Episode #142 - Enrichment Guilt: When Enough Doesn't Feel Like It

How to quiet that “never enough” voice and see the good you’re already doing

November 24, 2025

TLDL (Too Long, Didn’t Listen):

1️⃣ Enrichment is the everyday stuff. Feeding, snuggling, and even vacuuming for your pet’s allergies is part of enrichment.

2️⃣ Guilt isn’t a measure of care. Feeling like you’re not doing enough doesn’t mean you’re failing; it’s often a sign you’re overwhelmed or reacting to outside pressure.

3️⃣ Do what works for you. Focus on what’s manageable and meaningful today instead of chasing perfection.

Episode Overview:

Do you ever feel like you’re not doing enough for your pet? Yeah… us too. But you know what? You’re probably doing way more than you give yourself credit for. In this episode, Allie and Ellen get real about “enrichment guilt,” that nagging voice that makes you feel like you’re failing, and why it’s mostly coming from… well, outside pressures (and capitalism, because of course).

We talk about why enrichment isn’t just about buying the latest toy or setting up complicated activities. Enrichment is the everyday stuff that really matters: feeding, cuddling, sniff sessions, or even just making sure the floors are vacuumed for your allergy-prone pup. Plus, we share tips for figuring out what you actually need to focus on and how to give yourself a break without feeling guilty.

By the end, you might just realize: your pets are fine, you’re fine, and it’s okay if you don’t do ALL the things.

Links & Resources from the Episode

🧾 For full episode transcripts: Arial l OpenDyslexic
🎧 The Feminist Survival Project 2025 – Season 2, Episode 5: Enough Tho
🎧 #141 – Gratitude, But Not The Toxic Kind

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Meet the Hosts

Allie Bender, CDBC, CPDT-KA, SBA

Allie Bender is a Certified Dog Behavior Consultant, Certified Professional Dog Trainer- Knowledge Assessed, and a Shelter Behavior Affiliate. She has been in the animal welfare industry since 2006 and professionally training since 2012. She is the founder and co-owner of Pet Harmony, co-author of Canine Enrichment for the Real World, and a national speaker.

While in the animal sheltering industry, Allie realized that her passion lied in helping pets with maladaptive behaviors. Specifically, she wanted to help prevent animals with rehabilitatable problems from being euthanized. She loves working with dogs and cats displaying stranger danger, resource guarding, and leash reactivity. Her favorite thing about working with pets and their people is seeing relationships grow and seeing harmonious households develop.

EMIly strong

Emily Strong is a Certified Dog Behavior Consultant and Shelter Behavior Affiliate. She has been in the animal welfare industry since 1990 and has been a behavior consultant since 2008. She is the co-owner of Pet Harmony, co-author of Canine Enrichment for the Real World, and a national speaker.

Emily started working with animals at a young age and struggled with the notion that you have to hurt, scare, or intimidate animals to help them. When she discovered the behavior sciences and learned that it wasn’t necessary to do so– that we can care for emotional, mental, and physical health simultaneously– she plunged headfirst into animal behavior. Emily loves helping current and prospective behavior professionals and working with pet parents through our in-depth services. She enjoys working with all species.

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Episode #142 - Enrichment Guilt: When Enough Doesn't Feel Like It

How to quiet that “never enough” voice and see the good you’re already doing

November 24, 2025

TLDL (Too Long, Didn’t Listen):

Episode Overview: