A picture paints a thousand words. And when it comes to dog training, a moving picture does it even better. Dog training videos are a fantastic way of demonstrating the kinds of techniques that I often write about. And there are now some outstanding Youtube channels packed with great information and entirely free of charge. It really is a golden resource for anyone hoping and wanting to train a puppy and raise a happy, well-behaved dog.
Finding the information you need
Youtube is a vast and complex web. Each video channel will lead you to more video channels. So it can be very helpful to have a selection of ‘core’ channels to revisit and focus on.
In addition, there are sadly still some very inappropriate dog trainers out there, using old fashioned and punitive methods of training. So I decided to compile a list of outstanding Youtube dog training channels to inspire and support you on your dog training journey
Best Dog Training Channels
All of the channels listed below use humane and largely science based modern training methods to teach the dogs featured on them. They are all different. Some are mostly tutorials or ‘how to’ videos. Some are simply demos of what can be achieved through positive reinforcement training.
I have looked for quality of instruction, entertainment, and variety of content. Here are my top ten best dog training youtube channels. These videos will help you give your puppy a great start!
1. Emily Larlham – Kikopup
Swedish dog trainer Emily Larlham is the woman behind Kikopup, one of the most comprehensive and thorough youtube dog training channels in existence.
Packed with instructional videos in all aspects of dog training, Kikopup is ideal for beginners to positive reinforcement training as it has plenty of detailed videos on the building blocks of core obedience behaviors.
2. Donna Hill
Donna is a Canadian dog trainer and behaviorist. She has some excellent tutorials, and her videos are mostly cleanly filmed with a range of camera angles that makes them easy on the eye.
Donna also has some useful dog care videos, showing you for example, how to teach your dog to be happy having her teeth cleaned or her nails clipped.
3. Tab Shamsi – Training Positive
Tab Shamsi’s videos are also very suitable for complete beginners. It is a shame that he is not still uploading videos regularly, but if you haven’t viewed his collection yet, it is well worth a visit to his channel.
His videos are well filmed and put together, and the instructions are thorough and clear.
4. Heather Brook – Just Jesse
Jesse is an adorable Jack Russell Terrier. He is quite the internet ’star’ and this youtube channel is really his ‘show’ rather than a tutorial style site. It is however, hugely enjoyable to watch and you can find out more about how trainer Heather Brook trains Jesse on her website.
5. Pamela Marxsen – Pam’s Dog Academy
Pam’s dog academy is a treasure trove of dog training videos that should keep you happy for hours. There are 33 videos in her loose leash walking playlist alone!
You will find heaps of examples of the most and the least common dog training skills.
6. Grisha Stewart – Ahisma Dog
Grisha is best known for her BAT training. If you are one of the many people who live with a reactive dog, checking out her channel is a must. But her youtube channel is also well worth a visit from any dog owner, and is full of useful demonstrations and advice.
7. Sophia Yin
Very sadly American Veterinarian and behaviorist Sophia Yin died several years ago now. Sophia was a huge contributor to the pool of online information about dog training and behavior, and a leading proponent of force-free dog training.
8. Eileen Anderson – Eileen And Dogs
Eileen Anderson is one smart lady! She’s a musician, engineer, and computer expert. But most of all she is a dog trainer.
I love her youtube channel, her calm and logical approach to training. A not to be missed channel.
9. Kristin Crestejo – Modern Canine Training
Kristin’s channel is a mine of information. Not just on formal obedience training but on the principles and concepts which underpin successful and effective puppy and dog care.
Her videos are polished, well produced, and well worth watching.
10. Zak George – Zak’s Dog Training Revolution
When I first put together this list many years ago, Zak’s channel had around 160 thousand subscribers. He is now well into the millions, and it is totally deserved.
Gabriella says
hi,do you have a Golden retriever puppy
Gentis says
THANK you very much for this article, I am a fan of Donna Hill myself, there were some new discoveries for me! Looking forward to checking their videos.
Could you please do mobile app reviews? I am using DOGO App to train my dog currently, the nice thing is they monitor your progress via video exams. But maybe you know any other good apps?
Nicole says
I agree when you say “No dog training video list would be complete without mentioning Zak George.” Zak is absolutely wonderful and he gets a lot of scruff for being honest about how he feels when it comes to positive training. I also love Kristin Crestejo! I plan to now watch them all as I have taken positive training into effect with all of my dogs. Until watching both Kris and Zak, I didn’t know there was a better way. And I think that it’s amazing to teach my dog a happy and positive way! Thank you for a more comprehensive list!
Melissa Martin says
They’re all so great! I was already subscribed. 😉
Kris Crestejo says
Thank you so much for adding me on your list! I’m honoured to be up there with such amazing individuals.
Lyn says
What a great list – I use them all regularly and really appreciate what they all do to help all of us less experienced trainers. Like Anne Springer I would include Chirag Patel if I were making my own list. My first contact with him was his Muzzle Training video. Nando Browns videos are also useful because some of the men I work with find him easy identify with so accept R+ methods from him more easily than they would from sme of the others on the list
Pippa says
Agreed Lyn, I’ll be updating the list shortly 🙂
Lyn says
I’ll be interested to see your revised list – there are an increasing number of people providing really good force-free R+ content, which is great for those of us who are newer to the to it and haven’t built up our own resources as yet, A big thank you to those who provide so much great stuff
Tamara A. Howard says
AVSAbehavior – Dr. Karen Overall
Eileen Anderson says
I’m stunned and honored to be included. Thank you!
Pippa says
Thanks for coming by Eileen 🙂
Scott Houghton says
Excellent list! I’ve learned so much from Kikopup and Donna Hill. I look forward to checking all of them. I agree with Anne Springer, Zsianz1 also has excellent tutorials.
Pippa says
Glad you liked the list Scott! I’ll be adding to it soon 🙂
Grisha Stewart says
I’d also second all of the great folks recommended in the comments, plus Jolein van Weperen from Holland (it’s in Dutch though): https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCkPaDX64Ktz-lqHJzr7o3bw
Also Lori Stevens has some cool proprioception clips: https://www.youtube.com/user/lrsteven
Pippa says
Thanks Grisha that’s great, I’ll check those out 🙂
Grisha Stewart says
Thanks for including my channel! It’s an honor to be included. Lots of great trainers out there.
For my channel, the one that’s listed is actually my old channel and it doesn’t have many of my videos any more. I sold Ahimsa Dog Training to one of my fab staff members this summer.
The videos you might have seen on the old channel are now on the new one instead. I’ve also been adding a lot of videos about training my puppy, so the new one is really a much better channel.
https://www.youtube.com/grishastewart1
Lucy says
Thanks Grisha! We have updated the link in the article for you. Looking forward to checking out your new puppy videos 🙂
Vicky says
At http://www.dogcoachvideos.com we’re continuing to round up dog training videos from great trainers – including some of your videos Pippa.
Barb says
Great list. The only addition I’d add is Nancy Tanner’s You Tube channel.
Pippa says
Thanks for that suggestion Barb, I’ll take a look
Trish Mahon says
I would like to see recognition for Nando Brown’s terrific work with promoting Positive training and also love Chirag Patel’s work. Love all the other contributors.
Pippa says
Agreed, love Nando Brown and Chirag Patel 🙂
Susan says
I have two more names to throw out from the UK. I’m not a UK native, but these two are favorites of mine. Nando Brown of In the Doghouse — he likes to bring a bit of British humor to some of his videos but he’s very good at explaining what he’s doing. Second is John McGuigan from Scotland (Glasgow Dog Trainer). He’s very serious in the way he instructs and can be a bit hard for Americans to understand at times, but he’s very technical and methodical in his approach.
Pippa says
Nando Brown and John McGuigan are great suggestions!
Donna Hill says
I am honored to be on the list! Thanks for sharing! The people the merrier!
I also have a service dog youtube channel that teaches people how to train tasks.
https://www.youtube.com/user/supernaturalbc2008
Pippa says
Thanks Donna, I’ll add the link to the article 🙂
Pamela says
Thank you so much for including my YouTube channel on this list “pamelamarxsen” “Pam’s dog academy”.
Have a great day,
Pamela Johnson
Pippa says
You’re welcome Pamela, love your videos 🙂
Anne Springer says
I love Eileen, Emily (kikopup), Pam & Donna – so glad to see them on the list. I have a suggestion for another trainer who’s great at training complex behaviors. Check out zsianz1 on Youtube. Also, for another creme de la creme trainer, Chirag Patel’s Domesticated Manners – anyone who wants to condition a dog to wear a muzzle or headcollar needs that one!
Pippa says
Thanks Anne, that’s really helpful 🙂