SpiritDog Training Courses, is it worth it? Will an online dog training classwork for your dog?
Finding a good dog trainer isn’t what it used to be just a few years ago. In the past, you could only hope there was a local dog training class with a good trainer and in a time frame that you could attend.
Today you can search online to find not just a good dog trainer, but an excellent one. A dog trainer that specializes in what your dog needs. Go at your own pace and get 24/7 access to this excellent dog trainer.
In your Google search to find an excellent dog trainer, you found SpiritDog Training. And you are just not sure it’s worth paying for an online course… maybe you’ve tried a local class and it didn’t work. Or they kicked you out because your dog was too reactive.
My experience with SpiritDog Training
With three dogs of my own, I am always on the hunt to continue learning about dog behavior and training. I signed up for the SpiritDog Masterclass so I’d have access to all of the training courses.
My dogs aren’t perfect, no dog is. Ginger is resource aggressive, Bear pulls on the leash like a madman, and Thunder doesn’t like to wait his turn during training sessions.
I am currently going through the Tackling Reactivity course and it’s amazing. This course is taught by Steffi, the creator of SpiritDog.
Most of the lessons have videos of Steffi explaining and demonstrating the strategies and steps. She makes an effort to speak clearly, uses graphics and video when helpful. She explains the difference between classical conditioning and operant conditioning in a way that is understandable. The videos are short but packed with useful information and steps. And many of the lessons have PDFs to download.
As I’m writing this, 46,344 students are enrolled in this one class. I think that’s proof that it’s a great course.
I have also gone through the Taking Turns course for our dog Thunder. It’s important to know that your dog isn’t going to change overnight, it takes effort and practice. I’m hopeful that soon Thunder will be able to relax while training other dogs in the same room.
The Best SpiritDog Training Courses
The amount of resources insideSpiritDog is crazy. No matter what you and your dog are struggling with, it’s covered in SpiritDog.
It’s impossible to choose just one course as the best because it depends on what your needs are. They are all great.
A few of the top-sellingSpiritDog courses and bundles are:
- Tackling Reactivity Bundle – Never be ashamed or scared of your dog’s behavior again!
- Confidence Booster – Perfect for rescue dogs that are anxious and stressed or have experienced trauma.
- SpiritDog Parkour – a fun sports training to enhance your dog’s focus and attention
- Perfect Obedience Bundle – includes basic obedience and loose leash walking
- Coming when called and outdoor focus – Teach your dog that nothing is as important and FUN as listening to you
Inside the SpiritDog Training Courses
SpiritDog uses a custom online learning platform that is easy to use. Videos, text, and menus are clear and manageable on a desktop computer, laptop, iPad, or smartphone.
I love that SpiritDog online dog training courses are easy to follow, have text and video and the trainers show you step-by-step how to help your dog.
There are short reviews and quizzes after sections to help you retain information. You can pause, rewind, take notes, all at your own pace.
And any time you have a question, you can post it inside the course platform and one of the trainers will reply to you!
Seriously, a personal dog trainer would cost you hundreds or even thousands of dollars.
Here is what you get inside any of theSpiritDog training courses:
- Get immediate access to world-class training instructions
- View videos anytime, anywhere – on mobile phones, tablets, or your computer
- Print dozens of instructional PDFs to take along when you are training
- Take quizzes to test your progress
- Listen to audio segments
- Ask SpiritDog trainers any questions that come up in the process
You can choose from:
Individual Courses
If you want to be hyper-focused on one training course, this is the way to go. I still recommend checking out the bundles because many times you can get a better deal.
Individual SpiritDog courses include:
- Confidence Booster
- Basic Obedience
- Coming When Called And Outdoor Focus
- Mastering Potty Training
- Calm Down
- Focus in Public – Out and About
- Canine Fitness Course
- SpiritDog Parkour
- Indoor Games For Small Spaces
- Dog Tricks
- Learn To Fetch
- Taking Turns
- Dog Agility @ Home
- Frisbee Games
- Creating Online Classes for Dog Professionals
Bundles
You will get more for your money and a more rounded training experience in a bundle. Courses are grouped by the desired outcome:
- Loose Leash Walking Bundle
- Tackling Reactivity Bundle
- Ultimate Puppy Program Bundle
- Perfect Obedience Bundle
- Perfect Focus Bundle
- Ultimate Masterclass Bundle
SpiritDog Ultimate Masterclass Bundle
I started with the Tackling Reactivity Bundle and then decided to jump into the SpiritDog Masterclass because of the insurmountable value it gives. You will never find a better deal that gives lifetime access to dog trainers at this price.
Benefits of taking an online dog training course
If you have a crazy schedule like me, it can be hard to find the time to drive to a local dog training class. Then you get an hour shared with everyone else in the class, and they send you home with homework to practice and come back.
If you have multiple dogs, it’s all the same price. You can use the course for all your dogs, now and in the future because you get lifetime access to all the training courses you purchase.
No matter where you are in your training experience, you will get a ton of value out of theSpiritDog training courses.
- Lifetime access
- Satisfaction guaranteed
- Science-based approaches
- Step-by-step video instructions
- Fear-free training
- Hundreds of successful course graduates
- Certificate upon course completion
Who SpiritDog won’t work for
Training your dog is not a one-and-done situation, ever. If you are expecting to take a dog training class and your dog magically be the best-trained dog in the world, you will be very unhappy at the end of any training course.
If you take a local dog training class, you are expected to practice in class and at home. The same goes for taking an online dog training class. Practice, practice, and more practice.
It’s also important to understand that a dog trainer is there to train YOU on how to train your dog, whether in person or online. You are the owner, dog parent, whatever you want to call yourself. Your dog won’t learn by you just watching or attending one dog training class.
You want to commit to at least 10 minutes a day to spend training and practicing with your dog. And even once you complete the course, you need to practice your dog’s new skills continuously.
People are constantly learning, and so are our dogs. Are you expected to learn a new skill by someone showing you one time? No, I don’t think so. We learn, we practice, we perfect, and practice again. The same goes for dog training.
SpiritDog review wrapped up
I’ve taken so many in-person dog training classes in my lifetime and to be honest, other than one class we took with my first dog over 25 years ago, I’ve never been so impressed that I thought I got my money’s worth. At $100-$200 a class per dog, it’s not cheap. And if you have a dog with behavior issues? A specialized dog trainer charges thousands of dollars.
I’ve taken several online dog training courses, from some big names… and I have to say Steffi has nailed it with SpiritDog Training. The lifetime access, clear and concise videos, and personalized Q&A, it’s a no-brainer for me.
A couple of years ago I signed up for an online dog agility class, it was $500 for one year of access. The videos were long and boring and there was no access to get answers if I had questions. I was very disappointed and definitely didn’t get my $500 out of this investment.
If you’re on the fence and not sure spending money on an online dog training class is right for you and your dog, I recommend going for it. What do you have to lose with the SpiritDog satisfaction guarantee?
Were you compensated in any way (including being given freebie classes) for this review?
SpiritDog Training did give me the Tackling Reactivity Bundle for free so that I can review it. But I loved it so much I paid for the SpiritDog Masterclass so that I could have access to all the trainings. As the disclosure states, I am an affiliate for SpiritDog Training, so I do get compensated if you sign up for a course, but there is no additional charge to you. I do not promote services or products I do not or would not use myself. SpiritDog is a wonderful training resource and think everyone should have access to affordable help when they need it. That’s what I love about the Masterclass, I have a library of training videos at my fingertips any day any time I need it.