Enrichment for the Real World
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.
Episodes
118 episodes
#117 - Training an Aggressive Dog Safely: The Ins and Outs of Protected Contact
In this episode of Enrichment for the Real World, Allie Bender and Emily Strong chat about the use of protected contact including what it is (and no, it isn’t just putting up a gate or a fence), how to adjust your plan based on needs and progre...
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Season 10
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Episode 117
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44:01
#116 - Try It: Budget-Friendly Enrichment from Everyday Items
When it comes to enrichment, we often think we need fancy tools, expensive toys, or complicated activities—but what if the best enrichment was sitting in your recycling bin? In this episode of Enrichment for the Real World, Emily Stron...
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Season 10
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Episode 116
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18:51
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#115 - Present Over Perfect: Enrichment That Matters
Episode Overview:Raise your hand if you've ever felt like you’re not doing enough for your pet. 🙋♀️🙋♂️ Whether you're a devoted pet parent or a seasoned pro, enrichment burnout is real—and it’s sneaky. In this episode o...
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Season 10
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Episode 115
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1:02:09
#114 - Sami Griffin: Beyond Performative - Effective Gender Inclusivity for Pet Professionals
What does gender inclusivity have to do with pet behavior consulting? (Spoiler: everything.) In this episode of Enrichment for the Real World, Emily Strong (she/they) chats with Sami Griffin (they/them), a cat and dog behavior consulta...
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Season 10
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Episode 114
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54:37
#113 - Q&A: Enrichment Overload- When Is It Too Much?
Ever find yourself second-guessing if you’re “doing enrichment right”? You’re not alone—and this episode is here to clear things up. In this Q&A session, Allie Bender (she/her), Emily Strong (she/they), and Ellen Yoakum (she/her) tackle rea...
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Season 10
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Episode 113
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39:46
#112 - Try It: Teach Your Dog "Find It" From Scratch
Looking for an easy way to enrich your dog’s life and support your behavior goals? “Find It” might be your new favorite go-to. In this episode of Enrichment for the Real World, Emily Strong (she/they) walks you through exactly...
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Season 10
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Episode 112
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18:10
#111 - Scent Work for Dogs: Enrichment That Supports the Whole Household
Simple, flexible scent games that help your dog thrive—and give you a well-earned breather.If you’ve ever needed your dog to do something enriching without needing your full attention, or wanted to build your relationship...
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Season 10
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Episode 111
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42:44
#110 - Q&A: Enrichment Strategies for Pets with Allergies
Anyone who has a pet with allergies knows that it can be rough to create an enrichment strategy that fits their needs. Depending on the type and severity of that allergy there can be a lot of restrictions. In this episode, we discuss the allerg...
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Season 9
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Episode 110
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36:00
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#109 - Assessing Risk for the Safety Enrichment Category
We're asked all the time about enrichment that isn't related to food. Well, here we are, folks! Today's episode is all about the safety category of enrichment. We'll discuss how to perform a risk assessment for your pet's enrichment strategy.&n...
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Season 9
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Episode 109
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57:15
#108 - Debbie Martin: The Behavior Specialist You Didn't Know You Needed
What the heck is a Veterinary Technician Specialist in Behavior? Find out in this week's episode with Debbie Martin! Plus, sound sensitivities, risk assessments, and puppy socialization. Buckle up!You can find the full episode show notes...
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Season 9
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Episode 108
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1:30:07
#107 - How to Better Support Clients
This one's for the pet professionals! Clients are integral to what we do and that means we need to make sure they're well-supported throughout the journey. In this episode, we explore the foundations of exemplary client care, including some tip...
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Season 9
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Episode 107
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38:42
#106 - Dr. Kelly Ballantyne: Combating Caregiver Burden
We've said it before and we'll say it again- it's hard to care for individuals who need specialized care, and that includes pets with behavior challenges! In this episode, Board Certified Veterinary Behaviorist Dr. Kelly Ballantyne pro...
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Season 9
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Episode 106
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1:09:28
#105 - But, Like, What Even Is Training, Anyway?
We talk about training a lot. But, like, what even IS training? Does it have to involve a treat pouch and clicker? Or, perhaps, could it involve Allie bear crawling up a platform and nothing more? Check out today's episode to find out.
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Season 9
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Episode 105
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52:17
#104 - Ayoka Bubar: Dog Sports as Enrichment
Flyball, Agility, Tracking, Rally Obedience, Trick Titling, Conformation, Herding, Mondioring, Obedience, oh my! If you're into canine sports or looking to learn more about them, Ayoka is your person. Get ready to step into the world of R+ dog ...
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Season 9
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Episode 104
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55:16
#103 - Adaptations for [Human] Accessibility
Every human experiences and operates in the world in a unique way. That means that the way each person cares for their pet will be unique, too! So, how do we make adaptations for humans to successfully work with and enrich their pets? Tune in t...
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Season 9
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Episode 103
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30:48
#102 - Gabrielle Johnson: Disability Justice in Animal Welfare
The animal training industry is typically on board with non-human learners being individuals and meeting those individuals where they are when it comes to training. But what about our human learners? In this episode, Gabrielle Johns...
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Season 9
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Episode 102
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1:22:27
#101 - How to Reduce Harm in Our Industry
In this implementation episode, Allie and Emily delve deep into harm reduction within the pet professional industry. The discussion includes stories of Allie's Flight Cue skills, the importance of accountability, and the intricacies of managing...
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Season 9
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Episode 101
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46:38
#100 - Laura van Dernoot Lipsky: Trauma Stewardship for Pet Professionals
In this week's interview episode, we're joined by Laura van Dernoot Lipsky, the founder of the Trauma Stewardship Institute and author of 'Trauma Stewardship' and 'The Age of Overwhelm'. In this episode, Emily and Laura discuss the impo...
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Season 9
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Episode 100
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34:47
#99 - Tiffany Holmes: Living with Pets with Behavior Challenges
Living with a pet who has behavior challenges is a unique experience. It's hard, frustrating, and full of tears all while being lovely, funny, and wonderful. And, what we've found, is that you can't truly get it unless you've lived it....
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Season 9
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Episode 99
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51:26
#98 - Q&A: E-Collars
We're wrapping up season 8 with another Q&A episode! In this episode, you'll hear Emily, Allie, and Ellen talk about:E-collars, and vibration collars, and what's the differenceNuanceEmily's million-dollar Shark...
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Season 8
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Episode 98
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37:57
#97 - How to Tell if Your Dog Enjoys Going to Daycare
Last week, we heard from Renato Zanetti with Isa Daduato translating, and one of the topics we discussed was how to make dog daycares enriching. This week we’re going to dive further into how to tell if your dog enjoys going to daycare and talk...
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Season 8
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Episode 97
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24:22
#96 - Renato Zanetti with Isa Dadauto: How to Make Dog Daycares Enriching
We're excited to bring you an extra special interview episode this week! In our first bi-lingual episode, we are joined by Renato Zanetti, a Zootechnician who has a master's degree in veterinary medicine and animal welfare. He is a Brazilian pi...
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Season 8
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Episode 96
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1:27:54
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#95 - How to Identify Your Own Ladder of Escalation
Last week we heard from Ryan Cartlidge and one of the topics we discussed was Building Community Through Crucial Conversations. This week we’re going to dive further into how to identify your own ladder of escalation and talk about implementati...
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Season 8
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Episode 95
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27:44
#94 - Ryan Cartlidge: Building Community through Crucial Conversations
In this week's interview episode, we're joined by Ryan Cartlidge, the founder of the Animal Training Academy, ATA. He has been working internationally since 2007, as a professional trainer across Australia, New Zealand, Canada, and the US. He n...
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Season 8
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Episode 94
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1:43:23
#93 - When You Can’t Be Your Own Consultant
Last week we heard from Thea Harting and one of the topics we discussed was Rabbit Speed Dating. This week we’re going to dive further into When You Can’t Be Your Own Consultant and talk about implementation with the animals in your life.
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Season 8
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Episode 93
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29:56
