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Classical Conditioning

Dog Training Elite Salt Lake City

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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.

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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!

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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See An Elite Dog in Action

Hear From Our Customers

Learn Why Dog owners choose Dog Training Elite

  • Brikelle Thacker
    May. 9, 2025
    They gave so much information and so very well wroded. The positivity and up going. They are amazing.
  • Derek Montilla
    May. 7, 2025
    she is so sweet and help me understood my dog feelings. I'm looking forward to work with her.
  • TERRY LEBER
    May. 1, 2025
    Excellent presentation. We look forward to the training program. Jeff was great at explaining the program and demonstrating with his dog. We are excited to get started.Dallin did a great job training our Duke. He was exhausted after his first session 😊
  • Judy Mahoskey
    May. 6, 2025
    Jeff gave us confidence that the training program will work for our lab! His attitude was very positive, and, after he demonstrated some behaviors with his own dog and showed us the collar used, we felt sure this was the right place for Ruby! We like the combination of at-home and in class training and the option for spot checks and help down the road.
  • Stephen Trujillo
    May. 2, 2025
    Dillan was absolutely a wealth of knowledge and extremely friendly. We ended up signing up our dogs and can't wait to get them board and trained. I will leave and updated review after the 2 weeklong classes and the group classes.
  • Janet Mitchell
    May. 2, 2025
    McCall, Meggie and Jeff are wonderful. McCall has the patience of a Saint. Meni loves them and has "happy butt" wiggles for them. Thank you all so much!
  • Shelley Mark Wright (Shell)
    May. 1, 2025
    Dog Training Elite were wonderful trainers and I would recommend them to anyone who loves their dog. Our little one year old miniature Shih Tzu weighs 4.2 pounds and we were scared that he might not get the help he needed. And, it seemed very expensive to us. BUT, not only did he get the best help but the price now seems very reasonable for what we have gained. I highly recommend this training to anyone who wants their dog trained. These people LOVE dogs and it shows!!
  • Diane Bradford
    Apr. 30, 2025
    I’m in love with this trainer! Puppy and I learned loads in first hour together. Excited for more!
  • Devin Stika
    Apr. 28, 2025
    McCall took such good care of Kronk, in two weeks they fixed issues I've been working on and struggling with for years. Highly recommend
  • Brandon Olsen
    Apr. 24, 2025
    Meggie came to our home to do a consultation with our Golden Retriever puppy, Goose, and she was amazing! She answered all of our questions and helped us figure out the best plan for our puppy and our goals! She was straightforward and open about the services DTE offered.
  • Tj Franks
    Jan. 28, 2025
    Meggie is absolutely the best, Dexter and I are doing so much better. She’s very knowledgeable along with her personality she makes a great trainer. I recommend Elite and Meggie if you need a professional dog trainer. Thank you Meggie I look forward to out continued training!!!
  • Ashley Pacheco
    Dec. 5, 2024
    I would like to express my sincere appreciation for McCall and all of the trainers at DTE. They have been truly amazing with our dog, Alfie. Thanks to their dedication and expertise, he is well on his way to becoming the ideal dog we have always envisioned. We absolutely love the programs offered, and we are especially grateful for the kindness, clear communication, and support provided to help everyone achieve their goals. Thank you for your outstanding work!
  • Jennifer Coyle
    Apr. 18, 2025
    Dallin was energetic, positive, and confident that he can help us with our pup. We’re excited for her training g to begin
  • Tamara Castellano
    Apr. 15, 2025
    We’re training our black lab puppy with Dog Training Elite and they are wonderful. Their in-home training, especially with Meggie, has been so helpful. Having that 1:1 time with a trainer and our dog is invaluable. I can’t recommend them enough!
  • Larry Benson
    Mar. 26, 2025
    Meggie was a perfect fit for our 16 week wild man, and for us, and Jeff is a master! Thank you both for everything you do.
  • Jon Pardue
    Apr. 12, 2025
    Meggie did a fantastic job! She was very concise and encouraging to both me and my dog. She was very calming and my dog took to her VERY quickly! Meggie is an awesome trainer!
  • Maddie Rooklidge
    Apr. 11, 2025
    It was great meeting Jeff during our free in-home evaluation. He arrived right on time and immediately made both us and our dog feel comfortable during the meet and greet. We really appreciated his nonjudgmental approach, especially as we work through a few challenges with our 10 year old dog, who isn’t always the most obedient. Jeff’s calm and understanding demeanor made a big impression on us.
  • Emily Fintak
    Feb. 11, 2025
    Move over Cesar Millan—Utah has its own Dog Whisperer, and his name is Jeff Slack! Jeff, Meggie, and the entire team at Dog Training Elite are absolute rockstars. From day one, they were hands-on, knowledgeable, and incredibly supportive. Every trainer we worked with was excellent and truly passionate about helping both dogs and their humans succeed. They didn’t just train our dog—they gave us the tools to help her grow into a happy, confident, and well-behaved member of our family. Huge thank you to everyone at DTE!
  • Meghan Allen
    Apr. 10, 2025
    Dallin is above and beyond! You can tell he is a true dog lover, and someone who will ACTUALLY make a difference in a dogs life. Within 30 minutes, I knew that this was the company to train my little dog and hopefully get him on the way to service training.
  • Mike Zundel
    Mar. 5, 2025
    Meggie works very well with Brody. She loves her work and is has been fantastic with our dog. Highly recommend.
  • Brikelle Thacker
    May. 9, 2025
    They gave so much information and so very well wroded. The positivity and up going. They are amazing.
  • Derek Montilla
    May. 7, 2025
    she is so sweet and help me understood my dog feelings. I'm looking forward to work with her.
  • TERRY LEBER
    May. 1, 2025
    Excellent presentation. We look forward to the training program. Jeff was great at explaining the program and demonstrating with his dog. We are excited to get started.Dallin did a great job training our Duke. He was exhausted after his first session 😊
  • Judy Mahoskey
    May. 6, 2025
    Jeff gave us confidence that the training program will work for our lab! His attitude was very positive, and, after he demonstrated some behaviors with his own dog and showed us the collar used, we felt sure this was the right place for Ruby! We like the combination of at-home and in class training and the option for spot checks and help down the road.
  • Stephen Trujillo
    May. 2, 2025
    Dillan was absolutely a wealth of knowledge and extremely friendly. We ended up signing up our dogs and can't wait to get them board and trained. I will leave and updated review after the 2 weeklong classes and the group classes.
  • Janet Mitchell
    May. 2, 2025
    McCall, Meggie and Jeff are wonderful. McCall has the patience of a Saint. Meni loves them and has "happy butt" wiggles for them. Thank you all so much!
  • Shelley Mark Wright (Shell)
    May. 1, 2025
    Dog Training Elite were wonderful trainers and I would recommend them to anyone who loves their dog. Our little one year old miniature Shih Tzu weighs 4.2 pounds and we were scared that he might not get the help he needed. And, it seemed very expensive to us. BUT, not only did he get the best help but the price now seems very reasonable for what we have gained. I highly recommend this training to anyone who wants their dog trained. These people LOVE dogs and it shows!!
  • Diane Bradford
    Apr. 30, 2025
    I’m in love with this trainer! Puppy and I learned loads in first hour together. Excited for more!
  • Devin Stika
    Apr. 28, 2025
    McCall took such good care of Kronk, in two weeks they fixed issues I've been working on and struggling with for years. Highly recommend
  • Brandon Olsen
    Apr. 24, 2025
    Meggie came to our home to do a consultation with our Golden Retriever puppy, Goose, and she was amazing! She answered all of our questions and helped us figure out the best plan for our puppy and our goals! She was straightforward and open about the services DTE offered.
  • Tj Franks
    Jan. 28, 2025
    Meggie is absolutely the best, Dexter and I are doing so much better. She’s very knowledgeable along with her personality she makes a great trainer. I recommend Elite and Meggie if you need a professional dog trainer. Thank you Meggie I look forward to out continued training!!!
  • Ashley Pacheco
    Dec. 5, 2024
    I would like to express my sincere appreciation for McCall and all of the trainers at DTE. They have been truly amazing with our dog, Alfie. Thanks to their dedication and expertise, he is well on his way to becoming the ideal dog we have always envisioned. We absolutely love the programs offered, and we are especially grateful for the kindness, clear communication, and support provided to help everyone achieve their goals. Thank you for your outstanding work!
  • Jennifer Coyle
    Apr. 18, 2025
    Dallin was energetic, positive, and confident that he can help us with our pup. We’re excited for her training g to begin
  • Tamara Castellano
    Apr. 15, 2025
    We’re training our black lab puppy with Dog Training Elite and they are wonderful. Their in-home training, especially with Meggie, has been so helpful. Having that 1:1 time with a trainer and our dog is invaluable. I can’t recommend them enough!
  • Larry Benson
    Mar. 26, 2025
    Meggie was a perfect fit for our 16 week wild man, and for us, and Jeff is a master! Thank you both for everything you do.
  • Jon Pardue
    Apr. 12, 2025
    Meggie did a fantastic job! She was very concise and encouraging to both me and my dog. She was very calming and my dog took to her VERY quickly! Meggie is an awesome trainer!
  • Maddie Rooklidge
    Apr. 11, 2025
    It was great meeting Jeff during our free in-home evaluation. He arrived right on time and immediately made both us and our dog feel comfortable during the meet and greet. We really appreciated his nonjudgmental approach, especially as we work through a few challenges with our 10 year old dog, who isn’t always the most obedient. Jeff’s calm and understanding demeanor made a big impression on us.
  • Emily Fintak
    Feb. 11, 2025
    Move over Cesar Millan—Utah has its own Dog Whisperer, and his name is Jeff Slack! Jeff, Meggie, and the entire team at Dog Training Elite are absolute rockstars. From day one, they were hands-on, knowledgeable, and incredibly supportive. Every trainer we worked with was excellent and truly passionate about helping both dogs and their humans succeed. They didn’t just train our dog—they gave us the tools to help her grow into a happy, confident, and well-behaved member of our family. Huge thank you to everyone at DTE!
  • Meghan Allen
    Apr. 10, 2025
    Dallin is above and beyond! You can tell he is a true dog lover, and someone who will ACTUALLY make a difference in a dogs life. Within 30 minutes, I knew that this was the company to train my little dog and hopefully get him on the way to service training.
  • Mike Zundel
    Mar. 5, 2025
    Meggie works very well with Brody. She loves her work and is has been fantastic with our dog. Highly recommend.