Dunbar Academy Review (2026): Prices and 30-Day Refund
Dunbar Academy gives dog owners the full library of Dr. Ian Dunbar's online courses for $20 a month or $150 a year (prices checked October 29, 2026), with a 30-day refund on every purchase. This Dunbar Academy review shows what is inside, what it costs and who it fits best, so you can start with a clear plan for your puppy or family dog.
Join Dunbar Academy: $20/month or $150/year →Affiliate link: we may earn a commission. Prices checked Oct 29, 2026. 30-day refund (Dunbar's written guarantee).
Is Dunbar Academy worth it? (Quick verdict)
Yes, if you want expert puppy and family-dog training on your own schedule. The Top Dog Academy gives you all of Dr. Ian Dunbar's online courses for $20 a month or $150 a year (checked October 29, 2026), backed by a 30-day refund. The annual plan works out to $12.50 a month. Our score: 4.2 out of 5.
Dunbar Academy is built around one idea: when you understand why a training method works, it is easier to teach your dog with patience and good timing. The school is run by Dr. Ian Dunbar and his family, and its Top Dog Academy membership puts the whole course library in one place.
The refund makes the decision simple. Dunbar writes that you can ask for your money back within 30 days of any purchase, so you can explore the courses and see how they fit your routine before day 30.
See Dunbar Academy plans: from $12.50/month →Affiliate link: we may earn a commission. Annual plan $150 per year, prices checked Oct 29, 2026.
How much does Dunbar Academy cost?
The Top Dog Academy costs $20 a month, or $150 a year, which works out to $12.50 a month and saves $90 compared with paying monthly. Single courses, such as Essential Puppy Training, are $200 once and are yours to keep. Every purchase carries a 30-day refund, so you can start with confidence.
Prices checked on Dunbar's site on October 29, 2026.
| Option | Price | What you get | Refund |
|---|---|---|---|
| Top Dog Academy, monthly | $20.00 per month; cancel any time (per Dunbar) | All of Dunbar's online courses while you are a member | 30 days |
| Top Dog Academy, annual | $150 per year, about $12.50 a month; "Save $90" (per Dunbar) | The same library, billed once a year | 30 days |
| Single course | $30 (Dog Training For Children) to $500 (Approved for Continued Education); most core courses $200 | That course, yours to keep, and you can download it (per Dunbar's FAQ) | 30 days |
| Free Course Collection | $0 | Puppy e-books, a guide, a free puppy course and worksheets | n/a |
Here is the value in plain numbers. As of October 29, 2026, twelve months of the monthly plan add up to $240. The annual plan is $150, so you pay about $12.50 a month and keep $90 in your pocket. If you only need one topic for years, a single course is $200 once.
Prices checked on October 29, 2026, before taxes or card fees, which Dunbar's pages do not list. The final total is the one on Dunbar's checkout.
Get the annual plan: $150/year →Affiliate link: we may earn a commission. Prices checked Oct 29, 2026: $20/month or $150/year, 30-day refund.
Who is Dr. Ian Dunbar, and what is Dunbar Academy?
Dunbar Academy is the online school of Dr. Ian Dunbar and his family. Wikipedia (read October 30, 2026) says he earned a veterinary degree at the Royal Veterinary College in London, a doctorate in ethology at UC Berkeley, and founded the Association of Pet Dog Trainers in 1993, after creating SIRIUS Puppy Training in 1982.
That background is the core of the school. Wikipedia describes SIRIUS Puppy Training as the first off-leash training program made specifically for puppies, and credits Dr. Dunbar with the Dunbar Dog Bite Scale. You can read the full entry on Wikipedia.
The school describes the team this way: Kelly Dunbar is the curriculum director, and Jamie Dunbar handles marketing and video. Together they run the courses, the podcasts and the live sessions that members can join.
What do you get inside the Top Dog Academy?
The Top Dog Academy opens the full library of Dunbar's online courses: hundreds of hours of video, 13 hours of podcasts, recorded seminars, handouts, a private Facebook group and periodic live Q&A sessions with the Dunbars, per Dunbar's page. Watch on demand, at your own pace, from the day you join.
Dunbar's page for the plan says the membership includes access to all of its online courses. On the page we read on October 30, 2026, the list included:
- Essential Puppy Training
- Behavior Problems Compendium
- Beyond Treat Training
- Simple Solutions
- Reliability & Games
- Science-Based Dog Training
- Digital Books
- Dog Training For Children
The same page also lists a "Dog-Dog Reactivity Workshop" and "The Treatment and Prevention of Dog Aggression", so the library reaches well beyond puppy basics. Dunbar also offers courses for people who want to work as trainers, such as the SIRIUS Dog Trainer Academy ($300, checked October 29, 2026).
Because everything is on demand, you can learn in short sessions, replay a lesson before a training moment and move through topics in the order your dog needs them.
Can you start with something free before you join?
Start with Dunbar's Free Course Collection: puppy e-books, a guide, a free puppy course, short lessons and worksheets, at no cost. When you are ready for the full library, the Top Dog Academy is $20 a month or $150 a year (October 29, 2026), and every purchase has a 30-day refund.
According to Dunbar's Free Course Collection page, the collection holds three puppy e-books, a guide, a free puppy course, a short "Six Simple Steps" lesson and worksheets. It is an easy way to meet the Dunbars' teaching style.
A good way to start is with the free collection, then move up to a single course or to the full membership once you know which topics matter most for your dog.
Explore Dunbar Academy: $20/month or $150/year →Affiliate link: we may earn a commission. Prices checked Oct 29, 2026, 30-day refund.
How does the 30-day money-back guarantee work?
Dunbar writes that if you are not completely satisfied with any purchase, you can ask for a full refund within 30 days. You can also cancel the Top Dog Academy membership at any time. That makes joining low risk: note your purchase date and contact Dunbar before day 30 if you change your mind.
The promise appears on three Dunbar pages we read: the home page ("100% Satisfaction Guaranteed"), the Top Dog Academy page and the Free Course Collection page. The collection page adds that the membership "may be canceled easily at any time."
A simple routine makes the most of it:
- Write down your purchase date and screenshot the guarantee text.
- Start with the course that matches your dog's age and needs.
- Decide before day 30 whether to keep going, and cancel before the next billing date if you prefer.
Membership payments are by credit card, and single courses can also be paid with PayPal, according to Dunbar's FAQ.
Who is Dunbar Academy perfect for?
Dunbar Academy is ideal for owners of a new puppy, families with kids, and anyone who likes to understand why a training method works. If you want to learn at your own pace and cover many topics, from puppy basics to behavior, one membership gives you the whole library for $12.50 a month on the annual plan.
Annual plan $150 per year, prices checked October 29, 2026.
Best fit
- A new puppy and a household that wants a clear plan
- Families with kids at home (there is a course called Dog Training For Children)
- Owners who enjoy learning the science behind the methods
- People who want many topics in one membership, or one course to keep
- Not the best fit: if you need a certificate or want to keep every video, one single course you keep (from $30, checked Oct 29, 2026) or our comparison may suit you better
Affiliate link: we may earn a commission. Prices checked Oct 29, 2026: $20/month or $150/year, 30-day refund.
Looking for a different kind of course? See our best online dog training courses compared.
What are the benefits of Dunbar Academy?
The biggest benefits are a founder with a veterinary degree and a doctorate, public prices, a 30-day refund and a big library with a strong puppy focus. The annual plan saves $90, courses you buy once are yours to keep, and a private Facebook group and live Q&A sessions add support.
Prices and refund terms checked October 29, 2026.
Why owners choose it
- A founder whose veterinary degree and doctorate are listed on Wikipedia
- Public prices, and the annual plan saves $90 (Oct 29, 2026)
- A written 30-day refund on any purchase
- Single courses are yours to keep, with download access
- A broad library: puppies, families, behavior and more
- A private Facebook group and periodic live Q&A sessions
Good to know before you join
- Membership videos are streamed. Dunbar says: "If you are accessing courses as a Top Dog Academy member you usually cannot download the video content, but you can any documents that accompany the videos."
- The membership is paid by credit card. Dunbar says: "When it comes to the Top Dog Academy, we only accept credit cards." Courses bought once can also be paid with PayPal.
- The Free Course Collection courses do not come with a certificate. Dunbar says: "NONE of these courses are accredited and DO NOT come with any certificate of completion."
Affiliate link: we may earn a commission. Prices checked Oct 29, 2026, 30-day refund.
It is a flexible way to learn. You can join for a season while your puppy is young, switch to the annual plan to lower the monthly cost, or pick one course and keep it.
Which Dunbar Academy course should you start with?
Start with Essential Puppy Training if you have a new puppy, or Dog Training For Children if kids will be helping. If you want everything, join the Top Dog Academy and explore Behavior Problems Compendium, Beyond Treat Training, Simple Solutions and more. Single courses range from $30 to $500 (October 29, 2026).
A simple path for a new puppy: begin with Essential Puppy Training, add the Free Course Collection e-books for quick reading, and move on to games and reliability lessons as your puppy grows. Families can add the children's course so everyone uses the same cues.
If you prefer one membership instead of picking courses one by one, the Top Dog Academy covers the catalog for $20 a month or $150 a year (checked October 29, 2026).
What do Dunbar Academy reviews say?
Rescue Dogs 101, whose author uses the school, calls Dunbar Academy worth the money. Dog Training Scout and Canine Journal also cover it in their guides, and owners on Reddit ask how the $20 plan compares with a $200 lifetime course. Our table answers that: the annual plan is $150, or $12.50 a month (October 29, 2026).
| Source | What it covers | Date |
|---|---|---|
| Rescue Dogs 101 | A review by an author who uses the school and finds it worth the money | Updated December 12, 2024 |
| Dog Training Scout | A Dunbar Academy review | Published October 13, 2026, updated October 15, 2026 |
| Canine Journal | Lists Dunbar Academy among online dog training courses | February 13, 2025 |
| r/Dogtraining thread | An owner asks about Dunbar Academy and SIRIUS Puppy Training | About three years old |
We paraphrase the Reddit thread instead of quoting it, because we read it translated. Star ratings and forum posts are only signals, so use the 30-day refund to judge the courses with your own dog.
How did we score Dunbar Academy 4.2 out of 5?
We scored six buyer criteria with fixed weights, using public facts checked on October 29 and 30, 2026: course content, price for the value, money-back guarantee, instructor credentials, support and community, and ease of use. This is a research-based score, because we did not take the paid membership. The weighted average is 4.2 out of 5.
| Criterion | Weight | Score | The facts behind it |
|---|---|---|---|
| Course content | 25% | 4.5 | Hundreds of hours of video, 13 hours of podcasts, recorded seminars and handouts, with all courses in one membership |
| Price for the value | 20% | 4.5 | $20 a month or $150 a year ($12.50 a month); single courses from $30 to $500, kept for life |
| Money-back guarantee | 15% | 4.0 | A 30-day refund written on three Dunbar pages, and cancel any time |
| Instructor credentials | 20% | 4.5 | Veterinary degree, doctorate and the founding of the APDT in 1993, per Wikipedia |
| Support and community | 10% | 3.5 | A private Facebook group and periodic live Q&A sessions with the Dunbars |
| Ease of use | 10% | 3.5 | On-demand video, handouts, and ebooks and audio files you can save |
The math: 0.25 x 4.5 = 1.125; 0.20 x 4.5 = 0.900; 0.15 x 4.0 = 0.600; 0.20 x 4.5 = 0.900; 0.10 x 3.5 = 0.350; 0.10 x 3.5 = 0.350. The total is 4.225, rounded to 4.2.
Research-based: we did not take the paid membership. If the facts change, we update the score and say so.
Final verdict: should you join Dunbar Academy?
Join the Top Dog Academy if you want a whole library of expert dog training for $20 a month or $150 a year, with a 30-day refund to back you up. Choose the annual plan to pay about $12.50 a month, or buy a single course for $200 to keep it. Check the final price at Dunbar's checkout.
Prices checked on Dunbar's site on October 29, 2026.
Our Dunbar Academy review score: 4.2 / 5 (research-based)
Join Dunbar Academy: $20/month or $150/year →Affiliate link: we may earn a commission. Prices checked Oct 29, 2026, 30-day refund (Dunbar's written guarantee).
Dunbar Academy review: FAQ
Is Dunbar Academy legitimate?
Yes. Dunbar Academy is a real online school run by Dr. Ian Dunbar's family, with public prices and a written 30-day refund. Wikipedia lists his veterinary degree, his doctorate and his founding of the APDT in 1993. It is a straightforward way to learn dog training at home, at your own pace.
Is Dunbar Academy good for puppy training?
Yes, puppies are one of its strengths. Wikipedia says Dunbar created SIRIUS Puppy Training in 1982, and the membership includes the Essential Puppy Training course, sold alone for $200 (October 29, 2026). You can also begin with the Free Course Collection, which includes puppy e-books and a short puppy course.
Is Dunbar Academy good for an aggressive or reactive dog?
Dunbar's library includes a Dog-Dog Reactivity Workshop and The Treatment and Prevention of Dog Aggression, so you can study these topics at home. For severe aggression, bite risk or sudden behavior changes, talk to your veterinarian and a certified behavior professional first, then use the courses to support that plan.
How do I cancel Dunbar Academy?
Dunbar says you can cancel the Top Dog Academy membership at any time. Reviews describe cancelling from the billing area of your account or by email to Dunbar's support, and we did not test the screen ourselves. Cancel before the next billing date, and within 30 days if you want a refund.
How much is Dunbar Academy per month on the annual plan?
The annual plan is $150 a year, which works out to $12.50 a month and saves $90 compared with $20 a month (October 29, 2026). Single courses are $200 for most core titles. Every purchase has a 30-day refund, so you can try the courses with confidence.
Honest Pick HQ Editorial Team · Written and fact-checked by Silvia Dalto
Who wrote it: Silvia Dalto is an architect and landscape designer based in Brazil who runs Honest Pick HQ, an independent review site. She is not a dog trainer or a veterinarian.
How this review was made: this is a research-based review. We did not subscribe to the paid Top Dog Academy for it. We read Dunbar's membership page, home page, FAQ and free course collection (October 29 and 30, 2026), checked Dr. Dunbar's background on Wikipedia and read independent reviews. We don't accept payment for ratings. Last updated: October 31, 2026. More: About Honest Pick HQ.
Affiliate disclosure: if you buy through links on this page, we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. It never changes our rating. Details: Affiliate Disclosure. If your dog shows aggression, fear or sudden behavior changes, talk to your veterinarian first. Contact: honestpickhq@gmail.com.