A service dog and their owner outside - find elite service dog training in St. George, UT with Dog Training Elite.

Professional

Service Dog Training

Dog Training Elite St. George

Request a Callback

Free Consultation

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 St. George

Service Dog Training in St. George, UT

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 St. George, UT, 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.

See Training Packages
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


Read More
Read Less

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 positive reinforcement 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!

Video Gallery

Videos

FAQs

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.
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 St. George.
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.

Hear From Our Customers

Learn Why Dog owners choose Dog Training Elite

  • Libby Mabey
    Sep. 12, 2024
    Hunter was amazing with my puppy and so patient. Norman learned everything he was taught and it was an amazing experience. Would recommend to anyone with a dog!
  • Brittney Harrell
    Aug. 6, 2024
    Hunter is the Best! He has made training so effortless. Highly recommend!
  • Taylor Stratton
    Jul. 26, 2024
    I would highly reccomend dog training elite! i’ve really enjoyed working with hunter with my puppy, cooper. Hunter is extremely patient, & he definitely knows his stuff! I’ve noticed quite the tremendous difference after my last few sessions. Cooper is now excited to see Hunter when he comes for trainings. Couldn’t ask for a better trainer!
  • K Richardson
    Jul. 26, 2024
    Backstory and why I am so glad they changed owners: We started off with this company a little less than a year ago to have our new dog service trained for my husband. The first trainer to show up, Sarah, was super cool and kind and had given us a pretty clear plan of how at home training was going to go, we thought training was going well, she was kind and we could tell she cared, but after our third lesson with her Hayden showed up at our fourth and basically just said he was taking over since we had a service dog and we were going to switch to public outings and just cut a lot of corners and cut Sarah's original plan extremely short. My husband felt like we were getting scammed and didn't like how all of a sudden we weren't getting personal training and just repetitively walking through stores and basically being told our dog was ready to pass his test, when we didn't even really have all the basics done at home. Just didn't feel right and I was in denial saying we'd get more home lessons later like they promised cause I didn't want to believe this training cost us thousands of dollars. But my husband really was not ok with it and knew something was wrong. Then the ownership changed and I'm soooooo happy it did! They took on all the old clients that had thought their dogs were service trained and have basically saved them from having issues in the future when they would find out they weren't. Hunter is so nice and definitely more knowledgeable than Hayden, or maybe it's because he actually cares. We've had more in-home visits in the past couple months than we did in the 8 months prior and my husband, who just feels things in his gut, magically, was happier and more involved since Hayden left and Hunter and Evan took over. We basically had to start from scratch because even the collar commands were incorrect before, but these owners are taking all this extra work on at their own expense and I'm so grateful for them. This is now worth the money and Jett, our pup, loves Hunter. Thank you guys for taking on this heavy load and helping all of the original customers out!
  • Riah Tafoya
    Jul. 26, 2024
    We love dog training elite St George! We have been working with them for a few months on service dog training and they have been super helpful and knowledgeable. We have seen a world of differences. My pup (rescue) was abused and anxious of the world and it is amazing to now see him so confident and able to explore. I can not say enough for this company. Our trainer Hunter is amazing and I hope you and your furry friends are lucky enough to work with them.
  • Cassidy Robertson
    Jul. 26, 2024
    My pup and I have been in the service dog program with DTE since September 2023. I want to join the crowd of those who were unhappy with the training we were receiving at that point -- often feeling rushed, ignored, or like my poor dog was just stressed out. HOWEVER, The new owners, and Hunter specifically, have been amazing. We've been working with them for a few months, and I can already see a difference in my pup. He's happier and behaving better, and I feel like I'm actually learning how to implement the training at home! He's spends SO much time with us and never makes us feel rushed. My service dog is officially doing his task training now, and is excelling at it thanks to Hunter's patience, kindness, and willingness to work at my pups level. We are very happy with the new ownership, and I feel so hopeful about my pup as he becomes closer and closer to being fully trained!
  • Jennifer Laudel
    Jul. 26, 2024
    Our trainer was outstanding. He gave 100 percent effort. Our dog who can be agressive, eventually warmed up to our trainer thanks to his patience and persistence.
  • Cortney Jackson
    Jun. 12, 2024
    Trainer Hunter, is just what my pup and I needed. Norah, my spunky Aussie-doodle, has already learned so much from Hunter, as have I. Norah is much more respectful and intelligent after proper training. Norah and I are doing full service animal training. It is a lot of work, but it is done with an emphasis of care, not only with Norah, but with me. Thank you Hunter and DTE! Shout out to Evan who has also helped me tremendously!⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
  • April Smith
    May. 28, 2024
    I cannot thank Evan, Hunter, and Kaycee enough. They went above and beyond to make accommodations for extra support either in person, phone, or texting. They are the A-Team to have for helping me with my service animal and helping me meet a hard deadline before I leave town. My Great Dane attached instantly which tells me she reads them as leaders who also love and care for her, and not “do this!” because I tell you to do so. That is huge, as a Great Dane is incredibly sensitive and needs special handling. My quick rundown: 1) after assessing my girl and my short deadline, they tailored the training for focus on the top 5 ‘must haves’ first. This was after long onboarding conversations with both Kaycee and Evan. We dove right in with full 1-hour sessions that provided me with easy to do homework so results for that week’s lesson were ingrained quickly. The use of an e-collar was hard until it was explained and demonstrated. This, in conjunction with our already established treat/reward training, was taken into account and has been well received by my girl. So far, highly effective and notable progress is being made. Overall Experience is a 5/5: I highly recommend this very specific A-Team. The communication, accommodations, and approach coupled with Evan’s expertise, is making me smile!!
  • Amy Ence
    May. 22, 2024
    I highly recommend Dog Training Elite with Hunter and Evan! They really are dog whisperers because they genuinely care about and love dogs. Implementing the commands, rules and boundaries with our pups is helping to make Toffee and Frito an even more beloved part of our family. I loved that Hunter took time to teach my daughters and husband and I how to use the e-collar correctly for obedience training. They also worked individually with Toffee and Frito. We have been given all we need to succeed in our homework for the week and reinforce the learning. We always look forward to the next visit! The time Hunter and Evan have spent with us has won us over. This training is completely worth the money. The new ownership and trainers have far exceeded our expectations. Even the company and scheduling is well organized and just fantastic. Moreover, our dogs love Hunter! He has gone above and beyond to help us get the kind of training that ensures our pups are healthy and happy and we are too!
  • Dracozu
    Sep. 12, 2023
    Best dog training place in St. George. My dogs never behaved, but after working with Sarah and Hayden, I have seen such an improvement in the behavior of my dogs. Highly reccomend!
  • Shantel Baker
    Mar. 17, 2023
    Hayden and his team of trainers have been so wonderful to work with training our dog! About a year ago we started working with Dog Training Elite to service train my dog and we have had nothing but positive exprience from day one. Even now, if I ever have an issue or concern with my dog, the trainers are more than willing to help out. 10/10 best investment for my pup!
  • Kaimana Allen
    Feb. 22, 2023
    Sarah and Hayden have done such a great job for us and our dog Lil'bit. They helped us to be more confident which has given our dog an opportunity to rise to his confident self. With all the preparation we were so happy when Lil'bit was introduced to other dogs. Hayden did such a great job helping Lil'bit understand how to interact with other dogs. Both Sarah and Hayden have helped us to be confident with our dog around other people and other dogs. Thank you for bringing more freedom to our home.
  • Cynthia Guptill
    Jan. 4, 2023
    I adopted Watson two years ago after losing my 18 year old Peekingese. I have gotten older and I needed help with Watson's training. I am so glad I called dog training elite. The e-coller has never left any marks on my dog however it does help him to pay attention to what is being taught. Hayden (the trainer) is professional, dependable and very patient with me. Hayden explains the training techniques thoroughly and I am seeing real results. Thank you Dog Training elite!
  • Shane Davis
    Dec. 8, 2022
    In the beginning, I was involved with the shock collar for my dog, and I was not comfortable with doing it, and really didn’t want to believe in it. But after being educated about the guard and how it teaches the dog faster and more relevant to the situation. So it took me a little while but I grew into it and now it’s become an every day lesson with my dog.
  • Leslie Seal
    Oct. 22, 2022
    I can’t even tell you how happy I am with the results of training our puppies with Dog Training Elite St. George. I guess since I’m submitting a review I will try. I have 2 dogs ages 5 and 1. We have all but given up on our five year old ever responding to us when we call him (unless it’s on his schedule). When we got the new puppy, we decided to make the extra investment to train him right. We really want to have a well behaved dog that doesn’t freak out in public. Hayden from Dog Training Elite trained both dogs for us! Now, when people come over, the dogs will stay in their place. They don’t jump up on people. We can take them for walks or to festivals and they are so well behaved. Now, I’m one of the cool dog owners that has the awesome dogs- not just one, but two! Also- we have trained our little dog to be a service animal and he gets to visit the kids in the hospital and they love it.
  • Katelyn Bryner
    Oct. 20, 2022
    I would definitely recommend working with them to train your dog! Very clear instruction and results.
  • Bobby Cuomo
    Aug. 16, 2022
    Hayden at DTE has been absolutely outstanding in getting my crazy German Shepherd Dog under control. He has taught me a great deal on how to control my dog’s behavior. In just a few short weeks I am able to walk my pup with confidence without all the barking and pulling. Thanks Dog Training Elite! Money well spent.
  • Alexandra Imbach Lagenour
    Jul. 16, 2022
    Hayden has been great!! We have 6 dogs. 4 pit mixes (all rescues) one heeler and one Dane. My Dane and male pit mix are having some aggression towards one another and my main goal was creating an overall more structured/peaceful home for them. DTE has been super accommodating! I live in Mesquite and Hayden comes to my house every week! And worked with my goals. We still have a long way to go but he has truly helped me and my four legged kids. As someone who has years of experience with animals of all kinds, having his outside and professional skills has dramatically improved our lives. Pic of our two boys together!
  • Andrew Jensen
    May. 1, 2022
    A life giving experience. We were ready to find a new home (or possibly put down) our aggressive dog after he had bit several people including us multiple times and a random kid. We were completely lost with what to do, it was a very emotional time. We called Hyden with Dog Training Elite out of complete desperation. Within a few weeks our aggressive puppy that we loved so much was making huge strides. Not only is he not aggressive anymore, he has learned basic and advanced obedience techniques. We would HIGHLY recommend Dog Training Elite for anyone with an aggressive dog or anyone who is looking to improve their dogs’ behavior.
A Dog Training Elite St. George owner smiling with his dog in St. George, UT.

Dog Training Elite St. George

Is a Service Dog The Same As a Therapy Dog?

Read More
Read Less

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 St. George

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 St. George - PTSD Service Dog in St. George, UT. DTE
PTSD Service Dog

If you're looking to train a PTSD service dog in St. George, UT, 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 St. George - Psychiatric Service Dog in St. George, UT. DTE
Psychiatric Service Dog Training

Our psychiatric service dog training in St. George, UT 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 St. George - Mobility Service Dog in St. George, UT. Dog Training Elite
Mobility Support Service Dog

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

Dog Training Elite St. George - Seizure Response Dog in St. George, UT. DTE
Medical Response Dog Training

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

Dog Training Elite St. George - Autism Support Dog Training in St. George, UT. DTE
Autism Support Service Dog

Bring life-changing support to your family with Dog Training Elite's autism support dog training in St. George, UT. 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 St. George service dog training with Dog Training Elite.

Dog Training Elite St. George

Service Dogs for Anxiety, PTSD, and Autism

Read More
Read Less

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 St. George.

How Do I Get a Service Dog?

Read More
Read Less

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 St. George.
Dog Training Elite St. George light star icon.

Educate, Empower, Elevate, Elite

Victory Begins With Elite Education

A trainer, a man and his service dog - find the best service dog training in St. George, UT with Dog Training Elite.

We Are Committed to Making a Difference

Choose DTE for St. George Service Dog Training

Read More
Read Less

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