Welcome to Dogs Anonymous, the Online Support Group for People With Difficult Dogs

The cost of professional dog training and unrealistic expectations from social media now have a widely accessible, affordable alternative for owners facing behavioral challenges.

Dogs Anonymous, founded in 2025 by Louise Crane, Daphne Mendoza-Tervanis, and Jerri Scherff, is an online support group offering a judgment-free space for individuals struggling with challenging dog behaviors. Mimicking the structure of Alcoholics Anonymous, the nonprofit focuses on emotional support and training advice from animal behavior experts, emphasizing anonymity and shared experiences. Weekly Zoom meetings address a range of issues, from aggression and resource guarding to demand barking and anxiety, and are attended by a global community of dog owners, including first-time owners, experienced handlers, and even trainers. The group prioritizes the owner's well-being, acknowledging the shame, embarrassment, and caregiver burden often associated with difficult dog ownership. This initiative aims to combat the isolation reported by a significant percentage of owners dealing with behavioral problems, offering a community to "share your experience, strength and hope."

Dogs Anonymous has identified a significant gap in the market for accessible, community-based support for dog owners experiencing behavioral issues. By mirroring the successful 12-step model, they are tapping into a proven method for fostering long-term engagement and peer-to-peer support, which may prove more sustainable than traditional training consults alone. The organization's focus on the owner's emotional well-being directly addresses the growing understanding of the psychological toll of pet ownership, particularly when expectations don't align with reality.

This model could signal a broader shift towards prioritizing human support systems in pet care, acknowledging that owner distress is often a primary driver of behavioral problems or owner surrender. Competitors in the pet tech and services space may need to consider offering more integrated emotional support components or community features to retain users who seek more than just technical training solutions. The emphasis on anonymity and shared experience suggests that fostering a strong sense of belonging is key to member retention and efficacy.