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.
#165 - Juliana DeWillems: Set Your Dog Up to Succeed (Without Guilt)
Management is one of the most underused and misunderstood tools in dog training. KPA CTP and author Juliana DeWillems (she/her) joins Emily to reframe management (aka antecedent arrangement) not as a shortcut or bandaid, but as behavior science done proactively. They explore why good management increases a dog's options rather than restricting them, how it ties directly into enrichment, and why guilt around "not training" gets in the way of genuinely good outcomes. And for the professionals in the audience, they also get honest about building a sustainable dog training career, and it may look different than you...
#164 - When Management Turns into Micromanagement
Is your dog’s management plan starting to feel more like a full-time job than a support system? In this episode, Emily and Tiffany break down the critical differences between strategic management and exhausting micromanagement. Whether you’re a pet parent feeling trapped in a plan that requires constant perfection, or a behavior professional wondering if your recommendations are actually building capacity, this episode is full of frameworks and real-world examples to help you think more clearly about what supportive management actually looks like.
TLDL (too long, didn’t listen): 3 Key Takeaways
1️⃣ ...
#163 - Fears from Pets Past
Have you ever found yourself bracing for a repeat of everything that went wrong with a previous pet? In this episode, Emily and Veronica get real about how our experiences with past pets shape how we show up for the animals in our lives right now. From shame spirals to hypervigilance to carrying baggage from past cases, they break down why this happens, why it matters, and what you can actually do about it to meet the pet in front of you.
TLDL (too long, didn’t listen): 3 Key Takeaways
1️⃣ Your feeling...
#162 - Choice, Control, Agency, and Predictability
You've heard the buzzwords: agency, choice, control, predictability. But if you've ever tried to implement all of them at once and you know it can feel like trying to juggle 100 balls. Emily and Allie break down why agency isn't a pass/fail ethical litmus test, but rather a set of individual dials you can turn up or down depending on your learner, your context, and your real-life constraints.
Whether you're working with a rescue dog who's never seen an open door as an option, a senior pup navigating the stairs, or yourself trying to make it through...
#161 - The Difference Between Safety and Security
Have you ever watched your dog happily bolt toward a car, completely unbothered, while another dog trembles in a loving, calm home? Both dogs are caught in the gap between being safe and feeling safe, and it turns out that gap matters enormously. In this episode, Emily and Ellen unpack the critical distinction between safety (objective protection from harm) and security (the felt sense of being protected), and explain why mixing them up is one of the most common reasons behavior plans stall.
Whether you're a pet parent exhausted by a dog who barks at the neighbor...
#160 - The Skill No Protocol Can Replace
Look. If memorizing protocols was the secret to being a great trainer, we'd all just hand out flashcards and call it a day. But that's not how this works, and deep down, you already know that.
Emily (she/they) and Ellen (she/her) are getting into the skills that actually make a difference, but aren’t found in any course catalog. It's what kicks in when the plan stops working, the client is struggling, and the dog just found a pine cone. Think of this as the protocol for when the protocols stop working. 😂
Whether you'r...
#159 - When Your Training Isn’t Showing Results in Real Life
You nail a training session. Your dog is locked in, responding beautifully, and you feel that rare rush of “we’ve got this.” Then real life shows up and your dog looks at you like you’ve never met. Sound familiar? Here’s the thing: that moment is not a failure. It’s not evidence that you’re doing it wrong or that your dog is broken. It’s just really good information.
In this episode, Allie and Emily unpack why training that looks solid in sessions doesn’t always transfer to real-world contexts. That gap is completely normal...
#158 - Why Dogs Need Skills, Not Just Feelings
There’s a quiet assumption that runs through a lot of behavior work: if we can just change how an animal feels about something, the problem will resolve. Counterconditioning is a powerful tool, and Emily and Allie aren’t here to take it away from you. But in this episode, we’re talking about limitations. What happens when the feelings improve, and the behavior doesn’t? What happens when the emotions shift back? What happens when the world throws something at your learner that you never had a chance to train for?
This episode is about completeness. It’s abo...
#157 - Haylee Heisel: Why Giving More Doesn’t Fix Resource Guarding
Resource guarding is one of those behaviors that gets treated like it’s one simple problem with one simple fix.
Just add abundance.
Just countercondition it.
Just follow this protocol.
Except… it’s not that simple.
In this episode of Enrichment for the Real World, Emily is joined by Haylee Heisel to unpack why “guarding” is a label, and why treating it like a one-size-fits-all issue can make things worse.
We talk about:
Why dumping a trash bag of tennis balls into a yard is not the...#156 - Q&A: All About Resource Guarding
In this Q&A episode, we’re answering your questions about resource guarding.
If you’ve ever lied awake at 2am thinking:
“Is this normal?”
“Am I overreacting?”
“Did I cause this?”
“Should I try that 30-second training hack I just saw on the internet?”
This one’s for you.
We don’t want you spiraling.
And we definitely don’t want you getting bitten.
So we’re breaking down what resource guarding actually is, when it’s a real concern, when it’s just… normal, and why timing...
#155 - Try It: Engaging Indoor Games for Pets
Do you ever feel like enrichment has turned into a second full-time job?
Hours of prep. Fancy toys. Amazon carts. Storage bins. Guilt.
In this episode, Emily walks you through three simple, adaptable foraging game categories that take under 10 minutes to set up and leverage things you already have (yes, including trash).
Because enrichment doesn’t have to be aesthetic to be effective.
TLDL (too long, didn’t listen): 3 Key Takeaways
1️⃣ Think in Categories, Not Products – When you understand the function of snuffle, scatter, and puzzle...
#154 - Dog Training Advice: Find What Works
You scroll.
One trainer says never let your dog look at the trigger.
Another says your dog has to look at the trigger.
Both sound confident. Both sound science-y. Now you’re more confused than when you started.
In this episode, Emily and Claire talk about why dog training advice feels like such a mess, and how “good” advice can still be the wrong advice when it’s ripped out of context and handed to every dog on the internet.
This is your reminder that there is no single right answer. The goal isn...
#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...
#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 advo...
#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 n...
#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 les...
#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”...
#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 fo...
#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 ne...
#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...
#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 w...
#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 be...
#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,” whi...
#142 - Enrichment Guilt: When Enough Doesn't Feel Like It
Do you ever feel like you’re not doing enough for your pet? Yeah… us too. But you know what? You’re probably doing way more than you give yourself credit for. In this episode, Allie and Ellen get real about “enrichment guilt,” that nagging voice that makes you feel like you’re failing, and why it’s mostly coming from… well, outside pressures (and capitalism, because of course).
We talk about why enrichment isn’t just about buying the latest toy or setting up complicated activities. Enrichment is the everyday stuff that really matters: feeding, cuddling, sniff sessions, or...
#141 - Gratitude, But Not The Toxic Kind
Let’s be real: sometimes, being told to “just be grateful” when things are hard feels… gross. We get it. Gratitude can be helpful, but not when it’s used to slap a smiley face sticker over real pain.
In this episode, Allie and Ellen talk about what taking a descriptive approach to gratitude looks like. It’s the kind that helps you carry the hard stuff, not erase it. Allie shares what she’s learned while recovering from a serious fall (and yes, her therapist will be proud of this one), and Ellen dives into why “good vibes only”...
#140 - Try it - Strategies for Frantic Feeders
Does your dog lose their mind the second food appears? In this episode, Emily walks through a simple, science-based strategy to help “frantic feeders” relax around food. Learn how to use food to make food less exciting (yes, really), what common mistakes sabotage your progress, and how to tell when your dog’s excitement has shifted from over-the-top to just-right joy.
TLDL (too long, didn’t listen): 3 Key Takeaways
1️⃣ Use Food Casually – Stash food around the house and hand out small bits throughout the day, no big deal, no fanfare.
2️⃣ Mind...
#139 - Plentiful Enrichment: Creating a Full Life
What does it really mean to give our pets an abundant life? Emily and Claire unpack common myths around enrichment and abundance, where well-intentioned positive reinforcement can slip into coercion, and where saying no can actually be part of a healthy, ethical relationship. From toy-bin epiphanies to dogs “earning their keep,” this episode dives into meeting needs, setting boundaries, and letting go of control without letting chaos reign.
If you’ve ever wondered whether you’re giving your pet too much (or not enough), this one’s for you.
TLDL (too long, didn’t listen): 3...
#138 - What Horror Films Teach Us About Behavior
What do horror movies and your pet’s sense of safety have in common? More than you’d think.
This week, Ellen and Emily get delightfully spooky as they unpack how elements that make horror films terrifying, like the lighting, sound, movement, and unpredictability, can actually teach us how to create safer, more predictable, and more empathetic environments for the animals (and humans!) in our care.
From jump scares to dryer growls, to “Don’t be Michael Myers,” this episode explores how understanding fear responses across species can help us support our pets’ well-being and strengthen o...
#137 - All Work And No Play Makes Everyone a Dull Critter
So many of us (pet parents and pros) get tangled up in “shoulds”.
My dog should behave better.
I should know how to fix this.
People shouldn’t think my dog is “bad.”
But what if some of the hardest parts of living with our pets aren’t really about their behavior… but about the pressure we put on ourselves?
In this episode of Enrichment for the Real World, Emily and Tiffany unpack how our beliefs about control and perfection can make the whole family miserable, and how giving our pets agency...
#136 - Try It: New Cue, Same Trick (and Why It Matters)
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 c...
#135 - Trick or Treat? When Enrichment Isn't Enriching
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 bette...
#134 - Try It: Identify Your Home's Grumble & Growl Zones
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 st...
#133 - How to Incorporate Kids Into Your Pet's Enrichment Plan
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, trai...
#132 - Are You Self-Sabotaging?
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 p...
#131 - Why Training Mechanics Aren't Enough
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): <...
#130 - Mike Agruss: A Nuanced Approach to Dog Bite Advocacy
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 criti...
#129 - Q&A: All About Anxiety in Dogs
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...
#128 - Try it: How to Find Indoor Activities for Dogs on Hot Days
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...
#127 - Summer Enrichment Activities
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 idea...
#126 - Sarah van Herpt: Healing Bears, Changing Minds
What does it take to rehabilitate hundreds of bears and build an enrichment-forward sanctuary from scratch? In this episode, we dive into the world of moon bears, sun bears, shrimp paste, and cultural change with Sarah van Herpt, Director of Veterinary and Behavioral Husbandry Services for Animals Asia in Vietnam.
Sarah shares her incredible journey from zookeeper to director, the behavioral science behind their enrichment practices, and how Animals Asia is not only transforming animal lives but human perspectives, too. You’ll hear about cooperative care with bears (yes, bears!), why shrimp paste is an enrichment superstar, an...
