Enrichment for the Real World

Pet Harmony Animal Behavior and Training
  • 5.0 (46)
  • 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. #150 - If You Aren’t Doing It, It's Not Doable

    1D AGO

    #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! 💛 Pet professionals, come hang out with us! We're hosting FREE PETPro Public Office Hours. We've got Q&As, deep dives, and even a happy hour where you can meet our community and ask what it's really like to be in the program.  See the office hour schedule, and grab your spot at http://petharmonytraining.com/experience.  We can't wait to see you there!

    55 min
  2. #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! 💛 Pet professionals, come hang out with us! We're hosting FREE PETPro Public Office Hours. We've got Q&As, deep dives, and even a happy hour where you can meet our community and ask what it's really like to be in the program.  See the office hour schedule, and grab your spot at http://petharmonytraining.com/experience.  We can't wait to see you there!

    48 min
  3. #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! 💛 Pet professionals, come hang out with us! We're hosting FREE PETPro Public Office Hours. We've got Q&As, deep dives, and even a happy hour where you can meet our community and ask what it's really like to be in the program.  See the office hour schedule, and grab your spot at http://petharmonytraining.com/experience.  We can't wait to see you there!

    44 min
  4. #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! 💛 Pet professionals, come hang out with us! We're hosting FREE PETPro Public Office Hours. We've got Q&As, deep dives, and even a happy hour where you can meet our community and ask what it's really like to be in the program.  See the office hour schedule, and grab your spot at http://petharmonytraining.com/experience.  We can't wait to see you there!

    48 min
  5. #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! 💛 Pet professionals, come hang out with us! We're hosting FREE PETPro Public Office Hours. We've got Q&As, deep dives, and even a happy hour where you can meet our community and ask what it's really like to be in the program.  See the office hour schedule, and grab your spot at http://petharmonytraining.com/experience.  We can't wait to see you there!

    13 min
  6. #145 - Q&A: Dog Sociability

    12/15/2025

    #145 - Q&A: Dog Sociability

    This week’s episode is built entirely from your questions! And honestly, we love that. Listener Q&As are some of our favorite conversations because they give us a window into what real pet parents and pros are navigating right now. And this batch? Chef’s kiss. We’re diving into the big topics you sent in about dog sociability: the difference between sociability and affiliation, what’s actually going on when teeth meet skin, and why a dog who once lived for the dog park now wants nothing to do with it. Along the way, we unpack why those labels you’ve heard tossed around (“mouthing,” “intentional biting,” “exploratory biting”) don’t always tell us what we really need to know. If you’ve ever stared at your dog thinking, “Is this normal?” or “Why did that change?” — you’re in the right place. Keep the questions coming; they make these episodes richer, more grounded, and way more fun. TLDL (too long, didn’t listen): 3 Key Takeaways  1️⃣ Sociability is a pattern, affiliation is a moment – Affiliative behaviors happen in context, while sociability is about how often a dog seeks social interaction in general. One good interaction doesn’t mean a dog wants a playgroup, and that’s not a character flaw. 2️⃣ Instead of labeling the bite, look at the impact – Whether it’s “intentional,” “exploratory,” or “mouthing,” the questions that matter are: Is someone getting hurt? Is the human distressed? Is it developmentally appropriate? The labels are less important than the safety and support everyone needs. 3️⃣ Social needs change with age – It’s normal for dogs who used to love dog parks or daycare to outgrow them. Aging, physical changes, maturing social preferences, or simply “I’m over this” are all valid. Adjust your enrichment plan to the dog you have today, not the dog you had at 8 months old. 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! 💛 Pet professionals, come hang out with us! We're hosting FREE PETPro Public Office Hours. We've got Q&As, deep dives, and even a happy hour where you can meet our community and ask what it's really like to be in the program.  See the office hour schedule, and grab your spot at http://petharmonytraining.com/experience.  We can't wait to see you there!

    38 min
  7. #144 - Learning Over Threshold?

    12/08/2025

    #144 - Learning Over Threshold?

    Ever try to teach your dog something new only to realize both of you are way too stressed to even remember your own names? Same. In this episode, Emily and our newest Pet Harmony team member, Veronica Garcia, dive into the “thinking and learning zone”. Learn what it looks like, why it matters, and why your dog suddenly forgets literally everything the minute stress walks into the room. We talk about how bodies (yours and your pet’s) do weird things under stress, how foundational skills matter way more than they get credit for, and why sometimes the best thing you can do is skip the walk and grab a frozen lick mat. Veronica brings her vet-med and behavior background to the table with real-life examples, plus some “yep, been there” moments from her own pups. If you’ve ever wondered why training feels so hard on “one of those days,” this episode will help you breathe, regroup, and get everyone back into the zone where learning actually sticks. TLDL (too long, didn’t listen): 3 Key Takeaways  1️⃣ Just because you can, doesn’t mean you should – Learning during high levels of stress can happen, but it’s usually not the learning we want. If your dog (or you) is already over threshold, the goal shifts from “teach the thing” to “get everyone back to thinking/learning.” 2️⃣ Body language beats guessing every time – Understanding what you observe in your pet, their ears, eyes, tail, muscle tension, matters way more than the story in your head. When you know your dog’s actual ladder of escalation, you can step in early instead of trying to clean up a full-blown meltdown. 3️⃣ Support the human to support the pet – Clients (and pet parents in general) learn best when they are in the thinking and learning zone, too. If you’re a professional, things like open-ended questions, mirroring, and normalizing “life got lifey” helps people feel safe, supported, and actually able to do the work. 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! 💛 Pet professionals, come hang out with us! We're hosting FREE PETPro Public Office Hours. We've got Q&As, deep dives, and even a happy hour where you can meet our community and ask what it's really like to be in the program.  See the office hour schedule, and grab your spot at http://petharmonytraining.com/experience.  We can't wait to see you there!

    1h 10m
  8. #143 - Enriching Your Pet When You Feel Like You’re Drowning

    12/01/2025

    #143 - Enriching Your Pet When You Feel Like You’re Drowning

    Sometimes life hands you broken bones, cranky tendons, surprise vet trips, or a whole new set of limitations you definitely didn’t order. And meanwhile, your pet still needs… well, everything. In this episode, Emily and Allie talk about what happens when your needs and your pet’s needs feel impossibly misaligned.  They dig into emotional detachment (yep, it happens), guilt vs. grief, the fallacies our brains weaponize against us, and the surprisingly creative ways you can support your pet without sacrificing yourself. This one’s for anyone who has ever whispered, “I’m doing my best, I swear,” while tossing kibble across the yard from a lawn chair. TLDL (too long, didn’t listen): 1️⃣ You aren’t failing. Life is just happening. - Everyone hits moments when their needs and their pet’s needs don’t line up. It’s not a moral failing; it’s a normal part of being a human with a non-human roommate. 2️⃣Small, doable shifts beat “perfect” every time. - When circumstances get messy, creativity matters more than ideal routines. Adventure boxes, porch “find it” games, trusted helpers—tiny adjustments can carry you through big challenges. 3️⃣ You can’t problem-solve while beating yourself up. – Compassion leaves space for creativity. Remember to breathe. 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!  Pet professionals, come hang out with us! We're hosting FREE PETPro Public Office Hours. We've got Q&As, deep dives, and even a happy hour where you can meet our community and ask what it's really like to be in the program.  See the office hour schedule, and grab your spot at http://petharmonytraining.com/experience.  We can't wait to see you there!

    54 min
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5
out of 5
46 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
    151
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Enrichment for the Real World
  • Show Website
    Enrichment for the Real World

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