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Dog Training Elite in Chicago

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A military veteran and service dog - Dog Training Elite offers elite veteran service dog training in Chicago, IL.

Dog Training Elite

Military Veteran Service Dog Training in Chicago, IL

At Dog Training Elite in Chicago, we strongly believe in the healing power of service dogs for military veterans. That’s why we dedicate our time and passion to providing veteran service dog training in Chicago, IL.

Service dogs can greatly assist with both the mental and physical challenges veterans may face after serving our country. Many veterans experience PTSD, physical disabilities, or other impairments, and our service dogs have been proven to help reduce symptoms and support veterans in returning to their daily routines.

Learn more about our programs designed for veterans and discover why Dog Training Elite is committed to making a difference in the community.

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A service puppy in training - Dog Training Elite offers veteran service dog training in Chicago, IL for those who have served our country.

Dog Training Elite in Chicago

Why We Offer Service Dog Training for Military Veterans

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At Dog Training Elite in Chicago, we are passionate about helping military veterans through the support of service dogs. We offer specialized service dog training options in Chicago, backed by scientific research and proven by our own success stories.

In a study conducted by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, veterans paired with service dogs experienced a significant reduction in PTSD symptoms and fewer self-harm ideations. The mental health and medical communities increasingly recognize service dogs’ positive impact on emotional well-being and independence, making them one of the most effective tools for veteran recovery.

At Dog Training Elite, we are dedicated to providing exceptional dog training services that provide the tools and support needed for our veterans and their dogs to thrive, offering a path toward healing and better quality of life.

A beautiful golden retriever service dog - Dog Training Elite in Chicago.

Popular Service Dog Breeds

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Finding a service dog that fits your individual needs is important, especially for military veteran support. While most dogs can be trained to become service dogs, a few breeds stand out due to their personalities and inherent traits.

Here are a few of the most popular service dog breeds:

  1. Labrador Retrievers: Labradors are intelligent, versatile, and eager to please, making them ideal for PTSD service dogs. Their trainability allows them to excel in roles like guide dogs, mobility support, and emotional support, making them highly adaptable for veterans.
  2. Golden Retrievers: Golden Retrievers are known for their calm, gentle nature and strong work ethic. They are excellent at providing mobility assistance and emotional support, especially for veterans with PTSD, due to their patient and loving temperament.
  3. German Shepherds: German Shepherds are strong, loyal, and highly intelligent, making them excellent service dogs. Their protective instincts and trainability allow them to assist with mobility, search and rescue, and provide emotional support for veterans.
  4. Poodles: Poodles are highly intelligent and easily trained, making them great service dogs, particularly for those with allergies due to their hypoallergenic coats. They excel in roles such as mobility assistance and medical alert dogs, offering a versatile solution for individuals with diverse needs.

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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!

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See An Elite Dog in Action

An adorable golden retriever at a show demo with Dog Training Elite in Chicago. See Gallery
An adorable Australian Shepherd on a skateboard with Dog Training Elite in Chicago. See Gallery
A group of dogs being trained by the experts at Dog Training Elite in Chicago. See Gallery
A dog at a show demo with the expert team at Dog Training Elite in Chicago. See Gallery
An adorable dog being trained by Dog Training Elite in Chicago. See Gallery
A service dog and his veteran owner - Dog Training Elite in Chicago.

Our Veteran Service Dog Training in Chicago, IL

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Service dogs undergo extensive specialized training to perform their tasks and assist their owners. Our training process involves a combination of obedience training, task training, and public access training.

  • Obedience Training: This training focuses on teaching a dog basic commands, such as sit, down, heel, come, as well as proper leash manners and socialization skills.
  • Task Training: Task training is tailored to fit the needs of each individual. It involves teaching the dog to perform tasks that mitigate the person’s disability, such as retrieving items, opening doors, or providing deep pressure therapy.
  • Public Access Training: This type of training is crucial to ensure the dog remains calm, well-behaved, and non-disruptive in various public settings. This training includes exposure to different environments, distractions, and social interactions to provide a dog that can confidently navigate public spaces.
A beautiful service dog standing outside - Dog Training Elite in Chicago.

Service Dogs for Veterans & PTSD

Get Specialized Training with DTE Today

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Training with Dog Training Elite is tailored specifically for military veterans dealing with PTSD and other service-related challenges. Our programs focus on helping veterans regain independence, emotional stability, and confidence through the support of a well-trained service dog.

At Dog Training Elite, we are dedicated to providing service dog training that strengthens the bond between veterans and their dogs, guiding them toward a brighter future and supporting their healing journey.

Hear From Our Customers

Learn Why Dog owners choose Dog Training Elite

  • phil kotas
    Dec. 18, 2024
    Grace at Dog Training Elite Western Chicago demonstrated exceptional patience, kindness, and expertise, making the entire experience of training our family to train our dog a breeze, and Grace's expert in-home dog training and private dog trainer approaches really helped with my dog training needs. I was particularly impressed with her humor and ability to tailor her leash training for dogs to my 120 lb German Shepherd. He now comes immediately when called and Grace was able to train him to sit quietly on his mat while we eat whenever we just need a break. Thank You Grace!
  • Lauri S
    Dec. 17, 2024
    Friendly, knowledgeable, and very patient with me. I really appreciated her taking the time to ensure that I understood everything. Excellent job, looking forward to working with you.
  • Kevin Minard
    Nov. 21, 2024
    Chicago DTE is amazing! My sessions with Jess have been great, and every lesson so far has been effectively tailored to my dog’s needs and abilities - way beyond your run of the mill standard program or curriculum.
  • Laura Simpler
    Nov. 11, 2024
    Very accommodating, knowledgable, and comforting. Our dog is going great!!
  • Jessica guerino
    Nov. 7, 2024
    Pauline and Grace have been amazing. I got a cane corso mixed puppy a few months back and she has been the best girl to the training program. These girls have been loving and patient with my dog and it’s definitely paid off. She is starting to learn confidence and I even got her to place on a pot without having to ask multiple times. Thanks ladies! Lily loves you both & thanks you guys for everything!!!
  • Bunni “Alexis” Redscale
    Oct. 18, 2024
    DTE has been an integral part of my training journey with my dog. They are incredibly understanding and will help explain anything you need. I am working through their service dog training program and it has been incredibly easy for me to understand and implement the skills that they teach my dog and I. I also did the puppy training program and I never thought I would ever be able to self train my dog to such a high skill level while he was so young. I highly recommend this group for your training needs!
  • Diana Kassel
    Oct. 17, 2024
    My Lilly( Boston terrier) earned her service dog certification and is wonderful and helps in many ways. My puppy Leona has been thru her basics and I have been able to add some training at home. Leona is able to bring me my medications ( golden retriever) she is not currently in her service training, but will be. Leona recently brought me meds and I did not notice, however Miss Lilly did. She stomped she kicked at the bag and did whatever she could until I took notice that I had my medication. Truly amazing. Tim and Katie are amazing. The programs are amazing I was so impressed with both my champions.
  • Kelly N
    Oct. 14, 2024
    DTE is incredible. They have helped my dog and I develop a deeper bond and trust, all while teaching her how to be a good listener!! Grace and Pauline are super experienced, make group classes fun, and truly love what they do which the dogs can tell! The owners, Katie and Tim are so knowledgeable, I have seen them help dogs and owners come into their own (myself included). I simply cannot express how amazing DTE has been for me and my dog. It is worth every penny. I get compliments all the time for how well behaved my dog is, and its the result of the guidance of the DTE crew. You got to put the work in for it to be worth it, but that’s needed to improve at anything!
  • Jennifer Curran
    Oct. 8, 2024
    I used DTE to help me train my German Shepard. He was my first dog ever and I had no idea what I was doing but I was committed to learning and knew I wanted to give him the best so we could enjoy each other and I wouldn’t have a huge dog that was hard to control. I also decided to give the scent and service dog program a try in order to train him as a gluten detection dog for my celiac. I loved how helpful Katie was when I originally reached out and spent a lot of time explaining the process and they evaluated my dog to make sure he would be a good fit. This also included basic obedience training as well. I loved that I didn’t have to send my dog away for weeks or months either and allowed me a more hands on process with training my dog which I think was a huge help. When you sign up you automatically have the group classes for life. These are really great for us and helps my dog learn to be around other dogs in a safe environment where I have help from all the amazing trainers since I really had no idea how to go about socializing my big dog in a safe way. I am so happy I invested my time and money here! It was worth it!! So much better than programs where you send your dog away for 2 weeks and get them back. All the trainers are so amazing and as someone who knew nothing prior to this I now have a dog who can pick up gluten scent and we’re on our way to service dog status!
  • Heather Krupa
    Oct. 4, 2024
    When I chose to get a service dog, I looked for somewhere that would help me train my dog from puppy all the way through service dog. The only place I found was DTE. After working with them for the past twelve months, I would chose them all over again. *DTE provided a personality assessment for my pup before I adopted him. *DTE came to my home and helped me train my pup during weeks 8-16. *My dog did 2 weeks of boot camp and jumped ahead in his quickness in listening to basic commands. *This year we have attended group classes and improved obedience in a wide variety of settings and with creative distractions. Now that my pup is a "teenager," we are working on not responding to other dogs when they are being agressive. *DTE is quick to answer questions I have about training during the week and give me creative ideas in continued training. *This past year I have taken my pup with me almost everywhere in public and DTE has guided me in how to handle different scenarios. I have NEVER trained a dog before or had a dog (other than an outdoor farm dog when young). I get compliments ALL THE TIME on how well behaved my 12 month old dog is. I'm no super hero and my dog is no saint! We have just applied with skills that Pauline, Grace, Tim and Katie have taught us. You have to put in the work, but it is worth every penny.
  • jason seldomridge
    Oct. 4, 2024
    They are very attentive and invested in your dog's success. The training regiment is easy to follow and if you put in the effort your dog will respond quickly.
  • steven gore
    Sep. 30, 2024
    Jeff is the real deal. I have a sweet but stubborn pit bull. I have went to a couple training classes over the years but nothing stuck. She was an extreme puller and was stubborn coming a command. Also when the doorbell rang we could not control her. After 6 sessions with Jeff, and some homework, we have the most well behaved dog at the park. She comes on command, places when told and I am even able to walk her off leash. Jeff is punctual, knowledgeable and I highly recommend.
  • Kelly
    Sep. 20, 2024
    We had a great experience with Dog Training Elite! Our trainer, Rich, was incredibly knowledgeable and patient. He took time to understand the specific needs of the family. Before training with Rich, our dog was a typical puppy – full of energy, easily distracted, and a little bit mischievous. Not only have we seen improvement in Apollo’s obedience, Rich helped us understand how to reinforce good behavior. Apollo is now a well-mannered member of the family! If you're looking to strengthen your bond with your dog and see real, positive changes in their behavior, Dog Training Elite is the way to go. Our experience has been nothing short of fantastic, and we can’t wait to continue our training journey!
  • Desiree Martinez
    Sep. 16, 2024
    My dog Boog and I have been going through the Puppy Platinum training program at DTE with Jess and it has been such a tremendous help with raising him! Boogs been with DTE since he was 20 weeks old and he’s about to be 1 next month. He is so well behaved and gets a lot of praise about it from everyone he encounters. Jess has done a great job with providing both Boog and I with tons of resources and knowledge on dog obedience. Boog absolutely loved having his 1 on 1 sessions and loves his group classes even more.
  • Courtney Palicka
    Jul. 17, 2024
    Pauline was so great to work with! She was very friendly and made us feel welcomed with our two dogs. Our dogs loved their 7 day camp at the facility and responded very quickly. Pauline gave helpful feedback and always mentioned celebrations from the training. We would totally recommend DTE!
  • Pat Behnke
    Jul. 16, 2024
    We are extremely pleased with Dog Training Elite in Naperville! We had our initial consultation in our home with Tim and Grace and their dog! We were very impressed on the training method they use with the Easy Educator collar. Our 9 month old boxer was in need of discipline and Gunner is doing fantastic! Five one hour private in home sessions and 12 one hour lessons teaching healing etc! The cost is well worth having a happy dog with happy owners too!
  • Debra P
    Jun. 25, 2024
    We have just finished our at home classes are excited for group class which will start tomorrow. Grace came out to our home and every class was a success and Sam, my rambunctious 11 month old Labrador was always so excited to see Grace. She was very professional and very friendly. Grace always took the time to answer all my questions and helped out with a couple concerns I had with Sam. He learned quickly and is always excited to work. Dog Training Elite has very knowledgeable owners and trainers and I’m so very happy to have them to work with me and my dog. I’m looking forward to a long relationship with them and they are worth every penny. Also of note, they always respond in a very timely manner whenever you need to text with questions, concerns or scheduling times.
  • Meghan Grzetich
    May. 29, 2024
    The most patient & kind trainers ever! We are having huge success after just a few weeks of working with Dog Training Elite.
  • Stephanie Roatis
    May. 3, 2024
    Jeff completely transformed our border collie/blue heeler mix. When we moved back to Chicago, our dog was anxious of everything in the city including buses, bikes, and even runners. He pulled on his leash constantly and lunged at moving objects. We were active with him physically but not mentally. With the private lessons, Jeff handled Tucker so well at the at-home lessons, giving him tasks to calm his mind & setting him up for success. After, the group lessons were also incredibly effective, since it gave us a chance to interact with other dogs. I will say, you HAVE to do the homework *every day*. This is a course for owners as much as the dogs. Our dog is so much calmer now; still an incredibly energetic herding dog who needs LOTS of activity, but you can tell how much more collected he is on walks, at the park, or when guests are in our home. This course transformed my dog & we couldn't be happier with the results! Also, dog aside, I really jived with Jeff's communication methods & attendance policies. He was always on time, so I was always on time. The mutual respect of everyone's time was much appreciated.
  • KEN BRANDT
    May. 3, 2024
    Our dog, Rodney, was 5 when he started developing a serious barking problem. This happened when our grandchildren started coming to us for daycare 3 days a week. He was so loud with an almost constant barking that we couldn’t stand it. Finally we found your company. Karen, our weekly trainer, came to the house and worked with us and Rodney to get him back to his normal self. We use the training vibration collar with remote and that almost immediately curbed his loud bark. Karen also helped us keep control during walks with on leash training. We didn’t think an older dog could learn new tricks but this company and staff did it. We’d recommend Dog Training Elite!
Reviews & Testimonials