Gentle

Autism Support Training


Autism Support Dog Trainer in Traverse City, MI

Call to Schedule FREE In-Home Assessment

231-508-3029


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Contact Dog Training Elite of Northern Michigan

Or Call to Schedule FREE In-Home Assessment

231-508-3029


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Service dogs can become an emotional anchor for children with autism and a sense of security to family members. Families experience a decrease in stress as they are more able to engage socially in public settings and experience less anxiety at home. A service dog increases safety and has a calming presence that can minimize emotional outbursts, allowing the family to feel more secure and a child with autism to better participate in family activities.

Children with autism can often feel isolated. A service dog becomes a 24/7 companion to share experiences with, connect with, and love. They can help children reintegrate into society and connect with others as well. Perhaps the most fascinating benefit is the effect a service dog directly has on cortisol levels. Testing cortisol levels is a way for researchers to test stress levels without having to ask participants questions. Cortisol studies have proven that children with autism have reduced levels of cortisol with the introduction of a trained autism service dog.

Pricing Programs Free Assessment

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Not all training packages may be available at our Dog Training Elite of Northern Michigan location, please reference our pricing page for complete information on services offered.


About Autism Support Dogs

There has been an enormous increase in the use of service dogs as a powerful tool in advancing and supporting those with autism. The autism world is widely accepting and promoting service dogs as overwhelming results come in showing that not only is a child’s psychological state improved, but that of the entire family is as well. A service dog can unlock levels of connection and progress that is otherwise very difficult to obtain with autism.

Pricing Programs Free Assessment

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Benefits of an autism service dog:


  • Increase social interaction
  • Redirect repetitive behaviors
  • Increase independence
  • Increase vocabulary
  • Improve the quality of sleep
  • Provide sensory assistance
  • Increase safety
  • Deep pressure tasks
  • Mobility assistance
  • Create a calmer environment
  • Assist in quickly recovering a lost child with autism

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.


  • 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).
  • 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.
  • 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.

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!

If I could leave 100 stars - I would! I took custody of a fragile foster. The dog would not leave my vehicle when I arrived home. I called Dan after hours - on a Sunday ---- he rushed over to help me. Dan coaxed the dog out of my truck, helped me set up a proper decompression area, and will be returning to help me with the dog. My foster is in an extremely sensitive state after surrender. Dan has already worked a few miracles today. I recommend calling Dan!!!!!! I look forward to our work together by my foster Belgian Malinois.
— Donna Allers
Posted March 24th 2024
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Dan is a fantastic trainer, I can’t believe how quickly he’s training our families dogs!
— Dane Vermeulen
Posted July 2nd 2023
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Dan is enthusiastic and professional. He loves what he is doing and it is shows. We have just begun training our 4 month old puppies. He has taught us many things so far and we are very happy with the progress in our sessions and Dan and his dog training talent.
— Patricia Racine Barch
Posted May 5th 2023
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Highly recommend! Dan has been nothing but patient and understanding with our 1 yr old Rottweiler! We are only a handful of sessions in and we already see a major difference. He’s very helpful even on days we aren’t training. Just a phone call away to help answer any questions or give advice if needed, he’s very accommodating to all our needs/wants. It’s nice not only having my dog being trained but me and my household as well! Happy to say my big headed, stubborn boy loves Dan! (Sometimes even more than me I think). It’s been great working with him and cannot wait to see the end results!
— Ashley Leach
Posted April 23rd 2023
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Dan is an incredible dog trainer and person. He is very patient and accommodating. He's been working with our French Bulldog for a while now and his reactive behavior and anxieties have diminished significantly. It's such a joy to watch him interact with his own dogs as well. They are incredibly well behaved and a testament to his training abilities!
— Mary Elizabeth
Posted April 21st 2023
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Want to make life with your dog more enjoyable for you, for him/her and for your family? Have challenges with your dog (excessive barking, fear of bicycles, anxiety)? Call Dan at Dog Training Elite of Northern Michigan. His guidance trained us, to train Milo, and help him through those challenges. Highly recommended!!
— Gary Gardner
Posted April 21st 2023
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Dan is an amazing dog trainer and human being! His advice and recommendations are very helpful. He is extremely patient with our scheduling. Watch him with his own pups, it's incredible to observe!
— Mary Olen
Posted April 21st 2023
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Dan was the best! We loved working with him and he made our anxious dog feel safe, calm and helped to get us better boundaries in our house. Highly recommend. His dog Pickles is the best for socializing dogs.
— Emily Wilkinson
Posted April 19th 2023
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Dan is doing great work with my Certified Therapy Dog in Training. Dan has a passion for dogs and my dog definitely loves him too!
— Michelle Loeffler-Rohraff
Posted April 19th 2023
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Dog training elite helped me save my relationship with my dog 🐕 ❤. Dan is great its obvious that he really cares about people and dogs.
— Samantha Schropp
Posted April 19th 2023
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Super convenient, “fixed” my dog literally the first day. I thought he was untrainable. 10/10
— Lauren
Posted April 19th 2023
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Dan loves this work! Dogs are his passion and helping owners enjoy their much loved pets is why he chose this career. He is great at what he does, and is also a very nice guy. Highly recommend!!
— Nancy Craig
Posted April 19th 2023
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Highly recommend! Dan is outstanding with our dogs and beyond fabulous to work with. We have a pack of 4 and he has helped us with everything from severe anxiety to major manner issues and everything in between. We can now walk all 4 dogs at one time with zero issues, our whole pack can now go on off-leash adventures with us (and have flawless recall), and they now all have the very best of manners! We love how enthusiastic and positive Dan is with our dogs and we are so thankful for the positive changes he’s helped create in our household! ❤️🐾👏🏽

Posted December 20th 2022
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Dan is awesome, he truly cares about every dog, and it shows in his training! His dog Pickles is a legend!!!
— Austin Goble
Posted October 11th 2022
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Dan is a great dog trainer! Really cares about what he does!
— parker fillmore
Posted September 28th 2022
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Dan is an incredible business owner who has a true passion for dog training. I would highly recommend Dog Training Elite.
— Michaela Macchia
Posted September 28th 2022
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Proud Sponsor of The Malinois Foundation

At Dog Training Elite of Northern Michigan, 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 Northern Michigan 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.

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