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Classical Conditioning

Salt Lake City Classical Conditioning Dog Trainers

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A dog walking on a leash after finishing a classical conditioning dog training in Salt Lake City, UT.

Dog Training Techniques

Classical Conditioning Dog Training in Salt Lake City, UT

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

Training With An E-Collar

Dog Training Elite Salt Lake City NEVER uses punishments like shock collars to train dogs out of bad behavior. Dog Training Elite in Salt Lake City, UT 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 Salt Lake City classical conditioning dog trainers.

Salt Lake City 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 Salt Lake City 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 Salt Lake City, UT 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 Salt Lake City - Positive Reinforcement Dog Training in Salt Lake City, UT

Positive Reinforcement Training

Dog Training Elite Salt Lake City - Puppy Obedience Training in Salt Lake City, UT. DTE

Puppy Obedience Training

Dog Training Elite Salt Lake City - Off Leash Dog Training in Salt Lake City, UT. DTE

Off Leash Training

Dog Training Elite Salt Lake City - Dog Agility Training in Salt Lake City, UT. DTE

Agility Through Basic Obedience Training

A women playing with her service dog in Salt Lake City, UT.

The Dog Training Elite Salt Lake City Difference


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

  • Laura Smith
    Oct. 16, 2025
    Jeff was great with our dog Sera, she loved him and his dog. We are really excited to start training with him. Had our 3rd lesson with Meggie and it was very good she have us great advice. Meggie and Happy were awesome to work with and she is very positive. Finally went to a puppy socialization class with Jeff. It was really good for my puppy and really showed me what I still need to work on. Seraphina did really well and I was super pleased. I definitely have my work cut out for me though cause she could careless about treats. She just wants to play. She was definitely ready for bed last night and she's still tired this morning..LOL Jeff was out today and he was excellent with Seraphina. She is a very stubborn alpha puppy and he really helped me to understand how to handle her stubborn side. She is already listening better, but i am working on being the alpha in or relationship. I had to tie her to my desk cause I told her to stay and she kept leaving. Eventually I was able to untie her and she stayed and fell asleep 😴 💤
  • Erin Sanford
    Dec. 10, 2025
    Soooo helpful and patient
  • Stephanie Cisek
    Dec. 10, 2025
    McCall (and everyone else at DTE) was absolutely incredible—it truly felt like she treated Gunner like her own!! She took our dog—a well-known trash goblin—to a certified good boy. Gunner is seriously the most well-behaved and obedient boy now! He LOVED going every morning, and would even start whining in the car as soon as we turned into the parking lot! We’re excited to start the group classes to keep up on Gunner’s training!
  • Joyce Ferrone
    Jul. 31, 2025
    Meggie was great. Came to our home, met our puppy and answered our many questions. We are looking forward to teaching our darling puppy to be a great dog. She taught us how to calm our over activated puppy!!!! So helpful
  • Jenn Oldham
    Dec. 2, 2025
    Jeff is always extremely professional. I love how much he cares for and loves dogs! Great guy! Look forward to having him back
  • Debi Penagos
    Jun. 27, 2025
    Thanks to the Jeff and Yaga team for teaching Brady and I some new behaviors. We appreciate you so much for helping US become a better team. I highly recommend Jeff and all the trainers at Dog Training Elite.
  • Curtis White
    Aug. 5, 2025
    Wow, Jeff arrived and quickly put our dog Delilah at ease. She’s always so happy to see him. Today we learned the Heal command. She did extremely well even with distractions like Jeff’s dog walking with us; small killer dog barking at us; and motorcycles going by. We highly recommend the Elite Dog Trainers to all wanting training for themselves and their dogs. Mary and Curtis.
  • Anne Reynolds
    Nov. 26, 2025
    Jeff is great
  • Bria Mertens
    Nov. 17, 2025
    We had a fantastic experience taking two dogs through the program. McCall was an outstanding trainer and made great progress with both our adult dog and our puppy. We are really looking forward to sending our other two doggos through the program soon!
  • Katie Burton
    Nov. 16, 2025
    Always a joy working with Jeff. Out dogs love him and we are learning a lot about training our pups.
  • Andrea Boyle
    Nov. 13, 2025
    Jeff is the dog whisperer! First day went well! Coco is progressing nicely!
  • Julie Alverson
    Sep. 24, 2025
    I have loved working with Jeff and his dog. Our dog loves him too. He has a great way to teach and connect with us.
  • Pamela Aizad
    Oct. 14, 2025
    These trainers are amazing !! They are so knowledgeable and patient! They know their stuff!!
  • Alan Rigdon
    Oct. 30, 2025
    Meggie did a great with our one on one appointment today. She put extra effort into the training session
  • shontae Vowles
    Oct. 30, 2025
    Jeff is amazing with his techniques and lessons not only teaching your dog but also teaching you. He’s very knowledgeable and explains everything well so you understand it, Titus and I are excited to work with him and the rest of his team
  • Angelica Panlaqui
    Oct. 12, 2025
    McCall did an incredible job training our 4-month-old doodle, Peaches! She taught our pup all the basic commands, sit, come, lay down, off, and up, and our favorite, “place”! Peaches now knows how to stay in her place, even when we walk away, until we give the release command, “break.” It’s been a game-changer! McCall also introduced “calm stops,” helping Peaches learn how to regulate her emotions. I can’t say enough about how much she taught not just our dog, but us as owners! Every day, she provided clear breakdowns of what Peaches learned, what to practice, and always asked, “What else? What else came up? What else do you need help with?” She’s incredibly attentive, thorough, and supportive. We’re so excited to continue with in-home sessions! Peaches has learned so much, and so have we!
  • Erin Kerr
    Oct. 23, 2025
    Meggie took amazing care of me and my pups!
  • Erin Rooks
    Oct. 23, 2025
    Meggie took such good care of me and my pitties! 😍
  • Kirstie Savage
    Oct. 17, 2025
    We've loved our experience with Dog Training Elite! We've done the majority of our in home trainings with Meggie and she is such a delight to work with and our pup just loves her so much! The in facility training was also so awesome! Definitely recommend.
  • Adam Fox
    Oct. 16, 2025
    Jeff was fantastic. Easy to talk to and professional. Presented the information in a natural way without beating around the bush. Displaying his dogs skill and training was fun to watch. You can tell he loves what he does!