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Military / Retired Vet Programs

Dog Training Elite Knoxville

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A military veteran and service dog - Dog Training Elite offers elite veteran service dog training in Knoxville, TN.

Dog Training Elite

Military Veteran Service Dog Training in Knoxville, TN

At Dog Training Elite Knoxville, 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 Knoxville, 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 Knoxville, TN for those who have served our country.

Dog Training Elite Knoxville

Why We Offer Service Dog Training for Military Veterans

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At Dog Training Elite Knoxville, we are passionate about helping military veterans through the support of service dogs. We offer specialized service dog training options in Knoxville, 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 Knoxville.

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. Malinois: Belgian Malinois are known for their deep loyalty and intelligence. Malinois are not for everyone due to their energy and drive, but for retired veterans who appreciate discipline, structure, and a deep connection, they can be life-changing companions.

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 Knoxville.

Our Veteran Service Dog Training in Knoxville, 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 Knoxville.

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

  • Wendy Etheridge
    Oct. 4, 2025
    Montana is a lovely young lady and Lydia took to her right away! This is in Nashville, by the way. She explained everything about the training program very well. She listened to the things I would like to do with Lydia and what I would like Lydia to be able to do. I appreciated her spending the amount of time she did and I felt well informed about the program. Thank you Montana, for throwing that BALL!!
  • George Weber
    Aug. 13, 2025
    Met with Parker for assessment of our dog. He was professional and helpful. Had 2nd lesson with Kenna made great strides in our dog's training Thank you Montana trained today. Great job explained all the steps and reasons for them Thank you Kenna has been training us and we couldn't be happier. Our dog has made huge improvement in obedience and makes life much more enjoyable Thank you
  • Cathy Austin
    Oct. 3, 2025
    Gracie was sweet and very personable. She explained the program in detail ans provided a estimate for the service.
  • Julia Lewis
    Oct. 1, 2025
    Effective , friendly all good
  • Lyndsay Nelson
    Sep. 24, 2025
    I genuinely love the work that Dog Training Elite does. From each in home training, to public outings, the knowledge is just incredible. I learn more each session and my dog and I are genuinely comfortable in each scenario.
  • Dottie Hagood
    Aug. 28, 2025
    T first session was very educational and instructive. I have a very stubborn Doberman female that I now feel certain can be trained so that I can enjoy her. Thank you Reina, so much!!!!
  • Jeanneth Sangurima-Quiles
    Sep. 19, 2025
    Very understanding and thorough. No rush and answered all our questions.
  • Christopher Soukup
    Aug. 6, 2025
    First day of training was exceptionally informative. Julia was extremely professional and knowledgeable instilling confidence moving forward. I definitely know I made the right choice for my service dog needs. 18 Sept 2025: Fast forward into a few sessions later and still absolutely impressed with the level of professionalism and results
  • Sierra Lowder
    Sep. 13, 2025
    I’ve been training with Dog Training Elite for a few months now and it has been such a great experience. I’ve trained mostly with Graci. She has a calm, sweet & gentle personality that works great for my pup and I who are more laid back individuals. If you are looking for a place that is affordable, kind, & truly military friendly this is the place for you.
  • Beth Mouse
    Sep. 13, 2025
    Julia was very knowledgeable and gave us good information about how she would be addressing our problems with Oliver. Looking forward to learning how to improve our dog’s behavior.
  • Patricia Harris
    Aug. 5, 2025
    Carol was very warm & personable. My dog seemed to like her, & I did too. 2nd visit—great job!
  • Fred Stilling
    Aug. 19, 2025
    Reina was very attentive to my dog's needs. Very knowledgeable. A plus trainer. Guided me towards better training practices
  • kim rouse
    Sep. 11, 2025
    Carol was completely loved by our dog. That's a HUGE part in our decision making about a trainer. She was very nice, personable, kind and professional. We are hoping to be able to have her as our trainer.
  • Cynthia Green
    Sep. 10, 2025
    This place is the best! Our cute little puppy learned so much, but we learned even more! Their program is just amazing and I would highly recommend them!
  • Tamesha Peterson
    Sep. 10, 2025
    Reina was amazing and answered all my questions.
  • Rick Martin
    Jul. 9, 2025
    Let me tell youe Gracie she was a wonderful teacher. She even taught me a lot and I was pleased with her very much. She seems like she's dedicated to the animals and she wants to make them do right, and I am so proud that I am part of Gracie's team. I'm so glad We were chosen to enter this program.
  • Sam Rapp
    Sep. 8, 2025
    Montana is an excellent trainer whose care and understanding make her the best in her field.
  • Francis LoGiudice
    Sep. 3, 2025
    Kenna was very informative and explained the process very well. I beleive that we made great progress in our first session.
  • Kevin Obrien
    Jul. 2, 2025
    Great service as always our is progressing very well
  • Cameron Simmons
    Apr. 2, 2025
    My dog loved working with Montana and so did I! We are super happy she just passed her Public Access Exam thanks to the team at Elite.