Brain Training for Dogs review: an honest, independent look
This is an independent review from an affiliate site, we may earn a commission if you buy through our links, and we are not connected to the product's creators. Our aim is to describe the program accurately, say who it suits, and be clear about its limits.
We publish this site independently and stand behind the guidance on it. It is not the official Brain Training for Dogs website, and we are not Adrienne Farricelli or her team. Some links here are affiliate links: if you buy through them we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you, and that never changes what we recommend. See our affiliate disclosure.
In short
Brain Training for Dogs is a reward-based, self-paced online course built around games that teach a dog to think, plus an obedience and common-problems section. The method is mainstream and sensible. It is genuinely useful if you want structure and will follow it; it is not a fit for people who want live coaching, or for dogs with aggression, severe anxiety or reactivity, which need a professional. Pricing and guarantee terms change, confirm on the official offer page.
What exactly is included in Brain Training for Dogs?
It is an online program that teaches obedience and manners through games rather than through drilling. The premise: if you first teach a dog how to learn, how to try things, cope with a small challenge, and work for a reward, then everyday training becomes easier. The games are graded into difficulty levels, and there is a separate section applying the same reward-based approach to problems like barking, chewing, digging, jumping up and lead pulling.
You get it as a members' area with written lessons, photographs and supporting videos, and you work through it at your own pace at home. It is a digital product; there is nothing physical shipped.
Who created it?
Adrienne Farricelli is a professional dog trainer who holds a recognised pet-dog-training certification (CPDT-KA) and has written for mainstream dog magazines. Her methodology is reward-based: reinforce what you want, set the dog up to succeed, avoid intimidation and physical correction. That aligns with the position of veterinary behaviour organisations, which is a point in the program's favour.
What's included
| Component | What it is |
|---|---|
| Training games in levels | Puzzle, focus and impulse-control games in tiered difficulty, each with step-by-step instructions and troubleshooting for when the dog gets stuck. |
| Obedience foundations | Core cues, attention, sit, down, stay, recall, leave it, taught with markers and rewards. |
| Behaviour section | Reward-based, management-first approaches to common problems (barking, chewing, digging, jumping, pulling, whining, and more). |
| Supporting material | Articles on training theory, body language and setup; a members' area you keep access to. |
| Format | Text-forward lessons with photos and videos. Self-paced. Works on phone, tablet or computer. |
Exact module names, bonus items and any community access are set by the vendor and have changed over the product's life, so treat the offer page as the source of truth for what is bundled today.
How the program works in practice
You start at the easiest level with simple games, targeting your hand, following a lure, basic focus, and only move up when the dog is fluent. Each game has a purpose beyond the trick itself: the "airplane game" and similar build duration and impulse control; scent and puzzle games build persistence; focus games build the check-in habit that recall and loose-lead walking depend on. The behaviour section then leans on those foundations: a dog that can focus and settle is far easier to teach not to jump on visitors.
Sessions are meant to be short, a few minutes, a few times a day, which matches what we would recommend anyway. See our guide to positive reinforcement dog training for the underlying mechanics.
The training philosophy
Reward-based, marker-driven, gradual criteria. No prong or shock collars, no "dominance" framing, no leash corrections. This is the same approach we cover across this site and the one supported by research comparing training methods: reward-based training is associated with effective learning and lower fear and stress than aversive methods. If you were hoping for a "make him respect you" system, this is not that, and that is a good thing.
Who it may suit
- Owners who want a plan to follow rather than designing their own enrichment and training schedule
- Puppies and adolescents building foundation skills, using the easy levels in short sessions
- High-energy and working breeds that need a daily mental outlet, see high-energy dog activities
- People who like learning by reading, at their own pace, and revisiting lessons
- Owners on a budget who want structured guidance without the cost of repeated in-person classes
What owners using the program say
Since starting Brain Training for Dogs, I’ve noticed a real difference in the way my dogs approach training. They seem more engaged, focused, and excited to participate. What used to feel like repetitive command training now feels more like a fun challenge where they get to think, learn, and figure things out.
I especially love that the approach focuses on making training enjoyable rather than forcing behaviours. It has helped me communicate better with my dogs and has strengthened the bond we share. They are more confident, eager to learn, and always seem ready for the next session. It has completely changed the way I think about training.
Emily R.Dog ownerAfter going through the program, I feel much more confident when training my dog. I have a better understanding of why my puppy behaves the way he does, and that has completely changed how I respond during training.
My puppy is picking things up more quickly, paying closer attention, and responding much better to my cues. The biggest benefit for me has been learning how to stay patient and consistent instead of feeling frustrated when something does not work immediately.
Brain Training for Dogs gave me practical tools and a better understanding of how to work with my dog. It has been a great experience for both of us and has made training something we genuinely enjoy together.
Jennifer M.Dog ownerTestimonials from people who have used Brain Training for Dogs. They describe individual experiences: results vary from dog to dog and from owner to owner, and are not guaranteed. This website is independent and is not run by Adrienne Farricelli or the program’s makers.
Who may need something different
- Anyone dealing with aggression, severe anxiety, separation panic or reactivity, these need in-person assessment by a vet and a qualified behaviourist. A self-paced course is the wrong tool.
- People who want live feedback on their timing and handling, a course can't watch you.
- Owners who strongly prefer video tutorials over reading.
- Anyone who already runs a varied, reward-based routine and is happy with it.
Pros and considerations
Potential advantages
- Reward-based method consistent with mainstream guidance
- Structured progression, less planning for you
- Games make training engaging for dog and owner
- Covers enrichment and obedience and common problems
- Self-paced with ongoing access to lessons
- Sold via ClickBank, which runs a standard refund window
- Created by a credentialed trainer
Things to consider
- No personalised coaching or feedback
- Text-heavy; less for video-first learners
- Not for aggression, severe anxiety or reactivity
- Results depend entirely on your consistency
- Much of the enrichment content can be assembled free with effort
- Pricing, bonuses and upsells vary, check the offer page
- Marketing around the product is often hyped by affiliates (including the "make your dog a genius" framing)
Research context, kept honest
There is, as far as we know, no published study of Brain Training for Dogs itself. What exists is research on the ingredients:
- Reward-based training is associated with good outcomes and lower stress than aversive methods (Ziv 2017; China, Mills & Cooper 2020; Vieira de Castro et al. 2020).
- Enrichment and problem-solving opportunities are associated with calmer behaviour and better welfare (Wells 2004; Meehan & Mench 2007).
- Free sniffing and scent work are linked with a more settled, optimistic state (Duranton & Horowitz 2019).
So a fair statement is: the program applies methods that the evidence supports in general. It is not accurate to say "science proves this course works" or that it will "make your dog smarter". Be wary of any review that claims otherwise.
Price, guarantee and access
We deliberately don't publish a price, because the vendor changes it and runs promotions. It is a one-time purchase for lifetime access to the version you buy, sold through ClickBank. ClickBank operates a standard money-back window across its marketplace; the exact terms shown at checkout are what apply. For today's figure and guarantee wording, see the price and access page or go straight to the official offer.
Alternatives
It is not the only reward-based online option, and for some owners a different format is a better fit, live virtual classes, video-first libraries, or one-to-one help from a local certified trainer. We compare the trade-offs on Brain Training for Dogs alternatives. If cost is the barrier, the free routines on mental stimulation for dogs and brain games for dogs cover a lot of the same ground.
Our verdict
Brain Training for Dogs is a legitimate, reasonably priced, reward-based course that does what it says: it gives you a structured set of games and obedience lessons to work through with a normal pet dog. Its value depends almost entirely on you, the course can't train your dog, it can only give you a plan. If you know you'll follow a plan and you want one, it's a sensible buy. If you need coaching, prefer video, or are facing a serious behaviour problem, spend your money elsewhere. See is it worth it for a decision framework, and is it legit if that's your main question.
Check the current offer
Format, contents, price and guarantee terms are all on the vendor's page. Have a look before deciding.
Affiliate link. We may earn a commission at no additional cost to you.
FAQ
Related pages
- Is Brain Training for Dogs worth it?
- Is Brain Training for Dogs legit?
- Would you call Brain Training for Dogs a scam?
- Price & access
- Alternatives
- About Adrienne Farricelli
References
- Ziv G (2017). The effects of using aversive training methods in dogs: a review. Journal of Veterinary Behavior 19, 50–60.
- Vieira de Castro AC, Fuchs D, Morello GM, Pastur S, de Sousa L, Olsson IAS (2020). Does training method matter? Evidence for the negative impact of aversive-based methods on companion dog welfare. PLOS ONE 15(12), e0225023.
- China L, Mills DS, Cooper JJ (2020). Efficacy of dog training with and without remote electronic collars vs. a focus on positive reinforcement. Frontiers in Veterinary Science 7, 508.
- China L, Mills DS, Cooper JJ (2023). Reevaluating the effectiveness of electronic shock collars: prevalence of adverse effects and comparison with positive reinforcement. PLOS ONE.
- Herron ME, Shofer FS, Reisner IR (2009). Survey of the use and outcome of confrontational and non-confrontational training methods in client-owned dogs showing undesired behaviors. Applied Animal Behaviour Science 117, 47–54.
- Hiby EF, Rooney NJ, Bradshaw JWS (2004). Dog training methods: their use, effectiveness and interaction with behaviour and welfare. Animal Welfare 13, 63–69.
- Blackwell EJ, Twells C, Seawright A, Casey RA (2008). The relationship between training methods and the occurrence of behavior problems, as reported by owners, in a population of domestic dogs. Journal of Veterinary Behavior 3, 207–217.
- Rooney NJ, Cowan S (2011). Training methods and owner–dog interaction: links with dog behaviour and learning ability. Applied Animal Behaviour Science 132, 169–177.
- Deldalle S, Gaunet F (2014). Effects of 2 training methods on stress-related behaviors of the dog and on the dog–owner relationship. Journal of Veterinary Behavior 9, 58–65.
- Arhant C, Bubna-Littitz H, Bartels A, Futschik A, Troxler J (2010). Behaviour of smaller and larger dogs: effects of training methods, inconsistency of owner behaviour and level of engagement in activities with the dog. Applied Animal Behaviour Science 123, 131–142.
- Fernandes JG, Olsson IAS, Vieira de Castro AC (2017). Do aversive-based training methods actually compromise dog welfare?: a literature review. Applied Animal Behaviour Science 196, 1–12.
- Casey RA, Loftus B, Bolster C, Richards GJ, Blackwell EJ (2014). Human-directed aggression in domestic dogs: occurrence in different contexts and risk factors. Applied Animal Behaviour Science 152, 52–63.
- American Veterinary Society of Animal Behavior (2021). Position Statement on Humane Dog Training. View source
- American Veterinary Society of Animal Behavior. Position Statement on the Use of Punishment for Behavior Modification in Animals. View source
- American Animal Hospital Association (2015). Canine and Feline Behavior Management Guidelines. View source
- WSAVA Animal Wellness and Welfare Committee (2018). Global Welfare Guidelines for companion animal practitioners. Journal of Small Animal Practice.
These references describe dogs and training in general. They are not evidence about any specific commercial program. This page is general information, not a substitute for individualised veterinary or behaviour advice. Last reviewed: 30 August 2026.