Golden Retriever Training in St. Louis, MO

Dog Training Elite Helped Brody Become a Certified Service Dog—Thank You, Matt! When we first brought Brody, our golden retriever puppy, to Dog Training Elite, we were hopeful but unsure of what to expect. We knew we wanted him to become a service dog for our 10 year old daughter but we also knew that would take serious training, consistency, and the right guidance. From the very beginning, the team at Dog Training Elite impressed us with their professionalism, experience, and genuine care for both dogs and their owners. Each session was thoughtfully structured and tailored to Brody’s personality and learning pace. The trainers were patient, clear, and incredibly knowledgeable—not just about dog behavior, but about how to build lasting habits that stick. They didn’t just teach Brody commands; they helped him develop focus, reliability, and calmness in a wide range of environments. Today, at 10 months old, Brody is a certified service dog, and the difference in his behavior and confidence is remarkable! He’s attentive, well-mannered, and capable of handling complex tasks in public and at home. We’ve seen firsthand how much effort and expertise went into his training, and we couldn’t be more grateful. A special thank you to Matt, the owner of Dog Training Elite. Matt’s leadership and hands-on involvement made a huge impact. He was always available to answer questions, offer advice, and make sure Brody was progressing the right way. His commitment to quality and care is reflected in every part of the program. If you’re looking for serious training with real results, Dog Training Elite is the place to go. They helped Brody reach his full potential, and we’re incredibly thankful for the journey.

My dog Kate has been with this company for a few years now. We still go to group classes. Matt and the people that work for him are just outstanding, would highly recommend this company to anyone with a dog!!! It’s exactly what your dog needs.

Huge improvements with our miniature dachshunds! Our 5yr old doxie had gotten tough to walk over the past couple of years - she was very reactive on the leash and constantly barking at other dogs. We couldn't let her say hi to other dogs because she would lunge and show aggression. This behavior is completely gone after in-facility training and several group classes where she has learned confidence, focus, and appropriate behavior with other dogs. This was the third training facility we tried with her and it finally worked!! This was also the first training session for our 1yr old dachshund, who has made huge improvements in understanding and listening. We are staying patient with her as she is still easily distracted as a young puppy, but this has given her such great exposure to other people, dogs, and different environments. Our dogs absolutely love the group training classes and adored all of the trainers. You know its a good sign when they can't stop wagging their tails when they recognize the instructors!

Really couldn’t be happier with the results from Matt and his staff. Despite persistent training, our golden doodle remained a problem and we were faced with a decision whether he could be managed at all. We elected the intensive two-week training option. He came home a bit “down” the first couple days, something mentioned in their materials since he is learning his place in the pack for the first time. After those first couple days, however, he became happier than we had ever seen and we started to see immediate improvement. His progress continues with the follow on classes, which are great for reinforcing and strengthening obedience. Our dog now comes reliably, can greet guests and share life with our family. Matt and his staff really know the dogs, both by name and temperament. Thank you for coming to the rescue!

We've had a bit of bad luck in the past when it came to finding the right trainer for our Malamute, Mako. When he was still a puppy, we tried a newer daycare and training facility, thinking it would be a great way for him to socialize with other dogs while getting some basic training. Unfortunately, after just a couple of weeks, he was removed from the program without any clear explanation. I was worried it might have been due to aggression, but they assured us it wasn't that. We then worked with another trainer for a few months, and she was wonderful. However, we had to part ways when she started her family. As Mako grew older, his energy turned to reactivity, leading to constant conflicts with our other male Malamute. He became reactive around other dogs, weary of new men, and his leash manners were getting too challenging for me to handle. On top of that, he had no recall at all. Our main goal was to train him on recall so we could safely take him to the river. One afternoon, I happened to drive by Dog Training Elite (DTE) and decided to stop in. From the moment I walked through the door, I was impressed by the calm atmosphere and the sight of several dogs patiently holding their place commands along the walls. That day, I met with Matt and shared my concerns about our 120-pound, reactive, intact Malamute. He listened attentively and expressed strong confidence that he and his team could help get Mako on the right track. He was absolutely right. I had the pleasure of working with Amanda during our one-on-one training sessions. She taught me how to recognize subtle body language cues that signal when my males might be about to fight, and she showed me effective ways to prevent those situations from escalating. Since starting with (DTE)several months ago, we've gone from fights every few days to just two incidents in total since we started at (DTE)!—remarkable improvement! We absolutely love the group classes, too. They've helped build Mako's confidence around other dogs tremendously. He's come so far from making intense, prolonged eye contact that would set off other dogs, to now just glancing briefly before turning his attention back to me. I'm incredibly proud of his progress. I'm so glad that I drove by (DTE) that day and took a leap of faith by walking in. The team at (DTE) has equipped me with the tools and confidence I needed to make life less stressful and much happier for both me and my dog. I posted a photo of Taco Mako OFF LEASH (with his e collar) at the River. We are so excited that we can now take him swimming with his siblings. We have gone 4 times so far this summer and he listen's very well and sticks close to us. Thank you Dog Training Elite for giving us our dog back!!

Dog training elite has been worth every penny. Their staff is very friendly and knowledgeable and they have helped our dog tremendously. I can’t recommend enough.

Highly, highly recommend!! We had an incident with our dog that left us wondering if we could keep him. I reached out to Matt and he was quick to respond and met with us right away squeezing us in with my tight schedule. I could tell right away this was the place to help us. I had called several other places, and they did not have the confidence that Matt had! We had 8 in home training sessions with Dom- who is absolutely amazing!!!! He always brought such great energy to the sessions, and not only trained my dog but trained me as well! Dom was very patient with me and my millions of questions. It turned out though, that my dog was having a reaction to the collar, and developed a small sore. I was so upset, and unsure if I wanted to continue with this type of training. I reached out to Matt who truly took the time to talk through it with me and help me figure out what happened. Turns out my dog was allergic to it! He found a collar for my dog that did not hurt him, and was very patient with me as we worked it out. All I can say is that now I have confidence with my dog again! His behavior has changed so much, and I am no longer nervous around him! Thank you guys so much!

Both of our two-year-old girls absolutely love DTE—and so do we! Our pups—a Beagle and a Rottweiler—used to struggle a lot. They often fought, dealt with serious jealousy issues, were completely unwalkable, and were reactive toward strangers. It was overwhelming, to say the least. But even after just a few in-home sessions, we saw a huge difference. Dom got us started, answered all of our questions, and explained everything so clearly. Then Alex became our main trainer, and it truly warmed my heart to see how confidently they handled our fearful Rottie—who has never liked strangers. Watching her open up to them was incredible. Dom and Alex weren’t just amazing with our dogs—they were amazing with us, too. We’ve learned so much. Now we have multiple tools at our disposal (like e-collars, prong collars, and leash pressure), but more importantly, we know how to use them safely and effectively. That’s all thanks to DTE! We now attend group classes every Monday and Saturday, and it’s been a game-changer. Our girls are doing things I never imagined they could. Their confidence has skyrocketed! Axel leads the group classes and he’s fantastic—always staying late to answer questions and keeping the sessions fun and engaging for both dogs and humans. Today, both of our girls are walkable (I can even walk them by myself without getting dragged around!), and I trust them even when neighborhood dogs run up to us unexpectedly. They can be around other dogs and people without being reactive, and our relationship with them is so much stronger now. There’s trust on both sides—and that’s priceless. We’re not done with our training journey yet, but I’m genuinely excited to keep going. I’ll recommend DTE to everyone I know! I wish I had more action shots of the girls—but here they are after a Saturday class! 😂

A Game-Changer for Our Reactive German Shepherd! Our family was at our wits' end with our German Shepherd, Journey. We love her dearly, but her reactivity towards other dogs and sometimes even people had become a significant source of stress. Walks were a nightmare, and having guests over was always a gamble. After extensive research, we decided to entrust Dog Training Elite with our beloved Journey, and we can honestly say it has been a life-changing experience, thanks to the incredible guidance of Matt and Michelle. From our very first session, Matt’s calm confidence and deep understanding of dog behavior put us at ease. He didn't just train Journey; he trained us. He patiently explained the psychology behind Journey's reactivity and equipped us with the tools and techniques to become the confident leaders she needed. Michelle’s compassionate and encouraging approach was the perfect complement. She helped us understand Journey's perspective and celebrated every small victory with us, which kept us motivated throughout the process. The transformation in Journey has been nothing short of remarkable. While she is still a work in progress, the dog we have today is worlds away from the anxious, reactive girl we brought to them. She is calmer, more focused, and looks to us for guidance in situations that would have previously sent her into a frenzy. We are now able to enjoy walks with her, and she is learning to coexist peacefully with the world around her. What we appreciate most about Matt and Michelle's approach is their emphasis on real-world application. The tips and strategies they provided were not just for training sessions; they have become an integral part of our daily routine. The work with Journey continues, as true behavioral change takes time and consistency. However, we are now armed with the knowledge and support to continue her progress. Matt and Michelle have given us hope and, most importantly, a more manageable and enjoyable life with our sweet Journey. We are incredibly grateful for their expertise and dedication and wholeheartedly recommend Dog Training Elite to any family struggling with a reactive dog.

Matt and his Staff are true professionals! The Staff at DTE worked with our dog “Ryker” and we are very pleased with the outcome. Throughout the entire process the Staff was helpful, positive, flexible, and were always giving tips to help you understand what they were teaching. It has been a very rewarding experience and I would recommend DTE highly to anyone! R. Wells

They helped us train our two dogs to be better with listening and obeying commands. Our life with these puppers went from horrid to amazing with their help. They also have helped me find replacement parts for their training collars.Thank u so very much.

Matt and his staff are amazing!!!! They are patient and kind. While getting our service dog trained they were supportive through every step. I have owned dogs all my life and I never thought about going through training but through out this whole process I have watched not only my dog but others in the classes transform into amazing animals :)

Our puppy, Bailey benefited from the Puppy Training program so much. Matt and team were so great at handling her because she can be stubborn. We plan to continue her training at Elite with the Therapy classes because my husband visits homebound and nursing home members at our church. Will keep you updated!

We were very pleased with DTE program and our trainer Chelsea! Tinkerbelle is a better dog and we are better owners since in home classes.

If I could give this operation 100 stars, I would. We have been taking our new 10 month old beagle, which we purchased from a Craigslist ad to Dog Training Elite St. Louis for 1 week. Before Dog Training Elite, our new pup was an out of control dog with no purpose. She barked/howled incessantly and tried to chew everything in our house. We’ve had a beagle before, so we know their temperaments, and this one was off the charts. After one week at Dog Training Elite, our new pup obeys commands, has stopped pulling on leash, and no longer screams and cries in her kennel. We still have 1 more week of daily in person training and 6 more months of group training with this crew. We are so excited to see even more progress with our pup:) This operation has been worth their weight in gold. The entire staff (if I could name them all, I would) from Matt to Alecia to Tyler, the crew at Dog Training Elite St. Louis has been professional, flexible and positive. We never thought we would have anyone other than us train our pups, but this new pup of ours really pushed our limits. Without Dog Training Elite, we would not have been able to tolerate our new beagle. Thanks to Dog Training Elite St. Louis, we now have an amazing new addition to our family, who we will be able to enjoy for years to come:)

I started dealing with Matt. He was always professional yet personable and very knowledgeable. I could always rely on him to get back with me, if he was unavailable, in a very timely manner. He was so very helpful and a lot of advice and helping me to make sure that I had enough information to choose inappropriate rescue dog and then he also did the assessment on her and got her approved for training. I started one-on-one home training with Michelle on I believe April 23rd. Michelle was the perfect match for Saffron and myself! She relates to a lot of my issues and my life. Funny, because she's like 25 years younger than me, LOL She has done amazing things with training me and my beautiful German Shepherd in the last 10 weeks. We did our first group training session last night, which was held inside the facility and Matt was the trainer for the class that night. He was a very informative. He comes up with these ideas that no one in a million years would never come up with but it totally makes sense! This class was awesome for Saffron, and myself. We are looking forward to our next group training class which will be outside in a park. Before I go, I must mention that Matt had a young lady that was helping him with class last night, chelsea, I believe that was her name, and she was just as friendly and helpful and I was really shocked at how knowledgeable she was especially since she seemed so considerably Young lol. It has been 10 weeks and so far it has been a very pleasant and educating experience for both myself and my dog. I am looking forward to the rest of our journey to her becoming my psychiatric service dog and my life partner.

I do believe that they deserve a five star but I have only been training with my pup for 10 weeks so I can't fully give them an honest five just yet. I would like to make the complaint that I really wish I could tag them in the many posts that I like to give them credit for but I'm not able to tag then. With all that said about the business in general, I must give a huge shout out to number one: Matt, my original contact and an amazingly helpful person in so many different ways! Very friendly, response to messages in a timely manner and has so much knowledge in so many answers for you. Number two: Michelle, our trainer, has been absolutely fabulous! She it's not only there for the service dogs training but is also there for the client in numerous ways! She is very in tune with my health issues and is also very understanding about them. She is also very patient with my episodes that I may have while we are trying to train. She continues to do her job while still being compassionate about my Health situation at that moment. But she does not give up on the dog just because I have an episode. I would like to also add that whoever chose to put Michelle with me, made an amazing decision! We definitely work well together and have experienced a lot of the same types of issues that make her even more compassionate towards my situation. What more can I say? I've already written a book here.

Tyler was absolutely amazing!!!!

We love Dog Training Elite! Prior to training, our two reactive corgis were unmanageable. They were extremely aggressive and causing each other harm. After just one session with Tyler, our corgis George and Sam already made significant progress. They listened better and were fighting way less. Now, with one session to go, it’s like we have two new dogs! They are extremely well behaved! We can open the gate to our patio and they don’t run out. We can walk both of them without any issues with barking or seeing other dogs. The progress they have made has been life changing. We are so grateful for the help!!!

An absolute 5 out of 5 stars! Our dog trainer, Tyler, was a true professional with real experience. He took our dog from being wild, uncontrollable, and anti-social pup to being a straight "A" dog student. We really could not have had a better experience. We highly recommend Tyler and DTE!