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:

#136 - Try It: New Cue, Same Trick (and Why It Matters) Oct 13, 2025

Show notes

What if you could teach your pet not just one way to understand a cue, but multiple ways — or even help them notice their own body as a signal? That’s the magic of cue transfers, and in this episode, Emily breaks down how to do it step by step.

From teaching a reliable sit with both verbal and hand cues, to empowering your pet to recognize when they need a safe space, cue transfers can make life easier, communication clearer, and your pet’s agency stronger. You’ll also learn common mistakes to avoid so you can set your learner up for success from the start.

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

1️⃣ Start with fluency. Make sure your learner really knows the behavior with one cue before you try to add another.

2️⃣ New cue first, old cue second. The new signal should predict the old one to create a strong, clear association.

3️⃣ Empower with environment & body cues. Cue transfers can help pets learn to self-regulate or respond to environmental triggers without needing you to step in.

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

#135 - Trick or Treat? When Enrichment Isn't Enriching Oct 06, 2025

Show notes

Sometimes enrichment doesn’t go the way we planned. Maybe the activity is too easy, too hard, too arousing, or just plain unsustainable. In this episode, Allie and Emily pull back the curtain on the common pitfalls that turn “enrichment” into air quotes enrichment (aka, not enrichment at all).

You’ll hear everything from professional confessions (yes, even experts have tantrums when their pets need more than expected) to client stories that remind us why individual needs matter more than breed stereotypes. Whether you’ve been tricked by enrichment guilt, overcomplicating your plan, or assuming “more is always better,” this episode will help you find that sweet spot where enrichment actually improves your pet’s quality of life.
TLDL (too long, didn’t listen): 3 Key Takeaways

1️⃣ Enrichment is about outcomes, not activities – If your pet’s welfare isn’t improving, it’s not enrichment (no matter how fancy the toy).

2️⃣ Find the Goldilocks zone – Too much, too little, too easy, or too hard all miss the mark. Matching challenge to skill level is key.

3️⃣ Sustainability matters – Enrichment should work for you too. Simple, DIY solutions often win over complicated, costly ones.

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

#134 - Try It: Identify Your Home's Grumble & Growl Zones Sep 29, 2025

Show notes

Ever notice your pet getting tense in certain spots around your house? Spaces like the hallway, under the table, or right next to you on the couch? Those tricky spaces might actually be grumble or growl zones.

In this episode, Pet Harmony behavior consultant MaryKaye walks you through what these zones are, how to spot them, and simple steps you can take to prevent conflict before it happens. Whether you share your home with dogs, cats, or even bunnies, you’ll learn how to identify areas that could spark tension, rearrange your space to reduce stress, and give your pets safe, comfortable places to relax.

You’ll leave this episode with practical strategies for management, creating pet-friendly safe zones, and reading your pet’s body language so you can keep everyone in the family safe and happy.

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

1️⃣ Grumble vs. Growl Zones – Grumble zones are crowded spaces without escape routes; growl zones are tight spaces, without an escape path and/or there is a valued resource nearby.

2️⃣ Management is Your Friend – Tools like baby gates and rearranging furniture aren’t failures—they’re simple, effective ways to keep pets and kids safe.

3️⃣ Read the Subtle Signs – Learning your pet’s ladder of escalation and body language helps you intervene early and prevent conflicts before they escalate.
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!

#133 - How to Incorporate Kids Into Your Pet's Enrichment Plan Sep 22, 2025

Show notes

Parenting is already a full-time job, and when you add pets into the mix, things can feel overwhelming. But what if your kids could actually help make pet care easier and more fun? In this episode, Emily is joined by fellow Pet Harmony consultant (and mom of two) Corinne to talk about the why and how of including kids in your pet’s enrichment plan.

You’ll hear real-life stories, practical strategies, and a whole lot of grace for parents who are just trying to juggle it all. From meal prep and foraging games to safe interactions, training tasks, and even gamifying management plans, this conversation will leave you with simple, actionable ways to help your kids and pets thrive together.

#132 - Are You Self-Sabotaging? Sep 15, 2025

Show notes

Do you ever catch yourself thinking, “Either I have to do X, or Y terrible thing will happen”? Welcome to dichotomous thinking, one of the sneakiest forms of self-sabotage we fall into. In this episode, Allie and Emily unpack how binary thinking shows up in our industry (and in life), why it’s such a trap, and how to start climbing out of it.

Along the way, you’ll hear stories about superheroes and supervillains, cleavers vs. paring knives, and a very personal example with Copper that shows just how limiting “either/or” thinking can be—even for seasoned professionals. By the end, you’ll have tools to notice when you’re stuck in false dichotomies and strategies to find more creative, compassionate options for you, your clients, and your pets.

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

1️⃣ Dichotomous Thinking = Sneaky Self-Sabotage – Believing you only have two options shuts down creativity, learning, and better solutions.

2️⃣ Spotting the Trap – Watch for “either/or” statements, zero-sum feelings, and the urge to prove someone 100% right or wrong.

3️⃣ Breaking Free – Get curious, ask better questions, bring in other perspectives, and remember: there are usually more than two ways forward.

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! 💛

#131 - Why Training Mechanics Aren't Enough Sep 08, 2025

Show notes

You can have the fanciest training plan in the world—but if you skip the “soft” skills, you’re building on shaky ground. This week, Allie and Emily dive into the four soft skills that make everything else work: observation, curiosity, flexibility, and empathy. Along the way, you’ll hear about Oso’s epic garden-bed heists, why boob pillows aren’t just for people, and the heartbreaking moment Miley met a bonsai. It’s equal parts practical advice and “oh-my-gosh-same” moments you’ll want to share with every pet person you know.

TLDL (too long, didn’t listen):

1️⃣ Observation – Go beyond surface-level body language and look for subtle environmental and behavioral patterns that tell a deeper story.

2️⃣ Curiosity – Ask “why” with openness, make hypotheses, and be okay with being wrong—it’s how you get to the real answers.

3️⃣ Flexibility & Empathy – Be willing to pivot, simplify, and view the situation from your learner’s perspective so everyone’s needs get met.

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! 💛

#130 - Mike Agruss: A Nuanced Approach to Dog Bite Advocacy Sep 01, 2025

Show notes

Content Warning: This episode does include discussion of dog bites.

When a dog bite happens, emotions run high—fear, guilt, anger, confusion. In today’s episode, host Emily Strong is joined by Mark Agruss, a personal injury attorney out of Illinois. For over two decades, attorney Mike Agruss has stood beside clients navigating those stressful moments, advocating not just for their rights, but for a fair and nuanced approach that considers both people and dogs. In this conversation, Mike shares how his own dog bite experience shaped his empathetic yet effective legal work, why insurance is a critical but often overlooked safety net, and the simple steps that can prevent life-changing incidents.

We dig into dog bite statistics, what they do—and don’t—tell us, common misunderstandings about “dangerous breeds,” and the intersection of legal advocacy, prevention, and responsible pet guardianship. If you live with dogs, work with dogs, or love dogs, this episode will shift the way you think about safety, liability, and advocacy.

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

1️⃣ Insurance is non-negotiable – Whether you own or rent, make sure your policy covers dog bites. It’s an inexpensive safeguard that can prevent devastating financial fallout.

2️⃣ Prevention is powerful – Simple management strategies—like giving dogs a quiet space away from parties or teaching kids respectful interactions—can stop most bites before they happen.

3️⃣ Dog bite cases are about insurance, not revenge – Pursuing a claim doesn’t mean targeting the dog or its owner; it’s about accessing the coverage that exists to help everyone move forward.

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! 💛

#129 - Q&A: All About Anxiety in Dogs Aug 25, 2025

Show notes

Wondering if your dog will “grow out of” anxiety? Or if a sit-stay will solve their fear of strangers? This Q&A episode clears up the most common misunderstandings about anxiety in dogs and gives you the tools to actually help.

Allie, Emily, and Ellen break down the difference between anxiety, fear, and reactivity; why breed stereotypes don’t dictate destiny; and how to tell if your dog’s “happy” behavior might actually be stress in disguise. You’ll also hear why some well-meaning training advice can make things worse and what to do instead to set your dog (and yourself) up for calmer, more confident days.

TLDL (too long, didn’t listen):

1️⃣ Anxiety ≠ Fear ≠ Reactivity – Anxiety is anticipation, fear is reaction, and reactivity can be rooted in many things (including excitement). They look different, and they call for different kinds of support.

2️⃣ Play isn’t always “happy” – Species-typical behaviors can be fueled by stress, so look for tension and avoidance before assuming needs are met.

3️⃣ Training choices matter – Basic obedience or “just let them get over it” approaches rarely help. Instead, focus on meeting needs, building coping skills, and creating a safe, predictable environment.

Links & Resources from the Episode

🧾 For full episode transcripts: Arial | OpenDyslexic

🎧 Episode #120 - Why Your Pet Needs a Safe Space (and How to Make One)
📚 Gardening, Wasps, and Anxiety
✅ Let me sniff! Nosework induces positive judgment bias in pet dogs

🎧 Episode #112 - Try It: Teach Your Dog "Find It" From Scratch

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! 💛

#128 - Try it: How to Find Indoor Activities for Dogs on Hot Days Aug 18, 2025

Show notes

When the temperatures soar, it can feel like your only option is to survive summer with the AC cranked up and a bored dog staring at you, but we’ve got your back. In this "Try It" episode of Enrichment for the Real World, Emily shares practical, low-effort indoor activities that meet your dog’s enrichment needs when going outside just isn’t safe.

You’ll learn how to turn your dog’s favorite outdoor activities into equally fulfilling indoor options, how to tweak and test your ideas to find what actually works for your pup, and why chaos goblin play is a valid enrichment strategy. Keep it simple. Keep it fun. And keep your dog from climbing the walls this summer.

TLDL (too long, didn’t listen):

1️⃣ Adapt outdoor activities to indoor needs – Observe what your dog gets out of favorite outdoor pastimes (like physical exercise, sensory stimulation, or social interaction) and find creative ways to meet those same needs inside.

2️⃣ Test your ideas like a behavior scientist – Try new activities and watch how your dog responds. Did it meet their needs? Were they engaged? If not, tweak and try again.

3️⃣ Simplicity and sustainability win – You don’t need complicated setups or fancy gear. A few treats, a cardboard box, and a willingness to play like a chaos goblin can go a long way.

Links & Resources from the Episode

🧾 For full episode transcripts: Arial | OpenDyslexic

🎧 Episode #111 – Scent Work for Dogs: Enrichment That Supports the Whole Household (includes Anywhere But Here Protocol)

📚 Trash to Treasure: How We Use Recycled Enrichment to Support Natural Pet Behaviors

🎧 #86 – Q&A: Indoor Enrichment Activities Ideas
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! 💛

#127 - Summer Enrichment Activities Aug 11, 2025

Show notes

Summer heat getting in the way of your enrichment goals? You’re not alone. In this episode of Enrichment for the Real World, Allie and Emily break down their favorite summer enrichment activities into three easy categories: indoor alternatives, water-based outdoor options, and frozen fun. Whether you have a wrestling bulldozer or a scentwork-loving rule follower, there’s something here to help your pet stay safe, stimulated, and cool as a cucumber.

From ice trifles to hallway hide-and-seek, wrestling matches to misty romps through the sprinkler, this episode is packed with realistic, creative, and customizable ideas that embrace how enrichment really works when the weather is less-than-cooperative. Plus, a few pro tips on how not to end up in the ER this summer.

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

1️⃣ Indoor Swaps for Outdoor Fun – Activities like flirt pole, tug, scent work, and food puzzles can all be brought indoors with a little creativity and adaptation for your space and your dog.

2️⃣ Water is Your Summer Superpower – Whether it’s lakes, misters, sprinklers, or DIY cooling strategies, water can turn hot weather into a safe and satisfying enrichment experience.

3️⃣ Frozen Isn’t Just for Disney – Frozen enrichment, from simple broth cubes to elaborate “ice trifles,” gives pets long-lasting activities and serious cooling power.

Links & Resources from the Episode

🧾 For full episode transcripts: Arial | OpenDyslexic

🎧 Episode #111 – Scent Work for Dogs: Enrichment That Supports the Whole Household

📚 Trash to Treasure: How We Use Recycled Enrichment to Support Natural Pet Behaviors

✅ Stuffing a Pupcicle (video)

🎧 #86 – Q&A: Indoor Enrichment Activities Ideas
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! 💛

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