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Service Dog Training Near You
What makes a dog a service dog? Who can have a service dog, and why? We answer all these questions and more, as well as explain what sets Dog Training Elite Omaha apart from any other dog training service.
Not all training packages may be available at our Dog Training Elite Omaha location, please reference our pricing page for complete information on services offered.
Service Dog Training FAQs
What makes a dog a service dog?
Service dogs are dogs that have been specially trained to assist their handler or owner with specific tasks. Dog Training Elite Omaha trains dogs to assist people with epilepsy, diabetes, PTSD, autism, and various mental illnesses.
Who are service dogs for?
Service dogs are for any individual dealing with a disability that lowers their quality of life. For example, someone who suffers from epilepsy may avoid going out in public due to a fear of falling or other consequences related to seizures. This may inhibit their independence and sense of well-being.
In addition to improving the lives of individuals, service dogs can bring a sense of security to families, such as families with autistic children. Children with autism can often feel isolated and a service dog becomes a 24/7 companion to share experiences with, connect with and love. They can also help children reintegrate into society and connect with others.
Families who have children with autism experience a decrease in stress as they are more able to engage socially in public settings and experience less anxiety at home. A service dog increases safety and has a calming presence that can minimize emotional outbursts, allowing the family to feel more secure and a child with autism to better participate in family activities.
Service dogs are for all individuals or families that are experiencing a decrease in quality of life due to disability.
What kind of training does a service dog need?
Service dog training begins with puppies. Dog Training Elite Omaha’s service puppy training program works with breeders to adopt puppies that are fully obedience trained by six months and are ready to undergo extensive socialization and additional training to ensure they are well-suited for service and therapy needs.
Then, Dog Training Elite Omaha places puppies with families or individuals. Further specialized service training takes place alongside the new handler. It generally takes 1-2 years for a service dog to become fully trained.
Service dog training focuses on two main areas: public access behaviors, and how to “do work or perform tasks” that assist with a disability.
Public access behaviors refer to how a service dog acts in public - well-trained service dogs remain calm in public situations and in turn help their handlers to stay calm, and are attuned to any other handler needs.
As for “do work or perform tasks,” the ADA requires that service dogs be trained to take a specific action when needed to assist the person with a disability.
For example, to assist handlers with PTSD, Dog Training Elite Omaha trains dogs to de-escalate anxiety, wake handlers experiencing night terrors, and so on.
Do service dogs require special certification?
The ADA does not require special certification for service animals. State and local government agencies, businesses and non-profit organizations may not require documentation, such as proof that the animal has been certified, trained or licensed as a service animal, as a condition for entry. Mandatory registration of service animals in the city of residence is also not permissible under the ADA.
However, service animals are not exempt from local animal control or public health requirements, such as vaccinations, or local dog licensing and registration requirements.
Why should I train my service dog with Dog Training Elite Omaha?
Dog Training Elite Omaha sets itself apart from other dog training methods by focusing on positive reinforcement with a personalized, in-home approach. This method empowers owners and handlers to be an integral part of the process for sustained dog obedience and service training. For service dogs especially, it is important that handlers be present and involved every step of the way.
The positive reinforcement approach, also referred to as “Classical Conditioning” or the “Pavlovian” model has shown to be more effective with longer lasting results than any other training method.
Dog Training Elite Omaha does not use punishments or shock collars to break bad habits. Instead, Dog Training Elite Omaha pairs positive reinforcement training with a vibration electronic collar. An electronic collar is not a shock collar and does not harm the dog. It is used to gain the dog’s attention, similar to a tug on a leash. It is never used as a punishment for bad behavior.
Another unique aspect of training with Dog Training Elite Omaha is that while most dog training programs train dogs at their own facilities, Dog Training Elite Omaha specializes in in-home training, customizing training to the dog, its owners and its environment for long-lasting success.
Positive Reinforcement Training
Training takes time, commitment and balance and Dog Training Elite Omaha is there every step of the way. With Dog Training Elite Omaha, dogs will learn the highest level of obedience, even in the face of the toughest level of distractions. The positive-reinforcement method focuses on encouraging good behavior through ongoing praise, creating a dog that wants to please from the inside out and creating deep-rooted, sustained obedience as well as a strong bond between dog and owner.
Our Balanced Theory
We base our training around the "Classical Conditioning" model (a.k.a. "Pavlovian" or "respondent conditioning"). This includes developing conditioned or automatic reflexes to commands. In its simplest form (after proper conditioning), when the owner says "sit," the dog automatically sits without thinking about it. Our unique techniques ensure our program is a success no matter what behavior we encounter.
Empowering Owners
We empower owners to train so their dog knows who to obey at all times.
Personalized
We deal with problem behaviors on a personal basis.
Environment Specific
We train wherever issues tend to arise (i.e. jogging, park, home).
Supportive
We support owners in the off-hours (when training is "not in session").
Involved
We work with all members of the household.
Simplified & Customized
We plan training around the owner's schedule and require only 20 min/day follow-up practice.
Continued Training
Additional programs / group sessions offered after in-home training.
Lifetime Investment
We follow up & are invested in the owner's success long-term.
Satisfaction Ratings
Our high client satisfaction rating sets us apart from competitors.
clas·si·cal con·di·tion·ing PSYCHOLOGY noun A learning process that occurs when two stimuli are repeatedly paired; a response that is at first elicited by the second stimulus and is eventually elicited by the first stimulus alone.
We help your dog become a valued companion and beloved member of the family. Read what our customers have to say and then give us a call!
Amazing! Dog Training Elite Omaha exceeds our expectations for both of our pups! Before we confined our fur babies when visitors came. Now they are well-mannered and delightful hostesses. 😊— Lara Huskey
Posted June 2nd 2024
I would recommend Bob at Dog Training Elite daily! I had a reactive, misbehaved, and undisciplined Great Dane. I became overwhelmed and had no idea what to do with her behavior. I called Bob and he was confident that he could help me. After session one, I immediately saw a difference in behavior. I can now take Ellie with me almost anywhere! We had our first group class and not only was Bob extremely encouraging, everyone was so patient and very welcoming! Hiring Dog Training Elite was the best decision I have ever made for Ellie.— Harleigh
Posted June 1st 2024
Bob and his team did a great job of training Lucky (& us!). The one-on-one training sessions and group classes have helped Lucky master skills and be more comfortable in different environments around other dogs. Lucky has made great progress and we are so glad that we found Dog Training Elite. 💙— Katrina Wulf
Posted June 1st 2024
Bob has done such an amazing job with Max as well as teaching us how to train Max. Max has learned so many commands and executes them very well. I highly recommend Dog Training Elite Omaha and Bob.— Annis Clark
Posted May 31st 2024
We highly recommend Bob. Bode has come so far in his training and has become so well mannered. Bode has learned his commands so well in such a short time. Thanks, Bob!— Trish Kirby
Posted May 31st 2024
My daughter, Leslie, chose DTE Omaha for their special little man, in October, 2023. We noticed a night & day difference after Charlie's very FIRST in-home session! The patience shown to not just the dogs, but to the humans too, are unparalleled. In January, 2024, we had a sweet little girl choose us to be her Mommy & Daddy. I just put in the assessment request for Sadie to begin classes. I didn't need to 'shop around' after witnessing first-hand Charlie's transformation! For us DTE is a no-brainer! We're a military family, and very happy with the work & services DTE provides for the military community!— Meloney Smith
Posted April 13th 2024
Bob & Lyris at DTE-O are amazing!! They are so patient and understanding of my dog's trauma/reactivity. Zoe has made great strides in the 6 week (individual) classes and 2 (group) training sessions she has attended. Not only has the training helped her, it's been imperative for myself as well, to be "trained" and comfortable handling/correcting her behavior. Zoe has also gotten very good at "puppy push-ups," and seems to enjoy coming to work (class) as she is eager to listen and please. I'm so grateful to be working with DTE-O and I know for sure Zoe's outcome could've been much different if we had not found Bob & Lyris.— Audrey Carter
Posted April 6th 2024
Absolutely the best decision I ever made for my puppy!— Kayla Bullock
Posted February 23rd 2024
Bob has done a great job training our dog Remy to be a service dog. Bob does one on one instruction as well as group classes. He also provides a veteran/military discount.— Amanda Butler
Posted January 7th 2024
I was a bit apprehensive at first, but Bob quickly put my mind and heart at ease. The in home trainings have been foundational…with good results. Bob is a natural. He understands my dog’s temperament and works to create a connection. Briggs and I experienced our first group class last week. It was a well run class and well worth our time. There is real value in the group classes he offers! There is no hesitation in my recommendation of DTE Omaha!— Judi Huff
Posted January 2nd 2024
Bob is absolutely incredible! He is very kind and patient, not just with the dog but with us humans who get the training too! I have noticed a HUGE difference in my HUGE Bernese Mountain Dog and it’s all thanks to this training course and the classes we’ve taken. Bernie and family are all happy!— Brittany Marie
Posted January 1st 2024
Bob is absolutely incredible! He is very kind and patient, not just with the dog but with us humans who get the training too! I have noticed a HUGE difference in my HUGE Bernese Mountain Dog and it’s all thanks to this training course and the classes we’ve taken. Bernie and family are all happy!— Brittany Timperley
Posted January 1st 2024
I contacted Bob and Lyris after Ziggy and I got into a car accident. Ziggy became very fearful about getting into a car. With the help of Bob and Lyris, Ziggy loves to get back into the car once again for rides. I cannot say enough great things about Bob and Lyris. They have helped me train Ziggy into a great dog that listens to commands and they care about every dog they train. Thank you Bob and Lyris— Max Martin
Posted December 30th 2023
I highly recommend Bob with Dog Training Elite! Milo and Cooper loved working with him and felt so much more comfortable because the trainings were held at our own house. They are so much better behaved in all ways and I am so thankful for everything that Bob has done! If you have ever considered dog training, 10/10 recommend Dog Training Elite!— Addy Combs
Posted December 30th 2023
Bob has done a great job not only training our mini Aussie Beau, but also training my wife and I how to handle Beau. Before our first session Beau wasn’t able to interact with people or dogs without barking or fearful aggression, but he has had a drastic improvement and we are very proud of his progress. Would definitely recommend Bob and Lyris of Dog Training Elite to anyone who is having difficulty or behavioral issues with their dog! Our friends and family have even verbalized the improvement in our dog’s behavior! We also enjoy the socialization Beau gets during group class on Saturdays!— Jay Lorts
Posted October 20th 2023
Thanks to Bob, my puppy turned into the most well behaved dog and has been the sweetest lovebug. We went from him dragging me on walks to healing. He used to jump on everyone and now he knows his manners! Dog Training Elie has been the biggest God send and they are worth every penny!!!— Leslie Smith
Posted October 8th 2023
Bob Wiegand is the BEST! We were at our wit's end trying to train our dog, Nova, ourselves. Bob knew exactly what was wrong and how to turn it around. Nova's a different dog now. She's much happier doing her job and follows commands as we progress through the course. Thank you, Bob, for your compassion, your skills and your confidence in our family and in Nova. - Ruth, Sarah, Tim— Ruth Leacock
Posted October 7th 2023
I cannot say enough good things about Bob and Lyris. I have two Australian Shepherds who have a lot of energy, anxiety, loved to bark and were not good on walks. I can happily say that these boys are completely different dogs in all ways. Bob and Lyris truly care about my dogs, their continued success as well as our success as owners. If you are looking to train a new puppy or even just refine some behavior of your dog, please contact Bob and they will go above and beyond to ensure you see the desired results. The best part, the training happens right in the comfort of your own home so that your dogs are comfortable and safe. Thank you Bob and Lyris!!!!— Addy Combs
Posted September 30th 2023
Bob and Lyris make up an incredible team, and are so vastly intelligent. They have helped us understand our dogs Milo and Cooper and become better dog parents. They no longer bark at passing neighbors/cars, and can take them on walks with us. Thank you for being such a bright light.— Isaiah Keck
Posted September 30th 2023
Dog Training Elite has been wonderful to work with! We loved the free in home estimate where Bob got to meet our Ally and walk through exactly what we wanted to work on and his plan to accomplish it. We completed our 6 sessions and couldn't be happier in the progress we've seen with our dog. Bob is very easy to talk to and does a great job explaining to us the "why" behind dogs do what they do, in addition to, how to correct the behavior. He was very knowledgeable and loving with Ally! Definitely recommend!— nrender
Posted June 23rd 2023