#160 - The Skill No Protocol Can Replace

#160 - The Skill No Protocol Can Replace

Author: Pet Harmony Animal Behavior and Training March 30, 2026 Duration: 1:03:09
Look. If memorizing protocols was the secret to being a great trainer, we'd all just hand out flashcards and call it a day. But that's not how this works, and deep down, you already know that. Emily (she/they) and Ellen (she/her) are getting into the skills that actually make a difference, but aren’t found in any course catalog. It's what kicks in when the plan stops working, the client is struggling, and the dog just found a pine cone. Think of this as the protocol for when the protocols sto...

Ever since she was seven years old, Emily Strong was figuring out how to train praying mantids, while her co-host Allie Bender was advocating for hungry birds at her neighbor's feeder by age two. If that kind of deep-seated drive to connect with animals sounds familiar, then you're exactly who they're talking to. Enrichment for the Real World is a conversation between these two lifelong animal people, brought to you by Pet Harmony Animal Behavior and Training. They built this podcast for anyone who has ever felt that innate pull to improve the lives of the creatures in their care, whether they're family pets, classroom companions, or rescue animals. In each episode, Emily and Allie, the authors behind "Canine Enrichment for the Real World," move beyond theory to discuss practical, actionable strategies. You'll hear them break down the real-world applications of enrichment and behavior science, making it accessible for families, pet owners, and animal enthusiasts of all ages. The discussions are grounded in experience and empathy, focusing on creating deeper understanding and healthier relationships between humans and animals. Tune in for thoughtful, often humorous, and always compassionate guidance that helps you apply these concepts in your daily life, making the well-being of animals a natural and integrated part of your world.
Author: Language: en-us Episodes: 100

Enrichment for the Real World
Podcast Episodes
#82 - Mara Velez: How BEAR Can Help Shelters [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:04:33
In this week's interview episode, we're so excited to have Mara Velez return to talk about the Shelter Playgroup Alliance's programs, and the newest addition, BEAR, Behavior & Enrichment Academy and Resources. In this ep…
#81 - How to do a Sound Preference Test [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 30:44
Last week we heard from Eileen Anderson, and one of the topics we discussed was understanding sound sensitivities and phobias. This week, we're going to dive further into how to do a sound preference test, and talk about…
#80 - Eileen Anderson: Understanding Sound Sensitivities & Phobias [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:21:24
In this week's interview episode, we're joined by Eileen Anderson. Eileen does an outstanding job of striving for accuracy while making space for personal experience and anecdotal evidence. Eileen brings expertise in mus…
#79 - If It Can Have an Effect, It Can Have a Side Effect [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 32:22
Last week, we heard from Kim Rose and one of the topics we discussed was what behavior consulting can learn from nutrition. This week, we're going to dive further into if it can have an effect, it can have a side effect,…
#78 - Kim Rose: What Behavior Consulting Can Learn From Nutrition [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:10:51
In this week's interview episode, we're reaching beyond the animal care industry and speaking with Kim Rose, a dually certified diabetes care & education specialist and nutrition support clinician who blends evidenced-ba…
#77 - How to Evaluate Your Environment for Behavioral Impact [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 28:54
In this week's implementation episode, Allie and Emily dive further into evaluating your environment for behavioral impact and talk about implementation with the animals in your life. In this episode, you'll hear Allie a…
#76 - Katenna Jones: Build a Better Relationship With Your Cat [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:29:02
In this week's interview episode, we're joined by Katenna Jones. Katenna has a breadth of animal care and welfare experience under her belt, from shelter work to cruelty investigation, and for this episode, we're ecstati…
#75 - Lesley Gurule: Building Better Behavior Support in Shelters [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 44:24
Helping us kick off season 7 of Enrichment for the Real World, we're joined by our very own, Lesley Gurule. Lesley is a behavior consultant with Pet Harmony and Lesley thrives on demystifying unwanted behaviors, collabor…
#74 - Q&A: Why Does My Dog Only Care Sometimes? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 28:50
To wrap up Season 6, we're answering your questions! Thank you to everyone who submitted questions for this episode! In this season's Q&A episode Emily, Allie, and Ellen talk about: Why our pets sometimes react to things…
#73 - How to Have Happier Vet Visits [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 22:06
Last week we talked with Dr. Valli Parthasarathy about cooperative care for all species, and this week Allie and Emily talk about how to have happier vet visits. In this implementation episode, Emily and Allie talk about…