#163 - Fears from Pets Past

#163 - Fears from Pets Past

Author: Pet Harmony Animal Behavior and Training April 20, 2026 Duration: 52:07
Have you ever found yourself bracing for a repeat of everything that went wrong with a previous pet? In this episode, Emily and Veronica get real about how our experiences with past pets shape how we show up for the animals in our lives right now. From shame spirals to hypervigilance to carrying baggage from past cases, they break down why this happens, why it matters, and what you can actually do about it to meet the pet in front of you. TLDL (too long, didn’t listen): 3 Key Takeaways ...

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
#102 - Gabrielle Johnson: Disability Justice in Animal Welfare [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:21:34
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, Gab…
#101 - How to Reduce Harm in Our Industry [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 45:44
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…
#99 - Tiffany Holmes: Living with Pets with Behavior Challenges [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 50:32
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 y…
#98 - Q&A: E-Collars [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 37:03
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 Tank ide…
#97 - How to Tell if Your Dog Enjoys Going to Daycare [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 23:28
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 g…
#95 - How to Identify Your Own Ladder of Escalation [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 26:51
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…
#93 - When You Can’t Be Your Own Consultant [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 29:03
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 ani…