Enrichment for the Real World

Last week we heard from Lili Chin and one of the topics we discussed was essentially how to creep on your pets to learn more about them. This week, we’ll dive further into why you need to video your pets and talk about implementation with the animals in your life. In this implementation episode, Emily and Allie talk about: Emily’s love of infomercials How we watch videos and what we are looking fo...

This week, we are joined by Lili Chin, the illustrator behind Doggie Language and Kitty Language . Even if you’re not familiar with her name, you’ve likely seen one of Lili’s illustrations if you’ve spent some time down the dog training rabbit hole. She started off with the Boogie illustrations- her Boston Terrier at the time- and now illustrates all sorts of animals! We’ve been using her infograp...

Last week we heard from Dr. Micaela Young about When Medical Problems become behavioral problems. This week we’re going to dive further into phrasing feedback to your vet and talk about implementation with the animals in your life. In this implementation episode, Emily and Allie talk about: Including everything  Your vet knows more about your individual pet than Google does A little floof with a b...

In this week's episode, we are joined by Dr. Micaela Young. Dr. Young is both a veterinarian and Certified Professional Dog Trainer - Knowledge Assessed based in the Seattle area. Dr. Young does an incredible job of navigating the needs of all family members in the home and supporting the whole team.  In this episode, you’re going to hear Emily and Micaela talk about: Do you know how to ident...

Last week we heard from Katie Sulzmann and one of the topics we discussed was animal massage. This week we’re going to dive further into building connection through touch and talk about implementation with the animals in your life. In this implementation episode, Emily and Allie talk about: Touch consent tests Oso’s itchy face Copper’s owie knee You can find the full show notes here .  You don&apo...

In this week's episode, we are joined by Katie Sulzmann. Katie is a Nationally Certified Canine Massage Therapist, a Certified Veterinary Massage and Rehab Therapist, and is Fear Free Certified. You have probably heard Allie gush about Oso’s massage therapist before. Both Oso and Allie absolutely adore her and she’s helped him so much to maintain his mobility as he enters into his twilight ye...

Last week we heard from Dr. Kristina Spaulding and one of the topics we discussed was The Stress Factor in Dogs. This week we’re going to dive further into a common reason why folks say training isn’t working, which is providing a challenge that is well-matched to the animal’s skill set, and talk about implementation with the animals in your life. In this implementation episode, Emily and Allie ta...

In this week's episode of Enrichment for the Real World, we are joined by Dr. Kristina Spaulding, author of The Stress Factor in Dogs: Unlocking Resiliency and Enhancing Well-Being. Stress and its effect on behavior is one of those topics that benefit everyone to know about. It’s such an integral part of understanding behavior and addressing needs of every individual! And Kristina talks about...

Last week we heard from Michelle Martiya and one of the topics we discussed was working with multiple species. This week we’re going to dive further into training a species other than dogs and talk about implementation with the animals in your life. In this implementation episode, Emily and Allie talk about: A happy tarantula swinging its little legs A coatimundi dropping from the trees How rabbit...

To kick off Season 4 of Enrichment for the Real World, we are joined by Michelle Martiya, a certified exotic animal trainer from Boca Raton, FL. Michelle coaches people virtually in training their equids and exotic pets and specializes in working with fearful and feral equids, from those who have never been in contact with humans to those who have suffered trauma and abuse.  In this episode, you’r...

As we wrap up Season 3, we are excited to bring you our first Q&A Episode! In this Q&A episode, you’re going to hear Emily, Ellen, and I answer your questions, including: The biggest misunderstanding folks have about enrichment Our go-to activities The enrichment category we wish got more love And, of course, the question we named this episode after, enrichment for herding breeds in urban...

Last week Emily and Allie skimmed the surface of how learning and behavior work. This week we’re coming back for Part 2, focusing specifically on positive reinforcement and what that means for the pets in your life. In this implementation episode, Emily and Allie talk about: What positive reinforcement is and isn’t, and why taking a prescriptive approach might be messing up your training Toxic pos...

Last week we heard from Dr. Susan Friedman and one of the topics we discussed was observation. This week we’re going to dive further into some learning foundations and talk about implementation with the animals in your life. And, because there’s like… a lot… of learning foundations, this is part 1 of part 2.  In this implementation episode, Emily and Allie talk about: Why we’re better together Why...

In this week's interview episode, we are joined by Dr. Susan G Friedman Ph. D. For those of you who have had the pleasure of hearing Susan talk before, you know that this is going to be a great episode full of nuggets that you can apply to your animal training, but also just to your life in general. Susan walks the walk when it comes to implementing what they know about behavior in all facets...

Last week we heard from Sara McLoudrey and one of the topics we discussed was care with consent. This week we’re going to dive further into predictability and talk about implementation with the animals in your life. In this implementation episode, Emily and Allie talk about: How Emily and Allie met, in which Allie screamed at Emily and Emily decided they would be professional wives. Y’know, totall...

In this week's interview episode, we are joined by Sara McLoudrey. Sara has such a fresh perspective on cooperative care. Her Care with Consent philosophy is so in line with our work smarter not harder approach to enrichment and animal training and she puts on great emphasis on sustainability for the human.  In this episode, you’re going to hear Emily and Sara talk about: Going from cooperati...

Last week we heard from Marissa Martino and one of the topics we discussed was how your mindset impacts your behavior, and your pet’s behavior in turn. This week we’re going to dive further into what do you make behavior mean and talk about implementation with the animals in your life. In this implementation episode, Emily and Allie talk about: How mindset is a topic that needs to be discussed way...

In this episode, we are joined by Marissa Martino. Marissa has dedicated her career to the welfare of both ends of the leash and how exploring ourselves can build a stronger bond with our dogs and other pets. If you are interested in how to connect with your dog on a deeper level, you will love this one. In this episode, you’re going to hear Emily and Marissa talk about: How your stories, thoughts...

Last week we heard from Naomi Rotenberg and one of the topics we discussed was practical management solutions. This week we’re going to dive further into creating sustainable management strategies and talk about implementation with the animals in your life. In this implementation episode, Emily and Allie talk about: The theme for this season’s episodes Set it and forget-it strategies Simplicity Yo...

Introducing a dog to a cat can be nerve-wracking! Join Emily as she interviews Naomi Rotenberg from Praiseworthy Pets as they dive into all things helping dogs and cats to get along, including: Why a down stay is probably not the answer when your dog is chasing your cat How to meet seemingly incompatible needs of dogs and cats in the same household When herding dogs have cats You can find the full...

Last week we heard from Dr. Jessica Hekman, a veterinary researcher and one of the topics we discussed was how breed impacts behavior. This week we’re going to dive further into breed-typical enrichment and talk about implementation with the animals in your life. In this implementation episode, Emily and Allie talk about: The nuances surrounding breed-typical enrichment Seeing with your eyes, not...

In this week’s interview episode, we are joined by Dr. Jessica Hekman, a  veterinary researcher. Jessica has a fantastic skill, among many others, of taking really complex topics and distilling them into digestible tidbits of information that the average non-sciency person can understand. Currently, Jessica runs the Functional Dog Collaborative, a non-profit group, which supports the ethical breed...

In this episode, we are kicking off Season 3 of Enrichment for the Real World with our very own trainer and behavior consultant, Ellen Yoakum! Ellen is a Certified Separation Anxiety Pro Trainer and Certified Training Partner through the Karen Pryor Academy. Ellen joined the Pet Harmony team in 2020 after working in a variety of capacities within animal care.  In this episode, you’re going to hear...

Last week we heard from Dr. Miranda Workman and one of the topics we discussed was cat enrichment. This week we’re going to dive further into learning how to play with your pet and talk about implementation with the animals in your life. In this implementation episode, Emily and Allie talk about: The big myth surrounding play How play mimics species-typical behaviors Making up your own rules    Yo...

In this week's interview episode, we are joined by Dr. Miranda K. Workman, the Behavioral Sciences Team Shelter Behavior Apprenticeship Liaison for the ASPCA to discuss cat enrichment! Even if you don't have a cat in your life, there are some amazing nuggets in here that are applicable to any species. And, if you share your life with a cat, you are going to absolutely love this.  In this...