1851

Joshua Lopez, a Navy veteran, is taking his experience working with dogs to start his own business aimed at helping the community and its pets. As a K-9 handler, Lopez has always had a dog by his side. He served in the Navy at 18, was deployed to Afghanistan with a military working dog and worked with the department of state as a K-9 handler. When thinking about his next step, Lopez knew he wanted to own a business, and offering dog training services was a no-brainer. That’s when he found Dog Training Elite*, which focuses on helping owners and their families learn to effectively and consistently support their dog’s training needs.Lopez is excited to provide dog-training services to the Cleveland community. He wants to clear up the communication between dog owners and their pets, and hopes his services help lower the number of dogs going to shelters by providing longer ownership of dogs by their owners. Lopez says he owes everything he has to dogs and hopes his business will be a way for him to pay back everything they’ve done for him. As a father of two boys and three dogs, Lopez and his family are looking forward to helping the community create a lifelong friendship and bond with their pets.PROFILE QUESTIONS1851 Franchise: Frame your personal story for us.&nbsp;What did you do before franchising, and how did you decide franchising made sense for you?Lopez: I did just under eight years in the U.S. Navy. I was a dog handler in the Navy, a K-9 cop and deployed to Afghanistan with a military working dog. I have also worked with the department of state as a K-9 handler, so DTE was a natural progression for me. I wanted a franchise for a while. I just didn’t know what I wanted to get into. I was tossing around home-based services. Once I found DTE, it was a no-brainer for me because of the experience I have with dogs. I have a real estate business as well where I own rental properties. I used that to get started with DTE. I have three dogs and two kids (boys) who love dogs as well. They’re already trying to train them by using popcorn.1851: What was your perception of franchising prior to becoming a franchisee, and what do you want people to know about franchising now that you are in it?Lopez: I didn’t want to buy myself a job. I wanted to do the opposite. As I found out more info, I realized I was purchasing a piece of a bigger partnership. A lot of the stuff was already done, and I didn’t have to do much work when it came to marketing either. It made the transition of buying a franchise very easy.1851:&nbsp;What made you pick this brand? What excites you most about this company?Lopez: The culture made me pick DTE. Going to Discovery Day made me feel like corporate was small and tight-knit. Everyone there knew my name. When I felt that camaraderie, it reminded me of what I had in the military.1851:&nbsp;What do you hope to achieve with your business? What are your plans for growth?&nbsp;Lopez: I want to clear up the communication between pet owners and dogs. The more I can clear up the communication between them, the fewer times dogs will be going to shelters. I want to influence longer ownership of dogs and help to create that lifetime bond between the animal and the owner. I hope to expand throughout NE Ohio. I want to have a brick-and-mortar location in Cleveland. I want to follow the model and keep reinvesting in my business.1851:&nbsp;What is the one thing about your story you want us to know?Lopez: Dogs have given me everything. I was interested in the military from the age of 18 as a K-9 handler. Now, as a 34-year-old after working with dogs and the Department of State, I've basically done this all my life. If it wasn’t for dogs, I wouldn’t be where I am today. I eat, breathe and sleep this stuff.&nbsp;1851:&nbsp;What advice do you have for other people thinking about becoming a franchise owner?Lopez: Do your due diligence, and have a passion for the franchise you decide to partner with. When you buy a franchise, the growth is quick so you need to be ready for it. Be prepared for the work.ABOUT DOG TRAINING ELITEWith more than four decades of experience in dog training, Dog Training Elite is one of the country’s leading obedience and specialized-training franchises. Offering a comprehensive suite of customizable training programs, Dog Training Elite works with dogs and owners to meet any and all training needs, including therapy dog training and advanced service dog training for PTSD support, psychiatric support, mobility support, autism support, diabetic alert training and an array of other services. In addition to the wide breadth of services offered, Dog Training Elite differentiates itself from competitors through a uniquely human-focused approach to dog training, which focuses on helping owners and their families learn to effectively and consistently support their dog’s training needs. To learn more about franchising with the Franchise 500 Dog Training Elite, visit&nbsp;<a href="https://dogtrainingelite.com/franchise.?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=dog-loving-veteran-starts-business-to-help-community-and-its-pets-2721983" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">dogtrainingelite.com/franchise</a>.

Dog-Loving Veteran Starts Business To Help Community and Its Pets

1851 Franchise

Joshua Lopez, a 34-year-old veteran, starts a dog-training business in hopes of helping the Cleveland community.

dog-loving-veteran-starts-business-to-help-community-and-its-pets

Busy Bee Jumpers

Top 10 Reasons To Buy a Busy Bee Jumpers Franchise in 2025

top-10-reasons-to-buy-a-busy-bee-jumpers-franchise-in-2025

Home Halo

home-halo-former-athletes-frachisees-image

Why Former College Athletes Can Make Winning Home Halo Franchise Owners

former-college-athletes-home-halo-franchise

TruBlue Home Service Ally

TruBlue Featured in USA Today as Key Player in Helping Seniors Age Safely at Home

trublue-featured-in-usa-today-as-key-player-in-helping-seniors-age-safely-at-home

Right at Home

Right at Home Marks 30 Years With Continued Franchise Growth

Right at Home Marks 30 Years With Continued Franchise Growth, Tech Advancements, and Strong System Engagement in First Half of 2025

right-at-home-franchise-growth-2025

KidStrong Franchising, LLC

Unlocking Superpowers: How KidStrong Is Building the Next Generation of Confident Kids — and Thriving Franchise Owners

kidstrong-franchise-confident-kids

Buying a Franchise Masterclass

 Franchise Opportunities

Get Support Buying a Franchise

How to Buy a Franchise White Paper

How to Buy a Franchise

How to Sell Franchises

How to Grow a Franchise

Find a Franchise Supplier

1851 Franchise Opportunities

Franchisor News

Franchisor Power Rankings

FranCamp Mastermind Summit

Franchise Development Website Builder

Franchise Resources

What ALEC-Laffer's Report Means for Franchising

Website Awards

Power Rankings

About 1851

Advertise on 1851

Contact 1851 Editorial

Terms of Use

1851 Login

GROWTH CLUB LOGIN

facebook

instagram

twitter

linkedin

youtube

Photo of Roof Scientist truck and trailer

Roof Scientist Expands Into Northern Indianapolis as Entrepreneur Dale Speckman Launches New Business in Fishers

roof-scientist-expands-into-northern-indianapolis

Image of Donald Trump pointing with red stripes in the background

August 1 Tariff Deadline Is Said to Have ‘No Extensions’: What This Could Mean for Franchises

august-1-tariff-deadline-franchise-impact

What June’s Jobs Report Means for the Franchise Industry

what-junes-jobs-report-means-for-the-franchise-industry

Drone Delivery Takes Flight in QSR: The Future of Franchise Operations?

drone-delivery-takes-flight-in-qsr-the-future-of-franchise-operations

Chick-fil-A Tops Customer Satisfaction Rankings for 11th Year as Challenger Brands Gain Ground

chick-fil-a-tops-customer-satisfaction-rankings-for-11th-year-as-challenger-brands-gain-ground

From Prescriptions to Pastries: Kari Khandelwal Creates a Comforting Community Bakery 

From Prescriptions to Pastries: Kari Khandelwal Creates a Comforting Community Bakery in Overland Park, Kansas

paris-baguette-franchise-overland-park-khandelwal

Kansas Couple Revitalizes Local Childcare With Children’s Lighthouse

From Corporate Careers to Community Roots: Kansas Couple Revitalizes Local Childcare With Children’s Lighthouse

kansas-couple-opens-childrens-lighthouse-gardner-olathe

Franchisee spotlight graphic with photo of Ricki Oberoi and Layne's Chicken Fingers logo

Multi-Unit Wendy’s Operator Signs 12-Unit Deal With Layne’s Chicken Fingers

ricki-oberoi-laynes-chicken-fingers-growth

How Vishal Juneja Turned a Family Tradition Into a Paris Baguette Franchise

How Vishal Juneja Turned a Family Tradition Into a Paris Baguette Franchise Built on Heart and Community

paris-baguette-franchise-rockaway-new-jersey-vishal-junjea

The Ultimate Guide to Selling Franchises: How To Create a Strong Incentive

how-to-build-strong-incentives-to-attract-prospective-franchisees

Hooters Leans Into Franchising With Closure of 30 Company-Owned Stores - Agg - 1851 Franchise

Hooters Leans Into Franchising With Closure of 30 Company-Owned Stores

hooters-franchise-model-company-owned-closures

Dog-Loving Veteran Starts Business To Help Community and Its Pets

MORE STORIES LIKE THIS