A service dog and their owner outside - find elite service dog training in Greenville / Spartanburg, SC with Dog Training Elite.

Professional

Service Dog Training

Dog Training Elite Upstate SC

Request Free Assessment


Request Free Assessment


Our Service Dog Training Could Help:

Veterans or civilians with PTSD, anxiety, or depression
Children or adults with autism
Individuals with epilepsy
Advanced medical training (participating locations)

Dog Training Elite Upstate SC

Service Dog Training in Greenville / Spartanburg, SC

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 Greenville / Spartanburg, SC, 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.

See Training Packages
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


Read More
Read Less

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.

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!

Hear From Our Customers

Learn Why Dog owners choose Dog Training Elite

  • Naveya Planas
    Apr. 25, 2025
    We got Misfit a couple of months ago and we had trouble managing his unruly teenager behavior. He liked things to go his way or he wasn't doing it. With DTE Misfit and I learned to work together to achieve better communication. His manners are getting better and he seems happier now that we have clear boundaries and he can work. We are so thankful for DTE and we can't recommend them enough! I look forward to working with my other dogs with them in the future!
  • Erin Morton
    Apr. 25, 2025
    I am so proud of my puppy Palmer and appreciate you all and all yall have done SO much! I can truly see a difference and am so excited to continue to see her progress. We can't wait for group classes 🥰💛🤩
  • Caitlin Sexton
    Feb. 1, 2022
    If you’re in the Greenville area and need dog training, this is who you need! I’ve known Elizabeth and Jared for years and they’re wonderful people to work with! Here are our two dogs when sofas were getting delivered, with two strangers in the house, the door wide open, and they didn't move or bark. The delivery men couldn't believe it.
  • Michelle Roth
    Apr. 18, 2025
    The people who came to our home, were always so loving & caring with our Skylar. She wouldn’t do much of anything that we told her before Dog Training Elite. Now she is on her way to being great service dog for our blind & autistic son. Thanks to everyone at DTE who has helped in making Skylar the best that she can be!!! (In the picture, our Skylar is on the right.)
  • Cpl Runner
    Apr. 16, 2025
    Amazing group! They train the pups and the people. Full of knowledge and tools that are helping me get one step closer to having my pup as a certified service dog.
  • Tricia Nolan
    Apr. 15, 2025
    This team of dog trainers is outstanding! Our dog was aggressive and anxious,; now she is capable of following commands, and is completely off her anxiety medicine! Our family highly recommends Dog Training Elite.
  • Yuxuan
    Apr. 5, 2025
    They're very informative and helpful on the phone!
  • Michael Rowland
    Apr. 4, 2025
    I have always worried about getting my puppy properly trained. Dog Training Elite made it easy. They are AMAZING people who truly care for the dogs. I couldn’t have done any of this without their team and their processes. I HIGHLY recommend Dog Training Elite to anyone!!!!
  • Amy Kilarski
    Mar. 24, 2025
    We adopted Mazie (3 year old lab mix) in February. Introductions to our older dog became increasingly aggressive. We were afraid we made the wrong decision bringing another dog home. We called Dog Training Elite and they were able to come to our home to get started very quickly. After a week of day camp, we saw huge improvements in Mazie and we began to feel more confident. We still have more we want to accomplish but I am truly amazed at how far she has come in such a short time. Mazie has become a beloved part of our family and now there is peace in our home. We would not be here without the guidance from all of the talented and caring trainers.
  • Terry Reck
    Mar. 23, 2025
    We have completely loved our experience with Dog Training Elite! Not only the progress we have seen in our dog Brodie, (The method plain works.) but also in every interaction with every staff member. Every member of staff was wonderful, and took an active interest in our dog and his progress. If you have a dog that needs some training, do yourself a favor and give Dog Training Elite a call today.
  • William Hancox
    Mar. 21, 2025
    We are truly surprised with the progress our dog, Louie has made at Dog Training Elite. We were a little skeptical in the beginning but now very enthusiastic in training our Louie. We can't wait to see what Louie will learn tomorrow. Plus, the trainers are truly animal lovers and it shows in their fantastic results.
  • Maria Hancox
    Mar. 21, 2025
    We are very happy and proud of the work that you do with our Louie, excited for continuing working with you all, very professional and at the same time lovely with our puppy. Thank you for your passion and good work.🙏💝🐩🐕‍🦺🐾
  • Ally Cothran
    Mar. 19, 2025
    My husband and I brought our first family puppy Dolly, a golden retriever, to the amazing team when she was 12 weeks old. Initial puppy training made an immediate impact and we signed up for Advanced Training at 16/17 weeks old. Dolly understands and responds to every command she learned and we continue to see her skills improve. All of the trainers and experts are truly dog-lovers, so the mix of expertise and love is impactful. Every time we met a new trainer we were impressed at how much we loved each unique personality and approach. We are so thankful we found this amazing business. We are seriously considering making Dolly a therapy dog and continuing to invest in her development. Most of all, we are so thankful we can integrate Dolly safely and lovingly into her family faster because of her new skills!
  • Steven Hopkins
    Mar. 19, 2025
    We have had such a great experience with Dog Training Elite!! All the trainers have been great and very personable! They have come in and worked great/fit in with our family! Some have brought their dogs which helps with distractions for the training and getting to work with the training sessions help us be confident to continue the training through the week! Rocky has done great with the training and we are on our way to having a well behaved dog!
  • James Lehmann
    Mar. 11, 2025
    We have had 3 trainers for Honey and she has come a long way. She is a very intelligent, hard headed , athletic dog. She knew commands like come and no but she made the decision to obey or not. She has learned that her humans make the decisions. She has progressed from the attitude of a 2yo human to a 4yo. The trainers were very professional and good instructors for both Honey and her hoomans.
  • Denson Crisler
    Feb. 26, 2025
    If I could give this place 6 stars I would! Amazing staff, super sweet and personable. They truly work wonders for all dogs. My dog is super stubborn as a puppy and I was so shocked at the progress he’s made in the past few weeks. Would recommend to anyone!
  • Kernell Austin
    Feb. 26, 2025
    When I first started I was skeptical but now I am a firm believer they are really good at what they do they are so respectable I appreciate my time with them good luck Dog Training Elite) !!!!!
  • Jordyn Thompson-Russell
    Feb. 18, 2025
    I wish I could give more than 5 stars because they truly deserve it! Our sweet boy, Royal, was extremely reactive to people and dogs, which kept our family on constant alert and even prevented us from inviting guests into our home. Before training, he would bark, growl, and lunge at people and dogs. I was almost afraid they wouldn't be able to train him because of this. From the start, even just calling and talking to one of the trainers about Royal and his behavior gave us hope that they could help us. We decided that the camp was the best way for Royal to get the training he needed, and it has truly changed our lives. We got an update on the first day that he was able to be off-leash and not muzzled, which was so exciting for us to hear. Royal is becoming more confident in himself and his ability to listen and obey commands. I'm kind of in awe that this is the same dog. The trainers had excellent communication, and it's so obvious that they love what they do. It was awesome to hear about his other campmates and their progress as well. I can't recommend Dog Training Elite Upstate enough.
  • Mimi Greene
    Feb. 14, 2025
    Caring, competent professionals. We just finished our in-home training and couldn’t be happier! Rooney has gone from a good dog to a great dog! Highly recommend!
  • Laura Cannon
    Feb. 14, 2025
    It has been an absolutely incredible journey with Dog Training Elite Upstate SC and every single trainer who worked with my dog Fenris (3 yo German Shepherd). I 10 star recommend them if you're looking at training for your dog. A little about Fenris. Prior to coming to them for help, Fenris had been through two other training programs and numerous vet session. I love my dog but was at my wits end! He was extremely nervous all the time and was still incredibly reactive to other dogs. To the point of me being uneasy and having to restrain him on walks at the sight of another dog. As we started training with the team here, Fen made improvements every single course. The trainers started slowly to build our bond and Fens confidence. Then they brought other dogs to work alongside him, moving at his pace. By the end of our one on one sessions, Fen was able to sit in a room with 3 other dogs with zero reactivity. He's able to understand I've got him. He is much more confident and obedient without changing his personality. When I say this development made me nearly cry! I am so over the moon with the results! We can't wait to join group classes in the future. A huge thank you to every trainer that has been part of Fen's journey.
  • Naveya Planas
    Apr. 25, 2025
    We got Misfit a couple of months ago and we had trouble managing his unruly teenager behavior. He liked things to go his way or he wasn't doing it. With DTE Misfit and I learned to work together to achieve better communication. His manners are getting better and he seems happier now that we have clear boundaries and he can work. We are so thankful for DTE and we can't recommend them enough! I look forward to working with my other dogs with them in the future!
  • Erin Morton
    Apr. 25, 2025
    I am so proud of my puppy Palmer and appreciate you all and all yall have done SO much! I can truly see a difference and am so excited to continue to see her progress. We can't wait for group classes 🥰💛🤩
  • Caitlin Sexton
    Feb. 1, 2022
    If you’re in the Greenville area and need dog training, this is who you need! I’ve known Elizabeth and Jared for years and they’re wonderful people to work with! Here are our two dogs when sofas were getting delivered, with two strangers in the house, the door wide open, and they didn't move or bark. The delivery men couldn't believe it.
  • Michelle Roth
    Apr. 18, 2025
    The people who came to our home, were always so loving & caring with our Skylar. She wouldn’t do much of anything that we told her before Dog Training Elite. Now she is on her way to being great service dog for our blind & autistic son. Thanks to everyone at DTE who has helped in making Skylar the best that she can be!!! (In the picture, our Skylar is on the right.)
  • Cpl Runner
    Apr. 16, 2025
    Amazing group! They train the pups and the people. Full of knowledge and tools that are helping me get one step closer to having my pup as a certified service dog.
  • Tricia Nolan
    Apr. 15, 2025
    This team of dog trainers is outstanding! Our dog was aggressive and anxious,; now she is capable of following commands, and is completely off her anxiety medicine! Our family highly recommends Dog Training Elite.
  • Yuxuan
    Apr. 5, 2025
    They're very informative and helpful on the phone!
  • Michael Rowland
    Apr. 4, 2025
    I have always worried about getting my puppy properly trained. Dog Training Elite made it easy. They are AMAZING people who truly care for the dogs. I couldn’t have done any of this without their team and their processes. I HIGHLY recommend Dog Training Elite to anyone!!!!
  • Amy Kilarski
    Mar. 24, 2025
    We adopted Mazie (3 year old lab mix) in February. Introductions to our older dog became increasingly aggressive. We were afraid we made the wrong decision bringing another dog home. We called Dog Training Elite and they were able to come to our home to get started very quickly. After a week of day camp, we saw huge improvements in Mazie and we began to feel more confident. We still have more we want to accomplish but I am truly amazed at how far she has come in such a short time. Mazie has become a beloved part of our family and now there is peace in our home. We would not be here without the guidance from all of the talented and caring trainers.
  • Terry Reck
    Mar. 23, 2025
    We have completely loved our experience with Dog Training Elite! Not only the progress we have seen in our dog Brodie, (The method plain works.) but also in every interaction with every staff member. Every member of staff was wonderful, and took an active interest in our dog and his progress. If you have a dog that needs some training, do yourself a favor and give Dog Training Elite a call today.
  • William Hancox
    Mar. 21, 2025
    We are truly surprised with the progress our dog, Louie has made at Dog Training Elite. We were a little skeptical in the beginning but now very enthusiastic in training our Louie. We can't wait to see what Louie will learn tomorrow. Plus, the trainers are truly animal lovers and it shows in their fantastic results.
  • Maria Hancox
    Mar. 21, 2025
    We are very happy and proud of the work that you do with our Louie, excited for continuing working with you all, very professional and at the same time lovely with our puppy. Thank you for your passion and good work.🙏💝🐩🐕‍🦺🐾
  • Ally Cothran
    Mar. 19, 2025
    My husband and I brought our first family puppy Dolly, a golden retriever, to the amazing team when she was 12 weeks old. Initial puppy training made an immediate impact and we signed up for Advanced Training at 16/17 weeks old. Dolly understands and responds to every command she learned and we continue to see her skills improve. All of the trainers and experts are truly dog-lovers, so the mix of expertise and love is impactful. Every time we met a new trainer we were impressed at how much we loved each unique personality and approach. We are so thankful we found this amazing business. We are seriously considering making Dolly a therapy dog and continuing to invest in her development. Most of all, we are so thankful we can integrate Dolly safely and lovingly into her family faster because of her new skills!
  • Steven Hopkins
    Mar. 19, 2025
    We have had such a great experience with Dog Training Elite!! All the trainers have been great and very personable! They have come in and worked great/fit in with our family! Some have brought their dogs which helps with distractions for the training and getting to work with the training sessions help us be confident to continue the training through the week! Rocky has done great with the training and we are on our way to having a well behaved dog!
  • James Lehmann
    Mar. 11, 2025
    We have had 3 trainers for Honey and she has come a long way. She is a very intelligent, hard headed , athletic dog. She knew commands like come and no but she made the decision to obey or not. She has learned that her humans make the decisions. She has progressed from the attitude of a 2yo human to a 4yo. The trainers were very professional and good instructors for both Honey and her hoomans.
  • Denson Crisler
    Feb. 26, 2025
    If I could give this place 6 stars I would! Amazing staff, super sweet and personable. They truly work wonders for all dogs. My dog is super stubborn as a puppy and I was so shocked at the progress he’s made in the past few weeks. Would recommend to anyone!
  • Kernell Austin
    Feb. 26, 2025
    When I first started I was skeptical but now I am a firm believer they are really good at what they do they are so respectable I appreciate my time with them good luck Dog Training Elite) !!!!!
  • Jordyn Thompson-Russell
    Feb. 18, 2025
    I wish I could give more than 5 stars because they truly deserve it! Our sweet boy, Royal, was extremely reactive to people and dogs, which kept our family on constant alert and even prevented us from inviting guests into our home. Before training, he would bark, growl, and lunge at people and dogs. I was almost afraid they wouldn't be able to train him because of this. From the start, even just calling and talking to one of the trainers about Royal and his behavior gave us hope that they could help us. We decided that the camp was the best way for Royal to get the training he needed, and it has truly changed our lives. We got an update on the first day that he was able to be off-leash and not muzzled, which was so exciting for us to hear. Royal is becoming more confident in himself and his ability to listen and obey commands. I'm kind of in awe that this is the same dog. The trainers had excellent communication, and it's so obvious that they love what they do. It was awesome to hear about his other campmates and their progress as well. I can't recommend Dog Training Elite Upstate enough.
  • Mimi Greene
    Feb. 14, 2025
    Caring, competent professionals. We just finished our in-home training and couldn’t be happier! Rooney has gone from a good dog to a great dog! Highly recommend!
  • Laura Cannon
    Feb. 14, 2025
    It has been an absolutely incredible journey with Dog Training Elite Upstate SC and every single trainer who worked with my dog Fenris (3 yo German Shepherd). I 10 star recommend them if you're looking at training for your dog. A little about Fenris. Prior to coming to them for help, Fenris had been through two other training programs and numerous vet session. I love my dog but was at my wits end! He was extremely nervous all the time and was still incredibly reactive to other dogs. To the point of me being uneasy and having to restrain him on walks at the sight of another dog. As we started training with the team here, Fen made improvements every single course. The trainers started slowly to build our bond and Fens confidence. Then they brought other dogs to work alongside him, moving at his pace. By the end of our one on one sessions, Fen was able to sit in a room with 3 other dogs with zero reactivity. He's able to understand I've got him. He is much more confident and obedient without changing his personality. When I say this development made me nearly cry! I am so over the moon with the results! We can't wait to join group classes in the future. A huge thank you to every trainer that has been part of Fen's journey.
A Dog Training Elite Upstate SC owner smiling with his dog in Greenville / Spartanburg, SC.

Dog Training Elite Upstate SC

Is a Service Dog The Same As a Therapy Dog?

Read More
Read Less

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 Upstate SC

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 Upstate SC - PTSD Service Dog Training in Greenville / Spartanburg. Dog Training Elite Upstate SC
PTSD Service Dog

If you're looking to train a PTSD service dog in Greenville / Spartanburg, SC, 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 Upstate SC - Psychiatric Service Dog Trainers in Greenville / Spartanburg
Psychiatric Service Dog Training

Our psychiatric service dog training in Greenville / Spartanburg, SC 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 Upstate SC - Mobility Service Dog in Greenville / Spartanburg, SC. Dog Training Elite
Mobility Support Service Dog

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

Dog Training Elite Upstate SC - Seizure Response Dog in Greenville / Spartanburg, SC
Medical Response Dog Training

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

Dog Training Elite Upstate SC - Autism Support Dog Training in Greenville / Spartanburg, SC
Autism Support Service Dog

Bring life-changing support to your family with Dog Training Elite's autism support dog training in Greenville / Spartanburg, SC. 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 Greenville / Spartanburg service dog training with Dog Training Elite.

Dog Training Elite Upstate SC

Service Dogs for Anxiety, PTSD, and Autism

Read More
Read Less

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 Upstate SC.

How Do I Get a Service Dog?

Read More
Read Less

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 Upstate SC.
Dog Training Elite Upstate SC light star icon.

Educate, Empower, Elevate, Elite

Victory Begins With Elite Education

A trainer, a man and his service dog - find the best service dog training in Greenville / Spartanburg, SC with Dog Training Elite.

We Are Committed to Making a Difference

Choose DTE for Greenville / Spartanburg Service Dog Training

Read More
Read Less

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