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Reviews & Testimonials

Dog Training Elite Richmond

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Hear From Our Customers

Amina Alidina
Apr. 24, 2025 - google
It has been pleasure meeting you Matt for home assessment it was wonderful experience and we are looking forward to start regular training.
Rebecca Taylor
Mar. 7, 2025 - google
I absolutely believe we have the best trainer, Matt. He has come into our home and won the trust of our 10 month old GSD, Bocephus. It’s amazing the transformation we have witnessed by Matt’s training. Not only is Bocephus retaining what he has taught him, Matt, has taught us how to understand our dog as well. So, if you are reading the reviews to make sure this is the place for your dogs, then please trust in this company!! Best decision we have ever made!! Matt is THE BEST!!!
Katie Gurrentz
Jan. 30, 2025 - google
We had our consult with Matt today for our puppy. He was very organized and helpful. We discussed a plan for our dog and I’m very excited to select a program and begin training! The whole process has been simple and straight forward. We also met and worked with Paul during our process. He was great to work with and our puppy is really catching on well to the training!
Kelly Gartner
Mar. 14, 2025 - google
Excellent information for my introductory meeting. Would trust working with him!
C Pessemier
Mar. 14, 2025 - google
When we started working with Paul at Dog Training Elite, our newly adopted one-year-old German Shepherd, Wyatt, was not leash trained, had tons of energy, and just about knocked us over when he jumped on us. If Wyatt saw another dog while we tried to walk him, he barked and lunged like crazy, and it was tough to hold him back. He's a big boy! He wasn't aggressive but just wanted to play with other dogs, and he made it known. After we started lessons in our home with Paul, we saw the difference immediately. By the fifth lesson, Wyatt's leash walking improved significantly, and he learned and followed the place, sit, down, heel, and off commands. Now, we can walk him anywhere and he does an amazing job. Other dogs, kids playing, and wild rabbits are still triggers for him, but it's easy to get him back in the zone with all the training we learned to apply with him. Yes, Paul trained us too! 😊 We have graduated to group lessons with other dogs, which Wyatt loves. Below is a picture of Wyatt in the place command, on a platform, in group training. We are so thankful to Paul for showing us how to train Wyatt. It has given us so much freedom to know we can take him for walks and do so many things we couldn't before because he is a pretty well-behaved dog now. 100% worth every penny!
Rebecca McMahan
Feb. 21, 2025 - google
Matt was excellent! I am hoping to contract them to help train my greyhound to be a service animal. Fingers crossed!
N Carter
Mar. 7, 2025 - google
Very kind and very knowledgeable with my dog! Great customer service and we so glad we made the right choice to pick Dog Training Elite! Matt is the best!!!!
Christopher Splisgardt
Feb. 24, 2025 - google
Matt did a great job explaining how the training will work and what to expect. Looking forward to begin training with him!
Al Becker
Feb. 18, 2025 - google
We enjoyed the visit.
Lissette Ramirez
Feb. 17, 2025 - google
We have just recently had our 5th class with Dog Training Elite of Richmond and Matt has been great to work with. As I have an older dog, his body tires out faster than his brain… Matt gave me ideas on activities/things I can teach my dog to tire out his brain. He’s been patient and offered a wealth of knowledge on the importance of confidence building with my reactive dog. I’m am looking forward to the day that we can easily to regular dog things: walk around other dogs, go to the park, hike a trail, walk Cary street, go to the pet expo, and maybe even run the lure course at the pet expo! I’m hopeful that sometime we’ll be able to these things soon!!
Alexandra Kerlin
Feb. 7, 2025 - google
Matt was professional, nice, and knowledgeable at our free home assessment for my dog Butch! I'm excited to start scheduling training sessions to help with Butch's separation anxiety behaviors and basic training. Thanks Matt!
Angel Inspire
Feb. 6, 2025 - google
Very informative, knowledgeable with dog training and puppies behavior, learning tips for puppy, training programs and payment plans are available with ease. All in all a pleasant visit and looking forward to participating in a training program.
Hannah Mayton
Jan. 23, 2025 - google
Paul was a pleasure to work with! He helped bring structure into myself & my dog’s life which has substantially improved her behavior & willingness to obey! He was so patient with her & helped me adapt & learn how to take control back over my home. I would recommend he & his business to everyone! The training techniques they use are beyond effective & I saw improvements in as little as 2 sessions.
Kathleen Adams
Jan. 5, 2025 - google
Matt Perales gave an interesting and persuasive presentation; and I have no doubt that he would have helped me to train my dog very well. The ONLY reason that I didn't sign up for training right then and there is because Dog Training Elite uses electronic collars during their training sessions. As Matt explained, only very low settings are used except in cases of dogs who know what the commands are and the dog is refusing to obey. But I don't want to use any amount of aversive conditioning to train my dog. Thank you for coming out to see us, Matt.
Hannah Baker
Dec. 20, 2024 - google
Matt gave so much information and I appreciated it.
janet geisler
Dec. 6, 2024 - google
Matt was very professional, assessed quietly with great observations. Took his time quietly getting to know teddy's personality. Was very honest and fair in his explanation of assessment. Explained program very thoroughly. I would feel very comfortable and confident with Matt guiding us through the process.
Rhalynn Blackburn
Dec. 5, 2024 - google
I've only had an assessment session with Matt, but it was great! I might be seeing what i want to see, but my dog was more calm and her behavior was better for the rest of the day after meeting with him!
sally bobbitt
Dec. 4, 2024 - google
Matt is great with both Mercy our GSD and her two humans. Calm, steady, thorough - he teaches all of us with clear instruction and walk-through, then guides us through hands on work with her. She really loves him and is "getting it". Thanks Matt!
Richmond Family Magazine
Dec. 4, 2024 - google
Dog Training Elite did wonders for our dog, Charlie! We thought he was untrainable, but Paul worked his magic, and it's like we have a new and improved pooch! Thank you, Paul!
Kathleen Fulton
Dec. 3, 2024 - google
Paul is such a caring and knowledgeable trainer. I have a difficult dog and Paul is very patient and helpful. Highly recommend.
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About Dog Training Elite Richmond

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Paul Hearn - Owner
Paul Hearn
Owner

A Virginia native who has never left, Paul loves the variety the state has to offer, such as beaches, mountains, countryside, and urban destinations. He has been fortunate to have had the opportunity to see much of it in his travels during his previous 22-year career in the electronic security industry. His love for dogs began when his father brought home a stray puppy when he was very young, the family naming her Tippy. Sadly, she ran away not too long after, but Paul’s love of dogs remained. A fan of dog training for many years, in December 2021, he decided to change careers and jumped at the opportunity to join the Dog Training Elite family. He is extremely excited to better the lives of families through their relationships with their dogs and thrilled to offer service and therapy dogs to those who need them in the future.

Paul lives in Chesterfield, VA, with his wife Shanon, two boys, Caiden and Evan, and their two dogs, Milo and Amber. In his spare time, he enjoys Mountain Biking, hiking, and tinkering in his garage with electronics, car stereo, and small construction/woodworking projects. He is also his family’s pro-bono handyman and jack of all trades.

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Matthew Perales - Trainer
Matthew Perales
Trainer

Matt is a man of many talents and has worked in many different fields, but he always knew his dream was to be able to work with dogs. He grew up raising and handling a variety of different breeds both small and large, and has always felt a close bond with every dog that he’s had the opportunity to interact with. He is excited to now be with Dog Training Elite, working with lots of dogs and their owners! Matt loves all dogs, and believes each dog has their own potential to be their best self when given the right leadership! Keep an eye out for Matt and his dog Eko at the many events they attend!

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Megan Celestino - Office Administrator
Megan Celestino
Office Administrator

As the office administrator, Megan is the welcoming voice that greets you at the start of your journey with Dog Training Elite Richmond. Megan's passion for helping others shines through in every interaction. Her journey with DTE began as a client, working alongside Paul to train her dog, Pixie. Inspired by the transformation she witnessed, Megan decided to dedicate herself to helping other families achieve the same success with their dogs. She believes in the life-changing power of our training methods and is eager to share this with everyone! In addition to Pixie, she lives with her husband, three children, and two ferrets.

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