Dog Academy Review (2024 Upd.) Great For Online Training

Last Updated on October, 2024

The companionship you get from a dog is invaluable. But not all dogs are alike. They all have their habits, behaviors, and ways of doing things.

As pet parents, we are responsible for ensuring these habits and behaviors cause minimal frustration and distraction to us and the other people around us. 

And that’s where the Dog Academy comes in to help with dog training and behavior modification.

Since you already knew to look for this Dog Academy review, let’s dive in deep to help you understand how training with Dog Academy will allow you to shape and transform your dog on whatever front you desire. 

 Overall: 4.9/5.0
Dog Academy Program Image
4.9
Effectivenes
4.8
Ease of Training
4.9
Price
Features
  • Provides training courses that can be accessed online
  • The training is presented as affordable
  • The courses are simple to follow
  • Training supports for special needs
  • SEE WHAT’S MORE
Brand Information
  • Founded in 2021
  • Their trainers has years of experience
  • Aims for effective and happy dog training outcomes
Product Benefits
  • It allows you to build a strong bond with your dog
  • A psychiatric service dog course is reviewed and certified by a doctor
  • Awards a course completion certificate 
  • The courses are budget-friendly

About Dog Academy

Dog Academy Logo

Dog Academy is a dog training service provider offering in-person and online learning. The Academy uses comprehensive, accessible, and effective techniques to train even the most unruly dog.

The Dog Academy’s mission is “To provide accessible, affordable, and effective training that helps forge positive, life-changing relationships between dogs and their humans.”

Experts Behind the Dog Academy Courses

The Dog Academy is backed by a nationwide network of 1000+ expert dog trainers. They are equipped with the expertise to train any breed, issue, age, and anywhere.

Most of their trainers hold various credentials, including;

  • CBCC-KA (Certified Behavior Consultant Canine – Knowledge Assessed)
  • AKC CGC (AKC Canine Good Citizen)
  • CPDT-KA (Certified Professional Dog Trainer – Knowledge Assessed)
  • APDT (Association of Professional Dog Trainers)
  • And more

Training Philosophy 

Dog Academy employs only positive reinforcement paired with reward-based training. This training approach is highly effective and proven to be results-driven.

It also creates an encouraging, happy, and healthy learning environment that facilitates the growth of a stronger and more stable bond with your dog.

Understanding a dog and determining the best communication methods helps build a healthy relationship. The relationship makes it easier to teach the dog obedience and behaviors. 

Dog Training Course Options

dog academy website courses page

All Dog Academy courses are designed to be accessible and understandable by any pet parent. The comprehensive and easy-to-follow structure makes it suitable even for first-time trainers.

Also, additional learning materials are made available to make training more easier. Below is the list of online dog training course options you can explore.

All lessons combine progress exams and supplemental learning materials like videos, illustrations, and downloadables. And you’ll receive a course completion certification for all courses.

1. Basic Obedience Training Program

Basic Obedience Training Program by Dog Academy

In this course, you will learn to train your dog in foundational commands and understand why the science behind the training methods gives successful results.

This course takes 6 hours 36 minutes and covers multiple lessons, including;

  • Understanding dog behavior
  • Understanding the benefits of reward-based training
  • Marker training and charging the mark
  • Learning sit and stay
  • Learning lay down
  • Loose leash walking and heel
  • Touching or target training
  • How to housetrain your dog 

This course suits anyone who wants to teach a dog basic, foundational commands using positive reinforcement and reward-based training. These commands are essential to set the foundation for any dog.

2. Puppy Kindergarten

Puppy Kindergarten by Dog Academy

Puppy Kindergarten is designed to train a puppy in basic commands to facilitate the foundation to help raise a puppy to be happy and well-functioning. You’ll also learn how to puppy-proof your house and introduce them to other dogs and cats. 

It takes 5 hours 25 minutes to complete this course, and it covers the following lessons;

  • Life with a puppy
  • Your Puppy’s introduction to the world
  • Training tools and techniques
  • Attention and response
  • Basic Obedience
  • House training A puppy

This course suits pet parents who want to welcome a puppy into a safe, happy, and stress-free home environment and help it master basic commands.

Also, anyone adopting a puppy to train it to be a service dog will benefit because early training and bonding make service dog training much simpler later on.

3. Psychiatric Service Dog Training

Psychiatric Service Dog Training Program by Dog Academy

Following this course will help you train your dog to perform tasks that mitigate the symptoms of psychiatric disabilities.

In this, you’ll learn all you need to know about psychiatric service dogs, how they can help, the commands and tasks that will help with symptom mitigation of a psychiatric disability, tips, and techniques, and information on the public access test.

This course is 7 hours 26 minutes long, and it offers the following lessons;

  • What and Why Are Service Dogs Important
  • Understanding the importance of basic training
  • Beyond basic training
  • Building on basic training
  • Psychiatric disabilities and common misconceptions
  • Training psychiatric service dog tasks
  • What is the public access test
  • Psychiatric service dog training course review

This course is reviewed and certified by Dr. Meyer Psy.D.

This certification acknowledges that the PSD tasks taught in this course can help effectively mitigate the symptoms of many mental illnesses like depression, anxiety, PTSD, panic attacks, schizophrenia, OCD, social phobias, and more.

This course is ideal for individuals with psychiatric disabilities who feel that a psychiatric service dog will be helpful to get them along with their daily tasks and live a more independent life.

Following this course, new and experienced canine trainers can train dogs to become service dogs.

4. Minimizing Separation Anxiety

Minimizing Separation Anxiety by Dog Academy

This course concerns separation anxiety and helping your dog feel safe and secure when home alone.

By following the course, you will learn what separation anxiety is and how to recognize signs of it in your dog, how to prevent and treat it, and alternative treatments and techniques for severe separation anxiety cases.

This course is 1 hour 30 minutes long, and the following lessons are included;

  • Understanding Separation anxiety and what causes it
  • Preventing and treating separation anxiety

This course is good for pet parents and dog handlers expecting to change their routine and leave their dogs alone more often and dogs already showing signs of separation anxiety.

5. General Canine Grooming

General Canine Grooming by Dog Academy

This all-rounder course in dog grooming covers multiple areas, including brushing, bathing, teeth cleaning, and nail clipping.

You can learn about specific grooming areas, tools and techniques to do the job properly, and tips and tricks to approach dog grooming. This course will cover the importance of maintaining a proper and regular grooming regime.

The run time of the course is 4 hours 33 minutes, and it covers the following lessons;

  • Importance of regular training
  • Identifying your dog’s needs
  • Bathing and brushing your dog
  • Brushing your dog’s teeth
  • Cleaning your dog’s ears
  • Doggies Nail maintenance
  • Summary

This is great for anyone wanting to learn how to groom a dog. Pet parents, especially first-time parents, can learn a lot about improving and maintaining a routine for their doggie grooming.

6. Canine Coworker

Canine Coworker by Dog Academy

This interesting course will help you equip your dog with the necessary skills and behaviors to become the perfect office dog.

In this course, you’ll learn the following;

  • Positive, reward-based training methods and techniques
  • Basic commands to help keep a dog happy and functioning 
  • The benefits of having a dog as an office companion
  • Identify the dangers that may arise or exist in an office setting

This course will take 4 hours to complete and covers the lessons listed below;

  • Benefits of bringing a dog to work
  • Reward-based and positive reinforcement training
  • Mastering sit and stay
  • Tackling impulse control
  • Preparing for the office
  • Going to the office

This course is ideal for working pet parents who want to bring their dogs to the office safely and responsibly. It is also suitable for anyone who wants to work on improving their dog’s socialization.

7. ESA Training

ESA training by Dog Academy

This course will cover everything there is to know about Emotional Support Animals, training techniques, and the laws and policies surrounding it. 

From this course, you’ll learn the following;

  • Positive reinforcement and reward-based teaching methods
  • A full understanding of the laws and policies surrounding ESAs.
  • Basic commands that provide the foundation for a happy and well-behaved dog allowed in any housing situation
  • Common myths and misconceptions about ESAs 

This course takes 6 hours to complete and covers the following lessons;

  • What are ESAs, and why are they important?
  • Who can benefit from an ESA?
  • Understanding dog behavior and the benefits of reward-based training
  • Basic obedience training
  • Beyond the basics
  • ESA course review

This course is ideal for anyone who wants to train a dog to become an ESA. First-time owners and experienced handlers can also train their dogs to learn techniques to provide emotional support.

Anyone with a mental health disability can also follow this course to safely and effectively train the dog with minimal triggers and stress.

8. How to Stop Your Dog From Pulling

How to stop your dog from Pulling by Dog Academy

This course covers an essential dog behavior that all dog parents will benefit from leash pulling. This course teaches you how to manage and prevent your dog’s leash-pulling behavior using positive reinforcement and reward-based training.

You will also be briefed on high-energy dog breeds and how to manage their temperament to prevent and control leash pulling.

This is a 5 hours and 50 minutes course that will cover the following modules;

  • How to stop your dog from pulling
  • Why reward-based training is best
  • Spotting behaviors and basic obedience training
  • Equipment and tools
  • Clicker training and other techniques for leash pulling
  • How to train high-energy dogs
  • Review 

The course suits anyone who wants to work on their dog’s leash-pulling behavior to improve obedience, especially a high-energy dog breed.

9. Dog Tricks for Beginners

Taking a step further from basic obedience, you can follow this course to teach your dog fun beginner tricks like spinning, speaking, rolling over, sitting, and more.

The course also covers positive obedience training and how it will help create a foundation for communication, bonding skills, and teaching your dog to respond to your commands.

This 5 hours 15 minutes course will cover the modules below;

  • The benefits of trick training
  • Foundations of trick training
  • Shake, speak, and touch
  • Roll over, sit pretty, and spin
  • Trick training review

This course is ideal for anyone wanting to teach dog tricks while incorporating basic obedience commands. First-time and experienced owners can learn to introduce tricks into their dog’s daily life. 

10. Building Confidence in Dogs

In this course, you will learn how to build confidence in scared and insecure dogs and help them live happy lives.

You will be able to identify triggers, learn how to read canine body language, and implement training strategies based on the individual dog to help improve self-esteem.

The modules covered in this 5 hours and 40 minutes course are;

  • Building confidence in dogs
  • Understanding dog behavior
  • Socialization
  • Basic obedience training
  • Confidence building games
  • Desensitization and counterconditioning
  • Dog confidence review

This course is ideal for all who want to improve their dog’s confidence and self-esteem. Be it a young puppy or an older dog, this course can help improve a dog’s socialization skills and reduce anxiety or panic risks.

11. General Dog First Aid and CPR

Knowing general first aid and CPR is vital to ensure you are always ready to help your dog in a medical emergency. This course will teach you basic emergencies, from allergies to drowning to injuries.

This course will help you determine issues that need a vet’s attention or emergency clinic. Also, you will know about first aid supplies, medications, and contact numbers you should always have on you.

You’ll learn;

  • What do healthy vital signs look like versus when your dog is sick
  • How to best be prepared in case of an emergency
  • Learn basic first aid, canine CPR, and Heimlich

In this 7 hours 20 minutes course, the lessons covered are;

  • Why first aid for your dog matters
  • Your dog’s first aid kit
  • How to know when your dog needs first aid
  • First aid for illnesses, including poisonings
  • First aid for injuries
  • First aid for allergic reactions
  • First aid for respiratory and cardiovascular emergencies
  • Performing canine CPR, artificial resuscitation, and the Heimlich Maneuver

This course is good for anyone who wants to be prepared to care for their dog and provide the necessary safety measures in an emergency. Dog groomers, trainers, boarders, and dog walkers will also benefit as they consistently work with dogs.

12. Crate Training

Crate training is important to help housetrain your dog and make it more independent when you are not around.

This course will teach all the basics of crate training, its benefits, picking the best type of crate, and how to use reward-based positive training to help your dog be comfortable inside the crate.

In this 4 hours 30 minutes course, you’ll learn;

  • The methods and techniques used in positive reward-based training
  • Choosing the right crate type and dog accessories
  • Step-by-step instructions on how to crate train

The lessons covered are as follows;

  • The benefits of crate training
  • Getting prepared
  • How to crate train your dog
  • Crate training tips
  • Potential crate problems
  • Crate training review

This course is suitable for anyone wanting to teach a dog the key behaviors to house and potty training to provide a safe and comfortable space.

Also, pet parents who want to travel with their pets will benefit from taking the course to train their dogs to be comfortable while traveling, even in stressful environments.

13. End Excessive Barking

This course will teach why your dog barks constantly and how you can minimize that behavior.

You can identify the different types of barks, recognize triggers causing excessive barking, read your dog’s body language, and use counterconditioning and desensitization techniques to alter that behavior.

The lessons covered in this 5 hours 30 minutes class are;

  • Understanding your dog’s bark
  • Understanding a dog’s body language
  • What to do about excessive barking
  • Routines, exercise, and activities
  • Course review

This course is good for anyone wanting to stop or prevent excessive barking. Pet parents can also learn about dog barking psychology to manage it best. 

14. Curving Your Dog’s Reactivity

This course will help you fix and manage your dog’s reactive behavior to outside stimuli.

You’ll learn;

  • Different types of reactivity and how to identify each
  • Understand your dog’s barks and what each one indicates
  • What desensitization and counterconditioning and how it can help

This is a 3 hours 50 minutes course that will cover the following modules;

  • What is reactivity
  • Body language
  • Continual training and exercise
  • Reactivity review

This course is ideal for anyone who wants to learn about dog reactivity issues, causes, prevention, and management. Owners with dogs displaying reactive behaviors can also benefit from following the course.

15. The German Shepherd

This course is ideal for all current GSD parents, first-time dog parents considering a GSD, and anyone wanting to learn about GSDs.

This course teaches you about their history, temperament, physical characteristics, health, and grooming habits to take better care of their dog. 

16. Goldendoodle

This course is for anyone interested in Goldendoodles. Through this course, you can learn history, temperament, ideal lifestyle, health issues, grooming needs, and more to provide them with the best care.

17. Australian Shepherd

This course will cover everything you need to know about the adventurous Australian shepherd breed. You can learn everything from history to appearance to the best lifestyle needs from this course.

So, anyone considering adopting an Australian Shepherd, groomers, and trainers working with this breed, or simply someone who loves this breed.

18. Golden Retriever

This course is all about the loving and loyal Golden Retriever breed. Anyone looking to adopt or learn about this breed will get access to information on history, physical characteristics, temperament, health, and grooming habits.

19. The French Bulldog

This course will teach you all about the cute and cuddly French Bulldog breeds. The course will cover everything from characteristics, temperament, training, health, and grooming habits.

You also learn what life would be like if you wanted to own a Frenchie and how best to care for this breed. 

So anyone looking for knowledge on this breed, considering first-time dog parents, vets, groomers, and trainers, can take this course for a better insight into the breed.

20. The Ultimate Guide to Adopting a Dog

This course is for anyone who wants to become a pet parent.

From this course, you can learn everything there is to know about the adoption process, the importance of finding the right dog to fit your lifestyle, the preparation of the home and environment to keep your dog, and more.

21. How to Weave Through Legs

This course will give step-by-step instructions to teach your dog how to weave through the legs. Not only is it a fun trick, it is also good agility training. 

How Much Does it Cost to Train Through the Dog Academy?

The Online courses offered by Dog Academy start from as low as $29.99 and go up as high as $349.99

Dog Academy also offers a monthly subscription option that allows access to all courses, unlimited televet sessions, and exclusive discounts.

On the other hand, private training costs anywhere between $75- $130 per hour, based on your location.

However, if you opt for physical small-group training, you are looking at $39- $75 per hour, depending on your location. 

Dog Academy offers a 100% refund if the cancellation is done 24 hours before the scheduled training session. 

TAILORED TO ALL DOGS
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Dog Academy
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My Thoughts on Dog Academy Training?

Dog Academy Banner

From a wide course variety to positive teaching techniques, self-paced with clear and reliable course content, and affordability, Dog Academy offered me all the right things to convince me to choose it as my training guide.

Not to forget, the satisfied customer base with detailed reviews helped me understand how training with Academy will be and what to expect.

The many courses offered confused me, so I opted for the monthly subscription that allowed me to explore the courses I felt myself and my dog would benefit from. 

I have completed some courses, including basic obedience training, minimizing separation anxiety, canine coworkers, and dog tricks. I was skeptical when I started because training your dog on your own sounds very challenging and time-consuming.

To my surprise, whatever my dog and I have worked on has been sitting well. We are taking it slow, but we are getting there for sure. 

I like how, despite the courses being easy to follow, they are thoroughly detailed with up-to-date and reliable information. The exam component at the end of each module is a plus because I like to test my knowledge to understand what I understood.

I recommend following through the entire course yourself and understanding what it covers instead of trying to train your dog simultaneously while following it.

This will give you the time and space for your mind to understand how you can tweak things around to customize the approach to your dog’s personality.

What Do Previous Customers Say?

Past user experience views of the Dog Academy are glowing. Both Google Reviews and TrustPilot have above 4.8-star average reviews.

Users praise how the self-paced courses are very informative, with both written and audio/video information and clear and concise instructions.

Reviews also highlighted how the exams at the end of each lesson helped them reinforce what they had learned. Many users were satisfied that the Academy uses positive techniques and has worked for them.

On the other hand, I feel the low-rated reviews, which make up a very small percentage, are all from pet parents who couldn’t approach their training with an open mind.

Below are a few screenshots of reviews from previous customers;

This is my 3rd course I’ve taken from Dog Academy and each one has been valuable and well worth the cost. It’s self paced, with clearly presented modules that cover different topics and a summary module so it’s clear if you missed something you can go back. Each of the modules ended with a test and at any time I can go back.
Training at home on your own is difficult, especially with teaching dogs to do specific task and not just simple commands. Dog Academy made it easy with the simple explain of the training process and the video of why you do things a certain way. I honestly have zero criticism about Dog Academy.
I have had an amazing experience as a student of dog Academy. The lessons are very dynamic and focused on what you need to learn to have a service dog. The course is very organized, easy to understand and has all information regarding your rights and training strategies given step by step in writing and via video for you to succeed. In addition, the staff is very knowledgeable and helpful and it’s available at any time you may need.

Pros and Cons of the Dog Academy

Pros

It allows you to build a strong bond with your dog
Courses are designed to be accessible by anyone, even without prior training exposure
The courses are budget-friendly
A great variety of course offerings
Courses are structured in an organized and easy to ‘follow at your own pace’ manner
Dog academy also offers physical training as private and group sessions
Has a massive customer satisfaction base
Awards a course completion certificate 
A psychiatric service dog course is reviewed and certified by a doctor

Cons

Other courses are not accredited
A lack of patience from the trainer’s side can interrupt the process

Other dog training reviews:

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, some Dog Academy trainers are certified. However, not all trainers possess professional credentials or certifications.

The Dog Academy offers a private training program which is the most effective option since it is tailored to meet each dog’s individual needs. Other effective options include online classes which can focus on addressing specific areas.

Yes, Dog Academy provides customized private training, taking into account a dog’s individual personality, skill level, and needs.

Takeaway Thoughts

Lastly, do not fail to remember that building a strong bond with a dog is most successful when started early on at a young age because the Puppy looks upon you for anything and everything.

But that does not mean you cannot achieve it with an older dog. You just have to be more patient and consistent in training to help your dog understand that you are trying to help it.

Training with the guidance from Dog Academy is sure to improve and strengthen your relationship with your dog.

OUR #1 RECOMMENDATION
Dog Academy
Dog Academy Program Image
Effectiveness
Ease of Training
Price

4.9

4.8

4.9

Overall Score

4.9

visa-master-amex-paypal
Pros
Courses are designed to be accessible by anyone, even without prior training exposure
The courses are budget-friendly
Dog academy also offers physical training as private and group sessions
It allows you to build a strong bond with your dog
Awards a course completion certificate 
A psychiatric service dog course is reviewed and certified by a doctor
Get the BEST PRICE valid until the end of October
Cons
A lack of patience from the trainer’s side can interrupt the process

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Author
Lauren Klein
Lauren Klein is a freelance writer who originally comes from rural Arkansas. She has a Canis Panther Dog Breed. She loves to visit pet training schools with her pet, and give her fair share of thoughts through IPetGuides.

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