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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.

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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

  • Leticia n James Bollinger
    Apr. 28, 2026
    Absolutely amazing! So patient with all my questions. Very clear with directions and helpful with proper training.
  • Michelle Money
    May. 5, 2026
    Meggie was absolutely amazing with my puppy! Had great insights and knowledge that will totally help as I continue training with her and Dog Training Elite!
  • Pamela Aizad
    Oct. 14, 2025
    I am so happy with Dog Training Elite!! Jeff and Meggie did a WONDERFUL job Training, Teaching and Supporting both myself and my dog!! Now she is a Service Dog!! YAY !!❤️
  • Kevin Mallory
    May. 1, 2026
    Charlie and the staff at DTE were awesome with our year old Malamute / Border Collie mix, who was a handful to say the least. He just finished his two-week program. Charlie was so nice and very caring about our dog, and she took great care of him. Our dog has significantly improved his manners, is far less impulsive, and has gotten so much better on walks and runs. We know we still have work to do, but DTE created a great foundation that we will continue to build on and develop from. But the difference they have made in him already is like night and day.
  • Sheena Williamson
    May. 1, 2026
    Jeff and all the staff always do a great job with Bella and Bella loves them all, which tells you a lot about how she is taken care of by them. Bella gets so excited when we tell her she’s going to “class” and it’s the only time she will actually cry in the car waiting to get there! She has learned so much and they have taught me so much! I am very grateful for Dog Training Elite!!
  • Andrew Stoddard
    May. 1, 2026
    Everyone we've worked with here has been incredible! Very professional and effective in what they do.
  • bruce lund
    Apr. 8, 2026
    Jeff has been amazing to work with and Maisel is always happy to do her training with him.
  • Bruce Lund
    Mar. 19, 2026
    It’s been amazing. So glad I took the steps to get my dog in training working with Jeff
  • Bruce Morgan
    Feb. 14, 2026
    Magie is slowly turning an over the top wild reprobate into a responsible citizen. One week and it's night and early morning, not quite day yet. Following him with a pooper scooper has finally stopped..it's a good thing he is so cute.
  • Say M
    Dec. 4, 2024
    I have been having my dogs trained by DTE since 2021, Tofu, Jaguar and Duke. My first dog, Tofu was recently completed the camp program as her handler was having medical issues and needed some help. I am returned customer, DTE is aways be there for us. I love how all staff taking care of dogs at the facility and in the community. People think it's a bit pricy than other places, there are reason for that, and you'll be satisfied by the service you'll have from them.
  • Andrea Boyle
    Nov. 13, 2025
    Maggie is amazing!
  • Alan Shipley
    Mar. 20, 2026
    Very happy with the evaluation. Look forward to training!
  • LoneWolf Moonboy
    Jan. 22, 2026
    Absolutely fantastic!! Jeff was very thorough and extremely informative during the assessment and Meggie killed it for our first session. I can’t wait to continue with the process!!
  • Dainna Stelmach
    Mar. 19, 2026
    Hi we saw Jeff for our first day of training. It went great. He was wonderful with our dog and we are already seeing results. Can’t wait to see how it goes when we have had more training sessions.
  • Patty Presta
    Mar. 3, 2026
    Jeff is the best!!!!!!!! Sooo knowledgeable and he has transformed my dog to where I never thought she would be!!!!!!!! I love the folks here!!!!!!!!!
  • 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 😴 💤 We all went to Lowes with Meggie and had a great class working on sit for duration and not breaking with distractions. Seraphina loves running through the big blue flatbed carts. It was very fun. Thank you Meggie. Just start the advanced obedience training and it has been worth it. This next step helps hold me and my dog more responsible. I have done lots of training in the past and I have learned a lot from DTE. Thank you Jeff. Thank you Meggie for another wonderful lesson Sera is really coming along with this second phase of training.
  • Shaynie Lentz
    Feb. 25, 2026
    I met with Meggin today to evaluate my dogs current training as a service animal. I am looking forward to working with this trainer to create an environment for my dog that allows him to succeed in role!
  • Joyce Ferrone
    Jul. 31, 2025
    So glad Charlie joined the team. She spent time with my sweet pup today and did such an amazing job. It was clear to me that she really loved working with my dog
  • Keri Hanzelka
    Jan. 2, 2026
    We were so impressed with our first meeting with Jeff. He analyzed our dogs and was very honest with his recommendations. He gave us hope that there is a solution to assist with some bad behaviors the dogs have developed but didn’t sugarcoat the truth in telling us to be exactly where we want the dogs behavior to be when around others (dogs people they don’t discriminate) we’re about a year out of daily corrections and praises. I was excited to know that we can correct the behavior. He was very direct in the fact that the owner is as much involved as the dog and trainer. The owner will also be given homework. I was so impressed that before we start our second lesson, we are to show the trainer where the dogs have come over that week. I love that. He was also very clear that every dog has their own personality and what works for one dog doesn’t always work for the one sitting right next to him or her. I agreed with this philosophy, 100% There are no bad dogs just bad trainers dog training elite is the (sorry for the pun,) elite in the dog training world. If you want a training facility that trains you as much as the dogs this is the trainer for you.
  • Keri
    Jan. 2, 2026
    We were so impressed with our first meeting with Jeff. He analyzed our dogs and was very honest with his recommendations. He gave us hope that there is a solution to assist with some bad behaviors the dogs have developed but didn’t sugarcoat the truth in telling us to be exactly where we want the dogs behavior to be when around others (dogs people they don’t discriminate) we’re about a year out of daily corrections and praises. I was excited to know that we can correct the behavior. He was very direct in the fact that the owner is as much involved as the dog and trainer. The owner will also be given homework. I was so impressed that before we start our second lesson, we are to show the trainer where the dogs have come over that week. I love that. He was also very clear that every dog has their own personality and what works for one dog doesn’t always work for the one sitting right next to him or her. I agreed with this philosophy, 100% There are no bad dogs just bad trainers dog training elite is the (sorry for the pun,) elite in the dog training world. If you want a training facility that trains you as much as the dogs this is the trainer for you.