Enrichment for the Real World

Pet Harmony Animal Behavior and Training
  • 5.0 (47)
  • PETS & ANIMALS
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

You've dedicated your life to helping animals- just like us.  Emily Strong was training praying mantids at 7.  Allie Bender was telling her neighbor to refill their bird feeder because the birds were hungry at 2.  You're an animal person; you get it.  We've always been animal people. We've been wanting to better animals' lives since forever, so we made a podcast for people like us.  Join Emily and Allie, the authors of Canine Enrichment for the Real World, for everything animal care- from meeting animals' needs to assessing goals to filling our own cups as caregivers and guardians. 

  1. #153 - Why Dogs React Suddenly: Trigger Stacking

    1D AGO

    #153 - Why Dogs React Suddenly: Trigger Stacking

    Ever have one of those days where your dog absolutely loses their mind over something they handled fine yesterday, and you're left standing there like, “Cool, cool, cool, love this for us, what just happened?” That wasn’t random. And no, your training didn’t “stop working.” In this episode, we’re talking about trigger stacking (aka death by a thousand paper cuts). The stuff everyone sort of mentions, but usually only in the context of obvious triggers, like “too many dogs on a walk”, while completely ignoring the itchy ears, the bad sleep, the construction noise, the pain flare, the weird vibe from earlier in the day, and the fact that your dog has been holding it together with duct tape and good intentions. We break down why “zero to 60” isn’t actually a thing, how health and everyday stress quietly hijack your plans, and why you can’t train your way out of a body that’s overwhelmed. And because enrichment is for pets, their people, and the professionals that support them, we’re getting into how this applies to you. Because if you’ve ever snapped at an email, cried over “nothing”, or felt personally victimized by a minor inconvenience… congrats, you’ve experienced trigger stacking too. This episode isn’t about finding the one trigger to fix. It’s about zooming out, trading frustration for curiosity, and building plans that give all the nervous systems room to breathe. TLDL (too long, didn’t listen): 3 Key Takeaways  1️⃣ The blow-up wasn’t random - Trigger stacking is what happens when small stressors quietly add up until coping collapses. It isn’t random; it is cumulative. 2️⃣ Behavior is information, not a failure - When your dog can’t cope, that’s data about unmet needs. Don’t panic that your training is “broken”. 3️⃣ Trigger stacking calls for curiosity, not control -  Zooming out leads to better decisions, less guilt, and more sustainable support. For the full episode show notes, including the resources mentioned in this episode, go here. More from Pet Harmony Pet Parents: enrichment ideas and practical behavior tips 📸 Instagram & Facebook: @petharmonytraining Pet Pros: relatable moments and support for your work with pets and their people 📸 Instagram & TikTok: @petharmonypro 📬 Sign up for our weekly newsletter: https://petharmonytraining.com/join/ Subscribe & Review If this episode resonated with you, please take a moment to subscribe and review. It helps more pet parents and pros find us—and makes our tails wag every time. Thanks for being here!  PETPro isn't just another course. It's a community, it's a framework, and it's a support system designed to help you implement what you've learned, not just learn more stuff.  Registration is open now, so if this sounds like what you've been missing, head to https://petharmonytraining.com/petpro/ to submit your inquiry form.

    57 min
  2. #152 - Advocating for Your Anxious Dog as an Anxious Human

    FEB 2

    #152 - Advocating for Your Anxious Dog as an Anxious Human

    Advocating for your dog sounds simple, but it sure isn’t always easy. Your heart races, your brain goes blank, and a stranger (or family member 🙃) is giving you unsolicited advice while your dog is already at threshold. In this episode, Emily and MaryKaye dive into why advocating for your anxious dog can feel so overwhelming, especially when you’re an anxious human too. We unpack the very real nervous system load behind these moments, why “just set a boundary” isn’t always accessible in the heat of the moment, and how scripting, rehearsal, and compassionate planning can make advocacy feel doable instead of devastating. This isn’t about becoming fearless or perfectly confident. It’s about protecting your dog, your integrity, and your energy, and feeling good about it. TLDL (too long, didn’t listen): 3 Key Takeaways  1️⃣ Advocacy is a nervous system event, not a confidence issue - If your brain blanks or your body panics, that’s not a personal failure, it’s physiology. 2️⃣ You don’t owe anyone an explanation to protect your dog - Ending an unhelpful conversation is allowed, even if it disappoints someone. 3️⃣ Preparation is the intervention - Scripts, rehearsal, and visual signals lower cognitive load and prevent stress for both you and your dog. For the full episode show notes, including the resources mentioned in this episode, go here. More from Pet Harmony Pet Parents: enrichment ideas and practical behavior tips 📸 Instagram & Facebook: @petharmonytraining Pet Pros: relatable moments and support for your work with pets and their people 📸 Instagram & TikTok: @petharmonypro 📬 Sign up for our weekly newsletter: https://petharmonytraining.com/join/ Subscribe & Review If this episode resonated with you, please take a moment to subscribe and review. It helps more pet parents and pros find us—and makes our tails wag every time. Thanks for being here! 💛 PETPro isn't just another course. It's a community, it's a framework, and it's a support system designed to help you implement what you've learned, not just learn more stuff.  Registration is open now, so if this sounds like what you've been missing, head to https://petharmonytraining.com/petpro/ to submit your inquiry form.

    49 min
  3. #151 - Labels: Helpful or Harmful?

    JAN 26

    #151 - Labels: Helpful or Harmful?

    Labels are everywhere: reactive dog, bad pet parent, confident trainer, resilient learner. They’re meant to simplify things, and while they can be helpful, sometimes they do the opposite. In this episode, Emily and Ellen unpack how labels shape our expectations, our compassion, and our sense of what’s possible. They explore when labels can be useful shorthand, and when they turn into invisible cages that weigh us (and our pets) down. This is a reflective, nuance‑forward conversation about identity, learning history, environment, and why describing what we see is often far more powerful than naming what we judge. TLDL (too long, didn’t listen): 3 Key Takeaways  1️⃣ Labels are tools, not truths - Labels can help us communicate efficiently, but they become harmful when we mistake them for fixed identities or predictions about the future. 2️⃣ Descriptive language restores possibility - Shifting from labels to observable behaviors helps us see context, environment, and change pathways more clearly. 3️⃣ Even “positive” labels carry baggage - Compliments like resilient, easy, or smart can quietly create pressure, burnout, and unfair expectations. For the full episode show notes, including the resources mentioned in this episode, go here. More from Pet Harmony Pet Parents: enrichment ideas and practical behavior tips 📸 Instagram & Facebook: @petharmonytraining Pet Pros: relatable moments and support for your work with pets and their people 📸 Instagram & TikTok: @petharmonypro 📬 Sign up for our weekly newsletter: https://petharmonytraining.com/join/ Subscribe & Review If this episode resonated with you, please take a moment to subscribe and review. It helps more pet parents and pros find us—and makes our tails wag every time. Thanks for being here! 💛 PETPro isn't just another course. It's a community, it's a framework, and it's a support system designed to help you implement what you've learned, not just learn more stuff.  Registration is open now, so if this sounds like what you've been missing, head to https://petharmonytraining.com/petpro/ to submit your inquiry form.

    44 min
  4. #150 - If You Aren’t Doing It, It's Not Doable

    JAN 19

    #150 - If You Aren’t Doing It, It's Not Doable

    Hi, do you keep telling yourself, “I know what to do, I just need to actually do it?” Welcome.  In this episode, Emily and Tiffany unpack a hard (and oddly relieving) truth: when something isn’t happening, it’s usually a design problem, not a motivation problem. More effort, more discipline, or more information won’t fix a plan that doesn’t fit real life. From nail trims and walks to client plans, business routines, and professional growth, Emily and Tiffany talk about why you shouldn’t be trying harder; instead, try different. The goal isn’t doing less because you care less. It’s designing systems that are actually doable, for real humans, real pets, and real lives. TLDL (too long, didn’t listen): 3 Key Takeaways  1️⃣ If you aren’t doing it, that’s data – It’s not a character flaw. Inconsistent follow-through usually means the plan doesn’t fit your reality. Shame won’t fix that, but redesigning might. 2️⃣ Fit your plans to life, not life to the plan – When we stop designing for an ideal world and start designing for the one we’re actually living in, progress gets a lot more accessible. 3️⃣ Doing less doesn’t mean you care less – Just because something is simple, smooth, and easy, doesn’t mean you care less, or aren’t doing enough. For the full episode show notes, including the resources mentioned in this episode, go here. More from Pet Harmony Pet Parents: enrichment ideas and practical behavior tips 📸 Instagram & Facebook: @petharmonytraining Pet Pros: relatable moments and support for your work with pets and their people 📸 Instagram & TikTok: @petharmonypro 📬 Sign up for our weekly newsletter: https://petharmonytraining.com/join/ Subscribe & Review If this episode resonated with you, please take a moment to subscribe and review. It helps more pet parents and pros find us—and makes our tails wag every time. Thanks for being here! 💛 PETPro isn't just another course. It's a community, it's a framework, and it's a support system designed to help you implement what you've learned, not just learn more stuff.  Registration is open now, so if this sounds like what you've been missing, head to https://petharmonytraining.com/petpro/ to submit your inquiry form.

    56 min
  5. #149 - The Dangers of “Enrichment”

    JAN 12

    #149 - The Dangers of “Enrichment”

    When we say The Dangers of “Enrichment”, the air quotes are doing a lot of work. In this episode, Emily and Ellen unpack how things labeled as enrichment can actually aggressively miss the mark. From the “more is better” mindset to breed-specific expectations and enrichment-as-micromanagement, we talk about how well-intended plans can quietly strip learners of agency, communication skills, and stress resilience. This one comes straight from what we see in homes and sessions every day. Don’t worry, we’re also coming for ourselves! If enrichment has ever felt like something you have to get “right” instead of something that supports you and your pet, this episode is for you. TLDL (too long, didn’t listen): 3 Key Takeaways  1️⃣ Communication is a need, not a bonus skill – When learners never get the chance to want something, they never get to practice asking for it. Letting needs show up is how communication develops. 2️⃣ Discomfort isn’t the enemy – Real enrichment helps learners build resilience and interoceptive skills so they can handle life’s challenges, not avoid them forever. 3️⃣ If it feels unsustainable, it probably is unsustainable – Burnout in the human is often a sign that the plan needs adjustment, not that you’re doing enrichment badly. For the full episode show notes, including the resources mentioned in this episode, go here. More from Pet Harmony Pet Parents: enrichment ideas and practical behavior tips 📸 Instagram & Facebook: @petharmonytraining Pet Pros: relatable moments and support for your work with pets and their people 📸 Instagram & TikTok: @petharmonypro 📬 Sign up for our weekly newsletter: https://petharmonytraining.com/join/ Subscribe & Review If this episode resonated with you, please take a moment to subscribe and review. It helps more pet parents and pros find us—and makes our tails wag every time. Thanks for being here! 💛 PETPro isn't just another course. It's a community, it's a framework, and it's a support system designed to help you implement what you've learned, not just learn more stuff.  Registration is open now, so if this sounds like what you've been missing, head to https://petharmonytraining.com/petpro/ to submit your inquiry form.

    48 min
  6. #148 - You’re Getting Enrichment Wrong

    JAN 5

    #148 - You’re Getting Enrichment Wrong

    You’re getting enrichment wrong. Yeah, we said it. (Lovingly.) In this episode, Emily and Allie unpack why enrichment so often feels overwhelming, guilt-inducing, or impossible to “do right.” Spoiler alert: it’s not because you’re failing.  We talk about what enrichment actually is (and what it definitely isn’t), why novelty and fancy setups are optional, and how separating “training,” “management,” and “enrichment” can make behavior change harder than it needs to be. Allie and Emily share real stories from real animals and real clients to show how meeting needs creates an environment for learning, better outcomes, and way less pressure on everyone involved. If you’ve ever felt like you’re not doing enough for your pet (or your clients), this episode is your reminder that enrichment isn’t about doing more. Enrichment is about doing what matters. TLDL (too long, didn’t listen): 3 Key Takeaways  1️⃣ Enrichment isn’t defined by novelty, toys, or aesthetics. – If it reduces harm, improves welfare, and helps an animal meet their needs, it’s enrichment. If it doesn’t work for the individual in front of you, it isn’t enrichment. No matter how “correct” it looks on paper or online. 2️⃣ Training works better in an enriched environment. – Enrichment isn’t an add-on or a bonus. When needs are met, training gets easier, clients follow through more, and behavior change becomes sustainable. 3️⃣ You don’t have to be perfect – Real-world enrichment happens within real-world constraints. Shifting from guilt and comparison to curiosity and problem-solving is often the most impactful change you can make. For the full episode show notes, including the resources mentioned in this episode, go here. More from Pet Harmony Pet Parents: enrichment ideas and practical behavior tips 📸 Instagram & Facebook: @petharmonytraining Pet Pros: relatable moments and support for your work with pets and their people 📸 Instagram & TikTok: @petharmonypro 📬 Sign up for our weekly newsletter: https://petharmonytraining.com/join/ Subscribe & Review If this episode resonated with you, please take a moment to subscribe and review. It helps more pet parents and pros find us—and makes our tails wag every time. Thanks for being here! 💛 PETPro isn't just another course. It's a community, it's a framework, and it's a support system designed to help you implement what you've learned, not just learn more stuff.  Registration is open now, so if this sounds like what you've been missing, head to https://petharmonytraining.com/petpro/ to submit your inquiry form.

    45 min
  7. #147 - Old Skill, New Scenario: Using What You Already Know

    12/29/2025

    #147 - Old Skill, New Scenario: Using What You Already Know

    If your first response to a new behavior challenge is “I need to learn something new,” this episode is for you. Ellen and Emily talk about why “new” isn’t always the answer, and how to make the most of the skills already in your toolbox. From spooky sedation stories to “my perfect puppy isn’t perfect anymore” meltdowns, they’ll help you see that the solutions you need might already be sitting right there, waiting to be dusted off. TLDL (too long, didn’t listen): 3 Key Takeaways  1️⃣Solid foundations beat shiny new tools - The basics, done well, solve more problems than you’d think. 2️⃣Generalization is underrated - The real magic happens when you and your pet can use familiar tools in new ways. 3️⃣ You’re not starting over. You’re leveling up - Every challenge is just another chance to practice what you already know. For the full episode show notes, including the resources mentioned in this episode, go here. More from Pet Harmony Pet Parents: enrichment ideas and practical behavior tips 📸 Instagram & Facebook: @petharmonytraining Pet Pros: relatable moments and support for your work with pets and their people 📸 Instagram & TikTok: @petharmonypro 📬 Sign up for our weekly newsletter: https://petharmonytraining.com/join/ Subscribe & Review If this episode resonated with you, please take a moment to subscribe and review. It helps more pet parents and pros find us—and makes our tails wag every time. Thanks for being here! 💛 PETPro isn't just another course. It's a community, it's a framework, and it's a support system designed to help you implement what you've learned, not just learn more stuff.  Registration is open now, so if this sounds like what you've been missing, head to https://petharmonytraining.com/petpro/ to submit your inquiry form.

    48 min
  8. #146 - Try It: Create Your Enrichment Menu

    12/22/2025

    #146 - Try It: Create Your Enrichment Menu

    Ever find yourself staring at your pet thinking, “What do we even do for enrichment again?” Same. Today we’re walking through how to build your pet’s Enrichment Menu: a simple, sanity-saving list of activities you already know help you and your pet. We’ll chat through how to brain-dump everything you’ve ever tried, how to remember what actually worked, and how to sort it all out so Future You (the tired, overwhelmed, “I can’t handle one more thing” version) can grab the right option without thinking. Whether you’re prepping for a big life change or just trying to survive a Tuesday, your enrichment menu can make meeting your pet’s needs feel doable, even when you’re oh so tired.  TLDL (too long, didn’t listen): 3 Key Takeaways  1️⃣ Your brain isn’t broken – When life gets messy, it’s normal to forget all the good things you’ve done with your pet. Reduce your cognitive load and create a reference menu.  2️⃣ The magic is in knowing the outcome, not just the activity – Not all activities are enrichment, but most activities are effort. Tracking how each activity affects your pet helps you choose what they need right now. 3️⃣ Categorizing by effort + effectiveness = stress-saving clarity – Sorting activities into four buckets makes it easy to grab a high-effect, low-effort option when you’re exhausted, or proactively plan ahead when a big life change is coming. For the full episode show notes, including the resources mentioned in this episode, go here. More from Pet Harmony Pet Parents: enrichment ideas and practical behavior tips 📸 Instagram & Facebook: @petharmonytraining Pet Pros: relatable moments and support for your work with pets and their people 📸 Instagram & TikTok: @petharmonypro 📬 Sign up for our weekly newsletter: https://petharmonytraining.com/join/ Subscribe & Review If this episode resonated with you, please take a moment to subscribe and review. It helps more pet parents and pros find us—and makes our tails wag every time. Thanks for being here! 💛 PETPro isn't just another course. It's a community, it's a framework, and it's a support system designed to help you implement what you've learned, not just learn more stuff.  Registration is open now, so if this sounds like what you've been missing, head to https://petharmonytraining.com/petpro/ to submit your inquiry form.

    13 min
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Trailer

5
out of 5
47 Ratings

About

You've dedicated your life to helping animals- just like us.  Emily Strong was training praying mantids at 7.  Allie Bender was telling her neighbor to refill their bird feeder because the birds were hungry at 2.  You're an animal person; you get it.  We've always been animal people. We've been wanting to better animals' lives since forever, so we made a podcast for people like us.  Join Emily and Allie, the authors of Canine Enrichment for the Real World, for everything animal care- from meeting animals' needs to assessing goals to filling our own cups as caregivers and guardians. 

Information

  • Creator
    Pet Harmony Animal Behavior and Training
  • Years Active
    2022 - 2026
  • Episodes
    154
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Enrichment for the Real World
  • Show Website
    Enrichment for the Real World

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