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© 2025 Enrichment for the Real World
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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.
139 Episodes
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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 underst...
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...
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 t...
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 bree...
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 ...
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...
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 j...
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 shar...
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...
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 trainin...
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 wha...
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, w...
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 ...
You’ve heard it before: “Don’t comfort a scared dog, you’ll just reinforce the fear.” But… is that true? In this episode of Enrichment for the Real World, Allie and Emily break down the science behind fear, behavior, and reinforcement and why that common advice just doesn’t hold up. They’ll explore how fear functions differently than you may think, why your emotional state also matters, and how to tell if your pet actually wants your comfort. Plus, you’ll learn how to comfort your dog in a wa...
Sound enrichment is often touted as a magic solution for everything from masking triggers to helping pets chill out—but what happens when the “soothing” soundscape turns into sensory overload for you? In this episode of Enrichment for the Real World, Ellen Yoakum, Pet Harmony co-owner, behavior consultant, and proud sound-sensitive human, gets candid about the not-so-talked-about side of enrichment: what to do when your pet’s needs and your own don’t match. You’ll hear real-life stories, mist...
The Fourth of July might be a favorite for humans, but for many pets, it’s more like a horror movie. From hiding in bathtubs to bolting through doors, the fallout from fireworks can be intense and dangerous. And hey, we know what you’re thinking: “Isn’t it a little late for firework advice?” Maybe. But let’s be honest. Most of us aren’t exactly winning awards for being proactive. So consider this your loving nudge: even if this year’s already gone boom, you’ve got a whole year to make n...
How much can a dog’s breed really tell you? In this episode of Enrichment for the Real World, illustrator and author Lili Chin (she/her) returns to talk about her newest book, Dogs of the World: A Gallery of Pups from Purebreds to Mutts. You probably know Lili from her beloved body language infographics and viral artwork, and now she’s helping us better understand the complex, fluid, and very human world of breed identity. Listen as Lili and Emily dive into why “solo dog” is a better term tha...
We talk a lot about recognizing when our pets are becoming more stressed. But what about when they’re calming down? In this episode of Enrichment for the Real World, Emily Strong walks you through a practical and insightful skill: identifying your pet’s ladder of de-escalation. It’s the crucial flip side to recognizing escalation, and it is just as important for supporting your pet’s full stress recovery. Emily breaks down a six-step process to help you recognize when your pet is moving towar...
Whether your pet is overwhelmed by the doorbell, a new houseguest, or the invisible ghosts that apparently live in the laundry room, having a safe space can make a world of difference. In this episode of Enrichment for the Real World, Emily and Ellen break down why safe spaces aren’t just cozy corners—they’re essential tools for helping our pets (and us!) navigate stress in all its forms: tolerable, chronic, and toxic. You'll learn what makes a safe space effective, why avoiding stress isn't ...
In this episode of Enrichment for the Real World, Emily Strong shares two ways to teach your dog to go to a safe space from behind a barrier—a skill that supports emotional regulation and improves outcomes for both aggressive and behaviorally healthy animals. You'll learn when and why Pet Harmony uses this technique (spoiler alert: a lot!), how it supports protected contact and training distance, and what you need to get started. This episode is all about creating safe, achievable wins, no ma...
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