentle with his daughters who were toddlers at the time. Luis has had other dogs through the years, but never forgot Ranger, who set in motion his passion for dogs and made him see the potential in each one.
A Puerto Rico native, Luis received his bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering at the University of Puerto Rico, Mayagüez Campus. He worked in mechanical and validation engineering within the pharmaceutical industry in both Puerto Rico and different states within the U.S. for over 30 years. Now as an owner/trainer of the Dog Training Elite Greater Tampa franchise, Luis wants to help you achieve the goals you have for your pups, whether training them to provide a service or to just create a more harmonious home. A problem-solver by nature, Luis’s patience, persistence, and ability to think outside the box when faced with obstacles and challenges are evident in everything he does. He looks forward to meeting you and your dog to see how he can customize a plan for you.
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Ginger
Training Dog
Born 12/21/2021, Ginger, an American Staffordshire Terrier is a lover who only fights stereotypes. Her favorite things include long walks, cuddles, meeting new people, and wrestling with her younger brother, Bruno. She loves being in the sun and will do just about anything for food.
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Bruno
Training Dog
Born 5/24/2022, Bruno, a goldador (labrador/golden retriever mix) is a sweetheart and an overall chill dude. He enjoys playing fetch, running agility courses, and anything water related. He is always eager to please and would love to meet you!
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Marissa Hale
Trainer
Born and raised in the dog-friendly city of Tampa, Florida, Marissa has always been a student of animal behavior. Her deepest passion is helping to strengthen the bond between dogs and their people by fostering a positive environment for training and guiding owners and handlers to better understand what their dogs are trying to communicate. Marissa focuses her sessions on each dog's individual needs and works with owners and handlers to create a training plan in which the dog is given the best chance for success. Marissa is a dog mom to a one-year-old American Bully named Asmodeus (Modie), her self-trained service dog.
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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!
The Solution to your Dog’s Behavior Problems
We're Ready for Our Doggy Make-Overs
Dear Pup Parents, we're the troublemaking squad, a.k.a. the canine chaos creators. We've chewed shoes, dug craters, and claimed your house as our own personal domain, pushing you further away with each crime we commit. We're not just about social mishaps; we've excelled in causing all sorts of furry commotion!
But here's the scoop: We're willing to learn, and are ready for our doggy make-over! Help us be the good citizens you've always dreamed of by hiring Dog Training Elite. They'll guide us with pawsitive training methods, making us the well-behaved, model pups you deserve. Let's emBARK on this journey of boundless happiness and obedience together!
My Problem:
Poor Socialization
My name is Milo
Hi. My name is Milo, and I have a bit of a 'ruff' time making friends with my fellow canines. You see, I'm all about making new friends, but when it comes to meeting other dogs, I get a tad overwhelmed. I’d like to get out more, please.
My Problem:
Nipping & Biting
My name is Scout
Hello, everyone, my name is Scout, and I have a little, um, 'nipping' habit. I'm all about spreading love and happiness, but sometimes, my excitement gets the best of me, and I end up with a playful nibble or two. I want others to feel safe around me.
My Problem:
Fear Aggression
My name is Zuko
Hi…I get afraid when strange dogs or people get near me so I try to scare them off to protect myself. I want to make new friends and not worry my parents, but someone has to protect them. Can you help me?
My Problem:
Separation Anxiety
My name is Nora
I'm Nora, and I'm in the process of tackling something called 'separation anxiety.' While I thrive in family togetherness, there's a hiccup when my beloved humans step out – I tend to get a little jittery. I would love to feel more confident.
My Problem:
Excessive Barking
My name is Link
Woof! I'm Link, and I've got a little quirk – a tendency to let my barks fill the air a bit more than necessary. I'm all about helping to maintain a harmonious vibe, but sometimes, I just can't resist the call of the wild, or the squirrel on the neighbor's fence.
My Problem:
Staying & Coming
My name is Dexter
I'm Dexter, and I've got a bit of a wild streak when it comes to the 'down' and 'come' commands. Sometimes my adventurous spirit leads me astray when those commands are in play. It would really make me happy to learn how to listen.
My Problem:
Chewing & Digging
My name is Charlie
I'm Charlie, and I've got a little hobby, or shall we say, an issue – destructive chewing and digging. I simply can't resist the allure of gnawing on furniture or unearthing buried treasures in the garden. I'm on a mission to mend my ways.
Military & Veteran Discount
We proudly support our military members and veterans with discounts on our dog training services. Thank you for your service; let us serve you and your loyal companion.
Video Gallery
Videos
E Collar. Dog Training Elite
Dog Training Elite is a professional, family-owned dog training company with over 40 years of experience that specializes in strengthening the bond between your dog and your family, with a strong emphasis on teaching your dog the highest level of obedience, despite even the toughest level of distractions.
Group Focus Exercise. Dog Training Elite
In a safe, controlled environment, we guide your dog through essential socialization skills, teaching them to remain calm, focused, and well-mannered, even in the midst of distractions.
FAQs
One of our trainers will visit your home to meet you and your dog and discuss any issues you're facing. We will then demonstrate one of our model dogs so you can see what you can expect after hiring our trainers. From there, we will discuss the various packages we offer and which we feel best suit your (and your dog's) needs.
We provide full obedience training that covers all basic commands, both on and off-leash. Our in-home visits target specific issues like counter-surfing, digging, and more. Unlike some trainers, we work with all breeds, including those often considered challenging.
Yes. You (and anyone in your family who wants to be involved) are integral to your dog getting trained. We need you to practice 5-6 days a week, about 15-20 minutes a day for optimal results.
Once a week. We come to you (with the silver, gold and platinum packages) once a week to start your dog off, then you come to park sessions which are held once a week in Tampa.
We train dogs of all breeds, sizes, and temperaments. Whether your dog is a tiny Chihuahua or a large Mastiff, we have the experience and expertise to work with them.
We Train Every Breed
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Each dog breed has different behaviors and personalities due to a combination of genetics, selective breedings, and environmental factors. At Dog Training Elite, we work with every dog. Our team understands canine behavior and the unique challenges of every breed.
We don’t believe in a one-size-fits-all approach. Instead, we apply specific breed training techniques to bring out the best in your dog. From impulse control in terriers to focused mental stimulation for herding breeds, we’ll work with you and your dog to design a personalized training plan.
Serving the Greater Tampa, FL Metro Area
Dog Training Elite in Tampa Service Areas
Dog Training in Tampa, FL
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At Dog Training Elite, we’ve seen how DIY dog training can lead to inconsistent results and frustration. Our qualified professionals bring the expertise needed to assess your dog’s unique needs and apply methods that work. Choosing experienced trainers makes a noticeable difference in attaining reliable, lasting behavior changes.
We rely on positive reinforcement, a training method that delivers lasting results, even with the most challenging dogs. Our trainers are skilled in addressing any behavioral issue and can help your dog to reach their full potential with encouragement and proven techniques.
Affordable Dog Trainers in Tampa, FL
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At Dog Training Elite, we believe every pet owner should have access to expert dog training without breaking the bank. To make this a reality, we offer our training programs at fair and affordable prices so that cost is never a barrier to a well-behaved and happy dog. Whether you’re looking for basic obedience training, specialized behavior modification, or advanced service dog training, our programs fit various budgets.
Investing in dog training is one of the best decisions you can make for your pet's long-term happiness and health. Proper training helps curb unwanted behaviors, reduces anxiety, and builds a strong, lasting bond between you and your dog. By providing low-cost dog training without compromising quality, our dog trainers in Tampa, FL make it possible for more families and dogs to benefit from professional training.
Award-Winning
Dog Training
With Dog Training Elite
At Dog Training Elite, we are proud to offer training services recognized for outstanding results and effective methods. With skilled trainers dedicated to helping dogs and their owners build strong, lasting relationships, we guarantee your dog receives the best care and guidance.
Our programs cover everything from basic obedience to advanced behavior modification, customized to your dog’s needs. Whether you’re addressing behavioral issues, improving obedience, or strengthening your bond, our methods deliver reliable results.
Experience the difference our award-winning training can make in your dog’s life.
