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Military / Retired Vet Programs

Dog Training Elite Greater Nashville

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A military veteran and service dog - Dog Training Elite offers elite veteran service dog training in Hendersonville / Mt. Juliet, TN.

Dog Training Elite

Military Veteran Service Dog Training in Hendersonville / Mt. Juliet, TN

At Dog Training Elite Greater Nashville, 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 Hendersonville / Mt. Juliet, TN.

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 Hendersonville / Mt. Juliet, TN for those who have served our country.

Dog Training Elite Greater Nashville

Why We Offer Service Dog Training for Military Veterans

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At Dog Training Elite Greater Nashville, we are passionate about helping military veterans through the support of service dogs. We offer specialized service dog training options in Hendersonville / Mt. Juliet, 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 Greater Nashville.

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.

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 Greater Nashville.

Our Veteran Service Dog Training in Hendersonville / Mt. Juliet, TN

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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 Greater Nashville.

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

  • Amanda Corn
    Dec. 5, 2024
    Brad, with Dog Training Elite has been FANTASTIC to work with. He is great at both dog training and training us to be confident and able to effectively train our dog outside of scheduled sessions. He has helped us be able to see and unlock our dog's potential. We thought we were doing okay on our own, but Brad has helped us take our dog's obedience to a whole new level. Highly recommend Dog Training Elite Greater Nashville.
  • Debbie Martin
    Nov. 22, 2024
    Cosmo is our school dog. He is very calm and receptive to every child that approaches him, even when the child, himself/herself may not be calm. I am grateful for the training that Cosmo has received and for the benefits that he brings to our school community. Debbie Martin
  • Lauren Lewis
    Nov. 22, 2024
    They have done a wonderful job training our sweet pup! I would highly recommend them to anyone!
  • Leissa Rich
    Nov. 21, 2024
    Brad is an excellent trainer, he was so accommodative with our schedule and AMAZING with our dog! We couldn't have been more pleased with the results shown through his training course, & would totally recommend him again and again to everyone and anyone. 🩷
  • Leslie Iorio
    Nov. 11, 2024
    Where to start: Brad Okeson is an outstanding trainer as well as a supportive listener and incredible teacher. He is all of these and also generous with his time and talent. Brad has been training our dog to be a therapy dog for our school. He assessed the puppies in our dog’s litter when they were 49 days old and chose our pup for his temperament, explaining how he was chosen. The very next week, Brad began working with our puppy, Cosmo, and me, as his owner and handler, in the environment for which Cosmo was chosen: our school. Brad has faithfully, continually, and patiently addressed issues, explained our puppy’s behavior, determined goals and helped us reach them. Brad’s demeanor is pleasant and his style is gentle and firm - Cosmo adores him. He is delightful to learn from and to watch in action. Cosmo is now eight months old and he is beloved by students and faculty alike. His behavior is so obedient, loving, and gentle that some of my colleagues have arranged to hire Brad to work with their own dogs in their homes. I cannot adequately express the admiration and gratitude I feel for Brad Okeson but I highly recommend him to you as you consider training for your pup.
  • Randi Pentzer
    Nov. 12, 2024
    Brad is THE best!!!!! He made all of our dreams come true. This experience exceeded everything I thought was possible. He is so good at his job and so knowledgeable. He personalized our experience to train my dog bike ride with me and to let our new dog into the pack!! Plus, so much more. I’m so thankful I found Elite!
  • Laura Minguela
    Oct. 21, 2024
    Brad is the best! Definitely check them out if you're looking for a trainer that's great to work with.
  • Victoria
    Oct. 18, 2024
    Brad is great. If you need your dogs trained in the Nashville area give him a call!
  • Raymond Lombardi
    Oct. 18, 2024
    Brad has an incredible way with dogs. He’s patient, knowledgeable, and does a great job at making every session productive and enjoyable. Highly recommend him to anyone looking to get better at communicating with their dog and see real progress along the way!
  • Chris Lombardi
    Oct. 17, 2024
    Brad is phenomenal at communicating with dogs and has a unique ability to make training both effective and enjoyable for both dogs and their owners. If you’re looking for a trainer who truly cares and delivers real results, I can’t recommend Brad highly enough!
  • jaycee Randal
    Jul. 26, 2024
    DTE was amazing. They helped my dog stop jumping. Come when called and just overall, better manners In general. group classes were amazing and it really seem to help my dog focus at a high level of distraction.
  • Brandon Clemmons
    Aug. 24, 2023
    Malancy (our trainer) is fantastic. We have gone from a wild boxer puppy (10 months), named Kash, to an easily controllable one year old in a few short weeks, with her help. The progress on a weekly basis is unbelievable. I come away from each session completely shocked at what our puppy is learning and the control that Malancy is teaching my wife and I to have with him. An added bonus is it really seems like Kash is enjoying being trained. I highly recommend this program to anyone who has a four legged friend that needs help with manners. The difference is night and day and we certainly have not regretted this decision.
  • Krys Nicole
    Aug. 17, 2023
    Malancy with Dog Training Elite has been my savior! Before working with her my schnoodle Luna was extremely stubborn and even though she knew basic commands, she refused to listen. I specifically chose DTE for behavioral training, and I am so happy I did. Not only does Luna LOVE malancy, I finally feel like she loves me too! This training program has made our relationship so much better. She’s learned discernment around other dogs, walks and heels perfect on a leash, listens to all basic commands and it has even helped her stay calmer alone when I leave her to go to work. I can’t thank DTE and Malancy enough. Now that she’s fully training I feel comfortable getting her a playmate and I will once again work with Malancy when puppy comes home. :)
  • Craig Anderson
    Jun. 27, 2023
    Malancy was an amazing trainer, her energy and passion was infectious! Tess loved every minute of her training and I couldn’t be happier with the results! Thank you to Dog Training Elite.
  • Tom Gaumer
    Jun. 7, 2023
    We are so pleased we chose your company for training. Malancy is so good at her job that we were fortunate to get her. We’ve come to love her and what isn’t to love. Our puppy has learned from the best of the best. We’re gonna miss her. This is the best training in this area.
  • Cathi Phillips
    May. 30, 2023
    These guys deliver! After a few sessions, I was able to take my dog on a walk without fearing she’d be aggressive to others. Malancy and Brad are super!
  • Lynne Gaumer
    May. 27, 2023
    We were assigned Melancy to help train our pup. Very friendly and knowledgeable. Highly recommend her and Dog Training Elite!!
  • Angel Durrani
    May. 25, 2023
    My dog is so much better! I have a husky mix with a huge running away problem but after the in home sessions in our package his recall is amazing. He’s improved so much! Our trainer Malancy is so knowledgeable about dogs and how their minds work, somehow she was able to conquer his stubbornness and showed me how to make this a forever change! Love Dog training elite and Malancy!
  • James Knott
    May. 27, 2023
    I am totally satisfied and happy with the results. My dog “Jackson” was very difficult to deal with. He was always dragging me or pulling, he was combative with other dogs and just uncontrollable . However, after a few lessons we got him to sit, finally! Then lie down, then go to your place. We got him use to walking near other dogs. Now I look forward to walking him in the park, I can take him to dog park he has learned to play rather than be aggressive. Brad was very patient and did a good job teaching me how to teach Jackson.
  • Mack Elder
    May. 27, 2023
    With an in-home demonstration and a full breakdown of what they offer and what you can expect from the training sessions, you can't go wrong when starting work with Dog Training Elite. Malancy has been laser-focused and firm with our dog, completely methodical as a trainer, and the progress we have seen in six weeks has been incredible. We not only have a much better-behaved dog but also a road map on how to work with him going forward. If you have a dog who's out of control or simply requires a bit of direction, Dog Training Elite's services are exactly what you need.