Service Dog Breeds


The Best Service Dogs for Veterans & PTSD in Howard County

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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 of Central Maryland today!

Dog Training Elite offers professional training of service dogs for veterans in Howard County.

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 are among the most sought-after breeds to be service dogs for PTSD in Howard County 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 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 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 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.

An adorable golden doodle service pup trained by Dog Training Elite of Central Maryland, ready to help their owner throughout the day!

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.


Dog Training Elite of Central Maryland is the top company near you that uses professional positive dog training methods.
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.

See Our Pricing

Dog Training Elite trained service dogs for veterans can help them with PTSD and so much more.

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 Howard County can make a remarkable difference.

Training a service dog for disablities like autism, is a Dog Training Elite specialty.

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!

Richard and Christy helped get our puppy super well trained..Thank you Dog Training Elite of Maryland
— Veronica D
Posted September 4th 2024
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Christy was awesome with our 2 yr old lab, Tucker. She was very patient with him and we saw great results from her work. They regularly followed up to see how he was doing with his homework and to see if we had any questions or problems. If he was slow to grasp a lesson , they were more than willing to go over the lesson again at the next session. Would highly recommend!!!
— David Schilling
Posted September 3rd 2024
google
I highly recommend Dog Training Elite. My trainer, Christy, was fantastic! I had rescued a pitbull mix (Blue). A few days later, I reached out to Christy about in-home training. Christy came to my home to do an evaluation. I really liked how comfortable and confident she was when handling Blue. I signed up for their in-home training program so that we would be in our normal environment (with distractions) during the training. The best part of the training was that Christy would work with Blue first until he understood the command. Once he knew the command, Christy would than train me on how to use the command with Blue. It allowed me to watch and ask questions before trying the command myself. In addition, I felt that Christy went above and beyond what other trainers would do. I had a lot of dog related questions beyond our immediate training session. Christy patiently answered my questions and provided her insights. Even when I texted her asking for additional help with Blue, Christy made time to help me with my request. Blue is a better dog because of the training. Blue doesn't jump on people anymore, I know how to handle him when he sees rabbits & squirrels, and he knows his commands very well. Blue and I have a better relationship because of the training. Very grateful for Christy and her Team.
— Maria Lee
Posted September 1st 2024
google
What a great experience we had with Dog Training Elite of CM! They took the time to understand our pooch and worked with us to help her overcome her impulsiveness and reactivity. We never dreamed in a million years that we would be able to take a walk around buses, trucks, bikes, scooter and runners let alone other dogs. We can't recommend them enough and would definitely use them again if the need ever arises.
— KarenSue Dean
Posted July 17th 2024
google
We have had nothing but great experiences with Dog Training Elite for the last few months. The trainers are honest, set realistic expectations, and are dedicated to helping their clients reach their training goals. The one-on-one sessions really helped set my puppy up for success for our first group session. We have seen significant improvement with every session and I highly recommend Dog Training Elite for anyone who is looking for obedience, consistency, and overall a more well-behaved dog.
— kasey thomas
Posted April 27th 2024
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Christy and Richard have both been amazing. Helped train my not so well behaved older dog.
— Ishita Rahman
Posted May 10th 2024
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We absolutely love, love, love Dog Training Elite. They were so patient training our very nervous puppy. The in home training is phenomenal & we really enjoy the group sessions. The group sessions have been so helpful in socializing our puppy. It’s worth every penny & we have been so happy with the training.
— Kellina Nolan
Posted May 6th 2024
google
A great experience and worth every penny! We are first time dog owners and this was exactly what we needed.Stanly follows all commands off, sit, down wait and finally free when he can end the commands. Walking actually became dangerous as Stanley went from 2 to 6 months we were the ones being walked or pulled down the street. We now love walks our arms are relaxed and the walks are a pleasure. Dinners are normal again as Stan will PLACE and stay down until he is told to “free” Stanley loves to please so he enjoys it also. Christie the owner is great following up and her trainer Sean is great too. Kevin
— Kevin Dunn
Posted April 24th 2024
google
Dog Training Elite has by far exceeded my expectations when providing guidance for both my daughter's service dog and my personal dog. They worked with us 1:1 to develop a plan tailored to our family's needs and were always available for questions or concerns. Having at home training was perfect for our scheduling and then pairing with group sessions gave us a well rounded experience for our dogs. Highly recommend!
— Carrie M
Posted March 22nd 2024
google
We had the pleasure of working with Christy to train my dog to be a service dog for me. She is so amazing, patient and understanding. My dog has fallen in love with her and lights up while wagging his tail so much when he sees her. I would HIGHLY recommend them for training.
— LaToya Cross
Posted March 22nd 2024
google
Highly recommend. Christy and her team truly know dogs, understand dog behaviour, and are able to help us understand and work with our highly active dog! I have seen so much improvement. The instructions are clear and very doable.
— Rachael Logan
Posted March 20th 2024
google
My Wife & I could not be more pleased with the overall experience we've had working with Christy & Richard from Dog Training Elite! We've seen a tremendous improvement in Baxter's (our 2 year old, German Shepherd Mix) responsiveness to commands, and his general behavior, and we're confident that we now have the tools we need to successfully continue his Training on our own. They came to our home for multiple sessions, addressed all of our concerns, and were very easy to work with! Their passion, communication & flexibility made Training much easier than we ever expected...Highly Recommend!
— Dave Bond
Posted February 5th 2024
google
Excellent business! I can’t say enough about our trainer Christy, she was amazing with our dog Beau and us. He’s a different dog after he completed his training. I highly recommend Christy and her team at Dog Training Elite Central Maryland!
— Cheri Chalk
Posted February 5th 2024
google
This training is a game-changer! I was amazed at how quickly we saw results and how easy it is to follow. I would recommend to anyone!
— Nicole Mazzella
Posted December 11th 2023
google
Excellent trainers and an excellent investment. I made more progress in 6 months with my goldendoodle than I did the previous year of training. Their expertise in service animal training, especially with tasks has been a wonderful help!
— Annie
Posted October 12th 2023
google
Dog Training Elite of Central Maryland is amazing!!! Our Goldendoodle was and is an extremely high-energy dog. We were having such a hard time teaching him not to jump on people and run them over as they came into our home. After just a couple of sessions with Christy, our Oliver is like a new man. Don't get me wrong, he is still super high-energy. The difference is, he now listens to our commands. Going on walks is fun again. Thank you, Christy and Dog Training Elite!!
— Emery Nelson
Posted October 2nd 2023
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Training was excellent!! Experience with trainers were great. Highly recommend this trainer to everyone.
— Kenneth Sarkady
Posted September 26th 2023
google
Dog Training Elite Central Maryland did such a wonderful job helping me to train my puppy. Christy and her staff are top notch, very professional and go above and beyond to help their clients! I definitely recommend them to help anyone training their dog to be the best they can be.
— Stephen May
Posted September 6th 2023
google
Christy did an excellent job training our miniature schnauzer Marty. We saw immediate improvement after the first training lesson, and this was saying a lot since Marty can be extremely stubborn. He listens so much better now, and barely barks or looks at other dogs on his walks like he used to. She taught us how to train our dog, and what tools/ things we can do to continue reinforcing his training. We are very thrilled with the training and happy we invested in DTE.
— Rachel Hall
Posted August 6th 2023
google
We finished our in-house sessions this past week and I’m delighted with the progress we’ve made under Christy’s guidance. The lessons all made good sense and, when I had questions between sessions, Christy gave prompt and detailed responses. I feel I now have the tools to handle just about any training issues that arise. I would certainly recommend Dog Training Elite of Central Maryland to others.
— Joel Kramer
Posted August 5th 2023
google

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Service Dogs for Veterans & PTSDTraining with Dog Training Elite in Howard County

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 of Central Maryland, 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.

Let Dog Training Elite take care of the service dog training so you can have support in your life while in Howard County.