Dog Podcast Review: Reactive Dog Pod hosted by Tess Morgan

Sitting down with an informational dog book is great, but let’s be honest—finding the time isn’t always easy. Personally, by the end of the day when I finally get around to reading, I struggle to focus on heavier topics (which is why I tend to reach for cheesy romance novels instead). But during the day, when focusing on work or tackling chores, having a podcast playing in the background is when I absorb the most information. It’s an effortless way to learn while staying productive!

Official Reactive Dog Pod Image

To balance work while continuing Marlee’s training journey, I decided to check out the Reactive Dog Pod—and let me tell you, I highly recommend it! Hosted by Tess Morgan, a multi-certified dog behavior consultant specializing in reactivity, this podcast is a goldmine of knowledge. Tess brings in experts and dog owners who share their experiences and insights, making each episode both informative and relatable. If you’re navigating life with a reactive dog, this one’s definitely worth a listen!

The first episode dives into the basics of reactivity and what it really means. Since I’ve already done a lot of research on the topic, I found this episode a bit repetitive. However, if you’re new to reactivity or just need a refresher, it’s definitely worth a listen!

If you’re already familiar with the basics and want to explore more specific aspects of reactivity, I’d recommend jumping into episode two, which covers all things doggy daycare for reactive dogs. This episode really caught my attention—daycare has always been something I’ve considered for Marlee, especially since her reactivity is frustration-based. Hearing insights on how daycare can affect reactive dogs was incredibly helpful!

The list of episodes is as follows:

Episode 3: Mental Health for both ends of the Lead

Episode 4: Look at That vs Engage/Disengage

Episode 5: Reactive Dog? Talk to your Vet with Dr. Christina Lucas

Episode 6: Reactive Dogs in the City

Episode 7: Reactivity in Herding Dogs with Emily Priestley, CTC, CDBC

Episode 8: Group Training for Reactive Dogs

Episode 9: Reactivity Through Resilience, Decompression, and Enrichment with Holly Chan

You can easily gauge which episodes will be most helpful based on the titles, but if you’re curious, I’d recommend giving them all a listen. Even if the information isn’t entirely new to you, having support as a reactive dog parent is invaluable. Knowing you’re not alone in this journey is one of the most powerful tools you can have—it helps you show up as the best advocate for your dog.

Even if you’re happy with your trainer or feel that your current training progress is on track, I still highly recommend giving episode 3, Mental Health for Both Ends of the Leash, a listen. As I’m sure many reactive dog parents can relate, training a reactive dog can have a significant impact on both your dog’s and your own mental health. Learning how to manage these challenges while building confidence in yourself and your dog can truly make all the difference in your journey. Truly an episode that gave me so much peace and motivation.

At the end of the day, I’m giving this podcast 5/5 pawprints! I tuned in throughout the week, and each time, I felt inspired to dive right into a training session with Marlee. Having the right support and knowledge is essential on this journey with our reactive pups, so I highly recommend giving it a listen. I’m excited to implement Tess’ advice in our future training sessions!

Although the most recent episode aired on October 28, 2024, there’s still a wealth of valuable information packed into the nine episodes available. I really enjoyed listening, and I’m hopeful that Tess will return with even more insightful content in the future!

If you’ve listened to this podcast, I’d love to hear your thoughts! Or if you have a favorite dog-related podcast, drop it in the comments below—I’m always looking for new ones to check out!

Check out Reactive Dog Pod on Spotify or Apple Podcasts!

Disclaimer: I am not a professional or dog trainer. For any questions or before implementing new techniques, it’s always best to consult with your vet or a qualified trainer. I am not affiliated with Reactive Dog Pod, and all opinions shared here are my own.