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Classical Conditioning

St. Louis Classical Conditioning Dog Trainers

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A dog walking on a leash after finishing a classical conditioning dog training in St. Louis, MO.

Dog Training Techniques

Classical Conditioning Dog Training in St. Louis, MO

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

Training With An E-Collar

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

St. Louis 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 St. Louis 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 St. Louis, MO 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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Dog Training Elite St. Louis - Positive Reinforcement Dog Training in St. Louis, MO

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Off Leash Training

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A women playing with her service dog in St. Louis, MO.

The Dog Training Elite St. Louis Difference


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Dog Training Elite in St. Louis, MO uses modern dog training techniques and methods focused on positive reinforcement and bonding you and your dog. Dog Training Elite St. Louis 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 St. Louis’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 St. Louis, MO, when you say “sit,” your dog will automatically sit without thinking about it. The unique techniques of Dog Training Elite St. Louis 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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Learn Why Dog owners choose Dog Training Elite

  • sunira jain
    Sep. 20, 2026
    DT has been instrumental in helping us be better owners for our reactive rescue dog Atlas . He had gone for training with a different trainer and they helped us, but we felt he needed more. Thanks to DTE and their amazing team our dog is better behaved at home and meeting new people . He still has issues with other dogs but the trainers at DTE have given us confidence that we are on the right path . I cannot thank them enough for the changes their training has done for our dog . Thank you !
  • Cindy Decormier
    Sep. 13, 2026
    If you need a professional who truly understands canine behavior, this is the trainer to call." Especially for protection work! Willow loved it!
  • Ann Schwein
    Sep. 8, 2026
    DTE is amazing! They are fabulous !!!! Something that you will notice right away about them and the owner, Matt, is that they are ALL involved in the process of training!!! They are super professional and the team's patience and kindness is off the charts!! They make both dogs and owners feel supported throughout the process with personalized attention given and where the trainers are matched with dogs perfectly. They want everyone to succeed!!!!!
  • Kristin Shantz
    Aug. 31, 2026
    We adopted a black mouth cur hound about a year ago when he was not quite 2 years of age and had been in a foster home. After having him in our home for a few weeks, although he was a great fit with our kids there wasn't a ton of consistency in his past training. He has a strong prey drive and can be reactive at the fence. He is very loyal to his people but has days he can be selective. About 6-8 weeks after adopting him, we were able to get started with DTE. I have never been a huge fan of e-collars (also didn't understand how to use them) and though we've had dogs all our lives, never had such a strong pup. He pulled both of my older sons down to the ground on a leash when walking to chase animals. The team at DTE was very clear about the 2 week training program and expectations (from both dog and owner). We kept up with homework and we continue to take him to occasional day trains and group classes. My older kids can walk him alone now, he has learned recall even with distractions , and even my 4 year old can handle him on a leash with supervision and give him certain commands with ease. We were skeptical of the cost, but it has been the best training to build both skills for our dog and confidence for our family in handling him. We are always getting compliments on how well he listens and how calm he is out in public. We also know how to read him and give him a break when needed. Some of this is personality, but we built a trust between us and I'm glad we did it early on in his start with our family.
  • David West
    Aug. 24, 2026
    I highly recommend DTE Matt and his staff are very professional and personal. I have a reactive German Shepard they have helped me with and the results are amazing. It is so much more fun to take her on walks and be around other dogs. Alex is awesome he helped us so much on the one on one training to get her ready for the group classes. The group classes are fun and great for owners as well as their dogs. Looking forward to more success with my dog.
  • Sheila West
    Aug. 24, 2026
    Matt and his staff are amazing. They are highly knowledgeable with all breeds and issues dog owners occur. We are very pleased with the training for our German Shepard. She is now going to group sessions and able to be around other dogs without barking and acting out. Not only do they train dogs, they help the owners understand why the dog is acting out and what to do to correct the problem. 100% recommend this business.
  • Isaac Pollack
    Aug. 22, 2026
    The whole team at Dog Training Elite is incredible. This is our first dog, and Matt has saved our sanity multiple times- from providing some quick, free guidance on the phone to get us through the first few nights, to basic puppy training, to advanced dog training to stop unwanted jumping and nipping, and to the weekly training classes that are included with the training, our whole experience has been “elite!” We can’t recommend Dog Training Elite enough. We found the cost to be very reasonable given all the extras that are included. We continue to use their services and will definitely do so again in the future.
  • Dave
    Aug. 12, 2026
    I couldn’t be more impressed with Dog Training Elite! From the moment Apollo and I walked in, Matt and his staff have been incredibly kind, welcoming, and knowledgeable. Apollo and I have been working on advanced obedience and protection work, and since starting the program, I can see a huge difference in him. When we first started, Apollo would do what he wanted; now, he listens and performs his commands when told. The difference has truly been night and day. For the protection work, Kalvin has been incredible to work with. You can tell he genuinely enjoys teaching both you and your dog, and he gives 110% in every class. He’s extremely knowledgeable, patient, and makes the training a lot of fun. It’s been such a great experience training with Dog Training Elite. Apollo and I genuinely look forward to every class. If you’re looking for top-tier dog training, I highly recommend checking out Dog Training Elite. You won’t be disappointed!
  • Daisy Manning
    Aug. 10, 2026
    I was initially hesitant to use DTE because my dogs don’t have any behavioral issues, I just wanted some basic obedience training to make it easier to handle two large dogs at once, and I was uncertain about training with an e-collar. I’m so glad that Matt took the time to convince me DTE was well worth the money, and that e-collars are safe, humane, and effective, because he was absolutely correct! I will definitely be bringing all my future pups to DTE.
  • Samantha Stasiak
    Jul. 17, 2026
    We cannot thank Dog Training Elite enough for everything they have done for Willow and our family. Willow has always been a wonderful dog, but she struggled with anxiety and resource guarding from the time we got her at 8 weeks. Although guarding her food improved over time, her anxiety and guarding of other items gradually became worse. Eventually, she began nipping at anyone who tried to take something away from her. Dog training Elite helped Willow build confidence in herself, and the difference has been incredible. Her resource guarding has improved tremendously. We can now give her a treat, tell her to drop it, and she will. Her overall obedience has also greatly improved, and her recall off-leash continues to get better. Willow completed the three-week boot camp, and we are so happy we chose Dog Training Elite. The training has made such a positive difference for Willow and has given our family the confidence and tools to continue helping her succeed. We highly recommend Dog Training Elite!
  • Missy Moody
    Jul. 10, 2026
    Amazing experience! Alicia was simply the best! All the trainers were awesome to work with. Highly recommend for Service Dog training. They took my 6 month old pup and in just under 6 months She was Certified ADA Service dog. Appreciate them immencely
  • Brandie Cantrell
    Jun. 24, 2026
    We can't say enough good things about Teddy's training experience here. Before training, Teddy struggled with high reactivity and walks, public outings were often impossible. Matt, Dom, Alaina were incredible and supportive throughout the entire process. They took the time to understand Teddy's needs and gave us the tools and confidence to continue his progress at home. The transformation has been a complete 180. Teddy is calmer, focused, and walks are now enjoyable instead of challenging. The team genuinely cares about every pup they work with and are passionate about helping them succeed. We're so grateful for everything they've done for us!!!
  • Erika Varel
    Jun. 7, 2026
    We cannot say enough good things about Dog Training Elite! We started with individual training for our dog, Bino, and the results have been truly life-changing. Before training, managing her reactivity was challenging and stressful. Thanks to the knowledge, patience, and support of the trainers, her reactivity is now manageable, and we have so much more confidence when working with her. We continue to attend the group classes, which have been an incredible resource for reinforcing training and helping Bino continue to grow. Every trainer we’ve worked with has been knowledgeable, encouraging, and genuinely invested in our success. The training has improved not only Bino’s behavior but also our quality of life. We are so grateful for everything Dog Training Elite has done for our family and would highly recommend them to anyone looking for professional, effective dog training.
  • Ruth Racher
    May. 15, 2026
    My experience was excellent and I am so grateful for the help from the trainers. I brought my puppy here for obedience training at 6 months and then brought my 8 year old mature dog two weeks after. Before I came my dogs were unmanageable and now I can handle them both with confidence. The only thing I would change is if I had brought them both sooner. I knew I wanted to pursue service dog training for my puppy however i delayed for 3 months in making a decision. I could see a difference in two weeks and they are still maintaining their obedience. I was struggling and now I can enjoy my dogs again without the struggle.
  • Paria Abbassian
    May. 10, 2026
    My husband and I wanted a well-trained, well-behaved dog from the start, and choosing this training facility has been one of the best decisions we’ve made for our puppy. The results have been amazing, and he absolutely loves going there. A huge thank you to Matt, Emma, Alex, Alecia, and everyone at the facility for all of their hard work, care, and loving Bear! It’s clear how much they truly care about the dogs and their progress. The training has absolutely been worth the investment, and we plan to continue with more classes in the future. We can’t recommend them enough to anyone looking for an amazing training experience for their dog!
  • D Coombs
    May. 9, 2026
    Awesome place. Great Training. Very friendly staff.
  • sri Penumatsa
    May. 7, 2026
    I had a great experience with DTE working with my 2-year-old dog, Leo. He struggled with anxiety and some aggressive behaviors, which made everyday situations stressful for both of us. The trainers were patient, knowledgeable, and really took the time to understand his specific triggers and needs. Over the course of the training, I saw a noticeable improvement in Leo’s behavior. He’s more confident, easier to manage, and I feel much more equipped as an owner to handle challenging situations. The guidance and techniques they provided were practical and effective, and they made sure I understood how to continue reinforcing the training at home. I’m very grateful for their support and dedication—it truly made a difference for both me and Leo. I would definitely recommend them to anyone looking for help with behavioral issues or general training.
  • James Poggi
    Feb. 7, 2026
    Great staff, great training, group classes are amazing and so helpfull. Training our service dog teddy with there help and the results are astounding right from a puppy. Has competitive prices compared to other trainers. I personally have worked with Alex and Dom, can't say enough nice things about them both. The whole family at DTE has been so vital in teddy being the big success he has become. Teddy comes to work with me as a crossing guard for our police department. The kids love saying good morning to him, and he looks forward to sitting there and watching them all cross safely.
  • Jay Williams
    Mar. 28, 2026
    Loved the in home training I got for my crazy pit mix! Moving onto group sessions and excited for that. Alex, my trainer, was great and customized what I needed for my dog.
  • Heather Vance
    Mar. 19, 2026
    I can not say enough good things. We had tried another training place prior to finding Dog Training Elite that was just not working & seemed to be making our dog more stressed. This was the best investment we could have possibly made— truly the best money we could have spent and worth every penny. Our quality of life and our relationship with our dog is amazing now after this training. Every trainer genuinely cared and understood the animals. They always remember our dog by name & she was so excited to see each of them & excited to go to training. My favorite part of this training was that after the 2 weeks of 8 hours a day training, it’s followed by weekly group training we attend where we continue to learn new skills, ask the trainers questions, and socialize with other pets and their owners. I would highly recommend to anyone!