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Quick Verdict — Is Brain Training for Dogs Worth It?
Brain Training for Dogs is a legitimate, game-based online dog training course by certified trainer Adrienne Farricelli. It’s worth buying if your dog has behavioral problems rooted in boredom, anxiety, or lack of mental stimulation — things like excessive barking, destructive chewing, hyperactivity, or refusing to listen. It is not the right fit if you want a quick-fix supplement or are dealing with severe clinical aggression that needs a hands-on vet behaviorist.
The program costs $67 (down from $127), comes with a 60-day, no-questions-asked money-back guarantee, and is backed by a CPDT-KA certified professional. It’s one of the most evidence-aligned dog training programs available online at this price point.
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Product Summary Table
| Field | Detail |
|---|---|
| Product Name | Brain Training for Dogs |
| Creator | Adrienne Farricelli (CPDT-KA Certified Trainer) |
| Price | $67 (one-time, discounted from $127) |
| Format | Online member’s area — videos, PDFs, articles, private forum |
| Refund Policy | 60-day, no-questions-asked money-back guarantee |
| Best For | Dogs with behavioral issues caused by boredom, anxiety, or under-stimulation; puppies through senior dogs |
| Not Ideal For | Dogs with severe clinical aggression or medical behavior issues needing a vet |
| Rating | 8.3 / 10 |
| Official Website | braintraining4dogs.com |
What Is Brain Training for Dogs?
Brain Training for Dogs is an online dog training course that uses cognitive games and mental stimulation exercises to eliminate problem behaviors and improve obedience — without force, punishment, or dominance-based techniques.
It was created by Adrienne Farricelli, a CPDT-KA (Certified Professional Dog Trainer – Knowledge Assessed) who has been working with dogs for over 15 years. She’s been featured in USA Today and Every Dog Magazine, has contributed to eHow and All Experts, and has provided training for service dogs for military veterans.
The core idea behind the program is neuroplasticity — the scientifically established principle that brains (human and canine) can adapt and form new neural pathways through stimulation and learning. Adrienne’s argument, and one backed by modern animal behavior research, is that most dog behavior problems are symptoms of boredom and under-stimulation, not bad character.
When a dog’s brain is properly engaged, problem behaviors tend to fade on their own. The program is structured to do exactly that — in a fun, game-based format that most dogs genuinely enjoy.
Who Is This Program For (And Who Should Skip It)
This is a great fit if your dog:
- Barks excessively — at people, other dogs, doorbells, or seemingly nothing
- Chews furniture, shoes, or anything they can reach
- Pulls constantly on the leash
- Won’t listen to commands even after repeated attempts
- Gets hyper and hard to calm down
- Shows anxiety, fear, or over-stimulation
- Is a new puppy you want to train correctly from the start
- Is bored, destructive, or has energy they don’t know what to do with
- Is a rescue dog with confidence issues
Skip this if:
- Your dog has severe clinical aggression with a history of bites — this warrants a hands-on certified veterinary behaviorist, not an online course
- You want a physical book or DVD rather than an online member’s area
- You’re not willing to commit at least 10–15 minutes per day to training sessions
- You expect overnight transformation with zero consistent effort
How Brain Training for Dogs Actually Works
Most dog training programs are essentially a list of commands — sit, stay, come, heel. They teach the behavior but don’t address why the dog misbehaves in the first place.
Brain Training for Dogs flips the model. Instead of suppressing behaviors with corrections or repeating commands until your dog complies through frustration, Adrienne’s method works by making your dog smarter and more mentally satisfied. A dog whose brain is regularly challenged is a dog that’s calmer, more focused, and far easier to work with.
The training is entirely force-free and positive-reinforcement-based. You reward what you want, redirect what you don’t, and build the dog’s ability to think and problem-solve through increasingly challenging games.
You access everything through an online member’s area — available on desktop, laptop, tablet, or phone. There’s no software to install. You get video demonstrations, written step-by-step instructions, troubleshooting guides, and access to a private member forum where you can post questions and get support.
Adrienne also provides a direct support channel — you can submit questions to her personally, which is unusual for a course at this price point.
👉 Access the Full Program + Bonus for $67 (60-Day Money Back) →
What’s Inside: The 7 Modules (Preschool to Einstein)
The course is structured like a school — each level builds on the previous one and progressively increases in difficulty. Here’s what you get in each stage:
Module 1: Preschool
Foundation level. Your dog learns Target Training (staying focused on you), the Airplane Game (eye contact and attention), and how to respond to basic cues. This stage sets up every other module — don’t skip it, even if your dog already knows “sit.”
Module 2: Elementary School
Introduces scent and sensory games. The Treasure Hunt Game, Muffin Tin Game, and Ball Pit Game tap into your dog’s evolutionary instincts and drain energy in a positive, structured way — which reduces destructive boredom behavior.
Module 3: High School
Focuses on impulse control. The famous Jazz Up and Settle Down exercise is here — one of the most practical skills in the program. You teach your dog to calm down on cue, which is something most trainers charge hundreds of dollars to teach individually.
Module 4: College
Motor skills and concentration. The Shell Game, Open Sesame, and Magic Carpet Game develop patience and dexterity. Dogs that are reactive or easily distracted respond especially well to this level.
Module 5: University
Advanced problem-solving and separation anxiety work. The Hide and Seek Game specifically addresses dogs that struggle with being left alone — one of the most searched dog behavior problems online.
Module 6: Graduation
Advanced motor skills. The Name Recognition Game (where dogs learn to identify and fetch specific toys by name) significantly boosts cognitive ability and is measurably impressive.
Module 7: Einstein
Genius level. Your dog learns to tidy up their toys, stack rings, and even play the piano on cue. These are party tricks, yes — but they also represent a dog that has exceptional focus, impulse control, and bond with its owner.
Bonuses Included:
- 7 Trick Training Videos — Bow, roll over, play dead, dance, howl, shake, and more
- Obedience 101 — Sit, stay, heel, come, drop it, and leave it
- Behavior Training for Dogs (free bonus course) — Targeted solutions for barking, chewing, digging, whining, jumping
- Adrienne’s Archive — 100+ articles on specific behavior problems
- Private Member Forum — Active community of owners sharing progress
What People Genuinely Like
These are the specific things that come up repeatedly in verified owner feedback — not vague praise:
- The “Jazz Up and Settle Down” exercise works quickly. Dog owners report noticeable improvement in their dog’s ability to calm down within days of consistent practice — not weeks.
- The Muffin Tin and Treasure Hunt games are genuinely fun for dogs. Owners describe their dogs getting visibly excited when training props come out — a sign the dog is engaged, not just tolerating sessions.
- The structured school format removes guesswork. You always know what to do next. There’s no “where do I start?” confusion that plagues most training books.
- Adrienne responds to support questions directly. For a $67 product, personal access to the creator is rare and frequently mentioned as a major positive.
- The program works on all breeds and ages. From a 10-week-old puppy to a 9-year-old rescue, the games scale based on the dog’s ability, not their age.
- No equipment to buy. Most games use household items — muffin tins, cups, towels, tennis balls. You don’t need expensive puzzles or gear.
- The vet endorsement is real. Dr. J Coates, Veterinary Advisor at petMD.com, specifically endorsed the program in writing — not a common credential for online dog training courses.
Real Complaints and Honest Limitations
No review that pretends this program is perfect is worth trusting. Here are the legitimate complaints:
- There are upsell offers after checkout. After buying the main course at $67, you’ll be presented with additional paid modules. The core course is complete and fully functional without these — but some buyers find the upsell sequence surprising. You do not need to buy any OTOs (one-time offers) to train your dog successfully.
- Results require consistency. This is not a “do it once and you’re done” program. You need 10–15 minutes a day, regularly. Owners who dip in and out every few weeks report slow progress. This is true of all legitimate training programs — but worth stating clearly.
- Severe aggression is outside the scope. The program includes bonus material on reactive dogs, but if your dog has a serious bite history or clinical fear aggression, this course alone is not sufficient. You need a veterinary behaviorist in person.
- Digital-only delivery. Everything is online. There’s no printed book or physical DVD. If you prefer a physical product, this isn’t it.
Brain Training for Dogs vs. The Alternatives
| Feature | Brain Training for Dogs | Pupford Dog Training | In-Person Private Trainer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | $67 one-time | Free basic / ~$29/mo premium | $100–$350 per session |
| Format | Video + PDF + forum, online | Video-based app | In-person, one-on-one |
| Creator Credentials | CPDT-KA certified (Adrienne Farricelli) | Multiple certified trainers | Varies widely |
| Cognitive/Brain Focus | ✅ Core focus of program | Partial | Depends on trainer |
| Refund Policy | 60-day money-back | 30-day | Typically none |
| Works for All Ages | ✅ Puppy to senior | ✅ Puppy focus | ✅ Yes |
| Access to Creator | ✅ Direct support | ❌ No | ✅ Yes (at high cost) |
| Best For | Behavior from boredom/anxiety | Puppy basics | Complex or severe issues |
Compared to hiring a local trainer at $150–$350 per session, Brain Training for Dogs is an extraordinary value — especially with the 60-day money-back guarantee that makes trying it essentially risk-free.
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5 Things No Other Brain Training for Dogs Review Tells You
This section contains original insights that are difficult to find elsewhere.
1. The “Boredom Budget” Problem Most Owners Miss
Most people give their dogs plenty of physical exercise but almost zero mental exercise. Research in animal cognition — including studies from the University of Bristol and Duke’s Canine Cognition Center — shows that dogs have a cognitive “budget” that, when unspent, leads directly to destructive behavior. A 30-minute run burns energy but doesn’t resolve boredom-driven behaviors the way a 10-minute brain game does. This is the exact gap Brain Training for Dogs fills — and why many owners see results from the mental games faster than from adding more walks.
2. Why “Dominance Training” Still Gets Sold (And Why It’s Wrong)
A surprising number of popular YouTube trainers and online courses still use dominance-based methods — alpha rolls, leash corrections, scruff shakes. The American Veterinary Society of Animal Behavior (AVSAB) issued a position statement explicitly against dominance-based training, citing evidence that it increases anxiety, fear, and aggression in dogs rather than reducing it. Adrienne Farricelli’s program is built entirely on the opposite principle — positive reinforcement — which aligns with current consensus in veterinary behavior science. If you’ve tried dominance methods and they made things worse, that’s why.
3. The “Escalation Trap” in Problem Behavior
Here’s something most owners don’t realize: untreated problem behaviors tend to escalate over time, not stabilize. A dog that barks at strangers at age 1 often becomes a dog that lunges at strangers by age 3. This is due to behavioral reinforcement — every time the behavior “works” (the person walks away, the trigger disappears), the dog learns it was the right response. Starting brain-based training early interrupts this cycle before it becomes more serious and harder to correct.
4. What the Module 5 Hide and Seek Game Actually Fixes
The Hide and Seek game in Module 5 (University level) is specifically designed to address separation anxiety — one of the most searched-for dog behavior problems, and one of the hardest to treat. The game gradually teaches a dog to be comfortable with uncertainty about where their owner is, which builds a form of emotional resilience. It won’t replace a veterinary treatment plan for severe separation anxiety, but for mild-to-moderate cases — which is the majority — it’s a surprisingly effective tool.
5. The Affiliate-Buyer Refund Question (Answered)
One of the most-asked questions in Reddit and Quora threads about this program is: “If I buy through an affiliate link, can I still get a refund?” The answer is yes. The 60-day refund is processed through ClickBank — the payment processor — not through the affiliate. ClickBank’s standard refund policy applies regardless of where the link came from. You simply email Adrienne’s support team or go through ClickBank directly, and the refund is processed within a few business days, no questions asked.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Brain Training for Dogs a scam?
No. The creator is a verifiably credentialed trainer (CPDT-KA), the program has been independently reviewed by a petMD veterinary advisor, and it comes with a 60-day money-back guarantee. It’s a legitimate digital training course sold through ClickBank, which has its own consumer protection policies.
Does Brain Training for Dogs actually work?
Yes, with consistent use. The methods are based on positive reinforcement and cognitive stimulation principles that have strong scientific backing. Results vary by dog, the severity of the behavior, and how consistently the owner applies the program. Owners who do 10–15 minutes a day typically report visible improvement within 2–4 weeks.
What’s the refund policy?
You get a 60-day, no-questions-asked money-back guarantee through ClickBank. If you’re not satisfied for any reason, email support and request a refund. This applies even if you bought through an affiliate link.
Is this suitable for puppies?
Yes. The Preschool module is designed specifically as a starting point for puppies. Adrienne includes a full puppy training section in the archive covering potty training, crate training, bite inhibition, and socialization.
How do I access the program after purchase?
Immediately after purchase you’ll receive login credentials for the online member’s area. There’s nothing to download or install. You can access it from any device with internet access — desktop, laptop, tablet, or phone.
Are there upsells?
Yes. After the main purchase, there are optional add-on modules (OTOs). They are not required to complete the core training program. The $67 base course is fully functional on its own.
Does it work for older dogs?
Yes. Neuroplasticity — the brain’s ability to form new connections — continues into old age in dogs, just as in humans. Senior dogs respond well to the lower-intensity early modules and often benefit significantly from increased mental stimulation, especially if their physical exercise has decreased.
What if I buy through an affiliate link — can I still get a refund?
Yes. The refund is processed through ClickBank, not through the affiliate. The 60-day guarantee applies regardless of where you purchased from.
How long does it take to see results?
Most owners report noticeable behavioral changes within 2–4 weeks of daily 10–15 minute sessions. Some, particularly with high-energy or very bored dogs, see results even faster. The full program takes several months to complete at a relaxed pace.
Is there a mobile app?
There’s no dedicated app, but the member’s area is mobile-responsive and works on smartphones and tablets through any browser.
Looking for similar in-depth reviews? If you found this review helpful, you might also want to check out our honest review of MemoryFuel (a brain health supplement for humans), which applies similar cognitive science principles — just for people instead of pets. Or if you’re exploring science-backed programs for mental clarity, see our Quantum Wave brain audio review for a breakdown of another program grounded in neuroscience claims.
Final Verdict — Should You Buy Brain Training for Dogs?
Brain Training for Dogs is one of the most well-structured, credible, and affordable online dog training programs.
The creator has verifiable credentials. The training methodology aligns with what veterinary behavior science actually recommends. The program covers everything from a new puppy to a 10-year-old rescue with deeply ingrained habits. And with a 60-day, no-questions-asked refund policy, the risk is genuinely low.
The honest limitations are that it requires consistency (10–15 minutes a day), it’s digital-only, and it’s not a replacement for a hands-on behaviorist in cases of severe aggression. But for the vast majority of dog behavior problems — the barking, the chewing, the pulling, the chaos — this program addresses the actual root cause rather than slapping a patch on the symptom.
At $67 for lifetime access, it costs less than a single session with most private trainers. For the price, the value is hard to argue with.
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Disclaimer: This review is for informational and educational purposes only. Individual results from Brain Training for Dogs will vary depending on the dog’s age, breed, temperament, and the consistency with which the owner applies the program. This is not a substitute for professional veterinary advice. If your dog displays severe aggression or behavioral symptoms that suggest an underlying medical issue, consult a licensed veterinary behaviorist. This article contains affiliate links.