Enrichment for the Real World

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.

Latest Episodes:

#66 - Lori Stevens: Movement and Exercise as Behavioral Therapy Jan 29, 2024

Show notes

In this week's interview episode, we're joined by Lori Stevens to talk about the intersection of physical and behavioral health for our pets through movement. In this episode, you’re going to hear Emily and Lori talk about:

What exercise is and isn’t about
Assessing what types of exercise are ideal for an animal
Cheap and free exercise options
The difference between canine fitness and movement work

You can find the full episode show notes here.

#65 - How to Avoid Common Enrichment Toy Mistakes Jan 22, 2024

Show notes

Last week we heard from David Roberts and one of the topics we discussed was getting the most out of your dog’s enrichment toys. This week we’re going to dive further into avoiding common enrichment toy mistakes and talk about implementation with the animals in your life.

In this implementation episode, Emily and Allie talk about:

The most annoying and accurate answer to almost every question ever
Why we need to teach how to use toys
Humans being humans and getting in the way

You can find the full episode show notes here.

#64 - David Roberts: Getting the Most Out of Your Dog's Enrichment Toys Jan 15, 2024

Show notes

In this week's interview episode, we're joined by David Roberts of Ulti-Mutt Dog Toys!

In this episode, you’re going to hear Emily and David talk about:

Data-driven processes for developing enrichment tools
Meeting animals’ needs in cost-effective ways
Troubleshooting dogs’ interest in toys
Sacrificial shoes

You can find the full episode show notes here.

#63 - MaryKaye Kendrick: Creating Harmonious Households for Dogs & Kids Jan 08, 2024

Show notes

In this week's episode, we are joined by MaryKaye Kendrick, one of our very own behavior consultants and mentors. MaryKaye is a phenomenal educator, teacher, trainer, and human with an incredible skill for empathy and compassion in each case.

In this episode, you'll hear Emily and MaryKaye talk about

Learner-centered teaching
Broadcasting body language for children
How to teach very young children dog skills
The importance of protected contact when working with kids and dogs.

You can find the full episode show notes here.

#62 - Q&A: Handling the Holidays Nov 06, 2023

Show notes

This week, we're wrapping up Season 5 with our Q&A episode to answer your fantastic questions!

In this episode you'll hear Allie, Emily, and Ellen talk about:

Dig pits for dogs
Freeing the operant and how it relates to enrichment
Handling the holidays

You can find the full show notes here.

#61 - Everything in Moderation Oct 30, 2023

Show notes

Last week we heard from Kalyn Holl and one of the topics we discussed was living a life in moderation. This week we’re going to dive further into everything in moderation and talk about implementation with the animals in your life.

In this implementation episode, Emily and Allie talk about:

How behaviors aren’t necessarily good or bad
The dangers of all-or-nothing thinking
A malamute who didn’t want to run

You can find the full show notes here.

#60 - Kalyn Holl: Sled Dogs and Reindeer Oct 23, 2023

Show notes

In this week's interview episode, we are joined by Kalyn Holl, the Head Reindeer Trainer at Chena Outdoor Collective. Whether training reindeer, teaching education programs, or competing in sled dog races, Kalyn brings a beautiful perspective to their training. In this episode, you'll hear Kalyn and Emily talk about:

Letting the animal tell you what they need
Living a life in moderation
How reindeer are lazier than caribou

You can find the full episode show notes here.

#59 - Leading with Curiosity Oct 16, 2023

Show notes

Last week we heard from Christina Horne and one of the topics we discussed was Systems for Navigating Service Dog training and society. This week we’re going to dive further into leading with curiosity and how that helps you navigate society and pet parenting and talk about implementation with the animals in your life.

In this implementation episode, Emily and Allie talk about:

Why having a curious mindset can be difficult
How the rat is never wrong
Assuming the best intentions

You can find the full show notes here.

#58 - Christina Horne: Systems for Navigating Service Dog Training & Society Oct 09, 2023

Show notes

In this week's interview episode, we're joined by Christina Horne. Christina delights in working with people and animals alike and has such a fresh take on teaching and training and the relationship between teachers and learners.

In this episode, you’re going to hear Emily and Christina talk about:

Giving your learners space to just do things
The power dynamic in the teacher/learner relationship
Acknowledging privilege and marginalization
Check yourself before you wreck your learner

You can find the full episode show notes here.

#57 - Providing Environmental Complexity Oct 02, 2023

Show notes

Last week we heard from Darian Fambro and one of the topics we discussed was environmental diversity. This week we’re going to dive further into providing environmental diversity and talk about implementation with the animals in your life.

In this implementation episode, Emily and Allie talk about:

How we provide environmental diversity for our own pets
Why Oso has a shredding space
As we’ve said before, more is not more

You can find the full show notes here.

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