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Classical Conditioning

Boston Classical Conditioning Dog Trainers

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A dog walking on a leash after finishing a classical conditioning dog training in Boston, MA.

Dog Training Techniques

Classical Conditioning Dog Training in Boston, MA

Classical conditioning is a learning process also known as the Pavlovian method or respondent conditioning. Discovered by Russian physiologist Ivan Pavlov, classical conditioning involves developing automatic reflexes to specific conditions. This leads to creating behaviors.

Pavlov is considered to be the father of “classical conditioning.” As a matter of fact, he originally tested his theory using dogs. In an experiment, Pavlov observed dogs began to salivate not just when they received food, but when the people associated with feeding them arrived. Pavlov began to ring a bell when the dogs were presented with food. Over time, the dogs learned to associate the sound of the bell ringing with food. Their mouths would salivate whenever the bell rang.

Dog Training Elite in Boston Metro dog training techniques are based on classical conditioning dog training in Boston, MA to help your dog achieve deep-rooted obedience. Working with a Dog Training Elite in Boston Metro trainer , your dog will become conditioned and develop those “automatic reflexes” to commands such as sit, down, heel, break, and more.

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Dog Training Elite in Boston Metro

Training With An E-Collar

Dog Training Elite in Boston Metro NEVER uses punishments like shock collars to train dogs out of bad behavior. Dog Training Elite in Boston, MA does make use of an electronic collar. The use of an electronic collar is vastly different in two main ways.

The electric collar does not shock your dog. Instead, it generates a gentle electronic pulse, similar to the tug of a leash.
The electronic collar is never used to punish a dog. It is used to simply gain the attention of a dog and help them focus on the task at hand.
Other dog trainers use harsh static collars or spray collars which have been shown to be less effective.
A dog owner playing with his german shepard, learn more about our Boston classical conditioning dog trainers.

Boston Classical Conditioning Dog Trainers

Positive Reinforcement Vs. Punishment

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Traditional dog training methods rely on punishment for errors and “low value” rewards, such as praise or petting, when a dog performs a desired behavior. Dog Training Elite in Boston Metro never resorts to punishing a dog to make them unlearn bad behavior.

Using punishment as a tool can actually backfire. For example: punishing a dog for going to the bathroom inside a house won’t teach them to go outside instead. Often, the dog only understands that the mess makes their owner mad. Instead of going outside, the dog is likely to continue to make messes indoors - but where the owner can’t find them.

Research shows that focusing on positive reinforcement when a desired behavior occurs and not worrying about correcting bad behavior in dogs is more effective and has longer-lasting results. The difference between a dog who has been exposed to dog training techniques used to obey out of fear vs. a dog who learns to obey through a positive, loving bond with their owner is huge.

Positive reinforcement works with dogs because they are inherently eager to please. Rewarding your dog for good behavior as you work with a Dog Training Elite in Boston, MA trainer to help your dog be more obedient will help you create a deep, loving relationship with your dog built on trust.

Additional Obedience Training Info

Dog Training Elite in Boston Metro - Positive Reinforcement Dog Training in Boston, MA

Positive Reinforcement Training

Dog Training Elite in Boston Metro - Puppy Obedience Training in Boston, MA. DTE

Puppy Obedience Training

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Off Leash Training

Dog Training Elite in Boston Metro - Dog Agility Training in Boston, MA. DTE

Agility Through Basic Obedience Training

A women playing with her service dog in Boston, MA.

The Dog Training Elite in Boston Metro Difference


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Dog Training Elite in Boston, MA uses modern dog training techniques and methods focused on positive reinforcement and bonding you and your dog. Dog Training Elite in Boston Metro trainers never resort to punishment to help dogs unlearn behaviors.

Through a combination of commands and an electronic collar, dogs learn to follow commands at once. Dog Training Elite in Boston Metro’s method of focusing on positive behavior reinforcement nurtures a dog's loving and naturally obedient nature.

After proper conditioning and working with Dog Training Elite in Boston, MA, when you say “sit,” your dog will automatically sit without thinking about it. The unique techniques of Dog Training Elite in Boston Metro ensure training is a success no matter what your dog’s behavior.

Get started training your dog today. Find a trainer near you and schedule a free in-home consultation!

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You and your canine companion really can have it all. See how easy it can be to become a member of the elite pup society by requesting a free consultation today!

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Hear From Our Customers

Learn Why Dog owners choose Dog Training Elite

  • anna rigo
    Nov. 12, 2025
    Tiffany was a great representative from dog training elite excellent trainer. She knows her stuff she made great recommendations really I believe she understood what was going on however, I will not be able to use any of the group classes because you dog training elite doesn’t have a location in on the North shore. I’m not going into Boston. I’m not going west the Western part of Massachusetts. I live in Marblehead so until they can use the Lowe’s on 114 in Danville or Home Depot here in Salem, I’m not interested
  • Jena Johnson
    Nov. 10, 2025
    Just when I thought nothing would help Moose, I stumbled across Dog Training Elite. We took Moose in this past January as his third home. He was reactive due to past abuse/trauma and very anxious, but we knew he had a big heart. On top of moose being reactive, he is also 175lbs and hard to handle... meaning he was house-bound. We decided on the Platinum Obedience package, which includes 9 in-house trainings and 16 group classes. Happy to say that today we were invited to group classes, which back then felt so out of reach! Moose can now tolerate people, children, other dogs, go on walks, and has tremendously cleaned up his obedience. We would like to thank Marshall, Matt, and Tiffany for their patience and dedication towards Moose. Our lives have changed for the better!
  • Enrique Mesa
    Nov. 1, 2025
    We hired Jason to help us train our yellow lab, Rory, to be a diabetic alert service dog for our 11-year-old son. Jason and his team have been incredible for this entire journey--which we are now more than a year into! Jason is always incredibly responsive, very easy to communicate with, an excellent teacher, and Rory loves him! He clearly enjoys his job, is very knowledgeable, and is great with children and dogs. Working with Elite Dog Training in New Hampshire, Jason gave us advice on which puppy to choose (taking into consideration gender and breed), and started scent training with us when Rory was 11 weeks old. Jason has focused on the scent training and service dog component of the training, while the New Hampshire chapter led the obedience and group training portions (since we live in New Hampshire). Jason provided great suggestions and one-on-one training sessions with my son and I. He helped us trouble shoot any issues and helped both son and Rory develop a great bond. He has trained us through scent training with tins in the open, to tins hidden on my son, to open air scenting with my son, to passing the public access test. He worked with us in our home, in a variety of public areas, and at the school. Jason has been invaluable in integrating Rory into the school system. He is a great presenter to the school administration and has been an invaluable resource for the school, addressing their administrative and logistical concerns. He has walked us all through how Rory and my son will thrive in the school environment. He has visited the school to meet with the school team and to walk my son through each of his classrooms to show him where to place Rory, how to place her in the room while he is working, how to navigate P.E., lunch, and recess, how to interact with the public (including other children) and has been very helpful in troubleshooting throughout it all. He was very well received by the teachers, administrators, school nurses, and the school community. My son loves him and describes him as “awesome!” and “the best!” Rory can’t stop wagging her tail whenever Jason is near, and always wants to play more with him. Jason answered every question we had, and was very patient with my son. Not only is my son diabetic, but he is also easily distracted (ADHD/ADD) and on the spectrum. Jason was able to explain things to my son in a way that he could understand. He has a great balance of humor and seriousness, which my son really responds to. We highly recommend Jason and his team!
  • Tonya McBride Robles
    Oct. 30, 2025
    The folks at Dog Training Elite are great, from the front office to the trainers.
  • John Thornton
    Oct. 22, 2025
    Tiffany listened to our concerns and goals with our 6 year old goldendoodle and explained the programs offered by Dog Training Elite .
  • Jackii
    Oct. 16, 2025
    Tiffany was great! She helped tremendously with my stubborn Chihuahua, Vivian. She introduced a new and somewhat scary prong collar to my dog to help with correcting her jumping and lunging and barking at nearby dogs and people and worked on walking up and down my hallways which always was a HUGE issue before using a regular collar and even a martingale collar. She would literally choke herself and be panting but continue to lunge, pull, and bark, all in her back two legs at anyone walking by or even trucks, school busses, or regular cars driving by. Anyways, Tiffany is so great! We have been working with Laydon, and there was a schedule conflict this week and Tiffany came, and I was so impressed. With switching between Laydon and Tiffany I was apprehensive about it, but after this training session, I am completely confident that Vivian and I will get the proper techniques and training that we signed up for and need! Although I’ve only met those two trainers thus far, (and today was week 4), I believe Dog Training Elite has the best trainers around! I feel confident that if Laydon ever has another conflict with our pre-scheduled training sessions, and Tiffany isn’t available either, that anyone will be able to read over the notes about Vivian and to do the session without any hesitation as well as fit right in with Vivian’s sassy attitude, stubbornness, fiestiness and learning style. Thanks Tiffany!! And thank you Dog Training Elite!!!
  • Jiang Yao
    Oct. 15, 2025
    Best dog trainer
  • Jackson Raubach
    Oct. 15, 2025
    She was informative, explained everything really well and was super kind and Knowledgeable
  • Donna Ricci
    Aug. 14, 2025
    Tiffany is an outstanding trainer, she listened to our concerns, addressed them. Tiffany asked many questions about our dog Tyson before she even started the training session. Tiffany worked with Tyson and us to resolve concerns in a positive, friendly manner. I look forward to working with Tiffany again!
  • Franklin Smith
    Oct. 4, 2025
    Trainers I worked with like Patrick and Matt are the best!!
  • Alex
    Sep. 18, 2025
    Trainer Laydon came to my home, was amazing with my cane corso, training was informative and very steady I never felt rushed. You can tell she loves her job and I look forward to more sessions. Thank you Laydon!
  • Selasie Djokotoe
    Sep. 15, 2025
    Tiffany did an amazing job taking her time to know boss and explain all the obedience training that will help him. We tried instant crate training to access where boss is at and what we need to do to continue to make him a better dog. He jumped a lot when Tiffany came and she started redirecting that energy.
  • Christina Helbert
    Jul. 18, 2025
    Tiffany was incredible during our initial meeting- she was very expreienced, patient, kind, and listened well. We felt very heard, validated, and hopeful for our four-legged friend to become her most happy and calm self! Laydon has been an incredible dog trainer! Her knowledge, patience, advice, care and help has helped Tilly so much, and us "humans" now have the tools to better understand and train our dog. An absolutely astounding company!
  • Tina Chaput
    Sep. 9, 2025
    Tiffany is helping us now with our second puppy (almost 8 months)! She has an incredible understanding of different dog personalities and their needs. She is so patient and supportive of my training as the dog parent, I’m so grateful!! My dog babies are growing into great dogs!
  • Srikanta Jois
    Sep. 3, 2025
    Had an awesome experience. Thank you for training our stubborn golden retriever puppy. She is doing great and not leash pulling, jumping and follows all commands.
  • Josh Hammers
    Aug. 29, 2025
    Extremely pleased with Dog Training Elite and their trainers! Highly recommend if you’re looking for a great training team.
  • Liz Sher
    Aug. 29, 2025
    It was great meeting Tiffany. We talked about and girl and how we are going to move forward. We even taught my girl the paw command.
  • Sue Connaughton
    Aug. 21, 2025
    We appreciate the experience with Elite Dog Training. We worked extensively with Matt who always gave constructive feedback and provided guidance for me and my dog throughout each session. At the end of each session, Matt provided us with tips and “homework” to practice prior to our next session. This was helpful and held us accountable to try everything we could to ensure our dog was successful. I highly recommend Elite Dog Training for anyone who needs a confidence boost when setting appropriate boundaries with their dog!
  • Jane flink
    Aug. 13, 2025
    Tiffany made my dog’s first visit to Home Depot, more comfortable, and easier than I could’ve imagined. So very happy with my dogs progress in mine too!
  • Timothy Hall
    Aug. 12, 2025
    We had a great training session. Belle Amie is doing very well in training. Great team of trainers.