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About Dog Training Elite Indianapolis
Meet the Team
Get to know the dedicated professionals behind Dog Training Elite Indianapolis. 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Video Gallery
Videos
E Collar. Dog Training Elite
Dog Training Elite is a professional, family-owned dog training company with over 40 years of experience that specializes in strengthening the bond between your dog and your family, with a strong emphasis on teaching your dog the highest level of obedience, despite even the toughest level of distractions.
Group Focus Exercise. Dog Training Elite
In a safe, controlled environment, we guide your dog through essential socialization skills, teaching them to remain calm, focused, and well-mannered, even in the midst of distractions.
FAQs
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.
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 Indianapolis.
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.
Doug Pfaff
Owner / Trainer
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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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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