TrainMyDog exists to make humane, science-backed dog training genuinely accessible — clear enough to follow with a real dog in a real living room, and honest about what works, what doesn’t, and when you need a professional.
Our mission
There is a lot of conflicting, sometimes harmful dog-training advice online — outdated “alpha” and “dominance” theories, harsh tools, and quick fixes that create fear instead of trust. We built TrainMyDog to offer the opposite: patient, reward-based methods that build a confident, cooperative dog and a better relationship along the way. Every guide is written to be practical, specific and kind.
Our training philosophy: force-free, reward-based
We follow the modern, evidence-based consensus shared by leading welfare and veterinary organizations: training should rely on positive reinforcement rather than fear, pain or intimidation. That means we teach with food, play, praise and clear markers — and we do not recommend prong collars, choke chains, shock/e-collars, alpha rolls, or punishment-based methods, which research has linked to increased stress and aggression.
Who writes TrainMyDog
TrainMyDog is edited by Mustafa Bilgic, a writer and lifelong dog enthusiast based in Adıyaman, Türkiye. Mustafa is the site’s editor — not a veterinarian or certified behaviorist — and that distinction matters to us. Our role is to translate the guidance of recognized experts and organizations into clear, usable steps, and to point you to a professional whenever a situation calls for one.
How we research & cite sources
We base our training and care guidance on respected, publicly available sources, and we name them on each page so you can read further. The organizations we rely on most include:
- ASPCA (American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals) — behavior, welfare and the Animal Poison Control Center.
- American Kennel Club (AKC) — breed information, training and responsible ownership.
- AVMA (American Veterinary Medical Association) — veterinary and welfare guidance.
- AAHA (American Animal Hospital Association) — vaccination and wellness guidelines.
We do not invent statistics, studies or quotes. Where we summarize a recommendation, we attribute it to the organization that issued it.
Our medical disclaimer
How the site is funded
TrainMyDog is free to read. We keep the lights on through advertising and, on some product-focused pages, affiliate links — including participation in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, where we earn from qualifying purchases at no extra cost to you. Funding never changes our editorial recommendations; full details are in our privacy & affiliate disclosure.
The free Dog Training Tracker
Our free, browser-based Dog Training Tracker lets you log each dog and tick off the micro-steps of eight core skills — from name recognition and house-training to a reliable recall. It saves privately in your browser; there is no account and no cloud. It’s our favorite way to turn a big goal into five focused minutes a day.
Questions, corrections or suggestions are always welcome — please get in touch.