The Missing Link: Why You’re Struggling to Train Your Pup and How a Comprehensive Dog Training Program Can Help

dog training to build a strong bond and better behavior.

Last Updated: October 2022

Last updated: October 2025

The second you bring a new dog into your home, your life changes forever. While most of the changes are positive, you might also find yourself wondering, “what did I get myself into?”

Just like humans, dogs can come with a variety of behavioral challenges that occur in both puppyhood and adulthood. Challenges such as…

  • Using the toilet indoors.
  • Destructive behaviors due to stress/separation anxiety.
  • Biting, growling, and showing aggressive tendencies.
  • Incessant barking.
  • Jumping, pulling on the leash, and not coming when called.
  • And SO much more!

It’s these behaviors that steal the joy out of dog ownership and might have you wondering if you made a mistake by bringing home your new canine companion.

As a good dog parent, I bet that you’ve already spent time scouring the internet for resources to help your dog overcome whatever behavioral challenge they are experiencing.

And like many dog owners, it’s possible you’re still not finding success as you try and piece together all the training techniques you’ve found online.

Sound familiar?

There’s a reason this happens, and today I want to share WHY this happens, along with WHAT YOU CAN DO to once-and-for-all solve your dog’s training issues.

Let’s start by taking a look at the underlying problem…piecing together random training programs.

Why ‘Pieced Together’ Random Methods are Failing Your Dog

Just like a jigsaw puzzle, you need all the right pieces, fitting together perfectly in order to complete it.

The same is true for dog training…

Of course, there are many wonderful dog training programs out there. And it makes me happy to know that many trainers use kind, gentle methods. However, when you start mixing and matching methods, things can quickly become CONFUSING FOR YOUR DOG.

Now, I want you to think for a minute about how you learned how to tie your shoes as a child.

Did you use the rabbit ear method? Were you taught the criss-cross applesauce technique? Were you instructed to use double knots or single knots?

At the end of the day, all of the methods teach you how to tie your shoes. However, if you attempted to use all the techniques at once, your shoes would end up in a knotted mess…

So before we go any further I’d like to share with you one of the most amazing stories of a lady who experienced what it was like when she put a Consistent, Complete Method in place VERSUS her usual blend of average approaches = The Epic Fail!

(Watch the video below…)

If you want your dog to understand how you want them to behave you have to “speak” to them in the same language, staying constant with how you ask for and correct various behaviors.

(Looking for a consistent, comprehensive training program?. Try my Complete Pack training program for only $1 here!)

Unfortunately, when dog owners try to piece things together using different training solutions, dogs often become confused and frustrated.

This is often because the foundation is lost—the part that develops the solid connection between you and your dog, that relationship bond, that bit that makes them feel like they should LISTEN!

This frustration can lead to additional challenging behaviors leaving your dog anxious and difficult to manage and you feeling like you’re incapable of training your dog.

The worst part…as dog behavior gets worse, many people turn to harsh training products because they feel they have no other option.

The Danger of Turning to Harsh, Expensive, and Harmful Training Products

I know how exhausting it is to feel like nothing you’re trying is helping to train your dog. It’s this exhaustion and frustration that often leads people to turn to harsh training products such as…

  • Electric collars.
  • Choke chains.
  • Electric fences.
  • And other harmful tools.

While these solutions might give you a quick fix to your current problems, they most certainly are needed and are often not a long term solution. In fact, harsh training products often cause more problems in the long run.

Why?

Because your dog learns out of FEAR instead of listening to you out of love and respect.

Let’s face it, would you like an electric current shot through your throat when you didn’t obey? Hmmm… That’s food for thought, but it's true.

In fact, I often say to people, I know I could get my kids to do ANYTHING I asked them to do if I put a shock collar on them.

However, it is completely unnecessary and, in my opinion, inhumane. I feel the same is true for dog training. More than anything else it is not needed when you truly understand how to communicate with your dog.

Even worse, when you use harsh training tools, you often miss the underlying issue. This can lead to your dog developing other behavioral issues such as anxiety or aggressive tendencies – exactly the opposite of what you’re trying to achieve!

The only way to truly train your dog to listen to you when it matters most is by using a comprehensive, calm and gentle training program like The Complete Pack.

With the Right Tools, Dog Training Doesn’t Have to Be a Struggle

The strategy of taking little bits of lots of different training programs and mashing them together rarely works. More often than not, both you and your dog will end up frustrated and confused, which is why you are reading this now…

The last thing I ever want to see is dog owners struggling with their beloved dogs. So my advice is this…

Pick one comprehensive training program that covers all dog training issues—from puppyhood to adulthood—and stick with it.

So let me go through what should be included in a complete training program by going through my own program, The Complete Pack.

This is a collection of my online courses that provides you with everything you need to solve your dog’s issues. More importantly, the calm, gentle approach helps you create a relationship and a safety net and a way of being with your dog that will work for you in every situation moving forward.

A Look Inside Doggy Dan’s Complete Pack of Courses

Within The Complete Pack, you’ll get access to 6 of my most powerful dog training programs. Here’s a quick look at what’s included…

1. The Dog Calming Code – The foundational program that teaches you how to connect deeply with your dog so that your dog sees you as someone they should listen to all the time. Using this program, you’ll discover the underlying causes of dog aggression, barking, leash pulling, jumping up, not listening and general naughty behavior.

2. Everyday Tools and Techniques – You need to have the necessary tools and techniques to establish yourself as the leader of your dog, much like parents need to set an example and be the leader for their children. The tools you’ll discover in this program (how to use verbal commands, long lines, the calm freeze, etc.) are the same tools that the pros use to maintain composure when it really matters when training a dog.

3. Project Moses Video Diary – Just brought home a new puppy? One of the first things you’re going to want to know is how to overcome potty training, mouthing, biting, jumping, etc. My Project Moses video diary provides you with a video diary that walks you through the timeline of everything you need to know about raising a new puppy. You'll watch me set up an environment and train my new puppy Moses from the time he was 8 weeks old to one year.

4. Perfect Puppy Program – Most new dog owners struggle with finding solutions to meeting their new puppy’s needs in the first few months of dog ownership. It’s just like bringing home a new baby and wondering why your infant is crying all the time. This program offers all the tips, tools, and resources you need to ensure your puppy is happy, healthy, and is set up for obedience training success!

5. Dan’s Dog Training 101 – Everyone wants their dog to know some commands. While not everyone wants their dog to learn how to get a beer out of the fridge, commands like sit, stay, and come are very important. My Dog Training 101 program teaches you how to set a solid foundation with basic commands that will become essential as your dog gets older.

6. All Dog Problems Solved – If you’ve got an older dog and things are starting to fall apart, don’t panic! Old dogs can be taught new tricks! In my “All Dog Problems Solved” program, I’ll walk you through how to fix 37 of the most common dog issues.

The Forum – While the Complete Pack provides you with everything you need to successfully train your dog, it’s nice to have real, human support in case you get hung up along the way. When you sign up for the Complete Pack, you get access to the forum—an online space where you can ask questions and get help from our resident professional dog trainer, Hayley, who can tailor the training to your dog's specific needs.

So there you go, if you’ve been struggling with your dog…

  1. Because of using different bits of different methods, OR
  2. Because you have a special dog who’s a bit more tricky to train

Then maybe it's time to check out the Complete Pack and put this simple program in place—something over 47,000 people have used.

Imagine the feeling in a couple of hours time as you realise you’ve finally found the program that actually makes sense…to both YOU and your DOG!

Get access to EVERYTHING in The Complete Pack for only $1!

Love and blessings to your relationship together…

Doggy Dan Signature
~Doggy Dan 🙂

Gentle journey for your puppy.

Doggy Dan

Doggy Dan stands out through his “five golden rules” that focus on canine psychology rather than repetitive drills or force. Unlike traditional trainers, he teaches owners to become the “calm leader” their dogs need. Over the last two decades, his methods have helped transform over 125,000 dogs worldwide. As the founder of TheOnlineDogTrainer.com blog and podcast and creator of the Dog Calming Code™, he has become a trusted voice in dog psychology and training. His philosophy is simple: reactive dogs don’t need punishment or endless treats. They need a leader they can trust.

3 Responses

  1. We have had our 2-3 year old Shitzu since last June. She was a stray and have not been able to get her to stop barking at my husband. She acts afraid sometimes and at other times she seems to be protecting me. She thinks she is the leader. What can I do?

    1. Hi Michelle,
      As a stray your dog may have been given a good reason to mistrust certain people. If your husband is trying to approach her to give affection then try having him only call your dog to him to do so. Allowing her to feel like she has a choice, and that her personal space won’t be invaded, can make a big difference for some dogs. If he is just walking around the house though, and she starts barking at him, calmly put her out of the room until she is quiet and then allow her to return. We want to show her that barking at your husband means she will be removed…there’s no need to tell her off or say anything, just calmly remove her.
      There is likely a few other things contributing to her behaviour so maybe take a quick look at my website TheOnlineDogTrainer.com where you’ll get a better understanding of what’s going on and how to overcome it…it’s a $1USD trial for 3 days…all the best Doggy Dan

FREE TRAINING:

How to Solve Dog Reactivity WITHOUT Food Bribes, Tricks, or Force

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FREE webinar:

How to Solve Dog Reactivity WITHOUT Food Bribes, Tricks, or Force

dog training to stop unwanted jumping and barking

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Ridley is my 4th dog. After listening to and learning from Doggy Dan, I was happy to see that I did pretty well with my first 3 dogs while raising my kids and having my husband with me. Not perfect - but pretty good! Now I am raising a new dog by myself, and I feel like I'm not doing this really "alone." I really am so happy with all the information Dan has offered... and all his techniques work well!!
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Carol Ann Ferrari Rogers
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Two months ago I adopted a 7 year old Morkie, a very nervous but loving little fellow. I tried several different training techniques and even purchased a program that was lengthy and very time consuming before I discovered Doggy Dan. I've been using his program for two weeks and am astounded by the change in my Dexter. He is calmer, more obedient and friendlier to others than I imagined possible. Dan's training is concise. It differs from others I found, Dan trains you to become the leader of your pack through a dog's perspective. I like that the training is specific yet compassionate. This is a program that works if you are consistent. Thanks Doggy Dan!
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Susie in the UK. I am only 10 days in but took in a 9 yr old emergency rescue from Romania who had been in kennels for 6 years and then had 3 failed foster placements in the UK. Luca is a big powerful mixed breed with huge stress and anxiety and very reactive, he bounded into my home and took over - aggressive with my 2 others, and visitors and pulling and pushing on walks. I thought I couldn't handle him but saw an advert for Doggy Dan on line and signed up - we've had a wonderful turnaround and he is finally decompressing, being polite with my dogs and responds excellently to the time-out if reactive with guests. Walks are much better and all 5 rules are in place. I believe he will continue to improve but only if I remain 100% consistent with him for the rest of his life. He is 9 years old and deserves a happy old age being loved and looked after with no further upsets in his life so fingers and toes are crossed for him
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SoBS Truro
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I started. The course 3/4 weeks ago. As Dan says you have to work on things if you get stuck. I have a Staffordshire x cane corso who is now six months old. She is very intelligent but sometimes she just doesn’t listen. Doing the five codes I’m finding it’s going pretty well except trying to get her calm so I am persevering with it again with my own space. I have a trainer call shortly which I will ask for advice on this. It’s great also that you can ask anything you’re not sure of on line. It’s so great to have someone there to help. I’m looking forward to having a relaxed girl instead of hyper most of the time as she gets so excited about almost everything. I would truly recommend doggy Dan and just wished I would have come across him much earlier. Thanks again for everything so far.
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Hazel Coad
12 September 2026
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I ❤️ my dog. Such a good girl! 5 Golden rules, really work.
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Victoria van Sommeren
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This program is amazing!. We have a VERY reactive rescue dog that has bitten his previous owner and as well, myself 3x and my husband 4 x's. He had never been around people or other animals, and had never been walked on a leash. (in fact never run off-leash either, just tied to the front steps). We began with traditional treat-based training with a professional, but the progress was frustrating. A reactive dog does not want treats; it wants comfort. With the 5 Golden Rules and and some of the other training we have received with our subscription, in just 3 weeks, we can let him off leash at the dog park, he has not growled at any stranger, and he has not attacked any other animals. He is still a work in progress, but we see progress!!!! He has become a cuddly, sweet dog and for a greyhound, he even has recall! This program is amazing to say the least. We were at our wits end, but now we have hope.
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susan kent
8 September 2026
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Okay, he says it’s not magic, but the results and the peace in so little time with so little effort sure feels like magic! My 11 month old pup was a 60lb highly reactive, very loud disaster waiting to happen. Now we are both calm, the house is quiet and I don’t live in absolute fear of his reactivity towards others. There’s always still work/training to do of course, but wow are we in a much better place to get on with that!
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Theresia Travers
8 September 2026
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Just started with the 5 rules. It's only been a week and a half and I'm noticing less stress, and a reduction in reactivity. We still have a way to go. But finally something I can work with. I went for the online course.
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Fiona Bower
31 August 2026
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I watched the free Webinar and joined at the end. I am up to No.3 atm and I’m actually feeling hopeful 🤞🏼
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Jackie Grimmer
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The program is great. I started to see the changes in my cocker spaniel from day one.
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Joy Winnington
18 August 2026
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My Lab mix puppy and I are on Day 3 , but, I do feel a stronger connection. She appears calmer overall / looking forward to consistently following these five rules. Doggy Dan is clear, concise, comprehensive and compassionate . Very pleased with his program. Diane
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Diane Patterson
16 August 2026
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We have an 8 month old Goldendoodle who has fear issues outside the home and gets easily overwhelmed going into panic/flee mode if several triggers coincide (people, loud dog barking and noises like motorcycles/construction). So pleased to find Doggy Dan and seeing positive changes after just two weeks. Feeding time is calm after using the gesture eating and "thank you" when he barks works a treat. I realized I'm babying my dog too much and trying to be his best pal instead of a leader so I'm working hard on that. We've changed to the no pull harness and love that. Doggy Dans video clips really help bring the philosophy together and I love his attitude. He is calm, clear, firm but so kind and loving with dogs and very down to earth and relatable. I've got great help too from the AI coach and the daily emails and videos help keep us on track and feeling positive. We've still got a mountain to climb with our pup but I finally feel hopeful and supported. We'd tried trainers, behavior specialists and all sorts before finding Doggy Dan and this is by far our best investment. Can't recommend you trying this highly enough. Photo of our boy.
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Jackie Ward
13 August 2026
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Absolutely amazing transformation in just a few days. Just need to stick to the 5 Golden rules 🙂
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Martine Adkin
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I couldn’t believe my dog’s problem resolved completely within a week! Easy but not easy if you are inconsistent with the 5 rules. I highly recommend this method! Somethings don’t seem important or relevant but they are!
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Dawn McCordic
13 July 2026
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I just started my training about 2 weeks ago, and I do mean MY training. My 2 girls are really responding to my changes in how I am relating to them better. Thank you Doggy Dan, I really needed this win, 2 reactive dogs and we have made progress with the 5 golden rules and we have not with anything else. Crystal Gayle the Red Heeler and Sadie the Border Collie.
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Betty Nicholl
11 July 2026
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For three years, I tried every treat-based method and expensive course to stop my large, powerful male dog from pulling on the leash, barking, and stressing out when his energy got too high on our walks. (So while he is a farm dog who enjoys total freedom off-leash on our farm most of the day, on-leash in the city, he totally lost it). He was practically hanging from the leash, two feet in the air (almost strangling himself), always demanding to walk in front and make all the decisions. Absolutely nothing worked—until I found Doggy Dan! 🏆 After just a couple of weeks implementing The 5 Golden Rules, the transformation is absolutely mind-blowing!!! By focusing on connection and calm leadership rather than rigid commands, my dog has FINALLY reconnected with his natural calmness (that has actually always been there inside him) ❤️❤️ When we walk through town now, I look down at my dog walking in a perfect "heel." The leash hangs completely loose, and that loose leash really says it all 👍👍👍 He does not pull, bark, or growl AT ALL when other dogs bark at him!😱 Yes, he looks at them and is interested, but he remains completely calm. We pass shouting people, groups of kids on scooters, and dogs barking aggressively behind gates—he is interested, but he remains entirely unfazed. Just yesterday, we stopped in front of a fence with chickens walking in a garden, and he just stood there watching curiously, staying completely still. And as we walked across a large, grassy schoolyard, we suddenly crossed paths with two rabbits—when I told him to, he immediately sat down. Of course, he was highly interested, but he sat completely, utterly still! I constantly find myself thinking: This can NOT be my dog, LOL! 🐇🐓 Dan refers to himself as a dog trainer, but in my humble opinion he is a dog philosopher. The course is incredibly generous, filled with hundreds of real-life videos from every situation imaginable, offering a massive toolkit for an amazing price. I am so excited to continue this course, so happy about the progress, and so looking forward to the future with this beloved dog of mine. I HIGHLY recommend it! ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
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Ingrid-Tove Astrup
8 July 2026
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I've only been working the program for a week and already are seeing some great improvements with an overexcitable, energetic, barking at everything, and fun Maltipoo. I'm focusing on the 5 golden rules and watching the training videos. Thanks Doggy Dan!
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Rebecca Cheney
4 July 2026
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In a matter of days my 5 year old Frenchie is calmer and seems happier, albeit not happy that I'm ignoring him but it works! I live alone so he thinks he should be boss and protect me from every visitor but he didn't even bark at the window cleaner yesterday, just followed him around each window. My life might be my own soon, thank you!
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Shauna
2 July 2026
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The Golden rules i now understand are NOT called GOLDEN RULES FOR NO REASON! WOW , JUST WOW, I WAS DOING ALL 5 WRONG !
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Tim Waldner
2 July 2026
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We have adopted a Poodle and he us very high energy, anxious and insecure. I joined the online program after I watched the free online webinar about the 5 Golden Rules. While watching the webinar all 3 of my dogs ran off barking... I calmly called out "thank you" and they all came back to me.. from that moment I was hooked. I love the fact that we use minimal sound in this technique as I can become anxious and unsure in my tone. I have seen results with the new Poodle and I am exited about our future. Thanks Doggy Dan, you are a gem 👌🐾🐾🐾
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Jane Uprichard
22 June 2026
FREE webinar:

How to Solve Dog Reactivity WITHOUT Food Bribes, Tricks, or Force

dog training to stop unwanted jumping and barking

Limited Spaces!