FAQs

Dog Training Elite in Denver, CO

Frequently Asked Questions

General
One of our trainers will visit your home to meet you and your dog and discuss any issues you're facing. We will then demonstrate one of our model dogs so you can see what you can expect after hiring our trainers. From there, we will discuss the various packages we offer and which we feel best suit your (and your dog's) needs.
The answer to this is in how the technology of "shock" collars (as they were called in the past) has changed a lot since they originated several years ago. The stimulation in the electronic collars we use is much like a TENS unit and provides a tapping sensation that is used to get the dog's attention on a very low level. We use a brand called Dogtra. We do not use "shock" collars, but electronic collars employed by the top obedience trainers around the world and in Denver.
No. We use electronic collars to get the dogs attention only. When you work around distractions (which is one of our main focuses), keeping your dog's attention is paramount. The collar, combined with positive reinforcement (we like to use praise), help create a positive learning environment in Denver for your dog.
In most cases, the collar will run at about $250, without tax, but is subject to market fluctuation in Denver.
No, but your dog will wear it a lot in the beginning. The objective is to create a conditioned response with your dog; meaning that when you say 'sit', your dog sits automatically without thinking about it first. Much like Pavlov's Dogs or Pavlovian Conditioning, we create a reflex response to you giving a command using the electronic collar. That being said, after your dog is "collar-conditioned", you will be able to remove the collar and still have a dog that will be obedient.
We provide full obedience training that covers all basic commands, both on and off-leash. Our in-home visits target specific issues like counter-surfing, digging, and more. Unlike some trainers, we work with all breeds, including those often considered challenging.
Yes. You (and anyone in your family who wants to be involved) are integral to your dog getting trained. We need you to practice 5-6 days a week, about 15-20 minutes a day for optimal results.
Once a week. We come to you (with the silver, gold and platinum packages) once a week to start your dog off, then you come to park sessions which are held once a week in Denver.
To effectively resolve specific issues, we need to start with a solid foundation in obedience. This approach helps you become a confident leader for your dog, which is key to addressing and preventing behavioral problems.
Nope. Those are dangerous grounds to tread upon. We'd much rather train a vicious dog!
We train dogs of all breeds, sizes, and temperaments. Whether your dog is a tiny Chihuahua or a large Mastiff, we have the experience and expertise to work with them.
Yes. Working with and controlling aggression is one of our specialties in Denver.
We focus on training companion dogs for veterans and individuals with PTSD and other psychological conditions. In addition to service animals, we also train therapy dogs that visit hospitals, nursing homes, and treatment centers.
To be a service dog, your dog needs to have an even temperament. Golden Retrievers, Labrador Retrievers, Standard Poodles, Goldendoodles, etc. typically have a great temperament for service work. For some types of service work, your dog will need to have AKC certifications (such as Canine Good Citizen or Community Canine) which we are able to certify. As always, we would be happy to assess your dog's aptitude for service work for free!
Yes, we do offer personal protection training in Denver.
To be a personal protection dog, your dog will need to have some "drives" that can be utilized for the work. Generally, prey drive is the key drive that we look for (ie, chasing a tennis ball or going after a tug), but there are several forms that we can utilize. Your dog does not have to be vicious! We want your dog to be a great family dog first, then we need its obedience perfected; only then will we work on personal protection. Of course, we would be happy to assess your dog for free!

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!

About Dog Training Elite Denver

Dog Training Elite Denver - Meet Our Elite Team. Dog Training Elite Denver
Meet the Team
Get to know the dedicated professionals behind Dog Training Elite Denver. Our team of experienced trainers is passionate about helping dogs and their owners build strong, lasting bonds. Learn about their backgrounds, expertise, and what drives them to deliver the highest level of training in the industry.
Dog Training Elite Denver - Customer Reviews. Hear from Happy Dog Training Elite Denver Clients
Reviews
Our testimonials showcase the success stories of dogs and their owners who have benefited from our training programs. From basic obedience to advanced service dog training, see how Dog Training Elite Denver has transformed the lives of countless dogs and their families!
Dog Training Elite Denver - Careers. Dog Training Elite Denver
Careers
Join the Dog Training Elite Denver family! If you’re passionate about dogs and interested in making a difference, explore career opportunities with us. We are always looking for dedicated individuals who share our commitment to excellence in dog training and customer service. Discover how you can grow with us and become a part of a team that truly cares about dogs and their owners.
Dog Training Elite Denver - Our Gallery. Dog Training Elite in Denver, CO
Gallery
Our gallery features photos and videos of dogs in training, successful graduates, and highlights from community events. See what Dog Training Elite Denver can offer your dog and get a glimpse of the work we’re passionate about.
Dog Training Elite Denver - Local Dog Trainers in Denver, CO. DTE
In the Community
At Dog Training Elite Denver, we’re proud to be an active part of the community we serve. Check out recent events in our area where we’ve had the privilege to participate in local events, support fellow small businesses, and promote responsible dog ownership.

Hear From Our Customers

Learn Why Dog owners choose Dog Training Elite

  • NICOLE RODRIGUEZ
    Oct. 28, 2024
    Fantastic place for dog training and worth the money.
  • ST
    Oct. 24, 2024
    WE LOVE DOG TRAINING ELITE DENVER! Before I go into how successful our time has been with my puppy's obedience and service training, I'd like to respond to a negative review I was beyond shocked to see. This review was from "Chelsea Trouten" listed a day ago. I'm not typically one to post, but felt it was necessary to protect the integrity of a hardworking, local, family business who has done SO much good for community members, including myself. I was present at the group training session where she accused the owner, Bert Ballard, of being abusive to her dog "with the e-collar." Her detailed accusation couldn't have been further from the truth. Chelsea's dog Leo was struggling severely during group class and it was evident that she was struggling to calm him, but that's okay...learning how to navigate/change these behaviors is why training like this exists. It wasn't until Leo aggressively went after my dog, that Bert decided to step away from the class and focus his attention on Leo. I watched the entire interaction. He was understanding, calm, helpful to Leo, and reassuring to the handler. After some work, Leo's behavior leveled out, and at the end of class I heard Chelsea go as far as *thanking* Bert and Sarah for all their help. Zero abuse. It's a shame that a one star, exaggerated and dishonest review can hurt the future of a small business. At the end of the day, Dog Training Elite Denver gets 5 stars from me and my boyfriend. My puppy is well on her way to becoming a service dog, all thanks to the hours of training these knowledgeable professionals put into each session. We love DTE and highly recommend them to everyone who is in need of training for their dog. Special shout out to Bert, Sarah, Adria and Jared. We appreciate the work you do.
  • Janine Barrett
    Aug. 30, 2024
    Dedicated trainers with wonderful customer service.
  • John Heister
    Jul. 21, 2024
    Excellent staff who is very knowledgeable and caring of you and your dog. You do have to pra tice though i it won't stick
  • Heather Kennedy
    Jun. 8, 2024
    We have been having an incredible experience with Dog Training Elite with our high energy Aussie. Our goal is to make him a therapy dog and after a ton of research, I landed on Dog Training Elite. There were some scheduling issues in the beginning, however they acknowledged this area of opportunity and were transparent with some turnover in their scheduling department. This has since not been an issue and our Aussie has been progressing so well through the program. Fallon is the BEST trainer. She explains each command and demo in a way we fully understand so we can be confident and successful. I can’t recommend this company enough. It is on the expensive side, but you get what you pay for. Nothing compares to seeing my reactive, high energy Aussie become confident in our relationship and learning so fast!
  • Kristin C.
    Jun. 5, 2024
    I love DTE, they have done so much for us and I can’t thank them enough.
  • suzy messina
    Apr. 2, 2024
    We live in Palm City FL to they are based next to us in Fort Pierce and the area. Shelly was amazing !! We just completed training for our 1 year old Bull Mastiff and our 2 year old French Mastiff (Dogue) and will start attending some group trainings/meetings. Our dogs are no longer pulling and jumping up on people and she taught us the techniques that WE need to be the best dog parents for them. We highly recommend Dog Training Elite - be sure not to mistake them from other companies with similar names. It was worth every penny and knowing also that going forward Dog Training Elite (and Shelly) are there for us and our pups.
  • TRACIE ROSSMAN
    Mar. 20, 2024
    Working miracles with my Cane Corso
  • Bailey Oteri
    Feb. 25, 2024
    Absolutely love the folk here, they have made such a big difference in mine and my dog’s life and he’s not even done with his training program yet. They clearly love what they do and take such good care of the dogs and want the best for every single one! I have recommended them to everyone I know for both dog training and service dog training.
  • Terry Restorick
    Feb. 4, 2024
    Great place to have your bog trained
  • Adam Inman
    Dec. 31, 2023
    I'm very fortunate to be able to see the well-trained dogs that get trained here.
  • Caroline Vangi
    Nov. 20, 2023
    I brought my rescue dog, Logan, to DTE after we have been struggling with some pretty severe anxiety and fear aggression. While Logan and I both still has a lot to work on and learn, the trainers at DTE have given us the tools to work through Logan’s issues. Even though I currently go to veterinary school out of the country, I have never had a problem reaching out to DTE for help. They are always very quick to respond and always willing to set up a phone call where I can tell them what I’m concerned about and they help develop a plan to help overcome what ever the issue is. I feel like people believe that they can drop their dog off at the trainer and get a completely different dog back at the end of the day. The truth is that having a well trained dog takes time and dedication. The trainer’s just help build the foundation for the owners to expand on. DTE has given me the necessary tools to help my boy be as happy and safe as he can be and I know that it is now my job to use those tools to make it all worth it. I would recommend DTE to anyone with a dog and especially to anyone with a dog with any kind of behavioral issues.
  • Alyssa McCluskey
    Nov. 15, 2023
    Can't say enough wonderful things about this company. They helped my 14 yr old son train his service dog starting at 16 weeks. Each trainer we worked with was extremely friendly and patient with my son. They are very knowledgeable about everything to do with having a service dog (including helping me, the mom, what all the dog could and should do). They answered all our questions and helped us navigate the school system. They even have a monthly airport training so we did a 'trial' run before flying. From private sessions through the group classes, we always had great support and never felt like we were a bother. The trainers are great, the owners are wonderful. I highly recommend DTE to all my friends.
  • Claire Janet
    Oct. 31, 2023
    Went here for the dog open house haunted house. It was really cute and we had a great time. I would consider coming to this to get my dog trained, but something didn’t feel right. There was a guy, presumably, one of the owners of the company, walking around ominously with several guns and knifes hanging off him. I’m a gun girl, so normally this would not bother me, but it just kind of gave me a creepy vibe and made the experience quite uncomfortable for me and obviously other potential customers there too. I understand everyone has a right to carry fire arms, and if it is your own business, you may choose to carry then as well, but it seemed weird for an open house, where they are trying to attract customers.
  • Alexa T.
    May. 23, 2023
    I highly recommended Dog Training Elite Denver for all training needs. I have trained 3 dogs through their service animal program with great success and have first hand the efficacy of their method in resolving all types of behavioral issues. On top of everything, the DTE Denver team has provided over the top personalized support through every challenge I have faced with my precious pups. I’m a big fan - to say the absolute least!
  • Catherine Kaminski
    May. 22, 2023
    DTE-Denver truly lives up to their tagline. They absolutely are the last dog trainers you'll ever need. I found DTE-Denver after my Goldendoodle was certified as a therapy dog through another trainer, but I didn't feel that her behavior was as reliable as I wanted it to be in order to to feel safe with students in my classroom. After 4 months of training with DTE, my pup passed her therapy test and is as reliable off-leash as she is on-leash. We love all of you at DTE-Denver! Thank you for changing our lives and the lives of the students Kona will continue to help for years to come!
  • Tiffany Cody
    Apr. 13, 2023
    The Ballards have changed my life by training my dog and I to be the best team we can be! If you are looking for service dog training, I would highly recommend. DTE’s training program works fast and it sticks! Han Solo and I have so much fun at group classes. They make things fun and structured. You are not only training your dog! You are finding a like minded community to support you in the process. ☀️That’s a beautiful thing ☀️ Thank you guys for being such a compassionate company!! 5 stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
  • Mar. 1, 2023
    The Ballards and their staff are amazing people! They truly have become part of our family. They have helped change two of my sons lives raising, training and loving their service dogs. I will 100% use their services for all current and future training needs and recommend anyone who wants top notch training to use them as well.
  • Iveria Lorenz
    Feb. 11, 2023
    I would give 5 stars and more if I could. Great people that care about pets first. I can’t wait for my son go through certification;)
  • Betsy Barron
    Feb. 4, 2023
    My pup loves going here, and she is learning so much! Our other two dogs also do in home obedience and have learned so much and become such better listeners after working with the trainers from DTE.

Team Bios Coming Soon

A well-trained DTE dog on a surfboard.
Dog Training Elite Denver light star icon.

Educate, Empower, Elevate, Elite

Unleash Your Dog's Potential

Photo Gallery

See An Elite Dog in Action