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Military / Retired Vet Programs

Dog Training Elite

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A military veteran and service dog - Dog Training Elite offers elite veteran service dog training.

Dog Training Elite

Military Veteran Service Dog Training

At Dog Training Elite, we strongly believe in the healing power of service dogs for military veterans. That’s why we dedicate our time and passion to providing veteran service dog training.

Service dogs can greatly assist with both the mental and physical challenges veterans may face after serving our country. Many veterans experience PTSD, physical disabilities, or other impairments, and our service dogs have been proven to help reduce symptoms and support veterans in returning to their daily routines.

Learn more about our programs designed for veterans and discover why Dog Training Elite is committed to making a difference in the community.

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A service puppy in training - Dog Training Elite offers veteran service dog training for those who have served our country.

Dog Training Elite

Why We Offer Service Dog Training for Military Veterans

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At Dog Training Elite, we are passionate about helping military veterans through the support of service dogs. We offer specialized service dog training options, backed by scientific research and proven by our own success stories.

In a study conducted by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, veterans paired with service dogs experienced a significant reduction in PTSD symptoms and fewer self-harm ideations. The mental health and medical communities increasingly recognize service dogs’ positive impact on emotional well-being and independence, making them one of the most effective tools for veteran recovery.

At Dog Training Elite, we are dedicated to providing exceptional dog training services that provide the tools and support needed for our veterans and their dogs to thrive, offering a path toward healing and better quality of life.

A beautiful golden retriever service dog - Dog Training Elite.

Popular Service Dog Breeds


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Finding a service dog that fits your individual needs is important, especially for military veteran support. While most dogs can be trained to become service dogs, a few breeds stand out due to their personalities and inherent traits.

Here are a few of the most popular service dog breeds:

  1. Labrador Retrievers: Labradors are intelligent, versatile, and eager to please, making them ideal for PTSD service dogs. Their trainability allows them to excel in roles like guide dogs, mobility support, and emotional support, making them highly adaptable for veterans.
  2. Golden Retrievers: Golden Retrievers are known for their calm, gentle nature and strong work ethic. They are excellent at providing mobility assistance and emotional support, especially for veterans with PTSD, due to their patient and loving temperament.
  3. German Shepherds: German Shepherds are strong, loyal, and highly intelligent, making them excellent service dogs. Their protective instincts and trainability allow them to assist with mobility, search and rescue, and provide emotional support for veterans.
  4. Poodles: Poodles are highly intelligent and easily trained, making them great service dogs, particularly for those with allergies due to their hypoallergenic coats. They excel in roles such as mobility assistance and medical alert dogs, offering a versatile solution for individuals with diverse needs.

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!

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See An Elite Dog in Action

A service dog and his veteran owner - Dog Training Elite.

Our Veteran Service Dog Training

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Service dogs undergo extensive specialized training to perform their tasks and assist their owners. Our training process involves a combination of obedience training, task training, and public access training.

  • Obedience Training: This training focuses on teaching a dog basic commands, such as sit, down, heel, come, as well as proper leash manners and socialization skills.
  • Task Training: Task training is tailored to fit the needs of each individual. It involves teaching the dog to perform tasks that mitigate the person’s disability, such as retrieving items, opening doors, or providing deep pressure therapy.
  • Public Access Training: This type of training is crucial to ensure the dog remains calm, well-behaved, and non-disruptive in various public settings. This training includes exposure to different environments, distractions, and social interactions to provide a dog that can confidently navigate public spaces.
A beautiful service dog standing outside - Dog Training Elite.

Service Dogs for Veterans & PTSD

Get Specialized Training with DTE Today

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Training with Dog Training Elite is tailored specifically for military veterans dealing with PTSD and other service-related challenges. Our programs focus on helping veterans regain independence, emotional stability, and confidence through the support of a well-trained service dog.

At Dog Training Elite, we are dedicated to providing service dog training that strengthens the bond between veterans and their dogs, guiding them toward a brighter future and supporting their healing journey.

Hear From Our Customers

Learn Why Dog owners choose Dog Training Elite

  • Kim Archambault
    Jan. 29, 2026
    Matt was wonderful with our dog, and with us. He explained things in detail in that made so much sense...our thinking was backwards. Cant wait to work with our pup on what we learned this week...stay tuned!
  • Mark Peugh
    Nov. 21, 2025
    Reina is very knowledgeable and gave us homework that makes sense and is easy to understand and apply
  • Milica Vogt
    Jan. 29, 2026
    We have had an amazing experience with Elite Dog Training. Our energetic Vizsla pup, Zoey, has so much energy, but with her trainer Jon and the rest of the staff at EDT, she has learned so much obedience and confidence. The training has made a huge difference in our everyday life. All the trainers at EDT are patient, knowledgeable, and truly care about both the dogs and their owners. They explain things clearly and make training feel doable at home. I am so grateful for everything we have learned and would highly recommend EDT to anyone looking to strengthen their bond with their dog and who wants real results and a positive experience.
  • Danita Kirtley
    Jan. 2, 2026
    Awesome trainer and services! Highly recommend. Forgot to take pics. Maybe next time.
  • Quenton Wellington
    Jan. 29, 2026
    Great company, great mission and values, knowledgeable
  • Ellen Olson
    Jan. 29, 2026
    Very pleasant and helpful for both the owner and dog
  • Kathleen Pelletier
    Jan. 8, 2026
    Dog Training Elite was great. Layden was great with my puppy! Gave sound advice on feeding, crate training and potty training!! Can’t wait for our next lesson!
  • penny g
    Sep. 15, 2025
    Elijah was great! He was clear, thorough and patient. Very good teacher, he knows his stuff!
  • Kelli Ingleby
    Jan. 28, 2026
    Meggie is a wonderful trainer! She helped train our golden retriever puppy. She is affectionate and firm while training, and our puppy not only loved Meggie but listened to her. I would recommend Dog Training Elite to anyone!
  • Joe Sailor
    Jan. 28, 2026
    Continue to be pleased with my dogs progress, working through his behavioral issues. Big thanks to Rich, Sara and Chloe. Shout out to Casey for all her efforts. HIGHLY recommend Elite to anyone looking for professional dog trainer. -Joe
  • Sharon
    Dec. 31, 2025
    Justin and Logyn visited today. Pupp full of adolescent energy and stubbornness. But by end if session she went into her crate without a fuss. Lol
  • Kade Griffiths
    Jan. 28, 2026
    WOW was I impressed with the dog training here! I’ve gone to several others all over Nashville, but I just haven’t seen much progress with my dog’s behavior until one of my close friends from church recommended this place. I own a vizsla and if anyone knows anything about vizslas is that they’re cute but crazy and highly energetic dogs. Going here and training my lovely dog has made him keep the cuteness, but cut out the chaotic behavior. Thanks again this place has saved me so much time and energy. If I ever get another dog the FIRST thing I’ll do is bring them here
  • Kel Griffiths
    Jan. 28, 2026
    I’m so glad that I took my dog Kenji to Dog Training Elite. Kenji as a puppy was very chaotic and would always jump on us and would pull on the leash whenever we’d take him out for runs and walks. He would also chew up all our shoes. But not after taking him here, Kenji has learned to no jump on us or guests and is obedient to our commands on walks. And they have eliminated Kenji’s chewing habits.Highly recommend Dog Training Elite, they are so kind to the dogs and are very professional and friendly.
  • Andrew Hatch
    Jan. 28, 2026
    My experience here with my dog Rocky was unbelievable and necessary! Before his training he was overly excited, unsure how to interact properly with people, barked constantly, and wasn’t potty trained. After his training here all of these issues were fixed! I absolutely recommend to train your dog here with them! Rocky is such a good boy now!
  • Andrew Griffith
    Jan. 28, 2026
    Our experience with Vince was excellent. He is a patient teacher of both dog & human and, in that regard, taught us a lot about how our dog perceives and responds to training. We made great progress with our dog and learned how to continue working with him after our lessons with Vince. Vince was very knowledgeable and takes the time to listen to your individual concerns and tailor the training to suit the objectives. I think anyone who is willing to put in the effort and time to work with their dog would find Vince an excellent instructor.
  • Milagros Rodriguez Marin
    Aug. 11, 2025
    (Translated by Google) Very good experience with my beauty and Jocy is very good at explaining everything to me so that it is easy for us to extend. I recommend it. Good jobs and Thanks (Original) Muy buena experiencing con mi bella y Jocy es muy buena explicandome todo para que nos sea facil de extender se los recomiendo.,Good jobs and Thanks
  • George Ditto
    Jan. 28, 2026
    My dog is super friendly but used to be so wild- she would bark all the time, jump up on guest, and always pull at the leash on walks to go say hi to other dogs or people. After putting her through the program here, she has become so much better! She is still so loving but she’s much better about jumping up on people and is much more polite on walks! It’s been a great experience for us through Dog Training Elite!
  • Clayton Pykles
    Jan. 28, 2026
    Dog Training Elite completely changed my dog’s behavior for the better. Before training, my dog struggled with listening, pulling on the leash, and staying calm around other dogs and people. After working with their trainers, the improvement has been insane—in the best way. My dog is more obedient, calmer, more confident, and actually listens to commands now (which I didn’t think was possible 😅). The trainers are super professional, patient, and really know what they’re doing. They don’t just train the dog—they train you too, so you actually understand how to keep the progress going at home. Everything is clear, structured, and tailored to your dog’s personality, not some one-size-fits-all method. If you’re on the fence, don’t be. Dog Training Elite is 100% worth it. My dog is happier, I’m less stressed, and our bond is way stronger now. Highly recommend.
  • gabe fillmore
    Jul. 21, 2023
    Amazing my King Charles doesn’t dart out of the door anymore I just love it!
  • Emily Barnes
    Jan. 28, 2026
    Jocynia has been beyond fantastic to work with. From explaining the process and helping to guide us through what we are looking to accomplish. We can't say enough about how attentive and in-tune she was with our needs!