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Classical Conditioning

Philadelphia Classical Conditioning Dog Trainers

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A dog walking on a leash after finishing a classical conditioning dog training in Philadelphia, PA.

Dog Training Techniques

Classical Conditioning Dog Training in Philadelphia, PA

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 Philadelphia dog training techniques are based on classical conditioning dog training in Philadelphia, PA to help your dog achieve deep-rooted obedience. Working with a Dog Training Elite in Philadelphia 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 Philadelphia

Training With An E-Collar

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

Philadelphia 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 Philadelphia 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 Philadelphia, PA 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 Philadelphia - Positive Reinforcement Dog Training in Philadelphia, PA

Positive Reinforcement Training

Dog Training Elite in Philadelphia - Puppy Obedience Training in Philadelphia, PA. DTE

Puppy Obedience Training

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Off Leash Training

Dog Training Elite in Philadelphia - Dog Agility Training in Philadelphia, PA. DTE

Agility Through Basic Obedience Training

A women playing with her service dog in Philadelphia, PA.

The Dog Training Elite in Philadelphia Difference


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

  • samantha lafferty
    Nov. 9, 2025
    We can’t say enough great things about Taylor and the incredible work he’s done with our family dog, Buddy! Taylor came to our home once a week to help us with Buddy’s reactivity toward other dogs, people, and cars. From the very first session, it was clear that Taylor is both professional and extremely knowledgeable. He was patient, kind, and always took the time to explain what he was doing and why. What really stood out was how he involved our whole family—including the kids—in the training process. He gave us practical tools and clear guidance that made it easy to stay consistent between sessions. Taylor also helped Buddy become a much better listener within our home, which has made everyday life so much smoother and more enjoyable. We’ve seen a tremendous difference in Buddy. Walks are now enjoyable instead of stressful, and he responds so well to the commands we learned with Taylor. We’re so grateful for the positive changes and the confidence Taylor gave us as dog owners. Choosing Taylor & Dog Training Elite for Buddy’s training was one of the best decisions we’ve made. We highly recommend him to anyone looking for a skilled, patient, and truly caring dog trainer!
  • Jes Grisafi
    Nov. 9, 2025
    There is a reason Taylor has five star reviews across the board! Absolutely worth the time and money. Friendly, professional, and amazing with our dogs. We were pleased and highly recommend!
  • Peter Heckman
    Oct. 12, 2025
    Great experience. It was great getting a plan where I could begin seeing results so quickly. Taylor was great and consistent in messaging. Looking forward to seeing where I can get my puppy.
  • Becky Shuhart
    Oct. 7, 2025
    We hired Dog Training Elite to help train our now 10-month-old Belgian Malinois/Lab mix, Bear. If you know anything about Malinois, you know they can be a handful if not trained properly. From my very first phone call with Betsy, the owner, I knew right away this was the perfect fit for us and for Bear. We started with the Platinum Package and have since upgraded to the Service Dog Package, and honestly, I cannot say enough good things about Betsy and the entire team at Dog Training Elite. Bear is a completely different dog than when we first started. The way Betsy teaches makes it so easy for the dog to understand what’s expected, while also helping us learn how to be the best dog owners possible. I know some people hesitate because of the cost that comes with professional training, but I can say with 100% confidence, it is absolutely worth it. Plus, Dog Training Elite’s prices are very competitive compared to other programs I researched before calling them. Thanks to Betsy and her team, Bear has gone from an energetic, hard-to-manage puppy to a confident, obedient, and happy dog. I recommend Dog Training Elite to anyone who wants to build a stronger bond with their dog and see truly amazing results!
  • Matthew MacFarland
    Aug. 10, 2025
    Taylor is a great trainer and very knowledgeable. We have a 1 year old golden retriever with tons of energy and he’s come a long way since starting training with Taylor. If you are looking to get your dog trained, I highly recommend Taylor.
  • Jessica Yoegel
    Jul. 3, 2025
    Loki is behaving so much better. Thank you!!!
  • Nina Clark
    Jun. 27, 2025
    I contacted several trainers about working with my dog on her behavioral issues with no replies. Taylor contacted me and was confident that he could help us. Taylor's patient and organized approach to training Georgie has begun to work! Taylor answers our questions, and we have noticed changes in her behavior. Delivery people and neighbors have also noticed her calmer demeanor. We are looking forward to the group training for further growth.
  • Danielle Neville
    Jun. 16, 2025
    Working with Taylor has been amazing - his attention to detail and the way he listens to me as a dog owner really makes you feel like you are extraordinary hands, each dog/case really is individualized to you & your dog. There is no "cookie cutter - one size fits all" vibe and that makes dog training elite + Taylor so special and different from the rest of training facilities. Taylor' knowledge/skillset is second to none. Cannot recommend him/the company enough! :)
  • Scott Wallower
    Jun. 13, 2025
    I highly recommend Dog Training Elite. My dog Jed is a German Shepherd and is very energetic and reactive to social situations. Taylor's sessions built on one another reinforcing proper behavior and adherence to commands. Gaining an understanding on dogs psychology and Jeds specific makeup helped immensely in understanding and applying the training. Taylor went above and beyond with his commitment to the training to making sure all the aspects of the training were clear to my entire family and always available to answer questions outside the sessions. We felt that we may not be able to keep our dog due to his stubborn, reactive disposition but now we are delighted in the progress he has made and look forwards to many years with him now.
  • Eugene Prymak
    Jun. 6, 2025
    Taylor is absolutely incredible! We have greatly enjoyed our training sessions and are extremely pleased with our dog’s development thanks to training with Taylor. Highly recommend Dog Training Elite!
  • Genevieve Raven
    Jun. 5, 2025
    Taylor was AMAZING with our dog Lady. We rescued her from ACCT in September, and she came with some reactivity issues. The training with Taylor has helped her come a long way. She's more current and relaxed now. She's actually excited to wear the e collar! Taylor was very knowledgeable and great with our pup. We would definitely recommend him.
  • Alison
    May. 22, 2025
    The entire team was great to work with. We saw such an improvement in our dog as early as our first training session. I loved that they came to our house to do the training in our environment. Would highly recommend to others looking for a dog trainer!
  • Der Moua
    Apr. 29, 2025
    Working with Jaime was truly a game changer for us and our puppy, Buster. From the very beginning, Jaime went above and beyond in every single session. Before we started training, we felt a bit overwhelmed and honestly pretty hopeless. Buster is a smart pup, but we knew we had a long road ahead. That all changed after our very first consultation. Jaime immediately put us at ease with his confidence, knowledge, and clear love for what he does. He took the time to explain exactly how the training would work, step by step, and tailored the sessions to our goals. As the sessions went on, we were blown away by the progress we were making. It wasn’t just about teaching Buster commands — Jaime helped us build a foundation of trust, communication, and understanding with our dog. The transformation was incredible. By the end of our one on one sessions, we had a totally different dog, not only better behaved, but genuinely happier and more connected with us. And as dog owners, we feel so much more confident and empowered, too. What stood out most is Jaime’s passion for his work. It’s not just a job for him, it’s a calling. He’s deeply committed, patient, and genuinely cares about every dog and family he works with. That kind of dedication is rare and so appreciated. Thank you, Jaime, for helping us bring out the best version of Buster and ourselves as dog owners. We truly can’t recommend you enough!!!
  • Jaime Lake
    Mar. 31, 2025
    Taylor was the best. He was patient and immediately able to evaluate and customize a training protocol for my reactive dog, Finn. Our in-home sessions went very smoothly and Finn showed improvement each week. I chose the package with in-home and 12 group sessions after and we started with our first group session on Saturday. Finn is already less reactive and I can’t wait to see how good he is by the last group session. Highly recommend Taylor and Dog Training Elite!
  • Carolyn McKnight
    Mar. 25, 2025
    Great trainers for service dogs, beautiful boarding facility in rural setting with 15 fenced acres for dogs to explore.
  • Lori Palmer
    Mar. 11, 2025
    Taylor was amazing with our new puppy, Max. He learned so much in the lessons we had and we are looking forward to the group classes! Taylor was very flexible with our busy schedule. We can’t say enough good things about our whole experience!
  • G C
    Aug. 19, 2024
    I can’t say enough good things about Jamie and DTE! Our dog gets reactive when seeing other dogs she doesn’t know, making walks stressful. Thanks to Jamie’s help and guidance, she is much more manageable. He is patient, knowledgeable, and truly cares about our progress. Walks are more enjoyable and I feel more confident handling her in different situations. Highly recommend to anyone needing professional and effective dog training!
  • Viviana Aponte Cruz
    Feb. 28, 2025
    Jaime was very patient and a great trainer. My dog loved him and we have been able to travel by airplane without problems after training him for service dog. Definitely recommend :)
  • AW
    Jan. 30, 2025
    Taylor is the best! He was always very accommodating with scheduling and super informative during the in-home sessions. Excited to implement what we have already learned at group class and continuing to build on that knowledge!
  • Nitha Robin
    Jan. 29, 2025
    Dog Training Elite provides convenient and effective training in the comfort of our own home, I highly recommend! Our trainer was Taylor, he did an amazing job with our dog Johny, explaining the training concepts and providing helpful feedback as well as encouragement during training. He was very flexible, I couldn't ask for a better trainer and mentor to work with!