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What is a Therapy Dog?
A therapy dog is a dog that performs a service for other people. Typical therapy dog tasks are going to nursing homes or hospitals to cheer people up. For your dog to qualify, he/she must be friendly with strangers, and with training, be able to work around a high level of distraction and to understand personal boundaries, such as not jumping up, licking, mouthing, etc.
Research shows that therapy dogs can have a positive effect on a patient’s mood, stress, and pain levels during facility stays. Children, in particular, respond positively to therapy dogs. They are more motivated to participate in treatments, feel optimistic about the future, and experience an overall sense of calm when a certified therapy dog is present.
Therapy dogs can promote social interaction between individuals within communities that may not otherwise experience socialization typically. Therapy dogs offer unconditional love, non-judgmental interaction, reduce stress, anxiety, and loneliness and provide an overall positive distraction to ailments.
Goals for Your Therapy Companion
- Socialization
- Lower Pain Levels
- Motivation
- Provide Comfort
- Decrease in Stress, Anxiety, and Depression
- Promote Healing
- Increase Overall Optimism
- Ease Loneliness
Not all training packages may be available at our Dog Training Elite of Southwest Florida location, please reference our pricing page for complete information on services offered.
Therapy Dog
Therapy dog training is based on your dog's abilities.
$3,295
A therapy dog volunteers alongside you, where permitted, and provides comfort to others. Examples include cheering people up at nursing homes or hospitals.
A good therapy dog is naturally friendly with strangers, able to work around a high level of distraction (with training), and able to understand personal boundaries, such as not jumping up, licking, mouthing, etc (with training).
Training Equipment Included: E-Collar
- Puppy Selection advice
- Private, one-on-one training sessions in your home and the community 8 Sessions
- Group Park Training Classes Unlimited sessions
- AKC Testing
- Therapy bandana, ID Card, and Certificate of Training
- Come
- Sit, Down
- Place
- Heel
- Quiet
- Off, Wait
- Leash Manners
- People Manners
- Load up in the car / kennel
- Make a friend
- Choose one personalized greeting (high five, shake, hug, etc.)
- Top-notch off leash obedience
- Distraction Training
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.
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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).
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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.
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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!
Absolutely amazing company, they go well above and beyond to help you and your best friend. The care, understanding and love of their profession shines through. How very lucky we are to have them in our lives!!— Kathy Chappina
Posted October 21st 2024
I cannot say enough good things about Dog Training Elite! From start to finish, their team was professional, knowledgeable, and so patient with my dog. We signed up for the obedience training program, and the results have been amazing. My dog used to pull on the leash constantly, bark at the door, and never listened to basic commands, but now he’s walking calmly by my side, ignoring distractions, and following every instruction like a pro! The entire team provided support and guidance every step of the way, from in-home training through group class training. We always felt confident, thanks to their expertise. If you’re looking for dog training in Southwest Florida, look no further than Dog Training Elite! They’re truly the best. 🐾— Marcy Torsell
Posted October 18th 2024
Dog training Elite is the best! All trainers are local, knowledgeable, professional and super friendly!— Julie
Posted October 16th 2024
Dog Training Elite is a game changer in helping my highly distractable dog walk nicely on a leash and refrain from continually barking and growling at anyone and anything walking past my house. Learning commands and learning to place have completely changed his behavior in both of these areas. DTE has finally given me joy while walking my dog instead of anxiety. Thank you DTE!!— deana wallace
Posted October 16th 2024
The trainers at Dog Training Elite are so happy and friendly. It’s obvious that they love dogs, love their jobs, and love to have fun. It was great working with everyone.— Jill Jakub
Posted October 16th 2024
Dog Training Elite has been amazing with helping to transition my dog into a PTSD Anxiety service dog. Chris is a talented trainer with the dogs and with breaking down the steps for me to continue the training my dog has learned. My dog Chip gets compliments all the time for his behavior out in public especially when people learn he just turned 2. I highly recommend their services.— Cristy Estes
Posted October 5th 2024
Met with Denise to learn about the programs. Had our in home training with Chris. Chris showed and explained the training information perfectly. Marty caught on quickly and is a different dog. Thank you Chris for all you did. We appreciated your expertise. Great trainer thank you. I have recommended dog training elite to others. Great people Thank you. Brenda and Tom and Marty— Brenda Shea
Posted October 1st 2024
Chris was a great trainer and my one year old German Shepherd puppy has come a very long way to being well behaved after just five in-home sessions. She was pretty aggressive with him at first, but by the 5th session, she was showing him a lot of love. He has very good energy and he is a joy to work with. I'm really looking forward to my group training sessions in the local parks, because she still has some socialization skills to learn, and I know these group sessions will really help her with that. I'm so glad I called Dog Training Elite and I highly recommend them to anyone having behavior issues with their dogs.— Barefoot Gypsy
Posted September 21st 2024
We had a great time with Chris! Our dog loves him, and always responded positively to his training and guidance. Chris was energetic, engaging and had a lot of important insight for us to learn from. We hope to have a strong bond with our family pet and look forward to more enrichment with our pup in the future. This training program exceeded our expectations and was an excellent first time program for him!— Richelle Sterling
Posted September 24th 2024
Chris was amazing and very patient with us. Very recommended.— Lisandra Garcia
Posted July 26th 2024
Great company and great trainers. We saw a difference with Mia after the first in-home training. Myself and Mia are now able to enjoy walks together. I cannot say enough positive things about Chris. I'm so Happy for his patience with myself and how much Mia was able pick up. Looking forward to continuing this journey.— Amanda Taylor
Posted July 5th 2024
Chris Davila has been an excellent choice for my dog Mini Moo and myself. I can not thank dog training elite enough for helping me with my dogs training goals. I purchased the platinum package and I would 100% recommend it for anyone struggling with their dog. I'm three quarts of the way through my training and I have been able to go on enjoyable walks, morning coffee at outside cafés all accompanied by my best friend Mini Moo. Our relationship as evolved so well and I couldn't be happier. I want to thank all of the dog training elite staff especially Chris and Denise Yenchochic. If you have a dog please give these guys a call!— Chad Ferland
Posted May 25th 2024