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Maybe you want a dog soon and need to learn basic obedience training. Or perhaps you need support to correct your furry friend’s behavioral problems. Either way, an online dog training course can connect you with solutions from the comfort of your home.
Online courses can teach you the basics of dog training or advance your knowledge if you already have experience. Plus, you can save a wad of cash with an online option over a pricey training program.
Ready to enroll? Start with Benzinga’s list of the best dog training courses.
Quick Look: Best Dog Training Courses
- The Ultimate Dog Training Online Program by Udemy
- Dr. Sammy’s Practical, Easy Dog Training for the Real World by Udemy
- Dog Training: 50 Dog Behavior Issues and Ways to Fix Them! by Aman Gupta
- Punishment-Free Dog Training: 30 Day Perfect Dog Blueprint by Udemy
- Reliability and Games 2-Day Dog Training Workshop by Udemy
- Dog Training - How to Work with Aggressive Dogs by Udemy
- Dog Psychology 101 (5-Day Course) by Bear Heart
- AKC Rally Master Class by Udemy
- Dog Emotion and Cognition by Duke University
Featured Courses:
What Makes a Dog Training Course Great?
A quick online search for dog training courses yields tons of results. So, how do you know which are worthwhile and which are a complete waste of time? Only consider classes that meet these criteria:
Experienced Instructor
Dog training takes lots of practice and patience. You want an instructor who is experienced enough to understand and keeps this in mind as they deliver the material.
Instructors should be familiar with common challenges that both new and advanced dog trainers face and address ways to overcome these issues. It’s also important course material is introduced at a pace that you can follow. You may not grasp the vital concepts if the instructor moves through the lessons too rapidly.
Check your facilitator’s bio to learn more about their experience with dog training. Also, read course reviews from past and current students to get a feel for their teaching style so you’ll know what to expect should you decide to enroll.
Creative Teaching Approaches
Some dogs have more behavioral issues than others and the 1-size-fits-all approach to dog training doesn’t always work. So, you want a course that introduces creative teaching approaches you can use to train your dog. The instructor should dedicate ample time to show you how to execute the strategies effectively.
Affordable
Don’t spend a fortune on a dog training course. Evaluate your options and narrow down your list to those with price points you can afford. Or if money’s tight, start with free classes and work your way up to paid selections as your budget allows.
Our Top Picks
We’ve compiled our top picks for dog training courses from Coursera, Skillshare and Udemy. Below you’ll find the classes listed by skill level: beginner, intermediate and advanced. There’s also a description and enrollment fee included with each course to help you find the right fit.
Dog Training Courses for Beginners
New to dog training? Take a look at these classes for beginners.
1. The Ultimate Dog Training Online Program by Udemy
Who it's for: Beginners
Price: $19.99
If you’re in the market for a new puppy and searching for dog training tips, this course is perfect for you. It’s also worth considering if your dog has behavioral issues and you don’t know where to start with obedience training.
Led by experienced professional dog trainer Gaz Jackson, The Ultimate Dog Training Online Program dives into training secrets to help you train your dog with ease. It also covers strategies related to evaluating dogs for detection, obedience, search and rescue or protection duties.
Included in the registration fee is over 3.5 hours of on-demand video lectures. You’ll also receive 2 articles and 1 downloadable resource to facilitate your comprehension of the material.
2. Dr. Sammy’s Practical, Easy Dog Training for the Real World by Udemy
Who it's for: Beginners
Price: $34.99
Dr. Sammy’s Practical, Easy Do Training for the Real World is another ideal option if you’re a new dog owner or inexperienced in dog training. The class introduces dog owners to effective ways to teach commands to help dogs become more obedient.
It’s facilitated by expert dog trainer Dr. Samantha Schinder and includes the following lectures:
- Introduction
- How to Train
- How to Obtain Obedience
- Corrective Measures for Undesirable Behaviors
- Demonstrations
- How to Teach a New Command
- Goals and How to Conceptualize Them
Students are also required to take a dog training quiz to test comprehension. Register today to unlock 1 hour of on-demand video and 4 downloadable resources. You’ll receive a certificate of completion when you finish the course.
3. Dog Training: 50 Dog Behavior Issues and Ways to Fix Them! by Aman Gupta
Who it's for: Beginners
Price: Free
Master the basics of dog behavior training with this introductory course from Skillshare. It includes detailed guidance on the most effective punishment-free ways to handle behavioral challenges.
Dog Training: 50 Dog Behavior Issues and Ways to Fix Them! covers a variety of common behavioral issues like aggression with other dogs in the household, poop-eating, separation anxiety, begging and attention-seeking behavior, food guarding and grass-eating and digging. There are also lessons on excessive barking, escape-behavior, interactions with children, aggressive behavior towards humans, whining and so much more.
You’ll have access to a basic obedience training guide at no additional cost to you. This free class is taught by pet enthusiast Aman Gupta.
Intermediate Dog Training Courses
Once you’ve mastered the basics of dog training and want to take it up a notch, consider these intermediate courses.
4. Punishment-Free Dog Training: 30 Day Perfect Dog Blueprint by Udemy
Who it's for: Intermediate students
Price: $114.99
Searching for punishment-free dog training tactics for your furry friend? Look no further than this highly-rated intermediate course from Udemy.
Punishment-Free Dog Training: 30 Day Perfect Dog Blueprint is comprised of 6 core modules:
- Making Your Dog’s Life Revolve Around You!
- Your Master Currency and Distraction Ladders!
- Building a World-Class Relationship
- Creating a Dog That Is Patient and Courteous
- How to Get a Dog to Exist Calmly - Even If They Are Brimming with Energy!
- Teaching Your Dog Unrivaled Obedience
You’ll learn how to curb anxiety in your dog and establish trust. After the training is complete, your dog should be more polite, obey your commands and be leash broken.
Register today to unlock 4 hours of on-demand video, 1 article and 3 downloadable resources. Plus, you can enroll with confidence knowing the class comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee if you’re unsatisfied for any reason.
5. Reliability and Games 2-Day Dog Training Workshop by Udemy
Who it's for: Intermediate students
Price: $119.99
Reliability and Games 2-Day Dog Training Workshop focuses on getting dogs to respond when they are off the leash, distracted and away from the owner. This 2-day course is most ideal for dogs who already understand basic obedience commands.
Register today to receive full lifetime access to 11.5 hours of on-demand video, 3 articles and 2 downloadable resources. When you finish the course, you will receive a certificate of completion. You can also request 12 continuing education credits.
The class is led by Dr. Ian Dunbar, a veterinarian, animal behaviorist and expert dog trainer. Dunbar attended Veterinary College at London University. He also holds a doctoral degree in animal behavior from the Psychology Department at the University of California, Berkeley.
6. Dog Training - How to Work with Aggressive Dogs by Udemy
Who it's for: Intermediate students
Price: $109.99
Learn how to train aggressive dogs in this highly-rated course from Udemy. Presented by dog trainer Ted Efthymiadis, this course teaches you how to read dog body language and leverage proven training techniques to rehabilitate aggressive dogs.
Dog Training - How to Work with Aggressive Dogs is divided into 5 core segments:
- Starting the Dogs
- Training the Place Command and Leash Walking
- Recall and Socialization
- Bonus
- Books
Sign up today in just minutes. You’ll receive instant access to 31 lectures jam-packed into 5 hours of on-demand video and 2 articles.
Have an E-Collar, regular leash, long leash, bait bag, dog food and treats before you register.
Advanced Dog Training Courses
These courses are useful if you want to journey inside your dog's mind or prepare for competition.
7. Dog Psychology 101 (5-Day Course) by Bear Heart
Who it's for: Advanced students
Price: Free
Interested in gaining an in-depth understanding of dog psychology? Consider this advanced course from Skillshare to bring you up to speed in just 5 days.
It’s presented by Bear Hart, creator of the Dao of Dog Method. The course includes 7 lessons:
- Why Take This Course?
- How to Get the Most Out of This Course
- Understanding Pack Mentality
- Dogs vs. Humans - The Similarities and Differences
- The 3 Ways We Confuse Our Dogs
- The Primal Struggle
- The 3 Problem-Solving Mechanisms for Confusion
There’s no cost to enroll. You’ll receive access to a PDF workbook that details actionable steps to strengthen your relationship with your dog.
8. AKC Rally Master Class by Udemy
Who it's for: Advanced students
Price: $84.99
The highly-rated AKC Rally Master Class teaches handlers to properly perform AKC Master exercises. You’ll also learn how to convey these instructions to your dog while working toward your RACH and RM titles.
It’s led by dog training instructor Jude Azaren and includes the following modules:
- The Recall Over Jump Exercises (#301, #302, #303)
- The Call Front - 2 Side Steps (#304, #305)
- The Send Away Sit Exercises (#306, #307, #308)
- The Backup 3 Steps Exercises (#309, #310, #311)
- The Dog Spins Right/Left Exercises (#312, #313)
- The Cloverleaf Exercises (#314)
- The Double Left ABout Turn - Right/Left Exercises (#315, #316)
- The Recall - Finish Right/Left - Sit Exercises (#317, #318)
- The Side by Side Right/Left Circle Exercises (#319, #320)
- The Dog Circles Right - Handler Circles Left Exercise (#321)
- The Stand - Leave 2 Steps - Call to Heel Exercise (#322)
Instruction is delivered via 3.5 hours of on-demand video. You’ll also receive 10 downloadable resources to supplement the video lectures and a certificate of completion when you reach the finish line.
You should have knowledge of AKC rally exercises at the novice, intermediate, advanced and excellent levels before you enroll.
9. Dog Emotion and Cognition by Duke University
Who it's for: Advanced students
Price: Free
Offered by Duke University, this free course pulls back the curtain on dog psychology. It goes beyond the basics to discuss the latest developments on how dogs think. You’ll also discover how dogs perceive humans and how you can leverage this knowledge to strengthen the bond you have with your dog.
Dog Emotion and Cognition includes 6 primary modules:
- The Paradox of a Best Friend That Evolved From Our Worst Enemy
- How Biology Studies Cognitive Evolution
- Dogs Are Cognitively Remarkable
- Evolutionary Accidents and Survival of the Friendliest
- Problems That Dogs Can and Cannot Solve
- Finding Your Dog’s Genius
Each module includes video lectures and supplementary readings. You’ll also be tasked with quizzes to test your comprehension and identify areas to study. Plus, there’s a final exam to wrap it all up.
Facilitator Brian Hare is an Associate Professor of Evolutionary Anthropology at Duke University.
Find the Right Dog Training Course
Consider a course from our list of top recommendations to begin training your dog. These online options give you access to knowledgeable dog trainers with extensive experience. Find a creative approach to dog training at a competitive price point today.
What is the highest level of dog training?
Advanced obedience is the highest the highest level of dog training. This is meant for dogs that have learned beginner and intermediate skills. Advanced obedience is meant to perfect the dogs skills under any type of distraction.
Is Online dog training effective?
Online dog training has been found to be effective. Those who purchase an online training program will receive the same exact guidance and instructions they would had they done it in person. The main difference is that instead of a trainer handling the dog in the duration of training its the owner.
Southern New Hampshire University Online
SNHU Online Offers:
- Flexible schedules
- Affordable tuition
- Online tutoring
- Access to electronic research materials
- Specialized academic advising
- Supportive online community