Program guide
Brain Training for Dogs: a practical approach to mental stimulation, focus and obedience
A structured, reward-based program of games and exercises created by professional trainer Adrienne Farricelli. This page explains what it is, how it works, what the research says about mental stimulation, and where it may or may not be the right fit.
What is Brain Training for Dogs?
Brain Training for Dogs is a self-paced online dog-training program. Rather than a single obedience checklist, it is built around games and problem-solving exercises that ask a dog to think, make choices and work for a reward. The idea is that teaching a dog how to learn through play makes ordinary training, sit, stay, recall, polite greetings, loose-lead walking, easier to build afterwards.
The course was created by Adrienne Farricelli, a professional dog trainer whose work has appeared in mainstream dog publications and who holds a recognised pet-dog-training certification. Her stated approach is reward-based: mark and reinforce the behaviour you want, set the dog up to succeed, and avoid intimidation or physical correction.
Content is delivered as written lessons with photos and supporting videos inside a members' area, so you work through it at home on your own schedule. It is sold as a digital product through the ClickBank marketplace. Because pricing and promotional bundles change over time, this page does not quote a figure, check the current offer page for today's price and any guarantee terms.
How the material is organised
The training games are grouped into escalating difficulty levels, often described as running from a "preschool" stage up through progressively harder tiers to an "Einstein" level. Each level introduces new games and builds on skills from the previous one, so a dog (and owner) develops handling technique gradually instead of jumping straight to hard exercises. Alongside the games there is a section covering everyday behaviour problems, barking, chewing, digging, jumping up, pulling on the lead, poor recall and similar, framed around management and reinforcement rather than punishment.
| Element | What it covers |
|---|---|
| Training games | Puzzle and focus games in tiered difficulty levels, each with step-by-step instructions and troubleshooting. |
| Obedience foundations | Core cues (attention, sit, down, stay, recall, leave it) taught with markers and rewards. |
| Behaviour section | Common problems such as barking, chewing, digging, jumping and lead pulling, with management-first advice. |
| Format | Members' area: written lessons, photos and videos, self-paced, lifetime access to the version you buy. |
Why mental stimulation matters
Dogs are problem-solvers by evolutionary history. Companion life, predictable walks, food in a bowl, long stretches home alone, often gives them far less to think about than they are built for. When that gap is wide, some dogs channel the surplus into behaviours owners find difficult: repetitive barking, destructive chewing, digging, restlessness, attention-seeking.
The evidence base here is about enrichment and cognition in general, not about this specific product. Studies of environmental and cognitive enrichment in kennelled and companion dogs report that giving dogs opportunities to forage, problem-solve and make choices is associated with more settled behaviour and greater engagement. Research on reward-based training similarly finds it is associated with fewer fear- and stress-related responses than methods relying on positive punishment. Work on "contrafreeloading", many animals choosing to work for food even when identical food is freely available, suggests the activity of solving a task has value in itself.
None of this proves that any one course "makes dogs smarter" or fixes a given problem. What it reasonably supports is a modest claim: structured, varied, reward-based activity is a sensible part of a dog's week, and a program that organises that activity for you can lower the planning effort. For a fuller treatment see our guide to mental stimulation for dogs and the evidence section below.
The role of brain games
Structured games do a few things at once: they give a dog a job, they teach persistence in the face of a small challenge, and they give the owner low-pressure reps at timing rewards and reading body language. A game where a dog has to nudge cups, work a puzzle feeder or find a hidden scent is also easy to scale, make it simpler on a bad day, harder as the dog improves.
Brain games for dogs
Free games you can set up with bowls, boxes and towels, from beginner to advanced.
Tire a dog out mentally
Why ten minutes of problem-solving can leave a dog calmer than a longer walk.
Focus & attention
Games and drills that build eye contact and a dog that checks in with you.
Problems owners commonly want help with
People usually look for a program like this because of a specific frustration, not an abstract interest in cognition. The most common:
- A dog that "won't listen", usually a mix of distraction, unclear cues and thin reinforcement history rather than defiance. See my dog won't listen to me.
- Boredom behaviours, chewing, barking, digging and general restlessness that improve when the day has more structure. See dog boredom.
- Too much energy, especially working and herding breeds whose physical exercise needs outstrip a normal routine. See high-energy dog activities.
- Poor focus around distractions, fine at home, hopeless at the park.
- Everyday manners, jumping on visitors, pulling on the lead, ignoring recall.
A structured course can help with the training and enrichment side of these. It is not a guarantee, and it is not the right first step for every case, see pros and considerations and when to get professional help.
Positive reinforcement, in plain terms
Positive reinforcement means adding something the dog values, food, play, praise, access to something fun, immediately after a behaviour you want, so that behaviour becomes more likely. In practice that looks like: decide what you want, mark the instant it happens (a clicker or a word like "yes"), deliver the reward, and set the environment up so the dog is likely to get it right.
It is the approach recommended by most veterinary behaviour bodies and modern training organisations, largely because studies associate reward-based methods with lower stress responses and a better trained outcome than approaches built on corrections. Brain Training for Dogs sits in this camp. Our full explainer, positive reinforcement dog training, covers timing, reward placement, fading treats and common mistakes.
Who may benefit, and who may not
It tends to suit:
- Owners who want a ready-made structure and would rather follow a plan than design their own enrichment schedule.
- Puppies and adolescent dogs building foundation skills, using the easy versions of each game in short sessions.
- High-energy and working breeds that need a mental outlet on top of physical exercise.
- People who like learning by reading with photos and short videos, at their own pace.
It is a weaker fit if:
- You are dealing with serious aggression, severe anxiety or a sudden behaviour change, that needs in-person, professional assessment first.
- You strongly prefer live coaching and feedback on your handling. A self-paced course can't watch your timing.
- You already run a varied, reward-based training and enrichment routine and are happy with it.
What owners using the program say
Since starting Brain Training for Dogs, I’ve noticed a real difference in the way my dogs approach training. They seem more engaged, focused, and excited to participate. What used to feel like repetitive command training now feels more like a fun challenge where they get to think, learn, and figure things out.
I especially love that the approach focuses on making training enjoyable rather than forcing behaviours. It has helped me communicate better with my dogs and has strengthened the bond we share. They are more confident, eager to learn, and always seem ready for the next session. It has completely changed the way I think about training.
Emily R.Dog ownerAfter going through the program, I feel much more confident when training my dog. I have a better understanding of why my puppy behaves the way he does, and that has completely changed how I respond during training.
My puppy is picking things up more quickly, paying closer attention, and responding much better to my cues. The biggest benefit for me has been learning how to stay patient and consistent instead of feeling frustrated when something does not work immediately.
Brain Training for Dogs gave me practical tools and a better understanding of how to work with my dog. It has been a great experience for both of us and has made training something we genuinely enjoy together.
Jennifer M.Dog ownerTestimonials from people who have used Brain Training for Dogs. They describe individual experiences: results vary from dog to dog and from owner to owner, and are not guaranteed. This website is independent and is not run by Adrienne Farricelli or the program’s makers.
What the evidence does and doesn't say
To keep claims honest, it helps to separate levels of evidence:
| Level | What it would show | Status here |
|---|---|---|
| Direct product studies | Trials testing Brain Training for Dogs itself | None that we are aware of |
| Comparable methods | Studies of reward-based training vs other methods | Reasonable body of research, generally favourable to reward-based training |
| General enrichment & cognition | Studies on foraging, problem-solving, choice and welfare | Supports enrichment as beneficial; effect sizes vary |
| Expert opinion | Position statements from veterinary behaviour bodies | Broadly endorse reward-based training and enrichment |
| Inference | Applying the above to a structured game program | Reasonable, not proof |
So the defensible summary is: the methods the program uses are well regarded, and enrichment is good practice; there is no clinical proof that this specific course produces a particular result for your dog.
Pros and considerations
Potential advantages
- Reward-based methods in line with mainstream guidance
- Structured progression, less planning for the owner
- Combines enrichment games with practical obedience
- Self-paced, revisit lessons any time
- Sold via ClickBank, which operates a standard refund window
- Created by a trainer with verifiable credentials
Things to consider
- No live feedback on your timing or handling
- Text-heavy, less suited to people who want video-first
- Not a substitute for professional help with serious behaviour
- Results depend on consistency; the course can't do the reps for you
- Pricing and bonuses vary, confirm on the offer page
- Much of the enrichment content can be assembled free with effort
When to see a professional
For aggression toward people or animals, severe or worsening anxiety, separation-related distress, sudden changes in behaviour, or any behaviour that could be driven by pain or illness, speak to a veterinarian first and ask for referral to a qualified behaviourist. A self-paced course is not the right tool for those situations.
Frequently asked questions
Explore the Brain Training for Dogs program
If a ready-made, reward-based structure of games and obedience training fits how you and your dog like to work, the offer page has the current details, format and guarantee terms.
Affiliate link. We may earn a commission at no additional cost to you.
How to start this week, with or without the course
You do not need to buy anything to begin. A realistic first week looks like this:
- Two short sessions a day, 3–5 minutes each. Dogs learn better in frequent short bursts than in one long drill. End while the dog still wants more.
- Pick one focus game. Scatter part of a meal in the grass, or hide a few pieces of kibble around one room and send the dog to "find it". This builds sniffing, persistence and a calm-down effect.
- Feed at least one meal from a puzzle, a snuffle mat, a rolled towel with kibble inside, or holes cut in a cardboard box. Rotate which one you use so it stays novel.
- Train one cue with markers. "Look at me" is a good start: mark the instant the dog makes eye contact, reward, repeat. Gradually add mild distractions.
- Log what happens. Note the dog's energy and behaviour in the hour after each session. Most owners see the pattern within a week.
If, after trying this, you want the games laid out for you in a graded order with troubleshooting rather than improvising, that is the gap a structured program like Brain Training for Dogs is designed to fill. If the DIY version is already working for your household, you may not need it. Our full review weighs that trade-off in more detail.
References
- Ziv G (2017). The effects of using aversive training methods in dogs: a review. Journal of Veterinary Behavior 19, 50–60.
- Vieira de Castro AC, Fuchs D, Morello GM, et al. (2020). Does training method matter? Evidence for the negative impact of aversive-based methods on companion dog welfare. PLOS ONE 15(12), e0225023.
- China L, Mills DS, Cooper JJ (2020). Efficacy of dog training with and without remote electronic collars vs. a focus on positive reinforcement. Frontiers in Veterinary Science 7, 508.
- Herron ME, Shofer FS, Reisner IR (2009). Survey of the use and outcome of confrontational and non-confrontational training methods in client-owned dogs showing undesired behaviors. Applied Animal Behaviour Science 117, 47–54.
- Hiby EF, Rooney NJ, Bradshaw JWS (2004). Dog training methods: their use, effectiveness and interaction with behaviour and welfare. Animal Welfare 13, 63–69.
- Blackwell EJ, Twells C, Seawright A, Casey RA (2008). The relationship between training methods and the occurrence of behavior problems in a population of domestic dogs. Journal of Veterinary Behavior 3, 207–217.
- Fernandes JG, Olsson IAS, Vieira de Castro AC (2017). Do aversive-based training methods actually compromise dog welfare?: a literature review. Applied Animal Behaviour Science 196, 1–12.
- Wells DL (2004). A review of environmental enrichment for kennelled dogs, Canis familiaris. Applied Animal Behaviour Science 85, 307–317.
- Kis A, Szakadát S, Gácsi M, et al. (2017). The interrelated effect of sleep and learning in dogs (Canis familiaris). Scientific Reports 7, 41873.
- Duranton C, Horowitz A (2019). Let me sniff! Nosework induces positive judgment bias in pet dogs. Applied Animal Behaviour Science 211, 61–66.
- Milgram NW, Head E, Zicker SC, et al. (2005). Learning ability in aged beagle dogs is preserved by behavioral enrichment and dietary fortification. Neurobiology of Aging 26(1), 77–90.
- American Veterinary Society of Animal Behavior (2021). Position Statement on Humane Dog Training. View source
- American Animal Hospital Association (2015). Canine and Feline Behavior Management Guidelines. View source
- Kutsumi A, Nagasawa M, Ohta M, Ohtani N (2013). Importance of puppy training for future behavior of the dog. Journal of Veterinary Medical Science 75(2), 141–149. View source
These references describe dogs and training in general. They are not evidence about any specific commercial program, and no study listed here tested Brain Training for Dogs. This page is informational; confirm current pricing, contents and guarantee on the official offer page. Last reviewed: 30 August 2026.