If you want a structured online program, the two we list are quite different. Brain Training for Dogs is a games-based course by dog trainer Adrienne Farricelli, and as the vendor describes it, it covers obedience basics and everyday problems like potty training, leash pulling and jumping.[1] The Online Dog Trainer is a video library from a trainer known as Doggy Dan, with a Puppy Coach program the vendor says covers potty training, crate training, commands and daily schedules.[2] Pick by how you like to learn: games in a set order, or watching video lessons.
We haven't tested either program. Everything below about the products comes from the vendors' own pages, read on 5 November 2026, and is labelled as such. Our opinions are labelled too. We may earn a commission from these products in future; see how we evaluate products.
Do you need a course at all?
Often, no. Free, reward-based guides cover the basics well, and our own guides on potty training, biting and leash walking are a good place to start. A course is worth considering if you want a sequence to follow and find it easier to stay consistent with one.
Side by side
Brain Training for Dogs, as the vendor describes it
- A games-based course by dog trainer Adrienne Farricelli.[1]
- Covers obedience basics and everyday problems like potty training, leash pulling and jumping.[1]
Our opinion: a natural fit if you and your dog already enjoy short training games, like the ones in our brain games guide.
The Online Dog Trainer, as the vendor describes it
- An online video library with programs including Puppy Coach, aimed at young puppies.[2]
- Puppy Coach topics listed by the vendor: potty training, crate training, command training and daily schedules.[2]
- Membership-style access; check the plan and renewal terms on the vendor's page before you sign up.[2]
Our opinion: a better fit if you learn by watching, and if your main questions are about a young puppy's routine.
How to judge any training program
The American Veterinary Society of Animal Behavior recommends reward-based training only, and says there is no evidence that aversive training is necessary.[3] Its guide to choosing a trainer is a useful checklist for courses too:[4]
- Good signs: rewards like treats, toys and praise; teaching a replacement behaviour; a friendly tone.
- Warning signs: prong or shock collars; "alpha", "pack leader" or dominance language; punishing or correcting unwanted behaviour; yelling.
Also check the price, whether it renews, and the refund terms on the vendor's own page. We don't repeat prices here because they change.
No course replaces your vet or a qualified behaviour professional for fear, panic or aggression. If you see those, start there.
Sources
- Brain Training for Dogs (vendor home page), Brain Training for Dogs (vendor)
- The Online Dog Trainer (vendor home page), The Online Dog Trainer (vendor)
- Position Statement on Humane Dog Training (2021), American Veterinary Society of Animal Behavior
- Green and Red Flags for Choosing a Dog Trainer, American Veterinary Society of Animal Behavior
