Before I bought anything, I needed to understand what was actually going on with Arie. These are the free resources — videos, podcasts, subreddits, apps, and articles — that gave me a real foundation for helping an anxious dog. No purchases required,...
Sections
5
Watch These First
Listen While You Walk
Read This (Free Online)
Join These Communities
Free Apps Worth Having
Watch These First
YouTube channels and videos that explain dog anxiety in plain language — no jargon, no fluff.
Positive reinforcement focused. Great for anxious dogs — clear, patient, no punishment.
Zak George's Dog Training Revolution
Emily Larlham's channel — science-based, force-free, excellent for fear and reactivity.
Kikopup
Practical and clear — good for foundational skills that help anxious dogs feel more confident.
McCann Dog Training
Thoughtful breakdowns of dog behavior and training philosophy — great for understanding the why.
Simpawtico Dog Training
Listen While You Walk
Podcasts you can put on during your dog walk — learn while you're already outside.
Hosted by dog trainer Melissa Breau — covers fear, anxiety, reactivity in an approachable way.
Drinking from the Toilet (Podcast)
Deep dives on dog behavior and aggression — Kathy Sdao and Megan Foster keep it real and nuanced.
The Bitey End of the Dog (Podcast)
Erik Zsigmond interviews experts on dog behavior and science-based training — easy listening format.
Canine Nation (Podcast)
Read This (Free Online)
Articles and websites worth bookmarking — free, no signup required.
Science-based, no-fluff articles on behavior, health, and training. Many free articles available.
Whole Dog Journal
Ethologist and certified applied animal behaviorist — her writing on fear and anxiety is the real deal.
Patricia McConnell's Blog (The Other End of the Leash)
Vet-developed resources for reducing fear and anxiety in pets — articles and tips are free to browse.
Fear Free Happy Homes
Join These Communities
Subreddits and communities where people get it — no judgment, lots of firsthand experience.
A supportive community for people with reactive dogs. Real talk, no judgment.
r/reactivedogs
Well-moderated subreddit with evidence-based training advice. Great for specific questions.
r/Dogtraining
The original “Dogs in Need of Space” community — helps you advocate for your dog's boundaries in public.
DINOS: Dogs in Need of Space
Free Apps Worth Having
Free (or free-tier) apps that are actually useful for anxious dog owners.
I use this for myself — but playing the free sleep music or nature sounds in the background can help calm an anxious dog too.
Calm
Free app and website that teaches you to read dog body language. Genuinely eye-opening.
iSpeakDog
Free training app with short daily lessons. Good for building focus and basic obedience with a reactive dog.
