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Reviews & Testimonials

Dog Training Elite Michiana

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Hear From Our Customers

Julie Lauck
Sep. 23, 2025 - google
Rich was professional and knowledgeable. I can't wait to have Rich and his team work with Blessing.
Carm Kinslow
Jun. 26, 2025 - google
Saran deserved 5 stars! She is an excellent trainer. Sarah is knowledgeable and has developed a great rapport with Rosie. She answers all My questions snd makes very clear, good suggestions as to what I can do to help Rosie be successful. We are very happy with our sessions ends and we are sad to see the one in one sessions coming to an end. We look forward to the group sessions.
Daviana ._.
Sep. 22, 2025 - google
Loved the information provided. Definitely had me hooked and ready to sign up 🙂
Greg Miller
Sep. 18, 2025 - google
Chloe did an excellent job work with our dogs, she is kind and friendly and very knowledgeable.We highly recommend this team.
Brittney Peffley
Sep. 15, 2025 - google
We had and amazing experience with rich. He came in our home and met our dog, he gave us awesome tips and tricks to help Jack and we are going to be signing up for the platinum package with all the amazing skills it will teach not only jack but us.
Virginia Warsco
Dec. 20, 2024 - google
Demon adores Sarah and responds well to her energy. We love her and how much better our relationship is with our boy since starting training with Dog Training Elite. I adore her and enjoy our training sessions. When I met with Rich I was like many people who didn’t understand the way that each training tool works when used properly and under their guidance I became the owner demon needs to be his best self with the help of Sarah and she has to help me at times adjust myself but it makes me eternally grateful we signed up for platinum because now he has a trainer for life! They continue to support me as I run into things that overstimulate him which always makes me appreciate being a platinum customer.
Nicci Hurcomb
May. 27, 2025 - google
Rich and Sara are awesome! Really recommend for therapy dog training. Meatball passed his therapy dog testing in about 6 months! Best part was that they come to you for training. Great experience.
Geralyn Bracey
Aug. 12, 2025 - google
Amazing work even only after 2 sessions. We love Sarah 🫶🏾 Great trainer
Kevin Lange
Aug. 4, 2025 - google
Both trainers that I have dealt with are extremely good and patient. This program is definitely worth it if you are willing to put the time in as an owner. They gave me the tools and insight to dog behavior I wasnt sure of and the transformation of my dog is amazing. I have a large/stubborn dog that I felt I was losing control of as we had a couple bad encounters with other dogs (my dog being attacked). The trainers helped me regain leadership of my dog and I have never in my life had such a well behaved dog and get compliments everytime I take him on a walk or out in public. If you are willing to put the time and effort in, it is 100% a game changer and works.
Kristen Canfield
Jul. 17, 2025 - google
Very personable. He made us feel like what we are dealing with is completely doable and not abnormal or unable to be fixed. Our dog warmed up to him and gave us home. Then he demonstrated with his dog what things look like. I really appreciated that. We are new dog owners and the visual was very beneficial!
gwen kijak
Jul. 16, 2025 - google
I am so pleased with Sarah for her experience and patience with my doggo. She explains all the techniques thoroughly making it easy to continue with his training between sessions.
Susan Loth
May. 13, 2025 - google
Only had 1 session so far but I can see a difference. Looking forward to more!! People have noticed the difference in her. 2nd session and I can't believe she can do a place!!! Rich and Sarah are wonderful!!!! Can't wait until the next one!! I need more training than the dog does!! She is doing great, but I need to make more time to work with her and to remember to use the correct words with her. She is a different dog. Her bad habits are disappearing!!! Can't wait for the next lesson!!! Lesson #5!!! Sarah can get her to do anything!!! We like Sarah very much!! She does everything in a very calm environment for the dog. Never raises her voice or gets frustrated. We are done with our lessons now and we could not be happier with the whole experience and the outcome. Having a trained dog makes everyday so much more enjoyable!! You might at first think it's a little pricey, but the one on one training and doing it at your house where the dog is most comfortable and you also, is the best experience. I can't say enough good things about our experience. I would not hesitate to recommend them to anyone. Both Rich and Sarah are great!! They don't rush anything, they explain everything as many times as you need it. Today being the last lesson, our dog was giving Sarah kisses. She enjoyed the experience too!!! Thank you Rich and Sarah!!!
Christina Boal
Jul. 16, 2025 - google
Rich was very kind , and professional he took time to explain stuff to my mom and I and show us his dog tink which I thought was very cool .
Hannah Weinreich
Jul. 10, 2025 - google
We just had our first session and couldn’t be happier. This is going to mean such a higher quality of life for both us and our puppy!
Mark Ellis
Nov. 20, 2024 - google
My dog, Madigan, has completed her Basic Obedience, and I am very pleased with the results. Today we finished up some service skills with Richa and Sarah at the Mall. We are also attending group classes. Also, Madigan is being trained as my Service Dog and when finished will bring her in periodically for "refresher" courses. Looking forward to continuing with Dog Training Elite Michiana.
Melissa LaPlace
Jul. 7, 2025 - google
Sarah is wonderful. She is relatable and oozes her passion for animals. In 6 short visits we accomplished so much with my very active puppy.
Tracy Barr
Jun. 18, 2025 - google
Great training for me and my Dogs. I'm thrilled and can't wait until the next session.
Nikole Peyton
Jun. 6, 2025 - google
We LOVE Rich and his team at Dog Training Elite! We have been working with them for 1 year. They were the only company I could find that would help us train our own dog to be our daughter’s service dog. We started when our puppy was 7 months old. Now, we get compliments from strangers all the time on how well behaved our dog is. They come to our house to work on the training and we practice for two weeks until they come back. We are forever grateful for the care, compassion, and accountability that Dog Training Elite. If you are looking for obedience training, help for a reactive dog, service dog training, or any other dog training needs, look no further! You should call them to set up a free consultation today!
James Jesse
Apr. 7, 2025 - google
Both our first and second meetings were great. We are already seeing positive results
Regina Dukes
May. 4, 2025 - google
Sara made us very comfortable with training our dog. She was very professional and we enjoyed the time with her and our dog.
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About Dog Training Elite Michiana

Dog Training Elite Michiana - Meet Our Elite Team. Dog Training Elite in South Bend / Elkhart

Meet the Team

Dog Training Elite Michiana - Careers. DTE in South Bend / Elkhart, IN

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Dog Training Elite Michiana - Our Gallery. Dog Training Elite in South Bend / Elkhart, IN

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Dog Training Elite Michiana - Local Dog Trainers in South Bend / Elkhart, IN. DTE

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Rich Naponelli - Owner/Trainer
Rich Naponelli
Owner/Trainer

Hi, my name is Rich and I own Dog Training Elite Michiana. I have always had a love for animals as far back as I can remember, but being 1 of 6 kids, my mother was slow to believe my unconvincing arguments that I could handle a pet. Finally, at the age of 10, she broke down and let me get my first parakeet, Petey. Since Petey, I have had more birds, a few hamsters, a frog, fish, dogs, and even bunnies. Currently, we have our dog, Ajax, and our bunnies, Cooper and Lenny.

While I am an attorney by training, I got into the pet care business in 2022, when I opened Fetch! Pet Care of Michiana, a dog walking and pet sitting franchise. My day-to-day interaction through Fetch! with people and their dogs showed me the immense impact dog training can have on people, families, and their dogs and the incredible need for experienced dog trainers. That is why I decided to bring Dog Training Elite to Michiana.

Dog Training Elite brings a proven system to teach basic obedience to dogs, but couples that with a passion for training service and therapy dogs, all while basing its philosophy in community and helping people and pets. We look forward to meeting you and your pup and starting the Dog Training Elite journey with you.

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Ajax - Demo Dog
Ajax
Demo Dog

Hi, I’m Ajax and I am a Basenji. Basenjis are known as the barkless dog. That’s right, I don’t bark, but instead I like to yodel, especially when the piano is playing. Rich is my dad, but I also have 3 others in my family. My mom is Jenn and my two favorite smaller people are Ally and Trey. When I’m not training, I love lounging in the sun, chasing my toy duck, and chewing my bully sticks.

I’m just a pup right now, but I’m training to help my dad in Dog Training Elite. My favorite part is getting to meet all the people at different events. Come by sometime and see how much I’ve learned.

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Sarah Knopp - Trainer
Sarah Knopp
Trainer

Hello! My name is Sarah and I am a Trainer at Dog Training Elite Michiana. Growing up, my family has always had dogs. I spent a lot of time outside with them playing fetch with a ball or a Frisbee. I remember teaching them tricks like sit, shake(paw), down, bow, and heel. I always loved feeding them, bathing them, and brushing out the burrs from their fur after playing in the woods. It was a dream of mine to work in the pet industry from the start!

My love of animals has grown with each new opportunity I have grasped. I have worked in many different areas which have required the utmost care of client pets. I had my start at a daycare facility which gave me the opportunity to be trained in basic manners and dog body language. I have had experience in boarding, daycare, grooming, swimming, training, and post-surgery pet care.

These experiences have shown me the importance of teaching basic manners, bonding with, and socializing your dogs. Dog Training Elite provides that training to you and your dog to help you navigate through life with the best start and helping to fix problems that arise along the way.

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Chloe - Trainer
Chloe
Trainer

Hi, my name is Chloe. I am a trainer at Dog Training Elite. Animals have been a part of my life for as long as I can remember and I can’t imagine it any other way. At home, I have a bearded dragon, a leopard gecko, two cats, a dog, two milk snakes, and plenty of fish. My journey in animal care began at a boarding facility, where I even got to look after tortoises (and quickly fell in love with them!), and continued at a doggie daycare, where I met some of the most unforgettable pups. Those experiences taught me how every animal has its own personality and how special it is to earn their trust. Now, as a trainer, I’m passionate about helping families build stronger bonds with their dogs through patience, understanding, and training.

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