On this page · 15 sections5 min read
- 01Our verdict
- 02At a glance
- 03Pros & cons
- 04What you’ll learn
- 05Format, schedule and time commitment
- 06Accreditation and what the credential is worth
- 07Price, payment plans and refunds
- 08Who it’s best for — and who should skip it
- 09Pros and cons in detail
- 10How it compares
- 11The Online Dog Trainer (Doggy Dan) vs alternatives
- 12How to enroll
- 13Score breakdown
- 14Key facts
- 15FAQ
Our verdict
Our verdict8.4/10The Online Dog Trainer, created by New Zealand trainer Doggy Dan, is a membership of step-by-step video lessons for dog owners covering puppy training, everyday obedience and behavior problems.
Its Dog Calming Code program targets reactive, anxious or overexcited dogs, and the site advertises live coaching alongside the video library. The homepage values the content at over $7,000, which is marketing framing, and the actual price was not visible on the pages we captured. It is designed for owners rather than aspiring professionals. It suits people who want to watch real training sessions and follow a consistent, calm leadership approach at home.
Best for: Dog owners who want a video-based method for calm behavior, including reactive or anxious dogs, with live coaching.
At a glance
Doggy Dan’s membership combines step-by-step videos with advertised live coaching for owners who want a consistent approach to training at home. Created by the New Zealand trainer, The Online Dog Trainer covers puppies, everyday obedience, and behavior problems; its Dog Calming Code focuses on reactive, anxious, or overexcited dogs through a calm-leadership approach and examples of real training sessions. The homepage assigns the content a value above $7,000, but that marketing figure is not the actual price, which was not visible on the pages available to us. This is an owner-learning service, so its appeal depends on the usefulness of the videos and coaching rather than a professional qualification.
Pros & cons
- Large library of step-by-step training videos
- Dog Calming Code program for reactive and anxious dogs
- Live coaching options
- Price not visible on the homepage
- Owner-focused; not a trainer certification
What you’ll learn
The official homepage centers on Doggy Dan’s Dog Calming Code and a larger library of training videos. It advertises real-life consultation material, weekly live coaching, and daily support, alongside a separate AI chat feature. These are different channels, so a buyer should confirm which are included in the exact program being purchased.
The provider emphasizes reactive and anxious dogs and promotes a particular dog-psychology approach. This review describes that positioning without adopting claims that the method works rapidly for every dog. The public page is not an individualized evaluation of a particular animal or household.
Format, schedule and time commitment
Membership provides step-by-step video training through a subscription. The on-demand library and live coaching create different scheduling considerations, even when sold together.
The homepage advertises more than 300 on-demand videos, but a catalog count does not establish a prescribed completion schedule. Live coaching introduces a possible calendar commitment alongside on-demand lessons. Check session times, replay access, and question-submission arrangements before choosing the service specifically for interaction.
Video: The Online Dog Trainer (Doggy Dan)
Accreditation and what the credential is worth
The Online Dog Trainer is an owner-learning service, not a verified professional trainer certification pathway in the available course information. The word trainer in the brand name refers to the service and instructor, not an award automatically granted to members. A career learner should compare assessed professional coursework separately from help using a program with their own dog.
Price, payment plans and refunds
The homepage does not provide a current membership fee. It mentions a money-back guarantee, but the accessible page does not establish its duration or conditions. A promotional figure describing thousands of dollars of value is not the subscription price; obtain the actual charge, billing interval, and refund terms before making a cost comparison.
Who it’s best for — and who should skip it
Owners interested in a video-based approach to calmer behavior, especially with reactive or anxious dogs, are the intended audience. The advertised live coaching may be particularly appealing if you want a way to ask questions alongside independent viewing.
This service is most relevant to an owner who wants a broad video library and is interested in the advertised coaching support. It may be less suitable for someone who only needs a single narrowly defined lesson. Skip a recurring commitment if the coaching schedule or support entitlement cannot be confirmed, especially when those features are the reason for choosing it over a standalone course.
Pros and cons in detail
Examples plus opportunities to ask questions. The extensive step-by-step library and Dog Calming Code give owners a defined approach to explore. Live coaching options could add interaction, subject to the package you select.
A large video library can provide examples beyond one introductory exercise, and the advertised coaching is a meaningful distinction from purely self-study products. Real-life consultation material may also show how the provider explains its approach in context. The public blog and program descriptions give a way to inspect the teaching perspective before buying.
An incomplete price picture. The homepage omits the membership fee, making the recurring commitment hard to assess. This is also an owner service, with no verified professional trainer certification outcome.
Price visibility is weak, and the homepage’s broad behavior-change promises should not be treated as guaranteed outcomes. AI chat, filmed consultations, live group coaching, and private assessment are not interchangeable. Confirm which kind of response you can actually expect when a question concerns your own dog.
How it compares
Success Dogs offers a clearly priced purchase for a specific training topic, Brain Training for Dogs emphasizes games, and QC Pet Studies follows a professional-study model. The Online Dog Trainer makes the most sense when a broad membership and coaching would be useful to your household. The existence of a larger library alone does not establish that it addresses your particular question better.
Success Dogs Online Courses (Walk In Harmony) gives owners structured, self-paced video courses in recall and loose-leash walking. Each course has 25–37 lessons and costs $49.95; Walk In Harmony Game Plan also carries a separate advertised $47 figure. It is an inexpensive, owner-focused purchase with no professional credential, and instructor support is not described. A single course may be enough if you already know the specific skill you want to work on.
Brain Training for Dogs offers games for obedience, focus, and mental enrichment at home. CCPDT-certified trainer Adrienne Farricelli created the self-paced course, but it is not a professional certification program for its users. Its homepage text did not show the purchase price. The activity-centered approach is worth comparing if you prefer a repeatable game to a broad video library.
QC Pet Studies Dog Training Course is designed for aspiring trainers who want structured online study with one-on-one expert feedback. It costs $2,098 upfront, saving $400 against a stated $2,498 installment total, or a $99 deposit and 18 monthly payments of $133.27. Its private certificate is permanent with no membership fees; it is separate from an independent exam such as CCPDT. The more-than-$2,000 price belongs to a different educational objective from owner coaching.
Browse Dog Training for that range of options. Our review methodology explains how teaching scope, credibility, cost, flexible access, and meaningful support contribute to the assessment.
The Online Dog Trainer (Doggy Dan) vs alternatives
How The Online Dog Trainer (Doggy Dan) stacks up against other dog training programs we reviewed, on the facts published by each provider.
Swipe sideways to compare all 4 programs →
| Criterion | This review | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Our score | 8.4/10 | 8.6/10 | 8.5/10 | 8.4/10 |
| Price | — | $2,098 – $2,498 | $131 – $795 | — |
| Format | Subscription | Self-paced | Self-paced | Self-paced |
| Duration | Membership with step-by-step video training. | Self-paced online. | Home study, self-paced. | — |
| Accreditation | — | — | Internationally accredited and CPD courses (per the college). | — |
| Best for | Dog owners who want a video-based method for calm behavior, including reactive or anxious… | Aspiring dog trainers who want a structured online certification with one-on-one expert… | Dog professionals or enthusiasts who want affordable, CPD-accredited canine diplomas by… | Dog owners who want game-based mental enrichment and obedience exercises to do at home. |
| Full review | You are here | QC Pet Studies (QC Career School) review | British College of Canine Studies review | Brain Training for Dogs review |
“—” means the information was not published or not yet checked. See all 7 dog training programs.
How to enroll
Use Programs or the Dog Calming Code route to inspect the exact offer rather than starting from an assumed membership price. The homepage also offers a free starting route and a Shop link. Determine whether the offer is a standalone program, recurring membership, or bundle before registering.
Before payment, confirm the billed amount, renewal schedule, coaching access, support channels, guarantee conditions, and cancellation process. If the AI feature is part of the appeal, distinguish its availability from feedback by the human instructor. No private coaching session or paid member area was tested for this review.
Score breakdown
Wide owner-focused video library.
Well-known online dog training brand.
Price not verified.
On-demand videos.
Live coaching advertised.
Weighted average of five criteria. Read our methodology.
Key facts
FAQ
What is the Dog Calming Code?
A program within The Online Dog Trainer for reactive, anxious or overexcited dogs.
Is there live help?
The site advertises live coaching.
Sources
Information checked on October 5, 2026. Prices and offers can change; confirm on the official site.








