Adding a dog to the family can be an exciting time, but proper training is needed to get the most out of the experience. These days, much like everything else, people are turning to options online for dog training courses. There are a number of websites that have high review, but what are the three top online dog training courses out there? Here is a closer look at the best of the best.
1. Doggy Dan
Price: $37
Check it out: /doggydanprogram
There are a lot of solid options for online dog training, but Doggy Dan might just be the cream of the crop. He has been offering his program online for over a decade, and he is a well-respected author as well. His blog, social media posts and even television appearances have all helped grow his brand.
Doggy Dan is very passionate about his job, and more importantly, he is no stranger to training online. While the industry is growing as a whole, sometimes it is extremely difficult for trainers to adjust to online teaching methods. He has already helped successfully train over 37,000 dogs online alone, and he shows no signs of slowing down.
As for the training itself, he offers a free obedience and potty training course on his website to help introduce his teaching methods to newcomers. These courses are very straightforward, and it is easy to see if the dog is responsive or not. A person can also sign up for a three day trial to get full access and test out all the different programs he has.
The training philosophy used by Doggy Dan is referred to by him as alpha training or dog whispering. The goal is for the dog to know, and constantly be reminded, that the owner is the pack leader in the dog’s life. Some people are not fans of this technique, but there are tips and ideas for really any type of dog. A person should try all the different training techniques to see which ones the individual dog responds well to.
Videos are a huge plus with Doggy Dan. Hours and hours of instructional information is quick and to the point. There are also PDF files that can go along with the videos for those who prefer learning by reading. The videos, in many cases, feature Dan himself, which makes the entire program really personal.
Whether a person is looking for alpha training or positive influence training, Doggy Dan covers it all. To fill in any gaps, members get exclusive access to an active forum with other members of the community. This is really perhaps the one thing that puts Doggy Dan over the top. Training a dog can be hard, but now there are all these people in the same exact situation offering tips and advice after going through it.
The only complaint about content currently is that videos can’t be downloaded. That means a person needs to have a solid internet connection to view the videos at all times. That can sometimes be tricky for people who are the local park or something and want to get some information.
Doggy Dan is expansive enough that any dog owner will get something out of being a member. The three day trial alone should sell most people on all the benefits. It’s still the best option out there, even if others are gaining on Dan.
Check it out: /doggydanprogram
back to menu ↑2. Brain Train for Dogs
Price: $47
Check it out: /braintrainingfordogs
Adrienne Faricelli, the one behind Brain Train for Dogs, is certainly on the tail of Doggy Dan. This program is the next best out there, and some actually prefer Brain Train for Dogs over anything else.
Once a person becomes a member, they log into the site and have immediate access to all the tools they need. It is very easy to navigate around, going specifically to areas that are in need. There might not be as much information overall compared to Doggy Dan, but it is hard to argue the one-time fee of $47 as they only expense. Her low price point is the reason she is making so many waves in the industry.
The training methods used by Brain Train for Dogs are all force-free methods. She bases her training on science, using positive reinforcement with dogs. She believes in putting the dog through absolutely no pain, physically or emotionally. Those opposed to any of that will find that some sections in Doggy Dan are just not for them.
Along with basic obedience, tricks and more, Brain Train for Dogs goes beyond that with advanced courses. In particular, Advanced Brain Training Activities give 21 more options for dogs who are already pretty advanced. It allows people to test the limits of their dog and see just how smart they can become.
The forum offered by Adrienne is nice, but not quite as active as Doggy Dan’s forum. Adrienne is very helpful though in not only answering questions if she can, but seeking out answers for others if she can’t. It’s a nice, personalized touch she still offers even as she grows. Out of the three programs reviewed, she seems to be the most active when it comes to helping others and giving out tips when possible.
Faricelli has the credentials to be one of the top trainers out there, spending years teaching dogs online and in person. She’s a Certified Professional Dog Trainer – Knowledged Assessed, and she is also a member of the Italian Association for Dog Trainers and Canine Consultants. Just getting these titles takes hundreds if not thousands of hours of work with master trainers from around the world.
Overall, the teaching style differs a decent amount from Doggy Dan. Whereas Doggy Dan tries to catch just about every single method with all his information, Adrienne has set up Brain Train for Dogs as a program that focuses on a single method.
Check it out: /braintrainingfordogs
back to menu ↑3. Secrets to Dog Training
Price: $40
Check it out: /secretstodogtraining
Finally, the third program on this list is Secrets to Dog Training. It is the cheapest program, so those on a budget can appreciate the one-time fee of $40 for full access. It is a great way to teach a dog and learn about
Secrets to Dog Training is designed specifically to help out dog owners who notice that their dog’s behavior has changed recently. The saying is you can’t teach a dog new tricks, but the program proves otherwise. Consistent training, started at any age, can yield positive results fairly quickly.
The layout of the website, including the e-books and the videos, is not as nice as the other two listed above. The guide is still useful though, even if it feels just a notch below overall. The good news is everything is a very easy read, and it comes from personal experience. All the tips are given by people who have been in tough situations with dogs not behaving the proper way.
Those people who like to learn by reading will really enjoy this program. The videos are put together decently well, but the information is really in text form for the most part. That is good news for people who need to pull up, or even print off, walk throughs when they are training at a local park or something.
Just like the other programs, there is a forum that people have access to, which helps when any specifics aren’t covered in the training. The forum isn’t as active, mainly because the user base is smaller.
Daniel Stevens, the man behind Secrets to Dog Training, does have a number of other products on the market, and has worked in the dog training community for years. He continues to believe that the future is online information and training, which is why he continues to produce videos and manuals for the masses.
The only real reason this one is ranked as just the third best option out there comes down to it just not having the same amount of information. There is still months and months of information in this program for people to sift through, and for the price, it is hard to not at least give a try. He also offers a money back guarantee, so there is no real reason to not see if dogs respond the right way.
Check it out: /secretstodogtraining
back to menu ↑4. Dog Breeding Academy
Price: $27/month – $1 for first 7 days
Check it out: /thedogbreedingacademy
Dog Breeding Academy is another great dog training program although its focus is very different. Conceptualized by successful dog breeder Dave Mudge (who has more than 20 years experience), this program starts training at the stage of breeding. A dog that is bred right and cared for properly from the early stages is likely to be a well-trained dog with age.
This program is filled with lots of resources concerning the best practices for dog breeding – from conception to birth and care as they grow and is also fitted with a 60-day moneyback guarantee. There is also a 7-day risk free trial for only US$1.00 that allows you to test drive all the features of the program.
back to menu ↑5. The Dog Solution
Price: $21.99
Check it out: /thedogsolutionproduct
The dog solution is home to many dog resources – including the highly-anticipated and long awaited Dog Owner’s Secret Handbook. The Dog Owner’s Secret Handbook has 73 tricks that are designed to tap into your dog’s subconscious and bring out their best behaviors. It is literally the dog whisperer’s solution that changes your dogs from the inside out and not just at the surface level.
The Dog Owner’s Secret Handbook is affordable, easy to read, and even easier to implement. Many of the secrets shared there (like how to use moth balls to stop your dog from digging and essentially protect your yard) leverages much of the resources that you already have at your disposal.
Perhaps one of the downfalls of The Dog Solution option is that it focuses on so many dog solutions in general as opposed to dog training specifically. Consequently, it can all feel overwhelming when searching for one specific thing – albeit the information and programs found there are useful.
back to menu ↑6. House Train any Dog
Price: $28.99
Check it out: /PottyTrainAnyDog
It is hardly surprising that potty training is the first thing on a dog owner’s mind whenever they get a new pup. After all, there are very few things as frustrating or unnerving as an untrained pup having free reign in and around your home. This makes the House Train any Dog guide particularly welcome.
As intimated, the House Train Any Dog guide focuses on potty training the dog that you have so that you can allow you puppy to roam freely throughout your home without worry. The guide covers important bases such as how old a puppy should be before one starts training, as well as the most effective methods for house training dogs. Importantly, the guide also looks carefully at the common techniques dog owners use when training their dogs and why they are not very effective in doing so.
The full guide is available at the click of a mouse or the tapping of a device touchscreen, and at a very affordable and reasonable cost.
back to menu ↑7. The Dog Trainers Handbook
Price: $37
Check it out: /DogTrainersHandbook
The last recommendation on our list — The Dog Trainers Handbook — is by no means the least in the grand scheme of things. After all, this is a list of only 7 of the many available dog training resources available. Admittedly, The Dog Trainers Handbook is different from the other options and recommendations in many ways — starting with its focus.
While most of the other recommendations focus on the individual who simply wants to train the dogs in their own homes in the ways of right and acceptable behaviors, this handbook and guide is designed to help individuals train their dogs and those of others. In fact, it is designed to make you so verse in the area of dog training that you are able to build a successful professional career from the same. Here is some of what the resource comes with:
• A Great Start
Designed by a certified dog trainer with the San Francisco SPCA Academy for Dog Trainers, The Dog Trainers Handbook is the ultimate introductory guide. For starters, it works through all the myths and confusion that can accompany the path of dog training and becoming a professional dog trainer — thereby paving the way for building a successful way forward on a solid foundation.
• Appropriate for Everyone
While designed with the unique perspective of helping the would-be professional dog trainer find his or her career path in dog training, the guide also provides extensive best practice options for everyone. Best of all, it does in a way that is simple, straightforward and easy to grasp. By the end of this book everyone — amateur and professional alike — would have achieved their objectives.
• Affordability and Accessibility
As is the case with all the other options presented in this list, The Dog Trainers Handbook is affordable for the rich resource that it is and is only a mouse click or screen tap away from access. There is little to no fluff and the content gets right to the heart of the matter as far as the objectives are concerned.
CON:
• Too Professional?
Perhaps the greatest drawback with this resource option is the focus on the career side of dog training although there is great general content. Essentially, perhaps one of the other options may be better for those who do not care for the career side of things. Still, this is a very good buy.
• Not A Fully Immersive Experience
Being that this option is a handbook, it may prove to be not as far-reaching in its range experientially as the other options on this list which includes everything from audio and video to downloadable apps.
Check it out: /DogTrainersHandbook
back to menu ↑The Pros and Cons of of Purchasing an Online Dog Training Course vs Hiring a Local Trainer
After reviewing three different online dog training courses, the future certainly seems to be using these resources over very expensive lessons with a local trainer. That does not mean that a local trainer is necessarily going to be without a job soon, but times are changing.
It is simply a very expensive endeavor to take a dog to training multiple times a week for months at a time. Perhaps even years. All of the programs listed above cost next to nothing when compared to local training lessons, so it just makes sense to give them a try at first.
Doggy Dan is the best option for all first-timers to try out if they can afford it. They have the most amount of information, the most active forum and just the best overall professional presentation. Utilize the three day trial and see everything that is offered.
There are a ton of pros when it comes to online dog training courses, but there are a few cons as well. No matter how good the online training is, it can never fully replace a real life trainer working with a dog. Also, it can be more time consuming for the consumer, since they are essentially becoming a dog trainer on the side. Yes, a lot of money is saved, but time is spent in return on training the dog.
Overall, more and more people are giving online dog training courses a real chance. It was something no one really gave much thought just a decade or two ago, but as prices came down, more people jumped on board.
As more competition begins to join the market for online dog training, these three are likely to add additional content in order to keep up. More competition should make for better products, and updated products as well. Out of the three, Doggy Dan seems to be the most active when it comes to providing updates. That is one positive when it comes to having a customer base that is paying a monthly fee. Members expect updated information and new resources from time to time, and he delivers.
Maybe online dog training isn’t perfect for every single dog, but all owners should give at least one a try. Most memberships only cost the price of a single lesson in person anyway, so the risk is minimal. The information could be a huge breakthrough for any person or family dealing with some dog behavior issues around the home.