Military / Retired Vet Programs

Dog Training Elite New Mexico

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Dog Training Elite New Mexico online booking

Request Free Assessment

Booking Request


Dog Training Elite New Mexico online booking

Request Free Assessment
A military veteran and service dog - Dog Training Elite offers elite veteran service dog training in Albuquerque / Santa Fe, NM.

Dog Training Elite

Military Veteran Service Dog Training in Albuquerque / Santa Fe, NM

At Dog Training Elite New Mexico, 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 in Albuquerque / Santa Fe, NM.

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 in Albuquerque / Santa Fe, NM for those who have served our country.

Dog Training Elite New Mexico

Why We Offer Service Dog Training for Military Veterans

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At Dog Training Elite New Mexico, we are passionate about helping military veterans through the support of service dogs. We offer specialized service dog training options in Albuquerque / Santa Fe, 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.

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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 Albuquerque / Santa Fe.
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.
A beautiful golden retriever service dog - Dog Training Elite New Mexico.

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 New Mexico.

Our Veteran Service Dog Training in Albuquerque / Santa Fe, NM

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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 New Mexico.

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

  • Annalee Archuleta
    Nov. 7, 2024
    Dog Training Elite is a great training program. I would highly recommend this training program to anyone interested in training their dog. I would also like to shout out John. He did an amazing job training and teaching me I saw a tremendous difference in my dog and her behavior. Thank you John and Dog Training Elite!!!
  • Stephenie Potts
    Oct. 24, 2024
    I can't begin to explain how much I appreciate Elite and, more specifically, John Herra, for helping us bring out the very best in Gage. John was the perfect trainer for our oversized, misunderstood darling boy. Please don't hesitate to call and begin right away. You'll be thankful you did.
  • Lauren Hagwood
    Oct. 30, 2024
    I worked with John and he was awesome! He really helped my dog and I to feel comfortable going out into public spaces. I was so nervous to go to training because my dog had some aggressive tendencies, but John was so reassuring and helpful, he really made it a judgment free zone! I was so anxious when going out in public with my dog, but John really helped to build my confidence and my dogs confidence in a public setting! I feel so much more comfortable training my dog and I am so glad that I called Dog Training Elite. I also really love that I can go to group classes anytime now and get advice if I ever need any! Thank you, John!
  • Stephenie Duran Potts
    Oct. 24, 2024
    I can't begin to explain how much I appreciate Elite and, more specifically, John Herra, for helping us bring out the very best in Gage. John was the perfect trainer for our oversized, misunderstood d
  • Meghan O'Neill
    Oct. 23, 2024
    I cannot recommend Dog Training Elite NM enough! When my husband came home with a Belgian Shepherd, I immediately took to the internet and started researching dog trainers in ABQ. I reached out to a few and Justin was the first to get back to me and I am SO grateful. I truly believe we would be in a totally different place in our family if we hadn't signed up with Dog Training Elite. John and Stephanie were our trainers and they were the absolute kindest, most encouraging, confidence-boosting dream trainers. We saw results after the first training session with them. We worked hard each week doing our homework with our dog and it really paid off. We are forever grateful for the awesome guidance and incredible skillset that Dog Training Elite offers. We have a 9 month old giant boy who is SO sweet, SO well behaved, SO polite, and listens to all of his commands that we learned with John and Stephanie. Plus, our children (6, 8, 13) participated in training sessions and our dog also listens to them- walks in heel at their side, even! We look forward to going to the group classes and continuing to see them- we were so happy the day our dog graduated (with FLYING colors!) but we were also sad because we loved seeing John and/or Stephanie each week!! We really are forever grateful for our training with them. Worth EVERY penny. 100/100 stars! We love Dog Training Elite and highly recommend them for your dog training needs!
  • Ana Speelman-ONeill
    Oct. 23, 2024
    If you want good training for your dog that lasts and work these are the guys!! We got our dog Slime from the shelter we were told he was rescued from the streets. He is a German shepherd only about 2 and half years old so still in that velociraptor stage. When we first got him he was very crazy jumping on people lots of play biting and not listening when we called his name. The only thing he could do well was sit. I immediately looked into training for him since we like to have people over a lot and found Dog Training Elite. The price scared me a lot but I really wanted to keep Slime and wanted something that would work. The price was well worth it!! We decided with the Gold package. We had Stephanie as our trainer and she is very professional! Slime also loves her. We completed our training and slime was picking up well on everything. We were still having trouble with one thing and they came back out to help us work with him! Slime is still our crazy dog with tons of personality but he listens a lot better and is easier to control. Love these guys and will recommend them to anyone who asks!
  • Donald Meyer
    Oct. 18, 2024
    Extremely professional with all of the equipment needed for great results included in the package. My dog made amazing progress throughout the process.
  • S Habedank
    Oct. 3, 2024
    Great professional training. Our Trainer was flexible and communicated well. We feel that our dog has benefited greatly from this service.
  • Aaron Manzanares (Del Rio Signs)
    Oct. 1, 2024
    Incredible experience with Dog Training Elite. They went above and beyond our expectations. Stephanie is an amazing trainer. She was professional and kind. Highly recommended!
  • adam juvinall
    Sep. 30, 2024
    Amazing experience in every way you can hope for with Dog Training Elite New Mexico! From my initial phone inquiry to the in home interview and all the way through until our certification! Justin and Stephanie are the best and truly show how much their program means to them. I highly recommend them working with you!
  • Alex Petersen
    Sep. 27, 2024
    Our family could not be happier with the services and results we’ve seen with Dog Training Elite. Working one on one with John has made such an impact on our dog’s reactivity and discipline. From the beginning of training, he took the time to understand our family’s background and needs (we’re expecting our first child this fall), and helped keep our dog’s progress on track.
  • Charles Atwood
    Sep. 23, 2024
    I have a two year old German Shepherd who is extremely over active and has a mind of her own. I signed Layla up to attend Elite Dog Training NM. She now obeys the basic commands necessary that allow me to walk her without worries and frustration. I would highly recommend Elite Dog Training NM and Stephanie as trainer for your beloved canine~a highly satisfied and pleased patron, Ann Atwood
  • Tamara Spurlock
    Sep. 18, 2024
    John is a Prince! The process of training my rambunctious 8 week old puppy felt very daunting and overwhelming. Whiskey is so very smart and energetic and I really wanted to get it just right so that we could have a loving, respectful relationship. John is so knowledgeable and caring - he really wants to be sure that you and your dog are the best team you can be. He truly loves what he does and is a genius at keeping you and your dog CALM when you're both so frustrated! I look forward to continuing our journey to Therapy Dog certification.
  • Steve Stowell
    Sep. 4, 2024
    We are VERY happy with our DTE trainer, John. John is professional, always on time, friendly and HAPPY. Most importantly, he is great with our standard poodle puppy, Samson - always a great attitude, never shaming (us or Samson!) John is full of good tips for Samson and us. We could not chosen a better fit.
  • Olivia Mullis
    Aug. 29, 2024
    John did a wonderful job on teaching me how to handle my German Rottweiler Diesel. He worked with me and Diesel for eight weeks and was able to get him the way I needed him to be. Diesel came from a bad back ground when he was rescued from the shelter at 16-18 months old. John gave us the steps and worked with diesel and myself on his training and me and diesel did have homework and we stayed on top of it. I highly recommend anyone to go to Dog Elite Training here in New Mexico for their fur babies for training. John I just want to say thank you for everything you did for me and diesel!!!! You are amazing in all you do. Thank you and see y'all at group!!!! Plus thank you to Justin for keeping me and my husband updated on everything! Thank you for letting us become part of the dog elite family!
  • Angel Shepard
    Aug. 28, 2024
    Working with Stephanie has been amazing! Our dog Maximus has responded so well to all the training and has improved in behaviors significantly! Thank you so much! We can’t wait for group training next. Stephanie is so patient with all of us and very knowledgeable to train your fur baby! The price is also very reasonable and worth it!
  • Stephanie Fitzgerald
    Aug. 20, 2024
    Absolutely five stars! Working with John has been a game-changer for our dog Otis. Their flexibility and tailored approach were crucial in addressing our dog's anxiety and aggression towards men. The training sessions were not only effective but also easy to follow, making the process smooth and manageable. Our dog is now significantly more relaxed and well-adjusted. Highly recommend John for anyone seeking a compassionate and skilled trainer!
  • Barbara Candelario
    Aug. 10, 2024
    John has been fabulous helping me train my German Shepherd, puppy, Coco, and me. She is doing very very well at five months old the E collar it’s a great tool and so are the commands that we have taught her. It has been a positive experience working with John And Dog Training Elite , New Mexico.
  • Bianca Solano
    Aug. 6, 2024
    This is an amazing program! I came in with my one year old pitbull who was very reactive and did not obey commands. After 6 weeks of working with John she was a different dog. She listened and was happier for it. I notice she was calmer because she trusted me and it was all thanks to the techniques that John taught me. Additionally, attending the group classes were incredibly helpful in socializing her, the other trainers Justin and Stephanie were also amazing. I highly recommend this program to anyone that needs help getting their dog under control.
  • Julianne Newmark Engberg
    Jul. 25, 2024
    We had an amazing experience with Dog Training Elite and our trainer John. We were training a 13-month-old terrier and we were beginning his journey to become a service dog. John was very focused on our dog's strengths and areas where he needed improvement and he designed the lessons, and our homework, around our dog and my needs, as his handler. Over these months, our dog has made huge strides and has passed his tests required to become a licensed service animal and with each week our dog's confidence in his role and our confidence in him across a wide array of contexts has increased. I can't speak highly enough of John and I can't thank him enough. It is important for people who are seeking to train a service dog to be very invested in the process and do their homework and be super consistent with training. We felt so well supported by Dog Training Elite and we highly recommend them.