The Online Dog Trainer Review: Is Doggy Dan Worth It?
The Online Dog Trainer Review: Does Doggy Dan's training really work? Discover how his gentle methods helped my Golden Retriever, Teddy, overcome excessive barking at visitors and improve his recall on walks.
TRAINING
The Online Dog Trainer Review: My Honest Journey With Teddy
If someone had told me a year ago that an online dog training programme would completely change life with my Golden Retriever, Teddy, I honestly would have laughed.
Like many Golden Retriever owners, I expected an easy-going, friendly family dog—and for the most part, that's exactly what Teddy is. He's affectionate, gentle, loves people, and gets on brilliantly with other dogs.
But despite his lovely nature, we had a couple of problems that were becoming increasingly stressful.
Whenever anyone came to the house, Teddy became unbelievably excited. He'd bark almost constantly from the moment they arrived until they left. It wasn't aggressive barking—he was simply overwhelmed with excitement—but it made it difficult to have visitors over and impossible to hold a conversation.
Our biggest challenge, though, was when we were out walking.
Teddy had a habit of deciding that our walk wasn't nearly as interesting as whatever had caught his attention in the distance. If he spotted another dog, an interesting scent or even a squirrel, he'd happily take himself off exploring without the slightest concern for where I was.
On more than one occasion, he disappeared completely from view, leaving me desperately calling his name and worrying about what might happen.
Thankfully, he always came back eventually, but after a few frightening incidents, I no longer felt comfortable letting him off the lead.
I loved Teddy dearly, but walking him had become more stressful than enjoyable.
After trying different training techniques, watching endless YouTube videos and reading countless articles online, I realised I needed a better approach.
That's when I discovered Doggy Dan.
This is my honest The Online Dog Trainer Review, including what worked for us, what surprised me and whether I think it's worth it.
Table of Contents
Why I Decided to Try Doggy Dan
My First Impressions of The Online Dog Trainer
Who Is Doggy Dan?
What Makes His Training Different?
The Dog Calming Code Explained
My Results With Cooper
What's Included Inside The Online Dog Trainer
Pros and Cons
Is It Worth the Money?
Final Verdict
Frequently Asked Questions
Why I Decided to Try Doggy Dan
Teddy has always been a wonderful family dog. He's affectionate, incredibly friendly and everyone who meets him falls in love with him.
Aggression has never been an issue. In fact, he's probably too friendly.
His excitement around visitors was exhausting.
The barking would start as soon as someone knocked on the door and continue almost the entire time they were in the house. He wasn't trying to scare anyone away—he simply couldn't contain himself.
As much as our friends laughed it off, I found it quite stressful.
The bigger concern, however, was his recall.
I'd always imagined enjoying long countryside walks where Teddy could run freely.
Instead, every off-lead walk became a source of anxiety.
Once he'd decided to investigate something, it was as though I'd disappeared completely. Calling his name often made little difference, and there were several occasions when he vanished from sight for what felt like an eternity.
Those few minutes waiting for him to reappear were awful.
Eventually, I made the difficult decision to keep him on a lead for most walks because I simply couldn't risk him running onto a road or getting himself into trouble.
I knew Teddy wasn't being naughty.
He was just following his instincts.
I simply needed to learn how to get his attention and build a stronger connection with him outdoors.
From Skeptic to Believer
I'll be honest—I wasn't convinced that an online dog training programme could teach me anything I didn't already know.
Over the years I'd watched countless YouTube videos, read dog training articles and picked up plenty of advice from other dog owners. Some tips worked for a while, others didn't make much difference, and a lot of the advice seemed to contradict itself.
When I first came across Doggy Dan's free training, I remember thinking, "Can watching videos online really help with Teddy's barking and recall?"
Still, because the webinar was free, I decided I had nothing to lose by giving it a go.
What surprised me wasn't learning a long list of new commands—it was learning to look at Teddy's behaviour from a completely different perspective.
Rather than focusing solely on correcting unwanted behaviours, Dan spent time explaining why dogs behave the way they do and how small changes in our everyday interactions can make a noticeable difference.
That really resonated with me.
As I started applying some of the techniques consistently, I noticed Teddy becoming calmer around visitors and much more attentive during our walks.
The improvements weren't dramatic overnight, but they were steady and encouraging—and that's when I realised this programme was different from anything I'd tried before.
Who Is Doggy Dan?
If you're reading this Doggy Dan Review, you're probably wondering whether he's genuinely qualified.
Doggy Dan (Dan Abdelnoor) is a professional dog behaviour specialist originally from the UK who later built his training business in New Zealand.
Over the years he has worked with thousands of dogs and created one of the largest online dog training platforms available today.
His methods focus on:
Calm leadership
Understanding canine psychology
Clear communication
Building trust
Creating confidence in anxious dogs
Unlike many trainers, he doesn't rely on punishment, intimidation or gadgets to force behaviour.
That immediately appealed to me.
What Makes Doggy Dan Different?
Most of the advice I'd received before followed the same pattern.
Bad behaviour?
Give a treat.
Dog pulling?
Offer another treat.
Dog ignores you?
Wave food around.
While rewards certainly have their place, I often felt Teddy was working for the biscuit rather than because he understood me.
Doggy Dan takes a different approach.
His philosophy centres around helping owners become calm, consistent leaders.
Not dominant.
Not aggressive.
Simply someone the dog trusts enough to follow.
That distinction is incredibly important.
Throughout the programme, Dan repeatedly encourages kindness, patience and consistency.
There was no shouting.
No fear.
No painful equipment.
Just practical techniques that easily fitted into everyday life.
Discovering the Dog Calming Code
The foundation of the entire programme is something Doggy Dan calls The Dog Calming Code.
Rather than jumping straight into teaching commands like sit, stay or come, Dan encourages you to first understand how your dog thinks and why they behave the way they do.
I found that really refreshing.
Instead of looking at Teddy's barking or poor recall as simply "bad behaviour," I started to see them as ways he was responding to the world around him. He wasn't trying to be difficult—he was simply acting on instinct.
Dan explains that when dogs feel calm, secure and confident, they're naturally more responsive and easier to guide. That made perfect sense to me.
Rather than trying to constantly correct Teddy, I focused on making small changes to our daily routines and the way I communicated with him.
Those changes weren't complicated, but over time they helped us build a much stronger connection.
Looking back, I think understanding Teddy's behaviour was every bit as important as teaching him new skills.
The Five Principles That Changed Everything
1. Feeding
One of the first lessons focuses on how food influences a dog's perception of leadership.
This wasn't about starving Teddy or withholding meals.
Instead, it encouraged me to become more intentional about feeding routines.
Small changes created much more structure around meal times.
2. Managing Perceived Danger
This principle isn't just about obvious dangers—it also applies to all the exciting things your dog notices in the world around them.
For Teddy, that wasn't barking aggressively at strangers or other dogs. It was becoming so excited by new people, visitors or interesting distractions that he struggled to focus on me.
One of the things I learned was the importance of staying calm and showing Teddy that I was paying attention to what was happening around us. Instead of reacting to every bark or distraction, I became more confident and consistent in the way I responded.
Over time, I noticed Teddy looking to me more often for reassurance instead of immediately reacting to everything that caught his eye.
It was a subtle change, but one that made a real difference both at home and on our walks.
3. Reuniting After Separation
This lesson surprised me the most.
Like many owners, I'd always greeted Teddy enthusiastically whenever I returned home.
Dan recommends taking a calmer approach.
The idea isn't to ignore your dog forever.
Instead, allow excitement levels to settle before giving attention.
Within days, Teddy stopped launching himself at me every time I walked through the front door.
4. Attention on Your Terms
This lesson helped me realise how often Teddy demanded interaction.
Dropping toys.
Pawing at me.
Barking for attention.
Rather than constantly reacting, I began choosing when playtime started.
Oddly enough, Teddy became more relaxed—not less affectionate.
5. The Walk Starts Before You Leave Home
Perhaps my favourite lesson.
Previously, our walks started with chaos.
Lead on.
Door opens.
Teddy explodes outside.
Dan teaches that the walk actually begins indoors.
Those few calm moments before leaving made a remarkable difference to Teddy's overall mindset.
Instead of charging out of the house, he gradually learned to leave calmly beside me.
My Results After Just a Few Weeks
I'm naturally sceptical of programmes that promise overnight transformations.
Life with dogs simply doesn't work like that.
Did Teddy become perfectly obedient overnight?
Of course not.
He's still a fun-loving Golden Retriever who gets excited about life.
But I genuinely began noticing small improvements within the first couple of weeks.
Instead of barking continuously whenever visitors arrived, he started settling much more quickly once we'd followed the techniques Dan recommended.
The biggest improvement for us was Teddy's growing willingness to stay connected with me during our walks. He still loves to explore—that's part of his Golden Retriever personality—but he now checks in with me far more often, making our walks much more enjoyable and far less stressful
His recall certainly isn't perfect—and I still choose carefully where I let him off the lead—but I feel far more confident taking him out now than I did before.
Perhaps the biggest change wasn't Teddy.
It was me.
I felt calmer, more confident and much more consistent in the way I communicated with him.
That confidence seemed to rub off on Teddy too.
Our walks became enjoyable again instead of something I worried about.
Everything included inside The Online Dog Trainer
The Complete Pack review
Reactivity programme
Puppy programme
Community support
Pricing
Pros & Cons
Whether it's worth the money
FAQs
Final verdict and SEO-optimised conclusion.
What's Included Inside The Online Dog Trainer?
After signing up, I was pleasantly surprised by how organised everything was.
As someone who isn't particularly tech-savvy, I worried I'd spend half my time trying to work out where everything was. Thankfully, the members' area is clean, straightforward, and easy to navigate.
After a short welcome video from Doggy Dan, I was asked a few simple questions about Teddy—his age, breed and the behaviours I wanted to improve. From there, my dashboard highlighted the training most relevant to us.
It immediately felt more personal than simply being handed a library of random videos.
Even better, I could learn at my own pace. There was no pressure to rush through lessons or keep up with anyone else.
Whether you have ten minutes during your lunch break or an hour in the evening, you can simply pick up where you left off.
The Complete Pack Review
If you're dealing with several behavioural issues, the Complete Pack is where the programme really shines.
Rather than buying separate courses every time a new problem appears, everything is available in one place.
There are well over 300 training videos covering almost every stage of a dog's life—from bringing home an eight-week-old puppy to managing behaviour in older dogs.
The six main learning libraries include:
The Dog Calming Code
Everyday Tools & Techniques
Perfect Puppy Programme
Project Moses Puppy Diary
All Dog Problems Solved
Dog Training 101
I liked that the lessons are bite-sized.
Most videos are only a few minutes long, making them easy to watch before heading out for a walk or while enjoying a cup of tea.
Instead of overwhelming you with theory, Dan explains one concept clearly before showing it in real-life situations with different dogs and owners.
That practical approach made all the difference for me.
My Favourite Section: Won't Come or Listen
Without a doubt, the section that made the biggest difference for Teddy was "Won't Come or Listen."
As much as I trusted Teddy, letting him off the lead had become incredibly stressful. If he caught sight of another dog, an interesting scent or something exciting in the distance, he'd happily wander off as though he'd forgotten I existed. There were a few occasions when he disappeared from view altogether, leaving me feeling anxious until he eventually came back.
What I liked about this part of the programme was that Dan doesn't simply teach you how to shout your dog's name louder or repeat commands over and over. Instead, he explains why some dogs become so distracted outdoors and how to encourage them to want to stay connected with you.
The lessons cover topics such as:
Building a reliable recall
Knowing when (and when not) to call your dog
Using your voice and body language effectively
Practising recall step by step
Long-line training
Building focus in distracting environments
Helping your dog choose to check in with you naturally
One lesson that really stood out to me was the emphasis on taking things slowly. Rather than expecting perfect recall overnight, Dan encourages you to build success gradually by practising in controlled environments before introducing more distractions.
No training programme can honestly promise that every dog will have perfect recall in every situation, but I noticed Teddy becoming much more attentive during our walks. Instead of constantly disappearing off on his own adventures, he began checking in with me more often and responding much more reliably when called.
For me, that growing sense of connection was worth far more than simply teaching another command.
Perfect Puppy Programme
Although Teddy was already an adult when I joined, I couldn't resist looking through the puppy section.
I honestly wish I'd had access to this when he first came home.
It covers everything new puppy owners worry about, including:
Toilet training
Crate training
Sleeping through the night
Socialisation
Puppy biting
First walks
Building confidence
Establishing routines
If you're bringing home a puppy for the first time, this section alone could save months of frustration.
Project Moses: Learning From Real Life
One of the most enjoyable parts of the membership is Project Moses.
Instead of simply talking about puppy training, Dan documents the first year with his own puppy from eight weeks onwards.
You watch the challenges unfold naturally.
Some days everything goes perfectly.
Other days… not so much.
That honesty made the training feel much more relatable.
Rather than polished demonstrations with perfectly behaved dogs, you see real-life progress—including mistakes, setbacks and breakthroughs.
For me, those videos were some of the most reassuring in the entire programme.
Everyday Tools & Techniques
Sometimes the smallest tips make the biggest difference.
This section is packed with quick lessons covering practical everyday situations.
Topics include:
Loose lead walking
Managing excitement
Greeting visitors calmly
Building focus
Confidence exercises
Calm handling techniques
Reading your dog's energy levels
These are the little things that slowly become second nature.
Before long, I realised I wasn't "training" Teddy anymore.
We were simply communicating better.
Dog Training 101
Once Teddy's behaviour improved, I started exploring some of the more advanced lessons.
These include:
Reliable recall
Off-lead training
Fetch
Swimming
Staying focused around distractions
Advanced obedience
Even if your dog doesn't have serious behavioural issues, these lessons are brilliant for strengthening your relationship.
Training gradually became something we both looked forward to.
The Community Was an Unexpected Bonus
One feature I almost ignored turned out to be incredibly valuable.
The members' community.
Whenever I had a question, there were hundreds of other owners dealing with similar challenges.
Sometimes just knowing you aren't alone makes all the difference.
The community includes:
Advice from certified trainers
Regular support from the team
Success stories
Practical troubleshooting
Encouragement from other dog owners
Seeing other people's progress reminded me that behaviour change isn't always instant.
It's a journey.
How Much Does The Online Dog Trainer Cost?
One of the reasons I was drawn to Doggy Dan's programme was that I could try some of his training completely free before deciding whether it was right for me.
Like many dog owners, I'd looked into one-to-one training, and while I'm sure it works well for some people, it can be a significant investment. Between the cost of individual sessions, travelling to appointments and trying to fit everything around work and family life, it simply wasn't the right option for me.
That's why the idea of learning at home, in my own time, really appealed.
Before committing to the full programme, I watched Doggy Dan's free training, which gave me a good understanding of his teaching style and approach. It also helped me decide whether his methods felt like a good fit for both me and Teddy.
I liked the fact that there was no pressure to sign up immediately. Being able to experience some of the training first gave me the confidence to make an informed decision.
If you decide to join the full membership, you'll gain access to the complete library of courses, covering everything from puppy training and recall to barking, jumping up, loose lead walking and many other everyday behavioural challenges.
For me, having everything available in one place—and being able to revisit lessons whenever I needed them—made it excellent value compared with booking individual training sessions.
What You'll Get From Doggy Dan's Free Training
Before joining the full programme, I watched one of Doggy Dan's free training sessions, and I'm genuinely glad I did.
Rather than being a short sales presentation, it gave me a proper introduction to his training philosophy and explained the thinking behind the Dog Calming Code.
I particularly liked that Dan focused on helping owners understand why dogs behave the way they do, rather than simply teaching a list of commands.
The free training also gave me the chance to see whether his teaching style suited both me and Teddy before committing to the full membership.
Even if you decide not to join afterwards, I think you'll come away with some practical ideas that you can start using straight away.
For me, it was enough to give me the confidence to explore the full programme.
Why I Think It's Worth Watching the Free Training
Every dog is different, and every owner has their own way of training.
That's exactly why I appreciate that Doggy Dan lets you experience some of his training before asking you to become a member.
It gives you the opportunity to decide whether his approach feels right for you and your dog, without any pressure.
In my case, the free training completely changed the way I looked at Teddy's behaviour. Instead of seeing his barking and poor recall as simply "bad habits," I began to understand why he behaved that way and how small changes in my own approach could make a real difference.
That shift in perspective alone made it time well spent.
Pros and Cons
No programme is perfect, and I think every honest review should include both the positives and the negatives.
What I Loved
✔ Easy to follow, even for beginners
✔ Kind, calm training methods
✔ No harsh equipment required
✔ Hundreds of practical videos
✔ Covers puppies through to adult dogs
✔ Learn whenever it suits you
✔ Excellent value compared with private trainers
✔ Supportive community
A Few Downsides
✘ Results depend on consistency—you still have to put the work in.
✘ If you're looking for a quick overnight fix, this probably isn't it.
✘ Some ideas may feel different from traditional treat-based training, so it's worth keeping an open mind before deciding whether they're right for you.
For me, none of these were deal-breakers.
Is The Online Dog Trainer Worth It?
For us...
Absolutely.
More importantly, Teddy seems happier too.
He's more relaxed.
More confident.
Walks are enjoyable again instead of stressful.
Visitors can come to the house without me worrying about chaos.
Most importantly, our relationship feels stronger than ever.
That's something no amount of expensive gadgets or fancy training treats ever managed to achieve.
Who I Think This Programme Is Best For
I'd confidently recommend it if your dog struggles with:
Pulling on the lead
Barking
Jumping up
Reactivity
Separation anxiety
Recall
Puppy training
General obedience
Building confidence
Whether you're a first-time dog owner or you've had dogs for decades, there's something genuinely useful here.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Doggy Dan use positive, gentle training methods?
Yes. His approach focuses on calm communication, consistency and understanding canine behaviour. Throughout the programme, I never felt encouraged to frighten or punish Teddy. Instead, the emphasis is on building trust and creating clear, predictable routines.
Can online dog training really work?
I wondered exactly the same thing before signing up.
In my experience, yes—but only if you're willing to apply what you learn consistently. Watching videos alone won't change your dog's behaviour. Putting the techniques into practice is what makes the difference.
Is The Online Dog Trainer suitable for puppies?
Definitely.
The puppy section is one of the most comprehensive I've seen online, covering everything from toilet training and biting to socialisation and early obedience.
Will The Online Dog Trainer Help Your Dog?
One of the things I like most about Doggy Dan's programme is that it isn't designed for just one type of behavioural issue.
Whether your dog struggles with unreliable recall, excessive barking, pulling on the lead, jumping up at visitors, separation anxiety or simply not listening when you're out and about, the programme includes step-by-step guidance to help you understand and improve those behaviours.
For me, the biggest improvements were with Teddy's recall and his excitement whenever visitors came to the house.
He's always been a friendly, affectionate Golden Retriever, but he would bark continuously when people visited and often became so distracted on walks that he'd wander off without paying much attention to where I was.
The techniques I learned helped me communicate with Teddy more clearly and build better habits over time. While he's still the same happy, playful dog, he's much more attentive on walks and settles far more quickly when guests arrive.
Every dog is different, so results will naturally vary, but if you're looking for a kind, practical approach that focuses on understanding your dog's behaviour rather than simply correcting it, I think The Online Dog Trainer is well worth considering.
Final Thoughts: My Honest Doggy Dan Review
When I first started searching for help, I wanted someone to teach Teddy how to behave.
What I didn't expect was to learn so much about my own behaviour too.
Looking back, I realise I wasn't failing Teddy—I simply didn't fully understand how he experienced the world.
Doggy Dan helped bridge that gap.
His programme didn't rely on fear, force or complicated techniques. Instead, it taught me how to become a calmer, more confident guide for my dog, and that change seemed to unlock something in Teddy too.
Is it a magic fix?
No.
Like any worthwhile training, it takes patience, consistency and a willingness to learn.
But if you're prepared to put in that effort, I genuinely believe The Online Dog Trainer offers excellent value and practical guidance that many dog owners will find reassuring.
Today, our walks are peaceful, visitors are no longer greeted with chaos, and Teddy is the happy, confident Golden Retriever I'd always hoped he'd become.
If you're feeling overwhelmed, frustrated or unsure where to turn next, I'd encourage you to start with Doggy Dan's free training. It costs nothing to watch, and it may give you a completely different perspective on your dog's behaviour—just as it did for me.
After everything we've experienced together, I can honestly say this is one programme I wish I'd discovered much sooner.