A service dog and their owner outside - find elite service dog training in Providence / New Bedford, RI with Dog Training Elite.

Professional

Service Dog Training

Dog Training Elite Rhode Island

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Request Free Assessment


Our Service Dog Training Could Help:

Veterans or civilians with PTSD, anxiety, or depression
Children or adults with autism
Individuals with epilepsy
Advanced medical training (participating locations)

Dog Training Elite Rhode Island

Service Dog Training in Providence / New Bedford, RI

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 Providence / New Bedford, RI, 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 Pawsitive 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

  • Karen Wheet
    Dec. 13, 2024
    Cabo is a rescue who comes with “some” issues - mostly related to reactivity/barking. After 2 years of trying everything, I was ready to give up. I contacted Danielle in tears. She listened, she trained both of us and in no time she helped me and Cabo get to the finish line (well almost - there’s always more to learn). I am so grateful for Danielle’s knowledge and ability to manage a difficult dog. Believe me, I spent boatloads of $ trying to get things in control. Finally I found the answer. Contact Danielle, she will work with you and your sweet dog to help you be the best you can be together.
  • Kelly Marcotte
    Dec. 10, 2024
    Danielle is absolutely amazing. Words cannot express our satisfaction with her training and our dogs behavior!! ❤️❤️❤️
  • Bob Armstrong
    Dec. 9, 2024
    Danielle has given us the skills to train out goldendoodle. Guests in our home have told us that Angus is a different dog. He is well behaved and responds to our commands. They said it is now a pleasure to have him around.
  • Brian Redmond
    Dec. 7, 2024
    Danielle has done a wonderful job guiding me and my GSD, Ruby, through basic obedience training. Ruby is taking to training well and she is so much happier now that she is trained enough to join me on most of my daily work/chores. The in-home sessions were awesome and I notice an immediate improvement to here calmness after the first group class. I can’t say enough good things about this program. Highly recommend!
  • Michele Ruttenberg
    Nov. 26, 2024
    Working with Danielle has been transformative for me and for my dog, Buddy! Buddy came to us as an anxious and reactive rescue dog with a strong prey drive. I could not walk him without him barking and lunging at every dog we met or straining to get to every bunny. Within 2 sessions, he was more confident and controlled out in the world. Now that we have graduated to the group classes, I continue to be amazed at how well he responds to commands and how relaxed he is in a big group of dogs. I am so grateful to Danielle and Elite! I consider this the best money I’ve spent on anything in a long time!
  • Carol Brann
    Nov. 17, 2024
    Danielle has helped me help my beagle be showered with love from everyone she comes in contact with now that she is more disciplined. Beagles by nature are loud, inquisitive and full of energy bred as hunting dogs. This combination often gets them in trouble in domestic situations but once trained a beagle can be the best version of a companion. I recommend Dog Training Elite specifically Danielle and the approach used to train my dog to be more at home in a close knit condo complex with lots of unexpected deliver personnel, children and other dogs. Thank you!
  • Kaylie Beeson
    Nov. 16, 2024
    My dog is so much easier to walk and loves going to group class.
  • Katie Clark
    Nov. 5, 2024
    Dog Training Elite is the best! I was struggling with my dog Boatie. He was jumping all over people when they would come over, used his paw to get our attention (scratching us), barked a lot, and was reactive to other dogs while on walks. He was a very anxious boy and thanks to Danielle he’s like a new boy! I’ve had people say to their dog in front of me “why can’t you act like that”. Never thought I’d be hearing that! The one-on-one and group classes have been amazing. I would definitely recommend!
  • Katie Clark
    Nov. 4, 2024
    Dog Training Elite is the best! I was struggling with my dog Boatie. He was jumping all over people when they would come over, used his paw to get our attention (scratching us), barked a lot, and was
  • Paul Seippel
    Nov. 3, 2024
    Great instruction done with the utmost patience and professionalism. I highly recommend Danielle and Ellie Dog Training!!
  • cheryl martel
    Nov. 2, 2024
    I love Elite dog training. Danielle is wonderful with all dogs and their parents. I have seen such an improvement in my dog's behavior since we have been going to classes and so much better with other dogs and people. i would highly recommend Elite dog training for a well behaved dog!
  • Julian Trilling
    Oct. 30, 2024
    I HIGHLY recommend DTE! I could not say enough about how amazing this has been. Finn, my standard poodle, just graduated basic obedience training today! He's training to be a service dog, and he's doing so well. I love that the private lessons are at my home. The setup is that you do five one on one classes, then join group classes to reinforce all the skills you and your dog learn in the one on one sessions. Danielle has been INCREDIBLE. I went into this feeling terrified that I wouldn't be able to do this training with Finn, but Danielle has broken it up into easy to digest pieces, with each skill building on the previous one. She is kind, gentle, observant, amazing with dogs (of course), and a fantastic teacher, and her presence immediately puts me at ease, which makes it so much easier for me to work with Finn. The lessons are fun and practical, and even include practicing skills on walks in my own neighborhood. Finn and I are both learning so fast, and I wouldn't have been able to do any of this without Danielle. She's unbelievably supportive, not judgemental in the slightest, and really good at troubleshooting in ways I would never have thought of. As someone who cannot afford to get a pre-trained service dog, I find the price to be quite reasonable for what I'm getting, and it is worth every penny. Remember, you're not paying for a puppy class, you're paying for serious obedience training. It's worth the money. Also, the training package comes with group classes for life, so we can go any time we need to practice, even after he's certified. I've had an amazing experience so far, and I'm so excited for the next step! I'm so glad I found this place! I'd give more than five stars if I could. ✨❤️✨
  • Jack
    Sep. 24, 2024
    I’d like to be president of Danielle’s fan club when theres a job opening. She transformed my 1 yr old Black Mouth Cur into a happily obedient roommate. Danielle is accomplished and elegant with dogs, patient and quietly firm until she gets the desired results. It’s been an amazingly happy and positive experience that we will expand and treasure for many years to come. So worth it!
  • Charles
    Sep. 2, 2024
    Danielle is the BEST! She is one of those people who just has a natural "connection" with dogs. She is very patient, kind, understanding, and extremely helpful. I can't say enough good things about her, and I'm so glad we are lucky enough to have found her for our training.
  • Charles Peckham Jr.
    Sep. 2, 2024
    Danielle is the BEST! She is one of those people who just has a natural "connection" with dogs. She is very patient, kind, understanding, and extremely helpful. I can't say enough good things about her, and I'm so glad we are lucky enough to have found her for our training. 😊
  • Michelle Pacheco
    Aug. 31, 2024
    Danielle is absolutely fantastic! She has a true understanding of each dog's temperament and abilities. She knows just how far to push them each class so that they can reach their full potential.
  • Donna Zannelli
    Aug. 19, 2024
    I adopted a two year old Alaskan Malamute. When we got her, she was nervous, suffered from separation anxiety, and constantly used her big paws to get our attention. Danielle has been so patient and kind with both me and our Storm. Working with Danielle, Storm now walks on a lead with confidence, no long uses her paws to get our attention, and can now be left alone at home without her howling or being destructive. Storm actually looks forward to our lessons, and so do I. Danielle has helped us become a team. I highly recommend Danielle and Dog Training Elite to anyone who has a dog, regardless of their age or breed!
  • Donna Zannelli
    Aug. 18, 2024
    Danielle is amazing! She has been working with me and our newly adopted Alaskan Malamute, Storm. She has been patient and kind as Storm and I work together to become a pet therapy team. Storm adores Danielle and enjoys every class we attend.
  • T Tat
    Jul. 8, 2024
    Danielle is an amazing trainer! I couldn’t recommend her enough. She was patient and kind during all sessions. My dog is an amazing service animal thanks to Danielle and it’s made a huge difference in my life.
  • Andrew Frisch
    Jun. 23, 2024
    Danielle is the best by far of dog trainers I've known. She knows what she's doing and does it exceptionally well.
A Dog Training Elite Rhode Island owner smiling with his dog in Providence / New Bedford, RI.

Dog Training Elite Rhode Island

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, pigs, and monkeys 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 Rhode Island

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 Rhode Island - PTSD Service Dog in Providence / New Bedford, RI. DTE
PTSD Service Dog

If you're looking to train a PTSD service dog in Providence / New Bedford, RI, 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 Rhode Island - Psychiatric Service Dog in Providence / New Bedford, RI. DTE
Psychiatric Service Dog Training

Our psychiatric service dog training in Providence / New Bedford, RI 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 Rhode Island - Seizure Response Dog in Providence / New Bedford, RI. DTE
Medical Response Dog Training

If you are in need of a seizure response dog in Providence / New Bedford, RI, Dog Training Elite can help. Our training program is designed to help individuals with epilepsy regain independence and confidence.

Dog Training Elite Rhode Island - Autism Support Dog Training in Providence / New Bedford, RI. DTE
Autism Support Service Dog

Bring life-changing support to your family with Dog Training Elite's autism support dog training in Providence / New Bedford, RI. 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 Providence / New Bedford service dog training with Dog Training Elite.

Dog Training Elite Rhode Island

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 Rhode Island.

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 Rhode Island.
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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 Providence / New Bedford, RI with Dog Training Elite.

We Are Committed to Making a Difference

Choose DTE for Providence / New Bedford Service Dog Training

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At Dog Training Elite, we are passionate about transforming lives through Providence / New Bedford service dog training. Our proven methods and positive reinforcement techniques 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 Rhode Island and experience the difference that elite training and compassionate care can make.