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Military / Retired Vet Programs

Dog Training Elite in Tampa

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A military veteran and service dog - Dog Training Elite offers elite veteran service dog training in Tampa, FL.

Dog Training Elite

Military Veteran Service Dog Training in Tampa, FL

At Dog Training Elite in Tampa, we strongly believe in the healing power of service dogs for military veterans. That’s why we dedicate our time and passion to providing veteran service dog training in Tampa, FL.

Service dogs can greatly assist with both the mental and physical challenges veterans may face after serving our country. Many veterans experience PTSD, physical disabilities, or other impairments, and our service dogs have been proven to help reduce symptoms and support veterans in returning to their daily routines.

Learn more about our programs designed for veterans and discover why Dog Training Elite is committed to making a difference in the community.

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A service puppy in training - Dog Training Elite offers veteran service dog training in Tampa, FL for those who have served our country.

Dog Training Elite in Tampa

Why We Offer Service Dog Training for Military Veterans

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At Dog Training Elite in Tampa, we are passionate about helping military veterans through the support of service dogs. We offer specialized service dog training options in Tampa, backed by scientific research and proven by our own success stories.

In a study conducted by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, veterans paired with service dogs experienced a significant reduction in PTSD symptoms and fewer self-harm ideations. The mental health and medical communities increasingly recognize service dogs’ positive impact on emotional well-being and independence, making them one of the most effective tools for veteran recovery.

At Dog Training Elite, we are dedicated to providing exceptional dog training services that provide the tools and support needed for our veterans and their dogs to thrive, offering a path toward healing and better quality of life.

A beautiful golden retriever service dog - Dog Training Elite in Tampa.

Popular Service Dog Breeds


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Finding a service dog that fits your individual needs is important, especially for military veteran support. While most dogs can be trained to become service dogs, a few breeds stand out due to their personalities and inherent traits.

Here are a few of the most popular service dog breeds:

  1. Labrador Retrievers: Labradors are intelligent, versatile, and eager to please, making them ideal for PTSD service dogs. Their trainability allows them to excel in roles like guide dogs, mobility support, and emotional support, making them highly adaptable for veterans.
  2. Golden Retrievers: Golden Retrievers are known for their calm, gentle nature and strong work ethic. They are excellent at providing mobility assistance and emotional support, especially for veterans with PTSD, due to their patient and loving temperament.
  3. German Shepherds: German Shepherds are strong, loyal, and highly intelligent, making them excellent service dogs. Their protective instincts and trainability allow them to assist with mobility, search and rescue, and provide emotional support for veterans.
  4. Malinois: Belgian Malinois are known for their deep loyalty and intelligence. Malinois are not for everyone due to their energy and drive, but for retired veterans who appreciate discipline, structure, and a deep connection, they can be life-changing companions.

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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!

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A service dog and his veteran owner - Dog Training Elite in Tampa.

Our Veteran Service Dog Training in Tampa, FL

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Service dogs undergo extensive specialized training to perform their tasks and assist their owners. Our training process involves a combination of obedience training, task training, and public access training.

  • Obedience Training: This training focuses on teaching a dog basic commands, such as sit, down, heel, come, as well as proper leash manners and socialization skills.
  • Task Training: Task training is tailored to fit the needs of each individual. It involves teaching the dog to perform tasks that mitigate the person’s disability, such as retrieving items, opening doors, or providing deep pressure therapy.
  • Public Access Training: This type of training is crucial to ensure the dog remains calm, well-behaved, and non-disruptive in various public settings. This training includes exposure to different environments, distractions, and social interactions to provide a dog that can confidently navigate public spaces.
A beautiful service dog standing outside - Dog Training Elite in Tampa.

Service Dogs for Veterans & PTSD

Get Specialized Training with DTE Today

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Training with Dog Training Elite is tailored specifically for military veterans dealing with PTSD and other service-related challenges. Our programs focus on helping veterans regain independence, emotional stability, and confidence through the support of a well-trained service dog.

At Dog Training Elite, we are dedicated to providing service dog training that strengthens the bond between veterans and their dogs, guiding them toward a brighter future and supporting their healing journey.

Hear From Our Customers

Learn Why Dog owners choose Dog Training Elite

  • Katelynn Chase
    Sep. 19, 2025
    Wonderful to work with! Helped us get our big boy certified as a therapy dog!
  • Denise Bocker
    Sep. 19, 2025
    Tonya and Zach have been great. They are so easy to work with and have been amazing with my puppy. Oakley has come so far at only 6.5 months old.
  • Laura Keller
    Sep. 19, 2025
    Amp is a success story! She started off scared of everything, we couldn’t even walk her past the neighbors house, and now she is a certified therapy dog! Tonya is amazing!! 10/10 would recommend!!
  • Red Hatter
    Sep. 10, 2025
    Tanya was great! Patient and so knowledgeable and was a great help in training my wild twin puppies. Now almost 6 months old. Always great suggestions and brought me small tools that assisted greatly in the training.
  • Lanette Strong
    Sep. 8, 2025
    When my son was diagnosed with diabetes in February, I did some research on training a dog to becoming service Dog and found DTE. Tonya came and assessed our two year-old goldendoodle and we discovered she was the perfect candidate to be a service dog. The tools she gave us helped build the foundation and with our at-home work, she took off running and loves to work! Tonya really knows her stuff! She took my mostly well-behaved goldendoodle and shaped her into the most vital member of our family. Now our girl is very consistent with her alerts and we are forever thankful to Tonya and DTE. 10/10 forever recommend!!!
  • ashley simpson
    Sep. 5, 2025
    Tonya and Zach taught me how to get my aggressively biting, barking, out of control chihuahua into a sweet friendly obedient boy! And soooo fast! He can come to work, go in public, have visitors in the house, and I don’t have to worry about people being in danger. I can even get him to stop barking with his pack at the door or fence! I didn’t think this was at all possible and am so very grateful for their patience and knowledge! Strongly recommend!
  • Nicole DiBlasi
    Aug. 13, 2025
    My 1 year old Lagotto Romagnolo pup just completed his three-week obedience and service dog training camp. When he was about 4 months, I had met with Dog Training Elite, amongst many other training facilities in order to do my due diligence and make sure it was the right fit. My biggest mistake in having my dog trained was not immediately signing up with Dog Training Elite after their first meeting with me! Luckily, I circled back with them a few months later to set up training, and it was the best investment I have made in my pup! Team: The team is absolutely wonderful, and I can tell they really value and care about my goals with my pup. They are not only there to train him, but to help him build his confidence in and out of public settings. Something that stood out to me about DTE is that having met with several other facilities, the DTE team treated my pup the way I like him to be treated. Some facilities told me that the cutesy talk with your dog is wrong, and cuddling and playing with the dog too much will make him think the owner is soft and not in control. At DTE, they were SO loving with my pup, and even have one of their employees as a "Chief Enrichment Officer" to play with the pups throughout the school day. I LOVED this about the team, and this is a lot of the reason I believe my pup would always wag his tail when we would pull up to training at the facility :) Oh, not to mention, they bought him toys during some of their public access days. Training: My dog is completely different after 3 weeks, and I mean that in the best way possible. One of my hesitations and worries in having my dog service dog trained was that he would be trined so well, that he would not act like the happy-go-lucky dog he is, and instead always be "on" and working and stoic. Not the case at all! He is just super obedient and respectful of boundaries, and when it is time to heel, and sit and place, he knows exactly what to do. He has more respect for me as his owner, and this training has actually STRENGTHENED our relationship, and so I could not be more grateful. After just 3 weeks of training, we walked around Home Depot together for about 25 minutes with him being off-leash. I would never have thought he would be doing that this soon after training! Facility: I was 90% sure after DTE came to my house for a consultation for the first time that I would want to sign up with them. I asked for a tour of their facility, and literally, I took a few steps inside, and knew that 90% would now be 100%. The first thing I noticed was the silence (no craziness of tons of dogs barking, which was common at other facilities). Next, there were about 6 dogs in the front room, all separated and back-tied on a leash to the wall and on their beds. They all looked at me like perfect little obedient students, and were not distracted by me or my dog at all. Everything is very clean and organized, and it is just a very bright and open facility. I felt very good about having my pup there for training. Cost: Worth every penny. I highly recommend the Dog Training Elite Suncoast team if you are thinking about getting your pup trained!
  • Christopher Glanzer
    Aug. 12, 2025
    We started working with Tonya at Dog Training Elite (Platinum Package) right from day one when we brought home our Doodle puppy named Theodore. Training a puppy (especially with 2 kids in the house) is not an easy task. Tonya was there every step of the way, reassuring and guiding us. She was always available if we had questions or concerns. At the beginning there were times when we felt overwhelmed and frustrated by the puppy energy and behaviors but with Tonya's guidance we stayed consistent and trusted in her process. After the first few puppy sessions we started to see a transformation unfold. Fast forward to today, at 6 months old Theo is a great canine companion. He is happy, obedient, engaged, well mannered. When we go for walks people often comment on how well behaved he is, and are even more surprised when I say he is only 6 months old! There are still some areas that need work, but overall we have seen a big change and are astonished at how far he has come under her close guidance. We continue to work with Tonya to build on the strong foundation. I would highly recommend Dog Training Elite as soon as possible to start the journey with your dog!
  • Jean Sheridan
    Aug. 8, 2025
    Our dog Toby has come so far in his training with Tonya in just 5 short weeks. We highly recommend Dog Training Elite!!
  • Kara Hosking
    Aug. 2, 2025
    Tonya and team are simply the best!! She gave me confidence to train our Dalmatian puppy into becoming a young controlled highly active dog. I have no fear with Elite team as my trainer. We love so much and are becoming platinum members. Home training for the family and group classes are the perfect combination!! ❤️❤️❤️❤️ her training also helped Hampton be amazing with our cats!!!
  • Steve Harris
    Jul. 30, 2025
    Very impressed with Dog Training Elite… they sent Aaron to work with me and my 7 month old Doberman puppy. The strides Prince has made in his obedience is incredible… he quickly was able to pick up skills like recall, down, heel, place to name a few. We start group classes this weekend to continue his growth but I would highly recommend their services if you’re serious about advanced dog training.
  • Mohammad Harake
    Jun. 12, 2025
    Tonya and her Team at Dog Training Elite has been fantastic in her service task tracing with my dog. At first I was a little hesitant just because it’s a big investment into the unknown, but quickly realized how I could not have asked for a better trainer, I think very reasonably priced and helped me bond with my dog even stronger and be a better handler/servucs dog duo/team. Thank you!
  • Alisha Rand
    Jun. 11, 2025
    Aaron and Kim worked closely with my boxer puppy, Rocky. They helped me teach him important skills so that Rocky is obedient. I have seen amazing results through following their program, in home sessions, and group sessions. They are very firm and consistent and train you so that you can support your dog daily. Rocky learned the sit, down, and place commands within his first few months of training. I am most grateful for their support with teaching Rocky to heel, especially off leash. Rocky walks next to me consistently, even when off leash, when given the command. They are very skilled and knowledgeable about dog training and behavior. I am grateful to have chosen them to support me with his training!
  • Lana Heinen
    Jun. 11, 2025
    Changed our life!!!! Daisy is finally becoming the dog she was meant to be because of the amazing training and support we received from Tonya!
  • Brandi
    May. 13, 2025
    The owner Tonya and her crew are awesome! They are knowledgeable, patient, and fun to work with. Our Doberman (Ronin) loves working with them. Further, we are constantly improving along with Ronin. We strongly endorse Dog Training Elite Greater Tampa.
  • Olivia Meitzner
    May. 10, 2025
    Dog Training Elite Greater Tampa has completely exceeded my expectations! The one-on-one training sessions are outstanding-personalized, effective, and tailored to both you and your dog’s needs. I saw progress quickly, and the trainers are not only incredibly knowledgeable but also genuinely invested in your success. The group training classes are equally amazing. They provide a great opportunity for socialization and reinforcing skills in a more distracting environment, which really helps solidify the training. What truly sets them apart, though, is their ongoing support. Even outside of scheduled sessions, the team is always willing to answer questions and offer guidance. It’s clear that they care about you and your dog’s journey every step of the way. I have a very loving but very stubborn Corgi who I am now so so proud of thanks to this team! Highly recommend to anyone looking for lasting results and a team that truly stands behind their work!
  • Bhavna Kumar
    May. 4, 2025
    Highly recommend Elite Dog Training! They worked wonders with my dog. Teaching obedience skills, they were patient knowledgeable and compassionate - their approach is truly effective. My dog is now well-behaved and happy service dog. Thanks to their expertise. Five stars isn't enough - I'd give them ten stars if I could!
  • David David
    Mar. 29, 2025
    When i brought home my first Doberman I was working all the time and didn’t really do the training required to unlock all the potential of this breed. Jetta was a great family dog but this time I wanted to do things different. I contacted Dog Training Elite, talked to Tonya and purchased the Puppy Platinum Package. I knew if i was going to start using an E Collar I wanted it done professionally. Honestly, I was a little apprehensive about using the E Collar and it really takes some getting used to. I started training Kara as early as possible and Tonya ensured me that it would make our bond stronger and it did. Kara is a calm, confident girl and she goes everywhere with me and I mean everywhere. She knows when the collar comes out she is in for some off leash fun by the lake, beach, or going for a hike in the woods. We do a 5k and she is by my side (on leash). When we go to restaurants she is by my side. She is currently enrolled in Agility classes and the obedience classes made starting agility so much easier. With the Platinum Package i have unlimited training in the park every other Saturday and i always try to make it. We always learn something new, reinforce the basics, and I get to spend Saturday mornings with some really nice people.
  • Arthur Bochner
    Mar. 21, 2025
    Great team of dog trainers. Incorporate video illustrations to enhance training regiments. Very conscientious and good teachers. They have helped our precious little Dali become a better and more confident dog.
  • lucienne richard
    Mar. 17, 2025
    I needed help with my toy poodle he was always barking and trying to bite people. Now he loves people. Couldn't take him anywhere .now he loves to go to the park and every time we go to a class. We're always learning more if I have any questions.They always answer my question .I'm so glad I found them.I can't say enough about them. They are great.