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 and ourselves grace can bring the joy back.

TLDL (too long, didn’t listen):  

1️⃣ Let Go of Perfection – So much stress with our pets comes from our own expectations. When we stop trying to be the “perfect” pet parent and allow room for mistakes (theirs and ours), we create more joy and less shame for everyone involved.

2️⃣ Let Dog Be Dog – Dogs are beasty beasts. They are real animals with real emotions. They’re not little furry humans or obedience robots. Giving them agency, honoring their full range of feelings, and embracing their quirks helps build trust and connection.

3️⃣ Play, Curiosity, and Chaos Are Healthy – Enrichment isn’t just prescriptive, structured activities. Enrichment is curiosity, communication, and shared silliness. Lean into the chaos, celebrate the weird moments, and remember that play and joy are just as important as training plans.

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

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