Episode #120 - Why Your Pet Needs a Safe Space
(and How to Make One)
June 23, 2025
TLDL (Too Long, Didn’t Listen):
1️⃣ Stress Happens, Let’s Plan for It
We can’t eliminate stress, but we can give our pets the tools to handle it better, starting with a safe space.
2️⃣ Safe Spaces = A Combo of Skills
An effective safe space is more than a dog bed in a quiet room—it’s the result of layered training, observation, and support.
3️⃣ Customize It to Your Pet
From preferred relaxation spots to sound and texture preferences, your pet’s unique needs should shape their sanctuary.
Episode Overview:
Whether your pet is overwhelmed by the doorbell, a new houseguest, or the invisible ghosts that apparently live in the laundry room, having a safe space can make a world of difference. In this episode of Enrichment for the Real World, Emily and Ellen break down why safe spaces aren’t just cozy corners—they’re essential tools for helping our pets (and us!) navigate stress in all its forms: tolerable, chronic, and toxic.
You’ll learn what makes a safe space effective, why avoiding stress isn’t the goal, and how breaking this concept down into smaller teachable skills can help your pet learn to self-soothe. Plus, you’ll get actionable tips on using your pet’s senses to create the ultimate comfort zone for them. Bonus: there’s even a course for those who want a deeper dive.
Links & Resources from the Episode
🧾 For full episode transcripts: Arial l OpenDyslexic
✅ At Ease: Safe Spaces for Home and On-The-Go – Join Ellen for a 5-week safe space deep dive! Learn how to implement all the skills in this episode and more!
🎧 #42 – Dr. Kristina Spaulding: The Stress Factor in Dogs
🎧 #5 – Creating a Restful Environment for Our Animals
🎧 #106 – Dr. Kelly Ballantyne: Combating Caregiver Burden
Going Down a Rabbit Hole?
Dive deeper into the world of enrichment, behavior, and building harmony.
📖 The Stress Factor in Dogs – An in-depth exploration of stress with Dr. Kristina Spaulding
🎧 Teaching Dogs Self-Soothing Skills Through Creating Safe Spaces – Ellen joins Ken Ramirez on Live From The Ranch to talk safe space strategy
📖 Helping the Dog Who’s Afraid of Something, Everything, or Nothing at All – Ellen shares real life examples of safe spaces in application.
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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, CDBC
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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