Frequently Asked Questions. Dog Training Elite Park City

FAQs

Dog Training Elite in Park City, UT

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Frequently Asked Questions

General

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.

The answer to this is in how the technology of "shock" collars (as they were called in the past) has changed a lot since they originated several years ago. The stimulation in the electronic collars we use is much like a TENS unit and provides a tapping sensation that is used to get the dog's attention on a very low level. We use a brand called Dogtra. We do not use "shock" collars, but electronic collars employed by the top obedience trainers around the world and in Park City.

No. We use electronic collars to get the dogs attention only. When you work around distractions (which is one of our main focuses), keeping your dog's attention is paramount. The collar, combined with positive reinforcement (we like to use praise), help create a positive learning environment in Park City for your dog.

In most cases, the collar will run at about $250, without tax, but is subject to market fluctuation in Park City.

No, but your dog will wear it a lot in the beginning. The objective is to create a conditioned response with your dog; meaning that when you say 'sit', your dog sits automatically without thinking about it first. Much like Pavlov's Dogs or Pavlovian Conditioning, we create a reflex response to you giving a command using the electronic collar. That being said, after your dog is "collar-conditioned", you will be able to remove the collar and still have a dog that will be obedient.

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 Park City.

To effectively resolve specific issues, we need to start with a solid foundation in obedience. This approach helps you become a confident leader for your dog, which is key to addressing and preventing behavioral problems.

Nope. Those are dangerous grounds to tread upon. We'd much rather train a vicious dog!

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.

Yes. Working with and controlling aggression is one of our specialties in Park City.

We focus on training companion dogs for veterans and individuals with PTSD and other psychological conditions. In addition to service animals, we also train therapy dogs that visit hospitals, nursing homes, and treatment centers.

To be a service dog, your dog needs to have an even temperament. Golden Retrievers, Labrador Retrievers, Standard Poodles, Goldendoodles, etc. typically have a great temperament for service work. For some types of service work, your dog will need to have AKC certifications (such as Canine Good Citizen or Community Canine) which we are able to certify. As always, we would be happy to assess your dog's aptitude for service work for free!

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About Dog Training Elite Park City

Dog Training Elite Park City - Meet Our Elite Team. Dog Training Elite Park City

Meet the Team

Get to know the dedicated professionals behind Dog Training Elite Park City. 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.

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Reviews

Our testimonials showcase the success stories of dogs and their owners who have benefited from our training programs. From basic obedience to advanced service dog training, see how Dog Training Elite Park City has transformed the lives of countless dogs and their families!

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Careers

Join the Dog Training Elite Park City 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.

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Gallery

Our gallery features photos and videos of dogs in training, successful graduates, and highlights from community events. See what Dog Training Elite Park City can offer your dog and get a glimpse of the work we’re passionate about.

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Dog Training Elite Park City - Local Dog Trainers in Park City, UT. DTE

In the Community

At Dog Training Elite Park City, 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.

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Hear From Our Customers

Learn Why Dog owners choose Dog Training Elite

PAOLA ECHEVERRI

Aug. 28, 2024

Words cannot express the deepest sense of gratitude I have for Dog Training Elite Northern Utah. Our puppy Sage was completely unmanageable. We had basically lost hope and were at our wits end, unsure of what our next step was with her. Thankfully, we found DTENU. They trained us in the art of handling our puppy. They listened to our concerns and we re always available for feedback or any questions we had. We could not have done this without Trevor, who took us under his wing and shared his passion for training and handling dogs. Thank you to Colleen, Matt, Lexie, Fona and Griffin. I absolutely recommend this company for any of your dog training needs.
Kevin Deneen

Jul. 8, 2024

Highly recommend! We adopted a new dog - a very sweet, fun but high-energy and drive Jack Russell Terrier - who turned out to be a bit more than we had bargained for. We found Dog Training Elite Park City and were super impressed with them. Both Fona and the owners were great to communicate with, both in terms of availability but also their knowledge and genuine desire to help us and our dog. We did an in-person consultation with Trevor and were very impressed by him. Ultimately, after a lot of reflection and consultation with many people, we made the very challenging decision to rehome the new dog. This meant that we didn't end up needing Dog Training Elite's services, but we would certainly be working with them if we had been able to keep the dog. They earned our trust!
Mary Silverzweig

Jul. 2, 2024

Absolutely professional experience from start to finish. I wanted to certify Sophie as a Therapy dog, and Coleen and her staff helped me do it. Positivity is the key, teaching owners, me, how to train my dog to be the kind of dog we all want our dogs to be. Trevor, lead trainer, is a dog whisperer, with an amazing ability to teach dog-owner pair to work together. I knew a lot about dogs. Like to think I could have gotten where we are without help. But I know that isn’t true. It would have taken me years, if ever, to get the level of responsiveness from Sophie. Elite is there for you whenever you need them for advice. Plenty of individual sessions and endless group classes. Fantastic people, providing insight and support. Best doggie decision I ever made. Thank you Trevor. Thank you Elite! And now Sophie is a certified therapy dog, looking forward to her new career!
David Spinowitz

Jun. 11, 2024

I was blown away by Trevor's knowledge, technique, and ability to read and communicate with our dog. To say Trevor is a dog whisperer would be an understatement. Worth every penny!
Evan LaValley

Mar. 25, 2024

Had a super experience with Elite! They are very knowledgeable, flexible with our schedule and continue to be there for support if we have questions.
Breck Dittman

Feb. 24, 2024

This is my first time professionally training a puppy. DTE has made this experience so enjoyable and rewarding for me and my pup. The whole team are wonderful. Cohen, Lexi, Trevor, & Fona have all worked wonderfully with me and my sometimes challenging schedule. Thank you all! From Summit & I, we are so thankful to have chosen you to enrich our lives.
CC Vidmar

Apr. 29, 2023

have had a remarkable experience with Dog Training Elite Northern Utah. Like any canine, whether young or adult, there were instances where I experienced triumphs and setbacks. However, the trainers were present throughout the entire journey, extending their assistance in every situation that I encountered. Presently, I work with my dog on a daily basis, and it is a delightful experience to witness the extent of her obedience and training. She is steadily progressing towards becoming an exceptional Service Animal. CC Vidmar
Joanie Engram-Bibb

Apr. 26, 2023

I could not be happier with my dog’s trainer, Trevor. He was professional, fun, extremely knowledgeable on all aspects of training and overall care of my puppy. His enthusiasm was infectious for me and my dog. No questions I had were too big or small for him to answer. Great interaction with both pet and owner.
Brenda Alexander

Mar. 22, 2023

Dog Training Elite Northern Utah has transformed Malo, our German Shepherd mix, from being aggressive and out of control to being the loving, relaxed dog he was as a puppy. Malo had grown to hate strangers, and it was impossible for us to calm him down if anyone he didn’t know came to our house. We had tried other training programs that hadn’t worked for us and made us feel frustrated and desperate. Within the first few minutes of our first session, Trevor had Malo happily walking next to him. The training occurred in our home, which was exactly what we needed to deal with daily issues like answering the door and having company over. Trevor even incorporated our other dogs into the training so Malo learned not to join in when the other two get riled up or bark at various things outside. The weekly group classes have provided a safe space for Malo to get more comfortable around other people and other dogs. We still have work to do with Malo, but we have the tools necessary to handle new situations while keeping Malo and everyone involved safe. Trevor and team have been lifesavers for our family!
Senja Maholland

Feb. 26, 2023

Wow - totally appreciate the team at Dog Training Elite - Northern Utah. The system is simple to learn for me and my dog and highly effective. My headstrong rambunctious dog is walking nicely on a leash, coming when called, sitting on command and learning to ignore distractions and focus on me. The training tips are specific to my dog and me. And the team has even helped lessen his anxiety about riding in cars. I was referred to DTE and it is one of the best suggestions to come my way. Thank you DTE team!
Desiree Carpenter

Jan. 17, 2023

Finding Dog Training Elite was the best thing to happen to me in 2022. Being new to the area and after working with a few trainers in the recent past, I was unsure of where else to turn when my mini Aussie Kona continued showing signs of aggression towards kids and specific people. Kona is NOT a fan of my landlord at all, and when he’d come to the house, she would react like she wanted to actually eat him. After working with Trevor (who is an incredible trainer) we got Kona to the point where my landlord was able to walk her on a leash inside AND outside my house right next to him! I was amazed and so was my landlord. This company is BY FAR the best to hire for any type of reactive behaviors and simple commands. I don’t know where Kona and I would be if I wasn’t able to get her reactive behaviors under control. My little Fluffy baby is more loving than ever and has done a full 360 . She absolutely loves Trevor when we have classes, and finally has an understanding that this is OUR world and she’s living in it. Not the other way around haha Thank you to all the trainers we have worked with! Your all wonderful!
Jennifer Shuler Deramo

Nov. 23, 2022

The trainers have taught us how to help our new puppy understand the rules of his home and become a beloved member of our family. We have two kids under 5 that he already interacts with gently and kindly despite being a large and energetic breed. We are incredibly grateful to have gotten to skip the usual puppy terrors thanks to their help. Cannot recommend them highly enough!
Megan Pryor

Nov. 5, 2022

I own a 2 year old Golden Shepherd(German Shepherd/Golden Retriever) mix. We started training when he was around 1, I was nervous he was too shy of a dog to be service but DTE worked wonders with him. The trainers are so kind and caring they helped Zeus fly through his training. He is now my psychiatric and medical alert service dog. If you’re looking to train your dog whether it be just basic obedience, aggression, service, etc. I highly recommend going through them, they really care about what you want but also the well-being of your pup. And special thanks to Melanie, she became Zeus’s best friend!!
Dr. Kate Burton

Oct. 3, 2022

So happy with my decision to use Elite for Root's therapy dog training! :) Very pleased with everything all of the trainers have helped us through so far. Update to come when we pass the tests!
Helen Feltovich

Jun. 14, 2022

These guys are the best, a 6 out of 5! We found them when we got a new cavapoo puppy to keep our 10yo Goldendoodle “young”, a plan which completely backfired. We’d had other trainings with Daisy over the years, including puppy classes, private trainers who worked with e-collars, etc and determined that she was a lost cause (she’s a rescue and pretty meek), though were okay with that because she usually comes when we call. Mostly she was terrified of the r-collar because of past experiences. Colleen came to evaluate, and suggested Daisy might benefit by training, and it’d be hard to teach Charlie (the new guy) good habits if Daisy was modeling otherwise. I was extremely skeptical of course, and tried to tell the other trainer we work with (Trevor) that I wanted to leave Daisy alone (he very cheerfully just said “let’s have some fun!”) Long story short, this meek dog now runs with her tail wagging every morning to get on her collar. It’s like she knows her day of fun and work is starting. Charlie is doing great too, but I expected that. I didn’t expect my aging dog to love her life so much even though now she listens to me instead of running after every duck or potgut that crosses her path. She looks at me, trembling with desire to chase but doesn’t budge. Maybe someday when she’s had months more practice (it’s only been a few weeks) I’ll “break” her and let her chase. Not sure about that, but I do know I am amazed by our miracle dog(s). Trevor and Colleen are worth their weight in gold. Our lives are literally better because of them. (Pics of Daisy “place”ing on a picnic table, them running together in the park, and Charlie rolling in mud (we haven’t had the no-mud lesson yet haha). I simply could not give them a higher recommendation.
Katie Perhai

May. 31, 2022

Dog Training Elite has been an absolute game-changer for our English Bulldog, Larry. When he started showing signs of aggression toward other dogs, we didn't know where to turn. I am so grateful I found Colleen and, specifically, Trevor, who have given us the tools to manage his aggression and expose him to other dogs in a safe way. Even more, Trevor has instilled the confidence in me to handle Larry in multiple scenarios. Larry absolutely loves Trevor (and the other trainers!) and wags his little tail non-stop during his lessons.
Laurie Tippet

Mar. 26, 2022

After extensive research on dog trainers and type of training, we went with Dog Training Elite and so happy with our decision! Colleen and the entire staff were excellent! Their communication, appointment reminder texts, patience and understanding of our concerns regarding e -collars and knowledge and expertise and communication skills explaining their methods, along with a quality e-collar (not all are the same), were phenomenal. Moreover, Colleen was incredible bonding with and teaching our 1yr old bernedoodle Oakley as well as with Oakley’s handlers (myself and daughter) - which is a huge part of the training. The five private, in home sessions, were invaluable. Colleen also helped us with our 10 yr old golden doodle Barley as Oakley would react to his “big brother” and not always in a good way. I cannot say enough accolades about Colleen - she exceeded our expectations. The park sessions are also a big perk in cementing the training in a social environment. Pics of Oakley who instantly picked up “place” and now goes on his own:)
tara Freifeld

Dec. 7, 2021

Finding Colleen and her team at the PC farmers market was the best thing to every happen for me and Odin! We went from a crazy puppy to an amazing dog, in a very short period of time. Colleen’s patience and ability to work with the whole family was a complete game changer. She took the time to understand all of the issues Odin was having and addressed every one of them. He is now a very well adjusted 16 month old, and we look forward to seeing the team again when we return to Park City. I highly recommend Dog Training Elite Park City, with no hesitation! Thank you to Colleen and her team
Isabel Grover

Oct. 26, 2021

I'm so thrilled to have hired Colleen and the entire Dog Training Elite team to work with my puppy. They really helped with essentials such as listening, recall, and leash walking with several distractions. I definitely recommend using this company for dog training.
Cindy Dupper

Jul. 28, 2021

We were so happy we hired Elite dog training. We saw immediate results that made our puppy behave! It was really life changing for us, now we can take her everywhere with us. They helped train her to hike, bike off leash… I highly recommend them!

Reviews & Testimonials

Our Team

Colleen Tvorik

Owner & Trainer - DTE Northern Utah

Colleen grew up in Lansing, Michigan with parents who bred and co-owned Golden Retrievers with a professional trainer who specialized in field trial retrievers and obedience. She can't remember a time when a retriever in training was not actively a part of her family. During her teens, Colleen got her first taste of training service puppies, when her family acted as a puppy raiser for, Coco, a Chocolate Lab who went on to pass training with Leader Dogs for the Blind and ended up with a recipient in Spain.

In addition to working with Golden's, Colleen also grew up near a horse farm, where she taught riding lessons for a Hunter/Jumper Horse Show Barn. Her experience working with horses allowed her another view at the powerful connection animals large and small might have with humans.

Colleen moved to Utah after obtaining a degree in Environment Journalism at Michigan State University and worked in Customer Service Management in the Hospitality and Software Industries. While living in Park City, Utah after college, Colleen got back to her canine roots as a popular dog sitter for several families.

When Colleen met her husband, Dan, and moved to Salt Lake City years ago, the couple happened upon a puppy in Central Utah that excelled within the Dog Training Elite program. Initially, as Dog Training Elite clients, Colleen and Dan realized how special the Dog Training Elite program was and how much fun it would allow them to have with their dogs! Colleen and Dan loved the training so much, they would go on to become trainers for Dog Training Elite and volunteers for The Malinois Foundation, training and placing service dogs with those in need.

Colleen used her puppy experience as a youth to specialize in the developmental training for the over 14 puppies she's had a hand in training over the last several years. She's excited to help her clients find and train their perfect canine companion!

When Colleen isn't training dogs, she is an avid outdoor enthusiast who loves skiing, hiking, biking and paddleboarding in Northern Utah with her dogs.

Dan Hutchings

Owner & Trainer - DTE Northern Utah

Born and raised in Utah, Dan's family always had multiple dogs that would accompany the family on trips to the mountains and deserts, including Lake Powell. As a teenager, Dan frequently visited his grandfather's farm in South Jordan and developed a passion for working with animals.

After graduating from the University of Utah, Dan volunteered for Greyhound Pets of America, fostering and rehabilitating retired Greyhounds.

After meeting and training with Dog Training Elite Founder, John Mestas, in 2012, Dan found a true passion for training and helping clients and dogs alike! He now specializes in task-specific training for service dogs and specialized, advanced training for his clients.

Dan is an avid runner, skier and outdoor adventurer who in his spare time enjoy's exploring new places with his dogs!

Trevor Ruff

Trainer

Trevor discovered a love for animals at an early age. He went to Veterinarian School, but found that he had a real love for training specifically. So, he decided to enroll in Animal Behavioral College, and graduated and became a certified dog trainer.

Since then, he has donated his time to adoption clinics, training dogs with behavioral problems to help them get placed, and has donated his time to The Malinois Foundation, training service animals for people in need.

Trevor has become the lead trainer at Dog Training Elite and enjoys training dogs to very high levels and improving the relationship between our clients and their dogs.

Melanie Harker

Trainer

Born and raised in Utah, Melanie has grown up having quite a bit of animals in her household (Hamsters, gerbils, rabbits, fish, turtles, snakes, cats, and dogs). She loves all animals and in particular has a deep passion for dogs.

Melanie has worked at two different vet clinics taking care of the cats and dogs boarding and also managing a doggy daycare of 25+ dogs all together with just herself alone. This allowed her to learn the science of dog behavior over the full 15 years of experience dealing with all different breed types and sizes. While she worked with dogs every day, the kennel setting didn’t allow her to fully train and help dogs with their behavior. With all of her experience, she wanted to expand her love for dogs and joined the DTE Northern Utah team to fulfill a personal dream.

In her spare time, Melanie loves to be outdoors up in the mountains camping or hiking with her dogs all year round. She also loves art and likes to draw.

Meet the Team