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Military / Retired Vet Programs

Dog Training Elite in Cleveland Metro

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

Dog Training Elite

Military Veteran Service Dog Training in Cleveland, OH

At Dog Training Elite in Cleveland Metro, 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 Cleveland, OH.

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 Cleveland, OH for those who have served our country.

Dog Training Elite in Cleveland Metro

Why We Offer Service Dog Training for Military Veterans

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At Dog Training Elite in Cleveland Metro, we are passionate about helping military veterans through the support of service dogs. We offer specialized service dog training options in Cleveland, 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 Cleveland Metro.

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. Malinois: Belgian Malinois are known for their deep loyalty and intelligence. Malinois are not for everyone due to their energy and drive, but for retired veterans who appreciate discipline, structure, and a deep connection, they can be life-changing companions.

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!

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See An Elite Dog in Action

A service dog and his veteran owner - Dog Training Elite in Cleveland Metro.

Our Veteran Service Dog Training in Cleveland, OH

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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 Cleveland Metro.

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

  • Barbara Barresi
    Sep. 22, 2025
    Kevin and Andrea at Dog Training Elite, plus their team, helped us reach our goal to have Tucker become a therapy dog!
  • Heather Cappy
    Sep. 17, 2025
    We LOVED everything! We have a lab that is going to be very big, and wanted to nip training in the butt! We could tell a difference in just two days! Everyone did an amazing job training our dog Bruno! Bruno was excited to go to training and would start waging his tail as soon as we pulled in, which showed the love and care they gave him while training! I highly recommend!!!!!
  • TJ
    Sep. 17, 2025
    I can’t say enough good things about my experience with Dog Training Elite Greater Cleveland. From the very first session, the trainers brought a calm, confident energy that helped both me and my dog feel at ease. Their collective knowledge and professionalism really stood out, and their consistency across sessions made it easy to build momentum and trust the process. What impressed me most was how patient, understanding, and encouraging each trainer was—especially when my dog had those high-energy, impulsive moments. The basic obedience lessons were clear, effective, and adaptable to real-life situations. The whole experience felt structured but never rigid, and always supportive. If you’re serious about results and want trainers who truly care about both you and your dog, this is the team to work with. Easily the best dog training experience I’ve had in the Cleveland area.
  • Jill Petras
    Sep. 11, 2025
    Kevin was excellent with our dog. His directions for her and us were very clear. Our dog really learned a lot during these lessons. I would highly recommend his service.
  • Kay Rose
    Sep. 4, 2025
    DTE is fantastic! Our pup was resource guarding and bit my wife and I. We have grandchildren and this behavior was unacceptable. We were devastated as we thought we would have to rehome her. I began searching for resources and contacted DTE. Hailey came and did an in home evaluation. She was knowledgeable and honest. Despite the cost, it has been worth every penny! We now have a well trained dog that no longer resource guards. DTE is knowledgeable, patient and kind as they want what is best for your dog and you. All of the trainers that worked with our Holly were exceptional. Hailey was Holly’s primary trainer and we can’t thank her enough for saving us and our pup. No matter how many times we asked the same question or needed a review of a command she was 100% engaged and helpful. We highly recommend Dog Training Elite Greater Cleveland to anyone looking for friendly, effective dog training. Thank you for all of your dedication and hard work!!
  • Giovanna Ciaravino
    Aug. 30, 2025
    The team at Dog Training Elite Greater Cleveland demonstrated remarkable kindness, patience, professionalism, and sense of humor, making the dog training experience both enjoyable and informative expertly guiding our dog through Basic obedience lessons. As a dog owner, it was comforting to have a patient and knowledgeable Dog behavior expert working with my aggressive dog towards achieving necessary skills to take him out in public. Josh was extremely knowledgeable in answering many of my questions and patient with my dog’s progression and my family members while learning how to train my dog. Truly if it wasn’t for Dog Training Elite my dog would be in a very tough spot. With this organization I felt confident in my dog and am very proud of the progress we have made! I highly recommend this dog training especially for aggressive dogs that are deemed intolerable.
  • Jack Johnston
    Aug. 29, 2025
    The Dog Trainer at Dog Training Elite Greater Cleveland was extremely professional, knowledgeable, and patient, fostering a supportive environment that helped my dog thrive during basic obedience lessons and in-home training. Her kind approach and expert guidance earned her a reputation as a reliable Dog behavior expert and top-notch Service Dog Trainer in the Cleveland area.
  • Laura Stephens
    Aug. 29, 2025
    Dog Training Elite Greater Cleveland's trainers exude patience, kindnes, and expertise, all of which transformed my unsocialized, wild animal of a 13 wk old mini schnauzer that I couldn't even get a leash or collar on when we got him, into a "walking through the park" on a loose leash dream. The transformation is nothing short of a miracle. I highly recommend Elite. Everyone on their staff is absolutely amazing!
  • Margaret Sohnlein
    Aug. 21, 2025
    Our puppy Charlie had an amazing experience at Dog Training Elite! We can’t believe how much he learned in his two week training camp. Thank you to all of his wonderful trainers!!
  • Laycee Wojo
    Aug. 15, 2025
    Loved this experience and getting to learn more about my dog and train her the correct way, working with Dog training elite has brought me closer to my dog and understanding the correct methods on how to train them without hurting them. Thank you Dog training elite for a wonderful experience!
  • Cali Fleming
    Aug. 15, 2025
    Karly taught us that excited praise motivates our food driven pup better than any treats!
  • Fahmi Adam
    Aug. 15, 2025
    Kevin specializes in service dog training and helped us understand our golden retriever's amazing potential.
  • Ulfatul Hamidah
    Aug. 14, 2025
    (Translated by Google) The dog is so cute, I really want to keep a dog but I'm Muslim 😭😭 pretending to be cute 😘😘 (Original) Anjing nya lucu bgtt,saya pengen bgt memelihara anjing tapi saya islamm😭😭sok cuteee 😘😘
  • Dina Shasi
    Aug. 14, 2025
    Josh quickly changed separation anxiety using techniques that address root causes.
  • Hayes Browning
    Aug. 14, 2025
    Hayley taught us excited praise motivates better than any food treats 🦴
  • Reed Benson
    Aug. 13, 2025
    Hayley quickly changed jumping behavior, taught us effective prevention techniques completely.
  • Nabilla Naser
    Aug. 12, 2025
    Hayley taught us patience works, consistency is key to training success.
  • Siti Rohmah Nurhasanah
    Aug. 12, 2025
    Hayley and team are incredible, service dog training expertise is unmatched!
  • Lance Matthews
    Jan. 31, 2025
    The team at Dog Training Elite are very effective and knowledgeable. They go the extra mile to make certain you understand and possess the skills needed to maintain the trained tasks for your family member. The patience, encouragement, kindness, cleanliness, and effectiveness of Dog Training Elite Greater Cleveland is truly exceptional, making it easy to follow along with all of their tasks & obedience lessons as well as their tailored instructions for my pet. My pet was additionally trained for specific tasks needed for my home care as well as care in public as a Working Service Dog; which is needed for myself. As a result, I've seen significant improvement in my dog's behavior under the guidance of a Master Dog Trainer whom specializes in Service Dog Training and is knowledgeable in In-home training methods. I would like to personally thank Josh Lopez and Team for their professionalism and genuine care/concern for the effectiveness and skills we’ve learned thru the process!!!!
  • Deborah M
    Aug. 5, 2025
    I was impressed with the patience, knowledge, consistency, and compassion exhibited by the dog trainers at Dog Training Elite Greater Cleveland throughout my dog's basic obedience lessons, remarking on the expert guidance provided by their certified Dog trainer. Thanks to their helpful communication and tailored In-home dog training, I witnessed significant improvements in my dog's behavior, as well as her brother. He is a very nervous dog, but everytime Hayley came in to work with my girl, my other dog just started doing all the commands playing copy cat. He does not like people outside his family, but became good buddies with her. Elite Dog training is a trustworthy resource for dog owners seeking top-notch Service Dog Training.