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A service dog and their owner outside - find elite service dog training in Panama City, FL with Dog Training Elite.
Dog Training Elite

Service Dog Training in Panama City, FL

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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 Emerald Coast

Service Dog Training in Panama City, FL

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 Panama City, FL, 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.

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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

  • Harry Evans
    Oct. 3, 2025
    We researched a lot before deciding on Dog Training Elite. We are so happy we went with them. From day one, they made us feel like part of the family. They tailored a training program that fit our needs and have been instrumental in the bond we share with our pup! I can't think of anyone else I would trust Zoe with! Cant wait to see what comes next!
  • Ryan Wilson
    Oct. 3, 2025
    Dog Training Elite are great. Did wonders on my GSP Piper. She would run off and didn’t know any simple commands. Now we go on walks off leash and she knows many commands. Well worth the time and money.
  • Leslie Moffitt
    Sep. 28, 2025
    I have nothing but good things to say about Dog Training Elite. The training that they’ve provided have turned our wild rescue pup into a well behaved pooch. They have several different levels of training that they offer. We opted for 3 weeks of training camp followed by four in home training sessions and then group sessions for the life of our pup. Yes - you heard that correct - for the life of the pup. We’re able to take Molly to restaurants and bars and she is more well behaved than some of the customers! Another thing that was an added bonus is training your pup really helps you bond. We had no idea. I guess at this point we are well trained as well..lol
  • Renee Montalbano
    Sep. 24, 2025
    I can’t say enough wonderful things about Dog Training Elite Emerald Coast and especially Tina the Trainer! From the very first session, Tina not only worked wonders with my dog, Bianca, but also took the time to train me as an owner. She taught me the importance of consistency, which has made a huge difference in Bianca’s behavior and our relationship. Tina and her entire staff have always been professional, patient, and genuinely caring. They answered all my questions and made sure I felt confident every step of the way. I’m so grateful I did my research and found Dog Training Elite. The best part is seeing how much Bianca has improved—she’s happier, more obedient, and truly understands what’s expected of her. Tina helped fill in the gaps where I was struggling, and I feel empowered as a dog owner now. I highly recommend Tina and her team to anyone looking for real results and a positive experience! Sincerely... Thank you, Tina, Lily and staff for everything you’ve done for us!
  • Mia Donovan
    Jul. 1, 2025
    Dog Training Elite is the best! After 8 private sessions, my dog has seen significant improvements! It used to be impossible to take her on a walk, but now we can do so comfortably with minimal pulling. She has also learned many other helpful commands including sit, down, and coming when she is called. Tina and her team of trainers are patient and polite, treating every dog like family and helping owners achieve their desired goals for their pups. They do an amazing job of accommodating both the client’s and pet’s needs throughout the training process, creating a schedule and timeline that best meets an individual’s unique circumstances. I highly recommend Dog Training Elite!
  • Vanessa hoke
    Jun. 3, 2025
    Amazing price and service. Assisted with reactivity in one dog and fear of dogs with the other dog. There is still work to do everyday but definitely gave the correct tools to do the work and help them be successful. All the trainers are amazing. Best thing we did.
  • Kimberly Dickey
    May. 28, 2025
    Tina (and her staff) have been great to work with and are especially good at meeting us "where we are" in our dog journey. :-) This has been both figuratively and literally. We have livestock guardian dogs, which are a distinct breed from most. Tina has helped us achieve our personal goals and has been willing to meet us at various locations to accomplish these objectives. We have been very comfortable and delighted with Tina's work with our new puppies! -- we highly recommend Dog Training Elite!! (I think we all owe it to our pets to get human training from Tina to be better owners.) Thanks!
  • Gabrielle Chapman
    May. 17, 2025
    Dog Training Elite Panama City is absolutely incredible!! I started my mini dachshund, Woody, here at 12 weeks old in the puppy training. The trainers had Woody sitting, doing down, coming on command, among many other commands within the first week! Sunnee has been especially incredible as we moved to in-home training. She’s very calm and gentle with her training, but highly effective. My pup absolutely loves her. I recommend Dog Training Elite for your dog training needs! They’re highly communicative and professional. Thanks Dog Training Elite PC!
  • Roy Daniels
    May. 16, 2025
    Dog training elite has been a tremendous help and a great experience. Lily has been absolutely wonderful and patient with scheduling and rescheduling. Sunnee our trainer was a pleasure to work with. She's very knowledgeable and, passionate about the training and, ensuring you get the results you desire. We noticed a difference in Val after the first session. We had a late session one evening and Val was tired. We put her in place, and she decided she was done for the day. She went to the back of her doghouse and would not come out. Sunnee climbed right in there and brought her back out. We knew then Sunnee took her job serious. Sonnee will be respectful and talk soft, but she doesn't have a problem keeping the owner and dog involved with the training. It's been a wonderful experience with great results during out time with Sunnee and Dog training elite. Thank you to the whole team. Roy & Martha
  • loni Reams
    May. 5, 2025
    If I could give more than 5 stars I would! About a year ago when our family wanted to get a puppy, we knew training was something we wanted to invest in. After searching the local area for pet trainers, we came across Dog training elite and decided to call and set up a tour. We have never had a puppy before and wanted to make sure we were setting our new addition up for success and boy have we!! Our now 1 year old Corgi has been with DTE for about 10 months and has been such an angel with commands, tricks and obedience than we could've imagined she'd be. DTE from the beginning has been so kind to our family and our pup. They have been there for any questions we have had, addressed concerns we've had promptly with our pup, provides a drop in dog camp for our girl to continue to be shown love, training and playtime with her best friends. DTE will always be a part of our journey. The whole experience we've had so far is far more valuable than money.
  • Melissa Privett
    May. 5, 2025
    Dog Training Elite has the best trainers around-- my Goldendoodle (and I!) went through two weeks of training, and it changed my relationship with him for the better. He's more obedient, more respectful of others, and I feel like I can take him anywhere without worrying about his behavior around other people. He loves his trainers, Sunny and Jeremiah! After his training was completed, he passed his Canine Good Citizen test, and he is on the way to being a therapy dog. I highly recommend Dog Training Elite!
  • Shavonne Rodriguez
    Apr. 23, 2025
    I can’t say enough good things about Dog Training Elite Emerald Coast! From the moment I reached out, Lily has been so communicative and responsive. She made the whole process feel smooth and reassuring. When I had any concerns the owner, Tina, personally called me to walk me through everything. She explained my options clearly and helped find what would work best for me—and it worked out perfectly! They genuinely listen to your needs and tailor the training to you and your dog. They even upload photos and videos to a shared Google Drive so you can see your fur baby’s daily progress, which I absolutely love. The in-home training has been a perfect fit for us since it focuses on where our pup spends the most time—at home. A huge shoutout to Sunnee, who’s been nothing short of amazing. She’s incredibly patient and teaches you things you wouldn’t even think about when it comes to dog training. I couldn’t have done this without her! With a baby due in mid-May, I was on a time crunch, and they were so understanding. They worked diligently with me to find a schedule and training plan that fit. I never once felt rushed or like a burden—they truly care about you and your dog. Their customer service and care for animals is unmatched. I 100% recommend Dog Training Elite Emerald Coast for anyone looking for professional, compassionate, and effective dog training!
  • Sharon Williams
    Apr. 17, 2025
    We needed a trainer very badly for our Berger Picard. We were very skeptical taking him to just anyone. My daughter recommended Dog training Elite , since that is where she took her schnauzer. It’s amazing how he went from not listening to anything to where he is today. Chewbacca was very stubborn, and had anxiety issues really bad. After the first week of training we were amazed how he had changed. In 3 weeks he is now a stable dog, and we are able to take him places with us without him freaking out. And he actually comes when we call him. Thank you so much Jeremiah and Sunny for all the hard work you did with Chewbacca . We would highly recommend Dog training Elite Emerald coast to anyone. And if you get Jeremiah or Sunny for the trainers you will definitely be very pleased .
  • Windows Quilter
    Apr. 16, 2025
    I've really enjoyed working with Sunnee from Dog Training Elite. She is very knowledgeable and works with myself and my dog in a professional, as well as, friendly manner.
  • James DeGraaf
    Apr. 15, 2025
    We are currently 3/4 of the way threw our training and to say we are very pleased is an understatement. Tina has brought us far more than just training our beloved Steward, she has brought us hope. I would highly recommend Dog Training Elite. They bring experience with proven results. 5 plus plus stars.
  • Ann Talkington
    Apr. 14, 2025
    Sunnee is the BEST!! Thank you so much for helping us with BOSCO. Group lessons and individual lessons really really helped with crazy behaviors and 140# big boy!! Thank you so much!!
  • Cheryl Kennedy
    Mar. 23, 2025
    Ms Betty, my shepard mix, and I moved to Pensacola in October 2024. When I adopted her I was her fourth home in one year. Needless to say she came wit a lot of issues. I'm so glad that Dog Training Elite was recommended to me! The owner, Tina, and her team are the best! Tina, was so good during our training sessions! She explained everything in detail to where it made sense, she was very patient, and in my opinion is the BEST!
  • Logan Pledger
    Mar. 23, 2025
    I cannot recommend this place enough, I wish I had the ability to leave more stars. I was referred to them by a friend and I’m beyond grateful for the recommendation. I was struggling with a shy, timid dog that made it difficult to do anything outside of my house. They gave my boy Rusty some much needed confidence and made him a much more obedient, well behaved dog all around. The staff treated him like one of their own and he was always so excited to be at the facility. I highly recommend this place for any training needs!
  • Jeremy Willes
    Mar. 7, 2025
    Tina and her team have been fantastic to work with. You could really tell they all love dogs. Amy Frenchie Arlo loved going classes daily. After the weeks of daily training. Tina kept us up-to-date with daily photo posts on a shared drive so we can monitor how Arlo was doing. We loved see the photos and hearing and seeing first hand his progress. Tina does group classes to help reinforce what the dogs learn and for their owners to learn how to operate and handle the dog to match their Training. She has setup Training with the airport to go through TSA as service animals. I am so glad for the continued support and opportunities to reinforce the training not only for my dog but for myself as his owner. It's nice to know the support will continue until both myself snd my dog feel comfortable. Thank you for all of your support, training, and genuine caring for our little Arlo. Here's a funny one where he decided to take a break in the middle of an obstacle course. They kept him busy and tuckered out daily.
  • Chanelle Williams
    Mar. 7, 2025
    I can't say enough great things about Sunnee! She is incredibly patient, knowledgeable, and truly passionate about helping our two pitbulls and their owners succeed. She worked with us on basic commands and behavior, and her guidance made such a difference. Her calm and professional approach made training enjoyable and effective, and she always took the time to answer our questions and ensure we felt confident. Thanks to her, our dog’s are better behaved and happier than ever. I highly recommend her to anyone looking for a skilled and caring dog trainer!"
A Dog Training Elite Emerald Coast owner smiling with his dog in Panama City, FL.

Dog Training Elite Emerald Coast

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 Emerald Coast

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 Emerald Coast - PTSD Service Dog Training in Panama City, FL. DTE

PTSD Service Dog

If you're looking to train a PTSD service dog in Panama City, FL, 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 Emerald Coast - Psychiatric Service Dog Training in Panama City, FL

Psychiatric Service Dog Training

Our psychiatric service dog training in Panama City, FL 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 Emerald Coast - Mobility Service Dog Training in Panama City, FL

Mobility Support Service Dog

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

Dog Training Elite Emerald Coast - Seizure Response Dog Training in Panama City, FL

Medical Response Dog Training

If you are in need of a seizure response dog in Panama City, FL, Dog Training Elite can help. Our training program is designed to help individuals with epilepsy regain independence and confidence.

Dog Training Elite Emerald Coast - Autism Support Dog Training in Panama City, FL

Autism Support Service Dog

Bring life-changing support to your family with Dog Training Elite's autism support dog training in Panama City, FL. 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 Panama City service dog training with Dog Training Elite.

Dog Training Elite Emerald Coast

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 Emerald Coast.

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 Emerald Coast.
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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 Panama City, FL with Dog Training Elite.

We Are Committed to Making a Difference

Choose DTE for Panama City Service Dog Training

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At Dog Training Elite, we are passionate about transforming lives through Panama City 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 Emerald Coast and experience the difference that elite training and compassionate care can make.