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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 Greater Nashville apart from any other dog training service.
Not all training packages may be available at our Dog Training Elite Greater Nashville 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 Greater Nashville 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 Greater Nashville’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 Greater Nashville 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 Greater Nashville 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 Greater Nashville?
Dog Training Elite Greater Nashville 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 Greater Nashville does not use punishments or shock collars to break bad habits. Instead, Dog Training Elite Greater Nashville 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 Greater Nashville is that while most dog training programs train dogs at their own facilities, Dog Training Elite Greater Nashville 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 Greater Nashville is there every step of the way. With Dog Training Elite Greater Nashville, 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!
Very reliable! I wouldn't look anywhere else for dog training.— Laura Minguela
Posted October 21st 2024
Brad is great. If you need your dogs trained in the Nashville area give him a call!— Victoria
Posted October 18th 2024
Brad has an incredible way with dogs. He’s patient, knowledgeable, and does a great job at making every session productive and enjoyable. Highly recommend him to anyone looking to get better at communicating with their dog and see real progress along the way!— Raymond Lombardi
Posted October 18th 2024
Brad is phenomenal at communicating with dogs and has a unique ability to make training both effective and enjoyable for both dogs and their owners. If you’re looking for a trainer who truly cares and delivers real results, I can’t recommend Brad highly enough!— Chris Lombardi
Posted October 17th 2024
My 3.5 yr. old lab mix, Oreo, was becoming more reactive and territorial over time. He was our first dog (Covid dog), and we hadn’t properly socialized him or taken him places. It gradually grew to the point where we were having to put him up when guests came over and run outside to get him when anyone pulled up. His unpredictable behavior made me extremely anxious! I knew we had to do something, so I looked up dog trainers. The first thing that drew me to Elite was the free in-home evaluation and positive reviews … some related to reactivity and aggression. I met Brad and felt very comfortable with him. He was knowledgeable and extremely thorough when asking questions about history and behavior. He genuinely wanted to know what was going on with my dog and how to help him. Oreo responded well to Brad immediately. Brad was always right on time and even stayed a little longer at times to work on something we’d mention. The in-home sessions were so helpful, and he showed us what to do between visits. We are now in the stage of doing group classes, which I was very nervous about. My alpha male, reactive, unsocialized dog just attended his first group class and did amazing! I was/am shocked at how quickly he has progressed. At home, we are still figuring out guest interaction and logistics, but I have confidence knowing that on the leash I can control him in most any situation. With a bit more time and practice, I think we’ll be able to control him just using voice commands. He already responds to all of his voice commands off leach under normal circumstances. I can’t recommend Elite enough for most any issue. I honestly wasn’t sure if it would work or work well enough to be worth the cost for our dog, but it definitely has been. I realize now how wrong we went about things … we had not given him boundaries or taught him how to behave in a way he could understand. Just like with kids, I actually think he likes his boundaries and feels safe when they are in place. I’m excited for Oreo’s future and continued learning.— Jesse Davis
Posted September 11th 2024
I highly recommend Dog Training Elite. My trainer was Brad. He was very knowledgeable and patient with our dog. Great results.— Gary Okeson
Posted August 19th 2024
Dog Training Elite is absolutely the BEST. I have had dogs my entire life and never seen a dog more wild than our Flair. She is a strong black lab & has so much energy we had lost control. We could not even walk her around the block due to jumping, pulling and running. My parents nicknamed her "the wrecking ball." After being knocked down and having my elbow dislocated, I decided to get help. I'm so thankful to have found Brad. He came to our home for a consultation and then began coming on Friday mornings for training. Brad is so knowledgable, patient, caring, and kind. He is definitely the kind of person you would want training your dog. He also taught my daughter and I how to work with and support all the new behaviors Flair was learning. I was amazed at how quick she responded to training. After a few weeks she listens, follows directions, does not jump on furniture or people. Flair even walks on a leash like a champ. This morning we moved from walking in the neighborhood to Lowes. She is doing better than I ever expected and it is all because of Brad. We are so thankful to Dog Training Elite for helping us enjoy every moment with our sweet girl. Flair even got her first pup cup today as a reward for doing such a great job!— Hayley Preston
Posted June 1st 2024
We just finished our in-home classes. Brad is a great trainer. He's serious about his work but he also makes it fun. He's patient, he listens, and he cares. It's amazing what he can do with our stubborn dog, Willow, in such a short period. My husband and I have learned so much from him and we are extremely grateful. I'm happy that Jackie has joined him. She's lovely and a great trainer as well.— Cha Sloan
Posted June 2nd 2024
Brad is an exceptional dog trainer who transformed our Australian shepherd into the best-behaved boy both at home and in public. His expertise and effective training methods worked wonders, and we saw remarkable improvements in our dog's behavior in a short period. Brad's approach is professional, compassionate, and tailored to our dog's unique needs. We're so impressed with the results that we've already planned to have him train our new puppy, Keeko. We highly recommend Brad to anyone looking for a skilled and reliable dog trainer!— Shaelyn Alexander
Posted May 31st 2024
My trainer Brad was awesome and worked well with my dog. He gave me lots of practice to help myself and my dog master the new skill. He was informative, patient, and personable. I enjoyed each session and the group sessions gave me the perfect opportunity to see how well my dog really did after receiving the training. It is well worth the cost.— Dia Mimms
Posted May 31st 2024
Great training and excellent trainer. In home training Malancy was very knowledgeable, personable, and has a passion for training. She made us feel at ease and was able to train us as well without making us feel dumb. If you want a trainer, she's the best.— Richard Colvin
Posted January 6th 2024
Malancy was our trainer and she was wonderful! She was calm and patient with our very young, energetic and head strong boxer dog! She was extremely knowledgable and confident in her abilities. She gave me the confidence to know that my dog was not untrainable. I have seen tremendous improvement in my dog. My dog is listens and respects me now and doesn’t try to rule the house anymore. I loved our experience! Thank you Malancy!— Andrea Bumbalough
Posted December 21st 2023
Malancy (our trainer) is fantastic!! She really understands my GSD and within minutes of meeting us was able to assess our dynamics and relationship. Sofia WAS very reactive and we didn't gave good experiences leash walking or participating in canine/human activities. Working with Malancy has been a game changer for us. Sofia and I participated in a human/canine obstacle course race and she did not react one time to dog teams we passed during the race or even getting to the start line. I highly recommend Malancy to help improve the relationship you have with your K9!!!!— Active RN
Posted November 11th 2023
ELITE - 5 STARS - Working with Malancy has been a blessing.I was at my wits end. One of my four canines began acting out in an aggressive behavior toward another one. They could no longer be in the same room. Since working with Elite the tension has lessened, they can now be in the same room or outside, together, and with each session I learn something new on how to continue to be a happy canine family. Malancy practices really easy, practical, and life lessons training. Highly recommend if training is needed.— Sharon Smotherman
Posted November 2nd 2023
When your puppy goes from the size of a baked potato to the size of a small bear in a single year its easy to miss some critical training! Our trainer Malancy got us back on course and really helped me through some frustrating behaviors while never wasting time on things I wasn't worried about. I appreciated that she didn't come into our training with her own idea about how Herman should behave, but listened to what things were important to me. No shaming me into keeping him off the furniture or the silly "alpha" rhetoric that's all over the internet. Just simple, executable commands that all build upon each other to help your dog understand exactly what you need from him. He didn't learn any silly tricks but rather improved significantly on his manners. Additionally, she helped us work through the difficulties of training one dog in a two dog household and tailored the training to include both dogs where possible. She was super flexible with scheduling and incredibly patient with my giant, lazy boy.— Jessica Merrill
Posted November 2nd 2023
So happy to have found Dog Training Elite for our 11 month old Pyredoodle, Sophie! Gracie, Sophie’s trainer (and I suppose ours as well 😊) is fantastic! She is patient and consistent whenever we have a lesson. We always looked forward to the in home lessons with Gracie and now look forward to the off site ones as well. Sophie is becoming (and continues to become) a well mannered pup thanks to Gracie!! Shout out to Brad and Malancey as well, Dog Training Elite is AWESOME!!— Diane Williams
Posted October 5th 2023
Malancy (our trainer) is fantastic. We have gone from a wild boxer puppy (10 months), named Kash, to an easily controllable one year old in a few short weeks, with her help. The progress on a weekly basis is unbelievable. I come away from each session completely shocked at what our puppy is learning and the control that Malancy is teaching my wife and I to have with him. An added bonus is it really seems like Kash is enjoying being trained. I highly recommend this program to anyone who has a four legged friend that needs help with manners. The difference is night and day and we certainly have not regretted this decision.— Brandon Clemmons
Posted August 24th 2023
Malancy with Dog Training Elite has been my savior! Before working with her my schnoodle Luna was extremely stubborn and even though she knew basic commands, she refused to listen. I specifically chose DTE for behavioral training, and I am so happy I did. Not only does Luna LOVE malancy, I finally feel like she loves me too! This training program has made our relationship so much better. She’s learned discernment around other dogs, walks and heels perfect on a leash, listens to all basic commands and it has even helped her stay calmer alone when I leave her to go to work. I can’t thank DTE and Malancy enough. Now that she’s fully training I feel comfortable getting her a playmate and I will once again work with Malancy when puppy comes home. :)— Krys Nicole
Posted August 17th 2023
Malancy was an amazing trainer, her energy and passion was infectious! Tess loved every minute of her training and I couldn’t be happier with the results! Thank you to Dog Training Elite.— Craig Anderson
Posted June 27th 2023
We are so pleased we chose your company for training. Malancy is so good at her job that we were fortunate to get her. We’ve come to love her and what isn’t to love. Our puppy has learned from the best of the best. We’re gonna miss her. This is the best training in this area.— Tom Gaumer
Posted June 7th 2023