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Service Dog Training Near You
What makes a dog a service dog? Who can have a service dog, and why? We answer all these questions and more, as well as explain what sets Dog Training Elite Dallas—Fort Worth apart from any other dog training service.
Not all training packages may be available at our Dog Training Elite Dallas—Fort Worth location, please reference our pricing page for complete information on services offered.
Service Dog Training FAQs
What makes a dog a service dog?
Service dogs are dogs that have been specially trained to assist their handler or owner with specific tasks. Dog Training Elite Dallas—Fort Worth trains dogs to assist people with epilepsy, diabetes, PTSD, autism, and various mental illnesses.
Who are service dogs for?
Service dogs are for any individual dealing with a disability that lowers their quality of life. For example, someone who suffers from epilepsy may avoid going out in public due to a fear of falling or other consequences related to seizures. This may inhibit their independence and sense of well-being.
In addition to improving the lives of individuals, service dogs can bring a sense of security to families, such as families with autistic children. Children with autism can often feel isolated and a service dog becomes a 24/7 companion to share experiences with, connect with and love. They can also help children reintegrate into society and connect with others.
Families who have children with autism experience a decrease in stress as they are more able to engage socially in public settings and experience less anxiety at home. A service dog increases safety and has a calming presence that can minimize emotional outbursts, allowing the family to feel more secure and a child with autism to better participate in family activities.
Service dogs are for all individuals or families that are experiencing a decrease in quality of life due to disability.
What kind of training does a service dog need?
Service dog training begins with puppies. Dog Training Elite Dallas—Fort Worth’s service puppy training program works with breeders to adopt puppies that are fully obedience trained by six months and are ready to undergo extensive socialization and additional training to ensure they are well-suited for service and therapy needs.
Then, Dog Training Elite Dallas—Fort Worth places puppies with families or individuals. Further specialized service training takes place alongside the new handler. It generally takes 1-2 years for a service dog to become fully trained.
Service dog training focuses on two main areas: public access behaviors, and how to “do work or perform tasks” that assist with a disability.
Public access behaviors refer to how a service dog acts in public - well-trained service dogs remain calm in public situations and in turn help their handlers to stay calm, and are attuned to any other handler needs.
As for “do work or perform tasks,” the ADA requires that service dogs be trained to take a specific action when needed to assist the person with a disability.
For example, to assist handlers with PTSD, Dog Training Elite Dallas—Fort Worth trains dogs to de-escalate anxiety, wake handlers experiencing night terrors, and so on.
Do service dogs require special certification?
The ADA does not require special certification for service animals. State and local government agencies, businesses and non-profit organizations may not require documentation, such as proof that the animal has been certified, trained or licensed as a service animal, as a condition for entry. Mandatory registration of service animals in the city of residence is also not permissible under the ADA.
However, service animals are not exempt from local animal control or public health requirements, such as vaccinations, or local dog licensing and registration requirements.
Why should I train my service dog with Dog Training Elite Dallas—Fort Worth?
Dog Training Elite Dallas—Fort Worth sets itself apart from other dog training methods by focusing on positive reinforcement with a personalized, in-home approach. This method empowers owners and handlers to be an integral part of the process for sustained dog obedience and service training. For service dogs especially, it is important that handlers be present and involved every step of the way.
The positive reinforcement approach, also referred to as “Classical Conditioning” or the “Pavlovian” model has shown to be more effective with longer lasting results than any other training method.
Dog Training Elite Dallas—Fort Worth does not use punishments or shock collars to break bad habits. Instead, Dog Training Elite Dallas—Fort Worth pairs positive reinforcement training with a vibration electronic collar. An electronic collar is not a shock collar and does not harm the dog. It is used to gain the dog’s attention, similar to a tug on a leash. It is never used as a punishment for bad behavior.
Another unique aspect of training with Dog Training Elite Dallas—Fort Worth is that while most dog training programs train dogs at their own facilities, Dog Training Elite Dallas—Fort Worth specializes in in-home training, customizing training to the dog, its owners and its environment for long-lasting success.
Positive Reinforcement Training
Training takes time, commitment and balance and Dog Training Elite Dallas—Fort Worth is there every step of the way. With Dog Training Elite Dallas—Fort Worth, dogs will learn the highest level of obedience, even in the face of the toughest level of distractions. The positive-reinforcement method focuses on encouraging good behavior through ongoing praise, creating a dog that wants to please from the inside out and creating deep-rooted, sustained obedience as well as a strong bond between dog and owner.
Our Balanced Theory
We base our training around the "Classical Conditioning" model (a.k.a. "Pavlovian" or "respondent conditioning"). This includes developing conditioned or automatic reflexes to commands. In its simplest form (after proper conditioning), when the owner says "sit," the dog automatically sits without thinking about it. Our unique techniques ensure our program is a success no matter what behavior we encounter.
Empowering Owners
We empower owners to train so their dog knows who to obey at all times.
Personalized
We deal with problem behaviors on a personal basis.
Environment Specific
We train wherever issues tend to arise (i.e. jogging, park, home).
Supportive
We support owners in the off-hours (when training is "not in session").
Involved
We work with all members of the household.
Simplified & Customized
We plan training around the owner's schedule and require only 20 min/day follow-up practice.
Continued Training
Additional programs / group sessions offered after in-home training.
Lifetime Investment
We follow up & are invested in the owner's success long-term.
Satisfaction Ratings
Our high client satisfaction rating sets us apart from competitors.
clas·si·cal con·di·tion·ing PSYCHOLOGY noun A learning process that occurs when two stimuli are repeatedly paired; a response that is at first elicited by the second stimulus and is eventually elicited by the first stimulus alone.
We help your dog become a valued companion and beloved member of the family. Read what our customers have to say and then give us a call!
Have to complement Megan on her work. She has done fantastic working with biscuits and teaching me how to work with her as well. I was so proud of this video, I had to share. Biscuits is 17 weeks old Shar-pie, Basset Hound & Pug Blend. Thanks Megan for all your help!— Lindsey Johnson
Posted September 11th 2024
Tori and Jordan have been working with my Malinois Max for 3 weeks now. Within that time we brought a newborn baby home. We have been so amazed with the progress that Dog Training Elite and the trainers have done with Max. He is a completely different dog already. Best investment we have made in a very long time. Thank you so much for your help and patience. -Patrick J Murray Sergeant USMC (Ret)— Patrick Murray
Posted August 14th 2024
😬Animal control was called out to my home . My Bernadoodle tends to take his job of protecting our home a little, (well, maybe a lot) too seriously. So, we hired some trainers out at dog training elite to come and give us some new tools in our training (or lack there of.) 🤗We have a new dog! He is so much fun to be around. A HUGE 🗣️shout out to Tra, Felicity and Yuni Who helped making the dog of our dreams a reality!— Melanie Domen
Posted July 30th 2024
Tori has an amazing way of helping both me and my Winnie. She is so knowledgeable and great with our girl.— Elinor Albin
Posted June 20th 2024
Tori was an amazing trainer with my dog Clark!! We learned so much together! We really appreciate her expertise and patience!!— Laura Riggs
Posted June 19th 2024
After rescuing a very large and VERY REACTIVE Labrador we knew we needed help getting his reacitvity under control before any training would be effective. After trying a standard 6 week program elsewhere, it was clear our dog's reactivity needed some expert focus. After significant research there was a clear standout option - Dog Training Elite Frisco. I reached out and spoke to Kelly who was very knowledgeable, listening to all of my concerns carefully and answering all of my questions specific to our needs. We immediately signed up for the free assessment. From the initial free assessment with Tra we knew we were in the right place. Through Tra's demostration and work in that 90 mins, we learned so much about our dog and witnessed the professional expertise we knew was needed. We did not hesitate to sign up then and there. Most of our training sessions were with Kyler who was excellent in ever way! Very knowledgeable, very quick to think of alternatives approaches if something wasn't working. Always had a solution or a tweak to the process to meet our dog's specific challenges and forthcoming with feedback for me as the owner/trainer for my dog. Dependable, patient, focused, clearly expert and professional all the way! We also had a couple of sessions with Felicity when Kyler was not available and she was awesome as well! Super nice, very knowledgeable, fun, and again, always had a solution or tweak for our dogs specific needs. We needed help with integrating our dog with our son's dog as they were very reactive to each other and both Tra and Kyler made it happen! This was a game changer for our family ! We now go every week to group sessions led by Kyler which are fun and extremely beneficial to our dog's ongoing socialization, focus, and perfect for reinforcement of training with distractions. Kyler makes it fun and is always challenging the dogs each in the way he knows they need to be challenged. Overall I can't say enough about this program and all of these trainers! Highly recommend this team - they are worth every penny!— Kelly Bell
Posted June 7th 2024
Great staff with a ton of knowledge and our experience couldn’t have been better. Ive had the pleasure of working with Felicity & Kyler. Both very knowledgeable and fun to work with. I cant thank the team enough. Special shout out to Kelly. Kelly wears many different hats. From receptionist, scheduler, trainer and yes videographer lol. Got some great videos that will last a lifetime. Tra & Yuni are okay too. Only teasing! These two run an amazing operation and I’ve had the pleasure of meeting both of them. Couldn’t ask for a better team! Brandon says hi!— Michael Connors
Posted May 16th 2024
When your dogs best friend, other than his parents, is his trainer,Kyler…, you know you are working with the right company. Dog Training Elite and Kyler came into our lives and not only did amazing with Senna’s puppy training. Kyler also observed and knew that Senna was meant to have a greater job in life, Therapy Dog. We continued Senna’s training with Kyler and Senna now goes to work with Mama, as a Therapy Dog for children with Autism and other developmental disabilities. Thank you Kyler for helping us have the Bestest Boy!!! Not only have you taught us how to work with him to reach his highest potential but you and Dog Training Elite have become part of our family.— Laura Iglesias (Lozano)
Posted May 15th 2024
I’m a first time dog owner and came across dog training elite on google. I saw Kyler was a veteran like myself and I highly recommend him. He’s and excellent trainer and explained everything well for me— sam
Posted May 15th 2024
I highly recommend Kyler W., he’s amazing, good with communication and it’s great seeing a fellow veteran handling dogs!— Angel G.
Posted May 15th 2024
Kyler Wittwer has the heart to work with dogs. Gentle. Yet, firm. My 5 dogs are ranch dogs and don’t really take to people. Kyler is amazing with them. I have 1 dog that’s frightened of storms, Kyler soothed her little soul. Kyler is amazing! And I wouldn’t trust anyone to train my dogs than him.— Jenni Lee
Posted May 15th 2024
I worked with Kyler from Dog Training Elite and he was amazing. My dog was very reactive towards other dogs and scared of people. Since working with Kyler, her confidence has grown immensely. Kyler was very patient with my dog while working with her. He also helped me a ton on how I should be interacting with her and expectations. Not only did he help in Katie’s training, but mine as well! She went from barely knowing sit to now knowing all the basics and how to heel. It’s like night a day and I am so appreciative! Definitely worth working with him and dog training elite! She is a much happier, confident, well behaved dog!— Ashley Nagy
Posted May 15th 2024
Kyler was so helpful with my little Sofia! As a German shepherd she was reactive and almost impossible to walk around the neighborhood. Now with Kyler’s persistence and determination I can take my sweet girl anywhere I go. Thank you Kyler for your kind help and patience as we navigated these issues!— Anika Martin
Posted May 15th 2024
"Kyler at Dog Training Elite Frisco deserves every bit of a 5-star review! His expertise, patience, and dedication truly shine through in his training methods. Our furry friend has made remarkable progress under his guidance. Highly recommend!"— Uptown Window Cleaning
Posted May 15th 2024
Kyler and Dog Training Elite has made a huge difference in our Doberman puppy. We learned the skills we needed to make sure that he could have a safe and happy with our other dogs. He is such a big dog and so friendly. Sometimes he would get too excited and cross the line to being dangerous for the other dogs (who are little). Our puppy both loves and respects Kyler. We continue to take part in the group classes and our puppy is so excited to be there. It continues to give us the consistency of training and support if we have any questions.— Carly DuCharme
Posted May 15th 2024
Elite dog training is the best place to take your dog. Kyler has trained 2 of our dogs. I like that he focuses on rewarding good behavior rather than punishing bad behavior. Kyler can address a wide range of behaviors. We will not take our dogs anywhere else.— Nicole Benker
Posted May 15th 2024
Kyler has been absolutely amazing with our one year old German shepherd. Unlike many other trainers I’ve encountered, he always has a proper answer to any of our questions or concerns. We have seen noticeable progression in our dogs obedience in just a few weeks. 10/10 recommend.— Akash Bhanti
Posted May 15th 2024
Kyler has been wonderful in getting our 1 year old German Shepherd to improve her obedience and behaviors! We’ve seen a clear difference. He works well with our availability and tailors each session to our needs. His confidence in our pup, grows our confidence too.— Brittany DeMarco
Posted May 15th 2024
These guys are great! After using multiple away-from-home trainers, we finally called Kyler at Dog Training Elite. In just 3 sessions we are already seeing huge improvements. They know their stuff and they teach you in a way where you can continue the improvments when you're on your own. If my wife lets me get another dog, he'll be trained by these guys too! Highly recommend them!— Alex Roostaei
Posted May 15th 2024
Great people. Kyler has been working with my dog Koda. Koda is alway excited to see Kyler. He is awesome, he has been so patient with both Koda and the family. Thanks to Kyler we have the dog we have always wanted . Well behaved and does great around others.— David Benker
Posted May 15th 2024