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

  • 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.
  • Samantha Secular
    Dec. 28, 2024
    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!
  • Denika Vigil
    Dec. 19, 2024
    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.
  • Samantha D'Anna
    Dec. 10, 2024
    John has been helping me with my miniature dachshund. Flexible scheduling, great tips and tricks!
  • Linda Seebantz
    Nov. 30, 2024
    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.
  • Jeff Voris
    Nov. 27, 2024
    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.
  • Brisa Porter-Garcia
    Nov. 22, 2024
    Stephanie and John are awesome! Extremely knowledgeable and introduced me to a lot of great tools and techniques I can use with my dog.
  • Leticia Moedano
    Nov. 22, 2024
    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.
  • Ken Mashke
    Nov. 16, 2024
    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.
  • Mary James
    Nov. 16, 2024
    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!
  • Daryl Mashke
    Nov. 15, 2024
    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!
  • 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.
  • Samantha Secular
    Dec. 28, 2024
    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!
  • Denika Vigil
    Dec. 19, 2024
    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.
  • Samantha D'Anna
    Dec. 10, 2024
    John has been helping me with my miniature dachshund. Flexible scheduling, great tips and tricks!
  • Linda Seebantz
    Nov. 30, 2024
    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.
  • Jeff Voris
    Nov. 27, 2024
    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.
  • Brisa Porter-Garcia
    Nov. 22, 2024
    Stephanie and John are awesome! Extremely knowledgeable and introduced me to a lot of great tools and techniques I can use with my dog.
  • Leticia Moedano
    Nov. 22, 2024
    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.
  • Ken Mashke
    Nov. 16, 2024
    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.
  • Mary James
    Nov. 16, 2024
    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!
  • Daryl Mashke
    Nov. 15, 2024
    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!
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.

Dog Training Elite New Mexico

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.
A service puppy waiting for their owner - Dog Training Elite New Mexico.

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.

A group of dogs being trained by the expert team at Dog Training Elite New Mexico.
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Educate, Empower, Elevate, Elite

Victory Begins With Elite Education

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

We Are Committed to Making a Difference

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.