Dog training can be a frustrating and overwhelming process for many dog owners. With so many different methods and approaches out there, how do you know which training program is right for you and your furry friend?
In this spiritdog training review, we’ll take an in-depth look at what this popular online dog training course offers and whether it’s worth investing your money and time into spiritdog training. Read on for key details about the training philosophy, course structure, real customer reviews, cost, and more.
An Overview of Spiritdog Training Academy
Spiritdog Academy is an online dog training program created by professional dog trainer Steffi Trott. With over 15 years of experience training dogs – from basic obedience to tackling major behavior issues like aggression and reactivity – Steffi developed this digital training platform as a more affordable and convenient way for dog owners to get access to professional and effective training.
The Spiritdog training philosophy is centered around positive reinforcement techniques, setting dogs up for success, and making the training process engaging and rewarding for dogs. They also emphasize clear communication, realistic expectations, and a thorough understanding of dog behavior and learning.
Some key features that set Spiritdog Academy apart from other online dog training programs include:
- A variety of à la carte course options focused on specific training goals – basic obedience, leash skills, reactivity, puppy training, etc. This modular approach allows you to choose only the training your unique dog needs.
- Engaging video content showing real-life training examples with Steffi and actual Spiritdog clients. This lets you see the training in action.
- A dedicated community forum for support, advice, and accountability from professional trainers and fellow dog owners.
- Lifetime access to all course materials, with free updates as content is added.
- A risk-free money-back guarantee on all training courses.
But how exactly does Spiritdog training work, and what can you expect as a customer? Let’s explore some key questions about the structure and experience of using Spiritdog’s online dog training courses.
How Does Spiritdog Online Training Work?
The Spiritdog Academy training platform gives you full access to video lessons that you can watch at your own pace online or via their mobile app. The video content shows Steffi demonstrating all the steps to train specific skills, laying out clear instructions for how to train it with your own dog.
Here’s an overview of what the digital training experience entails:
- Step-by-step video lessons – Each course includes 10+ professional training videos breaking key skills into small, manageable steps. Lessons range from 3-7 minutes long.
- Supporting written materials – You also get a downloadable training manual, worksheets, resource guides, etc. to reinforce lesson concepts.
- Demonstrations with real dogs – Videos show Steffi training actual dogs, not just perfectly trained demo dogs. You see the flows and occasional mistakes of real training.
- Options to download videos – For quick reference or training on the go, you can download course videos to watch offline too.
- Ongoing community & support – Get your questions answered promptly via the online Spiritdog training forum.
The courses are designed to be extremely practical and hands-on. You simply watch a video lesson, then practice that same skill with your own dog before moving to the next lesson – so you can gradually build on skills.
What Dog Training Courses Does Spiritdog Academy Offer?
Some popular online courses currently offered by Spiritdog include:
- The Ultimate Puppy Training Bundle – A complete A-Z puppy and obedience training system. Covers potty training, crate training, leash skills, impulse control, basic commands, socialization, and more.
- Dog Reactivity Training – Helps fearful, leash reactive and aggressive dogs learn to stay calm and relaxed around triggers. Teaches engagement, confidence, and practical management techniques.
- Loose Leash Walking – Step-by-step training to stop pulling and develop a great loose leash walk, even in high distraction environments.
- Impulse Control Training – Games and exercises to teach a dog impulse control skills like “leave it”, wait, and place.
- Tricks, Games & Fun – Creative ways to teach your dog cool tricks while reinforcing training concepts like focus, confidence building, and more through games.
There are also specific courses dedicated to topics like fear and anxiety training, separation anxiety solutions, digging, jumping, and more – as well as 1-on-1 personalized training options.
Spiritdog offers a wide range of à la carte courses to meet diverse training needs, from basic good manners to addressing complex behavior issues. And new courses are continually added based on customer demand and feedback.
What Training Methods Does Spirit dog Training Use? What Is Their Approach To Dog Training?
Spiritdog’s training approach relies on proven positive reinforcement and force-free techniques. This includes:
- Reward-based training – Using treats, praise, toys and play to reinforce desired behaviors and build communication with a reactive dog.
- Management strategies – Controlling the dog’s environment to prevent unwanted behaviors and make good choices easy.
- Desensitization and counterconditioning – Gradually changing a dog’s emotional response to triggers through positive experiences that will truly help your dog.
- Clear communication – Marking and rewarding the exact behaviors you want so your dog understands what earns a reward.
- Relationship building – Motivating your dog to want to pay attention and engage with you.
- Fun! – Keeping training sessions upbeat, engaging, and rewarding for the dog.
Spiritdog courses focus on creating a positive emotional response and avoiding fear, intimidation, pain, or force. The goal is to get your dog excited about cooperating and engaging in the training process.
What Are Real Customer Reviews Saying About The Spiritdog Training Courses?
Based on multiple customer reviews, the benefits and results people see from Spiritdog Academy include:
- Dogs learning faster with the proven training process
- Owners gaining confidence using the clear video instructions
- Improved skills like loose leash walking, recall, impulse control, etc.
- Dogs behaving better at home and in public
- Solutions for challenges like barking, digging, jumping up, and more
- A stronger bond between dog and owner
- More enjoyment of time together and less frustration
For many dog owners, investing in Spiritdog Academy training has been life-changing. It provides the skills and knowledge to truly communicate with your dog, deepen your relationship, and make training a fun, rewarding experience.
What’s the Cost of Spiritdog Online Courses?
Spiritdog offers very affordable pricing compared to private in-person dog training. Current course prices typically range from $37 for single-topic impulse control or leash walking courses, up to $197 for multi-module bundles like the puppy or obedience packages.
Considering you get access to all lessons, community support, and updates for life, it’s an extremely cost-effective way to get professional training guidance. Especially if you’ll be training multiple dogs over your lifetime, the one-time cost saves enormously versus constantly paying for private lessons.
There’s also a free 7-day Impulse Control Bootcamp you can try to experience Spiritdog’s training style at no cost.
Plus all courses come with a 30-day money back guarantee – so you can purchase any course risk-free to see if online training with Spiritdog is a good solution for you and your dog.
Is Spiritdog Training Right for You?
While online dog training has many benefits, it’s important to have realistic expectations about what you can achieve training your dog yourself using videos. Here are some key things to consider:
Best For:
- Owners with some basic training knowledge who need guidance reaching the next level
- Motivated self-starters who will carefully follow video instructions
- Dogs who are friendly and don’t show serious aggression issues
- Pet dogs, not highly driven working or sport dogs with specialized training needs
- Owners who need flexibility to train around a busy schedule
May Not Be Ideal For:
- Owners who prefer hands-on guidance from an in-person trainer
- Dogs with complex issues like extreme fear, biting, separation anxiety, etc.
- Owners not willing or able to consistently invest time into actively training their dog
While Spiritdog training is extremely effective for most average pet owners, some dogs do better with one-on-one in-person training or need specialized help beyond the scope of online courses.
Be realistic about your individual motivations, abilities, and commitment to regular training. Online training like Spiritdog Academy is most successful when owners are consistent following each step of the video lessons with their dogs.
Key Takeaways: Does Spiritdog Training Work & Is It Worth It?
So what’s the verdict – can you really get great results training your dog through Spiritdog Academy’s online courses?
Here are some key takeaways based on our hands-on review:
✅ Spiritdog’s training methodology is proven, reward-based, and sets dogs up for success. It’s a humane and positive approach.
✅ The video lessons provide crystal clear, step-by-step training instructions showing real dogs and training scenarios.
✅ Courses are affordable compared to private in-person training with the same expertise and guidance.
✅ Spiritdog is extremely committed to customer success – with many happy customers seeing great progress.
✅ You get lifetime course access, free updates, and support community for one price.
✅ There’s a 30-day money back guarantee so you can try training risk-free.
For the majority of everyday pet dog owners, Spiritdog Academy is an extremely smart investment providing structured guidance to achieve training goals without the high cost of in-person lessons.
While an online program requires more effort on the owner’s part to actively train their dog, the world-class instruction and community support set most dogs up for training success. We confidently recommend Spiritdog as a top-notch option worth considering for your dog’s training needs.
Frequently Asked Questions – Spiritdog Training Review
How long does it take to complete a course?
It depends on the course, your goals, and how consistently you train – but most students achieve significant progress within 4-6 weeks of regular short training sessions.
What if I need help troubleshooting a training issue?
Spiritdog’s active community forums provide ongoing support. You can post questions and get input from professional trainers and fellow dog owners.
Can I download videos to watch offline?
Yes, all Spiritdog course videos can be downloaded so you can train anywhere without wifi.
What payment options are available?
Spiritdog accepts all major credit cards, Paypal, and you can break payments into 4 installments via Sezzle if needed.
Is there a satisfaction guarantee?
Yes, all courses come with a 30-day money-back guarantee if you aren’t fully satisfied. Just email their friendly support team.
Ready to get started?
Check out Spiritdog Academy’s training programs at www.spiritdogtraining.com and use code FIDO10 to get 10% off your first course!