Dog training is the most important thing you need to do to maintain your pup’s behavior, but it can be overwhelming to search for reliable and trustworthy classes that will give you and your canine the best results. Plus, it’s hard to know which ones are worth the extra money or if you can get away with something cheaper.
But don’t worry because we did all the work so you don’t have to. Here are seven of the best dog training courses this year and our reviews of them!
A Glance at Our Top Picks (2024 Update)
| Rating | Image | Product | Details | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Best Overall
|
|
Science-Based Dog Training by Ian Dunbar |
|
Visit udemy |
Best Value
|
|
Brain Training for Dogs by Adrienne Farricelli |
|
Visit Brain Train for Dogs |
Premium Choice
|
|
Peach on a Leash |
|
Visit Peach on a Leash |
| Best for Puppies |
|
How to Train a Puppy by Ian Dunbar |
|
Visit udemy |
|
Petco Dog Training Courses |
|
Visit petco |
The 7 Best Dog Training Courses
1. Science-Based Dog Training by Ian Dunbar – Best Overall
| Rating: | 4.7/5 |
| Includes: | 18 hours of video, 1 article, lifetime access, access online and mobile |
The first on our list is the Science-Based Dog Training Udemy course by Ian Dunbar, a lifelong veterinarian and dog behavior expert. The reason why we listed this as our best overall dog training course is the fact that it covers all of the essentials; puppy training, practical obedience, and phasing out of treat rewards. Plus, he talks about other useful topics, such as off-leash work and how to know if your training is working as intended. The cost of this course isn’t anything crazy compared to competitors on Udemy, so it’s worth giving it a go!
- Over 10,000 students and a strong rating
- Covers essential topics
- Priced slightly higher than other Udemy courses
2. Brain Training for Dogs by Adrienne Farricelli – Best Value
| Rating: | 4.5/5 |
| Includes: | Training videos vary depending on purchased module |
Our second pick is the best dog training course for the money, made by certified dog trainer Adrienne Farricelli. This class is a cost-effective way to get your pup trained fast, with basics like potty training and impulse control, as well as misbehavior. It’s set up in different ‘grades’, all the way from preschool to university and beyond. Adrienne mentions she is able to personally support her clients as well, so you can get help if you have questions. The only thing that seems off is the page itself, which seems to focus heavily on sales pitching. Then again, that’s just an observation, and it’s a relief that it comes with a 60-day money-back guarantee!
- Affordable
- Taught by a certified dog trainer
- Advanced lessons
- The site is a bit salesy/overpromising
3. Peach on a Leash Dog Training Online Course – Premium Choice
| Rating: | 4.8/5 |
| Includes: | In-person and online training |
Compared to the previous courses we’ve talked about, Peach on a Leash offers both in-person and online services. We’ll be discussing the online variant, which helps your dog fix more specialized problems such as food guarding and separation anxiety. Of course, you’ll also be able to teach your pooch other behavioral cues, but there’s one catch. Our premium choice is far more expensive than the others on our list. For that matter, it might be worth checking out other options unless you really need help with dog anxiety or even service dog troubleshooting.
- Specialized support
- Behavioral fixes
- Expensive
4. How to Train a Puppy by Ian Dunbar – Best for Puppies
| Rating: | 4.7/5 |
| Includes: | 15 hours of video, 1 article, lifetime access, access online and mobile |
The name Ian Dunbar may sound familiar; he’s the one who made the #1 course on our list! Another one of his Udemy courses, the ‘How to Train a Puppy’ class is the highest-rated puppy training class on the platform. It goes over everything from learning tricks, what to do with a new pup, and applying the SIRIUS method in practice. The entire course caters to new dog owners who want the foremost puppy training available, and the price is quite similar to his science-based training course.
- Highly-rated
- Perfect for new dog owners
- For puppies only
- A bit expensive
5. Petco Dog Training Courses
| Rating: | 4.5/5 |
| Includes: | Group training classes or 1:1 training classes |
Petco is the name that most of us know as the Walmart of the pet world. But as it turns out, they have more than just physical products for your canine’s health. They’ve conjured up their own dog-training courses curated for different ages and behaviors. That includes both puppy and adult development, as well as a guide on separation anxiety. Petco’s pricing stays modest for their generic courses but you can also dive deeper and try their private lessons for a bit more. Either way, they’re a trusted company that has been in the business for decades – they know what you and your dog need!
- Established company
- Well-priced for open courses
- Private lessons are expensive
6. Fenzi Dog Sports Academy Course
| Rating: | 4.5/5 |
| Includes: | Varies depending on the webinar, workshop, or classes purchased |
For those of you out there who want to train your dog like an Olympian, look no further. The Fenzi Dog Sports Academy offers a myriad of tools to teach your companion everything about puppy training or adopting an adult canine. The prices of each of their courses vary depending on what you choose, but they are quite affordable if you opt for the workshops and online webinars. You can also trust the process with their selection of PhD-approved professionals.
- Affordable webinars and workshops
- Not many specialized services
7. Professional Dog Walker Training by Dom Hodgson
| Rating: | 4.3/5 |
| Includes: | 35 minutes of video, 4 downloadable resources, lifetime access, access online and mobile |
Last but certainly not least is a Udemy course by Dom Hodson, focusing solely on walking your dog the right way. A lot of experienced dog owners still have trouble keeping their dogs in line on walks because they weren’t trained the right way. If you want to make your dog stay by your side and respond to useful cues on your morning stroll, this is the one for you. The entire thing is only 35 minutes long with 4 downloadable resources, which makes it a great option for busy people. It’s a bit pricey for the amount of content you get through.
- The best option for dog walking expertise
- Short, to-the-point video
- Expensive
Buyer’s Guide: How to Select the Best Dog Training Course
Here are the essential things you need to consider when purchasing the best dog training course for your needs.
Your Dog’s Age
The main factor that determines what course you buy is your dog’s age. Puppies are far quicker at learning new training regimes. However, dogs who are a bit older will need more work.
Behavioral Problems
If you have a dog that has behavioral problems from the neglect of a past owner, it’s wise to follow a class that has a dedicated section on reinforcing their habits. This may be food protecting, problems with other dogs, or a lack of exercise.
If you’re worried about your dogs behavior we suggest speaking to a vet
If you need to speak with a vet but can’t get to one, head over to PangoVet. It’s an online service where you can talk to a vet online and get the personalized advice you need for your pet — all at an affordable price!
Advanced Learning
If your dog already knows the fundamentals and has been trained thoroughly, you may want to get something more intensive. There are many options that offer advanced tricks that push the boundary further between you and your pooch’s bond. These might be figure-8’s or a run through an entire playground. Plus, you can show your friends all the cool tricks that your dog can do!
Conclusion
Our best pick was the Udemy course by Ian Dunbar which is packed with essential dog-training information. If you’re looking to spend a bit less money, there’s also the Brain Training for Dogs course by Adrienne Farricelli. For a higher price, you’ll get specialized help from Peach on a Leash. If you’re looking for a dog training course, we hope you consider these seven options; they’re all online and offer everything you need to get your pup ready for the world!
Featured Image Credit: Murilo Viviani, Unsplash
Contents
- A Glance at Our Top Picks (2024 Update)
- The 7 Best Dog Training Courses
- 1. Science-Based Dog Training by Ian Dunbar – Best Overall
- 2. Brain Training for Dogs by Adrienne Farricelli – Best Value
- 3. Peach on a Leash Dog Training Online Course – Premium Choice
- 4. How to Train a Puppy by Ian Dunbar – Best for Puppies
- 5. Petco Dog Training Courses
- 6. Fenzi Dog Sports Academy Course
- 7. Professional Dog Walker Training by Dom Hodgson
- Buyer’s Guide: How to Select the Best Dog Training Course
- Conclusion
