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Service Dog Training Near You
What makes a dog a service dog? Who can have a service dog, and why? We answer all these questions and more, as well as explain what sets Dog Training Elite Northeast Wisconsin apart from any other dog training service.
Not all training packages may be available at our Dog Training Elite Northeast Wisconsin location, please reference our pricing page for complete information on services offered.
Service Dog Training FAQs
What makes a dog a service dog?
Service dogs are dogs that have been specially trained to assist their handler or owner with specific tasks. Dog Training Elite Northeast Wisconsin trains dogs to assist people with epilepsy, diabetes, PTSD, autism, and various mental illnesses.
Who are service dogs for?
Service dogs are for any individual dealing with a disability that lowers their quality of life. For example, someone who suffers from epilepsy may avoid going out in public due to a fear of falling or other consequences related to seizures. This may inhibit their independence and sense of well-being.
In addition to improving the lives of individuals, service dogs can bring a sense of security to families, such as families with autistic children. Children with autism can often feel isolated and a service dog becomes a 24/7 companion to share experiences with, connect with and love. They can also help children reintegrate into society and connect with others.
Families who have children with autism experience a decrease in stress as they are more able to engage socially in public settings and experience less anxiety at home. A service dog increases safety and has a calming presence that can minimize emotional outbursts, allowing the family to feel more secure and a child with autism to better participate in family activities.
Service dogs are for all individuals or families that are experiencing a decrease in quality of life due to disability.
What kind of training does a service dog need?
Service dog training begins with puppies. Dog Training Elite Northeast Wisconsin’s service puppy training program works with breeders to adopt puppies that are fully obedience trained by six months and are ready to undergo extensive socialization and additional training to ensure they are well-suited for service and therapy needs.
Then, Dog Training Elite Northeast Wisconsin places puppies with families or individuals. Further specialized service training takes place alongside the new handler. It generally takes 1-2 years for a service dog to become fully trained.
Service dog training focuses on two main areas: public access behaviors, and how to “do work or perform tasks” that assist with a disability.
Public access behaviors refer to how a service dog acts in public - well-trained service dogs remain calm in public situations and in turn help their handlers to stay calm, and are attuned to any other handler needs.
As for “do work or perform tasks,” the ADA requires that service dogs be trained to take a specific action when needed to assist the person with a disability.
For example, to assist handlers with PTSD, Dog Training Elite Northeast Wisconsin trains dogs to de-escalate anxiety, wake handlers experiencing night terrors, and so on.
Do service dogs require special certification?
The ADA does not require special certification for service animals. State and local government agencies, businesses and non-profit organizations may not require documentation, such as proof that the animal has been certified, trained or licensed as a service animal, as a condition for entry. Mandatory registration of service animals in the city of residence is also not permissible under the ADA.
However, service animals are not exempt from local animal control or public health requirements, such as vaccinations, or local dog licensing and registration requirements.
Why should I train my service dog with Dog Training Elite Northeast Wisconsin?
Dog Training Elite Northeast Wisconsin sets itself apart from other dog training methods by focusing on positive reinforcement with a personalized, in-home approach. This method empowers owners and handlers to be an integral part of the process for sustained dog obedience and service training. For service dogs especially, it is important that handlers be present and involved every step of the way.
The positive reinforcement approach, also referred to as “Classical Conditioning” or the “Pavlovian” model has shown to be more effective with longer lasting results than any other training method.
Dog Training Elite Northeast Wisconsin does not use punishments or shock collars to break bad habits. Instead, Dog Training Elite Northeast Wisconsin pairs positive reinforcement training with a vibration electronic collar. An electronic collar is not a shock collar and does not harm the dog. It is used to gain the dog’s attention, similar to a tug on a leash. It is never used as a punishment for bad behavior.
Another unique aspect of training with Dog Training Elite Northeast Wisconsin is that while most dog training programs train dogs at their own facilities, Dog Training Elite Northeast Wisconsin specializes in in-home training, customizing training to the dog, its owners and its environment for long-lasting success.
Positive Reinforcement Training
Training takes time, commitment and balance and Dog Training Elite Northeast Wisconsin is there every step of the way. With Dog Training Elite Northeast Wisconsin, dogs will learn the highest level of obedience, even in the face of the toughest level of distractions. The positive-reinforcement method focuses on encouraging good behavior through ongoing praise, creating a dog that wants to please from the inside out and creating deep-rooted, sustained obedience as well as a strong bond between dog and owner.
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.
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!
Allison was an awesome trainer. Allison worked with my dog but most importantly me to help me understand you need to work every day to have a good healthy and lovable pet. I am a happier person because of the help. I no longer need to constantly yell at my dog. Thanks Allison— Marty Klika
Posted October 21st 2024
This has been a blast! Training our rescue dog with Ramiro has been so successful, so much fun and something we strongly recommend! Our dog, Jobin, has been a reactive dog with other dogs, getting in fights and biting multiple times. His veterinarian felt Jobin was reactionary from insecurity and anxiousness. I tried so many things to help him but just when I thought I had it figured out, Jobin would flare up again and prove me wrong. Hiring Ramiro was truly the answer and his training helped Jobin and us so much! Now we have an extremely well trained dog who loves to go on long walks, visit dog parks with confidence and is no longer showing insecure behavior.— Katherine Janssen
Posted October 14th 2024
Bronson was enrolled with Dog Training Elite Northeast Wisconsin in the obedience platinum package. His trainer, Alli was amazing to work with. She was very flexible with not only Bronson’s medical issues. He got kennel cough three times from doggy daycare, had a soft tissue injury that took a couple weeks to heal and more recently had food allergies and environmental allergies. Not to mention my very demanding work schedule was hard to accommodate but Alli made it happen! All of the one-on-one sessions were in the comfort of Bronson’s home/yard so it was less stressful for puppy and owner. Alli was very patient and explained all of the training components to help not only me to understand why things are trained in the manner they are and to also explain the tell tale signs of dogs in general that get it but refuse to cooperate at times and then reinforcing the positive feedback as each training session was accomplished on daily routine life. Bronson just graduated his obedience training course and he passed his Canine Good Citizen certification today. A lot of work was done with Bronson but I would highly recommend to anyone that’s looking for a personalized obedience training program for their canine to use Dog Training Elite. The trainers definitely put the extra personal effort to treat your dog as if it was their own. Look forward to continuing onto the group training and hopefully service dog training!— Heather Ann-Marie
Posted October 14th 2024
I got a working line doberman puppy, Draco, and was feeling lost with training on my own. I had no idea where to start but I ended up deciding to work with Dog Training Elite after reading their great reviews. Let me tell you if they can successfully help me train my crazy, super high energy, stubborn doberman, they can train your dog. We worked with Allison and I couldn’t be happier. We genuinely looked forward to in home lessons with her every week and so did Draco. I couldn’t have done it without her… not only did she teach my dog manners and commands but also taught ME and gave helpful tips and information. I picked the platinum package after looking at all the benefits of it and I have absolutely no complaints. As a bonus - you get to work with actual people who care about you, your family and your pet. There were multiple times that Allison went above and beyond for us. Set up the consultation, I promise you won’t regret it ;)— Maya Bishop
Posted October 10th 2024
We have a 2 year old corgi who was food aggressive and dog reactive and didn’t always listen, he also was in trusting to be left off leash. After training with Romero we can trust him off leash and he listens to all commands. His dog reactivity and resource guarding is getting better and we have the tools and knowledge to work with him. We feel more comfortable bringing him places and he can be trusted off leash now. I highly recommend Dog Training Elite to anyone who is looking for a dog trainer!— Lindzi Kryger
Posted October 5th 2024
When my wife and I had gotten our second dog, Lucy, we knew almost right away that we were going to need some help getting her trained to the level she deserved to be at. She came from a rough upbringing, and we were very unsure as to how to tackle it. One day however, we decided to get in contact with Dog Training Elite and I can say without reservation that it was the best decision that my wife and I have made for Lucy. The first session, while a little rocky at first, as Lucy began to learn the basics of what will make her a well trained dog, completely changed her whole personality. She began to listen to us, look at us when giving commands, and would nearly be able to read our minds depending on the situation, because she was properly trained to know how to respond. Both my wife and I cannot recommend Ramiro and his team enough. From start to finish, they have been so professional, willing to work around very busy schedules, and make the most out of every class we had. I’ve very proud to see how Lucy turned around from a stray off the streets, to a dog that we are so proud to show off to friends and family. Thanks so much for everything you all have done for us! We look forward to letting everyone we can know about this program, and the benefits it can offer!— Leigh Richardson
Posted October 4th 2024
Can't say enough good things about Romero and the Dog Training Elite team! My dog was reactive, hated going on walks, and had awful recall. I made my consultation after a disasterous visit to the vet and I regret nothing! Within a few lessons he was completely changed and I had such a better understanding on how to encourage or correct behavior. If you want your dog to be a model canine citizen, give them a call!— Lindsay Horst
Posted October 3rd 2024
When we first contacted Elite dog training we had little hope in correcting our dogs behavior problems. We had tried online training and hired a personal trainer all to no avail. While we considered the investment in our dog or just giving up on our dog, I am glad we went with the investment. She has made great strides in not only her behavior but also in her demeanor . While she still needs work, she is well on her way to providing us with the well behaved, enjoyable companion she was meant to be. I recommend to anyone going through similar problems with their dog to not give up. Your dog & you can make the transition needed through training & education to become a cohesive & happy family. Our thanks to Elite training for making this possible & look forward to group sessions to continue our journey. MIKE & Pam Meyer— Pamela Meyer
Posted October 2nd 2024
My wife and I realized our dog, Max, needed some obedience training, as we were constantly trying to stop him from bolting out the door or getting overly distracted on walks by sniffing everything and approaching other dogs in a way that seemed too aggressive. After searching online for local dog trainers who specialize in these behaviors, we found Dog Training Elite, which had excellent reviews. We're happy to report that after 8 sessions with Ramiro, we've seen significant improvements in Max's behavior and obedience. He even passed the Canine Good Citizen test, thanks to Ramiro's guidance and our practice with Max between sessions. We highly recommend Dog Training Elite if you're looking for a great dog trainer.— Josh
Posted September 30th 2024
We are so grateful to Elite and especially Allison for her diligence and hard work. Our Elsa was a real challenge but we now have a very happy, playful and obedient pup!— Kerstin Scott
Posted September 27th 2024
Ramiro and Stephanie have been a joy to work with to train our dog, Bacon. They are professional, knowledgeable, patient and fun! We are 100% satisfied with the effectiveness of the training that was above and beyond our expectations.— Daniel Solberg
Posted September 19th 2024
We couldn't be happier with our trainer Allison and Dog Elite. They completely understood that it wasn't only our dog that needed training, it was us too! Our dog's progress has been a miracle for us. We would 100% recommend this service and company.— Kristen Gombar
Posted September 12th 2024
Had a great experience with Dog Training Elite. I worked with Allison and she was great. Worked well with my and my dog throughout our 8 week training program. Looking forward to thw group classes.— Nicole Socha
Posted September 10th 2024
I had an outstanding experience working with Ally. Ally is incredibly patient. She gives detailed explanations, works well one on one and gave positive feedback to both our dog and the me. Each lesson contained just the right amount of new skills and every lesson built on the lesson before. I highly recommend them. Individual lessons are so great and you make such rapid progress. I received an excellent return on my investment.— Marcia Broeren
Posted September 4th 2024
Outstanding. Superb customer service, flexible with individual needs and Results. I have a less than favorable breed for service training but it was no problem. Ramiro’s experience, knowledge (and patience) has taken us to new levels of training together. I am thoroughly pleased and grateful with our results. I would highly recommend Dog Training Elite of NEW to anyone with any breed. Thank you Ramiro, Stephany & Allison.— Maria Koch
Posted September 3rd 2024
Ramiro did a great job with my dog Percy. Percy is a rescue who came from a hoarding situation. He was very nervous and sometimes over reactive in situations where he felt uncomfortable. After working with Ramiro, Percy has become so much more secure, and I feel more confident in my ability to help him manage his anxiety. Other people in my family have even commented on how much better his behavior has been since we started training at the beginning of the summer. I couldn't recommend this trainer (and company) enough!— Samantha Roberts
Posted August 30th 2024
Dog training elite is amazing. We got are boy Shiloh from the shelter an he was a lot to handle from pulling as hard as he could on walks to chewing things up a barking. Romero made this process a whole lot easier with the 1 on 1 sessions with Shiloh. They treat everyone one like family and only want the best for our pups. Shiloh is a year and a half now an is as confident as ever is almost everything his does now. I highly recommend dog training elite to anyone who is looking for a great outcome for there pups!— Christian Pilar
Posted August 14th 2024
We used DTE to train our rottweiler puppy, Moose. We were in contact with Stephany and Ramiro from DTE before knowing what breed of puppy we would be getting. I am wheelchair bound and we wanted to get a puppy to train to be my service dog. Through video meetings, we discussed my needs and found a breed we agreed on. Through their contacts, they found a rottweiler breeder that has a great reputation. (Moose has been a great puppy since the beginning. Very relaxed and easygoing. It has never felt like a task to train him.) We had Moose attend, or more stay home (they come to you!) for the Puppy Platinum and Obedience Platinum courses, which started shortly after Moose was 8 weeks old. Moose just graduated from his obedience trading and received his Canine Good Citizen certificate. Moose is currently attending DTE's group training sessions with the other dogs that have also been through their obedience training. Ramiro was Moose's trainer for every class. Each lesson was very efficient and Ramiro was great with explaining what, how, and why we were doing each step. Moose loves Ramiro; he treated Moose as he would with his own dog from the beginning. Moose is now 7 months old and is such a good boy! He listens so well and can already heal and go for a walk off leash. He's learning more every day and is set to go to Milwaukee to get service dog training. He definitely has a good base to go from. I WOULD HIGHLY RECOMMEND contacting DTE for dog training if you're needing help getting started with getting a puppy, just got a puppy, or are having issues with your own. If results are proof with Moose, be confident that you will have a puppy that is super well trained, confident, and that you're proud of.— Caleb Peterson
Posted August 9th 2024
My dog Finn and I started training in hopes to work on his reactivity to people and dogs. Working with DTE was an amazing experience. By the first week I noticed such a huge improvement in Finn’s overall behavior. His confidence when meeting new people and dogs has grown so much and it’s been so amazing to see. We are so thankful for trainer Alli and everyone at DTE!— Libby V
Posted August 5th 2024
Not just one size fits all training. My dog, and myself, received the training we needed. Highly recommend.— Andrew Horan
Posted August 5th 2024