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

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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! 💛

PETPro isn't just another course. It's a community, it's a framework, and it's a support system designed to help you implement what you've learned, not just learn more stuff. 

Registration is open now, so if this sounds like what you've been missing, head to https://petharmonytraining.com/petpro/ to submit your inquiry form.

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! 💛

PETPro isn't just another course. It's a community, it's a framework, and it's a support system designed to help you implement what you've learned, not just learn more stuff. 

Registration is open now, so if this sounds like what you've been missing, head to https://petharmonytraining.com/petpro/ to submit your inquiry form.

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! 💛

PETPro isn't just another course. It's a community, it's a framework, and it's a support system designed to help you implement what you've learned, not just learn more stuff. 

Registration is open now, so if this sounds like what you've been missing, head to https://petharmonytraining.com/petpro/ to submit your inquiry form.

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 yourself) up for calmer, more confident days.

TLDL (too long, didn’t listen): 

1️⃣ Anxiety ≠ Fear ≠ Reactivity – Anxiety is anticipation, fear is reaction, and reactivity can be rooted in many things (including excitement). They look different, and they call for different kinds of support.

2️⃣ Play isn’t always “happy” – Species-typical behaviors can be fueled by stress, so look for tension and avoidance before assuming needs are met.

3️⃣ Training choices matter – Basic obedience or “just let them get over it” approaches rarely help. Instead, focus on meeting needs, building coping skills, and creating a safe, predictable environment.

Links & Resources from the Episode

🧾 For full episode transcripts: Arial | OpenDyslexic

🎧 Episode #120 - Why Your Pet Needs a Safe Space (and How to Make One)

📚 Gardening, Wasps, and Anxiety

✅ Let me sniff! Nosework induces positive judgment bias in pet dogs 

🎧 Episode #112 - Try It: Teach Your Dog "Find It" From Scratch

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! 💛

PETPro isn't just another course. It's a community, it's a framework, and it's a support system designed to help you implement what you've learned, not just learn more stuff. 

Registration is open now, so if this sounds like what you've been missing, head to https://petharmonytraining.com/petpro/ to submit your inquiry form.

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 goblin play is a valid enrichment strategy. Keep it simple. Keep it fun. And keep your dog from climbing the walls this summer.

TLDL (too long, didn’t listen): 

1️⃣ Adapt outdoor activities to indoor needs – Observe what your dog gets out of favorite outdoor pastimes (like physical exercise, sensory stimulation, or social interaction) and find creative ways to meet those same needs inside.

2️⃣ Test your ideas like a behavior scientist – Try new activities and watch how your dog responds. Did it meet their needs? Were they engaged? If not, tweak and try again.

3️⃣ Simplicity and sustainability win – You don’t need complicated setups or fancy gear. A few treats, a cardboard box, and a willingness to play like a chaos goblin can go a long way.

Links & Resources from the Episode

🧾 For full episode transcripts: Arial | OpenDyslexic

🎧 Episode #111 – Scent Work for Dogs: Enrichment That Supports the Whole Household (includes Anywhere But Here Protocol)

📚 Trash to Treasure: How We Use Recycled Enrichment to Support Natural Pet Behaviors

🎧 #86 – Q&A: Indoor Enrichment Activities Ideas

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! 💛

PETPro isn't just another course. It's a community, it's a framework, and it's a support system designed to help you implement what you've learned, not just learn more stuff. 

Registration is open now, so if this sounds like what you've been missing, head to https://petharmonytraining.com/petpro/ to submit your inquiry form.

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 ideas that embrace how enrichment really works when the weather is less-than-cooperative. Plus, a few pro tips on how not to end up in the ER this summer.

TLDL (too long, didn’t listen): 3 Key Takeaways 

1️⃣ Indoor Swaps for Outdoor Fun – Activities like flirt pole, tug, scent work, and food puzzles can all be brought indoors with a little creativity and adaptation for your space and your dog.

2️⃣ Water is Your Summer Superpower – Whether it’s lakes, misters, sprinklers, or DIY cooling strategies, water can turn hot weather into a safe and satisfying enrichment experience.

3️⃣ Frozen Isn’t Just for Disney – Frozen enrichment, from simple broth cubes to elaborate “ice trifles,” gives pets long-lasting activities and serious cooling power.

Links & Resources from the Episode

🧾 For full episode transcripts: Arial | OpenDyslexic

🎧 Episode #111 – Scent Work for Dogs: Enrichment That Supports the Whole Household

📚 Trash to Treasure: How We Use Recycled Enrichment to Support Natural Pet Behaviors

✅ Stuffing a Pupcicle (video)

🎧 #86 – Q&A: Indoor Enrichment Activities Ideas

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! 💛

PETPro isn't just another course. It's a community, it's a framework, and it's a support system designed to help you implement what you've learned, not just learn more stuff. 

Registration is open now, so if this sounds like what you've been missing, head to https://petharmonytraining.com/petpro/ to submit your inquiry form.

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, and what Vietnam is teaching the rest of us about compassionate progress.

TLDL (too long, didn’t listen): 

1️⃣ Enrichment That Matters – Sarah emphasizes the importance of behavior-based enrichment with clear goals. For example, their bears receive seasonally tailored enrichment to support nesting, foraging, cooling, or hyperphagia. Shrimp paste, anyone?

2️⃣ Kindness in Action – Animals Asia approaches ending the bear bile trade not with blame, but with empathy and collaboration. Sarah explains how working with, not against, local communities creates lasting, meaningful change.

3️⃣ Cooperative Care for a Population – With over 140 bears trained using cooperative care methods, Sarah and her team demonstrate that medical procedures, weight checks, and nail trims can be stress-free—even for former bile farm bears.

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! 💛

PETPro isn't just another course. It's a community, it's a framework, and it's a support system designed to help you implement what you've learned, not just learn more stuff. 

Registration is open now, so if this sounds like what you've been missing, head to https://petharmonytraining.com/petpro/ to submit your inquiry form.

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 way that supports their wellbeing and builds resilience. Whether you're navigating thunderstorms, vet visits, or everyday stressors, this episode is packed with actionable advice for the pet parent who wants to help their pet.

TLDL (too long, didn’t listen): 

1️⃣ Fear is not a behavior and can’t be reinforced like one

Fear is a physiological and emotional response, not a behavior that can be increased with rewards. However, behaviors associated with fear can be reinforced, which is where people often get confused.

2️⃣ Your emotional state matters just as much as your pet’s

“Your stress travels down the leash” isn’t just a cute saying. If you’re anxious, your pet likely will be too. Comforting your dog starts with regulating your own nervous system first.

3️⃣ Learn when and how to comfort your pet

Some pets want snuggles, others want space. Comforting isn’t a one-size-fits-all approach. Learn how to listen to your learner and become the safe space they need when they are ready for it.

For the full episode show notes, including additional resources, join us here.

PETPro isn't just another course. It's a community, it's a framework, and it's a support system designed to help you implement what you've learned, not just learn more stuff. 

Registration is open now, so if this sounds like what you've been missing, head to https://petharmonytraining.com/petpro/ to submit your inquiry form.

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, mistakes to avoid (spoiler: not all white noise is created equal), and a step-by-step approach to testing sound options that won’t make you want to throw your speakers out the window. Whether you’re neurodivergent, easily overstimulated, or just someone who really values a quiet house, this episode gives you practical ways to navigate the noise—without sacrificing your sanity or your pet’s wellbeing.

Because enrichment isn’t about trading your discomfort for your pet’s comfort. It’s about finding solutions that work for everyone. 

TLDL (too long, didn’t listen): 3 Key Takeaways 

1️⃣ Sound enrichment is personal – Don’t just copy what you see online; test what works for your ears and your pet’s comfort.

2️⃣ Start with what feels manageable – Consider your own sound preferences and experiment with those before trying anything new.

3️⃣ Find middle ground – When your needs and your pet’s don’t match, use creative solutions or professional guidance to make it work for both of you.

For the full episode show notes, including additional resources, join us here.

PETPro isn't just another course. It's a community, it's a framework, and it's a support system designed to help you implement what you've learned, not just learn more stuff. 

Registration is open now, so if this sounds like what you've been missing, head to https://petharmonytraining.com/petpro/ to submit your inquiry form.

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 next time better. Future-you (and your pet) will thank you.

In this episode of Enrichment for the Real World, Emily and Allie break down how to create a plan that helps your pet feel safe and secure when the fireworks start booming. With real-world examples of ways we keep our pets calm, simple tweaks that make a big difference, and how to prep ahead of time (because no one wants to be scrambling on July 3rd). If your pet’s fireworks motto is “nope, nope, NOPE,” this episode can help you prep for next year. 

TLDL (too long, didn’t listen): 

1️⃣ Prepping ahead matters – The sooner you start practicing safety and calm, the more options you have to support your pet.

2️⃣ Safe spaces are powerful – A thoughtfully crafted retreat can help your pet feel protected and in control during chaos.

3️⃣ It’s not just behavior—it could be pain – Noise sensitivities may be connected to underlying pain or discomfort. Don’t overlook what your pet might be trying to tell you.

For the full episode show notes, including additional resources, join us here.

PETPro isn't just another course. It's a community, it's a framework, and it's a support system designed to help you implement what you've learned, not just learn more stuff. 

Registration is open now, so if this sounds like what you've been missing, head to https://petharmonytraining.com/petpro/ to submit your inquiry form.