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Classical Conditioning

Dog Training Elite

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A dog walking on a leash after finishing a classical conditioning dog training.

Dog Training Techniques

Classical Conditioning Dog Training

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

Training With An E-Collar

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

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 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 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 - Positive Reinforcement Dog Training. DTE

Positive Reinforcement Training

Dog Training Elite - Puppy Obedience Training. DTE

Puppy Obedience Training

Dog Training Elite - Off Leash Dog Training. Dog Training Elite

Off Leash Training

Dog Training Elite - Dog Agility Training Through Basic Obedience. Dog Training Elite

Agility Through Basic Obedience Training

A women playing with her service dog.

The Dog Training Elite Difference


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

  • M Sarmiento
    Dec. 31, 2025
    We have been really happy with Elite dog training. We have 2 muts. We have a 11 year old and an 2 year old and they are learning a lot. Parker is excellent with both dogs and has helped us learn a lot as well. We have really seen a significant improvement in the dogs already. We would highly recommend Parker and Elite training!
  • jordan jensen
    Dec. 31, 2025
    This has been the best dog training experience we could have asked for. Our dog has learned so much and is well on the way to becoming an excellent service dog. We are incredibly grateful to the wonderful trainers who have supported our puppy’s growth and progress. Reina has been our primary trainer, and she has been outstanding and always patient, knowledgeable, and incredibly helpful in answering all of our questions. We truly appreciate all of her guidance and support.
  • Odette Lopez
    Dec. 31, 2025
    Experience/expertise, friendly and collaborative.
  • Brian Fritzel
    Dec. 31, 2025
    5 out of 5 stars – Highly Recommend Dog Training Elite! I just completed the obedience training program at Dog Training Elite with my Belgian Malinois, and I couldn’t be more pleased with the results. From the very first session, the trainers were professional, patient, and incredibly knowledgeable. They didn’t just focus on teaching commands—they empowered me as the owner with the tools and techniques to reinforce the training at home, building a stronger bond and real confidence in everyday situations. My Pup has transformed from pulling on the leash and getting easily distracted to walking calmly at heel, responding reliably to commands (even off-leash in distracting environments), and just being an all-around joy to be around. The combination of in-home sessions and group classes was perfect for progressing from basics to real-world application. What stood out most was the genuine care the team showed for both dogs and owners—they’re supportive, responsive, and truly passionate about what they do. If you’re looking for effective, positive training that lasts, Dog Training Elite is the way to go. Thank you for giving us the skills to enjoy life together even more!
  • Christopher Snow
    Dec. 31, 2025
    Matt was awesome, I'd like him for the next group of sessions I schedule.
  • Simona Monnati
    Dec. 30, 2025
    Jess, the trainer assigned to me is superb both in knowledge and manners. She has been listening carefully to the issues I wanted to solve. After only one week of work I can see a great improvement. I recommend her to anybody interested in training. Nero (my dog - a big fluffy German Shepard) loves her… I can tell he is eager to start classes! Thank you Jess for your knowledge and dedication ! Simona
  • Suzanna Gallehugh
    Dec. 30, 2025
    I worked with Michael, and he was great with my dog Oliver, who is a terrier mix. Michael was very patient and showed me exactly what to do when trying new commands with Oliver and then made sure I was doing everything correctly on my own. He also encouraged me to text him with any questions or issues that came up in between our one-on-one sessions and responded promptly. Oliver was always excited to see him for our sessions, and I now have a much calmer, less anxious, and happy dog!!
  • Blair Dowdy
    Dec. 30, 2025
    Gray and Denise with Dog Training Elite Hill Country are amazing! Their communication was clear and timely, making the entire process stress-free. The training sessions were highly effective—my dog showed noticeable improvement after just a few visits. They are incredibly helpful, offering practical tips and ongoing support that made me feel confident in continuing the training at home. I highly recommend them to anyone looking for professional, caring, and results-driven dog training!
  • Denise Buchli
    Dec. 12, 2025
    Purchased the package where the trainer came to my house for one on one training for me and my dog. The staff provides great communication and ease of scheduling. The trainers are very patient and you can tell they have a love for dogs and use tools for assistance, not punishment. I cannot say enough about how gentle they are when training!!! We have now finished our 8th training session and I am very happy with our progress! Family members who have not been around since training has started said they can really tell a difference in my dog’s behaviors!!! This photo is after training- he is exhausted!
  • Laura Chase
    Dec. 30, 2025
    The one-on-one training for both me and my dog was so successful. Our trainer took the time to work through any issues we had and took a very personalized approach. The group classes with the other dogs was super beneficial as well. I couldn’t recommend them more!
  • Joshua Scranton
    Dec. 30, 2025
    Very professional and kind! They were very helpful with any and all questions I had about my dogs training and/or what each behavior he was showing meant! I would recommend Dog Training Elite Kentuckiana to anyone who needs or wants to have their dog trained!
  • Dan C
    Dec. 29, 2025
    Jess is so helpful and wonderful to work with. She is incredibly knowledgeable and puts my wife and I at ease every time we have a session. Highly recommend her to anyone who is looking for guidance and confidence that you are raising your puppy correctly.
  • Emily Cooke
    Dec. 29, 2025
    We started our four month old husky in the obedience training program and have nothing but great things to say about Angela, Sharon and the DTE team! Any question we had about training or the process was answered thoroughly and thoughtfully. The individual in-home training sessions were incredibly helpful to us and our puppy—Angela was positive, patient and tailored each season to get the most out of our puppy without overwhelming him. We’re so grateful to the DTE team for the progress we’ve seen so far and are looking forward to group classes!
  • Felicia Carrington Wilburn
    Dec. 29, 2025
    A well trained dog is a joy to live with. Our dog trainer Laydon H. was a pleasure to work with. Day 1 she had our dog Juliette a French bulldog under her control. She immediately reinforced positive behavior. She gave clear commands and was patient with us, the dog owners and our dog. More importantly she listened to our needs. She gave us a helpful tip on what snacks to feed our sensitive stomach French bulldog. Julieete enjoys her snacks now! Thank you Laydon was giving us the tools to have a well behaved and calm dog! During this Elite training experience we also met Kayla F. who was also a good dog trainer. Before starting the lesson she ensured we didn’t have any questions from the week before. She also reviewed the previous weeks training with our dog Juliette, which I thought was very helpful. We met trainer Patrick once during public training with our dog. He was knowledgeable and very patient with Juliette. He gave her praise when needed and even offered some solutions to a few questions we had. Elite trainers are the best of the best! My husband and I thank you all for what you have done for our family. Juliette is a complete joy now in our home. We feel confident we can continue her training with the tools you gave us! Thank you Elite!
  • Keith Harrison
    Dec. 27, 2025
    Jaime has been fantastic with my dog. He explains the reasons behind my dog’s behavior and how to go about redirecting him to the desired response. Jaime has a true gift with dogs.
  • Claire Butrimowicz
    Nov. 1, 2024
    Matt was SO helpful and a great teacher. He explained why with all the commands and showed me how to use the pinch collar which Marvin was very receptive to. It was a game changer and very little pressure needed for him. We made a good re-start today and I’m looking forward to the remaining lessons as well as many follow up group lessons!
  • Riley Doherty
    Dec. 26, 2025
    All of the trainers we have worked with have been great and the group classes have been great for our dog Bear. Marshall has gone above and beyond working with Bear and recommending the best places for our lessons so we can get the most out of them. Would highly recommend Marshall and all of the other trainers we have worked with!
  • Sandra Nolin
    Dec. 24, 2025
    My niece has a 110 lb. Chesapeake Bay Retriever (Benji) that at the beginning of training was out of control aggressive. In our first evaluation meeting with Marshall, I was so impressed that I told the gal at the office that we would wait for an opening in his schedule rather than opt for another trainer. Marshall's consistency, understanding of what our family requires, and his ability to work with many different types of dogs is amazing. I have a 68 lb Leopard Catahoula (Gracie) that we needed Benji to play nice with. Marshal, with expertise, patience and grace showed us how to make this happen. He always puts safety first. He has also agreed to give us some tips on integrating a third dog that regularly visits, a 25 lb. Mini Poodle, Yorkie, Shih Tzu designer dog (Ewok). I simply can't say enough about Marshall's level of professionalism, his calmness in handling not only the dogs, but the owners as well. He has given my niece so much more of a sense of confidence in herself and her ability to manage her dog. I'll try to post some pics later.
  • Donald Vervaecke
    Dec. 23, 2025
    They are the nicest and most sincere people I have ever met. Chuck and Kat are so good at training owners and their dogs! Thank you all for helping me have a better relationship with my dog .
  • Adam Jarvis
    Dec. 23, 2025
    Phenomenal experience. Reina has been a world class trainer not only for my Malinois but for me as well. We are both progressing at a pace I believe is perfect for us. Great company, great program!