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A service dog and their owner outside - find elite service dog training in Augusta / Aiken, GA with Dog Training Elite.
Dog Training Elite

Service Dog Training in Augusta / Aiken, GA

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Our Service Dog Training Could Help:
Veterans or civilians with PTSD, anxiety, or depression
Children or adults with autism
Individuals with epilepsy
(participating locations)
Advanced medical training (participating locations)

Dog Training Elite Augusta

Service Dog Training in Augusta / Aiken, GA

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 Augusta / Aiken, GA, 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.

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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

  • Bailey Parr
    Nov. 11, 2025
    Dontevia is the best! She helped take our puppy from a nightmare to the best dog we could have asked for in just a few weeks. She sets the standard wonderfully for your pets and communicates how to continue setting the standard both at home and in a public setting. She always listens to our concerns and questions and explains everything so well. Dontevia is able to break things down in a way that makes sense, while also clearly and effectively communicating with your pup. She builds such a wonderful relationship with the pet, as well as the client. With Dontevia's guidance, our Rango has become a confident and well behaved pup at only 8 months old. He is able to enjoy much more freedom and join us on more adventures that would not have been possible without this training. We are constantly receiving compliments on how well behaved Rango is and he loves having a job that is mentally stimulating and fun!
  • Mikaela Fitts
    Nov. 8, 2025
    We have had three training sessions so far with Dontevia and we are beyond impressed. Our dog, Rocky, has already shown such a huge improvement in his behavior and responsiveness. Dontevia is patient, knowledgeable, and clearly passionate about what she does. She explains each step in a way that makes it easy to understand and continue practicing at home. This has been the most effective, positive experience by far. We’re so grateful for the progress Rocky has made and we highly recommend her to anyone looking for an amazing dog trainer!
  • Tara Gaspar
    Oct. 25, 2025
    Highly recommend Dog Training Elite Augusta. Dontevia is absolutely fantastic! She worked with our puppy and has built so much confidence in him. He loves training with her and is so excited to see her. You and your puppy are in good hands with Dontevia and Dog Training Elite!!
  • Myrna I. Carballo Malave
    Oct. 25, 2025
    Dontevia, she's the best! My dog ​​Milo loves her very much.❤️ We're so grateful for her.
  • Kayleigh Bradley
    Oct. 23, 2025
    Dontevia is the ABSOLUTE BEST! She’s wonderful to work with and gives clear, direct instruction on how to train your dog. Her energy is always positive and my girl responds SO well to her. Our training with Donte has given my girl so many essential skills and improved confidence to enable her to be a service dog for my needs. If you’re looking into any type of dog training - Elite is the place and Dontevia is your girl! I specifically chose to have ALL of my training sessions with her and our progress is amazing. Nami has the opportunity to be an amazing service dog because of this experience, and we are so happy with our choice to choose Elite and Dontevia!! (Photo added shows Nami giving a paw for some love!)
  • Pam
    Sep. 20, 2025
    Dontavia is so knowledgeable and patient with Honey and me. Its been a pleasure working with her. She is encouraging when I get discouraged. She is very intuned to Honey and her special needs. Honey has come a long way in obedience since we started in just 3 months! I saw a huge difference in just a few sessions. Thank you Dontavia for being such a sweet special person and an awesome trainer.
  • Morgan Frober
    Sep. 12, 2025
    This training is amazing, love working with Dontevia. She gave me and my dog the personal care and attention I was looking for. I have notice significant change in my dogs behavior all thanks to training.
  • Bev Desalles
    Sep. 11, 2025
    Donteoia is a PAWSOME trainer!!! Patient, pleasant, yet persistent.
  • Daphne Colson
    Aug. 8, 2025
    Dontavia has been a very encouraging trainer. She works excellently with my Yorkie named Kiwi and myself. She makes sure that Kiwi is obedient, respectful, and uses her manners well. She makes me feel comfortable to ask questions and share concerns that I have with training when we are not at a training session. She is great at offering new ideas for training from all of her experience. I feel fully supported on my service dog training journey. Thank you so very much! She is just fantastic to work with!
  • Nicole N
    Aug. 7, 2025
    Dontavia has been working with Onyx to help train him to be a service dog. She’s been great not only in teaching him, but also me! We’re making great progress and we love her visits.
  • Jae Wilkerson
    Jul. 31, 2025
    Dontevia is awesome wit my pup! She’s the best trainer I’ve worked with and definitely recommend giving her a chance to train your pups!
  • Jaysen Jones
    Jul. 25, 2025
    Dontevia is an amazing dog trainer. She helps the client build confidence when unsure if a command is done improperly. Dontevia is also on time every session and is very kind. She’s helpful when correcting the clients mistakes and it helps a lot! I recommend her for anyone looking for a service dog training. She helps the dog believe in themselves and the client as well. She even is responsive to any questions you may have after the training session is over on days you’re not training.
  • marlene chancey
    Jul. 19, 2025
    The best trainer , she has done wonders with our Bella !
  • Brittany Downing
    Jun. 19, 2025
    We have two Great Danes that have so much energy and strong personalities. We were to the point we couldn’t even have friends over or go out of town. Dog training elite has completely changed our dogs behaviors, for the better! Steve is amazing and patient. Dontevia (super sweet trainer) is so kind and outgoing, she created a bond with our youngest Dane that trusts no one! Would recommend to everyone! It saved our home atmosphere, won’t own another dog without this training.
  • Kedz Law
    Jun. 19, 2025
    We have a German Shepherd/Belgian Malinois mix that Dontevia has been training to become a service dog, and we couldn’t be more impressed. Her expertise, patience, and calm confidence make all the difference. No matter the challenge, she always has a thoughtful solution, and it’s clear our dog absolutely adores her. Highly recommend Dontevia for anyone looking for a knowledgeable and compassionate trainer!
  • Noh
    Jun. 19, 2025
    These guys are legit!!! They’re knowledgeable, friendly and very accommodating. Dontevia has been great as well. She very attentive and addresses our concerns with solutions.
  • Melissa Manigault
    Mar. 28, 2025
    Dontevia is the best! She is so easy to work with and learn from. Over the past month, she has been incredibly patient, knowledgeable, and supportive as we’ve worked with our pup. Her training techniques are both effective and gentle, and she always takes the time to explain the “why” behind each method, ensuring we feel confident reinforcing the training at home. Not only does she have an amazing connection with dogs, but she also knows how to coach owners to bring out the best in their pets. In just three weeks, our pup has gone from having minimal obedience training to no longer pulling on the leash, mastering sit and stay, and even going to her place on command. The transformation has been remarkable, and it’s all thanks to Dontavia’s expertise and dedication. If you’re looking for a professional, caring, and highly skilled trainer, we wholeheartedly recommend Dontavia and Dog Training Elite!
  • Tonya Horton
    May. 2, 2025
    I love Dontevia, she is awesome with Amina.
  • Ms. Jones
    Apr. 25, 2025
    Dontevia is beyond sweet! Not only is she knowledge, but she’s personable and she instructs in a manner that is easily understandable to both me and my pup!
  • Robin Miller
    Apr. 25, 2025
    Dontevia is amazing. Her knowledge and ability to teach are outstanding. She has made my relationship with my new puppy less stressful. She is truly a the Dog Whisperer.
A Dog Training Elite Augusta owner smiling with his dog in Augusta / Aiken, GA.

Dog Training Elite Augusta

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 Augusta

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 Augusta - PTSD Service Dog Training in Augusta / Aiken, GA. DTE

PTSD Service Dog

If you're looking to train a PTSD service dog in Augusta / Aiken, GA, 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 Augusta - Psychiatric Service Dog Training in Augusta / Aiken, GA

Psychiatric Service Dog Training

Our psychiatric service dog training in Augusta / Aiken, GA 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 Augusta - Mobility Service Dog Training in Augusta / Aiken, GA

Mobility Support Service Dog

Enhance your independence or help a loved one with specialized mobility service dog training in Augusta / Aiken, GA from Dog Training Elite. Our expert trainers teach dogs the skills they need to support their owners with mobility challenges.

Dog Training Elite Augusta - Seizure Response Dog Training in Augusta / Aiken, GA

Medical Response Dog Training

If you are in need of a seizure response dog in Augusta / Aiken, GA, Dog Training Elite can help. Our training program is designed to help individuals with epilepsy regain independence and confidence.

Dog Training Elite Augusta - Autism Support Dog Training in Augusta / Aiken, GA

Autism Support Service Dog

Bring life-changing support to your family with Dog Training Elite's autism support dog training in Augusta / Aiken, GA. 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 Augusta / Aiken service dog training with Dog Training Elite.

Dog Training Elite Augusta

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 Augusta.

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 Augusta.
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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 Augusta / Aiken, GA with Dog Training Elite.

We Are Committed to Making a Difference

Choose DTE for Augusta / Aiken Service Dog Training

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At Dog Training Elite, we are passionate about transforming lives through Augusta / Aiken 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 Augusta and experience the difference that elite training and compassionate care can make.