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Classical Conditioning

Dog Training Elite

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A dog walking on a leash after finishing a classical conditioning dog training.

Dog Training Techniques

Classical Conditioning Dog Training

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

Training With An E-Collar

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

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 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 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 - Positive Reinforcement Dog Training. DTE
Positive Reinforcement Training
Dog Training Elite - Puppy Obedience Training. DTE
Puppy Obedience Training
Dog Training Elite - Off Leash Dog Training. Dog Training Elite
Off Leash Training
Dog Training Elite - Dog Agility Training Through Basic Obedience. Dog Training Elite
Agility Through Basic Obedience Training
A women playing with her service dog.

The Dog Training Elite Difference


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

  • Eddie Buford
    Apr. 29, 2025
    Brad was an excellent choice for training Piper. He was very knowledgeable and patient with Piper and us. I would recommend him to anyone but his services.
  • Der Moua
    Apr. 29, 2025
    Working with Jaime was truly a game changer for us and our puppy, Buster. From the very beginning, Jaime went above and beyond in every single session. Before we started training, we felt a bit overwhelmed and honestly pretty hopeless. Buster is a smart pup, but we knew we had a long road ahead. That all changed after our very first consultation. Jaime immediately put us at ease with his confidence, knowledge, and clear love for what he does. He took the time to explain exactly how the training would work, step by step, and tailored the sessions to our goals. As the sessions went on, we were blown away by the progress we were making. It wasn’t just about teaching Buster commands — Jaime helped us build a foundation of trust, communication, and understanding with our dog. The transformation was incredible. By the end of our one on one sessions, we had a totally different dog, not only better behaved, but genuinely happier and more connected with us. And as dog owners, we feel so much more confident and empowered, too. What stood out most is Jaime’s passion for his work. It’s not just a job for him, it’s a calling. He’s deeply committed, patient, and genuinely cares about every dog and family he works with. That kind of dedication is rare and so appreciated. Thank you, Jaime, for helping us bring out the best version of Buster and ourselves as dog owners. We truly can’t recommend you enough!!!
  • Brandie Campbell
    Nov. 29, 2024
    Received excellent training. They were patient and any concerns were resolved immediately. I would recommend to everyone. I enjoyed that they came to my home and I was able to bond even more with my service dog!
  • Apryl Williams
    Apr. 29, 2025
    Cody has been our public access trainer through Dog Training Elite, and he’s been an essential part of Eevee’s journey to becoming an autism service dog for our 4-year-old son. From navigating busy stores to helping us prepare for real-life scenarios, Cody’s calm, confident approach has made every session valuable and effective. He’s professional, knowledgeable, and always willing to go the extra mile to make sure both Eevee and our family are comfortable and confident. It’s clear that he truly cares and is passionate about helping families like ours succeed. He’s not just a trainer—he’s become a trusted part of our support team, and we’re so thankful for the role he’s played in Eevee’s progress. If you’re in the OKC area and need a top-notch trainer who gets it, Cody is your guy!
  • Carmen McKinley
    Apr. 29, 2025
    Montana was extremely professional, very nice, friendly and LOVES DOGS! She was very helpful from our first training session on. I look forward in seeing how she can help in so many ways with my new puppy!!
  • Paula L
    Apr. 29, 2025
    Excellent training program. We shared our goals with Kristin and David, and they worked with us in making those goals happen.
  • Baylea Maxwell
    Apr. 29, 2025
    I cannot say enough amazing things about Dog Training Elite. I was really nervous to sign up for the service dog program. Kristin has been here for us every step of the way. From assisting me in picking out the correct breed and temperament for what I needed to answering my frantic text messages in between training sessions. She has been amazing. I would highly recommend this program.
  • Apryl Williams
    Apr. 29, 2025
    We’ve had such a great experience with Dog Training Elite as they’ve been working with our dog, Eevee, to become an autism service dog for our 4-year-old son. From day one, they’ve been incredibly detailed, professional, and compassionate. They truly understand the unique needs of families with children on the spectrum and have tailored Eevee’s training to support our son in the best way possible. Kristin and David have been absolutely amazing. They’re patient, knowledgeable, and genuinely passionate about what they do. They’ve taken the time to explain everything clearly and always show up with encouragement and support. We’ve seen such real progress in Eevee’s skills and behavior, and it’s been incredible to see the bond growing between her and our son. If you’re looking for dedicated trainers who go above and beyond—especially for autism-related service training—Kristin, David, and the Dog Training Elite team are the ones to call!
  • courtneyhotnblazing
    Apr. 29, 2025
    Just the best! My dog Charlie brown loved the training
  • Tracy Coletti
    Apr. 29, 2025
    Very knowledgeable trainers! They corrected many things other trainers had us doing wrong. I would highly recommend.
  • K Crosley
    Apr. 28, 2025
    I really appreciate Elijah from Dog Training Elite as he has helped me so much in training my puppy. I love the program DTE offered me and get so many compliments on how well mannered my puppy is. My neighbors have been very complimentary on my puppys progress too!!! Program well put together with concise directions from my trainer. If i have questions in between sessions I can reach out to my trainer which has been wonderful. They worked with me in personalizing sessions as needed to address any concerns or problems I had in training my puppy. Group classes review and reinforce what has been learned in individual sessions. A great help. Elijah is truly a dog whisperer!!!!
  • Shelly Killian
    Apr. 28, 2025
    Totally happy with fabulous trainer. He was patient and explained things well and did a great job working with my German Shepherd, who has been going through a lot of adjustments since our recent move to the area.
  • Elizabeth Underwood
    Apr. 28, 2025
    Very knowledgeable and kind person
  • 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
  • Corinne B.
    Apr. 27, 2025
    When we hired Dog Training Elite, we were in desperate need of help. Despite being a dachshund owner for almost 20 years, a new baby added a differently level of stress. Our doxies Otto and Ollie were gentle with the new baby, but so very territorial with incessant barking anytime they heard a delivery truck or when visitors stopped by, often waking the baby from precious sleep time. Betsy and her team were the salve to our situation. The team worked with our schedule, were extremely patient, and gave us the tools we needed to be successful with our doxies. They brought experience, knowledge and professionalism to every conversation and meeting. We are so grateful to Betsy and her team! Our baby is sleeping soundly again!
  • Saydi
    Apr. 27, 2025
    Mary has been training my sister's Aussie mix (Daisey) as a service dog. I have the privilege to watch and learn as well; Mary is AMAZING at what she does. Mary is very good at explaining what she is doing/why she is doing it with the dog(s). She comes to our home to train and we have attended a couple training classes in Madison, which is so fun to watch and learn! I would 100% recommend Mary for obedience and/or service animal training. It is absolutely worth it!
  • Ron Martin
    Mar. 10, 2025
    Today My dog Nova and I did our Public Access Test. Our trainer Renee Juliano a highly trained Dog Handler with Dog Training Elite. This test is to ensure that dogs that have public access are stable. The Bottom Line of this test is that Nova demonstrates she is safe to be in public and that I demonstrates I has control of Nova at all times. Our final Result was "Pass." Renee is a valuable quality skill in her trade nothing but the best.
  • Jane flink
    Apr. 26, 2025
    Professional and informative
  • Nicole Johnson
    Apr. 26, 2025
    Tiffany, from the Fitchburg branch, is great to work with. She is informative, patient, and kind. Tiffany was very thorough explaining and modeling training techniques. We're looking forward to working with her again.
  • Michelle Cronk
    Apr. 7, 2025
    Carol listened to our situation and explained how things work. Looking forward to working with her with our pups. Update: 4/26 first training session for both puppies and it has already made a HUGE impact 💙
  • Eddie Buford
    Apr. 29, 2025
    Brad was an excellent choice for training Piper. He was very knowledgeable and patient with Piper and us. I would recommend him to anyone but his services.
  • Der Moua
    Apr. 29, 2025
    Working with Jaime was truly a game changer for us and our puppy, Buster. From the very beginning, Jaime went above and beyond in every single session. Before we started training, we felt a bit overwhelmed and honestly pretty hopeless. Buster is a smart pup, but we knew we had a long road ahead. That all changed after our very first consultation. Jaime immediately put us at ease with his confidence, knowledge, and clear love for what he does. He took the time to explain exactly how the training would work, step by step, and tailored the sessions to our goals. As the sessions went on, we were blown away by the progress we were making. It wasn’t just about teaching Buster commands — Jaime helped us build a foundation of trust, communication, and understanding with our dog. The transformation was incredible. By the end of our one on one sessions, we had a totally different dog, not only better behaved, but genuinely happier and more connected with us. And as dog owners, we feel so much more confident and empowered, too. What stood out most is Jaime’s passion for his work. It’s not just a job for him, it’s a calling. He’s deeply committed, patient, and genuinely cares about every dog and family he works with. That kind of dedication is rare and so appreciated. Thank you, Jaime, for helping us bring out the best version of Buster and ourselves as dog owners. We truly can’t recommend you enough!!!
  • Brandie Campbell
    Nov. 29, 2024
    Received excellent training. They were patient and any concerns were resolved immediately. I would recommend to everyone. I enjoyed that they came to my home and I was able to bond even more with my service dog!
  • Apryl Williams
    Apr. 29, 2025
    Cody has been our public access trainer through Dog Training Elite, and he’s been an essential part of Eevee’s journey to becoming an autism service dog for our 4-year-old son. From navigating busy stores to helping us prepare for real-life scenarios, Cody’s calm, confident approach has made every session valuable and effective. He’s professional, knowledgeable, and always willing to go the extra mile to make sure both Eevee and our family are comfortable and confident. It’s clear that he truly cares and is passionate about helping families like ours succeed. He’s not just a trainer—he’s become a trusted part of our support team, and we’re so thankful for the role he’s played in Eevee’s progress. If you’re in the OKC area and need a top-notch trainer who gets it, Cody is your guy!
  • Carmen McKinley
    Apr. 29, 2025
    Montana was extremely professional, very nice, friendly and LOVES DOGS! She was very helpful from our first training session on. I look forward in seeing how she can help in so many ways with my new puppy!!
  • Paula L
    Apr. 29, 2025
    Excellent training program. We shared our goals with Kristin and David, and they worked with us in making those goals happen.
  • Baylea Maxwell
    Apr. 29, 2025
    I cannot say enough amazing things about Dog Training Elite. I was really nervous to sign up for the service dog program. Kristin has been here for us every step of the way. From assisting me in picking out the correct breed and temperament for what I needed to answering my frantic text messages in between training sessions. She has been amazing. I would highly recommend this program.
  • Apryl Williams
    Apr. 29, 2025
    We’ve had such a great experience with Dog Training Elite as they’ve been working with our dog, Eevee, to become an autism service dog for our 4-year-old son. From day one, they’ve been incredibly detailed, professional, and compassionate. They truly understand the unique needs of families with children on the spectrum and have tailored Eevee’s training to support our son in the best way possible. Kristin and David have been absolutely amazing. They’re patient, knowledgeable, and genuinely passionate about what they do. They’ve taken the time to explain everything clearly and always show up with encouragement and support. We’ve seen such real progress in Eevee’s skills and behavior, and it’s been incredible to see the bond growing between her and our son. If you’re looking for dedicated trainers who go above and beyond—especially for autism-related service training—Kristin, David, and the Dog Training Elite team are the ones to call!
  • courtneyhotnblazing
    Apr. 29, 2025
    Just the best! My dog Charlie brown loved the training
  • Tracy Coletti
    Apr. 29, 2025
    Very knowledgeable trainers! They corrected many things other trainers had us doing wrong. I would highly recommend.
  • K Crosley
    Apr. 28, 2025
    I really appreciate Elijah from Dog Training Elite as he has helped me so much in training my puppy. I love the program DTE offered me and get so many compliments on how well mannered my puppy is. My neighbors have been very complimentary on my puppys progress too!!! Program well put together with concise directions from my trainer. If i have questions in between sessions I can reach out to my trainer which has been wonderful. They worked with me in personalizing sessions as needed to address any concerns or problems I had in training my puppy. Group classes review and reinforce what has been learned in individual sessions. A great help. Elijah is truly a dog whisperer!!!!
  • Shelly Killian
    Apr. 28, 2025
    Totally happy with fabulous trainer. He was patient and explained things well and did a great job working with my German Shepherd, who has been going through a lot of adjustments since our recent move to the area.
  • Elizabeth Underwood
    Apr. 28, 2025
    Very knowledgeable and kind person
  • 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
  • Corinne B.
    Apr. 27, 2025
    When we hired Dog Training Elite, we were in desperate need of help. Despite being a dachshund owner for almost 20 years, a new baby added a differently level of stress. Our doxies Otto and Ollie were gentle with the new baby, but so very territorial with incessant barking anytime they heard a delivery truck or when visitors stopped by, often waking the baby from precious sleep time. Betsy and her team were the salve to our situation. The team worked with our schedule, were extremely patient, and gave us the tools we needed to be successful with our doxies. They brought experience, knowledge and professionalism to every conversation and meeting. We are so grateful to Betsy and her team! Our baby is sleeping soundly again!
  • Saydi
    Apr. 27, 2025
    Mary has been training my sister's Aussie mix (Daisey) as a service dog. I have the privilege to watch and learn as well; Mary is AMAZING at what she does. Mary is very good at explaining what she is doing/why she is doing it with the dog(s). She comes to our home to train and we have attended a couple training classes in Madison, which is so fun to watch and learn! I would 100% recommend Mary for obedience and/or service animal training. It is absolutely worth it!
  • Ron Martin
    Mar. 10, 2025
    Today My dog Nova and I did our Public Access Test. Our trainer Renee Juliano a highly trained Dog Handler with Dog Training Elite. This test is to ensure that dogs that have public access are stable. The Bottom Line of this test is that Nova demonstrates she is safe to be in public and that I demonstrates I has control of Nova at all times. Our final Result was "Pass." Renee is a valuable quality skill in her trade nothing but the best.
  • Jane flink
    Apr. 26, 2025
    Professional and informative
  • Nicole Johnson
    Apr. 26, 2025
    Tiffany, from the Fitchburg branch, is great to work with. She is informative, patient, and kind. Tiffany was very thorough explaining and modeling training techniques. We're looking forward to working with her again.
  • Michelle Cronk
    Apr. 7, 2025
    Carol listened to our situation and explained how things work. Looking forward to working with her with our pups. Update: 4/26 first training session for both puppies and it has already made a HUGE impact 💙