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Service Dog Breeds
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. We've created this brief guide to review 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. Take the first step towards a better future with a trained service dog by contacting Dog Training Elite Colorado Springs today!
Popular Breeds for Service Dogs
While most dogs can be trained to become service dogs, regardless of breed, a few breeds lead the pack in popularity due to their personalities and inherent traits. Here are a few of the most popular service dog breeds.
Labrador Retrievers
Labrador retrievers are among the most sought-after breeds to be service dogs for PTSD in Colorado Springs due to their intelligence, versatility, and friendly nature. They excel in various roles, including guide dogs for individuals with visual impairments, service dogs for individuals with mobility issues, and service dogs for veterans with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). Labradors are highly trainable and possess a strong desire to please, making them ideal candidates for service work.
Golden Retrievers
Golden retrievers are known for their gentle and patient nature, making them excellent service dog candidates. Their calm temperament, intelligence, and willingness to learn contribute to their success in roles such as mobility assistance, therapy dogs, and service dogs for veterans. Their ability to provide emotional support and comfort makes them particularly well-suited for individuals with PTSD or other mental health conditions.
German Shepherds
German shepherds possess a remarkable combination of strength, intelligence, and loyalty, making them an excellent choice as a service dog for veterans. Their versatility allows them to excel in various roles, including mobility assistance, search and rescue, and service dogs for individuals with psychiatric or neurological conditions. With their keen sense of observation and natural protective instincts, German Shepherds can provide physical and emotional support to their handlers.
Poodles
Poodles are renowned for their intelligence, trainability, and hypoallergenic coats, making them popular for service dog training, especially for individuals with allergies. They excel in roles such as mobility assistance, diabetic alert dogs, and medical alert dogs.
Our Balanced Theory
We base our training around the "Classical Conditioning" model (a.k.a. "Pavlovian" or "respondent conditioning"). This includes developing conditioned or automatic reflexes to commands. In its simplest form (after proper conditioning), when the owner says "sit," the dog automatically sits without thinking about it. Our unique techniques ensure our program is a success no matter what behavior we encounter.
Empowering Owners
We empower owners to train so their dog knows who to obey at all times.
Personalized
We deal with problem behaviors on a personal basis.
Environment Specific
We train wherever issues tend to arise (i.e. jogging, park, home).
Supportive
We support owners in the off-hours (when training is "not in session").
Involved
We work with all members of the household.
Simplified & Customized
We plan training around the owner's schedule and require only 20 min/day follow-up practice.
Continued Training
Additional programs / group sessions offered after in-home training.
Lifetime Investment
We follow up & are invested in the owner's success long-term.
Satisfaction Ratings
Our high client satisfaction rating sets us apart from competitors.
clas·si·cal con·di·tion·ing PSYCHOLOGY noun A learning process that occurs when two stimuli are repeatedly paired; a response that is at first elicited by the second stimulus and is eventually elicited by the first stimulus alone.
Who Are Service Dogs For?
Service dogs offer invaluable support and assistance to individuals facing various challenges. Service dogs are sought after by individuals with conditions such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), mobility limitations, visual or hearing impairments, autism spectrum disorders, anxiety disorders, and more. Service dogs can help provide security, independence, and emotional well-being regardless of the specific condition. If you seek a loyal and capable partner to enhance your daily life, a service dog for PTSD in Colorado Springs can make a remarkable difference.
Service Dog Training
Service dogs undergo extensive and specialized training to perform their essential tasks and assist individuals with disabilities. The 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, stay, heel, and come, as well as proper leash manners and socialization skills.
- Task Training
Task training tailors to the specific needs of the 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.
We help your dog become a valued companion and beloved member of the family. Read what our customers have to say and then give us a call!
Highly recommend Caroline at Dog Training Elite Colorado Springs. Our dog had become very reactive and aggressive at door knocks and doorbell rings. We needed 100% in-home training sessions to correct this behavior. Caroline was excellent and showed us how to re-train our dog within several sessions. He loved working with her and got excited at every one of her visits. She's amazing!— Laurie Carroll
Posted August 27th 2024
Dog Training Elite Colorado Springs has been absolutely amazing in helping us get our Goldendoodles therapy trained and certified. From day one, their expertise and dedication have shone through. The trainers at Dog Training Elite have gone above and beyond in ensuring that our Goldendoodles are well-prepared to provide therapy. We've been incredibly impressed by their commitment to excellence. One of the standout aspects of our experience with Dog Training Elite is their dedication to real-world training scenarios. Working in parks and businesses has proven to be a brilliant approach. It has helped our Goldendoodles become acclimated to various environments, people, and distractions. This kind of practical training is precisely what our dogs needed to excel as therapy dogs. The trainers at Dog Training Elite Colorado Springs are not only knowledgeable but also genuinely caring and patient with the dogs. They have created a positive and nurturing environment, which has been instrumental in our dogs' growth and development. We couldn't be more pleased with our experience at Dog Training Elite. They have exceeded our expectations in every way, and we are now more confident than ever in our Goldendoodles' ability to serve as therapy dogs. Thank you, Dog Training Elite Colorado Springs, for your exceptional training and support. We wholeheartedly recommend their services to anyone looking for top-notch dog training and certification. Our Goldendoodles are now ready to make a real difference in the lives of those they'll be helping.— Andrea Manuszak
Posted October 23rd 2023
There are hardly enough words to say how terrific our experience has been with CS Dog Training Elite. The entire staff is wonderful, but a special shout out to Lucas and Caroline! They have gone above and beyond anything I could have expected, and their patience and encouragement have been invaluable in giving Murphy and me a completely enjoyable and successful training experience. Murphy passed his service dog certification test yesterday, a testament to this incredible training program and the people who run it. We look forward to continuing attending group classes for "brush-ups" and to stay connected to this wonderful organization. A huge thank you from Murphy and me!— Janet Morris
Posted August 16th 2023
Amazing company! they have been superb and kind! they were able to help train my husky rescue who is my service dog in training! Lucas and Caroline have always gone above and beyond with every step! they are more than willing to answer a silly question even after hours. they have truly shaped my life and my dogs! they are so amazing and truly life changing!— Carrie Monroe
Posted July 29th 2023
Used to be that if my little terrier mix saw a dog anywhere on the block , he would totally lose his mind. now he can be comfortably next to another dog. Awesome results! He's like a totally different dog.— Merrilee Williams
Posted July 24th 2023
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Posted March 20th 2023
Speaking with Lucas today was absolutely awesome! I got all my questions answered in regards of how to go about the process with a service animal. It was a lot of information but very straightforward, which I really liked. The bubbly personality, politeness, and just how awesome the demo went today, I would recommend 100%. I'll definitely be doing business with them. :) Thanks again guys!— Audrey Escobedo
Posted January 19th 2023
We have been training our two goldendoodle puppies to be therapy dogs with Dig Training Elite. They have been amazing and very helpful every step of the way.— Andrea Manuszak
Posted January 7th 2023
Carlos and Trinity have taken our dog, who was half trained, and changed her program to be more disciplined and organized. Since being in their program, she has learned to smell and alert to seizures, behave well in public areas, and do several other tasks (retrieve thing off the ground, anxiety interruption tasks, etc). I can’t recommend them enough.— Hannah Burgo
Posted June 4th 2022
Carlos and Trinity are professional, caring and very knowledgeable. I feel they trained me as a handler as much as they did Anubis in his skills. I hate to see them go, but life moves us around for a reason. Anubis went from a gangly puppy that wouldn’t even sit on command, to an attentive hard working service dog who has become a major asset and my best friend. He continues to astound me by learning new skills with eagerness and with such excitement. I could have never gotten him trough all his training without Elite! Thank you and best to you all as you move to new adventures.— Doc
Posted August 10th 2022
Both Carlos and Trinity are excellent trainers. The last 5 weeks has transformed a bit of an out of control dog into knowing his basic manners! I can't wait to join the weekend group and continue practicing with him.— Markham Performance
Posted May 27th 2022
Who says you can’t teach old dogs new tricks? Our 9 and 10 year old dogs were having difficulty adjusting after an out of state move, we had issues with constant barking, dangerous jumping and a general lack of following directions. This training changed our day to day life in such an impactful way I can’t recommend Carlos and Trinity highly enough!— Rhiannon Billman
Posted April 3rd 2022
The results and dedication of Dog Training Elite Colorado Springs exceed all of my expectations.— linda smith
Posted January 6th 2022
We have nothing but a great experience with this training company since my daughter has received Ocean in December 2020. The staff is helpful and makes you feel like family. Training a dog is hard work, but my daughter with epilepsy and anxiety has been able to train with the help of Elite!! I HIGHLY recommend this company!!!— Dara Lightle
Posted March 11th 2021
Service Dogs for Veterans & PTSDTraining with Dog Training Elite in Colorado Springs
Dog Training Elite offers comprehensive service dog training programs designed to meet your unique needs. With our expertise and personalized approach, we can help your service dog develop the skills and behaviors necessary to fulfill their vital role in enhancing your daily life.
Service dogs are an invaluable resource for individuals with disabilities, providing support, independence, and companionship. Service dogs can benefit individuals with various conditions, including PTSD, mobility limitations, autism, anxiety disorders, and more. At Dog Training Elite Colorado Springs, we offer comprehensive service dog training programs to ensure your dog has the necessary skills to meet your needs. Our expertise and personalized approach will help you forge a strong bond with your service dog and confidently navigate daily life. Take the first step towards a brighter future by contacting Dog Training Elite today and discovering how a service dog can make a remarkable difference in your life.
Dog Training Elite Colorado Springs Partners
