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Meet the Team

Dog Training Elite in Indianapolis, IN

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Doug Pfaff - Owner / Trainer
Doug Pfaff
Owner / Trainer
Dog Training Elite Indianapolis
Tessa Smith - Director of Operations
Tessa Smith
Director of Operations
Dog Training Elite Indianapolis
Olive - Demo Dog, Semi-retired
Olive
Demo Dog, Semi-retired
Dog Training Elite Indianapolis
Bean - Demo Dog Team Lead
Bean
Demo Dog Team Lead
Dog Training Elite Indianapolis
Elijah Turner - Lead Trainer
Elijah Turner
Lead Trainer
Dog Training Elite Indianapolis
Donna Rivers - Trainer
Donna Rivers
Trainer
Dog Training Elite Indianapolis
Brittany Wilson - Trainer
Brittany Wilson
Trainer
Dog Training Elite Indianapolis
Josh George - Business Development Manager / Trainer
Josh George
Business Development Manager / Trainer
Dog Training Elite Indianapolis
Doug Pfaff - Owner / Trainer
Doug Pfaff
Owner / Trainer | Dog Training Elite Indianapolis

Doug grew up in Greenfield Indiana in an animal-loving home where dogs, cats, rabbits, hamsters, guinea pigs, fish, reptiles and even a free-roaming chicken named "Chicken Pox" could be encountered at various times. Most of his adult life was pent in Virginia where he worked in sales, sales training, coaching and management roles. A move back home to Indiana in recent years brought the opportunity to purchase the Dog Training Elite Franchise and the chance to work with pups and their owners. He takes pride in bringing a new standard of Elite Dog Training to the Indianapolis area and to improve the quality of life for dogs and the humans who love them.

When he's not training dogs and their humans, Doug hangs out with his own 2 pups. Olive, a 5 year old Vizsla and Bean, a 2 year old Yellow lab, who's also his running buddy. Doug and his partner Tom, live in the Meridian Hills area of Indianapolis. When he can find time, he loves to spend time with his 2 granddaughters in Virginia and 2 grandsons in Indiana.

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Tessa Smith - Director of Operations
Tessa Smith
Director of Operations | Dog Training Elite Indianapolis

Tessa is a native Hoosier who grew up in Southern Indiana. Her love of animals began with the family pet, a pot-bellied pig named Max. After earning her degree in Business Administration and wanting to do something that helped satisfy her love of animals, Tessa joined Dog Training Elite of Indianapolis. In her spare time, she enjoys reading, watching documentaries and traveling with her daughter.

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Olive - Demo Dog, Semi-retired
Olive
Demo Dog, Semi-retired | Dog Training Elite Indianapolis

Olive is a 5 year old Vizsla who lives to chase the furry critters that find their way into her yard. She's been known to go after squirrels, raccoons, foxes, deer and even an occasional coyote! When she's not working at Dog Training Elite with Doug, she loves to lounge by the pool and watch cooking shows with her other dad, Tom. She's often seen at the front window of the DTE shop intently watching the birds at the bird feeder or hanging out the window of the DTE Jeep enjoying the wind in her ears.

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Bean - Demo Dog Team Lead
Bean
Demo Dog Team Lead | Dog Training Elite Indianapolis

Bean is a 2 year old Yellow Lab. He is the lead demo dog and attends many of the in-home assessments and also comes to many group classes and events with the DTE Trainers. He comes from a long line of medical alert dogs and may eventually be certified as a therapy dog. When he's not working with the DTE team, he loves to retrieve a frisbee, ball or anything else anyone will throw for him, and go for runs with Doug. He also likes to wrestle with his sister, Olive. But his favorite two things in the world are snacks and naps.

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Elijah Turner - Lead Trainer
Elijah Turner
Lead Trainer | Dog Training Elite Indianapolis

Elijah is a born and raised Hoisier. He grew up on the far eastside of Indianapolis and his love of dogs started at a young age. Before his father passed he gifted the family with their first dog in his remembrance. Since then dogs have had a special place in his heart. When he’s not training dogs, Elijah is hanging out with his Bloodhound, King. He enjoys long walks and hiking trails with King. Trails are his favorite because he gets to see King do what he loves best, which is sniff everything! Elijah’s been training dogs for four years now, and can't get enough of how much we learn from the dogs. His goal is to bring a happy balanced home to our clients!

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Donna Rivers - Trainer
Donna Rivers
Trainer | Dog Training Elite Indianapolis

Donna is originally from Livingston County New York, where she spent her career as a case worker for child welfare. She moved to Greenfield in 2020. She loves training dogs because she feels it's much more fulfilling than working with troubled families. "Dogs want to learn and they want to please you and it's so satisfying when they get it right. Every dog is unique and it's extremely interesting to figure out what makes them tick". She comes from a military family and has a special place in her heart for working with Veterans and their dogs.

Donna can't remember a time when she didn't have a dog. She currently enjoys her 2 German Shepherds, Lakin, a 3 year old female and Leonardo DaVinci, a 2 year old male. There were 2 litters of German Shepherd puppies at her house in the past year! She also loves spending time with her family, which includes her husband Terry and 7 kids (ages 20 up to 35).

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Brittany Wilson - Trainer
Brittany Wilson
Trainer | Dog Training Elite Indianapolis

Brittany grew up in Danville Indiana with three siblings and family dogs. After high school she got her own dog, Maddie, and trained her as a therapy dog. After college, she moved to Portland Oregon with Maddie to pursue her career as a Special Education teacher for kids on the Autism Spectrum. After five years there, she decided to move back to Indiana to be near family again. Brittany enjoys bringing her passion for dogs and experience as an educator to her work as a dog trainer, especially service dog training.

Outside of dog training, Brittany enjoys going on hikes with her puppy, Mochi, reading a good book, doing some yoga, and traveling to new cities!

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Josh George - Business Development Manager / Trainer
Josh George
Business Development Manager / Trainer | Dog Training Elite Indianapolis

Josh grew up in Ohio and then moved to Indiana after meeting his wife Sammie. He lives in Castleton with his wife and dog Lilo (yep as in Lilo and stitch). When he's not training dogs, he is at a park, taking pictures, watching Ohio State football, or playing guitar and every single one of those activities is with Lilo because she goes everywhere with him.

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About Dog Training Elite Indianapolis

Dog Training Elite Indianapolis - Customer Reviews. Hear from Happy Dog Training Elite Indianapolis 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 Indianapolis has transformed the lives of countless dogs and their families!
Dog Training Elite Indianapolis - Frequently Asked Questions. Dog Training Elite Indianapolis
FAQs
Our FAQs cover the most common inquiries about our training methods, programs, and what you can expect when working with Dog Training Elite Indianapolis. If you’re curious about anything related to our services, this is where you will find the information you need.
Dog Training Elite Indianapolis - Careers. Dog Training Elite Indianapolis
Careers
Join the Dog Training Elite Indianapolis 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 Indianapolis - Our Gallery. Dog Training Elite in Indianapolis, IN
Gallery
Our gallery features photos and videos of dogs in training, successful graduates, and highlights from community events. See what Dog Training Elite Indianapolis can offer your dog and get a glimpse of the work we’re passionate about.
Dog Training Elite Indianapolis - Local Dog Trainers in Indianapolis, IN. DTE
In the Community
At Dog Training Elite Indianapolis, 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

  • Ben England
    Dec. 4, 2024
    We did the in-home platinum obedience training and are so happy with everything. Working with the whole crew was a fantastic experience and felt full support from everyone at DTE of Indianapolis. They have great attention to detail, expertise, customer service and genuine care to train our dog and adapt to specific needs of our dog. DTE really goes above and beyond!
  • Carly Ringlespaugh
    Oct. 4, 2024
    Dog Training Elite is the best! Our pup had the best time, loved all of the trainers, and learned so much. We did the two week day camp, and I definitely recommend it. Thanks again to everyone at DTE!
  • Marlene Upchurch
    May. 10, 2024
    I thought there was no hope for my 8 year old pup. I am so excited to say that after two weeks of camp with the trainers at Dog Training Elite he has learned proper manners and is also a pleasure to take for a walk. You can teach an old dog new tricks. The trainers did a wonderful job training my Jimmy. They are caring and loved my boy like their own. And, they kept me informed every step of the way. Doug spent two days in-home training giving me the tools I need to maintain the progress he made. I am so happy with how well behaved he is. I highly recommend Dog Training Elite.
  • Kelly Kiefer Brown
    Apr. 11, 2024
    We had our dog go thru training with Dog Training Elite for a service dog. We were extremely happy with the service and the time they took with us to help train our dog! We cannot even thank them enough for what great service they have provided us! The trainers are awesome! They always kept us informed and replying quick! Poppy learned a lot and it all paid off!
  • Kelly Davisson
    Jan. 21, 2024
    Our puppy, Annie, just finished obedience training at Dog Training Elite and we are absolutely thrilled with our experience! Not only did Annie learn a lot of new skills while attending their day camp, they gave us tons of videos and constant support to help us maintain her progress at home. I was a little nervous to drop off our sweet girl that first day, but the entire staff loved her and cheered her on like she was one of their own. Annie was SO EXCITED to go back in the next day, and she kept her enthusiasm for the entire two-week course. We'll definitely be returning for their advanced training courses and can't wait to take advantage of the weekend group classes!
  • Cindy Aque
    Dec. 4, 2023
    We worked with trainers Josh and Elijah and they were great! They showed us ways to train our rescue pup that came thinking he ruled our house. And they adjusted the training to fit the our and our dogs needs. You can tell with their interaction with dogs that they love dogs and really want to help owners learn how to manage their dog for a more peaceful household. I would highly recommend their services if you have a dog that needs training to fit into your household.
  • Roger French
    Nov. 14, 2023
    Excellent people to help your dog learn proper manners. I can’t say enough at how well they treated my pet and showed him pet proper discipline. Thank you so much.
  • Reese Sommers
    Nov. 14, 2023
    These people are miracle workers. I was looking for quite some bit for training for my pup. I found DTE, read some reviews and without any questions I set up the in home eval. I was pleasantly surprised when they said they would take on my reactive dog. I couldn’t be more thankful for the trainers at DTE. They are dedicated, hardworking, and motivated to get your pup where they need to be. Big thanks from Akira and I!!!!!
  • Kelly Brown
    Nov. 14, 2023
    Love working with them! They listen to what we need in our dog. Easy to schedule appt with. Love doing the group training classes. The trainers are very positive!
  • Mary Clark
    Oct. 25, 2023
    I love working with each of their trainers!
  • Abby Wallace
    Oct. 25, 2023
    We hired this company to help us train our puppy to a be a service dog for our son. We started at 14 weeks and we have a lab. He is so smart annd well trained and the skills they teach you are spot on!
  • Jake Johnson
    Oct. 25, 2023
    There is no greater joy, as a pet owner, than when you hear others commenting behind you on how well behaved and obedient your dog is. Liberty has absolutely been a game changer for my everyday life… not just because she’s my pet, but because she’s my team mate. She is able to respond to my feelings and helps me feel like I have my “battle buddy” by my side at all times. We are going through Service Dog training with Dog Training Elite. The training tactics they teach work! Liberty has given me freedom to not be apprehensive about going out and about.
  • Abby Wallace
    Oct. 25, 2023
    We cannot say enough good things about Dog training elite. They are helping us train our pup to be a service dog for our son and he is doing amazing! They provide all the skills and teach you how to handle the dog. I wish I could give them 10 stars!!!!
  • Kathleen Sievert
    Sep. 17, 2023
    We've really enjoyed our training so far at DTE. Great trainers who truly love and care about the pups! They set you up with all of the tools that you need and make it easy. They combine one-on-one training plus group classes which has been so helpful for my puppy, who at one point, was scared of everything that moved or made noise!
  • Karleigh Meyer
    Jun. 16, 2023
    We have been working with the trainers at Dog Training Elite Indianapolis for the last 6 months training a service dog for our son. I have never trained a dog beyond the “sit” command before. Doug, Josh, and Elijah have walked us through every step and were there to answer questions, offer support and celebrate our little successes even outside of our sessions. Our home is loud and chaotic having 6 children but the trainers always graciously included them as part of the training process. This act alone meant the world to us and is a huge reason as to why we were so successful. THEY CREATED A TRAINING ENVIRONMENT AROUND OUR FAMILY instead of trying to get us to conform to their training ways. I can proudly say we have officially passed our Public Access Test and are well on the way to perfecting our Service Dog Tasks. We would 100% recommend Dog Training Elite Indy for any and all of your training needs!
  • Betsy Rosiek
    May. 27, 2023
    This training was a true game changer for me and my sweet dog! I was so surprised at how quickly Benson caught on to the training! He’s actually stopped jumping, and it’s a pleasure now to take him on walks, because there is no pulling or dragging me along. Doug is great with the dogs, and trainers Elijah and Josh are just so easy to work with, knowledgeable and fun! Thanks for making us both so happy!
  • Jennifer Scott
    May. 12, 2023
    I couldn't be more happy with my experience so far with Elite Dog Training. Doug has been so patient and helpful in training my Great Dane, he is a rescue and came to us with some bad habits and issues going on walks. I am so thrilled that we have a plan in place and we are working making his and our lives better! Thank you so much for your help and guidance!!
  • joshua bangert
    May. 12, 2023
    Dog Training Elite has been great for our 2 dogs. Making this commitment to training our pups has been rewarding for the family and for the dogs! Doug and Eli have been very helpful as we've overcome training obstacles and we are so grateful to the team. Thank You!
  • Renia Hughes
    May. 7, 2023
    We just finished our in home sessions and started the group classes. And I can’t say enough how absolutely wonderful this group of trainers are. They are dedicated to the success of our German shepherd, Nikita. First the in home evaluation with Doug, was a great start because they met our dog in her environment and was very thorough in explaining the program and options. They were flexible in scheduling her sessions. Elijah became Nikita’s trainer consistently with her in home sessions. Elijah has been great with Nikita, who can be a bit stubborn at times. He has answered our many questions and given us the tools we needed to have a dog we can enjoy! When we started training I couldn’t take Nikita for a walk without her barking at people and other dogs. I was so pleased yesterday in group class when I could tell Nikita to sit and walk about 20 feet away from her and had someone run passed her about 2 feet in front of her. SHE didn’t budge! She held her stay! Elijah and Josh and Doug are the best!
  • Anna Berndt
    May. 3, 2023
    My German shepherd Iyla and I have loved getting to work with the folks at dog training elite. We started with the in home training and we now attend their weekly group class going on a few months now. They have been so helpful with not only teaching me the proper tools and techniques for training Iyla, but they have also helped with ongoing support as she grows up and I have more questions. They repeatedly reached out as we started training to make sure things were going well between lessons and to answer questions. Even after we finished the in home classes they continue supporting us with the group classes with fun training games and they even thought to deliver us a lovely personalized gift during the holidays! Sorry for the long review, but we really do appreciate everything they do. We love being a part of the DTE family
A well-trained DTE dog on a surfboard.
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