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Classical Conditioning

Los Angeles Classical Conditioning Dog Trainers

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A dog walking on a leash after finishing a classical conditioning dog training in Los Angeles, CA.

Dog Training Techniques

Classical Conditioning Dog Training in Los Angeles, CA

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

Training With An E-Collar

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

Los Angeles 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 Los Angeles 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 Los Angeles, CA 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 Los Angeles - Positive Reinforcement Dog Training in Los Angeles, CA

Positive Reinforcement Training

Dog Training Elite Los Angeles - Puppy Obedience Training in Los Angeles, CA. DTE

Puppy Obedience Training

Dog Training Elite Los Angeles - Off Leash Dog Training in Los Angeles, CA. DTE

Off Leash Training

Dog Training Elite Los Angeles - Dog Agility Training in Los Angeles, CA. DTE

Agility Through Basic Obedience Training

A women playing with her service dog in Los Angeles, CA.

The Dog Training Elite Los Angeles Difference


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

  • Savannah King
    Jun. 6, 2025
    Kyla at Dog Training Elite helped my Pomsky and I through obedience and service animal training! I highly recommend her. We had a long way to go, with little previous training but we really transformed over these weeks.
  • Prue K
    Jun. 3, 2025
    Our 11 month old pit bull rescue OTIS had some basic training but we needed to address a few outstanding issues as he came to his new forever home. Kyla has a very firm command and our boy fell into line pretty quickly. Sad that our sessions are up as we will all miss her: her lovely nature and her excellent training skills. * By chance we realized Otis had never seen an escalator and he was very unsure, but in no time Kyla had given him the confidence to ride away with no issues!!!
  • Chris McPheeters
    May. 23, 2025
    Since beginning the training with Dog Training Elite Los Angeles, our lives have become so much easier and better. From our first session to now, our dog has shown major signs of improvement and has been exposed to a lot of new things/environments where he had trouble with at first but now he has improved significantly. The training by Clayton is awesome, he is great with our dog and has so much knowledge about dog behavior/tendencies. Clayton is very respectful and has a true passion for dogs. Clayton is a true professional and we would not be where we are today without his expertise.
  • monica lipkin nachshin
    May. 15, 2025
    I have found the trainers especially Clayton to be very calm, knowledgeable and reassuring. In addition they understand how dogs think and help me to better understand my dog
  • Nicole A
    May. 14, 2025
    Clayton is such a patient trainer & Dog Training Elite overall has been a very comprehensive program and everyone is always accessible to help us out with our pet. I would absolutely recommend this training program to friends. It’s been a night & day difference with our dog, thanks Clayton!
  • Drew Dominick
    May. 5, 2025
    Kyla is outstanding, it was a pleasure to work with her. She taught me and my dog so much in such a short period of time. She literally was able to, after two minutes, train my dog to walk by a group of squirrels 12 inches away without any distraction. That is one of many valuable lessons Kyla taught us. She is extremely professional, prompt, and a natural at what she does. I highly recommend Kyla and Elite Dog Training.
  • Charlie Fink
    Apr. 24, 2025
    Our dog is a very willful herding dog, but thanks to our trainer Kayla, we are learning how to control him. As a result of firm direction he is steadily becoming a calmer and more obedient dog. Four stars. 100% recommend. I don’t often say that about expensive services, but it was worth every penny. We were at the end of our rope with this dog and they saved us!
  • Nicole Beck
    Apr. 23, 2025
    Kyla was terrific! My Bernedoodle would immediately calm down the minute Kyla walked into the house. I loved working with her. I also learned a lot! Highly recommend her.
  • Gloria Mattioni
    Apr. 16, 2025
    I highly recommend Dog Training Elite. My experience convinced me it's worth every penny. All trainers are professional, available to answer any question and guide you through each step of your dog's training. I was blessed to find the perfect match for my still unruly 2-year young rescue Lab mix in Clayton. He’s been very patient and inspiring for both of us, conquering Paco’s trust since the first meeting, encouraging him to experiment new things and overcome his fears. Clayton seemed to truly understand my dog’s personality and tailored his training on specific tasks and obedience goals.Paco blossomed under his guidance, leaving behind any reactive behavior and becoming responsive to commands even in stressful situations. I also learned to overcome my fear of hurting Paco using the e-collar after Clayton showed me how to use it safely. I’ll keep taking Paco to the group lessons now that he completed his training. He’ll enjoy seeing Clayton again and practice together with Whopple and his other dog-buddies.
  • Anne Graas
    Apr. 15, 2025
    After five sessions with Clayton, my dog doesn’t lunge on the leash anymore. He is learning to calm down around other dogs, and ignore distractions. The best part is that I am learning how to communicate to him the behavior that I want. This has been the most effective dog training I’ve experienced, and I’ve had dogs all my life.
  • Annemarie Perez
    Apr. 7, 2025
    This review is too long coming! My pup Sutti (an 18 month old whoodle (wheaten terrier poodle crossbreed) and I have been working with Clayton from Dog Training Elite for the past five months. In that time she's learned so much. In addition to walking without pulling, sit, lie down, place and other basic commands, she's well on her way to being a psychiatric service dog for my PTSD. She's currently learning how to alert and ground via (DPT - deep pressure therapy) for panic attacks and received her preliminary service dog certification. They've also been flexible about scheduling, something I've appreciated a great deal as my job requires travel and odd hours. My husband and I recommend Dog Training Elite and, especially, Clayton highly.
  • linda rosen
    Apr. 4, 2025
    Clayton is very intuitive and patient with our high energy golden retriever puppy. I have learned a lot about setting boundaries and using commands effectively.
  • Rachel M
    Mar. 20, 2025
    Clayton educated us throughout the whole sessions, was amazing with our dog, overall amazing trainer! He
  • Nutri Steph
    Feb. 21, 2025
    We couldn’t be happier with Dog Elite Training Los Angeles! Our Yorkie Terrier is currently in training to become a service dog, and the experience has been amazing from day one. The trainer Clayton is incredibly knowledgeable, patient, and truly care about the dogs he work with. I was a little unsure at first since Yorkies are small with a big attitude, but Clayton never doubted her potential. They created a training plan tailored to her needs, and we’ve already seen such a huge improvement in her focus, obedience, and ability to perform tasks. It’s been incredible to watch her grow and gain confidence. What I love most is how supportive and hands-on Clayton is. He make sure we understand each step of the process so we can continue the training at home. It’s clear he is passionate about what he do, and it really shows in the results. If you’re looking for expert service dog training in LA, I highly recommend Dog Elite Training. They’ve made such a difference for us, and I’m so excited to see how far our little Yorkie goes!
  • Jorge Sanchez
    Feb. 26, 2025
    Mr. Clayton, from Dog Training Elite, is a class act trainer and person. Im very thankful that my dog TANK, and I are paired up with Mr. Clayton. He is very informative and patient. He gives u step by step instructions(verbal and visual) that are very helpful. 1 to 10 Mr. Clayton = 10 Dog Training Elite Los Angeles =10
  • Christine Krohn
    Feb. 21, 2025
    Clayton is professional, polite and is every knowledgeable. His training techniques are easy to follow.
  • Francisco Ramos
    Feb. 19, 2025
    I cannot recommend Clayton highly enough as a service dog trainer! From day one, his expertise, patience, and dedication were evident. He took the time to understand my specific needs and tailored the training to ensure my dog developed the skills necessary to support me in daily life. At first, I wasn’t sure if my dog could successfully complete the training but I gain confidence after finding that Clayton was the best trainer in my area. Now, my dog has become an incredible partner, providing me with support I never thought possible. If you’re looking for a trainer who is skilled, kind, and truly invested in your success, Clayton is the one to go to. I’m beyond grateful for his guidance and would recommend him to anyone in need of service dog training!
  • Rachael Chan
    Feb. 18, 2025
    Dog Training Elite has been awesome! I had been thinking about getting my 3 year old mini goldendoodle some training for a while now and wish I had started sooner. We have been working with Clayton who has been very knowledgeable and the progress my pup has made after just 4 sessions with him has been incredible! My pup used to always pull on his leash and get overly excited and out of control when interacting with other dogs on walks and that has now completely changed. I look forward to even more progress as we work with Clayton to get my pup trained as a service animal. Definitely recommend Dog Training Elite and Clayton.
  • Franklin Montiel
    Feb. 17, 2025
    Thank you coach Clayton, Sage is still a fun pup but listens, plays, and follows commands like a Champ! Your calm and expert advise has really helped us be better parents to our beautiful 😍 Sage!!💝💝
  • Kimberly Lambert Gibson
    Feb. 12, 2025
    Dog Training Elite has been an incredible experience. Greg met with us to decide which dog would be trainable out of the liter which was very helpful. We were looking for a trainer who could help us train our puppy all the way thru to a service animal. Clayton, our trainer has been amazing working my son and our puppy. He is very respectful and knowledgeable. The puppy is responding beyond our expectations to the training. We are very grateful and highly recommend this company and especially Clayton as a trainer. Thank you!!!
  • Savannah King
    Jun. 6, 2025
    Kyla at Dog Training Elite helped my Pomsky and I through obedience and service animal training! I highly recommend her. We had a long way to go, with little previous training but we really transformed over these weeks.
  • Prue K
    Jun. 3, 2025
    Our 11 month old pit bull rescue OTIS had some basic training but we needed to address a few outstanding issues as he came to his new forever home. Kyla has a very firm command and our boy fell into line pretty quickly. Sad that our sessions are up as we will all miss her: her lovely nature and her excellent training skills. * By chance we realized Otis had never seen an escalator and he was very unsure, but in no time Kyla had given him the confidence to ride away with no issues!!!
  • Chris McPheeters
    May. 23, 2025
    Since beginning the training with Dog Training Elite Los Angeles, our lives have become so much easier and better. From our first session to now, our dog has shown major signs of improvement and has been exposed to a lot of new things/environments where he had trouble with at first but now he has improved significantly. The training by Clayton is awesome, he is great with our dog and has so much knowledge about dog behavior/tendencies. Clayton is very respectful and has a true passion for dogs. Clayton is a true professional and we would not be where we are today without his expertise.
  • monica lipkin nachshin
    May. 15, 2025
    I have found the trainers especially Clayton to be very calm, knowledgeable and reassuring. In addition they understand how dogs think and help me to better understand my dog
  • Nicole A
    May. 14, 2025
    Clayton is such a patient trainer & Dog Training Elite overall has been a very comprehensive program and everyone is always accessible to help us out with our pet. I would absolutely recommend this training program to friends. It’s been a night & day difference with our dog, thanks Clayton!
  • Drew Dominick
    May. 5, 2025
    Kyla is outstanding, it was a pleasure to work with her. She taught me and my dog so much in such a short period of time. She literally was able to, after two minutes, train my dog to walk by a group of squirrels 12 inches away without any distraction. That is one of many valuable lessons Kyla taught us. She is extremely professional, prompt, and a natural at what she does. I highly recommend Kyla and Elite Dog Training.
  • Charlie Fink
    Apr. 24, 2025
    Our dog is a very willful herding dog, but thanks to our trainer Kayla, we are learning how to control him. As a result of firm direction he is steadily becoming a calmer and more obedient dog. Four stars. 100% recommend. I don’t often say that about expensive services, but it was worth every penny. We were at the end of our rope with this dog and they saved us!
  • Nicole Beck
    Apr. 23, 2025
    Kyla was terrific! My Bernedoodle would immediately calm down the minute Kyla walked into the house. I loved working with her. I also learned a lot! Highly recommend her.
  • Gloria Mattioni
    Apr. 16, 2025
    I highly recommend Dog Training Elite. My experience convinced me it's worth every penny. All trainers are professional, available to answer any question and guide you through each step of your dog's training. I was blessed to find the perfect match for my still unruly 2-year young rescue Lab mix in Clayton. He’s been very patient and inspiring for both of us, conquering Paco’s trust since the first meeting, encouraging him to experiment new things and overcome his fears. Clayton seemed to truly understand my dog’s personality and tailored his training on specific tasks and obedience goals.Paco blossomed under his guidance, leaving behind any reactive behavior and becoming responsive to commands even in stressful situations. I also learned to overcome my fear of hurting Paco using the e-collar after Clayton showed me how to use it safely. I’ll keep taking Paco to the group lessons now that he completed his training. He’ll enjoy seeing Clayton again and practice together with Whopple and his other dog-buddies.
  • Anne Graas
    Apr. 15, 2025
    After five sessions with Clayton, my dog doesn’t lunge on the leash anymore. He is learning to calm down around other dogs, and ignore distractions. The best part is that I am learning how to communicate to him the behavior that I want. This has been the most effective dog training I’ve experienced, and I’ve had dogs all my life.
  • Annemarie Perez
    Apr. 7, 2025
    This review is too long coming! My pup Sutti (an 18 month old whoodle (wheaten terrier poodle crossbreed) and I have been working with Clayton from Dog Training Elite for the past five months. In that time she's learned so much. In addition to walking without pulling, sit, lie down, place and other basic commands, she's well on her way to being a psychiatric service dog for my PTSD. She's currently learning how to alert and ground via (DPT - deep pressure therapy) for panic attacks and received her preliminary service dog certification. They've also been flexible about scheduling, something I've appreciated a great deal as my job requires travel and odd hours. My husband and I recommend Dog Training Elite and, especially, Clayton highly.
  • linda rosen
    Apr. 4, 2025
    Clayton is very intuitive and patient with our high energy golden retriever puppy. I have learned a lot about setting boundaries and using commands effectively.
  • Rachel M
    Mar. 20, 2025
    Clayton educated us throughout the whole sessions, was amazing with our dog, overall amazing trainer! He
  • Nutri Steph
    Feb. 21, 2025
    We couldn’t be happier with Dog Elite Training Los Angeles! Our Yorkie Terrier is currently in training to become a service dog, and the experience has been amazing from day one. The trainer Clayton is incredibly knowledgeable, patient, and truly care about the dogs he work with. I was a little unsure at first since Yorkies are small with a big attitude, but Clayton never doubted her potential. They created a training plan tailored to her needs, and we’ve already seen such a huge improvement in her focus, obedience, and ability to perform tasks. It’s been incredible to watch her grow and gain confidence. What I love most is how supportive and hands-on Clayton is. He make sure we understand each step of the process so we can continue the training at home. It’s clear he is passionate about what he do, and it really shows in the results. If you’re looking for expert service dog training in LA, I highly recommend Dog Elite Training. They’ve made such a difference for us, and I’m so excited to see how far our little Yorkie goes!
  • Jorge Sanchez
    Feb. 26, 2025
    Mr. Clayton, from Dog Training Elite, is a class act trainer and person. Im very thankful that my dog TANK, and I are paired up with Mr. Clayton. He is very informative and patient. He gives u step by step instructions(verbal and visual) that are very helpful. 1 to 10 Mr. Clayton = 10 Dog Training Elite Los Angeles =10
  • Christine Krohn
    Feb. 21, 2025
    Clayton is professional, polite and is every knowledgeable. His training techniques are easy to follow.
  • Francisco Ramos
    Feb. 19, 2025
    I cannot recommend Clayton highly enough as a service dog trainer! From day one, his expertise, patience, and dedication were evident. He took the time to understand my specific needs and tailored the training to ensure my dog developed the skills necessary to support me in daily life. At first, I wasn’t sure if my dog could successfully complete the training but I gain confidence after finding that Clayton was the best trainer in my area. Now, my dog has become an incredible partner, providing me with support I never thought possible. If you’re looking for a trainer who is skilled, kind, and truly invested in your success, Clayton is the one to go to. I’m beyond grateful for his guidance and would recommend him to anyone in need of service dog training!
  • Rachael Chan
    Feb. 18, 2025
    Dog Training Elite has been awesome! I had been thinking about getting my 3 year old mini goldendoodle some training for a while now and wish I had started sooner. We have been working with Clayton who has been very knowledgeable and the progress my pup has made after just 4 sessions with him has been incredible! My pup used to always pull on his leash and get overly excited and out of control when interacting with other dogs on walks and that has now completely changed. I look forward to even more progress as we work with Clayton to get my pup trained as a service animal. Definitely recommend Dog Training Elite and Clayton.
  • Franklin Montiel
    Feb. 17, 2025
    Thank you coach Clayton, Sage is still a fun pup but listens, plays, and follows commands like a Champ! Your calm and expert advise has really helped us be better parents to our beautiful 😍 Sage!!💝💝
  • Kimberly Lambert Gibson
    Feb. 12, 2025
    Dog Training Elite has been an incredible experience. Greg met with us to decide which dog would be trainable out of the liter which was very helpful. We were looking for a trainer who could help us train our puppy all the way thru to a service animal. Clayton, our trainer has been amazing working my son and our puppy. He is very respectful and knowledgeable. The puppy is responding beyond our expectations to the training. We are very grateful and highly recommend this company and especially Clayton as a trainer. Thank you!!!