Enrichment for the Real World

5d ago

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 why those labels you’ve heard tossed around (“mouthing,” “intentional biting,” “exploratory biting”) don’t always tell us what we really need to know. If you’ve ever stared at your dog thinking, “Is this normal?” or “Why did that change?” — you’re in the right place. Keep the questions coming; they make these episodes richer, more grounded, and way more fun. TLDL (too long, didn’t listen): 3 Key Takeaways 1️⃣ Sociability is a pattern, affiliation is a moment – Affiliative behaviors happen in context , while sociability is about how often a dog seeks social interaction in general. One good interaction doesn’t mean a dog wants a playgroup, and that’s not a character flaw. 2️⃣ Instead of labeling the bite, look at the impact – Whether it’s “intentional,” “exploratory,” or “mouthing,” the questions that matter are: Is someone getting hurt? Is the human distressed? Is it developmentally appropriate? The labels are less important than the safety and support everyone needs. 3️⃣ Social needs change with age – It’s normal for dogs who used to love dog parks or daycare to outgrow them. Aging, physical changes, maturing social preferences, or simply “I’m over this” are all valid. Adjust your enrichment plan to the dog you have today, not the dog you had at 8 months old. 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! 💛

Dec 8

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 best thing you can do is skip the walk and grab a frozen lick mat. Veronica brings her vet-med and behavior background to the table with real-life examples, plus some “yep, been there” moments from her own pups. If you’ve ever wondered why training feels so hard on “one of those days,” this episode will help you breathe, regroup, and get everyone back into the zone where learning actually sticks. TLDL (too long, didn’t listen): 3 Key Takeaways 1️⃣ Just because you can, doesn’t mean you should – Learning during high levels of stress can happen, but it’s usually not the learning we want. If your dog (or you) is already over threshold, the goal shifts from “teach the thing” to “get everyone back to thinking/learning.” 2️⃣ Body language beats guessing every time – Understanding what you observe in your pet, their e ars, eyes, tail, muscle tension, matters way more than the story in your head. When you know your dog’s actual ladder of escalation, you can step in early instead of trying to clean up a full-blown meltdown. 3️⃣ Support the human to support the pet – Clients (and pet parents in general) learn best when they are in the thinking and learning zone, too. If you’re a professional, things like open-ended questions, mirroring, and normalizing “life got lifey” helps people feel safe, supported, and actually able to do the work. 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! 💛

Dec 1

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,” while tossing kibble across the yard from a lawn chair. TLDL (too long, didn’t listen): 1️⃣ You aren’t failing. Life is just happening. - Everyone hits moments when their needs and their pet’s needs don’t line up. It’s not a moral failing; it’s a normal part of being a human with a non-human roommate. 2️⃣Small, doable shifts beat “perfect” every time. - When circumstances get messy, creativity matters more than ideal routines. Adventure boxes, porch “find it” games, trusted helpers—tiny adjustments can carry you through big challenges. 3️⃣ You can’t problem-solve while beating yourself up. – Compassion leaves space for creativity. Remember to breathe. 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!

Nov 24

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 even just making sure the floors are vacuumed for your allergy-prone pup. Plus, we share tips for figuring out what you actually need to focus on and how to give yourself a break without feeling guilty. By the end, you might just realize: your pets are fine, you’re fine, and it’s okay if you don’t do ALL the things. TLDL (too long, didn’t listen): 1️⃣ Enrichment is the everyday stuff. Feeding, snuggling, and even vacuuming for your pet’s allergies is part of enrichment. 2️⃣ Guilt isn’t a measure of care. Feeling like you’re not doing enough doesn’t mean you’re failing; it’s often a sign you’re overwhelmed or reacting to outside pressure. 3️⃣ Do what works for you. Focus on what’s manageable and meaningful today instead of chasing perfection. 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! 💛

Nov 17

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” doesn’t help us or our clients. Whether you’re a pet parent knee-deep in the messy middle or a pro helping others through it, this episode is your reminder that you can say “this sucks”… and still find the tiny glimmers along the way. TLDL (too long, didn’t listen): 1️⃣ Gratitude isn’t pretending it’s all fine – You can acknowledge hardship and find small things to appreciate; both can be true. 2️⃣ Little glimmers matter – Whether it’s a client breakthrough, a funny pet moment, or a small win, collecting and revisiting these moments helps you stay grounded when things get tough. 3️⃣ Build your support system – Surround yourself with people who help you see the light when you’re ready and know when to just sit with you in the dark. 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! 💛

Nov 10

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 Your Energy – Keep your own body language calm and neutral. 3️⃣ Measure Success by Calm, Not Silence – Look for less frantic energy, more focus, and safe, joyful engagement. Remember, behavior change happens in increments. 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! 💛

Nov 3

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 Key Takeaways 1️⃣ Abundance isn’t indulgence – Meeting needs and providing agency doesn’t mean your pet gets everything they want all the time. It’s about long-term well-being, not short-term gratification. 2️⃣ Positive reinforcement alone isn’t the whole story – Even when using rewards, we can unintentionally slip into coercion. True enrichment prioritizes wellbeing, autonomy, and emotional health, not just behavior outcomes. 3️⃣ Boundaries build better relationships – Saying “no” (ethically and clearly) helps both humans and animals thrive. Agency grows when skills grow and when everyone’s needs are respected. 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! 💛

Oct 27

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 our bond with them. If you’ve ever wondered why your dog hesitates in the dark hallway or why your cat bolts at a strange noise, this episode will make you see your home through their eyes. Listen in to learn how to turn your pet’s horror movie moments into feelings of safety, security, and trust. TLDL (too long, didn’t listen): 1️⃣ Lighting, Sound, and Movement Matter – Subtle environmental cues like dim lighting, rumbling sounds, or direct eye contact can evoke fear. Adjusting them can help your pet feel safer and more relaxed. 2️⃣ Predictability Builds Safety – Just like we find comfort in rewatching familiar movies, our pets thrive when they can anticipate what’s coming next. Predictable routines and clear communication create calm, confident learners. 3️⃣ Don’t Be Michael Myers – How we move, approach, and present ourselves affects how animals perceive us. Softening your body language and giving clear, consistent cues helps your pet know you’re safe to be around, even when you’re stressed. 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! 💛