A service dog and their owner outside - find elite service dog training in Metro Detroit, MI with Dog Training Elite.
Dog Training Elite

Service Dog Training in Metro Detroit, MI

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Our Service Dog Training Could Help:
Veterans or civilians with PTSD, anxiety, or depression
Children or adults with autism
Individuals with epilepsy
(participating locations)
Advanced medical training (participating locations)

Dog Training Elite Southeast Michigan

Service Dog Training in Metro Detroit, MI

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 Metro Detroit, MI, 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.

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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


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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

  • Paulette Adams
    Oct. 2, 2025
    We have had our puppy in the Service Dog Program since he was 10 weeks old. He is now 6 months and is exceeding all our expectations. Hailey has been an awesome partner for us to work with. She knows just what our puppy needs and we feel so fortunate to have her as part of our team. Being able to train your dog in their home environment is a game changer. I cannot recommend this program enough!
  • Garnet Potter
    Sep. 21, 2025
    Hailey, and our dog (Miss Ann) became friends and was night and day better. We can’t thank Hailey enough for her dedication to helping our project rescue.
  • Jenna !!!!!:)
    Sep. 9, 2025
    Hailey is absolutely amazing with our rescue bulldog! She is determined to never give up on our sweet girl who has some serious reactivity problems. She loves Hailey and we are so lucky to have found Dog training elite and Hailey!
  • Donna Rinnas
    Sep. 3, 2025
    Steven is fabulous! He explains everything as many times as we need to hear it and so clearly and patiently. Here are some pics of Leo at 5 months old and first visit to Home Depot.
  • CarolAnn McConnell
    Aug. 21, 2025
    Every aspect of our experience with DTE Southeast Michigan has been awesome. Hailey was great with our Goldendoodle pup, Maizy. Not only did she help Maizy quickly learn obedience and self-control, she taught us how to continue working with her and tailored her training specifically to our needs with two little ones. We're looking forward to continuing Maizy's progress with the included group classes!
  • Amy Johnson
    Aug. 18, 2025
    Our trainer, Steve, was so knowledgeable and patient with me and my dog! Ha ha My dog caught on quickly so we were able to work on some additional things so they really do work at your dog’s pace. It was worth the effort and money to have a well behaved dog.
  • Tristan Kesselring
    Aug. 18, 2025
    My wife and I have never done dog training before and our trainer Steven was extremely patient and informative to help us better understand our dog. Quick story. After just 2 months of training our 7 month old pitbull mastiff pup did an absolute outstanding job listening to commands and being polite in very intense situations during a local festival. I seriously cannot give enough praises to our trainer. Thank you to Dog Training Elite and an even bigger thank you to Steven.
  • Donna Robinson
    Aug. 14, 2025
    Definitely 5 stars for Dog Training Elite! Steven Dennison was fantastic! He listened to my goals and concerns for training my two young Great Dane boys. He worked with us to transform our chaotic walking experiences to walks we all enjoy! Steven was able to train them and me to create expectations and be consistent in delivering them. We have erased pulling behavior, aggression towards other dogs, and are able to move freely in together in environments I never thought possible. So excited to continue our learning journey in a group environment with this amazing training team!
  • Lana
    Aug. 6, 2025
    I am glad I found Dog Training Elite and went with them to help train our puppy. We have been working with them for a couple months now and it has been working very well for a number of reasons. The trainer comes to the home which is, first of all, very helpful. Beyond that, they have an organized system that really gets at the heart of dog behavior, which is not intuitive, at least for people who are new to the dog world. A shout out to Ryann, who is our dog's trainer. She is patient, kind, and we dub her the dog-whisperer. She is entirely knowledgable, effective, encouraging, positive, and truly talented at what she does. Dog training is a process and she has really helped us get used to this new world! Yay!
  • Grace Foster
    Jul. 31, 2025
    I can’t say enough great things about Dog Training Elite—and especially our trainer Ryann! She worked with me and my service dog and was absolutely incredible throughout the entire process. Ryann not only helped train my dog with patience and expertise, but also took the time to train me so I could feel confident handling my dog in all kinds of real-world situations. Her approach was clear and consistent, and I could see real progress after every session. Ryann genuinely cares about our success, and it shows in every detail of her work.
  • Ashlee Clifton (Tarkowski)
    Jul. 28, 2025
    We had a wonderful experience with Dog Training Elite. From the start, they came out and met with us and our pup in person and free of charge. They offered different training programs based on our needs. We did six weeks of private training and it was worth every penny. Steven was our primary trainer and I wouldn’t hesitate to work with him again. He was great with our dog and patient with my husband and I. He helped us navigate various challenges with our dog but also interactions between our five year old and dog. Highly recommend Dog Training Elite!
  • Ken Coker
    Jul. 23, 2025
    This experience blew away my greatest expectations. My dog is a rescue and was extremely aggressive and very difficult to be restrained. He was always friendly, but prior to the training, he was jumping on people, constantly pulling on walks to the point of hurting himself and he would jump over the backyard fence and take off whenever he got the chance. He was always stressed out and my biggest concern was that he was going to hurt himself or be run over in the street. From the first 1 hour session my dog had completely responded to the training and was actually manageable for the first time. Our trainer, Hailey, was friendly, knowledgeable and professional and helped me whenever and with whatever I needed. Each session was a new skill and we were able to practice while she was with us and then Buddy and I continued to practice throughout the week. I could not be more impressed with Hailey, the company and the program and I HIGHLY recommend this service! This was the best investment I will ever make for Buddy and for my own peace of mind. My dog went from being an adorable menace to a well mannered dog who can now attend family events with children without the fear of anyone being hurt. I have no fear of him running off anymore and if he does, I know I can get him to come back. The only regret I have is that I didn't do this sooner. Do yourself and your dog a favor and get them trained immediately. You will not be sorry!
  • Angeline Putnickovich
    Jun. 3, 2025
    We are SO happy that we went with Dog Training Elite. Hailey was our trainer and truly changed our dog Walter for the better. His confidence and obedience is immensely improved from when we started our training. Hailey was extremely knowledgeable, helpful and was available to answer all of our questions even outside of training sessions. She really worked with us to understand our goals for our puppy and modified our training sessions specific to those goals. Truly so happy we were able to work with her and that our little Walter is the best behaved little guy there is.
  • Janell Tadajewski
    May. 10, 2025
    Dog Training Elite has been an invaluable partner in training our Scout to become a pet therapy dog. The in-home sessions focused on core skills with well thought out strategies personalized to her temperament. The group training brought out her confidence as she mastered commands amidst variable distractions and pressure. Our experience was heightened exponentially by our trainer Steve. He thoroughly explained the why behind the techniques and offered the puppy psychology to bring the concept home. He patiently weaved the lessons and tools into workable blocks which made practice more manageable. Additionally, he made himself available for texts and calls to troubleshoot issues or refresh my memory and adjust our approach. When we passed our certification exam, he was there to celebrate the accomplishment. I highly recommend Steve, Austin and all the trainers of Dog Training Elite….a magnificent organization making a difference for dogs and their families.
  • LouAnn Knaus
    Apr. 21, 2025
    The training is great! They work with you one on one your dog. Help you through the issues you may have. Great experience. Hailey is sweet, energetic and so helpful. She is a must if you want a well behaved dog. Thank you Hailey!
  • Thyra
    Apr. 18, 2025
    We had an amazing experience with Dog Training Elite and our trainer, Steven! He worked with my German Shepherd, Wolfgang, on obedience training and did a phenomenal job. Steven is not only professional and knowledgeable, but also incredibly skilled at explaining techniques clearly and reading both the dog and handler. What really stood out was his ability to pivot and adjust methods if something wasn’t clicking for us—no ego, just a real dedication to helping us succeed. His confidence and calm demeanor made Wolfgang feel comfortable and engaged, and I felt supported every step of the way. We just wrapped up our Platinum package and are really looking forward to starting the group classes soon. I highly recommend Steven and Dog Training Elite to anyone looking for effective, personalized dog training!
  • Jim Ashley
    Apr. 18, 2025
    Working with Austin was a great experience. His knowledge and patience is exceptional. He clearly explains the why, what and how of his training methods. He listens to what your goals are and tailors the training around that. They don't simply run a generic training playbook. I highly, highly recommend.
  • Cindy Warren
    Jan. 28, 2025
    I owned 4 previous dogs (labs) and trained them myself. But then I rescued a husky mix last April. I walk nearby trails everyday and I was struggling with my dog pulling, launching, and passing people and other dogs. Steven Dennison and Elite have helped me learn tips, tools, and training to allow my dog and I to enjoy our hikes without fear of falling, getting angry at her, having to get way off the trail in the poison ivy and tics when people and dogs pass, etc.. And with this new peaceful structure, my dog is more affectionate and attached to me! Steven was kind, understanding, helpful and positive in working with my dog and I. I am SO grateful!
  • Stephanie Shinkle
    Apr. 10, 2025
    Steven was amazing! We were struggling with training our very large puppy. We needed guidance from an expert in this field. Steven was knowledgeable, intuitive, creative and kind. He helped build our confidence and the results are fantastic. Our dog now has manners, doesn't jump on people and loves the "jobs" we give him. I highly recommend this company, Steven!
  • Anna Moreno
    Apr. 9, 2025
    We have used Dog Training Elite 2x now and find them to be amazing. Both our dogs are mini Australian shepherd poodle mixes and can be a handful. We have had both Austin and Hailey as Trainers, and both are exceptional. For our most recent pup,Merlin, we had Hailey as our trainer. She truly understood how worried I have been about not only the safety of our puppy but the safety of my elder mother who is home with him the most. She has made sure that my mom is comfortable using the different training techniques and even has helped us figure out a way for my mom to take merlin on walks while using her walker. Hailey has been a delight to work with. These trainers are amazing, and you are in good hands with them.
  • Paulette Adams
    Oct. 2, 2025
    We have had our puppy in the Service Dog Program since he was 10 weeks old. He is now 6 months and is exceeding all our expectations. Hailey has been an awesome partner for us to work with. She knows just what our puppy needs and we feel so fortunate to have her as part of our team. Being able to train your dog in their home environment is a game changer. I cannot recommend this program enough!
  • Garnet Potter
    Sep. 21, 2025
    Hailey, and our dog (Miss Ann) became friends and was night and day better. We can’t thank Hailey enough for her dedication to helping our project rescue.
  • Jenna !!!!!:)
    Sep. 9, 2025
    Hailey is absolutely amazing with our rescue bulldog! She is determined to never give up on our sweet girl who has some serious reactivity problems. She loves Hailey and we are so lucky to have found Dog training elite and Hailey!
  • Donna Rinnas
    Sep. 3, 2025
    Steven is fabulous! He explains everything as many times as we need to hear it and so clearly and patiently. Here are some pics of Leo at 5 months old and first visit to Home Depot.
  • CarolAnn McConnell
    Aug. 21, 2025
    Every aspect of our experience with DTE Southeast Michigan has been awesome. Hailey was great with our Goldendoodle pup, Maizy. Not only did she help Maizy quickly learn obedience and self-control, she taught us how to continue working with her and tailored her training specifically to our needs with two little ones. We're looking forward to continuing Maizy's progress with the included group classes!
  • Amy Johnson
    Aug. 18, 2025
    Our trainer, Steve, was so knowledgeable and patient with me and my dog! Ha ha My dog caught on quickly so we were able to work on some additional things so they really do work at your dog’s pace. It was worth the effort and money to have a well behaved dog.
  • Tristan Kesselring
    Aug. 18, 2025
    My wife and I have never done dog training before and our trainer Steven was extremely patient and informative to help us better understand our dog. Quick story. After just 2 months of training our 7 month old pitbull mastiff pup did an absolute outstanding job listening to commands and being polite in very intense situations during a local festival. I seriously cannot give enough praises to our trainer. Thank you to Dog Training Elite and an even bigger thank you to Steven.
  • Donna Robinson
    Aug. 14, 2025
    Definitely 5 stars for Dog Training Elite! Steven Dennison was fantastic! He listened to my goals and concerns for training my two young Great Dane boys. He worked with us to transform our chaotic walking experiences to walks we all enjoy! Steven was able to train them and me to create expectations and be consistent in delivering them. We have erased pulling behavior, aggression towards other dogs, and are able to move freely in together in environments I never thought possible. So excited to continue our learning journey in a group environment with this amazing training team!
  • Lana
    Aug. 6, 2025
    I am glad I found Dog Training Elite and went with them to help train our puppy. We have been working with them for a couple months now and it has been working very well for a number of reasons. The trainer comes to the home which is, first of all, very helpful. Beyond that, they have an organized system that really gets at the heart of dog behavior, which is not intuitive, at least for people who are new to the dog world. A shout out to Ryann, who is our dog's trainer. She is patient, kind, and we dub her the dog-whisperer. She is entirely knowledgable, effective, encouraging, positive, and truly talented at what she does. Dog training is a process and she has really helped us get used to this new world! Yay!
  • Grace Foster
    Jul. 31, 2025
    I can’t say enough great things about Dog Training Elite—and especially our trainer Ryann! She worked with me and my service dog and was absolutely incredible throughout the entire process. Ryann not only helped train my dog with patience and expertise, but also took the time to train me so I could feel confident handling my dog in all kinds of real-world situations. Her approach was clear and consistent, and I could see real progress after every session. Ryann genuinely cares about our success, and it shows in every detail of her work.
  • Ashlee Clifton (Tarkowski)
    Jul. 28, 2025
    We had a wonderful experience with Dog Training Elite. From the start, they came out and met with us and our pup in person and free of charge. They offered different training programs based on our needs. We did six weeks of private training and it was worth every penny. Steven was our primary trainer and I wouldn’t hesitate to work with him again. He was great with our dog and patient with my husband and I. He helped us navigate various challenges with our dog but also interactions between our five year old and dog. Highly recommend Dog Training Elite!
  • Ken Coker
    Jul. 23, 2025
    This experience blew away my greatest expectations. My dog is a rescue and was extremely aggressive and very difficult to be restrained. He was always friendly, but prior to the training, he was jumping on people, constantly pulling on walks to the point of hurting himself and he would jump over the backyard fence and take off whenever he got the chance. He was always stressed out and my biggest concern was that he was going to hurt himself or be run over in the street. From the first 1 hour session my dog had completely responded to the training and was actually manageable for the first time. Our trainer, Hailey, was friendly, knowledgeable and professional and helped me whenever and with whatever I needed. Each session was a new skill and we were able to practice while she was with us and then Buddy and I continued to practice throughout the week. I could not be more impressed with Hailey, the company and the program and I HIGHLY recommend this service! This was the best investment I will ever make for Buddy and for my own peace of mind. My dog went from being an adorable menace to a well mannered dog who can now attend family events with children without the fear of anyone being hurt. I have no fear of him running off anymore and if he does, I know I can get him to come back. The only regret I have is that I didn't do this sooner. Do yourself and your dog a favor and get them trained immediately. You will not be sorry!
  • Angeline Putnickovich
    Jun. 3, 2025
    We are SO happy that we went with Dog Training Elite. Hailey was our trainer and truly changed our dog Walter for the better. His confidence and obedience is immensely improved from when we started our training. Hailey was extremely knowledgeable, helpful and was available to answer all of our questions even outside of training sessions. She really worked with us to understand our goals for our puppy and modified our training sessions specific to those goals. Truly so happy we were able to work with her and that our little Walter is the best behaved little guy there is.
  • Janell Tadajewski
    May. 10, 2025
    Dog Training Elite has been an invaluable partner in training our Scout to become a pet therapy dog. The in-home sessions focused on core skills with well thought out strategies personalized to her temperament. The group training brought out her confidence as she mastered commands amidst variable distractions and pressure. Our experience was heightened exponentially by our trainer Steve. He thoroughly explained the why behind the techniques and offered the puppy psychology to bring the concept home. He patiently weaved the lessons and tools into workable blocks which made practice more manageable. Additionally, he made himself available for texts and calls to troubleshoot issues or refresh my memory and adjust our approach. When we passed our certification exam, he was there to celebrate the accomplishment. I highly recommend Steve, Austin and all the trainers of Dog Training Elite….a magnificent organization making a difference for dogs and their families.
  • LouAnn Knaus
    Apr. 21, 2025
    The training is great! They work with you one on one your dog. Help you through the issues you may have. Great experience. Hailey is sweet, energetic and so helpful. She is a must if you want a well behaved dog. Thank you Hailey!
  • Thyra
    Apr. 18, 2025
    We had an amazing experience with Dog Training Elite and our trainer, Steven! He worked with my German Shepherd, Wolfgang, on obedience training and did a phenomenal job. Steven is not only professional and knowledgeable, but also incredibly skilled at explaining techniques clearly and reading both the dog and handler. What really stood out was his ability to pivot and adjust methods if something wasn’t clicking for us—no ego, just a real dedication to helping us succeed. His confidence and calm demeanor made Wolfgang feel comfortable and engaged, and I felt supported every step of the way. We just wrapped up our Platinum package and are really looking forward to starting the group classes soon. I highly recommend Steven and Dog Training Elite to anyone looking for effective, personalized dog training!
  • Jim Ashley
    Apr. 18, 2025
    Working with Austin was a great experience. His knowledge and patience is exceptional. He clearly explains the why, what and how of his training methods. He listens to what your goals are and tailors the training around that. They don't simply run a generic training playbook. I highly, highly recommend.
  • Cindy Warren
    Jan. 28, 2025
    I owned 4 previous dogs (labs) and trained them myself. But then I rescued a husky mix last April. I walk nearby trails everyday and I was struggling with my dog pulling, launching, and passing people and other dogs. Steven Dennison and Elite have helped me learn tips, tools, and training to allow my dog and I to enjoy our hikes without fear of falling, getting angry at her, having to get way off the trail in the poison ivy and tics when people and dogs pass, etc.. And with this new peaceful structure, my dog is more affectionate and attached to me! Steven was kind, understanding, helpful and positive in working with my dog and I. I am SO grateful!
  • Stephanie Shinkle
    Apr. 10, 2025
    Steven was amazing! We were struggling with training our very large puppy. We needed guidance from an expert in this field. Steven was knowledgeable, intuitive, creative and kind. He helped build our confidence and the results are fantastic. Our dog now has manners, doesn't jump on people and loves the "jobs" we give him. I highly recommend this company, Steven!
  • Anna Moreno
    Apr. 9, 2025
    We have used Dog Training Elite 2x now and find them to be amazing. Both our dogs are mini Australian shepherd poodle mixes and can be a handful. We have had both Austin and Hailey as Trainers, and both are exceptional. For our most recent pup,Merlin, we had Hailey as our trainer. She truly understood how worried I have been about not only the safety of our puppy but the safety of my elder mother who is home with him the most. She has made sure that my mom is comfortable using the different training techniques and even has helped us figure out a way for my mom to take merlin on walks while using her walker. Hailey has been a delight to work with. These trainers are amazing, and you are in good hands with them.
A Dog Training Elite Southeast Michigan owner smiling with his dog in Metro Detroit, MI.

Dog Training Elite Southeast Michigan

Is a Service Dog The Same As a Therapy Dog?

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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 Southeast Michigan

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 Southeast Michigan - PTSD Service Dog Training in Metro Detroit, MI. DTE

PTSD Service Dog

If you're looking to train a PTSD service dog in Metro Detroit, MI, 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 Southeast Michigan - Psychiatric Service Dog Training in Metro Detroit, MI

Psychiatric Service Dog Training

Our psychiatric service dog training in Metro Detroit, MI 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 Southeast Michigan - Mobility Service Dog Training in Metro Detroit, MI

Mobility Support Service Dog

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

Dog Training Elite Southeast Michigan - Autism Support Dog Training in Metro Detroit, MI

Autism Support Service Dog

Bring life-changing support to your family with Dog Training Elite's autism support dog training in Metro Detroit, MI. 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 Metro Detroit service dog training with Dog Training Elite.

Dog Training Elite Southeast Michigan

Service Dogs for Anxiety, PTSD, and Autism

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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 Southeast Michigan.

How Do I Get a Service Dog?

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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 Southeast Michigan.
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Educate, Empower, Elevate, Elite

Victory Begins With Elite Education

A trainer, a man and his service dog - find the best service dog training in Metro Detroit, MI with Dog Training Elite.

We Are Committed to Making a Difference

Choose DTE for Metro Detroit Service Dog Training

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At Dog Training Elite, we are passionate about transforming lives through Metro Detroit 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 Southeast Michigan and experience the difference that elite training and compassionate care can make.