About Dog Training Elite of Northern Michigan

About Dog Training Elite of Northern Michigan

Dog Training Elite of Northern Michigan is the local franchise of a national training company, on

231-508-3029. "We are a family-owned, professional dog training company with over 40 years of

experience specializing in strengthening the bond between you and your dog. We offer in-home dog

training, basic obedience, advanced training, and specialized programs like Service Animals and Therapy

Dogs."

The owner

"My name is Dan Lutchko. My fiancé Samantha and I have 4 beautiful children… We enjoy hiking, bike

riding, kayaking, swimming and taking in all the beauty that Northern Michigan has to offer with our

three dogs, Pickles (French Bulldog), Luna (Puggle) and Spike (Frug). I have spent the last 11 years in

food manufacturing… The moment I discovered Dog Training Elite and saw the impact it can have on

people, and the vital and important relationships they have with their animals, was the moment I found

my new passion."

Programs

Six are published: **Obedience Training**, **Puppy Training**, **Service Dog Training**, **Anxiety &

Aggression**, **Therapy Dog Training** and **Group Training**. The behavior list the site works from is

"Leash Walking & Heel Training, Barking Issues, Aggression & Reactivity, Separation Anxiety, Jumping &

Hyperactivity, Sitting & Stay Commands, Destructive Chewing & Digging, Recall Training (Come When

Called), Boundary Training (Off Furniture or Beds), Vehicle Behavior, Training for Specific Tasks".

Published prices

Every obedience package is priced, and the same three tiers are offered both in-home and in-facility:

– **Platinum, $2,700** — "advanced obedience/behavioral modification with a goal of off-leash control".

Includes "8 one-on-one sessions", "Unlimited group sessions", "Additional support", "Elite testing"

and "Specialty task preparation". Stated goals include "Control over reactivity, aggression and

anxiety".

– **Gold, $2,100** — "advanced obedience with the goal of a well-behaved dog at home and in public".

Includes "6 one-on-one sessions" and "12 group sessions".

– **Silver, $1,500** — "Behavior touch up for well trained dogs who have previously been through

training and need some refinement". Includes "3 one-on-one sessions" and "6 group sessions".

All three carry "Lifetime Support". A footnote states: "Prices and package details are non-transferable

to other DTE locations or new management. May require purchase of additional training equipment."

### Service and therapy dogs

– **Psychiatric Service Dog, $4,000** — "12 one-on-one sessions", "Unlimited group sessions", "Public

access testing", "Certification". The stated goals are explicitly clinical: "Emotional assistance,

Reduction of depression, Grounding to the present, Reintegration into society, Aid in the reduction

of flashbacks, Anchoring the handler to the present, Reduction of the risk of suicidal thoughts and

tendencies."

– **Therapy Dog, $3,100** — "10 one-on-one sessions", "Unlimited group sessions", "Elite Therapy Dog

testing", "Certification". "Therapy dogs are commonly seen at hospitals, nursing homes, and more."

– **Emotional Support Animal** — call for pricing. The site states the legal distinction plainly:

"emotional support animals are not afforded the same public rights access extended to service

animals."

– **Personalized Autism Canine** — call for pricing. Goals listed include "Increased social

interaction", "Redirection of repetitive behaviors", "Deep pressure tasks" and "Faster recovery of a

lost child".

– **Mobility Support Service Dog** — call for pricing. "Stability support, Forward momentum assistance,

Help with doors and light switches".

### Puppies

Both puppy programs are "Designed for puppies 8 – 24 weeks of age" and are quoted on request.

**Puppy Plus** is "an extension to our Gold or Platinum training programs" and is "Only available when

purchased with a general training package"; for prospective service-dog puppies it covers "introduction

to task work; introduction to public access; socialization and neutralization training". **Elite Puppy

Prep** is the standalone version and includes "Puppy resources" and a "Puppy webinar".

Getting started

A free assessment is the published entry point, and for service dogs "we offer free consultations to

evaluate your dog's temperament and potential for our customized service dog training programs, or we

can assist with puppy selection through a litter visit."

What clients say

Bonnie McDonald: "He's an incredibly intuitive dog trainer and people trainer. Our sweet but

aggressive-biting, dog has responded so well to his training that I just can't believe it." Leslie

Vreeland-Corpe: "Their final session today – at the mall, the weekend before Christmas. I would never

have dreamed that I could get my dogs to calmly sit, lay down etc… with constant distractions around

them."