If you have a dog that pulls on the leash, ignores commands, barks at everything, or destroys your furniture the moment you leave the room — you have probably searched for a solution online. And somewhere in that search, Brain Training for Dogs by Adrienne Farricelli probably appeared.
But does it actually work? Is it worth the money? And how does it compare to other dog training programmes?
I went through the entire course to give you the most honest answer I can.
What Is Brain Training for Dogs?
Brain Training for Dogs is an online dog training course created by Adrienne Farricelli, a CPDT-KA certified professional dog trainer whose work has been featured in USA Today, Every Dog magazine, and the APDT Chronicle of the Dog.
The central idea behind the course is different from most dog training programmes. Rather than focusing purely on obedience commands — sit, stay, heel — it works on your dog’s underlying intelligence and impulse control. The theory is that a mentally stimulated, cognitively engaged dog is a better-behaved dog — because most destructive and difficult behaviours stem from boredom, frustration, and under-stimulation rather than defiance.
The course delivers this through 21 structured brain games that progressively build your dog’s ability to think, focus, and respond — alongside a complete obedience training section.
Check Brain Training for Dogs on the Official Website →
Who Created It — And Why That Matters
Adrienne Farricelli is not an internet marketer who slapped a dog training course together to sell on ClickBank. She is a CPDT-KA certified trainer — meaning she holds the Certified Professional Dog Trainer – Knowledge Assessed credential from the Certification Council for Professional Dog Trainers, one of the most respected certifications in professional dog training.
This matters because a significant number of dog training products online — including some very well-marketed ones — are created by people with no formal credentials. Advice from uncertified sources is frequently ineffective, outdated, or in some cases genuinely harmful to dogs.
Adrienne’s approach is force-free and positive reinforcement-based throughout. There are no shock collars, no choke chains, no dominance theory, no aversive methods. Everything in the course aligns with current, science-backed understanding of how dogs actually learn.
What Is Inside the Course?
The course is divided into several main sections:
The 7 Modules — Progressive Brain Training
The core of the course is structured as a school curriculum — from Preschool through to Einstein level. Each module contains games that build on the previous ones, progressively developing your dog’s cognitive ability, impulse control, and responsiveness.
Preschool: Foundation games teaching focus and basic impulse control — the “muffin tin game,” “which hand game,” and similar activities that engage the dog’s problem-solving instinct.
Elementary School through High School: Progressively more complex games that build sustained attention, self-control under distraction, and the ability to think through a problem rather than react impulsively.
University and College levels: Advanced games for dogs who have mastered the earlier modules — building on the foundation for impressive levels of responsiveness and cognitive flexibility.
Einstein level: The top tier — for dogs who have completed the full programme and their owners want to keep challenging them.
The Obedience Training Section
Alongside the brain games, the course includes a complete positive reinforcement obedience training section covering:
- Sit, down, stay, come
- Loose leash walking
- Leave it and drop it
- Place/mat training
- Door manners
Problem Behaviour Section
A dedicated section covering the most common dog behaviour problems:
- Excessive barking
- Jumping on people
- Separation anxiety
- Destructive chewing — see our how to stop a dog from chewing guide for the home approach alongside the course
- Resource guarding
- Reactivity on leash
The Private Forum
Members get access to a private community forum where Adrienne herself participates. The ability to ask the course creator directly about your specific dog’s situation is a genuinely valuable differentiator from most online courses.
100+ Training Articles
A library of supplementary articles covering dog psychology, behaviour, and health that goes well beyond the video lessons.
What I Actually Found — The Honest Assessment
What Works Well
The progressive structure genuinely makes sense. The idea of building cognitive capacity before addressing specific behaviours is grounded in real animal behaviour science. A dog that has learned to think and focus — through the brain games — is meaningfully easier to train for obedience and behaviour modification than one that has not.
The games are genuinely engaging for dogs. The activities are designed to be intrinsically rewarding for dogs — they enjoy the mental challenge. This makes training sessions feel like play rather than drills, which is a significant practical advantage for owners who find traditional obedience sessions boring for both parties.
The force-free approach is the right approach. This is not a feel-good preference — it is what the science says. Positive reinforcement consistently outperforms punishment-based methods in producing reliable, generalised behaviour change in dogs. Adrienne’s commitment to this approach throughout is a genuine quality indicator.
Adrienne’s credentials are real and verifiable. Her CPDT-KA certification is publicly verifiable through the CCPDT website. Her published work in reputable outlets confirms she is who she says she is. This is more than most online dog training courses can say.
The forum access is valuable. Having direct access to the course creator for questions about your specific dog is unusual and genuinely useful — particularly for owners dealing with complex behaviour problems.
Honest Limitations
It requires consistency and time. Brain Training for Dogs is not a quick fix. The brain games require daily sessions — typically 10–15 minutes — and the effects build over weeks, not days. Owners looking for immediate results will need to manage their expectations.
Results depend heavily on the owner’s follow-through. Like any training programme, Brain Training for Dogs only works if you actually do the sessions consistently. It is not magic — it is a structured system that works when applied.
Some dogs respond faster than others. Breed, age, prior training history, and individual temperament all affect how quickly a dog responds. Working breeds (Border Collies, German Shepherds, Labradors) tend to respond very quickly. Independent breeds (Basenjis, Chow Chows, some terriers) may take longer.
It is primarily suited to pet dog owners rather than working dog handlers. The programme is designed for companion dogs and the most common behaviour problems pet owners face — not for sport dog training or specialist working dog applications.
Who Is Brain Training for Dogs Best For?
Ideal for:
- Owners of energetic, smart dogs who seem bored and act out because of it — Huskies, Border Collies, Labrador Retrievers, German Shepherds, and similar breeds respond particularly well
- Owners of dogs with impulse control problems — jumping, pulling, reactivity
- Owners who tried obedience classes but want something more engaging
- New dog owners who want a structured, credible programme to start right
- Owners dealing with boredom-related destructive behaviours — chewing, digging, excessive barking
Less ideal for:
- Owners who need emergency behaviour management for aggression — this requires in-person professional help alongside any programme
- Owners who want a five-minute fix — this is a genuine training commitment
- Owners of very young puppies under 8 weeks — wait until they are settled in their new home
For dogs with significant anxiety issues alongside behaviour problems, pairing this course with the strategies in our dog anxiety guide and separation anxiety guide provides a more complete approach.
Brain Training for Dogs vs Other Options
| Brain Training for Dogs | Generic Obedience Classes | YouTube Videos | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Credential of creator | CPDT-KA certified ✅ | Varies | Unknown |
| Training method | Positive reinforcement ✅ | Varies | Varies |
| Structure | Progressive curriculum ✅ | Varies | None |
| Access to trainer | Forum with Adrienne ✅ | During class only | None |
| Cost | One-time fee | Per session ongoing | Free |
| Convenience | Any time, any place ✅ | Fixed schedule | Any time |
| Depth | 21 games + full obedience ✅ | Basic commands | Variable |
The most significant advantage over YouTube training videos — which are free — is the structure and credibility. YouTube has excellent free content and some terrible content with no way to tell the difference. Brain Training for Dogs is a complete, sequenced curriculum from a verified professional.
How Much Does Brain Training for Dogs Cost?
Brain Training for Dogs is available for a one-time payment of $47 — not a subscription. This gives you lifetime access to the full course, all updates, and the private forum.
Compared to a single session with a professional dog trainer (typically $75–$150 per hour), or a group obedience class series ($150–$300), the one-time price is genuinely good value for the depth of content provided.
There is also a 60-day money back guarantee through ClickBank — if you purchase, work through the programme, and are not satisfied, you can request a full refund within 60 days with no questions asked.
View Current Price and Access Brain Training for Dogs →
The Final Verdict
Brain Training for Dogs is a genuinely good dog training programme from a credentialled professional — and that puts it in a smaller category than most people expect when shopping for online dog training.
The brain game approach is innovative, science-supported, and practically effective for the audience it is designed for — pet dog owners dealing with common behaviour problems rooted in boredom, under-stimulation, and poor impulse control.
It is not a miracle solution. It requires consistent effort over weeks. But for owners who commit to the programme, the combination of cognitive enrichment, progressive obedience training, and access to a credentialled trainer in the forum produces real, measurable results.
Our rating: 4.3 / 5
The 0.7 deduction is for the realistic expectation that this requires genuine commitment — which it does, and which any honest review should say clearly.
If you have a smart, energetic dog who acts out and you are willing to put in 10–15 minutes of focused training per day — Brain Training for Dogs is worth your money.
Disclosure: This review contains affiliate links. If you purchase through our link we earn a commission at no additional cost to you. This does not influence our assessment — we only recommend products we have reviewed and believe provide genuine value.
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21 brain games · CPDT-KA certified trainer · 60-day money back guarantee
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Brain Training for Dogs — FAQ
Is Brain Training for Dogs a scam? No. It is created by Adrienne Farricelli, a CPDT-KA certified professional dog trainer whose credentials are publicly verifiable. The course is sold through ClickBank with a 60-day money back guarantee. It is a legitimate product from a legitimate professional.
How long before I see results? Most owners report noticeable improvements in their dog’s focus and impulse control within 2–4 weeks of consistent daily sessions. Significant behaviour change typically takes 6–12 weeks of consistent application.
Does it work for older dogs? Yes — the saying “you cannot teach an old dog new tricks” is a myth. Adult and senior dogs can absolutely learn through the brain game approach. Cognitive engagement is beneficial for dogs of all ages — and particularly valuable for senior dogs to maintain mental sharpness.
Does it work for puppies? Yes — from approximately 8 weeks old. Puppies are in an ideal learning window and respond very quickly to the brain game approach. The course includes a dedicated puppy training section.
What breeds does it work best for? Any breed benefits, but working and sporting breeds — Labradors, Golden Retrievers, German Shepherds, Border Collies, Poodles, and similar — tend to show the fastest and most dramatic results due to their higher baseline trainability.
Is there a physical product shipped? No — Brain Training for Dogs is a digital programme accessible through a members area immediately after purchase. No waiting for shipping.
Also read: Enrichment Toys for Dogs | Dog Anxiety — Signs, Causes and Treatments | How to Stop a Dog From Chewing | Separation Anxiety in Dogs