Service Dog Breeds


The Best Service Dogs for Veterans & PTSD in Nashville

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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 Central Nashville today!

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

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 Nashville 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 Central Nashville, 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 Central Nashville 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 Nashville 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!

He was fantastic with Pebbles and with helping Kris understand how to control her
— Pam Collins
Posted October 19th 2024
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Jen is great would definitely go to her again
— Jessica Sherbourne
Posted October 18th 2024
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Jen explains everything and answers any questions i have without leving me with more questions then answers
— Jessica A.M. Sherbourne
Posted October 18th 2024
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I love working with the Dog Training Elite Central Nashville Team! They have provided me with a source of confidence when it comes to training my dog. If I ever have any questions they are always polite and reply in a timely manner. They truly are rooting for their clients to succeed!! Parker has been great in One on One sessions and always has great advice for working with Briar at home!
— Breanna Rose
Posted October 17th 2024
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Im permanently disabled and in a wheelchair. I had just bought a Burnese Mountain Dog pup and was curious about service training for her. I found DTE through web searching and took a leap with their service. I cannot express the amount of care and professionalism their team provides to each individual dog and their owner's needs. The classes/sessions occur both privately and in group settings. The locations chosen for the classes range from large stores like Lowe's, small parks, and your own home. All the training I received was expertly communicated to me as a dog owner and all training objectives are made clear throughout each individual process. I cannot recommend Dog Training Elite more to anyone looking to obedience or service training a dog.
— John
Posted October 14th 2024
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Great initial meeting. I think this company has the right program from my Biewer Terrier. Looking forward to seeing results!
— David Doucette
Posted October 11th 2024
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After just four sessions with DTE, my very anxious rescue is already showing so much progress! He’s building his confidence every day with the methods the DTE team has used, and my confidence in my own ability to simultaneously be in charge and put him at ease is growing too. I used to barely be able to keep my pup outside long enough for him to do his business before some noise would scare him so badly he’d almost pull me over trying to run inside. A month into training, we’re going on real walks around the neighborhood! The DTE team is so kind, professional, helpful and responsive, and the training has improved both my and my dog’s quality of life. Couldn’t be happier with the progress we’ve made so far, and excited to continue!
— Sarah Arnold
Posted October 8th 2024
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Was well Renia is a good trainer well informed me and I learned a lot.
— Robert Horton
Posted October 1st 2024
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Luna and I had our initial meeting with Parker today. He was very professional and well spoken. I can, from his demonstration tell that Luna will be exceptionally well prepared to be my service dog, once she’s gone through the training.
— Jamie Cleaton
Posted October 3rd 2024
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Reina was great and explained the process for training our dog very well. Franklin grew more confident and we have seen great improvement. He loved working with Reina!
— A Wamble
Posted October 3rd 2024
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Best experience ever. I already had a good dog. And Parker came in and in a few sessions and conversations my dog is so much easier. Walking and not dragging me along, coming when called have changed my life. Parker has the best service I’ve experienced in the dog training arena, always available patient and willing to work around me to see that my dog gets the best possible training. 10/10 would recommend.
— Abrielle Davies
Posted November 11th 2022
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We currently have two lab puppies training with Elite and we couldn’t be more pleased. Izabel and Parker are extremely knowledgeable, firm and kind and have supported us through a most challenging puppy stage. We are so happy to have two beautiful dogs who are responding very well to the Elite methods of training!
— Family Sills
Posted October 1st 2024
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We love Izabel and the Elite team. Our daughter and pup are thriving and we couldn’t be happier.
— Kami Harold
Posted December 8th 2023
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We have had a great experience with Elite! Izabel and Parker have done a wonderful job with our boys, and we are very grateful!
— Tyler Sills
Posted October 1st 2024
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Dog Training Elite has been amazing! My dog, Lola, and I have made great strides as we have worked with the group, and Reina has been great! She trains ME how to train and work consistently with my pup. We are working towards therapy certification, and I’m so glad we found Dog Training Elite. Highly recommend!
— Holly Horncastle
Posted September 30th 2024
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Parker and the team at Dog Training Elite Central Nashville have been so helpful with our GSD puppy. My husband and I are first time dog owners and quickly realized we needed guidance with our high energy pup. The training team is so knowledgeable and professional, and really take the time to explain the process to us. We have seen drastic improvements in our boy after every session. We are so thankful we found Dog Training Elite Central Nashville!
— Jennifer Hoffman
Posted September 30th 2024
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Our two Great Pyrenees mix pups were getting too difficult to train on our own. When the trainer (Reina) arrived for the assessment she knew what we needed- and we have learned so much! She loves dogs, is easy to work with, and responds quickly when there are any questions, issues, or schedule changes. Highly recommend!
— Mollie Woltmann
Posted September 25th 2024
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Our Dog Is Now The Star of Home Depot! We only wish we'd found you sooner! Zeppelin is our rescued & when triggered, berserk dog. He goes berserk at the sight of another dog. Pulling the leash, attack mode, very loud & ferocious. We feared for ourselves as well. He was an at-risk animal from a shelter before we even knew what at-risk means. It means: at-risk of not getting adopted & staying adopted. Sounds familiar? You're at the absolute right place to make effective changes in your dog, and in your lives. Even if your dog isn't at-risk of going back to a shelter, or you're often wishing you could give it away. Don't! Especially if you're in love with your dog + they are now a member of your family. Because after Elite's expert trainers: Now he's a behavioral star! Side note: My father was a psychotherapist & professor. I can guarantee you this review is what my father would have written about Elite and our behaviorally transformed dog! Prior to Elite's incredible trainers, Izabel & Parker, we had gone through 3 trainers & medications. Many hours with $1,000 trainers and many hours on own own + without a change from his being triggered & going berserk. We as a family always watchful & afraid. Including respectfully, the department for canine behavioral-change at University of Tennessee Knoxville. The same happened with the best private Williamson County rescue trainer, no change at all. Calming medications didn't work either. No one was a match for him. Sad! Methods that failed: Prong collar walking, walking with string cheese rewards, and group dog desensitization sessions with spray bottles. All of them gave up. There was no going outside the house for us & Zeppelin. Home Depot absolutely out of the question. Previous trainers tried, and we all left the store totally defeated. NOW! For us & for the dog himself, the behavioral reconditioning and reprogramming from Elite is easily worth many times over what we paid previous trainers! The transformation is priceless. I'm so glad that I get to see it now, daily. He now knows that we are in control of his mood & that greatly calms him down. No shock collars. No training with treats. No negative or positive vocal prompts. No forced grouping training with punishments. No water-spray bottles, no leash & prong collar jerking. No stern language or mood is needed. No punishments at all, actually. Very specific vibration collar and transmitter are provided. The best & most professional equipment & expertise using them. Very professional, simply the best. Guided group training with a muzzle is coming up. Very much like Zen, less-is-more technique. 30 minute sessions. All in your own backyard, they come to you. What could be better for so vast the change? Literally, Home Depot with a triggered rescue dog is a mammoth exercise. An impossibility after all other top trainers. He simply went berserk, forcing quick exits. He's especially triggered by much smaller dogs. We do not know why. Now, we don't have to know why. Now after only 6-8 training sessions with Elite, inside Home Depot he calmly performed Heal, Sit, and Down in the store! Unbelievable! He now has no distraction nor triggers! Another dog walked inside the aisle we're in, right behind him. He just sat there, maintaining calm eye contact with us! Elite's trainers Izabel & Parker have totally cured him. They are the wisest dog psychologists you could ever dream of working with your dog! Inside Home Depot, calmly walked him, working his commands. Then the sweetest, eldest cashier came to us "May I meet your pretty dog?" He calmly sat while she gave him a doggy bacon strip! Parking lot leaving the store, a man called out "That's a beautiful dog you have there!". Before the Elite transformation there wasn't any chance for any such compliments. Now there is & yes, now he is pretty, with even more possibilities with Elite to come! One last thing: You deserve this too. Help your dog and the enjoyments will be endless.
— Bob Schmerda
Posted September 23rd 2024
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Reina did great with Max! He absolutely loved his time with her ❤️
— Rachel Baudendistel
Posted September 19th 2024
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Reina did excellent with training my dog Ghost. Reina is very punctual and patient with Ghost.
— Jessica Coleman
Posted September 17th 2024
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Service Dogs for Veterans & PTSDTraining with Dog Training Elite in Nashville

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 Central Nashville, 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 Nashville.