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Classical Conditioning

Dog Training Elite Asheville

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A dog walking on a leash after finishing a classical conditioning dog training in Asheville, NC.

Dog Training Techniques

Classical Conditioning Dog Training in Asheville, NC

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

Training With An E-Collar

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

Asheville 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 Asheville 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 Asheville, NC 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 Asheville, NC.

The Dog Training Elite Asheville Difference


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

  • Claire Chappell
    May. 2, 2025
    I first reached out to David from Dog Training Elite Asheville when I had just moved to Asheville, and my dog was stressed, behaving aggressively, and resource guarding. I was scared and needed help asap because I didn't know how to deal with it. I called David, and he reassured me and gave me clear action steps for in-house training. Within just a couple of sessions, I've seen a MASSIVE difference in how my dog is behaving. He's confident, trusts me, and is friendly to anyone that comes in the door. He is all around a happier dog. I would recommend them to anyone that needs help with dog behavior and training. They're also kind people and often very flexible scheduling-wise!
  • Carol Bourke
    Apr. 26, 2025
    Our dog, Parker, learned so much from David’s and Nicole’s training — and so did we! Their gentle, knowledgeable approach immediately put Parker at ease and made him receptive to learning. They made every session fun, engaging, and positive. Thanks to their guidance, Parker has grown tremendously and is noticeably happier and more confident. We’re so grateful for their help and would highly recommend them to anyone looking for thoughtful, effective dog training.
  • Aimée Mercier
    Apr. 23, 2025
    We have had a great experience with David and Nicole. They are thorough, responsive, knowledgeable and fun! Our puppy has done great and we are amazed with the results. I highly recommend their program!!
  • Lauren Bucherie
    Apr. 23, 2025
    I have so many wonderful things to say about David and Nicole at Dog Training Elite! They were incredibly successful in training our dog Stetson (as well as training us!) on how to behave and live our best lives together with our small children. I highly recommend this company and their services.
  • Hollie Swofford
    Mar. 31, 2025
    I started working with the DTE-Asheville team a few months ago, to train my dog Toby as a service dog. I found them via online search and really appreciated how informative their website was, that they are an official/approved trainer for recognized service dogs, and that they will train your existing dog (vs being required to adopt a specific puppy to train for this purpose). Then when I spoke with David on the phone and met him for the initial consultation, I knew they were the right choice for me and Toby. We started with a few weeks of basic obedience training - that's the first step for every dog going through their program and it's a game changer! Toby had done "puppy class" years before and knew some basic commands, but still was a leash puller when excited and only had reliable recall when cheese was involved. Recall was fixed and 100% perfect after just the first training session and has remained perfect since! And he also now reliably walks to heel when requested too. We're nearly through the full program and I'm going into his last couple of sessions confident in his service dog skills and that he will pass the tests required to earn the certification. I would recommend Dog Training Elite Asheville to any pet parent who is committed to working with their dog!
  • Patricia English
    Mar. 26, 2025
    David and Nikki are phenomenal trainers! Simba, our rescued retriever, was bit the day after the hurricane by a German Shepard. He began to show aggression and biting. After 3 bites, in which all the people had to go to Urgent Care, we began to think we were going to have to put him down. We took him to the Vets to check if anything was physically wrong. Everything checked OK. By some miracle, and a long, but good story, Nikki and David reached out to us. We signed up for their training immediately. A great adventure began. They gave us hope and trained us and Simba for proper responses. He is a different dog. We now have the knowledge and tools to work with, and we can safely say, he is not a biter any longer! We will be trying our first Lowes visit with a group of dog graduates. Wish us luck! This training is A Plus! Patricia English Ken Huser
  • Barclay Garnett
    Mar. 26, 2025
    Our little Mila is now the best doggie ever. We can not thank Elite enough.
  • Brooke McDonald
    Mar. 19, 2025
    I can't say enough great things about David and Nicole! From day one, they were patient, knowledgeable, and genuinely invested in helping my dog, Stetson, succeed. Their training methods are effective, positive, and tailored to my dog’s unique needs. I've seen such an incredible transformation—better behavior, more confidence, and a stronger bond between us. Before the training, Stetson was difficult to handle. He did not listen, nor did he want to. It was chaos with a three-year-old and a newborn, but he has done a complete 180. Stetson can be around the kids and has a calm and playful demeanor. He can go for car rides and walks in the neighborhood, without walking me. I HIGHLY RECOMMEND giving David a call. If you're looking for a trainer who genuinely cares and delivers accurate results, I highly recommend calling David and Nicole/Dog Training Elite. They are absolute professionals and worth every penny! Thank you so much for your dedication and expertise! 🐶👏
  • Kelly Godfrey
    Mar. 13, 2025
    I engaged the Webbs to help me train my mini-dachshunds for therapy work. (Nursing home/hospice type visits). The Webbs were wonderful and helped turn this pair of young dogs onto well behaved citizens yet still allowing them their fun loving spirit. I enjoyed the experience of learning how to be a better owner to my dogs.
  • S Gourgourinis
    Feb. 14, 2025
    David and his team are very knowledgeable and were a great help to us and our sweet Doberman. Highly recommend!
  • Sequoia Cheney
    Feb. 8, 2025
    Joy loves David and Nikki💜 their training methods are personal, efficient and comprehensive. Through their guidance Joy is taking the next step from basic training and soon be a certified therapy dog! We highly recommend Dog Training Elite!
  • Amanda O
    Feb. 8, 2025
    This was exactly what our pups needed. Our family can now confidently enjoy taking our dogs out and about knowing that they will behave. We had tried other obedience training in the past with minimal success. Dog Training Elite gave us the tools we needed to successfully train our two young pups.
  • Jack Cheney
    Jan. 30, 2025
    Our dog Joy, a shih tzu, loves David and Nicki!! Through their caring approach and at home follow-up, Joy is making wonderful progress learning the skills and confidence to help her become a happy and effective therapy dog. Many thanks, Sequoia and Jack
  • Michael Lewis
    Jan. 18, 2025
    David and the Dog Training Elite team are truly lifesavers. Our dog struggled with aggression with other dogs, which prevented us from being able to take him out with us and give him the life he needed. After just two months our pup was completely changed! I cannot overstate how effective David and his team are, and they create a friendly and fun environment at every training session.
  • hannah clayton
    Jan. 18, 2025
    I truly couldn’t be happier with our experience with Elite dog training. When I met David, I was afraid to do anything with my dog, I was even afraid to walk him alone. Now, I am living with ease and my dog is so much happier. He gets to come everywhere with us and we have all the tools to ensure a safe experience for all. When I say it was miraculous, I’m not exaggerating. I wish we would’ve done this years ago! Plus, they are so kind and thoughtful which makes training feel less like work, and more like fun!
  • Beth Parrott
    Jan. 10, 2025
    David and Nicole are an excellent team. Their love of dogs is so evident. I wanted to fine tune some of my 3 year old Cavapoo s behavior. In 3 private in home sessions my dog learned how to hold place, heel to eliminate lease pulling and much more. They were very clear to make me understand that the tins collar was not painful or harmless to Vinnie. In fact, Vinnie is happy to have the collar placed each day. I highly recommend working with David and Nicole.
  • Ian O'Shaughnessy
    Dec. 5, 2024
    What a great experience for my dog and I! They worked with Kieran on his obiedence on the gold package and help solidify his fundamentals. He can now walk past the house with a ton of dogs with out barking and doesn’t pull on his leash making walks more enjoyable! 10/10 recommend
  • Dawn Marie Westmoreland
    Nov. 26, 2024
    Ainsley loves his dog trainer, David Webb with Dog Training Elite Asheville. He is a fast learner and I'm glad to be trained, too. What a difference three weeks of training makes. Ainsley is performing much better in all the commands he has learned. #Ainsley #DavidWebb #Dogtraining #resiliency #Asheville
  • Dawn Westmoreland
    Nov. 26, 2024
    Ainsley loves his dog trainer, David Webb with Dog Training Elite Asheville. He is a fast learner and I'm glad to be trained, too. What a difference three weeks of training makes. Ainsley is performing much better in all the commands he has learned. David and Nicki Webb are professionals with heart and the training has been invaluable. It's better than the original training we had with another company. Highly recommend Elite Dog Training!!
  • Bradley Archer
    Nov. 2, 2024
    I was diagnosed with Autism as an adult over three years ago. I've been trying to find a way to afford a service animal since then. I almost gave up... the dogs I was finding were upwards of $40k! I couldn't afford it... When I found David at Dog Training Elite, he offered training at a tenth of the price I was finding, I just had to acquire the pup on my own. I wanted to train a rescue instead of getting a dog from a breeder--David came with me to help me pick out a trainable pup at no cost! Been training with them for about 5 months now and my pup is excellently behaved in public and at work, at only 8 months old! I couldn't possibly recommend these guys any more strongly.
  • Claire Chappell
    May. 2, 2025
    I first reached out to David from Dog Training Elite Asheville when I had just moved to Asheville, and my dog was stressed, behaving aggressively, and resource guarding. I was scared and needed help asap because I didn't know how to deal with it. I called David, and he reassured me and gave me clear action steps for in-house training. Within just a couple of sessions, I've seen a MASSIVE difference in how my dog is behaving. He's confident, trusts me, and is friendly to anyone that comes in the door. He is all around a happier dog. I would recommend them to anyone that needs help with dog behavior and training. They're also kind people and often very flexible scheduling-wise!
  • Carol Bourke
    Apr. 26, 2025
    Our dog, Parker, learned so much from David’s and Nicole’s training — and so did we! Their gentle, knowledgeable approach immediately put Parker at ease and made him receptive to learning. They made every session fun, engaging, and positive. Thanks to their guidance, Parker has grown tremendously and is noticeably happier and more confident. We’re so grateful for their help and would highly recommend them to anyone looking for thoughtful, effective dog training.
  • Aimée Mercier
    Apr. 23, 2025
    We have had a great experience with David and Nicole. They are thorough, responsive, knowledgeable and fun! Our puppy has done great and we are amazed with the results. I highly recommend their program!!
  • Lauren Bucherie
    Apr. 23, 2025
    I have so many wonderful things to say about David and Nicole at Dog Training Elite! They were incredibly successful in training our dog Stetson (as well as training us!) on how to behave and live our best lives together with our small children. I highly recommend this company and their services.
  • Hollie Swofford
    Mar. 31, 2025
    I started working with the DTE-Asheville team a few months ago, to train my dog Toby as a service dog. I found them via online search and really appreciated how informative their website was, that they are an official/approved trainer for recognized service dogs, and that they will train your existing dog (vs being required to adopt a specific puppy to train for this purpose). Then when I spoke with David on the phone and met him for the initial consultation, I knew they were the right choice for me and Toby. We started with a few weeks of basic obedience training - that's the first step for every dog going through their program and it's a game changer! Toby had done "puppy class" years before and knew some basic commands, but still was a leash puller when excited and only had reliable recall when cheese was involved. Recall was fixed and 100% perfect after just the first training session and has remained perfect since! And he also now reliably walks to heel when requested too. We're nearly through the full program and I'm going into his last couple of sessions confident in his service dog skills and that he will pass the tests required to earn the certification. I would recommend Dog Training Elite Asheville to any pet parent who is committed to working with their dog!
  • Patricia English
    Mar. 26, 2025
    David and Nikki are phenomenal trainers! Simba, our rescued retriever, was bit the day after the hurricane by a German Shepard. He began to show aggression and biting. After 3 bites, in which all the people had to go to Urgent Care, we began to think we were going to have to put him down. We took him to the Vets to check if anything was physically wrong. Everything checked OK. By some miracle, and a long, but good story, Nikki and David reached out to us. We signed up for their training immediately. A great adventure began. They gave us hope and trained us and Simba for proper responses. He is a different dog. We now have the knowledge and tools to work with, and we can safely say, he is not a biter any longer! We will be trying our first Lowes visit with a group of dog graduates. Wish us luck! This training is A Plus! Patricia English Ken Huser
  • Barclay Garnett
    Mar. 26, 2025
    Our little Mila is now the best doggie ever. We can not thank Elite enough.
  • Brooke McDonald
    Mar. 19, 2025
    I can't say enough great things about David and Nicole! From day one, they were patient, knowledgeable, and genuinely invested in helping my dog, Stetson, succeed. Their training methods are effective, positive, and tailored to my dog’s unique needs. I've seen such an incredible transformation—better behavior, more confidence, and a stronger bond between us. Before the training, Stetson was difficult to handle. He did not listen, nor did he want to. It was chaos with a three-year-old and a newborn, but he has done a complete 180. Stetson can be around the kids and has a calm and playful demeanor. He can go for car rides and walks in the neighborhood, without walking me. I HIGHLY RECOMMEND giving David a call. If you're looking for a trainer who genuinely cares and delivers accurate results, I highly recommend calling David and Nicole/Dog Training Elite. They are absolute professionals and worth every penny! Thank you so much for your dedication and expertise! 🐶👏
  • Kelly Godfrey
    Mar. 13, 2025
    I engaged the Webbs to help me train my mini-dachshunds for therapy work. (Nursing home/hospice type visits). The Webbs were wonderful and helped turn this pair of young dogs onto well behaved citizens yet still allowing them their fun loving spirit. I enjoyed the experience of learning how to be a better owner to my dogs.
  • S Gourgourinis
    Feb. 14, 2025
    David and his team are very knowledgeable and were a great help to us and our sweet Doberman. Highly recommend!
  • Sequoia Cheney
    Feb. 8, 2025
    Joy loves David and Nikki💜 their training methods are personal, efficient and comprehensive. Through their guidance Joy is taking the next step from basic training and soon be a certified therapy dog! We highly recommend Dog Training Elite!
  • Amanda O
    Feb. 8, 2025
    This was exactly what our pups needed. Our family can now confidently enjoy taking our dogs out and about knowing that they will behave. We had tried other obedience training in the past with minimal success. Dog Training Elite gave us the tools we needed to successfully train our two young pups.
  • Jack Cheney
    Jan. 30, 2025
    Our dog Joy, a shih tzu, loves David and Nicki!! Through their caring approach and at home follow-up, Joy is making wonderful progress learning the skills and confidence to help her become a happy and effective therapy dog. Many thanks, Sequoia and Jack
  • Michael Lewis
    Jan. 18, 2025
    David and the Dog Training Elite team are truly lifesavers. Our dog struggled with aggression with other dogs, which prevented us from being able to take him out with us and give him the life he needed. After just two months our pup was completely changed! I cannot overstate how effective David and his team are, and they create a friendly and fun environment at every training session.
  • hannah clayton
    Jan. 18, 2025
    I truly couldn’t be happier with our experience with Elite dog training. When I met David, I was afraid to do anything with my dog, I was even afraid to walk him alone. Now, I am living with ease and my dog is so much happier. He gets to come everywhere with us and we have all the tools to ensure a safe experience for all. When I say it was miraculous, I’m not exaggerating. I wish we would’ve done this years ago! Plus, they are so kind and thoughtful which makes training feel less like work, and more like fun!
  • Beth Parrott
    Jan. 10, 2025
    David and Nicole are an excellent team. Their love of dogs is so evident. I wanted to fine tune some of my 3 year old Cavapoo s behavior. In 3 private in home sessions my dog learned how to hold place, heel to eliminate lease pulling and much more. They were very clear to make me understand that the tins collar was not painful or harmless to Vinnie. In fact, Vinnie is happy to have the collar placed each day. I highly recommend working with David and Nicole.
  • Ian O'Shaughnessy
    Dec. 5, 2024
    What a great experience for my dog and I! They worked with Kieran on his obiedence on the gold package and help solidify his fundamentals. He can now walk past the house with a ton of dogs with out barking and doesn’t pull on his leash making walks more enjoyable! 10/10 recommend
  • Dawn Marie Westmoreland
    Nov. 26, 2024
    Ainsley loves his dog trainer, David Webb with Dog Training Elite Asheville. He is a fast learner and I'm glad to be trained, too. What a difference three weeks of training makes. Ainsley is performing much better in all the commands he has learned. #Ainsley #DavidWebb #Dogtraining #resiliency #Asheville
  • Dawn Westmoreland
    Nov. 26, 2024
    Ainsley loves his dog trainer, David Webb with Dog Training Elite Asheville. He is a fast learner and I'm glad to be trained, too. What a difference three weeks of training makes. Ainsley is performing much better in all the commands he has learned. David and Nicki Webb are professionals with heart and the training has been invaluable. It's better than the original training we had with another company. Highly recommend Elite Dog Training!!
  • Bradley Archer
    Nov. 2, 2024
    I was diagnosed with Autism as an adult over three years ago. I've been trying to find a way to afford a service animal since then. I almost gave up... the dogs I was finding were upwards of $40k! I couldn't afford it... When I found David at Dog Training Elite, he offered training at a tenth of the price I was finding, I just had to acquire the pup on my own. I wanted to train a rescue instead of getting a dog from a breeder--David came with me to help me pick out a trainable pup at no cost! Been training with them for about 5 months now and my pup is excellently behaved in public and at work, at only 8 months old! I couldn't possibly recommend these guys any more strongly.