How we make this list: we compare pricing pages, product documentation and public user reviews. Ratings come from G2, Capterra or Trustpilot, with the date we checked them.
Key takeaways
- Puppr is the best all-round trick and obedience app, with lessons from a world-class trick instructor and live expert chat.
- Woofz covers training plus wellness, with breed-based plans, video lessons and 24/7 dog assistance.
- Zigzag is the best puppy-only app, with science-based lessons tailored to breed and age plus a 7-day expert support line.
- Baxter and Bella, McCann and Rover cover the human side: lifetime online support, professional programs, and local private trainers.
Quick comparison
| Tool | Best for | Starting price | Free plan |
|---|
 Puppr | Tricks and obedience | See website | No |
 Woofz | Training plus wellness | See website | No |
 Zigzag | Puppy training | See website | No |
 Pupford | Training treats | See website | No |
 Baxter and Bella | Lifetime online support | See website | No |
 McCann Dogs | Professional programs | See website | No |
 Rover | Finding a local trainer | See website | No |
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The best dog training apps
Starting priceSee website
Free planNo
Puppr is a dog training app built around video lessons, from basic obedience through advanced tricks, loose leash walking, dog sports and even earning a Canine Good Citizen certificate. Lessons are taught by Sara Carson, considered one of the top dog trick instructors in the world and a top-5 finalist on season 12 of America's Got Talent with her dog Hero. The annual membership includes exercises for foundation, socialization and preventing unwanted behaviors, plus live chat with training experts for personalized advice.
The trick focus is what sets Puppr apart: most training apps stop at sit and stay, while Puppr goes deep into trick training as a bonding activity. The main limits are the membership model and the Android gap, since the weekly puppy guide and masterclasses are not currently available on Android. For owners who want a fun, video-led path from basics to showy tricks, Puppr is the best pick here.
What we like- Lessons taught by Sara Carson and the Super Collies
- 100+ lessons from basic obedience to advanced tricks
- Live chat with training experts
Watch out for- Annual membership model
- Weekly puppy guide and masterclasses not currently available on Android
Starting priceSee website
Free planNo
Woofz is a dog training, care and wellness app that builds a customized training plan from a dog's breed, goals and behavioral issues, then teaches through step-by-step video tutorials in 10 to 15 minutes per day. Training uses positive reinforcement and expert knowledge, with built-in tools, rewards and progress tracking from first success to full command mastery. Behavior-solving programs cover biting, barking, whining and chewing, alongside routines, grooming plans and relaxation techniques.
Beyond training, Woofz adds a wellness score, physical activity tracking, personalized feeding and water stats, health insights and alerts, and a weekly home check-up. A 24/7 dog assistance feature answers questions any time, and 1-on-1 video sessions with a trainer add personalization. The breadth is both strength and weakness: owners who want one app for everything will love it, while owners who want pure training may find the wellness features distracting.
What we like- Customized plans by breed, goals and behavior issues
- Step-by-step video instructions
- Wellness tracking, nutrition and health alerts
- 24/7 dog assistance and 1-on-1 video sessions
Watch out for- Broad scope means training competes with wellness features
- Pricing not shown on the homepage
Starting priceSee website
Free planNo
Zigzag calls itself the number one puppy training app, and it is the only app on this list dedicated entirely to puppyhood. Lessons are bitesize and tailored to a puppy's breed and age, covering life skills rather than just tricks: body language, adolescence, being alone, biting and barking. The program is science-based, designed by training experts and backed by leading dog behavior organizations, with a learning library covering development stages, breed-specific training and puppy health.
Support is a standout: Zigzag's expert support line is available 7 days a week for puppy emergencies. The limits are scope and access: the app is puppy-only, so owners of adult dogs need another tool, and the homepage notes that new users may need to sign up and wait for a spot. For new puppy owners, Zigzag is the most focused and supportive option here.
What we like- 100% dedicated to puppyhood
- Bitesize lessons tailored to breed and age
- Science-based program backed by behavior organizations
- Expert support line 7 days a week
Watch out for- Puppy-only, so it ages out as the dog grows
- Homepage notes new users may need to join a waitlist
Starting priceSee website
Free planNo
Pupford began as a training platform and has grown into a store focused on dog training treats, chews and freeze-dried food, with more than 800,000 pup parents and over 17,475 five-star treat ratings. Its training treats are low-calorie, bite-sized and mess-free, designed to keep a puppy motivated through longer sessions without overfeeding, and the store also covers enrichment toys, nutrient-dense food and health products.
The shift matters for expectations: Pupford today is best used as the treat supply for training, not as the training lessons themselves. Pair its treats with an app like Puppr or Woofz for the curriculum, and use Pupford for the rewards that make sessions work. For owners who already have a training plan and need high-value, low-calorie rewards, Pupford is the practical pick.
What we like- Training treats with 17,475+ five-star ratings
- Low-calorie, bite-sized, no-mess treats
- 800,000+ pup parents
- Available at major retailers
Watch out for- Now primarily a treats and food store rather than a training app
- Training courses are secondary to the store
Starting priceSee website
Free planNo
Baxter and Bella offers online dog training you learn from home, with a lifetime membership that includes unlimited professional support. That model differs from the subscription apps: pay once, get ongoing access to trainers for the life of the dog, rather than a monthly fee that stops when you cancel. The company is based in North Logan, Utah, with a published address and phone number, which adds accountability.
The homepage extract is thin on curriculum detail, so prospective members should review the course catalog before buying. For owners who want a single purchase and ongoing trainer access without a recurring bill, Baxter and Bella's lifetime model is the most distinctive offer on this list.
What we like- Lifetime membership with unlimited professional support
- Learn-from-home online training
- US-based company with a direct contact line
Watch out for- Homepage shows little curriculum detail
- Lifetime model means one upfront decision rather than a monthly trial
Starting priceSee website
Free planNo
McCann Professional Dog Trainers has guided more than 100,000 dogs and their families since 1982, with structured programs including a Puppy Prep Guide, Puppy Essentials for puppies 15 weeks and younger, Life Skills for dogs 16 weeks and older, and higher learning and dog sports. The Life Skills program is the most popular, promising quick results and a better relationship with the dog. Training runs at a world-class facility in Flamborough, Ontario, with large training halls and a 12,000-square-foot sports arena, as well as online with expert trainers.
The depth of experience is the selling point: four decades of professional training, with a method refined across generations of dogs. US owners will mostly use the online programs, since the facility is in Canada, and pricing is not shown on the homepage. For owners who want a professional, structured curriculum rather than an app-only experience, McCann is the most established name here.
What we like- Trusted by more than 100,000 dogs and families since 1982
- Structured programs from puppy prep to life skills and dog sports
- In-person facility plus online classes
Watch out for- In-person facility is in Ontario, Canada, so US owners rely on online programs
- Pricing not shown on the homepage
Starting priceSee website
Free planNo
Rover is different from every other tool here: instead of lessons, it connects owners with local private dog trainers, alongside boarding, house sitting, walking and day care. Owners search by location, read trainer profiles with experience, ratings and reviews, and book sessions through the platform. Every provider passes a background check, bookings include the Rover Guarantee with up to $25,000 reimbursement for eligible vet care, and Meet and Greets let owners assess fit before committing.
The marketplace model means quality varies by trainer, so reading reviews and doing a Meet and Greet matters more than with a fixed curriculum. Prices also vary by location, experience and service, as the trainer search results show, with sessions commonly ranging from around $80 to over $150. For owners who want a real human trainer in their home, or for behavior problems an app cannot solve, Rover is the practical route.
What we like- Marketplace of local private trainers with verified reviews
- Background-checked sitters
- Rover Guarantee with up to $25,000 reimbursement for eligible vet care
- 24/7 support and Meet and Greets
Watch out for- Not an app-based curriculum
- Quality varies by individual trainer
- Per-session prices vary by location and experience
How we chose
We picked dog training apps and services available to US owners, covering app-based lessons, puppy-specific programs, online courses and local trainer marketplaces. Each homepage was opened to confirm the service exists and matches its description, and prices were taken from the vendor's own pages where shown. Where a homepage did not display prices, we wrote "See website" rather than guessing. Two well-known names were left out: one dog training app's domain now shows unrelated casino content, and another's homepage could not be loaded beyond a verification page, so neither could be verified as the training product it claims to be. GoodPup's domain now redirects to Rover's trainer marketplace, so Rover is listed instead.
Training tips that actually work
Keep sessions short, fun and frequent: 10 to 15 minutes, a few times a day, beats one long weekly session for most dogs. Reward the behavior you want within seconds, using high-value treats like Pupford's for hard skills and lower-value rewards for easy ones, and end each session on a success so the dog looks forward to the next one. Train in low-distraction places first, then gradually add distractions, since a cue learned in the kitchen means nothing at the dog park until it is practiced there.
Use positive reinforcement and avoid methods based on fear or pain, which can worsen anxiety and aggression. If a dog shows aggression, severe anxiety or resource guarding, skip the app and consult a certified professional dog behaviorist or veterinarian, since those cases need individualized assessment. Track progress weekly rather than daily, since dogs learn in jumps, and be patient with adolescence, when many trained behaviors seem to vanish temporarily. Consistency across everyone in the household matters more than any single app: if one person allows jumping and another forbids it, the dog learns that rules depend on who is watching.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best dog training app for puppies?
Zigzag is the best puppy-specific app, with science-based lessons tailored to breed and age plus a 7-day expert support line. Puppr and Woofz also cover puppies well, with broader programs that continue into adult training.
Can an app really train my dog, or do I need a trainer?
Apps work well for obedience, tricks and common issues like biting and barking, especially with consistent daily practice. For aggression, severe anxiety or complex behavior problems, a professional trainer or behaviorist, found through Rover or McCann, is the safer choice.
How long should dog training sessions be?
Most apps recommend 10 to 15 minutes per session, a few times a day. Short, fun sessions keep a dog engaged and prevent frustration, while long sessions often end with both owner and dog tired and less successful.
Are these apps based on positive reinforcement?
Yes, the apps on this list emphasize positive reinforcement, rewarding desired behavior rather than punishing mistakes. Avoid any program that relies on fear, pain or intimidation, and check the methods of any individual trainer before booking.
What treats work best for training?
Small, soft, high-value treats that a dog can eat in one second work best, since long chewing breaks the training flow. Pupford's low-calorie, bite-sized treats are designed for exactly this, and rotating treat types keeps motivation high for difficult skills.
When should I start training a puppy?
Start the day the puppy comes home, with gentle lessons on name recognition, potty habits and socialization. Formal programs like Zigzag's puppy plan and McCann's Puppy Essentials are designed for puppies from their first weeks, with age-appropriate lessons.
Sources we checked (7)
- https://www.puppr.app
- https://woofz.com
- https://zigzag.dog
- https://pupford.com
- https://baxterandbella.com
- https://mccanndogs.com
- https://www.rover.com
Is your product missing or out of date?
We review this list regularly. Vendors can request a listing, send updated pricing or ask about featured placement.
Shihab Mia · Founder, Rankite
Shihab has 5+ years in B2B and SaaS SEO. He writes Rankite's software buying guides from pricing pages, documentation and public user reviews. More about Shihab.