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Classical Conditioning

Nashville Classical Conditioning Dog Trainers

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A dog walking on a leash after finishing a classical conditioning dog training in Nashville, TN.

Dog Training Techniques

Classical Conditioning Dog Training in Nashville, TN

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

Training With An E-Collar

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

Nashville 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 Central Nashville 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 Nashville, TN 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 Central Nashville - Positive Reinforcement Dog Training in Nashville, TN

Positive Reinforcement Training

Dog Training Elite Central Nashville - Puppy Obedience Training in Nashville, TN. DTE

Puppy Obedience Training

Dog Training Elite Central Nashville - Off Leash Dog Training in Nashville, TN. DTE

Off Leash Training

Dog Training Elite Central Nashville - Dog Agility Training in Nashville, TN. DTE

Agility Through Basic Obedience Training

A women playing with her service dog in Nashville, TN.

The Dog Training Elite Central Nashville Difference


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

Get Your Free Assessment

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

  • Cameron Simmons
    Jun. 9, 2025
    Montana, Liam and the whole Elite team have been amazing!! Praline and I love working with them!
  • AL C
    Jun. 8, 2025
    I was looking for training for my puppies! My girls were so energetic and jumpy. Very quickly DTE got my pups down and listening! Their pricing is worth every minute they spent training with them. The results are long lasting and guaranteed! Thanks Parker -
  • Ashlynne Kirkland
    Jun. 8, 2025
    Absolutely amazing!! The best dog trainers out there. Definitely money well spent. Parker was a pleasure to work with and he makes sure to pay special attention to detail and will leave you feeling confident in your ability to carry on what they teach. My Blaze went from temperamental to obedient and we have been closer than ever! He no longer gets snippy at people and listens well. I would 1000% recommend.
  • Darin Barber
    Jun. 8, 2025
    Dog Training Elite and Parker helped me take my dog from an anxious wreck to an obedient rockstar. I watched him grow in confidence every time he came to our house for a session. I would definitely recommend their dog training services!
  • Victoria McCullough
    Jun. 8, 2025
    Liam is an excellent trainer! He really helped tailor the lessons to help us better understand and respond to our reactive and sometimes aggressive dog. If you are stressed or frustrated around dog training, highly recommend Dog Training Elite!
  • Avery Profancik
    Jun. 2, 2025
    I loved my experience using Dog Training Elite! My dog used to bark, pull, and jump at other dogs in the house and on walks, and now is so well mannered and obedient. The Dog Training Elite program in Nashville is top tier.
  • Luke Vosti
    Jun. 2, 2025
    Parker is an amazing dog trainer! My dog never listened or obeyed commands but after some patient and diligent work in Nashville my dog no longer feels like a nuisance to take out in public.
  • irelyn willden
    Jun. 2, 2025
    So glad that we decided to do dog training! My dog used to bark at everyone and jump up on them whenever they came in the house but now he has the best manners! He’s so good to guests and really is so much more obedient! Our experience with Dog Training Elite in Nashville was the best and I’m so glad we did it!
  • Abagail Ferguson
    Jun. 2, 2025
    I’m so grateful that my husband and I decided to train my dog with Parker and Dog training elite Nashville! We would try to take our dog for walks which never went well because he would bark and try to chase after other dogs. After training, he now walks right by our sides and doesn’t try to run away or bark.
  • Tanner Wilson
    Jun. 2, 2025
    This place really works. My dog is very obedient now thanks to their program. We struggled with my dogs listening but not anymore. Would recommend
  • Joseph Smith
    Jun. 2, 2025
    Parker with Dog Training Elite has was amazing for my little guy bolt! He was very loud and unpredictable from a pup, but after working with these guys, he was able to calm down and be more loving. Very obedient and only barks in certain circumstances. Very satisfied with the service and price!
  • cheyenne kane
    May. 31, 2025
    Our dog Winston grew and learned so so much with DTE!! Winston was a VERY stubborn dog and they truly were a blessing when it came to working with him and giving him the patience he needed with training. We are grateful they worked with not only him but trained us as well on anything ranging from not pulling on walks, taking things out of peoples hands, bolting out the door, etc. They were very accommodating and listened to ALL of our concerns and absolutely everything was addressed very thoroughly. We had looked into dozens of training centers and I am glad we chose DTE! They set you up for success that goes far after the training sessions end. It has been a pleasure to watch Winston grow from a very scared/anxious dog with resource aggression into a dog who is so confident with himself and has so so much obedience and respect for other people/animals space and boundaries.
  • Remy Rendeiro
    May. 30, 2025
    We did so much research for dog training, and this team is the absolute BEST!!! So incredibly helpful and flexible, and they gave us the attention, tools, and e-collar training we needed to transform our pup Ida into the best dog in the world. We worked with Liam and Parker the most, and they’re amazing—truly so knowledgeable and patient. Everyone here is so kind and experts at what they do, and their results speak for themselves!!! Thank you!!
  • Natalie Watson
    May. 27, 2025
    We've had a great experience with Dog Training Elite! The training has been simple and straightforward and our mini Aussie Ruby has learned so much - we would highly recommend to all of our friends and family!
  • Jim Finley
    May. 27, 2025
    I would definitely recommend this dog training program to anyone. My beagle, Cooper, is a stubborn hound and now he listens to me all of the time and I feel like he is much safer for it. I am so thankful to Parker and his team for delivering such amazing dog training right to my home in the Nashville area.
  • Kim Finley
    May. 27, 2025
    I loved my experience with Parker and Dog Training Elite. I have a beagle named Cooper who would never leave us alone at the dinner table and now he is the most polite little man. I would recommend them to anyone in the Nashville area for dog training
  • Allie Haslam
    May. 26, 2025
    Hiring Dog Training Elite has truly been one of the best decisions we have ever made! Both my Pitbull and German Shepard were out of control. They would jump on guests and bark uncontrollably. Now after training it has made the biggest difference! My dogs now walk on a leash nicely and are so good with guests! If you are looking for a dog trainer in Nashville for sure give them a call! Thank you dog training elite.
  • Reyn Haslam
    May. 26, 2025
    It did not know having a well behaved dog was even possible through training! I thought it was just luck if you got a good dog. My dogs used to be out of control. They would bolt out of the front door, counter surf, and dig in the back yard. Now my dogs are so well behaved. They listen on and off leash, are amazing with guests, and know obedience commands really well. Dog training elite are the best dog trainers in Nashville
  • Michelle Cannon
    May. 20, 2025
    We live in Brentwood, and contacted Dog Training Elite for help with our new puppy!! We have grandchildren and needed some help for our puppy to be able to play nicely with kids. Parker and his team were SO helpful and patient answering all of our questions and completely transforming our dog. My dog now stays by my side on walks, plays nicely with the kids (no biting or barking), stays off of our counters and couches. Our experience was 100/10, we couldn’t recommend Parker and his team at Dog Training Elite enough!!
  • Bailey Burden Kroff
    May. 19, 2025
    Great experience all around! I would recommend to all my friends and family!
  • Cameron Simmons
    Jun. 9, 2025
    Montana, Liam and the whole Elite team have been amazing!! Praline and I love working with them!
  • AL C
    Jun. 8, 2025
    I was looking for training for my puppies! My girls were so energetic and jumpy. Very quickly DTE got my pups down and listening! Their pricing is worth every minute they spent training with them. The results are long lasting and guaranteed! Thanks Parker -
  • Ashlynne Kirkland
    Jun. 8, 2025
    Absolutely amazing!! The best dog trainers out there. Definitely money well spent. Parker was a pleasure to work with and he makes sure to pay special attention to detail and will leave you feeling confident in your ability to carry on what they teach. My Blaze went from temperamental to obedient and we have been closer than ever! He no longer gets snippy at people and listens well. I would 1000% recommend.
  • Darin Barber
    Jun. 8, 2025
    Dog Training Elite and Parker helped me take my dog from an anxious wreck to an obedient rockstar. I watched him grow in confidence every time he came to our house for a session. I would definitely recommend their dog training services!
  • Victoria McCullough
    Jun. 8, 2025
    Liam is an excellent trainer! He really helped tailor the lessons to help us better understand and respond to our reactive and sometimes aggressive dog. If you are stressed or frustrated around dog training, highly recommend Dog Training Elite!
  • Avery Profancik
    Jun. 2, 2025
    I loved my experience using Dog Training Elite! My dog used to bark, pull, and jump at other dogs in the house and on walks, and now is so well mannered and obedient. The Dog Training Elite program in Nashville is top tier.
  • Luke Vosti
    Jun. 2, 2025
    Parker is an amazing dog trainer! My dog never listened or obeyed commands but after some patient and diligent work in Nashville my dog no longer feels like a nuisance to take out in public.
  • irelyn willden
    Jun. 2, 2025
    So glad that we decided to do dog training! My dog used to bark at everyone and jump up on them whenever they came in the house but now he has the best manners! He’s so good to guests and really is so much more obedient! Our experience with Dog Training Elite in Nashville was the best and I’m so glad we did it!
  • Abagail Ferguson
    Jun. 2, 2025
    I’m so grateful that my husband and I decided to train my dog with Parker and Dog training elite Nashville! We would try to take our dog for walks which never went well because he would bark and try to chase after other dogs. After training, he now walks right by our sides and doesn’t try to run away or bark.
  • Tanner Wilson
    Jun. 2, 2025
    This place really works. My dog is very obedient now thanks to their program. We struggled with my dogs listening but not anymore. Would recommend
  • Joseph Smith
    Jun. 2, 2025
    Parker with Dog Training Elite has was amazing for my little guy bolt! He was very loud and unpredictable from a pup, but after working with these guys, he was able to calm down and be more loving. Very obedient and only barks in certain circumstances. Very satisfied with the service and price!
  • cheyenne kane
    May. 31, 2025
    Our dog Winston grew and learned so so much with DTE!! Winston was a VERY stubborn dog and they truly were a blessing when it came to working with him and giving him the patience he needed with training. We are grateful they worked with not only him but trained us as well on anything ranging from not pulling on walks, taking things out of peoples hands, bolting out the door, etc. They were very accommodating and listened to ALL of our concerns and absolutely everything was addressed very thoroughly. We had looked into dozens of training centers and I am glad we chose DTE! They set you up for success that goes far after the training sessions end. It has been a pleasure to watch Winston grow from a very scared/anxious dog with resource aggression into a dog who is so confident with himself and has so so much obedience and respect for other people/animals space and boundaries.
  • Remy Rendeiro
    May. 30, 2025
    We did so much research for dog training, and this team is the absolute BEST!!! So incredibly helpful and flexible, and they gave us the attention, tools, and e-collar training we needed to transform our pup Ida into the best dog in the world. We worked with Liam and Parker the most, and they’re amazing—truly so knowledgeable and patient. Everyone here is so kind and experts at what they do, and their results speak for themselves!!! Thank you!!
  • Natalie Watson
    May. 27, 2025
    We've had a great experience with Dog Training Elite! The training has been simple and straightforward and our mini Aussie Ruby has learned so much - we would highly recommend to all of our friends and family!
  • Jim Finley
    May. 27, 2025
    I would definitely recommend this dog training program to anyone. My beagle, Cooper, is a stubborn hound and now he listens to me all of the time and I feel like he is much safer for it. I am so thankful to Parker and his team for delivering such amazing dog training right to my home in the Nashville area.
  • Kim Finley
    May. 27, 2025
    I loved my experience with Parker and Dog Training Elite. I have a beagle named Cooper who would never leave us alone at the dinner table and now he is the most polite little man. I would recommend them to anyone in the Nashville area for dog training
  • Allie Haslam
    May. 26, 2025
    Hiring Dog Training Elite has truly been one of the best decisions we have ever made! Both my Pitbull and German Shepard were out of control. They would jump on guests and bark uncontrollably. Now after training it has made the biggest difference! My dogs now walk on a leash nicely and are so good with guests! If you are looking for a dog trainer in Nashville for sure give them a call! Thank you dog training elite.
  • Reyn Haslam
    May. 26, 2025
    It did not know having a well behaved dog was even possible through training! I thought it was just luck if you got a good dog. My dogs used to be out of control. They would bolt out of the front door, counter surf, and dig in the back yard. Now my dogs are so well behaved. They listen on and off leash, are amazing with guests, and know obedience commands really well. Dog training elite are the best dog trainers in Nashville
  • Michelle Cannon
    May. 20, 2025
    We live in Brentwood, and contacted Dog Training Elite for help with our new puppy!! We have grandchildren and needed some help for our puppy to be able to play nicely with kids. Parker and his team were SO helpful and patient answering all of our questions and completely transforming our dog. My dog now stays by my side on walks, plays nicely with the kids (no biting or barking), stays off of our counters and couches. Our experience was 100/10, we couldn’t recommend Parker and his team at Dog Training Elite enough!!
  • Bailey Burden Kroff
    May. 19, 2025
    Great experience all around! I would recommend to all my friends and family!