Positive Reinforcement vs. Punishment

Dog Training Elite Salt Lake City

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Positive Dog Training Techniques

Positive Reinforcement Dog Training in Salt Lake City, UT

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 than training that incorporates punishment for bad behavior.

Positive reinforcement dog training in Salt Lake City, UT works because dogs are inherently eager to please. Rewarding your dog for good behavior helps create a deep, loving relationship with your dog built on trust, as opposed to one built on fear of punishment. The difference between a dog who has been trained to obey out of fear of being punished vs. a dog who learns to obey through a positive, loving bond with their owner is huge.

Dog Training Elite Salt Lake City trainers use treats as an initial reward for puppies and dogs learning commands. When the trainer is absent, or you’re in between obedience classes, you can continue to use treats as a reward for your dog when they exhibit a desired behavior. Dogs tend to be highly food-motivated, so this is an extremely useful tool. You can also reward your dog with a play session, take them to the dog park or anything else you know your dog enjoys. After all, you know your dog best!

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Dog Training Elite Salt Lake City

Your Questions Answered

Positive reinforcement training is a widely used and highly effective method for teaching dogs new behaviors while strengthening the bond between you and your pet. Below, we've answered some common questions about how this training approach works and why it's beneficial for all dog breeds.

Positive reinforcement training rewards dogs for good behavior with treats, praise, or play, encouraging them to repeat those behaviors. It focuses on creating a positive association with desired actions, making training enjoyable and effective for your dog.
Positive reinforcement builds trust and strengthens the bond between you and your dog. By rewarding desired behavior, your dog is more motivated to learn and respond willingly, whereas punishment can create fear and anxiety, hindering learning and damaging the relationship.
Yes, positive reinforcement training is effective for all dog breeds. Since it relies on rewarding good behavior, dogs of all breeds, sizes, and temperaments can respond well, making it a flexible and universally beneficial training method.
A white poodle smiling at one of our Salt Lake City positive reinforcement dog trainers.

Salt Lake City Positive Reinforcement Dog Trainers

Dog Training Elite Salt Lake City

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As for not worrying about bad behavior – it may feel strange to act like everything is fine when your dog chews on your shoes, or goes to the bathroom inside your home. But focusing on rewarding good behavior and forgoing punishment for bad behavior is more successful in the long run.

Relying on punishment for errors and “low value” rewards, such as praise or petting are long held “traditional” methods for dog training. Punishments like flicking a dog’s nose, shocking them with a shock collar, or anything else that may cause a dog pain are unfortunately still in use today by many dog trainers.

Not only is it inhumane, but 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 — where the owner can’t find them.

Punishment training also damages the relationship between dog and owner. Dogs do not understand right and wrong. Instead of associating punishment with a specific behavior they learn to avoid, as with the bathroom example, they instead learn to live in constant fear of punishment. This prevents owners from bonding with their dogs in a meaningful way.

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FAQs

One of our trainers will visit your home to meet you and your dog and discuss any issues you're facing. We will then demonstrate one of our model dogs so you can see what you can expect after hiring our trainers. From there, we will discuss the various packages we offer and which we feel best suit your (and your dog's) needs.
We provide full obedience training that covers all basic commands, both on and off-leash. Our in-home visits target specific issues like counter-surfing, digging, and more. Unlike some trainers, we work with all breeds, including those often considered challenging.
Yes. You (and anyone in your family who wants to be involved) are integral to your dog getting trained. We need you to practice 5-6 days a week, about 15-20 minutes a day for optimal results.
Once a week. We come to you (with the silver, gold and platinum packages) once a week to start your dog off, then you come to park sessions which are held once a week in Salt Lake City.
We train dogs of all breeds, sizes, and temperaments. Whether your dog is a tiny Chihuahua or a large Mastiff, we have the experience and expertise to work with them.
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The Dog Training Elite Salt Lake City Difference


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Dog Training Elite Salt Lake City uses modern training methods focused on positive dog training using reinforcement and bonding you and your dog. Our trainers in Salt Lake City, UT 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. The electronic collar is not a shock collar and never used to punish bad behavior. Instead, it produces a sensation like the gentle tug of a leash, and is used to help recapture the attention of a dog who gets distracted.

Dog Training Elite Salt Lake City’s method of focusing on positive behavior reinforcement nurtures a dog's loving and naturally obedient nature. The method is the same regardless of the situation, whether training a puppy, an older dog or a service dog. The positive reinforcement dog training in Salt Lake City, UT ensures training is a success no matter what your dog’s behavior. If you have a brand new puppy who is stubborn and smart, or an older dog who has slipped into bad habits – or perhaps never learned – after proper conditioning and working with Dog Training Elite Salt Lake City, when you say “sit,” your dog will automatically sit without thinking about it.

Dog Training Elite Salt Lake City offers specialized in-home training services so your dog gets the attention and training he or she needs, and you learn alongside them so training continues when the trainer leaves. Dog Training Elite in Salt Lake City, UT also offers group classes for dogs who are ready to take obedience training to the next level, and service training programs for a variety of needs.

If you’re looking to train a service dog, or just looking for a loyal four-legged companion, Dog Training Elite in Salt Lake City, UT will help you get there with our positive dog training. You can get started 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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Learn Why Dog owners choose Dog Training Elite

  • Vicki Henderson
    Dec. 5, 2024
    Dallin does a very good job and has made a huge amount of progress with our dog. Our dog now heels well on walks! He sits and downs reliably and has made enormous progress on placing in his bed despite being excited to see visitors.
  • Ashley Pacheco
    Dec. 5, 2024
    Jeff was great with the demo. We’re excited to get started.
  • Observer 1
    Dec. 5, 2024
    All of our dogs have been trained by DTE and Jeff. We appreciate DTE support.
  • CYNDE ROW
    Oct. 1, 2024
    Meggie & Dallin is always so informative and an excellent dog trainer!
  • Brandon Isenhour
    Dec. 4, 2024
    Amazing results so much faster than I could have hoped for!
  • Johnathan Taylor
    Dec. 3, 2024
    Best training decision I have EVER made! Worth every cent.
  • Kristina Georgelas
    Nov. 30, 2024
    So great in explaining the behaviors and what to look for with my puppy.
  • Melanie
    Nov. 13, 2024
    She did a good job with carl
  • Davey Walbeck
    Nov. 20, 2024
    Great talking with the trainer and I'm excited to learn and grow with my pup
  • Erin Swanson
    Nov. 19, 2024
    We love him. He is so knowledgeable and fun to train with!
  • odalys zarate
    Nov. 20, 2024
    He’s a great. 10/10
  • Rachel Parent
    Sep. 27, 2024
    11/16 - Meggie came to our home as a part of our Berners completing their 2 week classes in Sandy. We are so happy that the in-home lessons are with trainers familiar to the dogs (dogs familiar to trainers and trainer familiar with dogs). The dogs did great - and our skills were reinforced as well! Dog Training Elite has been a great investment!
  • Lauren Carpenter DeVoe
    Nov. 3, 2024
    Jeff is amazing! I can tell he loves my dog and he is so great at teaching not only our pup but us, too! And now that we’ve met Meggie, we can’t wait for both of their classes!
  • Laura Uhle
    Oct. 1, 2024
    These guys are wonderful and I am so grateful to have them training my sweet girl right now. I've had a lot of extra requests and they've taken care of my needs above and beyond thus far. I expect to continue to work with them on an ongoing basis and other our other dog soon!! Thumbs up for Jake, McCall, Meggie, and Oakley as well as Jeff, who did some home training with us earlier this year and is now diligently working on training me to be a better and more consistent handler High five ✋ to these guys!! I'm going to enroll my other pup very soon in the advanced training:) Thanks again, Laura Uhle
  • Moises Hernandez
    Nov. 14, 2024
    Jeff is an excellent dog trainer we are very happy with the way he handles our dog he is very patient and loving yet firm with our dog we have seen a 100% improvement in our dogs behavior and I look forward the the group sessions that he puts on because our dog has learned so much from those classes I highly recommend Jeff he is an excellent dog trainer
  • Irene Kondos
    Nov. 14, 2024
    Meggie is awesome and my dog loves her! She is very patient and calm in her coaching style and demeanor.
  • Bob
    Nov. 6, 2024
    He explained the different programs available. What I could expect to happen. Loved his and Baba’s connection.
  • Suzanne Bray
    Nov. 6, 2024
    Jeff has been wonderful to work with! Always on time. Explains what each session will include and trains us so we can properly train the dog! Haha! We are excited to start group classes and keep going on our training! We have noticed a big difference in our dogs behavior and she’s even become more cuddly if that was possible.
  • Kari Bide
    Nov. 1, 2024
    We and our pup have had a great experience with McCall and Maggie and Dog Training Elite. We have an anxious and sometimes a stubborn little man and they took their time to work with him where he was at and help him grow. I am so grateful for McCall and Maggie they are both amazing trainers and really helped us at pick up to make sure we were all on the same page and his training continued at home. By the end of his first week out pup was excited for drop off to see his trainers and his fur friends. We excited to continue working with dog training elite with their in-home and group trainings in the future.
  • Josh B
    Oct. 30, 2024
    Had a great experience with Dog Training Elite. McCall was the main trainer for Daisy and the transformation we saw in just a couple weeks was incredible. She made sure to address all the concerns I had with Daisy. All the trainers that we worked with were great and super friendly. I would absolutely recommend people here.