The short answer: These are two force-free online dog training programs, and the right one comes down to how you like to learn. Consider Brain Training for Dogs if you want a one-time payment and don't mind reading step-by-step lessons. Consider The Online Dog Trainer (Doggy Dan) if you'd rather watch a professional handle real dogs on video and don't mind a subscription. Both are presented as humane and reward-based; review the current vendor terms before buying.
Quick Comparison
| Brain Training for Dogs | The Online Dog Trainer (Doggy Dan) | |
|---|---|---|
| Best for | Value seekers, readers | Visual learners |
| Method | Force-free "brain games" | Calm, relationship-first |
| Format | Written lessons + photos | Large video library |
| Created by | Adrienne Farricelli (CPDT) | Doggy Dan (pro trainer) |
| Price | $67 one-time | Low-cost trial, then ~$37/mo or $147 lifetime |
| Refund terms | Vendor-stated 60-day window | Trial period + refund window stated by vendor |
| Puppy-specific track | Covered within course | Dedicated puppy program available |
Brain Training for Dogs — the value pick
Brain Training for Dogs
Created by certified trainer Adrienne Farricelli, this program presents obedience and behavior work through a progression of mental-stimulation "games." Mental work may support calmer routines for some dogs, but individual outcomes vary. Lessons are written with photos and organized into seven schools from beginner to advanced, plus a troubleshooting library for specific issues. Because it's a one-time purchase in the checked offer, there's no clock ticking while you practice.
- One-time purchase shown in the checked offer
- Gentle, force-free method is presented
- May suit owners seeking more mental enrichment
- Vendor-stated 60-day refund window; confirm current terms
- Text-and-photo, not video
- Rewards consistency more than passive watching
$67 one-time · vendor-stated 60-day refund window; confirm current terms
The Online Dog Trainer (Doggy Dan) — the video pick
The Online Dog Trainer (Doggy Dan)
If you'd rather see a technique demonstrated than read it, Doggy Dan's library is the deepest here — hundreds of clips spanning puppy basics through serious behavior problems, all built around a calm, relationship-first philosophy. New videos are added over time, so the subscription stays useful while you're actively training and is easy to cancel once your dog is sorted. A low-cost trial lets you test the whole thing before committing.
- Huge, well-organized video library
- Real dogs, real problems on camera
- Low-cost trial to test it first
- Dedicated puppy program available
- Monthly cost adds up if you linger
- So much content it can feel overwhelming at first
Low-cost trial · then ~$37/mo or $147 lifetime, based on the checked offer. We are not publishing a destination link until the current official offer is independently verified.
How they differ where it matters
Learning style. This is the biggest deciding factor. Brain Training for Dogs is read-and-do; Doggy Dan is watch-and-copy. Neither is "better" in the abstract — it's about which one you'll actually stick with for ten minutes a day.
Cost over time. Brain Training for Dogs is a single payment you keep. Doggy Dan is a subscription (with a lifetime option). If you expect to train intensively for a month or two and then stop, the trial-plus-monthly route can be cheaper; if you want a reference you'll dip into for years, the one-time purchase usually wins.
Problem coverage. Both cover the everyday issues — barking, pulling, jumping, biting, recall. Doggy Dan's video catalogue goes a little deeper on tougher, more visual cases; Brain Training leans into mental enrichment for dogs that misbehave out of boredom.
Puppies. Bringing home a new puppy tilts things slightly toward Doggy Dan, whose separate puppy program sequences crate training, toilet training, biting, and sleep in the order you'll actually hit them. Brain Training still works for puppies, but it isn't structured as a puppy-first path.
Still deciding?
Most owners who want to pay once and go at their own pace are happiest with Brain Training for Dogs.
See Brain Training for Dogs →Bottom Line
For many owners, Brain Training for Dogs may be the better fit — a gentle method as presented by the vendor, a one-time price in the checked offer, and a vendor-stated refund window that may reduce purchase risk. Choose The Online Dog Trainer (Doggy Dan) instead if you learn best by watching, want the deepest video library, or are starting fresh with a puppy. Neither approach promises a particular outcome.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use both programs together?
You can, and some owners do — Doggy Dan's videos for the "how it looks" and Brain Training's games for daily mental exercise. But it's rarely necessary. Pick the one that matches how you like to learn, work it consistently, and add the other only if you hit a wall.
Which is better for an aggressive dog?
Neither online program replaces a qualified, in-person behaviorist for genuine aggression or severe fear. For everyday reactivity and over-excitement, both can help; Doggy Dan's video demonstrations of calm handling are often easier to follow for reactive cases.
What refund terms are stated?
The checked offers displayed refund or trial terms, but those terms can change and are not a promise of results. Confirm the current policy, eligibility, and timing on the official page before buying.
Do these use shock collars or dominance methods?
No. Both are reward-based and force-free. That's a deliberate filter on our part — modern research consistently finds reward-based training is both kinder and more effective than aversive methods.
PawWise offers general dog-training information, not professional behavioral or veterinary advice. Every dog is different and results vary with consistency, breed, and individual temperament. For aggression, severe anxiety, or medical issues, consult a certified behaviorist or your veterinarian.
Keep reading
Want the full field, not just these two? See our comparison of the best online dog training programs, or read our in-depth Brain Training for Dogs review. Dealing with one specific issue? Start with our free guide to stopping nuisance barking.