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Classical Conditioning

Salt Lake City Classical Conditioning Dog Trainers

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A dog walking on a leash after finishing a classical conditioning dog training in Salt Lake City, UT.

Dog Training Techniques

Classical Conditioning Dog Training in Salt Lake City, UT

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

Training With An E-Collar

Dog Training Elite Salt Lake City NEVER uses punishments like shock collars to train dogs out of bad behavior. Dog Training Elite in Salt Lake City, UT 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 Salt Lake City classical conditioning dog trainers.

Salt Lake City 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 Salt Lake City 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 Salt Lake City, UT 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 Salt Lake City - Positive Reinforcement Dog Training in Salt Lake City, UT

Positive Reinforcement Training

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Off Leash Training

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A women playing with her service dog in Salt Lake City, UT.

The Dog Training Elite Salt Lake City Difference


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

  • G Lam
    Jul. 21, 2025
    We did the training camp and are now starting the group lessons. The arrangements are not cheap, but the instructors are very helpful and always willing to listen. McCall helped us with additional requests for other commands, especially drop it. We're comfortable with the investment because for the price, we're buying a lifetime of support. ADDENDUM: Meggie came to our house today and did our first in house visit today. She was fantastic - very calm, unrestrained, and our dog took to her quickly. We really alleviated the home visit and will need to work on the homework to ensure things stick.
  • Matthew James
    Oct. 20, 2026
    Could not have had a better experience. What an impressive experience that I had with this team!
  • Rachel Larson
    Oct. 20, 2026
    Meggie was amazing!!! Dog training elite is the only way to go when you need your fur baby to learn some manners.
  • Ashlee Larson
    Oct. 20, 2026
    We already love Meggie!! She quickly warmed up with my dog and us, as people. We cannot wait to start training with her!
  • Tina Roweton
    Oct. 16, 2026
    We are very pleased with the training we got. Jordyn was very helpful with all our questions we had and did a great job. It was a great experience for us and our Benny.
  • Patricia Robello
    Oct. 16, 2026
    He was great and very patient teacher. I would highly recommend to anyone!
  • Kimberly Cubas-Hernandez
    Oct. 10, 2026
    I have been with you Dog Training Elite for a little over a year now. I absolutely love the work they do and the passion they have for wanting to help other dogs owners. My dog can now live his life to the fullest! He used to be so difficult with reactive behaviors. But now he gets to live his best life! Thank you Jeff, Maggie, and Dalin
  • Chris Winrow
    Oct. 10, 2026
    Amazing experience! Excellent attention and patient and able to answer all my questions and give great instructions to me and my dog. My dog had a wonderful time.
  • Ranae Benallie
    Oct. 9, 2026
    My dog Oakley and I have been getting training sessions with Jeff for about 6 weeks and the progress he has made has been wonderful! We still have plenty to go but to look back and see what we've accomplished so far has been so rewarding! I am so glad I decided to reached out to DTE. Thank you Jeff in helping me gain confidence and how to correctly handle Oakley. I highly recommend DTE to anyone interested in training their dog.
  • J-Freh
    Oct. 9, 2026
    Highly recommend! Truly lived up to what I was told. My dogs are so well behaved. Worth every penny.
  • ToNhu Tran
    Oct. 6, 2026
    I have been getting trained by Jeff and Meggie, and they have been awesome! Kambree has been great scheduling for us, too. I've been confident training my dog, and we're feeling wonderful about practicing. Jeff and Meggie are helpful with how to train my dog since he's deaf, and how to train with distractions.
  • Valentina Peres
    Sep. 30, 2026
    Meggie did a good job . She answered all my questions and explained too me all the programs pretty good !! I’m excited to start training on my dogs !
  • Patty Presta
    Mar. 3, 2026
    Every week it is so incredible to see the growth in my dog!!!! Jeff is phenomenal! Caesar Milan can’t hold a candle to this dog whisperer!!!!!!!!!!!! 🙏❤️
  • Isaac Waters
    Sep. 22, 2026
    Meggie was amazing to work with! She was patient, knowledgeable, and friendly to our dog Jazzi. She made the training easy to understand and gave us helpful tips that we can continue using at home. We’re very happy with the results and would definitely recommend Meggie and Dog Training Elite to anyone looking! Thank you.
  • Caleb Bastian
    Jun. 28, 2025
    Meg was so helpful with getting our dog to pass our KGC test truly the best dog training facility ever!!!!!!
  • Amber Young
    Aug. 14, 2025
    Meggie is awesome! My dogs love her and she has been very helpful in guiding us through the best way to train our puppy.
  • Natalie Weller
    Jul. 10, 2025
    Meggie is knowledgeable, patient with our dog,Ollie, friendly, and most of all, went over the behaviors we had started with our dog that weren’t giving us favorable results, without talking down to us. When she left we had a good game plan in place that we could follow and manage.
  • Leticia n James Bollinger
    Apr. 28, 2026
    Absolutely amazing! So patient with all my questions. Very clear with directions and helpful with proper training. Puppy classes were so helpful with the beginning stages of training and getting an amazing foundation in preparation for advanced training.
  • Kristen Gentry
    Sep. 12, 2026
    Jeff and Meggie are amazing. We have only have 3 sessions with them, but our dogs are already doing so much better with their behavior. Jeff and Meggie are so patient, and our dogs love their new friends!
  • Kerrie Brown
    Sep. 4, 2026
    Jeff was very professional, and very good with our big dogs. He explained everything very well, and made us very hopeful for our dogs future training sessions.