Last Updated on May 25, 2024 by Jhonni Jets
Having a well-trained dog is hugely rewarding for both you and your pooch. While it takes time and consistency to teach your dog basic commands and behaviors, technology makes the training process much easier through mobile apps. There are a variety of high-quality Android apps that can help any dog owner teach their pet vital skills like sitting, staying, coming when called and more.
In this article, we’ll take a look at 10 of the best dog training apps available on the Google Play Store. From beginner to advanced levels, these apps provide training lesson plans, interactive videos, tracking features and more to help you train your furry friend from the convenience of your smartphone or tablet.
Table of Content
1. Dogo
Dogo is one of the most highly rated and fully-featured dog training apps. It includes over 300 training exercises organized into categories like basic obedience, house training and tricks. You can browse the lesson library to find age and skill-appropriate lessons for your dog. Each exercise provides step-by-step instructions, photos and video demonstrations to clearly show you and your dog what to do.
An included training journal allows you to track your dog’s progress, record sessions and view analytics over time. Dogo also has a dictionary feature to look up dog behavior and training terms for easy reference. The app is free to use but has optional in-app purchases to unlock additional advanced lessons and access to professional trainers for advice. Overall, Dogo is an excellent all-in-one training guide for any level.
2. Puppr
Puppr is another great dog training app, offering over 500 videos of training exercises across the major obedience categories. Lessons are organized by activity type and also display estimated completion times. You can browse the library and add exercises to your dog’s customized training schedule. Before each session, the app sends you push notifications to remind you when it’s time for your dog’s next lesson.
During training, the app plays instructional videos and allows you to replay, fast forward or pause as needed. A bonus is that the videos autoplay seamlessly in a loop, keeping your dog engaged for the full session duration. Like other top apps, Puppr has a progress tracker to log your sessions. The free version includes basic functionality while a premium subscription unlocks more advanced features.
3. Smart Trainer
Smart Trainer is a simple yet powerful dog training app suitable for all experience levels. It offers over 150 step-by-step tutorials across key obedience categories and more specialized skills. Lessons are accompanied by photos, text instructions and video demonstrations for visual learners. You can browse lessons by difficulty or search by command to find what you need.
One standout feature is the app’s use of sliding bars to represent training sessions. Sliding the bar progresses you through the steps, with on-screen cues displaying what your dog should be doing at each stage. This interactive format keeps both you and your dog engaged during lessons. Smart Trainer also allows you to track progress over time through its customized training journal.
4. Beacon Dog Training
Beacon Dog Training is a full-featured dog training solution ideal for advanced users and professional dog trainers. Unlike many apps focused on at-home pet owners, Beacon provides commercial-level functionality for managing multiple dogs and clients simultaneously. It packs in training manuals covering all obedience skills plus specialized topics like service dog training.
The app allows you to create customized profiles for each dog or client, assign lesson plans, and track progress over extended periods. You can quickly search for recommended exercises and add them to individual routines. Beacon also packs scheduling tools to plan one-on-one sessions and simplify your day-to-day training operations. While its commercial focus warrants a small fee, Beacon is an indispensable app for serious trainers.
5. Puppy Training Games
Making training fun is key to keeping your pup engaged and motivated. Puppy Training Games brings a playful element to the process with 13 interactive mini-games to teach basic obedience skills. Games include tasks like responding to touch cues, following a moving virtual treat and more. As your dog completes levels, they earn virtual badges and treats as positive reinforcement.
Each mini-game provides instructions tailored for puppies, with optional adjustment of speed and difficulty as your dog masters the objectives. The app tracks progress over time and allows sharing achievements on social media. Its adorable graphics and game mechanics make training seem like play to puppies. This app is perfect for younger dogs and helps owners introduce foundational skills in a low-pressure way.
6. Doggy Lingua
Not all dogs are quick to understand verbal commands in our native language. Doggy Lingua aims to solve this by teaching dogs through scent instead of sound. Using scent-training techniques, it equips owners to communicate key commands via scented props included with the app. Lessons introduce one command at a time through photo tutorials and training plans.
Commands are associated with specific scents that your dog learns to recognize, eliminating language barriers. Options let you assign customized verbal cues if desired as well. A built-in progress tracker follows your dog’s mastery over time. While an unconventional approach, Doggy Lingua shows promise for pups struggling with traditional verbal obedience training.
7. GoodBoy
GoodBoy stands out as one of the most visually pleasing dog training apps available. The interface is polished and intuitive with large interactive buttons, simple navigation and beautifully shot videos. Lessons cover basic obedience commands through to advanced tricks, separation anxiety solutions and more.
Training plans provide step-by-step guides along with clear explanations of techniques. Engaging video demonstrations showcase proper form and timing. You can log your sessions, view progress charts and receive notification reminders directly from the app. GoodBoy’s elegant design and comprehensive lessons make it a favorite for both professional and casual trainers.
8. K-9 Trainer
For serious handlers working towards official K-9 training certifications, the K-9 Trainer app delivers. It contains the full manuals from multiple respected K-9 training organizations, covering topics like detecting drugs and explosives, criminal apprehension, tracking lost persons and more.
Lesson plans break skills down into progressive stages with photo sequences, step counts and timing instructions. The app allows you to bookmark pages, add notes, and access resources offline. Additional apps from the same developer provide specialized instruction for areas like police dog transportation, first aid and more. An excellent reference for professionals aiming for elite K-9 credentials.
9. iFetch
Do you have a high energy retriever that loves retrieving fetched objects? The iFetch app turns your phone or tablet into a remote for a Bluetooth-connected automatic ball launcher. Through the intuitive interface, you can control the launcher to throw tennis balls on command, keeping your dog engaged in physical and mental stimulation for extended periods.
Plus, the app tracks metrics over time like distance thrown, time retrieving and more. Customizable settings adjust distances and frequency. It’s a fun, interactive way to train key skills like staying, waiting for release before chasing and more – all while letting your dog burn off excess energy indoors. iFetch is a must for active herding and sporting breed owners.
10. Pet First Aid
Hopefully you’ll never need it, but having pet first aid knowledge on hand is important for any pet owner. The Red Cross Pet First Aid app teaches first responders how to handle common medical emergencies until veterinary help arrives. Bite to bleeding to seizures and more, it covers diagnosing issues and provides step-by-step treatment instructions with images.
In an emergency every second counts, so being able to quickly lookup solutions can help stabilize your pet until the vet. The app also has a pet safety section with prevention tips, a pharmacy guide and direct access to the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center for potential exposures. A go-to reference that could prove invaluable if your furry friend faces an accident or illness.
Conclusion
Whether you have a new puppy just learning the ropes or an advanced working dog, mobile apps are a tremendously useful training aid. The selections highlighted here represent the best of the best – well-designed, comprehensive training solutions suitable for any owner-dog team at any skill level. Download a few and see how technology can enhance your bond with your furry friend through focused lessons, motivating games and handy reference guides.
With consistency and the help of high-quality training resources, you’ll have your dog mastering skills in no time. Be sure to also consider incorporating in-person classes and private lessons occasionally for socialization and real-time feedback from professional trainers. But apps provide a convenient supplemental tool to take your dog’s education on the go anytime, anywhere.