You are here because you are committed to finding the right approach to train and raise your dog. Kudos to that! We live in a world that spoils us with options for every little thing. Finding the right fit can be challenging and overwhelming at times. In the field of virtual dog training, we are dedicated to helping you find the best.
Knowing what behavior issues you want to work through with your dog is a good starting point. Spend a few days just observing your dog – their triggers, level of anxiety, behaviors exhibited when triggered and so on. This will give you a good idea on what aspects you need the virtual training course to cover.
Once you have that in place, here are a few checkboxes to cross out when scouting for virtual dog training courses online –
1. Convenience
Convenience is the primary reason why people choose virtual dog training over in-person or board and train. The ease of access to credible and accurate information it provides regardless of the location you are located in is the top most thing to look out for in an online course.
2. Resource library
No amount of theoretical information may ever match the efficacy of a live session with an expert trainer. However, when you need to revisit a certain video demonstration or read more about a specific dog behavior, the resource library of the course is the best place to go. Make sure to sign up for a course that boasts a top-notch resource library put together by qualified experts.
3. Trainer qualifications
The difference between a randomly googled information and a paid course is the credibility of the experts. Read up on the qualifications and methods used by the trainers on every virtual training course you shortlist because your dog deserves only the best!
4. Success rate
The success of online training courses is dependent on 3 things –
If a virtual training program offers surefire results or a money-back guarantee, it shows confidence that is backed by experience.
5. Personalization and dedicated time with a trainer
The popularity of a virtual dog training program does not always ensure its efficacy for you and your dog. Every dog is unique in terms of breed, age, temperament, and behavioral issues. While the resource library may help to a certain extent, it is the level of personalization of the program that decides the quality of the outcome.
Personalized training and dedicated time with an expert trainer allow the pace to be adjusted according to the dog's progress, ensuring that the dog is not overwhelmed or under-challenged.
6. Accountability
Owner involvement in virtual training programs ensure pet parent accountability to certain extent. Other aspects that add to it are progress tracking, home work, interactive sessions, continued chat support and so on. A good virtual training program is as invested in a dog’s well being as the owner. This ensures accountability on both ends.
To save you the trouble of looking through hundreds of options online, we have put together a list of 5 virtual training programs that cover most aspects of being a great course to consider.
1. BEST OVERALL: Homeschool by LAY LO®
We’re going out on a limb here to say we love our programs by Homeschool by LAY LO the most because of the sheer amount of heart we have put in to create them. In a brief period of 5 years, we have helped thousands of people improve life at home with their dogs through our award-winning products and online support from our expert collective.
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2. BEST IN POPULARITY: Courses by Dunbar Acedemy
Ian Dunbar is a well-established name in the dog training and behavior industry. With his bestselling books, vidoes and courses, he has helped thousands of dogs and dog owners understand each other better and foster a more nurturing and fulfilling bond. Online training courses by Dunbar Academy has a lot of credibility and authenticity attached to it.
Goodpup virtual dog training has set the bar high in virtual dog training. GoodPup training is app based, 1–1, at-home, on your schedule, with trainers ready to help 24/7. Apart from access to live sessions with their expert trainers, their app has an impressive resource library which enables pet parents to revisit training cues and learn at their own pace.
SpiritDog Training offers game-based and positive online dog training courses on a variety of topics. The best thing about their course is how modern and constantly evolving their techniques are. Their core belief is that YOU are your dog's best trainer and their mission is to help you succeed.
This Masterclass is taught by Brandon McMillan, a popular American TV personality, animal trainer, author and producer best known for his role as Emmy-winning host and dog trainer of the television series Lucky Dog on CBS. The Masterclass covers a wide range of topics with trust and control building at the heart of it.
Having designed a top-notch virtual training course ourselves, we know a great course when we see one. Our list is curated by a team of experts who have a great deal of experience in hosting virtual classes. We thoroughly understand pet parent psychology and are well versed with the nuances they look for in online dog training.
At LAY LO pets, we are deeply invested in our canine customers and believe in raising the bar high when it comes to their well being. The list that we have put together covers every aspect we would personally look out for in a great virtual training program.
To answer this question in one word – Yes! They work wonders for pet parents who are committed to their dog’s well being and are willing to put in the work. They work amazingly well for pet parents who are looking to learn something new and teach the same to their dogs. They are excellent for pet parents who are facing behavioral issues with their dogs and want to help them get through it. Sign up for a class and experience it to believe it.
With the sheer number of online dog training courses out there, there is something for everybody. In today’s day and age where products and services are striving to be available at the click of a button, virtual dog training programs are here to stay for long and for good. While we have put together a list of the crème-de-la-crème of online training programs, don’t shy away to conduct your own research and find the shoe that fits best.
Author Bio: Siddhika is a certified dog trainer, behaviorist, and professional pet writer. She has the qualifications and experience in the theoretical as well as real-life applications of science-based dog training techniques.
With the expertise to write about a plethora of dog-related topics and a personal interest in dog cognition and behavior, Siddhika is an out-and-out canine nerd.
