Best Online Dog Training Courses in 2023: A Comprehensive Guide

Are you having trouble with your furry pet and unsure what to do? Does your dog bark in public or avoid paying attention to you? Having a dog can be a blessing for many. They’re comforting, understand their owner’s emotional needs, and are extremely intelligent. However, all that comes through hard work, training, and emotional bonding with your furry best friend.

You may want to consider a dog trainer to teach your dog skills and prevent bad behaviour, but where’s the fun and emotional bonding in that? Also, they’re super expensive and may not fit into your busy schedule. There is an alternative to personal dog trainers, and they are online dog training courses.

This article will explore why you should consider an online dog training course and review the six best online dog training courses to teach and bond with your dog.

Pro Tip! Out of all the online training we tested, the K9 Training Institute is by far the best overall. They are currently offering a FREE Online Training Workshop to anyone who signs up here.

Why You Should Consider an Online Dog Training Course for Your Pet

There are many reasons you may want to consider online dog training classes rather than invest in an in-person dog trainer, including the following:

These Online Courses Are Convenient

If you’re a dog owner with a hectic schedule, you may want to invest in an online dog training course. You can learn about training your dog from the comfort of your own home at your own pace, whether it’s obedience training, puppy training, or any other form of dog training. You don’t have to worry about scheduling an in-house personal dog trainer for your furry pet.

The Online Training Courses Are Cost-effective

Dog trainers can charge between $50 to $200 per hour, adding up to thousands of dollars depending on how many sessions you book.

Plus, it’s no fun having a dog trainer train your dog. Why not learn with your pet and develop a strong bond at a fraction of the cost?!

You Receive Personalized Training Plans

Most reputable online dog training courses provide different modules catering to the wide range of troubles dog owners may face. Some even offer bundles with various online courses added into one package.

Rather than following a generic course, online dog training courses allow you to focus on areas where your furry best friend needs help.

The Online Courses Are Flexible

Online dog training courses are more flexible than personal dog trainers. You can review the material, go back a few lessons, or skip some if you don’t need to go through those. You can learn at your own pace.

You Get Access to Years of Experience and Knowledge

Regarding puppy or dog obedience training, you need someone with experience and knowledge to guide you through different stages of a dog’s life.

Online dog training courses have modules developed by experienced dog trainers with years of knowledge.

Teach Your Dog New Tricks with These 6 Best Online Dog Training Courses

With so many online dog training courses, picking the one right for you and your dog can be challenging. Fortunately, we’ve done all the research and will review the top 6 online dog training courses you may want to consider.

#1 K9 Training Institute (Best Online Dog Training)

Launched by Dr. Alexa Diaz, an expert in Animal Behaviour with over two decades of experience training dogs, the K9 Training Institute focuses on “non-verbal” communication to improve dog owners’ relationships with their furry best friends and prevent poor animal behaviour such as barking, leash pulling, jumping on people, running out the door, and more.

Besides Dr. Alexa Diaz running the company, Eric Presnall is second in command. You may know Presnall from the TV show “Who Let the Dogs Out?” At K9 Training Institute, Eric Presnall is the lead trainer and presenter, and with years of experience, he makes the courses easy and fun to follow.

If you’re unsure whether the K9 Training Institute is the right training program for your furry pet, don’t worry; they offer a free workshop. The free workshop is a great way to understand how the trainers help dog owners discipline and train their dogs without paying for classes. However, the techniques taught at the free workshop are limited to a few behavioural tips, and if you want to learn more, you need to sign up for their 10-week-long masterclass known as the “Total Transformation Masterclass.”

The Total Transformation Masterclass expands further on the free workshop’s behavioral tips and shares secret tips and techniques based on Harvard and Stanford research. Once dog owners register for the 10-week-long course, they’ll receive account details, allowing them to access the digital portal with all the course content and materials. It’s like having a private trainer in the comfort of your own home.

Each week, there is a new course on the portal for dog owners to go through and online classes for the week. After seven days, they receive a new set of training materials and online classes. However, if they would like to review previous material, they can go back to the portal and access it.

What sets the K9 Training Institute apart from other online training programs is the 6-step process service dog trainers use to train dogs. Using the 6-step training process, the 10-week online masterclass helps with the following:

• Use body language and non-verbal commands to prevent behavioural problems.
• Teach your pet to obey your commands without handing them treats.
• Change your dog’s mindset by training them to be like service dogs.
• Discipline your dog to behave well in public.
• Teach your dog to remain well-behaved even in stressful environments.

There are several things that we like about K9 Training Institute, and this includes:

• There is extensive experience and research behind the courses developed.
• The online classes are easy and fun to follow.
• Members can participate in the live Q&A session to have their concerns addressed by experts.
• You receive a free workshop to learn whether the dog training course fits you and your dog.
• The organization actively supports animal shelters and welfare organizations.

Like any other dog training program, the K9 Training Institute has some drawbacks. We didn’t like the price of the course. Although the training program is cheaper than hiring a personal dog trainer, it is still pricey compared to other online training courses.

Another thing that bummed us out the most was that you don’t get access to all the courses or classes simultaneously, as members must wait a week to receive further training materials. They’ve scheduled the program across ten weeks, and if you don’t have the patience, you may not be able to reap the benefits of the training program.

Remember, the online dog training course is meant to equip you with the knowledge and techniques to train your dog rather than directly training your dog.

The K9 Training Institute 10-week training program costs $497, and they offer a 90-day money-back guarantee if you’re unsatisfied with the course materials. Although this might seem pricey, it’s worth considering that they teach you secret techniques, especially watch and touch, which you can apply to discourage any behavioral issues. It’s worked great for both of our pups!

*Sign Up For The Free Online Workshop – Simple Tips To Train Your Dog

#2 SpiritDog Training (Taught by Professional Dog Trainer)

SpiritDog Training believes that you are your dog’s best trainer, and they help you succeed through online dog training courses led by highly experienced and qualified trainers.

Steffi Trott is the leading dog trainer at SpiritDog Training, who learned all about dog training from world-class European and US trainers. Since 2013, Trott has helped thousands of clients with dog training, achieving superior results.

SpiritDog Training has successfully equipped more than 78,750 dog owners with the skills and techniques needed to train their dogs, and the company has a 100% satisfaction rate.

There are many different courses that dog owners can join, with some of the most popular online dog training courses including:

• Rescue dog bundle: If you’ve adopted a rescue dog, you might struggle to build a bond with your new pet or even train them. The rescue dog bundle costs $99 and contains basic obedience training, a public focus course, a tackling reactive course, and a stop resource guarding course. With the bundle, users get access to eight free mini-courses valued at $250, including a potty training course, a crate training course, a separation anxiety course, and a sibling struggles mini-course.
• Tackling reactivity online bundle: Living with a reactive dog can be a nightmare, and if you’re facing such issues, you may want to consider subscribing to the tackling reactivity online bundle, which costs $49. The course helps you understand why your dog is reacting and how to prevent it, teaches you methods to counter-react to your dog’s meltdowns, and enables you to live a stress-free life with your furry best friend.
• Ultimate puppy program bundle: The first year of your dog is critical, and you need to get it right. This is a challenging stage for all new dog owners, but with the Ultimate Puppy program bundle priced at $49, you can train your puppies from home comfort. SpiritDog Training claims that this course has helped over 9,000 new dog owners, and with 5 to 10 minutes of practice a day, you can train your dog.
• The perfect focus bundle: Not all dogs are super focused, with many losing attention or misbehaving when outside the home. The perfect focus bundle, priced at $99, aims to teach you techniques to improve your pet’s focus, identify and fix the issues, and learn how to calm your dog instantly.

In addition to the ones mentioned above, there are many other training courses you can purchase, all catering to the different needs of dog owners.

If you’re unsure about the courses or unsure which one is right for you, SpiritDog Training provides trial access to more than 700 training lessons for a week at $2. They even offer a 60-day money-back guarantee if you’re not satisfied with the results of their training methods.

SpiritDog Training offers an inexpensive way to train your dog by providing members with a library filled with courses. These online dog training courses are designed adequately by dog training experts and are easy to follow. They even offer a monthly membership to their Dog Training Academy, which provides access to all the courses.

It is the perfect dog training program for owners looking for accessibility and affordability. Although SpiritDog Training does not provide Harvard or Stanford research-based courses like the K9 Training Institute, it does draw from personal experiences and is a fantastic value for money.

Visit the Official Spirit Dog Training Site

#3 Dunbar Academy (Focuses on Positive Reinforcement)

Online courses offered by Ian, Kelly, and Jamie Dunbar, the Dunbar Academy, teach you how to train your dog and have fun. The Dunbar Academy makes dog training easy, effective, and enjoyable and made news on Forbes, The New York Times, NPR, Mashable, and many other media platforms. They have over 100 hours of pre-recorded training programs and more than 30 different courses. Each video provides five to 10 minutes of step-by-step instructions, making learning easy for dog owners.

Although the Dunbar Academy offers over 30 courses, such as science-based dog training and reactivity workshop, they also offer bundles that compile different programs into one package.

There are two bundles, which are as follows:

• Free course collection: The free course collection bundle includes many guides and worksheets to help you train your dog. Some courses include dog breeding behaviour, six simple steps to solve your dog’s behavioural problems, and quick tips on making dog training easy. It even has resources for veterinarians and dog shelters to improve how they handle dogs.
• Top dog academy: This bundle costs $20 a month and has everything you need to raise your puppy and resolve behavioral issues. Members can access over 100 hours of training content, worksheets, podcasts, and Q&A sessions with the Dunbars. Some of the courses at the Top Dog Academy include:

– Essential puppy training course

– Reliability and games dog training workshop

– Treatment and prevention of dog aggression

– Behavioural problems compendium

Each course at the Dunbar Academy costs between $100 and $200, but if you subscribe to them by paying a $20 monthly membership, you get access to all these courses, making it an affordable option for all dog owners.

What we liked about Dunbar Academy was that they provide a subscription where members can pay a one-time cost for the program or subscribe to their monthly membership packages. However, the one-time course charge is expensive and goes up to $200 per course.

On the other hand, the monthly membership is the most inexpensive option for dog owners and an excellent value for money, considering the content, materials, and Q&A sessions members get for the price. You even get a 30-day money-back guarantee if you’re not satisfied with the quality of the program.

What they could improve going forward is the video quality. Some of the videos recorded are more than a decade old, and the low quality can put off some members. Also, users cannot download content if they’re on the subscription program, meaning they must use their portal to access everything they need to train their dog.

The courses are for dog owners who can give time and commitment to learning and practicing the techniques with their canines. However, suppose your dog is highly aggressive and you’re at risk of getting hurt. In that case, you should consider in-person professional training to tame your pet before subscribing to the Top Dog Academy.

Visit the Dunbar Academy’s Official Site

#4 Dog Training Depot (Dog Training Online by Professional Trainers)

The Dog Training Depot has three important people who are core to the program and the company: Judy Lowery, Kim Downing, and Scott Cook.

Judy is an English Cream Golden Retrievers professional hobby breeder and continues to produce high-quality pedigree pups. While working with Golden Retrievers over the past few decades, Lowery has amassed a wealth of knowledge and helped many dog owners overcome problems or relationship issues with their pets. During this time, she realized the lack of educational and training materials and launched the Dog Training Depot.

Kim Downing is one of the top certified dog trainers in the United States who has completed the tests and received her CPDT-KA. She is a member of the Association of Professional Dog Trainers and the German Shepherd Dog Club of America. Downing is one of the primary trainers at Dog Training Depot and serves on the Communication Corps.

Scott Cook has extensive training with K9s and has learned from some of the best dog training experts, including Dr. Ian Dunbar, Ed Frawley, and Michael Ellis. He is a member of the International Association of Canine Professionals and has a professional dog training business. Scott takes time from his busy routine to create courses and content for Dog Training Depot members.

The Dog Training Depot has perfectly crafted courses, ensuring you get all you need to train your dog throughout every stage of its life.

If you’re looking to join their online dog training program, you can purchase the Canine Coach for $97 and get access to a 12-week digital video training course, 24 high-quality training videos, 35 training and problem-solving presentations, and a 4-week subscription to bi-monthly webinars.

You can continue to receive the webinars at $7.95 a month after the 4-week subscription ends. Dog Training Depot offers a 30-day money-back guarantee and a 14-day free trial with three free training videos to give you a feel for what to expect from the training course.

ree training videos to give you a feel for what to expect from the training course.

The Dog Training Depot makes dog online training easier. No more lists of courses or specific bundles to purchase as it is a one-time buy program that tackles major problems dog owners may face.

However, it may not be as extensive as the other dog training programs, and there are no live Q&A sessions where you may want to get help with specific problems with your canine.

Visit The Dog Training Depot’s Official Site

#5 Good Dog Everyday (Great For Basic Training)

The Good Dog Everyday program is another fantastic online dog training program launched by Success Dogs. It guarantees that once you complete their program, you’ll learn how to train your dog with obedience behaviors and verbal commands.

Under the courses offered by the Good Dog Everyday program, the first module breaks down the science behind behavioral issues, such as selective hearing, before tackling how dog owners can resolve such problems.

The extensive course dives deep into the psychology of dogs, helping you explore what motivates your furry best friend and how you can use that knowledge to your advantage.

Module 2 teaches dog owners the fundamental training methods to establish essential obedience skills. It breaks this down into four simple and easy-to-follow steps that you can use to teach your dog new tricks. Whether it sit, stand, down, or come commands, module 2 will help with positive reinforcement training.

After teaching dog owners the essential obedience skills, module 3 aims to help develop helpful obedience skills. Once you’ve completed module 3, you will have learned how to teach your dog the “get in,” “look at me,” “playtime,” and “give” commands.

Members enrolling in the Good Dog Everyday program get lifetime access to the course (like the Fenzi Dog Sports Academy), 25 step-by-step video lessons, and personal interaction with

the trainers. You even receive a free eBook worth $20, a house training 101 eBook valued at $10, and 5 dog tricks video lessons ($20 value).

The entire online dog training program costs $94, but at the time of writing this review, they’re offering a 50% discount, bringing the cost down to $47. It’s a one-time payment, and the company provides a 30-day money-back guarantee.

It’s one of the best budget dog training programs on this list as it’s inexpensive, and the one-time payment comes with many free bonuses. You even get to interact with the trainers by commenting under every video to learn more or discuss specific problems you’re facing with your furry best friend, making it a fantastic option to consider for all dog owners.

Visit The Good Dog Every Day’s Official site

#6 Brain Training for Dogs

Most dog training programs fail to engage the dog on a mental level, do not address the root cause of the problems dog owners face, and are led by phony trainers without any certifications. Not Brain Training for Dogs!

Headed by Adrienne Farricelli, a CPDT-KA certified dog trainer, Brain Training for Dogs has a team of certified veterinary advisors and dog training consultants to help dog owners understand the science behind behavioral issues and teach them simple techniques they can use to reinforce positive behaviors. Farricelli has years of experience, particularly with therapy dog training for military veterans.

The comprehensive training covers all potential problems, such as potty training, lunging, chewing, jumping, barking, hyperactivity, ignoring, and many more. It is easy to follow and has much personal experience and research behind the solutions provided. Dog owners can access a massive archive of material, addressing the cause of different behavioral problems and how to tackle them.

Another great thing about Brain Training for Dogs is that the platform has a private forum where other dog owners can interact, creating a social community. Here, dog owners can discuss their problems and receive tips on tackling them or socialize with others.

There are seven modules, each addressing different stages of your dog’s life, including:

• Module 1 (preschool): In this module, dog owners will learn how to make their pets super obedient and keep their attention.
• Module 2 (elementary school): This module focuses on games with your dog to help them improve their skills and complete your commands.
• Module 3 (high school): Users will learn games such as jazz up and settle down, bottle game, and bobbing for treats to teach their dogs patience and impulse control.
• Module 4 (college): One of the critical skills to teach your dog is motor skills, and this module helps users develop their pet’s motor skills and their ability to concentrate on commands.
• Module 5 (university): This module teaches you to develop your dog’s intelligence and patience while creating a strong bond with your furry best friend.
• Module 6 (graduation): Once you’re done with module 6, you can advance your pet’s motor skills and intelligence, ensuring they obey your every command.
• Module 7 (Einstein): This module will help you learn how to teach your dog new party tricks to impress your friends, such as ring stacking, playing the piano on cue, and more.

When you purchase Brain Training for Dogs, you’ll receive seven trick training videos: howl, roll over, play dead, and more, and access to obedience training 101, polishing up your training, and Adrienne’s Archive. The entire online training school will cost you $67, which is a serious bargain considering how much you must pay for in-person dog trainers.

Brain Training for Dogs provides years of experience and knowledge broken down into easy-to-understand tutorials, guides, eBooks, and video demonstrations. It is the best dog training course you can access from the comfort of your home for the price. What we love about the program is that Adrienne Farricelli is extremely passionate about what she does and provides a 60-day money-back guarantee, no questions asked.

Visit The Brain Training For Dog’s Official Site

Which Online Dog Training Course Is the Best for You?

The course that is best for you depends on what problems you’re facing with your dog and your budget. K9 Training Institute is the best program, with techniques backed by leading research institutes, but it comes at a price.

There are also other inexpensive options available. Before purchasing the online dog training program, you can check out the free trial to see which course fits you and your dog’s needs best.

Weather you are looking for help teaching basic commands or a professional certification, these training courses are the best of the best according to our testing and research.