Every Academy entrance begins with a 14-day preparation period. One-time payment, no subscription.
The DAD Academy
A new standard of protection training.
Inside the DAD Academy, Deter. Alert. Delay. changes the way you think about what a protection Doberman can offer, and what it takes to develop that potential well.
7 modules
Shared by both divisions
Video and written lessons
Plus downloadable PDFs
Released in stages
After a 14-day preparation period
One-time payment
No subscription
Taught by Amy Arthur
Creator of the DAD Philosophy
Choose Your Division
Two paths. One philosophy. Different missions. Both are built on Deter. Alert. Delay. The difference is how far you choose to develop your Doberman's role when a threat moves beyond deterrence.
Family Division
$495 one-time
For owners who want a confident, reliable Doberman capable of contributing meaningfully to family security without bite work.
What's included
- All 7 Academy modules
- Video lessons, written lessons and downloadable PDFs
- Staged release after your 14-day preparation period
- Confidence, environmental stability, awareness and reliable communication
- Sound leadership and deterrence, without bite work
- The opportunity to pursue DAD Standard Recognition
Professional Division
$795 one-time
For owners whose goals extend beyond deterrence and who are prepared for the added responsibility that controlled physical protection development requires.
What's included
- All 7 Academy modules
- Video lessons, written lessons and downloadable PDFs
- Staged release after your 14-day preparation period
- The same foundation: confidence, stability, awareness, obedience and leadership
- How to understand, pursue and maintain professionally developed protection work
- How to work effectively with qualified protection professionals
- The opportunity to pursue DAD Standard Recognition
Neither division is a prerequisite for the other. They are different missions, not levels.
Protected by a 30-day satisfaction guarantee. Refund Policy
Included with either division
What comes with your enrollment
Both divisions share the same Academy experience. The difference is the mission you choose.
7 modules
One foundation, two missions
Both divisions are built on the same seven modules, from understanding Doberman protection and selecting the right Doberman to leadership, environmental confidence and daily life.
Video and written lessons
Learn the way that suits you
Each module is organized into chapters and lessons that combine guided video instruction, written education and downloadable PDF resources you can keep and come back to.
Released in stages
A clear path, one stage at a time
Your Academy entrance begins 14 days after enrollment. Training is then released in deliberate stages, so you understand and practice each principle before moving on.
One-time payment
No subscription
$495 for the Family Division or $795 for the Professional Division, paid once. Your enrollment is protected by a 30-day satisfaction guarantee. Refund Policy
Taught by Amy Arthur
Creator of the DAD Philosophy
Amy is the First Arbiter of the Tackleberry Alliance. The Academy reflects her years of raising, training and evaluating Dobermans for family protection.
DAD Standard Recognition
Earned, not awarded
When you are ready, you can submit practical videos of your team in real situations for evaluation against the DAD Standard. Taking part is optional.
What is the DAD Academy?
Learn how to think, not just what to do.
The Academy teaches you to read your Doberman, not only train it, and to make sound decisions using one framework. Anyone can teach a dog to sit. Protection starts with presence, confidence and stability.
D
Deter
A confident, composed dog discourages conflict before it starts.
A
Alert
You get early notice when something isn't right.
D
Delay
Your dog buys you time. The goal is opportunity: time to respond, or time to leave.
The Academy is a good fit if you are
- Researching the right path to a protection Doberman
- Raising a Doberman puppy
- A current Doberman owner ready to build more confidence, stability and reliability
- Considering professional protection development
- Someone who wants to make informed decisions, not just follow techniques
Course overview
Seven modules, organized around how your dog develops.
Each module is broken into chapters and lessons, with guided video, written lessons and downloadable PDFs.
01
Understanding Doberman Protection
02
Selecting the Right Doberman
03
Reading Your Doberman
04
Leadership
05
Building Environmental Confidence
06
Deterrent-Based Protection
07
Daily Life
How the Academy works
Progressive by design.
Your entrance begins 14 days after enrollment. From there, training is released in stages, so you understand and practice each principle before you move on. No complicated routines. No expectation of perfection.
Days 1 to 14
Preparation period
Your welcome and entrance information, so you know what to expect.
Stage 1
Discover Your Doberman
Temperament, instincts and how your dog communicates.
Stage 2
Build the Foundation
Leadership, obedience, social exposure and confidence.
Stage 3
Take It Into the Real World
Visitors, children, outings and distractions.
Stage 4
Master the Principles
Applying what you have learned across situations.
Stage 5
Demonstrate What You've Built
The evaluation for DAD Standard Recognition.
Meet your instructor
Amy Arthur
Amy is the creator of the DAD Philosophy: Deter. Alert. Delay. Through years of raising, training and evaluating Dobermans for family protection, she has built a practical approach centered on confidence, stability and purposeful leadership.
Her focus is the individual dog: its temperament, instincts, strengths and developmental needs, rather than a one-size-fits-all training formula.
Lifelong canine experience
Raising, training and evaluating
First Arbiter
Tackleberry Alliance
DAD Standard Recognition
Recognition is earned, not automatically awarded.
The Academy gives you the knowledge. Recognition gives you the chance to show what you and your dog have built. You submit practical videos of your team in real situations, evaluated for confidence, stability, communication, leadership, environmental awareness and reliable behavior.
Questions owners ask
No. The Academy is designed to be valuable whether you are still selecting a Doberman, raising a puppy or developing an adult dog.
No. The DAD Academy is educational and is open to responsible Doberman owners, wherever their dog came from.
No. The Academy teaches the principles behind what you are doing, so you can understand and apply them with confidence rather than simply follow instructions.
Choose by your objective. The Family Division focuses on meaningful family protection without professionally developed bite work. The Professional Division is for owners whose goals include professionally developed physical protection.
No. They are different missions, not different levels of achievement. Neither is a prerequisite for the other.
No. Physical protection development requires qualified, hands-on professional training. The Professional Division gives you the education to understand that process, make informed decisions, work effectively with professionals and responsibly handle and maintain a protection-trained Doberman.
Yes. Some developmental principles are especially valuable during puppyhood, but the Academy is designed to improve your understanding and leadership throughout your Doberman's life.
An earned distinction available to Academy students who choose to demonstrate the principles of the DAD Standard. The complete recognition process is introduced inside the Academy.
Your enrollment secures your place in the division you choose. You then enter a 14-day preparation period, with your welcome and entrance information. At the end of it, your first Academy stage opens, and training is released in stages from there.
A one-time payment: $495 for the Family Division or $795 for the Professional Division. No subscription. Your enrollment is protected by a 30-day satisfaction guarantee. If you're not satisfied, simply request a full refund within 30 days of purchase. See the Refund Policy.
The Academy was built around the Doberman, but the principles behind Deter. Alert. Delay. are not limited to one breed. Your dog's breed, temperament, maturity and natural abilities will shape what that development looks like.
A year from now, what will you have accomplished?
You'll have another twelve months of experience behind you.
The question is whether it will be an experience you chose.
You may already have a vision of the Doberman you want to raise, the capabilities you want to develop, or the standard you intend to achieve.
The difference between having an ambition and achieving it begins with a decision.
And when you recognize something worth pursuing, the time to begin is now.
Opportunity rewards those that take advantage of every moment.
Your Doberman. Your objective. Your division.
One-time payment. Protected by a 30-day satisfaction guarantee. Refund Policy
Have a question before you choose?
Tell me a little about your Doberman and what you are hoping for. I'll reply by email within 24 hours.
Your email will be kept private.
The DAD Academy
From $495