Back to Obedience Dog Training

Classical Conditioning

Dog Training Elite in Cleveland Metro

Request Free Assessment


Request Free Assessment


A dog walking on a leash after finishing a classical conditioning dog training in Cleveland, OH.

Dog Training Techniques

Classical Conditioning Dog Training in Cleveland, OH

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

See Training Packages

Dog Training Elite in Cleveland Metro

Training With An E-Collar

Dog Training Elite in Cleveland Metro NEVER uses punishments like shock collars to train dogs out of bad behavior. Dog Training Elite in Cleveland, OH 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 Cleveland classical conditioning dog trainers.

Cleveland Classical Conditioning Dog Trainers

Positive Reinforcement Vs. Punishment

Read More
Read Less

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 Cleveland 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 Cleveland, OH 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 Cleveland Metro - Positive Reinforcement Dog Training in Cleveland, OH
Positive Reinforcement Training
Dog Training Elite in Cleveland Metro - Puppy Obedience Training in Cleveland, OH
Puppy Obedience Training
Dog Training Elite in Cleveland Metro - Off Leash Dog Training in Cleveland, OH. Dog Training Elite
Off Leash Training
Dog Training Elite in Cleveland Metro -
Agility Through Basic Obedience Training
A women playing with her service dog in Cleveland, OH.

The Dog Training Elite in Cleveland Metro Difference


Read More
Read Less

Dog Training Elite in Cleveland, OH uses modern dog training techniques and methods focused on positive reinforcement and bonding you and your dog. Dog Training Elite in Cleveland 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 Cleveland 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 Cleveland, OH, when you say “sit,” your dog will automatically sit without thinking about it. The unique techniques of Dog Training Elite in Cleveland 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!

Get Your Free Assessment

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!

Photo Gallery

See An Elite Dog in Action

Hear From Our Customers

Learn Why Dog owners choose Dog Training Elite

  • Danielle Zaremba
    Feb. 12, 2025
    Dog Training Elite is truly a business with trainers who have a heart and do everything possible to help a dog. I highly recommend Josh and his team for all training needs. CLE Dog Rescue Crew
  • Kevin Mcquade
    Feb. 12, 2025
    The Dog Training Elite Greater Cleveland team demonstrated exceptional patience, knowledge, and experience during my dog's Basic obedience lessons, and their dedication and enthusiasm were the perfect ingredients for achieving rapid progress and lasting results. As a bonus, having a certified Dog behavior expert guided us through the In home dog training process made us feel confident that our furry friend was in capable and knowledgeable hands during the Service Dog Training journey.
  • La Law
    Feb. 12, 2025
    The Dog Training Elite Greater Cleveland team demonstrated exceptional empathy, patience, experience, knowledge, and affection as they helped us work through basic obedience lessons and overcome challenges with our puppy Training needs. Fritz had become the best Pupoy and I cannot say enough good things about everyone - they truly are the best!!
  • Cheryl Willis
    Feb. 12, 2025
    Josh and Lexi were amazing. I have a 1 year old golden retriever I thought untrainable just because he was so rambunctious. Not only were they able to work with me and Dune on training, Dune is now at the end training to become a therapy dog! I can’t not express how much they have worked with him as well as myself. I know have a well mannered dog. It is amazing. Thank you for all you guys do! We can’t what to go on our therapy journey. Cheryl
  • David Rodriguez
    Feb. 10, 2025
    Josh and his team were the greatest of help training my pup. The care and expertise they showed was amazing. I would highly recommend them to anyone looking for an incredibly competent training company.
  • david rodriguez
    Feb. 10, 2025
    The patience and encouragement provided by Dog Training Elite Greater Cleveland's Dog Trainer was impressive during the Basic obedience lessons, expertly guiding our pup towards significant improvements.
  • Zach N.
    Apr. 21, 2023
    We cannot recommend Josh and DTE highly enough. He is very knowledgeable and exceptional with our puppy, Noli. He explains things to us in a very clear way and helps us understand how to interact and train our stubborn baby Golden Retriever. Josh is very professional and a great communicator who made scheduling classes very easy and effortless. We look forward to more classes with Josh. Look no further for your dog training needs.
  • Kent H
    Feb. 4, 2025
    Just finished training for our 15 lbs dog Winston. NIGHT AND DAY transformation! Before, Winston would bark non stop when guests were at our house, it was very frustrating, we felt we had tried everything online. Winston went in for the 1 week session and by Wednesday already had a majority of the learning done. This team is just incredible. Cannot recommend enough :)
  • Candice Parr
    Feb. 4, 2025
    Elite training is top-notch. I interviewed several facilities before we decided on Kevin & Andrea and their incredible team. We have been through a few trainings so far and see such a difference in our Brutus already! After we committed to Elite we mentioned it to a friend and she said her Pup had gone through the training and went above and beyond praising Elite and their caring staff. If you want someone with years of experience and treat both yourself and your Pup(s) with respect you want Elite. I procrastinated too long so as they say, just do it, and you will never look back!! A+++++++
  • Lisa Edwards
    Feb. 3, 2025
    I can't say enough wonderful things about my experience with Josh and Dog Training Elite. In Jan 2024, my mother and unexpectedly inherited a Cane Corso mix, an 85 lb flight risk, aggressive towards human and other animals. Josh came all the way to Akron and helped us. His training methods, patience and knowledge saved the dog's life. Today she he runs off leash and responds immediately to the commands. Thank you Josh!!
  • david silberstein
    Feb. 2, 2025
    David my German Shepherd Zeke would highly recommend Dog Training Elite Kevin , Andria are awesome really are compassionate about training Zeke is really making amazing progress very satisfied highly recommend Dog Training Elite.
  • Lance Matthews
    Jan. 31, 2025
    Josh and Lexi with Dog Training Elite are outstanding. Lexi has done wonders with my Vizsla puppy. She is being trained as my service dog; I am a disabled Vet. It is necessary for me to have a dog for specific tasks. Their commitment with training is nothing short of exemplary. Josh will be taking additional time for additional training so my pup can transition to a working dog.
  • James Hand
    Jan. 31, 2025
    They far exceeded our expectations. Josh and Lexiwere always patient and with our dog and us. I could not control Miles and now she is off leash. I would recommend them to everyone and can’t say enough good things about our experience.
  • Sean Hartnett
    Jan. 20, 2025
    Kevin was an incredible trainer for my dog, very patient & kind. Learned my dogs temperament fast & adjusted training for his personality which worked great!
  • Veronica Issac
    Jan. 18, 2025
    Great team of trainers! I have been skeptical of the use of e-collars for training but we needed something different to help with reactivity. The owners are wonderful. They come to you. They sat with me during our evaluation to understand what my pup needed. As a single person with a job with long hours, the yrainers have been very flexible with scheduling. They have been so patient with our training, working through real world scenarios. My pup has made such progress. And best of all, we have access to training for the life of my pup. I'm so grateful to have found Dog Training Elite Northeast OH. It has been such an enjoyable experience.
  • Michael Conley
    Jan. 10, 2025
    I'm am so happy that we found DTE. The Johnsons treat every dog like they are one of their own. They go above and beyond to cater to your training needs. Having used other trainers in the past, DTE far exceeded my expectations and highly recommended them. Thank you Kevin, Andresla, Jimmy and Dennis!
  • Erin Kelly
    Jan. 6, 2025
    Lexi was great to work with! We are so glad we now have the knowledge and skills to continue training our puppy. Happy we started with the puppy classes and then advanced, as she had a lot of the basics down and just needed to apply it to the ecollar. Also really love that they come and do in home sessions!
  • Dana Raponi
    Jan. 4, 2025
    Josh demonstrated exceptional patience, experience, knowledge, kindness, and professionalism throughout our entire experience, from the initial conversation and assistance with getting our E collar set up and working to our in-home dog training sessions. The expertise of their trained dog behavior expert in Basic obedience lessons a was invaluable, making the entire process seamless and highly effective. We have learned so much and it is only going to make us better dog parents as well, and it is also helped to make the transition for our new pup into our home with our other dogs! So very highly recommended!!!
  • Joseph Schafer
    Dec. 20, 2024
    Great experience very thorough and knowledgeable. Very detailed made our experience and handling our dog a breeze
  • Nicole Scholl
    Dec. 20, 2024
    Josh and his team of trainers are absolutely the best. Their professionalism, caring and knowledge made our family and dog training a breeze. In 2 weeks we had an amazing obedient dog!