FamiliarYour dog already understands more than you think.
Familiar helps you build on it.
Most dog training apps give you a list of tricks and a timer. Familiar gives you a skill tree. Every word your dog learns unlocks the next one, and real-world activities unlock as the words behind them click into place. Add your dogs, track what they know, and watch a shared language grow.
How it works
Add your dog and see the tree
Create a profile for each of your dogs. The skill tree starts with the foundations: name recognition, sit, touch, attention. Everything else branches from there.
Teach words, track fluency
Pick a word to work on and mark your dog's progress as they go from luring to hand signal to verbal-only. Each word you master lights up in the tree and unlocks the next tier.
Unlock activities along the way
Activities are real-world routines built from the words your dog already knows. Leash Up needs sit, collar grab, and wait. As those words click, the activity unlocks and gives you a reason to practice them together.
What makes it different
A skill tree, not a checklist
Words build on each other. Sit unlocks stay. Stay unlocks place. The tree shows you what to teach next and why, instead of dumping fifty tricks in a list.
Activities that unlock as your dog learns
Doorbell manners, leash-up routines, trick sequences. Each one requires specific words, and it unlocks the moment those words are solid. Training has a purpose beyond the treat.
Track fluency, not just completion
A word isn't learned the first time your dog does it. Track the progression from lure to hand signal to verbal cue, and see which words are solid and which need a refresh.
Multiple dogs, each with their own tree
Every dog gets their own profile and their own skill tree. One might be on tier three while another is still working the basics.
Add your own words and activities
The tree ships with 50+ words and 40+ activities, but your dog might know things we didn't think of. Add custom words and slot them into the tree.
No ads, no video lessons to sit through
Familiar is a tracker, not a course. It assumes you know how to train your dog or have a trainer you like. It just helps you keep track of what stuck.
Questions
- How is Familiar different from other dog training apps?
- Most dog training apps are video courses. Familiar is a tracker with a skill tree. Words build on each other, activities unlock as your dog learns the words behind them, and fluency tracking shows you what actually stuck. It's for people who already know how to train or have a trainer they like.
- What is the skill tree?
- A map of 50+ words organized by difficulty. Foundational words like sit, touch, and name recognition are at the top. Each word you master unlocks harder ones below it, so you always know what to teach next.
- What are activities?
- Real-world routines built from the words your dog knows. Leash Up combines sit, collar grab, and wait. Walking Past Distractions uses heel, attention, and leave it. Each activity lists the words it needs, the steps to follow, and tips for common mistakes.
- Can I add more than one dog?
- Yes. Each dog gets their own profile, their own skill tree, and their own fluency tracking. You can switch between them from the bottom of the screen.
- Do I need an account?
- No. Familiar works with a device identifier, no sign-in required. You can optionally connect a Google or Apple account to keep your data if you switch phones.
- Does Familiar teach me how to train?
- Each word comes with practice methods, tips, and common mistakes, but Familiar is a companion, not a course. It works best alongside a trainer or a method you already trust.
- Can I add my own words or activities?
- Yes. If your dog knows a word that isn't in the tree, you can add it as a custom word and track its fluency the same way.
- Is Familiar free?
- The core skill tree and fluency tracking are free. A subscription unlocks the full activity library, custom words, and additional features.
- What data does Familiar collect?
- Your dog profiles and training progress are stored on our servers so they persist between sessions. Familiar does not access your health data, location, camera, or contacts. See our privacy policy for the full picture.
- Is Familiar on Android?
- Yes. Familiar is on both the App Store and Google Play.