Dog TrainingDog Training App: A Five-Day Adventure with Sadie

Dog Training App: A Five-Day Adventure with Sadie

My Aussiedoodle, Sadie, adores going to the dog park. Whether she’s sprinting around, stealing toys from other dogs, or flipping over the community water bowl with her paws, she’s in her element. Now that we’re sheltering in place, our routine walks and fetch games seem to bore her. Although she loves having me home all day, we’re running low on engaging activities. Dog training app keeps your dog away from boredom and gives him or her some entertainment. Let your dog to enjoy one of these apps!

To spice things up, I decided to explore some dog training apps to keep Sadie entertained. If Instagram and TikTok can captivate me for hours, surely a dog training app can do the same for Sadie, right? Over the next five days, Sadie and I tested five different apps to find out which ones were the best fit. I rated each app on a scale of one to three paws: three paws for apps that we could really dive into, two paws for those that provided a fun but brief distraction, and one paw for apps that were only a mild distraction. Here’s how it went.

BarkHappy

BarkHappy is a social networking app designed for dog parents. It connects you with nearby pet owners whose dogs might be a good match for yours. You can send “wags” (essentially a digital “hello”) and add other pups to your “pack.” After reaching out, you can message other pet parents and arrange playdates for your dogs.

One of its standout features is an interactive map that shows dog-friendly stores and veterinarians in your area based on your zip code. This could be incredibly useful if you’re traveling and need to find a vet quickly.

Though there aren’t many BarkHappy users in my neighborhood, I did manage to connect with a few and exchanged messages and “wags.” Once we’re able to, I’m definitely looking forward to planning a pupdate (puppy update) somewhere in LA. I even found another dog mom with a black German Shepherd—what a coincidence!You can download it from Apple Store, Google Play.

Rating: 3 paws
Recommended for: Pet parents looking to connect with others in the dog community. It’s especially useful for those who prefer smaller, more manageable playdates rather than bustling dog parks.

Human-to-Dog Translator

Human-to-dog translator is a dog training app that promises to help you understand your dog’s emotions with the press of a button. It features 30 “emotion” buttons that play sounds meant to communicate specific feelings to your dog. You get 18 emotions for free, but access to the rest costs $0.99. There’s also a microphone feature that supposedly translates your voice into “dog-speak.”

I tried the microphone feature first and asked Sadie if she wanted belly rubs. She just stared at me. When I asked her to bark once if she understood, she jumped on the couch instead. Not exactly a breakthrough.

I then experimented with the emotion sounds, starting with “sad.” Sasha responded by tilting her head and howling. She reacted similarly to the other emotions like “angry,” “happy,” and “confused.” While the app doesn’t quite achieve its goal, it’s a fun novelty. You can get it from Apple Store.

Rating: 2 paws
Recommended for: Those looking for a lighthearted app to entertain both themselves and their dog. It’s more for fun than serious communication.

Puppr

Even though Sadie graduated from puppy training school a few months ago, I like to keep her skills sharp and teach her new commands. Puppr, a dog training app, offers lessons led by professional dog trainer Sara Carson. The lessons are divided into categories like New Dog, Silly, Useful, Circus, and Agility. Most lessons require payment, either for individual packs ($2.99) or all packs ($13.99).

I chose the “fetch leash” command from the free Useful lesson pack. The app provided step-by-step instructions, graphics, and a clicker button. Every time Sadie completed a step, I clicked the button and rewarded her with a treat. Although Sadie struggled with the new command due to our established “walk” routine, I’m optimistic she’ll get the hang of it soon. Get it from Apple Store, Google Play !

Rating: 3 paws
Recommended for: Dog owners looking to reinforce or teach new commands outside of traditional classes. It’s great for both new and experienced pet parents, and the built-in clicker is a nice touch.

Lonely Dog Toy

This app offers interactive games where your dog taps the screen to “catch” moving objects like a beaver or fish. I found a tablet works best for this, as it provides a larger screen for your dog to interact with. On my phone, Sadie just booped the screen a few times. When I tried it on a tablet, she was more engaged but still didn’t quite get the concept.

While this app wasn’t a hit with Sadie, it might be enjoyable for dogs with a higher prey drive or smaller paws. Check out to get it from Apple Store, Google Play !

Rating: 2 paws
Recommended for: Smaller dogs or those with a strong prey drive. If your dog enjoys interactive games, they might get a kick out of this one.

App for Dog

On a rainy day, I decided to try App for Dog, which turns your dog into a virtual artist. The app offers button sounds (like clicking and squeaking) for an extra cost, but I skipped those and made the noises myself.

I set my phone up and showed Sadie how to use it. Despite my efforts, she seemed more interested in licking my hand than painting on the screen. While this app didn’t quite capture Sadie’s artistic side, it might be amusing for other dogs with a bit more patience. You can get it from Apple Store, Google Play!

Rating: 1 paw
Recommended for: This app is more entertaining for the pet parent than the pet. It’s a fun novelty, but dogs might not appreciate it as much.

Conclusion

After testing these dog training apps, I’ve found that practical apps provide the best experience for both Sadie and me. While games can be entertaining, they don’t seem to engage Sadie as much. Nonetheless, trying new things has been a great way to break up our routine during these challenging times.

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