America’s Top Dog Training Franchise

Over four decades of experience have gone into our proven training method.

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Our Pet Training Franchise Story

From an early age, our Founder John Mestas knew he wanted to pursue a career working with dogs and helping them live their best lives. With 40+ years of experience as a professional dog trainer and Competitive Training Director, John launched Dog Training Elite using his proven balanced-positive dog training method that is still used today.

In addition to our original obedience training and behavioral modification services, we now offer even more specialized training programs. Thanks to the unique, successful in-home training model perfected by John and his team, what began as a small movement among dog training companies has grown exponentially.

Quotation Marks Quotation Marks

I was working for an international company. I was just another number to them. I thought, 'I don't want to go back to work for somebody.' I decided I wanted to train dogs professionally.

- John Mestas
Founder, Dog Training Elite Franchise

John Mestas

Founder, Dog Training Elite Franchise

pet business franchise

Meet the Founder

Learn how Dog Training Elite founder John Mestas turned his 40-year passion for training dogs into a an award-winning pet care franchise business.

The Dog Training Elite Story

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1976

Dog training franchise hairy dog image.
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1990

Dog Training Elite's training business for sale opened to the general public in 1990.
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2011

Dog Training Elite's training business for sale becomes official in 2011.
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2014

Dog Training Elite's business for sale model is perfected in the year 2014.
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2019

Dog Training Elite's dog training business for sale goes national in the year 2019.
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2020

Dog Training Elite's dog training business for sale is one of the Top Emerging Franchises in 2020.
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2021

Dog Training Elite's dog training business for sale is one of the Top Emerging Franchises in 2021.
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2022

Dog Training Elite's dog training business for sale is one of the Top Emerging Franchises in 2022.
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2023

Dog Training Elite is growing rapidly, with over 55 locations today.
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Present
Day

Dog Training Elite is growing rapidly, with over 55 locations today.

Our Dog Training Services

7 Elite Training Services, 1 Unique Dog Training Franchise Opportunity
Dog Training Elite offers a variety of training services for standard and advanced obedience training needs:

dog obedience training franchise

Obedience Training

pet business franchise

Puppy Services

dog training franchise

Service Dog Training

dog training business

Personal Protection Training

pet franchise

Anxiety and Aggression Training

dog friendly business

Service Dogs for Military/Retired Veterans

dog training companies

Therapy Animal Training

What Makes Us 'Elite' To Our Clients?

Since its inception, Dog Training Elite has distinguished itself as the best dog training experience available to our customers. We have earned a reputation for excellence through our highly personalized training programs, convenience, and emphasis on positivity in our proven dog training methods.

Training Icon Personalized Programs

Our dog trainers meet clients at their homes, conduct a comprehensive assessment, and select a personalized program that will provide the best fit for the clients' needs.

Training Icon Convenient In-Home Services

We train dogs in their own environment, making it easy and more beneficial for both dog owners and their canine companions!

Handshake Icon Superior Customer Service

We provide guidance to all our clients - no matter how long ago their dog graduated from Dog Training Elite!

Collar Icon Exclusive Dog Training Method

Our training is based on the "Classical Conditioning" (a.k.a. "Pavlovian") model. We use a balanced, positive reinforcement dog training method paired with a gentle, non-harmful, electronic collar.

Bark Trick Icon Advanced Training Services

With 7 different dog training courses available, we cover everything from obedience basics to Service Dog and Therapy Animal Training.

See Why Our Customers LOVE Us!

Follow up 6 months later-Reggie had some continued training to learn to fetch things for his girl, and is absolutely incredible at it thanks to Evan and his team!..We also took a trip to Florida with Reggie. First flight with him, Disney World, and Universal Studios for ten days straight. He did absolutely remarkable, and most people didn’t even realize we had a dog with us until they noticed his Minnie ears. He was able to ride several rides with his girl, and did incredible! Elite dog training is the absolute best of the best!!! We have a service dog for my 9 year old, and between Evan, and Kaycee I couldn’t ask for better people to work with! They have gone absolutely above and beyond to help our pup do any, and everything possible to help our daughter live the most independent life despite her chronic health problems. The amount of time, and work they have put into Reggie these last two years is astounding. Because of them Reggie is able to spend countless weeks in the hospital with my 9 year old, he goes to school with her everyday, and goes everywhere she goes. He is by far the best dog ever because of the incredible people at Elite. You can absolutely tell the people at Elite love what they do! 5 stars is not enough to describe what an incredible company this is!! We LOVE Utah County Elite dog trainers!!
— Karissa Illu
Posted April 1st 2024
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Bey smart and knowledgeable with dogs.
— Wyatt
Posted October 20th 2024
google
My experience so far has been amazing. I’m beyond happy with Deidre Wilson! She has been amazing with my Doberman and has such a natural connection with my entire pack. Deidre is not only talented but also takes the time to explain everything, educating me and giving me the confidence to succeed with my Doberman. I couldn’t ask for a better dog trainer! Kaycee is also fantastic, always patient and flexible with our schedule, making the entire experience seamless. I highly recommend them both and their staff.
— Karen Delgado
Posted October 11th 2024
google
Deidre showed up for our initial consultation and immediately made me feel confident in her, and DTE’s, training and knowledge! She is kind, calm, educated, and very patient! We cannot wait to have her start training our puppy!
— Gabe N
Posted October 9th 2024
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This has been the absolute best experience. Deidre was incredible. She made me and my dog feel do comfortable.
— Samantha Rasmussen
Posted September 18th 2024
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Excellent personalized training. We loved working with this team, and our dog made great progress.
— Kristen Jensen
Posted October 5th 2024
google
Deidre is knowledgeable, patient and kind. She is a professional and one who certainly knows her craft. Our dog took to her guidance and direction, with little complaint. Deidre is confident; it is obvious that she likes what she does. It shows in her enthusiasm and her ability to teach.
— Lucy Herrera
Posted October 4th 2024
google
Deidre is fantastic and has brought out a whole new side of our dog. Instructions are clear and tailored to us and how we learn. She has amazing insight into how to clean up our commands and how to fix anything we are struggling with. I'm so grateful that we chose to do this.
— Erica Gravity
Posted September 19th 2024
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My dog loves her. She is so excted to be here. She knows het job well.
— Cherie Zeeman
Posted September 19th 2024
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Today was our fourth training session with Elite, I couldn’t be happier. Bailey has trained with both Meaghan and Deidre both trainers have been AWESOME! Every single training session has helped me to be the best leader I can be. Bailey is my first from scratch puppy, I was so concerned that I would do things with her that would lead to bad behaviors that she would have to unlearn and it would be my fault, as soon as we started our training with Elite those fears went away immediately!! With Elites help I am confident we will achieve our goals!! I am so grateful! Bailey is doing so well, I can’t wait until we complete our training and we can go everywhere together! I am really look forward to being able to go through the doors that were closed on me 17 years ago when I suffered a traumatic brain injury. I know with Elites help Bailey and I will be ready to explore a whole new world together and that will change my life! Conclusion… If you are looking for assistance training your puppy or dog, without a shred of hesitation I would recommend that you give ELITE the opportunity to help you in the ways they are helping us!! It is an investment with limitless rewards for you and your puppy!!
— Kimberly Gagon
Posted September 18th 2024
google
Kind, experienced, and effective trainers made this a wonderful experience. I noticed an improvement after our first session. Highly recommend!
— Chris Davis
Posted September 18th 2024
google
Where do I begin, this training experience was amazing. I am throughly impressed with the knowledge passed along from the one, the only… Deidre Wilson. Deidre’s energy is amazing and makes learning for my dog and I so much more positive and enjoyable. I will forever recommend Dog Training Elite of Utah County to anyone with a K9 young or old.
— HawaiianPrepper
Posted September 18th 2024
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Deidre is so awesome and she is welcoming. I feel safe around her and I trust her!! I feel more strengthened and empowered after her training.
— Joshua Jackson
Posted September 17th 2024
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Love our experience! Thank you
— REVISTA ARMAS
Posted September 15th 2024
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Lily is 4 years old & needed some help listeninng to me. After only two training sessions, she's paying attention to me & her barking problem has been reduced 90%. I'm happy & she's happy too!
— Diana Grant
Posted September 8th 2024
google
We have three girls that we absolutely adore, but we have had some challenges with our oldest and youngest. While we have a good amount of knowledge, we need extra help/training on how to help reactivity that has recently become a bigger issue. So my husband found Dog Training Elite, and we have been super impressed. Diedre came to our house for the consultation and because of her, I decided that this was the company we would go with to help us. She also is the person that comes to our house for training sessions. Her knowledge and expertise on dogs who are reactive/aggressive/stubborn is amazing and she answers our questions and concerns with such knowledge. She doesn’t make me feel like a crappy dog owner. She makes me feel at ease and also feel empowered that I can changed my dogs behaviors with what she is teaching us. We still have more training to do, but I believe with what I have experienced so far, we will be able to have a house that is not full of tension! I also want to share my experience with Kaycee. Kaycee is who I have texted/called with questions and to set up the appointment times. She is so easy to talk to, she always texts back to see how things are going, and I don’t feel judge for what I’m experiencing with my ladies. The care she has for how my dogs are and how training is going is amazing. She is quick to respond, even when I tell her that she doesn’t have to respond quickly. The whole team clearly cares about the household and wants to help, which I’m forever grateful for. I am so impressed with this company so far, I had to share a review now even though training is not done yet. While the training is an investment, this training is worth it!!!
— Jesika T
Posted August 30th 2024
google
I adopted a five month old Doberman from the shelter in April He is sweet but seemed aggressive sometimes as being discarded by others had no confidence We are about half way through training and he is much more confident but still a puppy. I have seen a great change in him. Deidre has been the main trainer and loves her job and wants success which is apparent. Meagan and Casey have been great too. Funny how it’s training me even though I’ve had many dogs the last 40+years. They are all good dogs but I’m going for a REALLY good dog and I feel like we are on the right track I would recommend dog training elite to all but be committed as the key is making sure the dog knows you are aware what is expected and that is being a responsible pet owner😁 Sorry if I misspelled trainer names
— Karen S McCoy
Posted August 17th 2024
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Evan is wonderful and Deidre is an amazing trainer.
— Damon D'Amore
Posted July 30th 2024
google
Deidre and megan are great trainers, I love doing group class with them. They're really fun to be around and make the training easier to understand. Living in a full house of dogs they've helped so much! I absolutely love this company.
— Kincee Pullman
Posted July 26th 2024
google
Banjo and I have been part of the DTE family for over a year. We love everyone there! Every single person there is so knowledgeable and truly knows what is best for Banjo and myself. I can’t say enough nice things about DTE and will always reccomend them for any of your training needs. I’m truly grateful for everything they’ve done for me and Banjo!
— Amanda Downes
Posted July 15th 2024
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Meet Our World-Class Team

John Mestas

President & Founder

  • Professional and experienced dog seminar instructor with over 40 years of dog training experience.
  • Developed the training systems utilized by Dog Training Elite professionals.
  • Served on the boards of Utah Valley Kennel Club, Great Salt Lake Retriever Club and Northern Utah Retriever Club
  • Worked with guide dog puppies for the blind in San Rafael, California
  • Trained with renowned trainers such as Bill Totten, President of the Professional Retriever Trainers Association

Kelley Rosequist

CEO

  • Has been working in Office Management, Corporate Training and Human Resources for over 10 years.
  • An integral part of the initial training program and grand opening launch events.
  • Helps Franchise Owners wherever needed, from simply picking up the phone and answering questions to going out and being physically present to provide additional support.

Aiden Rosequist

COO

  • Has been training dogs for 17 years. Aiden trains dogs for obedience, personal protection, and service dog training.
  • Recognized by the American Kennel Club as a certified instructor for AKC S.T.A.R. Puppy, Canine Good Citizen and Community Canine testing.
  • Specializes in advanced service dog modalities, obedience and personal protection training, and building client relationships.
  • As a Dog Training Elite Franchise Owner himself, he can relate to other Owners on a deeper level and speak to experience on the challenges he has faced and how he has been able to overcome them.

Certifications & Recognition

Malinois Badge

The Malinois Foundation

At Dog Training Elite, we believe that Service Dogs save lives. It is our mission to make these life-saving companions available to our Veterans, First Responders, Women Survivors, and Children with Medical Needs.

Whether it be for PTSD, Mobility Support, or Special Needs, Dog Training Elite works alongside the Malinois Foundation to heal and empower these individuals with a specialized service animal, a partner in life, and a new best friend.

About the Malinois Foundation Learn More

Dog Training Elite - Canine Good Citizen Evaluator Dog Training Elite - AKC STar Puppy Instructor Dog Training Elite - AKC Community Canine Dog Training Elite - PRTA Pro Dog Training Elite - IACP Member

Hear From Our Franchise Owners

Learn More About Our Dog Training Business For Sale Experience And Passion Have Made Our Pet Franchise A Proven Business Success!

Starting a dog training business for sale is simple with Dog Training Elite.

A childhood love of dogs led Dog Training Elite's founder to create a pet training franchise that offers a proven, balanced and positive training method. Our dog training business for sale looks out for man’s best friend, but treats our Owners right, too. We combine a love of dogs with a successful business model and support for every single Franchise Owner.

End your search for the best dog training franchise for sale. Contact Dog Training Elite today to learn more about available franchising opportunities.

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