Six months ago, my dog could not sit for more than four seconds without breaking to chase anything that moved.
Walks were a battle.
Commands were suggestions he ignored politely.
And I had already spent $180 on two different online training courses that promised “perfect obedience in 30 days” — neither of which produced anything close to that.
When someone in a dog owner Facebook group recommended Brain Training for Dogs by Adrienne Farricelli, I was skeptical.
Another course.
Another promise.
Another $67 I would probably regret.
I bought it anyway.
Partly because of the 60-day money-back guarantee.
Partly because the approach sounded genuinely different from anything I had tried.
Six weeks later, I kept it.
Not because my dog became perfect — he did not.
But this Brain Training for Dogs review is based on something I could actually measure.
My dog now holds a sit for 30 seconds in a room full of distractions.
He walks on a loose leash most of the time.
And he stopped destroying things out of boredom within the first three weeks.
This is my breakdown of every module, what worked, what did not, who this course is actually for, and who should skip it entirely.
It uses positive reinforcement and mental stimulation to fix problem behaviors.
60-day money-back guarantee.
Our rating: 4.5 out of 5.
Best for owners of bored, destructive, or disobedient dogs who have not seen results from traditional command-based training.
What Is Brain Training for Dogs — And Why Is It Different?
Most dog training courses teach commands.
Sit.
Stay.
Heel.
Down.
These commands are useful, but they often address the symptoms of behavioral problems rather than the root cause.
Brain Training for Dogs is an online training program created by CPDT-KA certified trainer Adrienne Farricelli.
The course is built around a series of structured brain games that increase in difficulty over time, helping dogs develop focus, impulse control, patience, and problem-solving skills through positive reinforcement.
The idea behind the program is simple.
Many common behavior problems — barking, chewing, pulling, jumping, digging, and even certain anxiety-related behaviors — are linked to a lack of mental stimulation.
Dogs evolved to spend much of their day solving problems, searching for food, and interacting with their environment.
Modern pet dogs often finish their meals in less than a minute and then spend the rest of the day with very little mental challenge.
That is why a dog that performs a perfect “sit” in training can still destroy a couch cushion when left alone.
The command itself did not solve the boredom that caused the behavior.
Brain Training for Dogs takes a different approach.
Instead of focusing exclusively on obedience commands, it gives dogs progressively harder problems to solve.
As dogs learn to think, focus, and work through challenges, improvements in behavior often follow naturally.
The goal is not simply to create a dog that obeys commands.
The goal is to create a mentally fulfilled dog that is calmer, more focused, and easier to live with.
According to the American Kennel Club, positive reinforcement training helps dogs actively engage in the learning process, provides valuable mental stimulation, and strengthens the bond between dogs and their owners.
Who Created It — Adrienne Farricelli’s Credentials
Credentials matter in dog training.
Anyone can film themselves giving commands and call it a course.
What separates legitimate training from content marketing is the person behind it.
Adrienne Farricelli is a CPDT-KA (Certified Professional Dog Trainer — Knowledge Assessed) certified dog trainer.
The CPDT-KA credential is one of the most widely recognized professional certifications in the dog training industry.
To earn it, trainers must document extensive hands-on experience, pass a comprehensive examination, and complete continuing education requirements to maintain certification.
Adrienne has more than 15 years of professional dog training experience.
She has worked with service dogs for military veterans and has contributed to publications including USA Today, Every Dog Magazine, and various veterinary-focused outlets.
This is not a trainer whose credentials begin and end with training their own dog.
She has verifiable professional experience, industry recognition, and a long track record of working with dogs and owners in real-world situations.
For me, the creator’s credibility was one of the strongest reasons I decided to give the program a chance.
The 7 Modules — What Is Inside the Course
The course is organized into seven progressive levels.
Each level builds on the skills learned in the previous one.
The structure encourages steady progress rather than rushing ahead before foundational skills are established.
Module 1 — Preschool
This is the foundation level.
The focus is on attention, engagement, and responsiveness.
One of the first games teaches dogs to maintain eye contact with their owner, creating the attention and focus needed for every later exercise.
I spent about five days working through this section.
By day four, my dog could reliably maintain eye contact for several seconds even with mild distractions nearby.
Module 2 — Elementary
This level introduces basic problem-solving and targeting exercises.
Dogs learn to touch specific targets with their nose or paw.
These simple exercises become building blocks for more advanced behaviors later in the program.
This is where many dogs begin actively thinking through challenges instead of simply waiting for commands.
Module 3 — High School
Memory games and multi-step challenges become a larger part of the training.
Dogs learn to remember where rewards are hidden, recall sequences, and connect multiple behaviors together.
This was also the point where I began noticing improvements in overall behavior.
A mentally engaged dog tends to be calmer, and several boredom-related habits started decreasing during this stage.
Module 4 — College
The emphasis shifts toward impulse control and decision-making.
Dogs learn to wait patiently, resist immediate temptations, and make better choices when presented with multiple options.
Many of the exercises at this level directly support real-world issues such as jumping, rushing through doors, and counter-surfing.
Module 5 — University
The puzzles become noticeably more challenging.
Most dogs require multiple sessions to master the exercises.
This level does an excellent job of building confidence because dogs learn that persistence leads to success.
Many owners find that nervous or uncertain dogs begin showing greater confidence as they work through these challenges.
Module 6 — Graduation
This stage focuses on maintaining concentration through increasingly difficult tasks.
It is especially valuable for highly intelligent breeds such as Border Collies, Poodles, Australian Shepherds, and other dogs that often become bored with traditional obedience training.
Module 7 — Einstein
The final level contains the most advanced exercises in the program.
These challenges require genuine problem-solving ability and sustained concentration.
Not every dog reaches this level, and that is completely normal.
Most owners report seeing the biggest behavior improvements between Modules 3 and 5, long before reaching the final stage.
Overall, Brain Training for Dogs includes 21 structured brain games spread across seven progressive levels. The program gradually develops focus, impulse control, patience, confidence, and problem-solving skills rather than relying solely on traditional obedience exercises.
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My 6-Week Brain Training for Dogs Review — What Actually Happened
Here is my honest brain training for dogs review timeline — no exaggeration, no cherry-picking.
Week 1 — Preschool and Elementary
The “Look Into My Eyes” game took three 10-minute sessions before my dog did it reliably.
What surprised me was his attitude.
He was not just obeying — he was enjoying it.
His tail wagged the entire session.
He actively wanted to play again.
Total time investment: 15 minutes per day.
Week 2-3 — High School
This is where changes became visible.
Not in commands — in daily behavior.
My dog was calmer in the evenings.
He stopped barking at the mailman — not because we trained for that specifically, but because a mentally exercised dog does not need to create his own entertainment.
The couch cushion destruction stopped by the end of week 3.
Completely.
Week 4-5 — College and University
Impulse control improved dramatically.
The door-bolting behavior that had been an issue for two years reduced by about 70%.
Leash pulling dropped to the point where I could walk him past other dogs without being dragged.
Week 6 — Assessment
My honest assessment at 6 weeks.
He is not perfect.
Squirrels still break his concentration.
But the difference between week 1 and week 6 is measurable.
Sustained sit: 4 seconds → 30 seconds.
Leash pulling: constant → 80% loose leash.
Destruction: weekly → zero in 3 weeks.
Barking at door: every time → occasional.
For the complete positive reinforcement approach that complements this course, read our guide on positive reinforcement dog training for beginners.
What I Genuinely Liked
Built on Real Science, Not Gimmicks
Positive reinforcement is the most researched approach in animal behavior science.
Adrienne explains why each technique works — not just what to do.
This helps you apply it correctly in real situations rather than following steps blindly.
According to the AKC, bored dogs will chew furniture, shred pillows, and create their own entertainment — and mental stimulation through puzzle games and training provides the cognitive engagement that prevents these behaviors.
Household Items Only — No Equipment Costs
Most games use things you already have: muffin tins, plastic cups, towels, treats.
No specialized equipment.
No extra spending.
The course itself is the only purchase.
15 Minutes Per Day — Genuinely
I was able to fit sessions in before work or after dinner without it feeling like a chore.
Short, focused sessions are the entire design philosophy — and dogs learn better in short bursts anyway.
Troubleshooting Sections Are Excellent
Every game includes guidance for when things go wrong — what to do if your dog loses interest, gets frustrated, or does not understand the cue.
This is the level of detail most courses lack.
A slightly hungry dog is more motivated to work for treats, and the brain games are treat-based.
I found that training 30 minutes before mealtime produced the best engagement and fastest learning.
What Could Be Better — Honest Criticism
No brain training for dogs review is complete without genuine criticism. Here is what I did not love — and why the half-point deduction exists.
Video Quality Is Functional, Not Premium
The training videos are clear enough to follow, but they are not professionally produced.
Audio in some videos is flat. The information is excellent — the production is not.
If you learn better from reading, the written instructions are detailed enough to follow without videos.
Private Forum Is Quiet
The course includes a private members’ forum.
It is functional but not highly active. If you need real-time support, do not expect instant responses.
That said, email support from Adrienne’s team was responsive within 24 hours when I tested it.
Not a Quick Fix for Severe Aggression
This program addresses boredom-driven behaviors — barking, chewing, pulling, anxiety, jumping.
It does not address genuine aggression, fear-based reactivity, or resource guarding.
Those require in-person work with a certified veterinary behaviorist.
Who Should Buy Brain Training for Dogs
Based on my brain training for dogs review experience, this course is worth the $67 if you fit one of these profiles:
- Your dog is bored and destructive — chewing furniture, digging holes, barking excessively when left alone. These behaviors respond fastest to the mental stimulation approach.
- Your dog knows commands but ignores them — sits perfectly at home but pulls like a sled dog on walks. The impulse control modules 4 and 5 address the gap between knowing a command and choosing to follow it.
- You have tried traditional training without results. If command-based training did not work, the brain game approach is genuinely different — not just repackaged obedience drills.
- You have a high-energy or intelligent breed — Border Collies, Poodles, Australian Shepherds, Huskies, and Labs benefit most because their brains need more work than average.
Brain Training for Dogs is most effective for dogs that are bored and destructive, dogs that know commands but ignore them in real situations, and high-energy intelligent breeds that need more mental stimulation than standard training provides — with most owners reporting visible behavior improvements within 2 to 3 weeks of daily 15-minute sessions.
For dogs with separation anxiety specifically, read our guide on how to stop dog separation anxiety when left alone — the brain games pair effectively with the methods in that guide.
Who Should Skip It
This course is NOT for everyone. Save your money if:
- Your dog has genuine aggression issues — fear-based reactivity, resource guarding, or aggression toward people or other dogs. These require in-person professional intervention, not an online course.
- Your dog is a young puppy under 12 weeks. The course includes a puppy section, but very young puppies need socialization and basic house training more than brain games. Start with our guide on how to take care of a puppy for the first time, then consider Brain Training for Dogs after 4 months.
- You expect results without daily effort. The course works — but only if you actually do the 15-minute daily sessions consistently. If you will not commit to that, skip it.
- You just want your dog to learn “sit” and “stay.” A free YouTube tutorial covers basic commands. This course is for deeper behavioral change, not surface-level obedience.
Pricing, Guarantee, and What You Get
One-time payment: $67. No subscription. No recurring fees. Lifetime access to all content and updates.
What is included:
- The complete 7-module brain game course with 21 structured games, each with video demonstrations and detailed written instructions.
- A full puppy training section for owners of dogs under 12 months.
- Over 100 articles covering specific behavior problems — pulling, barking, jumping, chewing, biting, door bolting, counter surfing, and more.
- Access to a private members’ forum.
- Email support from Adrienne’s team.
Brain Training for Dogs costs $67 as a one-time payment with lifetime access and no recurring subscription fees — making it significantly more affordable than most in-person group training classes which typically cost $200 to $600 for a 6 to 8 week program, and comes with a full 60-day money-back guarantee.
60-day money-back guarantee through ClickBank. If you are not satisfied for any reason, you get a full refund — no questions asked. This is what made me comfortable trying it after two failed courses.
👉 Get Brain Training for Dogs — $67, 60-Day Guarantee
According to the AKC, puzzle toys and brain games provide mental stimulation that produces cognitive fatigue equivalent to roughly 30 minutes of physical exercise in just 15 minutes — which is the same principle Brain Training for Dogs is built on.
According to the ASPCA, providing regular mental enrichment through interactive training and puzzle games is one of the most effective approaches to preventing behavioral problems and improving a dog’s quality of life.
My Final Rating — 4.5 out of 5
The half-point deduction is for video quality and the quiet forum — neither of which affects the actual training content, which is genuinely excellent.
At $67 with a 60-day guarantee, the risk is essentially zero. You either see results within 6 weeks or you get your money back. That is the fairest deal in online dog training.
Individual results will vary based on your dog’s breed, age, temperament, and the consistency of your daily training sessions.
Dogs with severe behavioral issues — aggression, fear-based reactivity, or trauma history — need in-person professional intervention, not an online course.
This review reflects my genuine experience with the program.
This post contains affiliate links — if you purchase through our link, we earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
The 60-day money-back guarantee is provided by ClickBank, the payment processor.
Always consult a certified professional dog trainer for severe behavioral issues.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Is Brain Training for Dogs worth the money?
Yes — at $67 with a 60-day money-back guarantee, it is one of the most affordable and lowest-risk training programs available.
Most in-person group classes cost $200 to $600 for 6 to 8 weeks. The brain game approach is genuinely different from standard command training and addresses the root cause of most behavior problems — boredom and lack of mental stimulation.
Does Brain Training for Dogs actually work?
Yes, for the right dogs. It is most effective for bored, destructive dogs and dogs that know commands but ignore them in real situations.
Most owners report visible improvements within 2 to 3 weeks of consistent daily 15-minute sessions.
It is not effective for genuine aggression, fear-based reactivity, or resource guarding — those require professional in-person intervention.
Who is Adrienne Farricelli?
Adrienne Farricelli is a CPDT-KA certified professional dog trainer with over 15 years of experience.
She has worked with service dogs for military veterans and has been featured in USA Today and Every Dog Magazine.
The CPDT-KA certification requires 300+ hours of hands-on training experience and a comprehensive knowledge exam — it is the most recognized professional credential in the dog training industry.
How much does Brain Training for Dogs cost?
Brain Training for Dogs costs $67 as a one-time payment.
There is no monthly subscription, no recurring fees, and you get lifetime access to all course content and future updates.
A 60-day money-back guarantee is included through ClickBank, the payment processor.
How long does it take to see results?
Most owners see initial behavior changes within the first 1 to 2 weeks — typically reduced boredom-driven destruction and improved focus during training.
More significant improvements in impulse control, leash behavior, and sustained attention develop between weeks 3 and 6 with consistent daily practice.
Is Brain Training for Dogs good for puppies?
The course includes a dedicated puppy training section suitable for puppies over 12 weeks.
Very young puppies under 12 weeks benefit more from socialization and house training fundamentals first.
The brain game modules become most effective once a puppy has basic focus and can engage with treat-based activities for 5 to 10 minutes.
What if Brain Training for Dogs does not work for my dog?
The program includes a full 60-day money-back guarantee through ClickBank.
If you are not satisfied for any reason within 60 days of purchase, you can request a complete refund.
This makes it a risk-free investment — either you see results, or you get your money back.
How is this different from regular dog training courses?
Most courses teach commands — sit, stay, heel.
Brain Training for Dogs teaches your dog how to think, solve problems, and control impulses through structured mental challenges.
The behavior improvements happen as a side effect of a brain that is getting proper stimulation.
This addresses the root cause of most problem behaviors rather than just teaching surface-level obedience.
The Course That Changed How I Think About Training — Final Thoughts
Two failed courses. $180 wasted. A dog that knew “sit” perfectly but ate couch cushions the moment I left the room.
That was where I started before this brain training for dogs review became personal.
Six weeks and $67 later, my dog is not perfect. He still loses his mind over squirrels. He still gets too excited when guests arrive. But the destruction stopped. The leash pulling dropped by 80%. The sustained attention went from 4 seconds to 30. And he genuinely enjoys training — which means I do too.
Three things to take with you:
- The root cause of most problem behaviors is boredom, not disobedience. A dog that destroys furniture when left alone is not defiant — they are a brain with nothing to do. Brain Training for Dogs addresses the cause, not the symptom.
- Fifteen minutes per day is genuinely enough. That is not marketing. That is the actual daily time investment. The sessions are designed to be short because dogs learn better in focused bursts than in long grinding sessions.
- The 60-day guarantee makes it risk-free. You either see measurable improvement within 6 weeks or you get every dollar back. I have never seen a more fair offer in the online dog training space.
For the complete leash training method that pairs perfectly with this course, read our guide on leash training a puppy that pulls on walks.
For dogs that need recall work alongside mental stimulation, read our dog recall training step by step guide.
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