SpiritDog Training Review (2026): Steffi Trott's Courses, Checked Before You Buy
Most SpiritDog reviews repeat each other: a "certified" trainer, a 60-day guarantee, a different price on every page. I checked those claims against SpiritDog's own terms, its store and the official trainer directory. Here's what held up and what didn't.
30-day refund in SpiritDog's terms · free 7-day course available
Official SpiritDog banner. It links to SpiritDog's homepage, not straight to a bundle.
Quick Verdict: Is SpiritDog Training Legit?
Is SpiritDog Training legit?
Yes. SpiritDog Training is a real online dog training school run by head trainer Steffi Trott in Albuquerque, New Mexico, and its terms of service promise refunds within 30 days. But I couldn't find her in the CCPDT certified trainer directory, and the sales pages lean hard on discount anchors. I rate it 3.5/5.
I use the same six weighted criteria for every dog training course on this site, so you can compare scores fairly:
| Criterion | Weight | Score | Why |
|---|---|---|---|
| Creator credibility | 20% | 3.0 | A real trainer with a public history (teaching since 2013, per her site). No certification is named on her pages, and the "CPDT" other reviews repeat wasn't in the CCPDT directory |
| Training method | 20% | 4.0 | SpiritDog describes its method as positive and reward-based, and its blog warns against shock collars. I haven't seen every lesson |
| Value for money | 20% | 4.0 | Many single courses cost $9 to $149. Some reactivity and recall courses run $197 to $497, and the main course page shows $750 to $997 bundles |
| Marketing honesty | 15% | 2.5 | "Proven and lasting results," crossed-out prices like $3,091 down to $997, "limited-time pricing" |
| Refund and buying safety | 15% | 3.5 | 30 days in the terms of service. The request process isn't explained on the pages I read |
| Format and support | 10% | 3.5 | Video plus written steps and questions in the comments, as stated by SpiritDog. Not seen from the inside |
Weighted average: 3.45, rounded to 3.5. My Brain Training for Dogs review uses the same criteria and scored 3.8.
Best for
- Owners working on one specific problem (potty, calm, focus, recall) on a small budget
- People who want to try a free course first
- Energetic dogs whose owners enjoy games and tricks
Not for
- Dogs with aggression or biting
- Anyone who needs a verified certification before paying
- Owners who dislike bundle offers and upsell emails
What Is SpiritDog Training?
SpiritDog Training is an online dog training school based in Albuquerque, New Mexico. It sells pre-recorded courses that each focus on one topic, such as potty training, calmness, focus outdoors, recall, reactivity, puppy basics, parkour and fitness. It also sells bigger bundles, an optional Academy membership and private coaching. According to its FAQ, lessons show each behavior from start to finish on video, and you can ask the trainer questions in the comments.
Who Is Steffi Trott? (Credential Checked)
Steffi Trott is SpiritDog's head trainer. Her site says she has taught dog training since 2013 and studied with agility trainers such as Silvia Trkman and Daisy Peel. Some reviews call her a CPDT, but on September 29, 2026 her name did not appear in the CCPDT certified trainer directory.
This is where most reviews stop at "she's a certified trainer." I checked. The CCPDT is the body that issues the CPDT-KA credential, and it keeps a public directory. Here's what I found:
| Claim | Status |
|---|---|
| Head trainer of SpiritDog Training in New Mexico | Stated on her site |
| Teaching dog training since 2013 | Stated on her site (not independently verified) |
| Studied with Silvia Trkman, Polona Bonac, Martina Klimesova, Anna Hinze, Kim Terrill and Daisy Peel | Stated on her trainer page (not independently verified) |
| "CPDT" or "certified professional dog trainer" | Not found in the CCPDT directory on Sep 29, 2026 |
To be fair: not being listed doesn't tell you whether she's a good trainer. It means the "certified" label other reviews use couldn't be confirmed, so I don't use it here, and it lowered her credibility score.
Is SpiritDog a Positive Reinforcement Trainer? (The Reddit Question)
Is SpiritDog a balanced trainer?
Not according to its own pages. SpiritDog's FAQ says the owner shows the dog "what behaviors pay off and get rewarded," and its blog says never to punish reactive barking, especially with a shock collar. I haven't watched every lesson, so I can't confirm what each video shows.
Some owners online ask whether SpiritDog is a "balanced" trainer, meaning one who mixes rewards with punishment or aversive tools. Here is what SpiritDog says in its own words:
- FAQ: the owner shows the dog exactly "what behaviors pay off and get rewarded," "with positive methods."
- About page: "Positive, game-based."
- Blog, in How to Stop a Dog from Barking Without a Shock Collar: "Never punish a dog for reactive barking, especially not with a shock collar."
That's the reward-based approach the American Veterinary Society of Animal Behavior recommends over punishment in its 2021 position statement on humane dog training. The description comes from SpiritDog; I reviewed its public pages, not every lesson.
What's Inside a SpiritDog Course
According to SpiritDog, each course includes video lessons that show a behavior from the first step to the finished skill, written instructions, guidance on when to reward, a certificate when you finish, and lifetime access on any device. It also says you can ask its trainer questions in the comments. SpiritDog doesn't list lesson counts on the pages I read, so I won't guess.
Which SpiritDog Course Fits Your Dog's Problem?
| Your dog's problem | SpiritDog course | Price (Sep 28, 2026) |
|---|---|---|
| Potty accidents | Mastering Potty Training | $9 |
| Overexcited at home | Calm Down | $49 |
| Ignores you outside | Focus in Public | $49 |
| Doesn't come when called | Recall Specialist Bundle | $97 |
| Bored, athletic dog | SpiritDog Parkour / Canine Fitness | $59 / $149 |
| Barks and lunges on leash | Reactivity courses | From $27 to $497 in the public store (e.g. 10 Day Reactivity Reset $49, The Reactivity Reset $497) |
| Aggression or biting | A professional first | See when to see a pro |
The Free 7-Day Course
SpiritDog's homepage offers a free 7-day course when you join its email list, with daily tips and video lessons based on your training goals. If you're unsure, start here before you pay for anything. Expect sales emails too; that's how free courses usually work.
Sign-up is on SpiritDog's homepage
What SpiritDog Won't Do (When to See a Professional)
Does SpiritDog Training Work?
Does SpiritDog Training work?
SpiritDog describes its lessons as positive and reward-based, the approach the American Veterinary Society of Animal Behavior recommends over punishment. That's the course's premise; how well it works depends on your dog and your daily practice. No independent study has tested these courses, and they don't replace a vet or behaviorist for aggression.
Customer feedback is a useful signal, not proof. On September 29, 2026, SpiritDog had a 4.4 out of 5 score from 144 reviews on Trustpilot. You'll also see bigger numbers online, like "4.9 stars" or "80,000 owners"; I couldn't find a source for those, so I don't repeat them.
SpiritDog Training Pros and Cons
Pros
- Many single-problem courses from $9 to $149 (Sep 28, 2026)
- SpiritDog describes its method as positive and reward-based, and its blog warns against shock collars
- Free 7-day course lets you see the teaching style before paying
- 30-day refund written into the terms of service
- Video lessons plus written steps, with questions answered in the comments (per SpiritDog)
- Trustpilot score of 4.4/5 from 144 reviews (Sep 29, 2026)
Cons
- The "certified" or "CPDT" label other reviews use didn't show up in the CCPDT directory
- The main course page pushes $750 to $997 bundles and high-priced coaching
- Crossed-out "regular" prices make real value hard to judge
- The Academy has several offers and prices, and renewal terms weren't clear on the pages I could read
- Only 30 days to request a refund, shorter than many older reviews claim
- Not a plan for aggression, serious biting or severe anxiety
30-day refund in SpiritDog's terms of service
Who It's For (and Who Should Skip It)
Good fit
- You have one clear problem to work on and a small budget
- You have a new puppy and want potty or basics help
- You want to try a free course before paying
- You enjoy short, game-style training sessions
Skip it (or go to a pro first)
- Your dog bites, guards aggressively or lunges with real risk
- You need a trainer with a credential you can verify
- You're easily tempted by bundle offers and upsells
- You need someone to watch your dog live
SpiritDog Training Price: Why It Looks Different Everywhere
How much does SpiritDog Training cost?
On September 28, 2026, SpiritDog's affiliate course list showed single courses from $9 (Potty Training) to $149 (Canine Fitness), with Calm Down and Focus in Public at $49 each. Its public course page also listed bundles at $750 and $997. Prices change often, so the checkout price is the one that counts.
| What | Price |
|---|---|
| Mastering Potty Training | $9 |
| Calm Down | $49 |
| Focus in Public | $49 |
| SpiritDog Parkour | $59 |
| Recall Specialist Bundle | $97 |
| Canine Fitness | $149 |
| Some reactivity and recall courses in the public store (for example Recall Blueprint, The Reactivity Reset) | $197 to $497 |
| Bundles on the public course page (Super Puppy, Rescue Dog, Calm Walk, Perfect Focus) | $750 each |
| Ultimate Reactivity Reset System | $997 (shown crossed out from $3,091) |
| Private Mentorship | "Apply Now" (no public price) |
Six single-course prices: SpiritDog affiliate course list, September 28, 2026 (five of them also matched its public store). Reactivity and recall courses from $197 to $497: SpiritDog public store, September 29, 2026. Bundles: SpiritDog's online courses page, September 29, 2026.
Why every review quotes a different price: SpiritDog's store lists hundreds of products, many with a crossed-out "regular" price far above the sale price, plus special offers that come and go. My advice: pick one course for one problem, and skip bundles until you know you like the teaching style.
The SpiritDog Academy Subscription
The SpiritDog Academy is a separate, optional membership sold as a monthly or annual subscription. On September 29, 2026 its public store listed several Academy offers, from $9 to $37 a month and $99 to $297 a year, so the price depends on the offer you land on. Check the renewal terms before paying.
The price at checkout is the one that counts
Refund Policy: 30 Days, Not 60
Is the SpiritDog guarantee 30 or 60 days?
SpiritDog's terms of service say: "Refunds will be given within 30 days of joining SpiritDog Training." The FAQ, homepage and course page say 30 days too. Many older reviews quote 60 days, but that's not what the official pages said on September 29, 2026. Ask for it in writing and keep the email.
- Start the course the day you buy, so you have time to judge it.
- If it doesn't fit your dog, request the refund in writing within 30 days of purchase.
- Keep your receipt and SpiritDog's reply.
Source: SpiritDog terms of service, read September 29, 2026.
What the Sales Pages Overpromise
The courses may be better than the marketing. These are exact lines from SpiritDog's pages (read September 29, 2026), next to what's realistic:
Positive step-by-step instructions will provide proven and lasting results in as little as 10 minutes a day
No course can promise results on a schedule, and "proven" comes with no study attached.If you train for only 5-10 minutes every day, you will definitely see big changes after a few weeks
Progress depends on the dog, the problem and the owner. "Definitely" is a sales word.This system transforms your dog from reactive to relaxed in just 10 minutes a day
There's no deadline for reactivity. Strong cases need a professional.$3091 $997
andLimited-time pricing on all courses
Crossed-out prices are anchors. Judge the price you actually pay.
SpiritDog's own terms of service are more careful than its sales pages: "the Company cannot guarantee the outcome of services and/or recommendations within the Content."
SpiritDog vs Brain Training for Dogs
| SpiritDog Training | Brain Training for Dogs | |
|---|---|---|
| Price (Sep 28-29, 2026) | Most courses $9 to $149; some $197 to $497 | $67, one-time |
| Refund | 30 days (terms of service) | 60 days (ClickBank) |
| Creator credential | Not found in the CCPDT directory | CPDT-KA listed in the CCPDT directory |
| Format | Many single-topic courses | One course of mental games in 7 levels |
| Best for | One specific problem | Bored, high-energy dogs |
Read my full Brain Training for Dogs review for the details. Both links earn me a commission. I'm also comparing seven online dog training courses side by side in my comparison of the best online dog training courses.
Final Verdict
SpiritDog Training is a real school with cheap single-topic courses, a method it describes as reward-based and a 30-day refund in its terms. For one clear problem, like potty training, calmness or focus, a $9 to $49 course is a low-risk start, especially after the free 7-day course. Ignore the crossed-out prices and the big bundles, don't rely on the "certified" label, and if your dog bites or shows aggression, talk to your vet and a behavior professional first.
My rating: 3.5 / 5 (research-based)
See SpiritDog courses →30-day refund in its terms · free 7-day course
SpiritDog Training Review: FAQ
Is SpiritDog Training legit?
Yes. It's a real online dog training school run by Steffi Trott, with video courses, a 30-day refund in its terms of service and a 4.4 out of 5 Trustpilot score from 144 reviews (September 29, 2026). The trainer credential some reviews repeat, CPDT, did not show up in the CCPDT directory.
Is Steffi Trott a certified dog trainer?
I couldn't confirm it. On September 29, 2026, a search for the surname Trott in the CCPDT certified trainer directory returned only one different person. SpiritDog's own pages say she has trained since 2013 and studied with agility trainers, but they don't name a certification.
How much does SpiritDog Training cost?
On SpiritDog's affiliate course list (September 28, 2026), single courses ran from $9 (Potty Training) to $149 (Canine Fitness), with Calm Down at $49. In its public store, some reactivity and recall courses cost $197 to $497, and bundles cost more. Always confirm the price at checkout.
Does SpiritDog have a 30-day or 60-day guarantee?
The official terms of service, FAQ and homepage all said 30 days on September 29, 2026. Older reviews that mention 60 days may reflect an earlier policy or a specific sales page. Plan around 30 days, start the course right away, and request any refund in writing.
Is SpiritDog a positive reinforcement trainer?
That's how SpiritDog describes itself. Its FAQ talks about showing the dog which behaviors get rewarded, and its blog warns against punishing reactive barking with a shock collar. I reviewed its public pages, not every lesson, so I can't confirm what each video shows.
Can SpiritDog fix a reactive or aggressive dog?
Its reactivity courses are built for leash lunging and barking at triggers. But aggression, biting or sudden behavior changes need your veterinarian first, then a board-certified veterinary behaviorist or a certified behavior consultant. A video course can support that work, not replace it, and no course can promise a deadline.
Is there a free SpiritDog course?
Yes. SpiritDog offers a free 7-day training course when you join its email list. According to its homepage, it sends daily tips and video lessons based on your training goals. It's the lowest-risk way to see the teaching style before you pay for a full course.
SpiritDog or Brain Training for Dogs: which is better?
They solve different problems. SpiritDog sells single-topic courses, most from $9 to $149 and some up to $497, with a 30-day refund. Brain Training for Dogs is one $67 course built around mental games, with a 60-day ClickBank refund and a creator listed in the CCPDT directory. Pick by your dog's main problem.
Written by Silvia Dalto
Who I am: I'm an architect and landscape designer based in Brazil, and I've written more than 60 articles about homes and everyday well-being at biofilianolar.com. Years ago I trained a German Shepherd with reward-based games, and it worked really well for us. I've just welcomed a new German Shepherd puppy and I'm starting her training now, so I read SpiritDog's courses as a dog owner, not as a professional trainer. I'm not a dog trainer or a veterinarian, and nothing here is veterinary advice.
How this review was made: this is a research-based review. I have not put a dog through a SpiritDog course, and I say so. I read SpiritDog's homepage, course pages, FAQ, trainer pages and terms of service, searched the trainer's name in the CCPDT public directory, compared prices from my affiliate dashboard and SpiritDog's public store, and read independent reviews and Trustpilot. Every claim I couldn't verify is flagged. I don't accept payment for positive ratings. Last updated: September 29, 2026.
Affiliate disclosure: If you buy through links on this page, I may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. It never changes my rating or what I write. If your dog shows aggression, fear or sudden behavior changes, talk to your veterinarian first.