Podcast Review: ‘Help! My Dog’ by Tom Mitchell for Reactive Dog Parents

This week, I wanted to shine a spotlight on a podcast I’ve been absolutely loving lately. It’s called “Help! My Dog: The Podcast”—and if you’re a dog parent, especially to a reactive pup, you need this in your life.

The host, Dr. Tom Mitchell, wears many hats: he’s a veterinarian, a dog trainer, and a behaviorist. But what really sets him apart is that he’s also a reactive dog owner himself. That personal experience brings an extra layer of empathy and insight to every episode. He doesn’t just talk the talk—he truly gets it.

The podcast launched in 2023 and is still going strong with regular updates—so there's plenty of content to dive into. Each episode runs about 20–30 minutes, making it the perfect bite-sized listen packed with valuable insights on all things reactivity.

When I say I’ve been bingeing these episodes... I mean it. Their short length makes them super easy to squeeze into your day. Over the past week, I’ve been playing them while I work, notebook to the side, of course, ready to jot down useful training techniques and encouraging takeaways that stick with me.

What I love most about this podcast is the humor Tom brings to every situation. As any reactive dog owner knows, the journey can be incredibly tough—emotionally draining, frustrating, and at times, isolating. But Tom’s ability to infuse lightness into these challenges is truly refreshing. He reminds us that it’s okay to laugh through the struggle, and that doing so can actually make the learning process more enjoyable—and a lot more hopeful.

One of my favorite segments is called “It Could Be Worse.” In this hilarious (and oddly comforting) part of the show, listeners submit their own reactive dog horror stories to prove that, yes, it really can be worse. While many of the stories are told with a sense of humor, they serve a bigger purpose—they remind us we’re not alone, and that maybe, just maybe, our dog isn’t quite as wild as we thought. 

Being a reactive dog owner can feel incredibly isolating. Maybe the people around you don’t quite understand why you’re so cautious about where you bring your dog. Maybe you’ve overheard judgmental comments from strangers, or you find yourself constantly comparing your pup to the calm, well-behaved dogs you see out in public—the ones you wish yours could emulate.

This exact feeling is what inspired me to start this blog: to help normalize reactivity and remind you that you’re not alone. There’s a whole community of us out here, navigating similar struggles. That’s why I’m such a fan of podcasts like Tom’s—he doesn’t just talk about reactivity, he gets it. And he makes sure you feel seen, heard, and supported every step of the way. 

Thanks to his background as a veterinarian, Tom does an incredible job breaking down the why behind reactivity. He explains the science behind how our dogs’ minds work in a way that’s easy to understand—and even better, he pairs that knowledge with empathy. His approach is rooted in love, patience, and understanding, all backed by science. It’s the perfect balance of heart and expertise.

I’m genuinely excited to keep listening and learning—there’s always something new to take away, whether it’s a helpful tip, a practical strategy, or just a much-needed laugh. I highly recommend checking out this podcast whether you have a reactive dog or not. The more we educate ourselves and the people around us, the more progress we can make—for our dogs and for the entire community.