A service dog and their owner outside - find elite service dog training in Albuquerque / Santa Fe, NM with Dog Training Elite.

Professional

Service Dog Training

Dog Training Elite New Mexico

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Request Free Assessment


Our Service Dog Training Could Help:

Veterans or civilians with PTSD, anxiety, or depression
Children or adults with autism
Individuals with epilepsy
Advanced medical training (participating locations)

Dog Training Elite New Mexico

Service Dog Training in Albuquerque / Santa Fe, NM

The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) defines a service dog as “a dog that is individually trained to do work or perform tasks for a person with a disability.” Disabilities include mental or physical impairments that affect an individual’s ability to perform one or more major life activities (walking, seeing, etc.).

Because service dogs play such a key role in the life of disabled individuals, they are protected by the law. Places of residence, employment, and commercial facilities cannot discriminate against disabled individuals with service animals. If you are wondering how to get a service dog, you can either purchase a fully trained dog or purchase a service puppy and train it.

With our service dog training in Albuquerque / Santa Fe, NM, we ensure that your dog is trained to meet the specific needs of your disability, providing personalized support and empowering both dog and handler for long-term success.

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A man and his support service dog - learn more about our positive training methods at Dog Training Elite.

Our Positive Approach to Service Dog Training


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At Dog Training Elite, we believe that successful dog training requires dedication, patience, and balance. That’s why we are committed to using positive reinforcement techniques in all of our training programs.

Through balanced training, our team helps owners build trust with their dogs. This approach is especially important for service dog training because strong relationships and communication are essential for dogs to reliably assist their handler.

By focusing on encouragement rather than punishment, we created confident, well-behaved dogs that are eager to perform their best and impress their owners.

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!

Hear From Our Customers

Learn Why Dog owners choose Dog Training Elite

  • Elyse Benham
    Apr. 25, 2025
    We worked with Kayla over eight sessions to get our dog Chloe better behaved in public and on a leash. After just a few sessions, we were already seeing the results we wanted. We have been set up with the tools to keep working on Chloe’s manners to make her the best dog she can be! The depth and range of dog training and behavior knowledge we received was wonderful and very helpful to Chloe’s training. I would highly recommend training with Dog Training Elite - you won’t be disappointed!
  • Rachael Eaton
    Apr. 25, 2025
    Kayla is our trainer. She is a very knowledgeable and positive trainer. Our Great Pyrenees male, 2 1/2 yrs old is very reactive and wouldn't listen to commands and wreaking havoc in our home. He now responds to commands like place, come, sit, off, down and we are working on heeling but he does pretty well. He still needs daily training. Kayla let us know what we were doing right and practices we needed to stop doing. We are working on his behaviors with the skill she taught us. She has changed our lives.
  • Matthew Raboin
    Apr. 11, 2025
    John was a fantastic trainer for our shelter rescue. He’s super patient, great at teaching, and genuinely cares. Our dog started out with a lot of aggression issues, and from day 1 we saw immediate results, which really improved our day-to-day quality of life. After the full program, we have amazing control of her and we can easily go to public places without issue.
  • Morgan Childs
    Apr. 8, 2025
    John and Dog Training Elite are incredible! He has an innate understanding and vast knowledge of dogs, and he immediately understood my energetic and slightly anxious Husky/Shepherd mix. The tools we gained through training enabled us re-direct our boy's energy and happily coexist. We started early at 13 weeks, and John went at a pace that felt happy and sustainable for our young boy. There is an overwhelming amount of contradictory information about dog training on the internet, and it has been invaluable to have a professional trainer to ask questions (without judgment!) and guide me through the process of first-time dog ownership. If we ever get another dog, we know who we are calling!
  • Tammi Lambert
    Apr. 5, 2025
    I had such a wonderful experience. Stephanie was our trainer, and we cannot say enough about how perfect she was for our family and our puppies. Everywhere I go with my service dogs, people ask who trained them. I am so glad to say, "Dog Training Elite!!!" I could not have made a better choice.
  • Robyn Rohr
    Mar. 8, 2025
    Wow! Kayla worked wonders with our very large golden retriever puppy. He loves the training! Kayla patiently explained every aspect of the training and guided us through the process and progress of our sweet pup. Thank you, Kayla!!!
  • Philip Hunteman
    Mar. 7, 2025
    Love this company! And Stephanie was the BEST! We got our Winnie three months ago from a small rescue that had to place her with three different fosters. A one-year-old border collie cross with massive separation anxiety and tons of energy. Smart, yes, but too smart for her own good. She would tear through the house when left alone. She would try to destroy her crate, even breaking a tooth in doing so. We needed help FAST! Elite gave us that help with practical, realistic training and advice. We saw improvements within days of the first session. It only got better after that. Is Winnie perfect? No. Does she jump over the fence every time she goes outside? Also no. No to getting up on kitchen counters or diving into the trash. The best part is the closeness we now have with Winnie. She’s a happy and exuberant dog who loves us as mush as we love her. I bought the platinum plan and it was WITHOUT A DOUBT the best money I’ve spent. I can’t recommend these people enough! Forget all the weird folksy advice you might get from others. Hire these people!
  • Cheryle Bakewell
    Feb. 21, 2025
    Stephanie was the best trainer, was very patient very knowledgeable and sweet with the dogs. Very professional in Getting our dog service trained. Thank you. from Henry
  • Kelli Hajek
    Feb. 20, 2025
    Elite Dog Training, was fantastic for my pitbull mixed collie Keto. Kayla worked very hard, she was very patient with me and my puppy dog. She arrived on time, very supportive, definitely would recommend this service. She even took the time to work with my other two dogs
  • Emily and Dean Mitchell
    Feb. 15, 2025
    Training was extremely effective in helping us deal with unwanted puppy behavior, as well as teaching some basic obedience and manners to our puppy. Dog Training Elite uses a balanced approach to dog training, which includes corrections in addition to positive reinforcement. Or instructor, Stephanie, was an excellent teacher (for people as well as for the dog). She was a joy to work with. She also made accommodations to the training based on our personal needs.
  • Mariah Lucero
    Feb. 11, 2025
    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!
  • Alejandra Holguin
    Feb. 6, 2025
    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!
  • Molly Sechrest
    Jan. 30, 2025
    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.
  • adam juvinall
    Sep. 30, 2024
    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!
  • Robyn Reede
    Jan. 17, 2025
    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!
  • Matt Holguin
    Jan. 13, 2025
    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.
  • Cory Hirsch
    Jan. 11, 2025
    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.
  • Martha Arnett
    Jan. 11, 2025
    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!
  • Georgene Inks
    Jan. 2, 2025
    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!
  • Gloria Garcia
    Dec. 30, 2024
    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.
  • Elyse Benham
    Apr. 25, 2025
    We worked with Kayla over eight sessions to get our dog Chloe better behaved in public and on a leash. After just a few sessions, we were already seeing the results we wanted. We have been set up with the tools to keep working on Chloe’s manners to make her the best dog she can be! The depth and range of dog training and behavior knowledge we received was wonderful and very helpful to Chloe’s training. I would highly recommend training with Dog Training Elite - you won’t be disappointed!
  • Rachael Eaton
    Apr. 25, 2025
    Kayla is our trainer. She is a very knowledgeable and positive trainer. Our Great Pyrenees male, 2 1/2 yrs old is very reactive and wouldn't listen to commands and wreaking havoc in our home. He now responds to commands like place, come, sit, off, down and we are working on heeling but he does pretty well. He still needs daily training. Kayla let us know what we were doing right and practices we needed to stop doing. We are working on his behaviors with the skill she taught us. She has changed our lives.
  • Matthew Raboin
    Apr. 11, 2025
    John was a fantastic trainer for our shelter rescue. He’s super patient, great at teaching, and genuinely cares. Our dog started out with a lot of aggression issues, and from day 1 we saw immediate results, which really improved our day-to-day quality of life. After the full program, we have amazing control of her and we can easily go to public places without issue.
  • Morgan Childs
    Apr. 8, 2025
    John and Dog Training Elite are incredible! He has an innate understanding and vast knowledge of dogs, and he immediately understood my energetic and slightly anxious Husky/Shepherd mix. The tools we gained through training enabled us re-direct our boy's energy and happily coexist. We started early at 13 weeks, and John went at a pace that felt happy and sustainable for our young boy. There is an overwhelming amount of contradictory information about dog training on the internet, and it has been invaluable to have a professional trainer to ask questions (without judgment!) and guide me through the process of first-time dog ownership. If we ever get another dog, we know who we are calling!
  • Tammi Lambert
    Apr. 5, 2025
    I had such a wonderful experience. Stephanie was our trainer, and we cannot say enough about how perfect she was for our family and our puppies. Everywhere I go with my service dogs, people ask who trained them. I am so glad to say, "Dog Training Elite!!!" I could not have made a better choice.
  • Robyn Rohr
    Mar. 8, 2025
    Wow! Kayla worked wonders with our very large golden retriever puppy. He loves the training! Kayla patiently explained every aspect of the training and guided us through the process and progress of our sweet pup. Thank you, Kayla!!!
  • Philip Hunteman
    Mar. 7, 2025
    Love this company! And Stephanie was the BEST! We got our Winnie three months ago from a small rescue that had to place her with three different fosters. A one-year-old border collie cross with massive separation anxiety and tons of energy. Smart, yes, but too smart for her own good. She would tear through the house when left alone. She would try to destroy her crate, even breaking a tooth in doing so. We needed help FAST! Elite gave us that help with practical, realistic training and advice. We saw improvements within days of the first session. It only got better after that. Is Winnie perfect? No. Does she jump over the fence every time she goes outside? Also no. No to getting up on kitchen counters or diving into the trash. The best part is the closeness we now have with Winnie. She’s a happy and exuberant dog who loves us as mush as we love her. I bought the platinum plan and it was WITHOUT A DOUBT the best money I’ve spent. I can’t recommend these people enough! Forget all the weird folksy advice you might get from others. Hire these people!
  • Cheryle Bakewell
    Feb. 21, 2025
    Stephanie was the best trainer, was very patient very knowledgeable and sweet with the dogs. Very professional in Getting our dog service trained. Thank you. from Henry
  • Kelli Hajek
    Feb. 20, 2025
    Elite Dog Training, was fantastic for my pitbull mixed collie Keto. Kayla worked very hard, she was very patient with me and my puppy dog. She arrived on time, very supportive, definitely would recommend this service. She even took the time to work with my other two dogs
  • Emily and Dean Mitchell
    Feb. 15, 2025
    Training was extremely effective in helping us deal with unwanted puppy behavior, as well as teaching some basic obedience and manners to our puppy. Dog Training Elite uses a balanced approach to dog training, which includes corrections in addition to positive reinforcement. Or instructor, Stephanie, was an excellent teacher (for people as well as for the dog). She was a joy to work with. She also made accommodations to the training based on our personal needs.
  • Mariah Lucero
    Feb. 11, 2025
    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!
  • Alejandra Holguin
    Feb. 6, 2025
    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!
  • Molly Sechrest
    Jan. 30, 2025
    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.
  • adam juvinall
    Sep. 30, 2024
    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!
  • Robyn Reede
    Jan. 17, 2025
    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!
  • Matt Holguin
    Jan. 13, 2025
    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.
  • Cory Hirsch
    Jan. 11, 2025
    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.
  • Martha Arnett
    Jan. 11, 2025
    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!
  • Georgene Inks
    Jan. 2, 2025
    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!
  • Gloria Garcia
    Dec. 30, 2024
    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.
A Dog Training Elite New Mexico owner smiling with his dog in Albuquerque / Santa Fe, NM.

Dog Training Elite New Mexico

Is a Service Dog The Same As a Therapy Dog?

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Many types of working dogs increase the quality of life for their handlers. The three main categories of working dogs are service animal, therapy animal, and emotional support animal. Each category covers different areas of support and different levels of protection under the law.

  1. Service Animal
  2. As mentioned above, service animals assist individuals with disabilities. Depending on the person’s needs, the service animal learns how to perform certain tasks. Guide dogs, for example, help blind individuals safely navigate their environment. Seizure response dogs respond to their handlers when the individual is having a seizure. Service animals are highly trained and specialized, and they are also offered the most protection under the law compared to therapy or emotional support animals.

    Dogs are not the only kinds of service animals - miniature horses are often trained to support individuals with disabilities!

  3. Therapy Animal
  4. Therapy dogs provide comfort and improve the mental well-being of individuals in hospitals, hospice care, retirement homes, nursing homes, schools, and more. These dogs must have a friendly, calm demeanor and be comfortable when handled by strangers.

    Therapy dogs are not trained to perform specific tasks, but they must be obedient and well-mannered. Therapy animals are permitted in some areas where pets are not, but they have fewer protections than service animals. All therapy dogs must be certified before they can offer their services to the community.

  5. Emotional Support Animal
  6. Emotional support dogs relieve loneliness, anxiety, depression, and other symptoms of mental health disorders. They provide comfort to their handlers, but they are not trained to perform specific tasks. Most emotional support animals are sensitive to the emotional changes of their handler and will remain close by at all times. Emotional support animals are not protected by the ADA, but residential buildings must permit emotional support animals.

Dog Training Elite New Mexico

What Can Service Dogs Do?

Service dogs are crucial in assisting individuals with various disabilities and conditions, providing them with support, independence, and companionship. These highly trained dogs can perform specific tasks tailored to the needs of their handlers. Learn about breeds that make great service dogs, who can benefit from a service dog and the training that will help these pups meet their handler's needs.

Service dogs are a great help to disabled individuals thanks to their incredible ability to perform highly specialized tasks, like opening doors, switching lights on and off, assisting with balance and stability, guiding, pulling wheelchairs, answering phones and making calls, finding objects or places, unloading and loading items, clearing rooms, finding help, and many more. Service dogs improve the lives of disabled individuals by increasing their autonomy.
Individuals with certain diseases and disorders can benefit from a highly trained service dog. Dogs have an incredible sense of smell and they can detect the chemical changes associated with oncoming seizures and increases in blood pressure. Alert service dogs alert their handler to these situations to prevent a life-threatening emergency. Alert dogs also help those with extreme allergies detect potential allergens in food.
Disabled or epileptic individuals are more prone to emergencies than the average person. Service dogs are trained to alert their handler to a potential emergency, and alert surrounding individuals to an active emergency. Service dogs can also call for help on pre-programmed phones.

Additional Service Training Info

Dog Training Elite New Mexico - PTSD Service Dog Training in Albuquerque / Santa Fe. Dog Training Elite New Mexico
PTSD Service Dog

If you're looking to train a PTSD service dog in Albuquerque / Santa Fe, NM, Dog Training Elite is here to help. Our service dogs are trained to assist with symptoms such as anxiety, hyper-vigilance, and panic attacks, providing grounding emotional support.

Dog Training Elite New Mexico - Psychiatric Service Dog Trainers in Albuquerque / Santa Fe
Psychiatric Service Dog Training

Our psychiatric service dog training in Albuquerque / Santa Fe, NM helps individuals with PTSD, anxiety, and depression. We'll help train your dog to mitigate symptoms by offering emotional grounding and support during stressful situations.

Dog Training Elite New Mexico - Autism Support Dog Training in Albuquerque / Santa Fe, NM
Autism Support Service Dog

Bring life-changing support to your family with Dog Training Elite's autism support dog training in Albuquerque / Santa Fe, NM. Our compassionate trainers work closely with your family and dog throughout the entire process, ensuring your pup is fully prepared to provide comfort, safety, and companionship.

A service dog at a ball game with their owner - get professional Albuquerque / Santa Fe service dog training with Dog Training Elite.

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Service Dogs for Anxiety, PTSD, and Autism

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Service dogs trained to assist handlers with severe anxiety or depression perform specific tasks that reduce the potential for panic attacks or self-harm attempts. Such tasks include deep-pressure therapy, tactile stimulation, alerting, clearing rooms, blocking strangers from approaching, and more. Service dogs trained to assist those with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) have greatly improved the lives of many veterans.

Service dogs also make a big impact on the lives of children with autism. Children with autism are often prone to meltdowns, have trouble communicating, and are quick to run off or become easily lost. Service dogs prevent and mediate all of these behaviors to provide a higher quality of life for children with autism and their families.

As autism is a spectrum disorder, each child has varying needs of assistance. Autism service dogs perform the following tasks:

  • Tracking: Children with autism often wander away, and a parent’s worst fear is turning their back for just a moment and discovering their child is gone. Autism service dogs will track the child if this ever happens.
  • Tethering: This task minimizes wandering, which is common in public settings. The child is tethered to the service dog’s leash or harness, preventing him or her from wandering away.
  • Behavior Interruption: Repetitive and ritualistic behaviors are typical of autistic children, as are meltdowns when the child becomes overstimulated. Autism service dogs recognize these negative behaviors and redirect the child’s attention when they start. A simple paw or nudge is all it takes to prevent a meltdown.
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How Do I Get a Service Dog?

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If you are wondering how to get a service dog, there are a couple of different approaches. Some service dogs are purchased outright, fully trained. Or a compatible dog is selected and trained from an early age. Training a dog from the start is the best option, especially for those with specialized needs.

Training a dog to perform service responsibilities must start from day one. Only certain breeds are suited to service work, and breeders put a lot of time into raising puppies to be service animals. Once you have purchased a service puppy, additional training is necessary to prepare your puppy for life as a service dog. This is a complicated process that involves various steps. Dog Training Elite makes getting a service dog easier with our service dog training program.

Our talented trainers can help select puppies that are prepared for a life of service from well-respected breeders. When these puppies enter the service dog training program they are closely monitored for behavior and temperament and can be fully obedience trained by the age of six months. These puppies undergo extensive socialization and additional training to ensure they are well-suited for service and therapy needs including specialized service training alongside the new handler.

This program is ideal for handlers who want to take part in the developmental years and extensive training of their service puppy.

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A trainer, a man and his service dog - find the best service dog training in Albuquerque / Santa Fe, NM with Dog Training Elite.

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Choose DTE for Albuquerque / Santa Fe Service Dog Training

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At Dog Training Elite, we are passionate about transforming lives through Albuquerque / Santa Fe service dog training. Our proven, balanced training methods help create highly skilled, dependable service dogs that are both obedient and loyal to their handlers.

From mobility support and physical assistance to emotional well-being and more, Dog Training Elite is committed to providing personalized, high-quality training that makes a lasting impact.

Choose Dog Training Elite New Mexico and experience the difference that elite training and compassionate care can make.