Secrets to Dog Training vs Brain Training for Dogs: Best Buy?
If you’ve been researching at-home dog training programs, you’ve almost certainly landed on these two names: Secrets to Dog Training (Kingdom of Pets) and Brain Training for Dogs (Adrienne Farricelli). Both are among the most searched, most purchased digital training programs on the market. Both promise to transform your relationship with your dog. And both cost roughly the same — under $50 for lifetime access.
So which one should you actually buy?
The honest answer is that it depends on what your dog needs and what kind of trainer you want to be. Brain Training for Dogs wins for owners who want a modern, science-backed, purely positive reinforcement system delivered through engaging games and structured video lessons. It’s especially strong for puppies, young dogs, and owners who want to understand why their dog behaves the way it does.
Secrets to Dog Training wins for owners who need a comprehensive behavioral troubleshooting reference — particularly for dogs with aggression, fear, or complex behavioral histories. Its coverage of problem behaviors is broader and deeper than almost any competing program at this price point.
Read on and I’ll walk you through every meaningful difference so you can make the right call for your specific dog.
TL;DR — Five Things to Know Before You Decide
- Philosophy gap is real: Brain Training for Dogs is 100% force-free positive reinforcement. Secrets to Dog Training blends positive reinforcement with older pack leadership concepts.
- Format matters: Brain Training for Dogs is a structured, video-led membership platform. Secrets to Dog Training is primarily a detailed PDF manual.
- Behavioral coverage: Secrets to Dog Training covers more problem behaviors, including aggression in greater depth.
- Game-based vs. instruction-based: Brain Training for Dogs uses 21 progressive brain games to build obedience and mental engagement. Secrets to Dog Training teaches commands and behavioral fixes through written instruction and explanation.
- Both have 60-day guarantees: Either way, you can try it risk-free and get a full refund if it’s not the right fit.
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Quick Comparison Overview
| Feature | Secrets to Dog Training | Brain Training for Dogs |
|---|---|---|
| Creator | Daniel Stevens | Adrienne Farricelli (CPDT-KA) |
| Training Philosophy | Mixed: positive reinforcement + pack leadership | 100% force-free positive reinforcement |
| Primary Format | 250+ page PDF manual | Video-led membership platform |
| Structure | Behavioral topics / problem-by-problem | 21 brain games across 7 levels |
| Aggression Coverage | Extensive (dedicated modules) | Limited (brief mentions) |
| Puppy Content | Yes (bite inhibition, housetraining) | Yes (game-based, naturally puppy-friendly) |
| Community Access | Forum | Private Facebook group |
| Price | ~$39.95 | ~$47 |
| Guarantee | 60-day money-back | 60-day money-back |
| Best For | Behavioral troubleshooting, aggression, reference use | Modern methods, puppies, engagement, obedience building |
Training Philosophy — The Core Difference
This is the most important section of this comparison, because if you get the philosophy wrong, the rest doesn’t matter.
Secrets to Dog Training: Pack Leadership Meets Positive Reinforcement
Daniel Stevens built Secrets to Dog Training on a philosophy that was mainstream in the early-to-mid 2000s: the idea that dogs understand and respond to social hierarchy, and that owners need to establish themselves as the “alpha” or pack leader to gain reliable obedience and prevent problem behaviors.
This doesn’t mean the program is harsh or aversive — it’s not. Stevens explicitly advocates against punishment-heavy training and emphasizes positive reinforcement throughout. But the dominance framework shapes how behavioral problems are interpreted and addressed. Pulling on leash? Stevens frames it partly as a dog that hasn’t accepted your leadership position. Resource guarding? Seen through the lens of rank challenge as much as anxiety.
The challenge with this philosophy is that modern canine behavioral science has largely moved away from the strict dominance/pack hierarchy model. Research over the past two decades — including studies on how wolves actually behave in natural (not captive) settings — has shown that dogs don’t operate in rigid rank hierarchies the way Mech’s original captive wolf studies suggested. The dominance framework isn’t necessarily harmful when it’s applied with gentleness and positive reinforcement (as Stevens does), but it’s not as scientifically current as the approach in Brain Training for Dogs.
That said, many dog owners report excellent results with Secrets to Dog Training precisely because it’s practical and directive. If your dog has behavioral problems that need solving now, the manual’s clear troubleshooting approach cuts through the theory and gives you actionable steps.
For a fuller look at the program on its own terms, see my Secrets to Dog Training Review 2026.
Brain Training for Dogs: Pure Positive Reinforcement and Neurological Enrichment
Adrienne Farricelli’s approach is grounded in contemporary behavioral science. The program is built entirely on positive reinforcement — rewards (usually food treats, sometimes play) increase the likelihood of desired behaviors. There is no punishment, no dominance framing, no “corrections.” If a dog does something right, it gets rewarded. The behavior gets stronger. Repeat.
What makes Brain Training for Dogs distinctive is the neurological enrichment component. Farricelli’s thesis is that many behavioral problems — hyperactivity, destructive behavior, excessive barking, anxiety — stem partly from under-stimulated dogs. Dogs that aren’t mentally challenged enough become restless, bored, and prone to problem behaviors.
Her solution is a curriculum of 21 progressive brain games that build from simple “kindergarten” exercises to complex multi-step challenges. These games simultaneously teach focus and impulse control, build the handler-dog bond, and provide the mental exercise that tires a dog out in a healthy, satisfying way.
The game-based format is also deeply engaging for owners, not just dogs. It makes training sessions feel less like drills and more like play — which is not only more enjoyable but also more consistent with what we know about how dogs learn most effectively.
What’s Inside Each Program — Content Breakdown
Inside Secrets to Dog Training
The core of Secrets to Dog Training is a 250+ page digital manual covering dog training and behavioral management comprehensively. The manual is organized by topic and behavioral problem rather than by training level, which makes it excellent as a reference resource.
Core obedience section walks through the foundational commands — sit, stay, down, come, heel, leave it — with clear instructions on how to teach each one from scratch. The instructions are detailed and include troubleshooting guidance for common sticking points.
Behavioral problem modules are where Secrets to Dog Training truly differentiates itself. The program dedicates significant space to:
- Aggression (dog-to-dog, dog-to-stranger, resource guarding, territorial, fear-based)
- Excessive barking and whining
- Separation anxiety
- Destructive chewing and digging
- Pulling on leash
- Jumping on people
- Housetraining failures
- Hyperactivity and hyperexcitability
- Fearfulness and phobias
The aggression coverage alone is more extensive than what you’ll find in most comparable programs. Stevens walks through different types of aggression, their likely causes, and specific management strategies for each. This is genuinely useful and not something many at-home programs do well.
Puppy-specific content includes housetraining (with a timeline approach), bite inhibition, socialization guidance, and managing puppyhood developmental stages.
Bonus materials typically include additional guides on specific topics, though the core manual is comprehensive enough to stand alone.
You can read more about pricing and what’s included in my Secrets to Dog Training Price breakdown.
Inside Brain Training for Dogs
Brain Training for Dogs is a membership-based platform built around Adrienne Farricelli’s structured curriculum. The format is video-led, with written supplementation.
The 21 Brain Games are organized across 7 levels:
- Preschool — foundational attention and impulse control games
- Elementary School — basic obedience through play
- High School — adding duration, distance, and distraction to commands
- College — multi-step behaviors and problem-solving tasks
- University — advanced obedience and complex commands
- Graduation — trick training and advanced mental challenges
- Einstein — elite-level cognitive challenges for high-drive dogs
Each game comes with a video demonstrating the technique, written instructions, troubleshooting notes, and guidance on when to progress to the next level.
Obedience training section covers all the standard commands in video format, with Farricelli demonstrating the techniques herself in her training environment.
Behavioral modules address common issues — barking, pulling, jumping — through the lens of positive reinforcement. However, the behavioral content is less extensive than Secrets to Dog Training. Aggression in particular receives relatively brief treatment.
Private community (Facebook group) gives access to other program users and occasional direct engagement with Farricelli’s team.
For a detailed breakdown of what’s included, see the Brain Training for Dogs Review 2026.
Training Methods — Force-Free vs. Balanced
Beyond philosophy, the practical training methods used in each program differ in ways that matter day to day.
Secrets to Dog Training — Balanced Methods
“Balanced training” in the industry context means using both positive reinforcement (rewarding good behavior) and some form of consequence for unwanted behavior. In Stevens’ case, the “corrections” are mild — verbal corrections, leash pressure, body blocking — rather than anything harsh. But they exist, and they’re framed partly through the pack leadership model.
For most family pet situations, this approach works adequately. The vast majority of dogs respond to the methods in Secrets to Dog Training without any distress. Where it can be problematic is with fearful or anxious dogs, where any form of correction — even mild — can increase stress and worsen behavioral problems over time.
The methods are also somewhat easier for new dog owners to implement intuitively. “Stop the dog from doing the thing, reward the dog when it does the right thing” is a familiar conceptual framework.
Brain Training for Dogs — Purely Force-Free
Farricelli’s program uses no corrections, no dominance-based interventions, and no punishment of any kind. The entire system is built on:
- Lure-reward training to introduce new behaviors
- Shaping (rewarding successive approximations toward the target behavior)
- Capturing (catching and rewarding naturally occurring good behavior)
- Management (setting up the environment to prevent unwanted behavior from being practiced)
- Impulse control games (teaching self-regulation through structured play)
The purely force-free approach is particularly valuable for fearful, anxious, or sensitive dogs. It’s also the approach recommended by the American Veterinary Society of Animal Behavior (AVSAB) and most contemporary veterinary behaviorists.
The learning curve is slightly steeper for owners who are used to more directive training styles. Understanding the timing of reinforcement and reading your dog’s body language takes practice. But the platform’s video format makes this learning process significantly more accessible than trying to absorb the same concepts from text alone.
Price and Value Comparison
Both programs are priced accessibly relative to the alternative of in-person professional training, which can run $75–$150 per session or $1,000–$3,000 for board-and-train programs.
Secrets to Dog Training is typically priced around $39.95 as a one-time payment. For a 250+ page comprehensive manual covering everything from basic commands to complex aggression scenarios, the value per dollar is exceptional. You’re essentially getting a detailed reference book written by an experienced trainer for the cost of a single in-person session.
Brain Training for Dogs is typically priced around $47 as a one-time payment for lifetime access to the full membership platform. Given that the platform includes video content, a structured progressive curriculum, and community access, the price is reasonable. Some users find the video-led format more engaging and easier to follow than written instructions alone, which adds practical value.
Neither program requires any ongoing subscription. Both provide lifetime access after a single purchase.
The value verdict: Both programs over-deliver relative to their price points. The slight price advantage goes to Secrets to Dog Training, but the difference is small enough that it shouldn’t drive the decision. Choose based on which approach fits your dog and your learning style.
You can verify current pricing for each program at Secrets to Dog Training Price and Brain Training for Dogs Price.
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Which Is Better for Puppies?
This is one of the most common questions when comparing these programs, and both have legitimate strengths here.
Brain Training for Dogs with Puppies
The game-based structure of Brain Training for Dogs is naturally well-suited to puppies. Puppies have short attention spans — typically 5–10 minutes maximum before they need a break — and the brain game format works in brief, energetic bursts that match that window perfectly.
The purely positive reinforcement approach is also developmentally appropriate for puppies. Young dogs are in sensitive socialization and learning periods where positive experiences build confidence and resilience. Negative or stressful training experiences during these windows can create lasting problems.
The progressive leveling system (Preschool → Elementary → and upward) gives puppy owners a clear developmental roadmap that matches where a young dog is cognitively and physically.
Secrets to Dog Training with Puppies
Secrets to Dog Training has solid dedicated puppy content. The housetraining module is practical and timeline-based — helpful for owners who want to understand what’s realistic at each age. The bite inhibition guidance is thorough, which matters enormously for puppy owners managing needle-sharp puppy teeth. For guidance on this specific issue, you might also find my How to Stop a Puppy From Biting article helpful as a companion resource.
The program also covers the socialization window and why it matters, plus guidance on managing common puppyhood challenges (destructive chewing, hyperactivity, selective hearing).
Puppy verdict: Brain Training for Dogs has a slight edge for puppies because its format and methods are more naturally aligned with how young dogs learn. But Secrets to Dog Training is by no means inadequate for puppies — its practical troubleshooting content fills in gaps that Brain Training for Dogs doesn’t fully address.
Which Is Better for Behavioral Problems?
This is where the programs diverge most sharply, and it’s where your specific situation matters most.
Aggression
Aggression is the behavioral area where the gap between these programs is largest.
Secrets to Dog Training dedicates multiple sections to aggression, breaking it down by type:
- Fear-based aggression
- Resource guarding (food, toys, space)
- Territorial aggression (at the door, in the car)
- Dog-to-dog aggression
- Aggression toward children
- Predatory drift and prey drive
Each type gets its own analysis of likely causes and specific management strategies. This level of detail is genuinely uncommon at this price point.
Brain Training for Dogs touches on aggression but doesn’t go into anywhere near this depth. The program’s approach — building a dog’s confidence and impulse control through positive training — can indirectly help with mild anxiety-driven reactivity, but it’s not structured to address serious aggression directly.
Verdict for aggression: Secrets to Dog Training wins clearly here. If aggression is your primary concern, it’s the better choice — with the important caveat that severe aggression cases should always be assessed by a qualified veterinary behaviorist or Certified Applied Animal Behaviorist, not managed exclusively through any at-home program.
Excessive Barking
Both programs address excessive barking. Secrets to Dog Training covers the behavioral triggers and management strategies. Brain Training for Dogs approaches it through impulse control games that reduce general arousal, which can help with reactive barking.
Verdict for barking: Roughly equivalent, with Secrets to Dog Training offering more direct troubleshooting guidance and Brain Training for Dogs offering a more systemic prevention approach.
Separation Anxiety
Both programs cover separation anxiety. Brain Training for Dogs’ force-free, confidence-building approach may be better suited to anxiety-driven behaviors because it never creates additional stress. Secrets to Dog Training’s coverage is more procedural — step-by-step desensitization protocols.
Verdict for separation anxiety: Slight edge to Brain Training for Dogs for mild-to-moderate cases because the philosophy is more anxiety-appropriate. Severe separation anxiety, however, typically requires veterinary support alongside behavioral intervention.
Leash Pulling and Reactivity
Both programs cover leash manners. Brain Training for Dogs builds the foundation through focus and impulse control work that transfers to leash behavior naturally. Secrets to Dog Training gives more direct “here’s what to do when your dog pulls” instruction.
Verdict for leash issues: Depends on your preference. If you want to understand and address the root of the behavior, Brain Training for Dogs. If you want concrete immediate steps, Secrets to Dog Training.
Creator Credentials Compared
Credentials matter when you’re choosing a training program. Let’s look at what each creator brings.
Daniel Stevens — Secrets to Dog Training
Daniel Stevens is a professional dog trainer and the founder of Kingdom of Pets, an online dog training resource that has been operating since the early 2000s. Stevens built the Secrets to Dog Training system from his practical experience working with a wide range of dogs and behavioral problems. He’s an experienced practitioner with a long track record, though he doesn’t hold formal certifications from the major credentialing bodies (CPDT-KA, IAABC, etc.).
His work reflects the training philosophy that was mainstream when he built the program — and it’s been updated over the years, though the core pack leadership framework remains. If you want to know more about whether the program holds up to scrutiny, see Secrets to Dog Training Scam or Legit.
Adrienne Farricelli — Brain Training for Dogs
Adrienne Farricelli holds a CPDT-KA (Certified Professional Dog Trainer — Knowledge Assessed) credential from the Certification Council for Professional Dog Trainers (CCPDT). She’s been a professional dog trainer for over 10 years and has written extensively about dog behavior and training, including published work on PetHelpful and other platforms.
The CPDT-KA credential requires documented training experience and passing a rigorous examination covering animal learning theory, behavior analysis, and training techniques. It also requires ongoing continuing education for renewal. Farricelli’s credentials align her with contemporary force-free training principles and evidence-based behavioral science.
Credentials verdict: Farricelli has more formal contemporary credentials. Stevens has more practical longevity and experience-based authority. For owners who weight formal certification and scientific alignment heavily, Farricelli wins. For owners who value practitioner experience and a practical troubleshooting orientation, Stevens’ background is credible.
User Experience — Format and Accessibility
How a program is delivered affects how consistently you’ll use it — and consistency is everything in dog training.
Secrets to Dog Training — PDF Manual Format
The primary format is a detailed PDF manual. This has real advantages: you can search it, bookmark sections, print specific pages, and access it offline without needing an internet connection. It works on any device that opens PDFs.
The limitation is that learning from text alone requires more cognitive effort than video. When you’re trying to understand exactly how to position your hands, read your dog’s body language, or time a reward correctly, written descriptions can leave gaps that video fills instantly.
The manual is well-organized with a clear table of contents, making it genuinely useful as a reference resource you return to when specific problems arise. Many users report having it bookmarked and returning to specific sections as new situations come up.
Brain Training for Dogs — Video Membership Platform
The platform-based, video-led format is more engaging for most learners. Watching Farricelli demonstrate a technique with her own dogs is more instructive than reading the same technique described. You can see timing, body positioning, and dog response all at once.
The structured progressive curriculum also provides a clearer training roadmap than the problem-based organization of Secrets to Dog Training. You always know where you are and what comes next.
The platform does require internet access, though the content can be downloaded on many devices for offline use. The community access through the Facebook group adds an interactive element that the PDF format can’t replicate.
Format verdict: Brain Training for Dogs is the better learning experience for most people. Video instruction is simply more effective for skill-based learning than text. But the PDF format of Secrets to Dog Training is more convenient as an ongoing reference once you’ve done the initial learning.
For a broader overview of at-home training options, see our Dog Training Guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is better: Secrets to Dog Training or Brain Training for Dogs?
Brain Training for Dogs is better for owners who prefer a purely force-free, positive reinforcement approach with science-backed methods and an engaging video curriculum. Secrets to Dog Training is better for owners who want a comprehensive behavioral troubleshooting reference covering a wider range of specific behavioral problems, particularly aggression-related issues, and are comfortable with older pack leadership concepts.
What’s the main difference between the two programs?
The core difference is philosophy: Brain Training for Dogs uses purely positive reinforcement and neurological enrichment games. Secrets to Dog Training uses a mix of positive reinforcement and older dominance/pack leadership concepts. Brain Training for Dogs is more modern in its scientific grounding; Secrets to Dog Training is more comprehensive in behavioral problem coverage.
Which program is cheaper?
Both programs are similarly priced in the $37–$49 range. Secrets to Dog Training is often slightly cheaper at around $39.95 versus Brain Training for Dogs at around $47. Both are one-time purchases with lifetime access and 60-day money-back guarantees.
Which program is better for puppies?
Brain Training for Dogs works particularly well for puppies due to its game-based approach that naturally suits short puppy attention spans, and its purely positive methods that are developmentally appropriate for young dogs. Secrets to Dog Training also has solid puppy-specific guidance including bite inhibition and housetraining modules.
Which is better for aggressive dogs?
Secrets to Dog Training has more extensive coverage of aggression-related behaviors — resource guarding, territorial aggression, dog-to-dog aggression, fear aggression — than Brain Training for Dogs. However, severe aggression cases should always involve a certified veterinary behaviorist alongside any at-home program.
Do both programs have a money-back guarantee?
Yes. Both are ClickBank products with a 60-day money-back guarantee. If you’re not satisfied within 60 days of purchase, you can get a full refund directly through ClickBank’s customer support.
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Final Verdict — Which Should You Buy?
After comparing both programs across every dimension that matters — philosophy, content depth, format, credentials, price, and suitability for different situations — here’s where I land:
Buy Brain Training for Dogs if:
- You want a purely force-free, science-backed approach with no dominance concepts
- You have a puppy or young dog building foundational skills
- You’re a visual learner who learns best from video demonstrations
- Your dog’s primary issues are restlessness, hyperactivity, destructive boredom, or general obedience
- You want a structured progressive curriculum with a clear beginning, middle, and end
- You have a fearful or anxious dog who needs a stress-free training environment
Buy Secrets to Dog Training if:
- You need comprehensive coverage of a wide range of behavioral problems
- Aggression — in any of its forms — is a significant concern
- You prefer a detailed written reference you can search and revisit by topic
- You’re comfortable with a balanced approach that includes mild corrections alongside positive reinforcement
- You want the most comprehensive behavioral troubleshooting resource available at this price point
- You’re dealing with an adult dog with established behavioral patterns that need systematic addressing
The honest side-by-side:
Both programs have helped thousands of dog owners build better relationships with their dogs. Neither is a scam — for full verification on that point, see Brain Training for Dogs Scam or Legit and Secrets to Dog Training Scam or Legit. Both are backed by 60-day guarantees that make the purchase genuinely risk-free.
If I had to choose one for the average dog owner with no specific behavioral crisis, I’d give a slight edge to Brain Training for Dogs for its modern scientific grounding and its genuinely engaging format. The game-based approach builds the handler-dog relationship while teaching obedience — a two-for-one that makes training feel less like work and more like a daily highlight.
But if I had a dog with complex behavioral history, multi-faceted problems, or any form of aggression, Secrets to Dog Training’s comprehensive troubleshooting depth makes it the more practical choice.
For a head-to-head from a slightly different angle, see Brain Training for Dogs vs Secrets to Dog Training.
And if housetraining is a core concern alongside general obedience, the How to Housetrain Any Dog Review covers another strong option worth knowing about.
Both programs are worth far more than their price tags relative to the cost of professional training. At $40–$47, either is an accessible starting point — and with the 60-day guarantee, there’s no meaningful financial risk in trying one to see if it clicks.
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