Back to Obedience Dog Training

Classical Conditioning

Dog Training Elite Central Nashville

Request Free Assessment


Request Free Assessment


A dog walking on a leash after finishing a classical conditioning dog training in Nashville, TN.

Dog Training Techniques

Classical Conditioning Dog Training in Nashville, TN

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 Central Nashville dog training techniques are based on classical conditioning dog training in Nashville, TN and rely on positive reinforcement to help your dog achieve deep-rooted obedience. Working with a Dog Training Elite Central Nashville 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 Central Nashville

Training With An E-Collar

Dog Training Elite Central Nashville NEVER uses punishments like shock collars to train dogs out of bad behavior. Dog Training Elite in Nashville, TN 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 Nashville classical conditioning dog trainers.

Nashville 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 Central Nashville 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 Nashville, TN 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 Central Nashville - Positive Reinforcement Dog Training in Nashville, TN. DTE
Positive Reinforcement Training
Dog Training Elite Central Nashville - Puppy Obedience Training in Nashville, TN. DTE
Puppy Obedience Training
Dog Training Elite Central Nashville - Off Leash Dog Training in Nashville, TN. Dog Training Elite
Off Leash Training
Dog Training Elite Central Nashville -
Agility Through Basic Obedience Training
A women playing with her service dog in Nashville, TN.

The Dog Training Elite Central Nashville Difference


Read More
Read Less

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

  • Hetzel Family
    Dec. 18, 2024
    Cosima was awesome! Our dog Frankie learned so much! Cosima was always patient, soft-spoken and kind. We look forward to the group training and we know that Frankie will be the best-trained dog we’ve ever had!
  • Laurette Carle
    Nov. 19, 2024
    Cosima has been wonderful training our rescue pup! 3 of 5 lessons in, our strong-willed, often stubborn puppy has been maturing well, improving her behavior and attention to us. She loves Cosima and is she certainly tired after her brain works so hard learning new things! Adding after lesson 5: so impressed with Cosima’s patience and skill as she finished the fifth lesson today with our Bella! Our puppy has responded well to this method of training and we look forward to group lessons now!
  • Maryanne Hoemann
    Dec. 17, 2024
    Excellent!!!
  • Sara Turnquist
    Dec. 11, 2024
    Reina from Dog Training Elite Central Nashville came to do an in-home evaluation of our 4 month old puppy. She was extremely knowledgeable, courteous, concise, and transparent about the training options, what the sessions would be like, and answering our questions. As well as being personable. We are very excited to start working with this group!
  • Elizabeth Rutan
    Dec. 11, 2024
    Carol is great! I was nervous to spend so much money and afraid it wouldn’t work, but the training has been incredible for our big guy.
  • Diana Kersey
    Dec. 10, 2024
    Cosima did a great job training my dog! I highly recommend dog training elite!
  • jankeT31
    Dec. 4, 2024
    Carol was pleasant and seemed knowledgeable through her experiences.
  • alisha brown
    Dec. 3, 2024
    Reina was super sweet- wonderful assessment at our home! Took the time to see where our boy was at in his training and make a plan that is for him!
  • Karly Kramer
    Nov. 27, 2024
    I absolutely love our trainer Reina! She is doing beautifully helping me out with my boy, Bolt. She is a very sweet individual that has an amazing vibe to her! I wouldn’t trade Reina for anything! Before we started with DTE, my boy was very reactive towards any noise, person, or dog. We have only had 4 sessions so far, and Bolt seems more comfortable with himself and our older dog, Lucas, which was a problem before we started training. Today after his session, he KISSED LUCAS!!! I have never seen them so comfortable with eachother before, and I think the confidence raise that the training is doing is helping him tremendously!! He has a long way to go, but so far, Bolt is doing very good with his emotions!! I highly recommend Dog Training Elite if you have a reactive/aggressive dog! They treat their clients amazingly, and they understand when the dog is struggling with a command and will help the best they can!! Don’t ever think your aggressive or reactive dog is untrainable, because Dog Training Elite shows otherwise!!!
  • Donnie Womble
    Nov. 25, 2024
    Jennifer was very polite and helpful in the office
  • jonathan hill
    Nov. 25, 2024
    The representative Jen was very easy to work with, friendly, and informative. A+ service!
  • Kaitlyn Bullard
    Nov. 24, 2024
    Carol was great. I was so scared my dog wouldn't do well in this setting but after the first visit she calmed down so much. I can't wait to take her into the therapy clinic with me!
  • Robert Nettles
    Nov. 23, 2024
    Carol has done an excellent job of giving us practical strategies to merry our busy lives and our puppy’s personality into a thriving relationship
  • Melissa Ball
    Nov. 22, 2024
    Jen is very helpful. She explained so much. Thank you!
  • Evan
    Nov. 22, 2024
    10/10, loved working with Jen, will definitely recommend.
  • Kelsey Kah
    Nov. 20, 2024
    Carol has been amazing! She’s helped transform our home from utter chaos to more controlled chaos with our three dogs. We hired Dog training elite to help us manage some aggression between our Great Pyrenees, goldendoodle, and German Shepard. Plus some general training they all needed. We can now get them to stay in place with company and walk right beside us. Thank you!!
  • Teycha Texeira Hernandez
    Nov. 20, 2024
    Reina is training my puppy right now and the process had been amazing. She is very sweet but strict when she needs to be. Very pleased with the process so far.
  • Katie Bohannon
    Nov. 14, 2024
    One lesson down and magic has already happened! Five stars!
  • Dannie Harris
    Nov. 8, 2024
    We are so excited about beginning training for Arwen. Reina was welcoming and so knowledgeable. Looking forward to our next appointment.
  • David Doucette
    Oct. 11, 2024
    Great initial meeting. I think this company has the right program from my Biewer Terrier. Looking forward to seeing results!