Golden Retriever Training in Albuquerque / Santa Fe, NM

Kayla was absolutely amazing! She was patient, took her time with our pup! It truly made a difference from the first class to our last! She’s the right one for the job! Wouldn’t pick anyone else, will always recommend this dog training/ trainer! Thanks for being so awesome and helpful through out the whole process!

I recently had the pleasure of working with New Mexico Dog Training Elite, and I couldn’t be more impressed. From the moment we started, the team was incredibly friendly and welcoming.The trainers were not only professional but also highly knowledgeable, providing clear, effective training methods that were easy to understand and implement. They took the time to customize the training to fit my dog’s specific needs, which made all the difference. Overall, the experience was fantastic, and I highly recommend New Mexico Dog Training Elite to anyone looking for quality training in a supportive and expert environment!

I purchased a package from Dog Training Elite New Mexico, which included an Elite trainer coming to my house for an individual session once per week. We started with the basic training course, where my dog mastered commands, such as come, sit, down, heel, off, place, and free. We then progressed to the second part of the course, which consisted of three sessions in a public area. The goal was for my dog to take commands in a setting with distractions like crowds, traffic, and random noise. The third part included two sessions for service dog training, where we returned to my home to learn a special task for a specific disability. The total package for dog service training consisted of ten individual training sessions with the same trainer, John, in Santa Fe, NM. It also included no-charge options like group classes at local parks and malls, and optional group visits to the Albuquerque International Airport, where we took our dogs through TSA to get accustomed to airport procedures. Each session with John was outstanding. He came equipped with both formal and intuitive knowledge of how to get a dog to follow commands. John clearly loves dogs and paid individual attention to my four-year-old male miniature poodle, Ruben. A large part of the training involved teaching me how to train my dog, so I was learning alongside Ruben. John entrusted me with the task of working with Ruben for 20-30 minutes every day between weekly sessions, which I mostly did. The most challenging task was training Ruben to consistently heel on command. After ten weeks, Ruben now heels and adjusts his position if he starts to get ahead or behind when I click his e-collar as a reminder. He heels both off-leash and on-leash. Another challenge was getting him to drop everything and come when I say “come!” Ruben is 99% compliant, sometimes hesitating for 10 or 15 seconds but never more. He sits like a soldier at attention on the “sit” command and is compliant with “down” (lie down) 90% of the time, and 100% after a little encouragement. The other commands have been relatively easy. Elite provided me with a text number and an email address and have always been responsive to my questions and comments, usually replying within minutes or at most a few hours. The optional, free group classes have been immensely beneficial. Ruben was initially frightened of large dogs but has progressed extremely well and now takes their presence without fuss. One issue remains: Ruben’s fear of large interiors like malls, big box stores, and airports. However, Ruben recently took his maiden flight from Santa Fe, NM to Tampa, FL and handled it with aplomb 85% of the time. We are still working on it, but he has improved. John assures me that Ruben and I can participate in Elite’s monthly group classes for life. With that and visits to our local mall, I am confident Ruben will overcome this last challenge. John was an excellent trainer, always sensitive and adaptable to the needs of Ruben and me. We went to coffee shops where Ruben learned the command “under” to go under my chair or the table for proper etiquette at restaurants. Because I was worried about Ruben’s upcoming airplane trip, John made a special excursion to meet downtown and board a local public bus. John gave me lots of pointers as we rode around town. The bus was a much rougher ride than the airplane turned out to be, so the experience was especially helpful. After that, Ruben took the airplane ride with amazing equanimity. All in all, I hold Elite in deep respect and would recommend them to anyone wanting to take on the challenge of getting their dog to obey basic commands, and if needed, to become a reliable service dog.

My service dog Leo and I were able to attend the Airport group training and it was an excellent experience. I have been diagnosed with severe anxiety and depression and felt extremely anxious before we started the class and before each stage in the training session. As usual, when working with Dog Training Elite and their fantastic staff, they were able to help me have an amazing time training, staying patient with me and moving forward at my pace. They never stop offering additional knowledge, encouragement, understanding and guidance for me and my service animal. Thank you for another wonderful experience!

OMG - John is so fantastic!!! I have a 1 year old poodle who was super hyperactive. John was always so sweet and loving and had so many tips. He has trained us how to get him not jump on people, place, sit, lie down, stay and how to come ( that was a hard one) but, now I don’t have to chase him when and or if he gets out. So pleased! Highly recommend!

When I first started looking to adopt a dog, I was watching way too many videos on instagram of dog trainers. I was overwhelmed. Then the big day came when I adopted Zoey. She was scared, not confident, needed direction and huge seperation anxiety from being in the shelter. I knew training would help her become more confident and obedient. I also as a first time dog owner needed the confidence and guidance to have a well rounded dog. That's when I came across Dog Training Elite New Mexico. Justin came by and did an at home evaluation and saw first hand how Zoey was and ensured me that the training would help. We got paired up with Kayla as our trainer and Zoey instantly feel in love with her and her patience to teach us the commands. Going through the training program gave myself and Zoey the confidence we needed. There is still work to do but we are in the right direction.

John was insightful, supportive and great to work with. He adroitly answered all our questions, gave good homework between sessions and provided encouragement as the lessons evolved.

Dog Training Elite trainer John was the kindest, most skilled, patient, supportive trainer we could have ever hoped for! With his guidance and consistent positive support, our puppy is now firmly on his way to being a well rounded, well behaved pup we can bring anywhere. I would highly recommend John for any dog, with any issue. He is the best!

Dog Training Elite New Mexico has provided my husband and me with the skills and confidence to safely manage our 12 month old 60 pound pup, Myrhh, and her little 9 week old bother, Frank, who has been following along! I also am the one who has been most involved in the training sessions while my husband, like Frank, watches and listens. ☺️ We live surrounded by wildlife, coyotes and wild horses. Only a 1/2 acre of our property is fenced; 6 ft. horse fence. The rest of our area is wide open. Also, residents in this neighborhood do not have perimeter fencing so we live virtually in a huge park like setting, albeit a wild park, which we walk and hike throughout everyday. So, for Myrrh’s roaming freedom, knowing heel, and knowing to come when called, is essential for her safety as well as ours. These skills, after only 5 one hour sessions, are in place! John is the insightful trainer who was sent to us from Elite Dog Training this past November. John has been coming to our home, once a week, for one hour training, five weeks in a row. In each, he taught us how to ensure that Myrrh comes to us on command, heels, stays in place, and sits. All this, yes, WITHOUT A LEASH! It is spectacular to have this kind of freedom with our dog and fun! We now have confidence with Myrrh’s ability to stay close and on command plus an irreplaceable peace of mind! Additionally, indoors, we are learning and practicing the proper way for Myrhh to sit near us. We are also working on “orbit.” As the lessons progress, all skills will transfer to Dog Training Elite group sessions, settings with other people and their dogs in unfamiliar locations for the next six months. Lots of practice ahead! Last, as a former educator, I am familiar with folks who can and cannot teach. John is one of those who CAN. My husband and I, along with Myrrh and even baby Frank, have all been very lucky to be John’s students! Of course, I highly, highly recommend Dog Training Elite and their trainer, John. We have found the sessions to be worth every dollar because of his professional, friendly, upbeat, skilled instruction. Communication is also tops from emails to reminders. John also arrives on time, if not early, to each session in a Dog Training Elite, clearly marked company car, and always professionally attired. You will discover that Dog Training Elite is not the cheapest option. Fortunately, in this case, we have gotten what we paid for - Excellence and truly amazing, transformative results!

Dog Training Elite - Santa Fe Where we started and where we ended was a huge difference! John our trainer was an outstanding trainer. He worked with our dog Blue who is an American Bully XL - 14 months old. We had many concerns at the start and each concern was dealt with until we felt comfortable with the result. John is extremely knowledgeable and carefully listened to our issues. He was patient with us and put our insecurities to rest!! We are so happy with the results and we are enjoying our dog in a more relaxed way.

Where we started and where we've landed after training with John at DTE has been astounding. THE CONTEXT: I have a (now) 3.5 year old German Shepherd who was born and raised in Denver during the Covid lockdown. He was attacked by 2 other dogs as a puppy, giving rise to difficult behaviors and reactivity such as excessive barking/lunging at other people and dogs, pulling on the leash, severe anxiety, and even aggression. This made socializing him extremely challenging. His reactivity was further exacerbated when I had to move into my family home for 2 years with my mom who is terminally ill. The environment was tense and tragic no matter what we did – par for the course. When I found DTE, I had already worked with a few other reputable trainers in SF. They were competent and knowledgeable, but it didn’t “click” and it was difficult to schedule enough sessions to make it count. I then got bogged down in all the BS of Google Searches again until a local friend recommended the owner of DTE in Utah. When I called them, I thought I would have to do this process out of state, but they informed me that they had just opened an NM branch. From my initial consultation, I knew John was the right trainer for my dog, and he has far exceeded my hopes/expectations by going so far above and BEYOND for us. He didn't scold me like other trainers and vets had prior - he showed empathy, warmth, and good vibes that my dog responded well to. John is absolutely fearless – he’s even the type of guy who, when he was a dog groomer prior to becoming a trainer, would make his own products like shampoo and conditioner to be safe for the dog, as well as trying all grooming and food products for himself to ensure its safety. Through tremendously difficult times, John helped my dog not only see another dog without all the excessive barking and lunging, but even be AROUND them without a muzzle at the park and in the home. We are now at the stage where my dog is participating in DTE’s group classes, and no one (I mean NO one) would believe where we are now if they had met my dog prior. It’s like a movie. Even some of the people at the group class recognized my dog from the park when we started our socialization sessions, and they were so happy/amazed to see him there. It’s miraculous. In fact, when John began my dog’s socialization training, my dog’s reaction was scary and he was too strong for me to handle on my own. John literally strapped my dog around his body and wore it as a belt to ensure that he had full control for my dog’s first meeting with another dog just to finally break the ice. I have never seen anyone do something like this or met anyone like John who will go THAT far for an animal and get THIS creative towards tailoring their training in any context. Top tier resourcefulness right there. And the thing is, it’s not just about my dog - John is the most patient and positive person you’ll find where he really transforms both you AND your animal. He has given me so much confidence to handle a reactive German Shepherd despite being a small woman with chronic illness. Where we’re at now is a testament to his unique talent in reaching both the dog and the trainer where they are at AND going the extra mile…and then some…and then some more. SUMMARY: You won’t get this kind of support for your animal anywhere else in the state that I know of, and I did my research for 2 years. Training is HARD, and it’s a lifetime journey for our animals AND us. If you want to take your training seriously and give your dog their absolute best shot at a whole and happy life like I did, please consider DTE. P.S. If you are worried about scheduling since consistent training is key (and yet very difficult to land with a good local trainer these days), the DTE team is so accommodating and will do their best to help you get your 8 sessions in a row. Thank you SO much, Justin and John! My schedule was so hectic for the first 8 weeks and you guys were rockstars about it. I'll edit in some before/after pics and videos soon!

Our trainer worked miracles with our one year old lab. She went from ripping apart everything in the house and being a crazy (but loving) little terror to a calm and well trained angel in just a few sessions. If you put in the work as a family and listen to your trainer, you will get amazing results. Can't recommend they're program enough, and our family is extremely grateful to Dog Training Elite New Mexico and our wonderful trainer, John.

John has been helping me with my miniature dachshund. Flexible scheduling, great tips and tricks!

We came to Elite with a tall order. As a hound dog, Eddy's nature is to lead us to prey, not come when called. Before he became our 3rd hound dog, he had been found in Santa Fe, adopted, and returned twice to the animal shelter. How do we get him to stay near us when he's off-leash and free to run in the wild BLM land behind our house? With baby steps, John advised. Then, he proceeded to carefully take us through the stages of training that brought us to the desired result. Off-leash. Free to run. And he comes when he's called. He also sits, places, and heels. We're ecstatic, and so is Eddy. I can't say enough about John and the team at Dog Training Elite—patient, persistent, kind, and reliable. Now we get to love up this sweet fella, and skip the drama.

Dog Training Elite New Mexico help me learn how to control my dog better and help her feel more comfortable and around people and dogs. They are pretty expensive but are very flexible with payments.

Stephanie and John are awesome! Extremely knowledgeable and introduced me to a lot of great tools and techniques I can use with my dog.

I highly recommend Dog Training Elite for anyone looking for dog training services and especially if you are considering getting your dog service trained. It's a wise investment for you and your dog. The owner, Justin is professional and knowledgeable in dog training and especially in the process required to get a dog properly serviced trained. John Herrera was a phenomenal dog trainer; he is a great at working with you and your pup as a team. You can tell he loves his work and loves dogs. He was prompt and professional for each of our weekly lessons and encouraging with tips on how to improve/what to work on each week before the next lesson. Our goldendoodle started training when he was around 4 months old and just completed his service task training to be a service dog. John was great in training him in my home and also in public spaces to get him ready to successfully pass his public access test (grocery stores, malls, hardware stores). Now that we have completed his individual weekly lessons, we look forward to continuing to join in the group classes with John and his dog Journey . Highly recommend Dog Training Elite.

These folks are fantastic! Would rate with 10 stars. Our new puppy was a handful. John visited weekly and was always available when needed. He not only assisted with our dog, but trained us as well😀. I continuously get comments on how well our dog is progressing from neighbors and others. Our biggest problem was jumping up to greet visitors. We pretty much solved that problem in two weeks! Highly recommended.

We really enjoyed our experience with Elite from the very beginning! We have a large great pyreness that was challenging us thinking he was the alpha. Elite (John) came in and accessed him and told us he was not an aggressive dog but a reactive dog. We have since gotten to the point where our great pyr (PB) is back to being our gentle giant. As a result we have started training our smaller dog. Our whole experience with John, Stephanie, Mark and Justin has been wonderful and we highly recommend Elite!

This is Maggie! Trained by Dog Traning Elite- John Hererra. Her training sessions were exceptional. John taught us how to work with Maggie, how to heel, sit, stay, come, place and how to behave in public (her not us!). At every session Maggie learned a little bit more, and she is well on her way to becoming the perfect companion. John is patient, but firm, and fully understands animal behavior and how to encourage the dog to do what you want it to do. We are extremely happy with DogTraning Elite's methods. We recommend them to anyone who wants a well behaved companion dog. Especially John. He's the best!