Dog Training Elite Huntsville is part of a franchise founded by John Mestas, who brings over 40 years of experience in the field. According to their website, Mestas has served as an AKC field trial judge, trained search-and-rescue and police canine teams, and worked with guide-dog puppies and service dogs. He names the company after his first competition dog, a golden retriever called Arrow.
The Madison-area branch focuses primarily on in-home training, which they describe as allowing trainers to address behaviors like door-bolting or barking at delivery people in the exact context where problems occur. Their site states this approach aims to involve the whole household rather than sending a dog away or relying solely on classroom settings. They describe their method as balanced and positive-reinforcement based.
Beyond basic obedience, the business lists service dog training, therapy dog preparation, and work with reactive or anxious dogs among their offerings. Their philosophy, as presented on their website, emphasizes building long-term obedience and strengthening the relationship between dog and owner rather than quick fixes. Group classes and consultations are also available alongside their core in-home programs.
