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

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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 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/

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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! 💛

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.

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! 💛

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.

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.

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! 

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.

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! 💛

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! 💛

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! 💛