Brain Training for Dogs Review (2026): Does It Actually Work?
Brain Training for Dogs is one of the most talked-about online dog training courses on the market — a set of 21 games by certified trainer Adrienne Farricelli that promises to turn a bored, badly-behaved dog into a focused, obedient one without a single punishment-based method. It has been a top seller in the dog training niche for years. But is it worth your money, or is it just clever marketing? Here is our honest breakdown.
What is Brain Training for Dogs?
Brain Training for Dogs is a digital, member-only course built around the idea that mental exercise is just as important as physical exercise for dogs. Instead of drilling the same commands over and over, it teaches owners 21 structured games that train obedience, impulse control and problem-solving through play.
Each game is designed to work on a specific issue: loose-lead walking, recall, jumping up, chewing, digging, separation anxiety, barking and more. The difficulty ramps up in six modules (think preschool through university), so a complete beginner and an experienced owner both get something to work with.
Who is Adrienne Farricelli?
Farricelli is a professional dog trainer certified by the CCPDT (CPDT-KA) — one of the most recognised credentials in the industry — and her work has appeared in USA Today, Everydog Magazine and the APDT Chronicle of the Dog. That matters: a lot of the dog training courses sold online are written by people with no formal qualification. This one is written by a certified professional with a strong, verifiable reputation.
What's inside the course
- 21 step-by-step training games across 6 modules, from beginner to advanced.
- Video and written instructions for every game, so you can follow along at your own pace.
- A puppy training section covering early socialisation and house training.
- 100+ articles on common behaviour problems and dog psychology.
- A private members' forum where Farricelli and other owners answer questions.
- Lifetime access and free updates — pay once, keep forever.
Pros and cons
Price and guarantee
The course costs a one-time payment of around $47 with lifetime access and free updates. There is a standard 60-day money-back guarantee, so you can try the games for two full months and get a refund if it is not for you.
Want to see the full course?
Visit the official Brain Training for Dogs website to see the full module breakdown, the sales page and the current price.
Visit the official course site →Who is it for (and who should skip it)
Buy it if: you have a puppy or an adult dog that needs basic-to-intermediate obedience, you are dealing with everyday problem behaviours, or you want a fun way to mentally tire out a high-energy dog without endless walks.
Skip it if: your dog has serious aggression, fear or medical issues — those need a qualified behaviourist or vet, not a DIY course. It is also not a replacement for physical exercise.
Start brain training today — even before you buy
The good news is you do not need the course to start giving your dog a mental workout. A few cheap tools turn any 10 minutes into a brain-training session — and they are the same toys the course-style games are built around. Here are the ones we rate after testing:
1. Nina Ottosson Dog Tornado (sliding puzzle)
~£15–£25
A rotating three-tier puzzle where your dog spins the layers to find hidden treats. Excellent for teaching problem-solving, and the difficulty adjusts as your dog learns the moves.
2. Outward Hound Hide N' Slide (slide puzzle)
~£12–£20
A slide-and-flip puzzle that works on patience and nose work. Great middle step between a beginner feeder and a multi-layer game.
3. Snuffle mat (nose work)
~£10–£20
Hide kibble in a fleece mat and let your dog sniff it out. Sniffing is naturally calming — brilliant for anxious dogs, and it tires them out fast.
4. Beginner puzzle 4-pack
~£15–£25
Four different puzzles in one set — a snuffle pad, a slider, a spinner and a flip board. Perfect for starting out and rotating games so your dog never gets bored.
Bottom line
Brain Training for Dogs is worth considering if you want a structured, force-free way to train obedience and problem behaviours through play, especially for the price of a single training session with a professional. The certified credentials, lifetime access and 60-day guarantee remove most of the risk. Pair it with a couple of cheap puzzle toys and you have a complete mental-workout setup for your dog.