3 Key Takeaways
- Pre-recorded courses lack real-time feedback: While SpiritDog offers a massive library of videos, it cannot provide customized feedback on your specific leash handling or timing.
- Positive-only has limitations for reactivity: SpiritDog’s strict positive reinforcement approach can struggle with highly reactive dogs, whereas balanced training offers clearer communication.
- Live virtual training provides accountability: Unlike DIY video courses, live virtual training gives you weekly check-ins, video reviews, and a clear, customized roadmap to follow.
SpiritDog Training Review: Is a Pre-Recorded Course Enough for Your Dog?
If you are looking for a SpiritDog Training review, you are probably staring at your dog right now, wondering why they act like a perfect angel in the living room but turn into a four-legged chaos goblin the second you step outside. You’ve likely seen the ads for SpiritDog’s online courses and thought, “Could a pre-recorded video really fix this?”
The short answer: It depends on your dog and your learning style. SpiritDog Training offers a massive library of affordable, positive-only, pre-recorded videos. But if your dog needs real-time feedback, or if you need a trainer to look at your specific dog and tell you exactly what you are doing wrong, a video library might leave you feeling like you are duct-taping together random tips.
Let’s break down how SpiritDog works, what it does well, where it falls short, and when you should consider live virtual dog training like the virtual dog trainer instead.
How SpiritDog Training Works
SpiritDog Training, founded by Steffi Trott, is an entirely pre-recorded online dog training platform. They offer over 17 individual courses and several bundles, covering everything from basic puppy obedience to their popular “Tackling Reactivity” bundle.
When you buy a course, you get lifetime access to a library of videos, written instructions, and quizzes. You log in, watch a video of Steffi training a dog, and then try to replicate it with your own dog in your living room.
Their philosophy is strictly positive reinforcement. This means you will use a lot of treats, praise, and games to encourage good behavior, while generally ignoring or redirecting the bad behavior.
What SpiritDog Does Well (The Pros)
There is a reason SpiritDog is popular. For the right type of owner, it offers a lot of value.
1. It is Very Affordable
Compared to hiring a local in-person trainer, SpiritDog is cheap. Single courses range from $9 to $149, and bundles usually hover around the $50 to $200 mark. If you are on a tight budget and just want some basic tips, it is a low-risk investment.
2. Massive Library of Content
With over 700 lessons and 400 videos, they cover almost every topic imaginable. Whether you want to teach your dog to walk on a loose leash or do a backflip (they actually have a parkour course), there is a video for it.
3. Great for Basic Tricks and Puppy Foundations
If you have a brand new puppy and just need to know how to teach “sit,” “down,” and “roll over,” their positive, game-based approach is fantastic. It is fun, engaging, and perfect for dogs that don’t have deeply ingrained behavioral issues.
Where SpiritDog Falls Short (The Cons)
While SpiritDog is great for teaching a golden retriever to catch a frisbee, it often leaves owners of difficult or reactive dogs feeling frustrated.
1. No Real-Time Feedback on YOUR Dog
This is the biggest drawback of any pre-recorded course. You watch a video of a professional trainer working with a dog that is already mostly trained. Then you try it with your dog, and your dog does something completely different.
What do you do then? You can’t ask the video. While SpiritDog offers a community forum where you can ask questions, it is not the same as a trainer watching you handle the leash and saying, “Ah, your timing is off by two seconds, and your leash is too tight.”
2. Positive-Only Limitations for Reactive Dogs
SpiritDog strictly uses positive reinforcement. If your dog is lunging at another dog, their approach relies heavily on distracting your dog with high-value treats (like hot dogs or cheese) to counter-condition the response.
But what happens when your dog decides they want to chase the squirrel more than they want the piece of cheese?
At The Virtual Dog Trainer, we believe in a balanced training philosophy. Yes, we use high-value rewards to build positive associations, and it works beautifully. But we also advocate for fair, timely corrections using tools like flat collars, slip leashes, or properly fitted prong collars. Correcting without redirecting is like telling someone they are going the wrong way without telling them which way is right. You need both to communicate clearly with your dog.
3. It Requires Massive Self-Discipline
Because it is a DIY video course, you have to hold yourself accountable. There is no trainer checking in on you every week to see if you did your homework. If you get frustrated and stop logging in, nothing changes.
SpiritDog vs. Live Virtual Dog Training
If you are comparing SpiritDog to a live virtual dog training program, you are essentially comparing a library card to a private tutor.
Feature
SpiritDog Training (Pre-Recorded)
The Virtual Dog Trainer (Live Virtual+ Pre-Recorded)
Format
Pre-recorded videos you watch on your own time.
Live, weekly 1-on-1 Zoom sessions with a real trainer. + (Pre-recorded video included) ✅
Feedback
Text-based forum support.
Direct video review and real-time coaching on your dog. ✅
Training Style
Positive-only (treats and games).
Balanced Training (rewards + fair corrections and clear boundaries). ✅
Accountability
Completely DIY. You have to motivate yourself.
High accountability. We check in, review your progress, and adjust the plan weekly. ✅
Best For
Budget-conscious owners wanting to teach basic tricks or puppy obedience.
Owners dealing with reactivity, stubbornness, or those who want guaranteed Real-World obedience. ✅
Struggling to get your dog to listen?
If you are tired of guessing your way through training and want a clear, customized roadmap, it might be time to step away from the pre-recorded videos. Check out our online dog training courses to see how live, personalized coaching can actually change your dog’s behavior.
Or click the button below to schedule a Free Transformation call today!
Is a Pre-Recorded Course Enough for Your Dog?
If your dog is generally well-behaved and you just want to teach them to stop jumping on guests or how to walk nicely on a leash when there are no distractions, a pre-recorded course like SpiritDog is a great, affordable option.
But if your dog is reactive, ignores your commands the second you step outside, or has you feeling stressed every time you pick up the leash, a video library is probably not going to cut it. You don’t need more random commands; you need a clear training plan and a professional who can look at your specific situation and tell you exactly how to fix it.
Ready to stop duct-taping together training tips and get real results? Let’s build a plan that actually works for your dog. Schedule a free virtual dog training transformation call today, and let’s get your dog listening—even when there are squirrels around.
Frequently Asked Questions (People Also Ask)
Is SpiritDog Training legit?
Yes, SpiritDog Training is a legitimate, highly-rated online dog training platform created by Steffi Trott. They offer hundreds of pre-recorded videos focused on positive reinforcement training for puppies and adult dogs.
How much does SpiritDog Training cost?
SpiritDog courses range from $9 for mini-courses to $149 for larger bundles. They also offer a SpiritDog Academy subscription that gives you access to all courses for a monthly or annual fee.
Does online dog training actually work?
Online dog training works incredibly well if you choose the right format. Pre-recorded courses work for highly motivated owners teaching basic obedience. Live virtual dog training, where a trainer coaches you via Zoom and reviews your videos, is highly effective for solving complex behavioral issues like reactivity.
What is the difference between SpiritDog and The Virtual Dog Trainer?
SpiritDog provides a library of pre-recorded, positive-only training videos that you follow on your own. The Virtual Dog Trainer offers live, 1-on-1 virtual coaching using a balanced training approach giving you real-time feedback and customized plans for your specific dog. Plus a complete step by step video course, and community of dog owners like you achieving incredible results with their dogs – the full package.
Can you train a reactive dog online?
Yes, you can train a reactive dog online. However, pre-recorded videos often lack the specific timing and handling feedback required for reactivity. A live virtual trainer can watch your leash handling and timing on video and tell you exactly how to adjust your mechanics to stop the lunging and barking.
What is balanced dog training?
Balanced dog training is a philosophy that uses both high-value rewards to encourage good behavior and fair, timely corrections to stop unwanted behavior. It focuses on clear communication, often utilizing tools like slip leashes or prong collars to safely guide the dog.
Why is my dog only listening inside the house?
Dogs are terrible generalizers. If you only practice obedience in your quiet living room, your dog doesn’t understand that the rules still apply outside where there are smells, sounds, and other dogs. You have to actively train and proof commands in highly distracting environments.
How long does it take to train a dog online?
Most owners see significant improvements in their dog’s behavior within 1 to 3 weeks of consistent, daily training. However, fully proofing behaviors like off-leash recall or resolving severe reactivity can take several months of dedicated practice.