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:

#176 - My Dog's Barking Is Destroying Me Jul 22, 2026

Show notes

Does your dog barking make you jump out of your skin? Or send you down a shame spiral? Or have your dog’s triggers become your triggers? You are very much not alone. In this episode, we flip the script, and instead of asking, “How do I help my reactive dog?” we ask, “How can I help me, the reactive human?”

Join Emily and Ellen for a chat about when your dog’s (or bird’s, or donkey’s, or cat’s) noises don’t just annoy you, but send a startling jolt straight to your lizard brain. Because yes, vocalizations are normal, but finding harmony with your pet isn’t about suffering while they thrive.

TLDL (too long, didn’t listen): 3 Key Takeaways

1️⃣ Stop the bleeding first – Start with your right-now plan. What’s one thing you can do to make barking less painful for you?

2️⃣ Barking doesn’t automatically mean “over threshold” – We have to look at the whole picture and learn to observe body language with all our senses.

3️⃣ Find empathy for the reactivity – We can find tremendous empathy for reactive dogs. Let’s give ourselves the same grace.

For the full episode show notes, including the resources mentioned in this episode, go here.

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#175 - Get Your Dog to Relax Jul 13, 2026

Show notes

If you’ve been struggling to help your dog rest or relax, despite following protocols and trying your dangest, it’s time to zoom out and look at the environment.

This week, Emily and Veronica dig into the three common ways the environment gets in the way, and why the classroom we’re teaching in matters just as much as what we’re teaching.

TLDL (too long, didn’t listen): 3 Key Takeaways

1️⃣ Environment is the classroom – Predictability, safe space, and routine are what make relaxation possible in the first place.

2️⃣ Your dog's body is part of their environment – Pain, allergies, and temperature sensitivity all affect their capacity to relax.

3️⃣ One thing at a time – Don’t overhaul everything at once.
For the full episode show notes, including the resources mentioned in this episode, go here.

Amazon Affiliate Storefront

Find products we recommend at the Pet Harmony Amazon Storefront.

As an Amazon Associate, Pet Harmony earns from qualifying purchases.