The Best Online Dog Training Courses
Are you looking for the best online dog training courses?
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, people around the world have been stuck at home. Though the impact of COVID-19 has been largely negative, there is a silver lining: people have more time to spend with their pets.
This has lead to an increase in adoption rates, which means more and more people are looking for online dog training courses.
Whether you’ve recently adopted a dog or just have more time in your schedule, I’ve put together a list of the five best online dog training courses to help you decide which is best.
I may earn a commission if you buy through my links, but I only recommend products that I support and you pay nothing extra.
My Top Picks for Best Online Dog Training Courses
1. SpiritDog Tutoring (Get 20% off with coupon code DogEndorsed2021)
As of writing this article, SpiritDog Training has five stars on Google and 4.9 stars on their Facebook page. I wrote a much more in-depth SpiritDog review in another blog post.
The company describes its training techniques as “modern, positive, science-based, and effective.”
They have a vast amount of information on their site, but it can be broken down into the following:
1. Individual classes– They offer 16 individual online dog training courses. They’re delivered as a series of videos that demonstrate from start to finish how to train and perfect particular skills. The courses are mobile-friendly, so they can be accessed anytime, anywhere. You can also ask questions to their trainer along the way.
Exclusive Coupon: Get 20% off SpiritDog classes and bundles using Coupon Code DogEndorsed2021
These classes include:
– Calm Down $49
– Mastering Potty Training $9
– SpiritDog Parkour $120
– Canine Fitness Course $149
– Indoor Games For Small Spaces $99
– Focus in Public – Out and About $49
– Coming When Called And Outdoor Focus $49
– Dog Agility at Home $199
– Taking Turns $29
– Loose Leash Walking $114
– Basic Obedience $115
– Confidence Booster $35
– Frisbee Games $29
– Learn To Fetch $5
– Dog Tricks $29
– Creating Online Classes For Dog Professionals Course $79
All of SpiritDog Training’s classes are yours to keep after purchasing; there are no limits on access.
2. SpiritDog Academy– This is their subscription-based service that gives you access to lots of video content to help train your dog, plus you’ll get access to a trainer and their community. You can now get a 1 week trial for $2 of SpiritDog Academy (the offer will show on the registration screen).
You get weekly Zoom sessions, ebooks, step by step tutorials on common training and behavioral issues, and courses.
3. Bundle packages– While SpiritDog Training does offer individual courses, it appears the best savings are with their bundle packages. There’s 8 different bundles including:
- Tackling Reactivity Bundle ($49)- You’ll learn skills to calm and accommodate an overreactive dog. You’ll get over 118 lessons along with podcasts and an ebook.
- Ultimate Puppy Program Bundle ($49)- This program will help your puppy become well-behaved using only positive training techniques. You get 11 modules covering various topics and several bonuses.
- Loose Leash Walking Bundle ($59)- No more pulling while your dog stays by your side. You’ll get tons of videos and bonuses.
- Ultimate Masterclass Bundle ($499)- This bundle includes most of the courses you would have to buy individually. It’s supposed to be a complete course covering all of your dog’s the training from being a puppy to their senior years. There’s 17 courses and bonuses.
- Fantastic Focus Bundle ($99)- Get a more focused and calm dog. This bundle includes a number of courses and bonuses.
- Games Unlimited Bundle ($349)- You’ll get their 3 extensive game courses (Indoor Games, SpiritDog Parkour, and Agility at Home), which include over 200 lessons in total.
- Perfect Focus Bundle ($99)- This course addresses all common focus issues at once. There’s 4 courses with a total of 96 modules.
- Perfect Obedience Bundle ($49)- Get guidance on basic obedience and loose-leash walking, plus 3 bonus courses.
The site also offers some free training resources, including articles and videos about loose-leash walking, trick training, crate training, and more.
If you’re on the fence about buying courses, you can opt to try a free 14-day course that will be sent to your email.
If you’re dissatisfied, you can ask for a refund within seven days of your purchase, and SpiritDog Training will reimburse you, “no questions asked.”
2. Dunbar Academy
Dunbar Academy strives to make training an engaging activity that is rewarding for your dog so that you will not have to rely on training tools and treats.
The creator, Ian Dunbar, has degrees in veterinary medicine and animal behavior and is a renowned dog trainer who believes in positive, force-free methods.
Their site offers a few different options for online dog training courses.
The first is a subscription called Top Dog Academy that costs $20 a month and provides access to all of the resources Dunbar Academy has to offer.
These resources include:
- training videos
- workshops and seminars
- live webinars
- ebooks
- podcasts
- email advice from professional trainers, and
- any new content added during your subscription.
Dunbar Academy also allows you to purchase courses separately. Unlike their subscription option, you will have lifetime access to every course you buy.
Courses range from $30 to $150, and there are even a couple of courses available with Spanish subtitles.
There are also a number of free resources on the site, including a behavior problems crash course.
Ian Dunbar also offers classes on Udemy, but most of the courses are cheaper on the Dunbar Academy website unless Udemy is having a sale.
3. Pupford
Pupford also offers some of the best online dog training courses. They claim to have helped over 150,000 people with their dogs.
They have a whole team of experts on their team who try to offer the best training resources and nutritional products to improve your dog’s life.
They offer three options for online dog training courses.
The first is purchasing courses individually. There are currently seven different courses available on the site, each one costing about $20. You will have lifetime access to any courses you purchase.
I did have trouble finding these courses, but they are located toward the bottom of their website once you go to their shop.
The second option is Pupford Academy. Pupford Academy gives you access to all current and future Pupford classes. You can choose to pay $9.99 for a monthly subscription, $39.96 for a six-month subscription, or $199 for lifetime access. You can cancel the subscriptions at any time.
Both individual classes and Pupford Academy courses are taught via pre-recorded videos. Simply log-in to Pupford Academy on the Pupford website or use their app to start learning.
The third option that Pupford offers (which many other online dog training providers do not offer) is one-on-one virtual training. You will be able to talk to a professional trainer about your dog’s needs through a video call.
After the session is over, you will receive a follow-up email detailing what was discussed and providing you with resources and actionable steps to take with your dog. You will also receive a recording of your session that you can refer back to at any time.
Pupford’s virtual one-on-one training costs $79.99 for an hour-long session, or you can purchase a three-session bundle for $224.99.
Finally, we can’t talk about Pupford without mentioning their free “30 Day Perfect Pup” training course instructed by the most popular dog trainer on YouTube, Zak George.
After signing up for this course, you can access it through your email or by using the Pupford mobile app.
4. Udemy
Udemy is a platform where professionals can create and post classes for purchase. As such, it has a sizable collection of online dog training courses.
You will even find some famous names in dog training on the site such as Victoria Stillwell and Ian Dunbar (who we discussed previously).
The great thing about this platform is that learners can rate and review classes, resulting in each class having an overall rating out of five. You can sort classes by rating, leaving only the best of the best to choose from.
Most classes provide education through pre-recorded videos that you can watch in your own time, and many include articles and other downloadable resources. You can watch your courses on your mobile device, computer, or TV.
The downside to this format is that you do not have access to a professional dog trainer should you have any questions or difficulties.
Classes range in price, but from time to time Udemy has promotions that bring $100 classes down to about $15. You have lifetime access to your purchases.
Udemy also offers a 30-day money-back guarantee. If you’re not satisfied with a course, you can request a refund within 30 days of purchase.
5. e-Training for Dogs
Recommended by The Bark magazine, e-Training for Dogs was founded by Cheryl Aguiar, Ph.D., in 2005. e-Training for Dogs has a sizeable catalog of online dog training courses that range from basic obedience training to first aid to hunting to managing problematic behaviors.
Both on-demand and live classes are available. On-demand classes can be done on your own time, whereas live classes will occur on scheduled dates and function similar to a webinar or conference call.
The training style appears to be all positive-reinforcement based. Even the hunting classes avoid using techniques such as the “force-fetch.”
Some classes do have prerequisites and material requirements. Usually, the prerequisite is to have taken a course on basic positive-reinforcement training techniques. Material requirements often include tools like leashes, harnesses, and clickers. In general, prerequisites and materials will vary depending on the class.
If you are interested in becoming a professional yourself, you can take classes that give credit toward certificates. These classes require you to turn in homework and take examinations, but you will also be able to ask the instructor questions.
If you aren’t interested in certification, you can skip the tests and homework by auditing the class. Audited classes may be cheaper and will not be graded or count toward any certification. Unfortunately, you won’t be able to ask the instructor any questions.
The length of access to each class varies. Some classes are accessible for three weeks whereas others may be accessible for three months. Most classes do not offer lifetime access, so take notes!
The price also varies on a course by course basis. According to their site, courses range from $40 to $720.
Choosing Between the Best Online Dog Training Courses
Any of these online dog training courses are likely to be helpful, but choosing between them can be difficult.
All of the courses use positive, force-free training methods, so you’ll have to make your decision based on other factors.
Think about how much you want to spend and how long you’d like to have access to each course.
SpiritDog Training, Pupford Academy, and Udemy offer affordable options with lifetime access. However, you won’t be able to talk directly to a trainer unless, in Pupford’s case, you pay extra for a one-on-one session or you sign up for SpiritDog Academy.
e-Training for Dogs does give you the opportunity to speak with professionals, but courses are more expensive and access is limited.
Dunbar Academy’s $20 monthly subscription allows you a wide range of training content. You can also email questions and receive answers from professional dog trainers; however, access to these resources ends with your subscription.
Whichever online dog training course suits your needs, I wish you and your dog successful training sessions!