Shaped by Dog with Susan Garrett

Latest Episodes:

Puppy Home Alone: Are You Creating Chaos or Calm? #98 Jul 23, 2021

Show notes

It's completely normal to feel some apprehension about leaving a puppy alone. But there are things that you do that contribute to the chaos or calm you find when you return home. I'm covering the formula that I use to ensure a happy life with a puppy and how to prevent separation anxiety.

In the episode you'll hear:

• Why to see a Veterinary Behaviorist if you have a dog experiencing separation anxiety. • About how we can help our puppy look forward to confinement. • Why calm greetings, arrivals and departures contribute to the well-being of puppies. • What my puppy morning routine looks like and the three events of train, walk and enterichment (yes, enterichment, you probably won't find that in a dictionary!). • What I do to settle my puppy just before I leave to create a routine. • How long you should leave a young puppy alone at home. • Steps you can take to help your puppy get used to alone time and why that is the gift of confidence. • Why to start helping your puppy with being on their own when you are home. • The 5 big mistakes people make that contribute to chaos when a puppy is left alone. • What negative reinforcement is, how it relates to a dog being alone and avoiding nuisance barking. • Why I do not recommend tethering or umbilical cord training for puppies or dogs. • How puppies can grow up to be relaxed dogs who can hang out anywhere at home. • The importance of setting you and your puppy up for success for your life together.

Resources:

• Podcast Episode 30: Why Dog Crates Are Not Dog Cages - https://dogsthat.com/podcast/30/ • Blog Post: A Day in the Life of a Susan Garrett Puppy - https://susangarrettdogagility.com/2020/09/a-day-in-the-life-of-a-susan-garrett-puppy/ • Podcast Episode 70: Critical Info for Your Puppy's First Day and Night at Home - https://dogsthat.com/podcast/70/ • YouTube Video: Perch Work Dog Tricks (Pivots and Spins) - https://youtu.be/O6sj6fTJnFc • Crate Games Online - https://get.crategames.com/ • Susan Garrett's Puppy Videos: Playlist on YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLphRRSxcMHy2SggplHx3uEWAjXOL9hI21 • Watch this Episode of Shaped by Dog on YouTube - https://youtu.be/FTi3dQ_Y2A8

Overwhelm in Dog Training: How to Take Action on Challenges #97 Jul 21, 2021

Show notes

Visit us at shapedbydog.com

Success in dog training is about taking action. But if you are frustrated or overwhelmed or not sure you are doing the right thing, taking action can be challenging. We're looking at how to put barriers aside and find the fast track on the path ahead.

In the episode you'll hear:

• About the epiphany I had when cycling and going through gates on the trail. • Why I focus on the path and not the obstacles. • How people can get wrapped up in focusing on the things they don't like. • A story from basketball about Giannis Antetokounmpo for inspiration. • How easy it is to let your ego interfere with our dog training. • Why our emotional state is important for an amazing relationship with our dog. • What to do when you feel triggered. • Why timeframes can have us focus on the outcome, cut corners, and lead to frustration. • The reason I think of surrender as a place of strength. • A quote from Alexandra Horowitz about how dog training can change us. • Why we need to give ourselves grace and our dogs grace. • About how every interaction with our dogs is training and a conversation. • Five things to focus on to progress your training. • Why exercise, games, downtime, socializing and enrichment are important for puppies. • How things happen faster when you focus on the path.

Resources:

• Podcast Episode 32: 20 Easy Ways to Exercise Your Dog at Home - https://dogsthat.com/podcast/32/ • Podcast Episode 68: 3 Easy Tricks Every Dog Should Know - https://dogsthat.com/podcast/68/ • Podcast Episode 70: Critical Info for Your Puppy's First Day and Night at Home - https://dogsthat.com/podcast/70/ • Podcast Episode 67: Are You Stressing About Your Dog's Stress? - https://dogsthat.com/podcast/67/ • Watch this Episode of Shaped by Dog on YouTube - https://youtu.be/ZhmoqzG0pbA

Why I Don't Teach "Watch Me", How to Use a Dog Treat Pouch, and More Questions Answered #96 Jul 16, 2021

Show notes

Visit us at shapedbydog.com

If you have ever wondered why I don't teach my dogs to "watch me", how I end a training session, or my thoughts on treat bags, today is the day. I'm answering some of your popular dog training questions! We're also looking at how to avoid puppies chewing up their beds and training dogs who don't like food or toys.

In the episode you'll hear:

• Why I have attention from my dogs without training "watch me" or "look at me". • How "watch me" can be misused and why that reinforces what you don't want. • When I wear a bait pouch, why I don't use one too often, and where I keep treats. • How to avoid a puppy chewing up a bed and the protocol I use with my puppies. • About reinforcement and training dogs who don't like food or toys. • How to build excitement and value for food for dogs. • How I end a training session with my dogs. • Why I think of training as relationship building and deepening the bond with my dogs. • How dog training relates to conversations we have with people.

Resources:

• Podcast Episode 42: Behavior Chains: Are You Teaching Your Dog to be Bad to be Good? - https://dogsthat.com/podcast/42/ • Learn the ItsYerChoice Game - https://recallers.com/iycsummit-join/ • Podcast Episode 89: Why Dogs Should Not Tug: The Truth Revealed - https://dogsthat.com/podcast/89/ • Podcast Episode 92: Avoid This Big Mistake When Feeding Your Dog - https://dogsthat.com/podcast/92/ • Podcast Episode 59: Why Your Treats Aren't Working for Your Dog - https://dogsthat.com/podcast/59/ • Podcast Episode 90: Premack, Dog Training and Transfer of Value - https://dogsthat.com/podcast/90/ • Watch this Episode of Shaped by Dog on YouTube - https://youtu.be/y_c8wgv1Ri8

How Playing with Your Dog Like a Puppy Can Reduce Fear #95 Jul 14, 2021

Show notes

Visit us at shapedbydog.com

Are you the type of dog owner who loves to play with your dog or puppy? It's a great way to have fun, teach your dog life skills, and can help reduce fear. The tips we're covering today are essential for all dogs, and if you have an interest in dog agility, I'm also sharing how this applies to dog sports and confidence. Changing just one element of the way you play will have a big impact on how your dog learns and help to decrease fears and phobias.

In the episode you'll hear:

• What happened with my Jack Russell, Shelby when she didn't want to visit the Vet. • How we can desensitize and counter condition fear for our puppies and dogs. • My observations about how dogs play with other dogs. • Why I have "game on" and "game off" permissions when playing with my dogs. • About knowing what happens before your dog says, "game off". • Why I created a game called "Smack Da Baby!". • The importance of our dogs learning to love physical touch by humans. • How I incorporate "Smack Da Baby!" in a game of tug. • All the stages of including touch for dogs in play. • About putting time into where your dog tells you they need confidence. • The one time I grab my dogs by the muzzle and why. • How my dog DeCaff shaped me to play with her and the impact on weaving in agility. • Why play helps your dog with many life skills. • The importance of taking action if you notice your dog is not comfortable

Resources:

• Podcast Episode 89: Why Dogs Should Not Tug: The Truth Revealed - https://dogsthat.com/podcast/89/ • Book: Shaping Success by Susan Garrett - https://dogsthat.com/product/shaping-success-2/ • Podcast Episode 86: How to Train Unmotivated or Overexcited Dogs - https://dogsthat.com/podcast/86/ • Blog Post: Who's Shaping me? - https://susangarrettdogagility.com/2009/09/whos-shaping-me/ • Watch this Episode of Shaped by Dog on YouTube - https://youtu.be/LvwARdx9Ss4

How the Best Professional Dog Trainers Use Reinforcement #94 Jul 07, 2021

Show notes

Visit us at shapedbydog.com

Have you ever watched a really well-trained dog, like a police dog, world champion agility dog, or service dog, and noticed that they seem to be working without getting any food or toy reward from their handler? You might have tried the same with your dog, but your dog said, "no reward, no thanks!". We're looking at why some dogs appear to work brilliantly with no reinforcement.

In the episode you'll hear:

• The confusion out there about how reinforcement works. • How elite dog trainers use reinforcement. • Why the work can become massively valuable for dogs. • About stacking reinforcement. • The 5 categories of reinforcement that I use. • How attention can be a reward. • About the obvious reinforcers like food or toys. • Why the cues your dog knows can be powerful reinforcers. • How activities can be reinforcing. • Why rewarding activities need to have permission. • What a transactional relationship is and how it relates to dogs. • Why we want a partnership with our dogs. • The inadvertent reinforcement you might be giving your dog. • How all dogs have a hierarchy of reinforcement. • Why a partnership with us becomes intrinsically reinforcing for dogs.

Resources:

• YouTube Video with Susan Garrett and Steve White (Two Dog Training Experts 70+ Years of Experience Talk Reinforcement) - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=azaRcHN2CUQ • Podcast Episode 16: The Thing Before Your Dog's Thing - https://dogsthat.com/podcast/16/ • Podcast Episode 80: Does Your Dog Love You? Let's Talk Relationships - https://dogsthat.com/podcast/80/ • Podcast Episode 11: The Power of Permission in Dog Training - https://dogsthat.com/podcast/11/ • Podcast Episode 2: Reinforcement - https://dogsthat.com/podcast/2/ • Watch this Episode of Shaped by Dog on YouTube - https://youtu.be/jwZyBAYe6FY

Fix Dog Training and Behavior Problems Before They Happen #93 Jun 16, 2021

Show notes

Visit us at shapedbydog.com

An old adage in dog training is that the best time to fix a problem or behavior challenge is before it happens. And though that may be true, it does not help when you have a problem or training challenge! There's a systemic approach that I've laid out for myself and my students for any challenge we have with our dogs.

In the episode you'll hear:

• A long list of problems presented by just one dog who was a bit over a year old. • How that dog was thrown out of 3 Day Cares and lost his home. • Why Dr. Google might not be your best source of information for dog training. • How everyone has an opinion about dog training. • The way I look at dog training challenges and why to take an inventory. • About the categories of challenges in dog training. • Why we create autonomy for our dogs and how that creates success. • How to know if you have a Sun Shower, Hurricane or Iceberg with your dog. • The reason to watch for Icebergs. • When Hurricanes might need a Veterinary Behaviorist to diffuse. • The formula to help you with challenges that starts in Do-Land. • Why we need to deal with our dog's emotion first.

Resources:

• Get your FREE "Challenges in Dog Training" eBook - https://recallers.com/ • Download the PDF to take your Challenges Inventory - https://dogsthat.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/Your-Transformation-Story-2021.pdf • Podcast Episode 66: Resource Guarding: Dog vs Dog Aggression - https://dogsthat.com/podcast/66/ • Podcast Episode 6: The Art of Manipulation - https://dogsthat.com/podcast/6/ • Watch this Episode of Shaped by Dog on YouTube - https://youtu.be/7SHbJvTRhGI

Avoid This Big Mistake When Feeding Your Dog #92 Jun 07, 2021

Show notes

Visit us at shapedbydog.com

There is one difference between very successful dog trainers and the average pet owner in the way they feed their dogs. That one thing is responsible for a better relationship with your dog and the dog being easier to train, having a long life, and fewer health problems. That one thing is easily achievable by everyone and will also help with a dog's picky eating.

In the episode you'll hear:

• The ways people feed their dogs. • What free choice feeding or graze feeding looks like for dogs. • The problems that can be created for dogs with free feeding. • Why regular meals help with potty training. • How free choice feeding could result in a dog being a picky eater. • The health benefits of regular meals for dogs. • About the issue of obesity in dogs. • Why free choice feeding makes training difficult. • How to use your dog's meals as a training opportunity. • The risks of missing health issues with free feeding. • How planning your dog's exercise is easier with regular meals. • Why to know what your dog should weigh. • How I feed a high percentage of my dog's meal in training. • A plan to help dogs who are picky eaters. • When to check with your Veterinarian.

Resources:

• Podcast Episode 62: 12 Keys to Helping My Dogs Live a Long and Happy Life - https://dogsthat.com/podcast/62/ • Podcast Episode 48: Potty Train Your Puppy in a Week (Easy 3 Step Process) - https://dogsthat.com/podcast/48/ • (PDF - Kealy RD, Olsson SE, Monti KL, et al.) Effects of limited food consumption on the incidence of hip dysplasia in growing dogs - https://www.icbblog.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/Kealy-et-al-1995-Effects-of-limited-food-consumption-on-the-incidence-of-hip-dysplasia-in-growing-dogs.pdf • Podcast Episode 2: Reinforcement - https://dogsthat.com/podcast/2/ • Podcast Episode 70: Critical Info for Your Puppy's First Day and Night at Home - https://dogsthat.com/podcast/70/ • DogsThat Online Dog Training Programs - https://dogsthat.com/ • Video Blog: 5 Games for Puppies - https://susangarrettdogagility.com/2020/04/5-games-for-puppies/ • Podcast Episode 32: 20 Easy Ways to Exercise Your Dog at Home - https://dogsthat.com/podcast/32/ • Podcast Episode 68: 3 Easy Tricks Every Dog Should Know - https://dogsthat.com/podcast/68/ • *Basis Stainless Steel Pet Dog Bowls - https://www.amazon.com/Basis-Pet-Stainless-Steel-Medium/dp/B00ERXJ59S/ • Watch this Episode of Shaped by Dog on YouTube

*Amazon Links Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

Susan only recommends products she uses herself, and all opinions expressed here are her own. The link above is an affiliate link that, at no additional cost to you, we may earn a small commission if you decide to buy from it. Thank you!

Why Judgement Does Not Help People Or Dogs: ItsYerChoice LWT # 91 Jun 04, 2021

Show notes

Visit us at shapedbydog.com

As someone who has been educating dog owners on having a well-behaved dog and an amazing relationship with that dog, I think it's important to share my failures. Learn, walk, listen and train ItsYerChoice with me as I talk about my big blunder that happened last week, the impact of judgement and critical questions we need to ask ourselves.

In the episode you'll hear:

• My mistake at the grocery store and why I went straight to judgement. • Why to get curious when you find yourself judging. • About outside dogs and littermates. • How I got triggered and responded with a lack of filter. • The way my subconscious kicked in and the thoughts I had when waking up. • What congruency means to me. • What a nose bridge is and how my puppy targets my hand. • How we are all making judgements every day. • Why to ask questions when you are irritated. • About all the different views on dog training out there in the world. • How sitting in judgement of our dogs or others has impact beyond us. • Why I teach everything through games and its effectiveness. • Quick training prompts with IYC, paw movement and reward delivery.

Resources:

• Learn how to play ItsYerChoice - https://recallers.com/iycsummit-join/ • Podcast Episode 70: Critical Info for Your Puppy's First Day and Night at Home - https://dogsthat.com/podcast/70/ • YouTube Video: Susan Garrett's Tip for Training Frantic Dogs: Stimulus Control (see the nose bridge) - https://youtu.be/Kn3tIuQ7t9g • Podcast Episode 20: Bridging the Gap Between Blame and Kindness in Dog Training - https://dogsthat.com/podcast/20/ • Watch this Episode of Shaped by Dog on YouTube - https://youtu.be/kZEUfgR4-zg

Premack, Dog Training and Transfer of Value #90 Jun 02, 2021

Show notes

Visit us at shapedbydog.com

Has your dog ever been so overexcited they just can't seem to listen, and it's frustrating for you? Dogs who want to go swimming, for a car ride, or a walk might be so intent on what they want they might not even sit when you ask, and you know they know how to sit! There are tools to fix the challenge, and you can use what your dog loves to do. We're looking at the science of the Premack Principle and how you can transfer the value for what your dog loves to you.

In the episode you'll hear:

• How my puppy could not listen when she was outside with the other dogs. • The IF and THEN of contingencies in dog training. • About Premack's Principle. • Why to think about all the things that your dog loves that are safe. • How to use contingencies to your advantage. • Why the value your dog has for what they love transfers to what you want. • What my dog Buzz taught me through his love of swimming and water. • How the value Buzz had for swimming transferred to our relationship. • Why the low probably behavior needs to be achievable for your dog when you start. • The reason you need to be clear on what behaviour you want for clarity for your dog. • The importance of your dog's history of reinforcement for the low probability behavior. • Why not to repeat cues and how to lower the intensity of what your dog wants with distance. • How I used Reinforcement Zone (RZ) with my puppy, This! so she could run with dogs. • About training an excellent recall in all locations. • How to play my new game called "I Think You Must Be Lost". • Why to break things down, so everyone has success. • What you can easily do today to start premacking.

Resources:

• Premack's Principle (Wikipedia) - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Premack%27s_principle • Shaping Success Book - https://dogsthat.com/product/shaping-success-2/ https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Premack%27s_principle • Podcast Episode 86: How to Train Unmotivated or Overexcited Dogs - https://dogsthat.com/podcast/86/ • Podcast Episode 53: Stop Your Dog Pulling on Leash and Start Walking Together - https://dogsthat.com/podcast/53/ • Blog Post: How Do I Train My Dog To Come When Called? - https://susangarrettdogagility.com/2019/04/train-my-dog-to-come-when-called/ • Podcast Episode 11: The Power of Permission in Dog Training - https://dogsthat.com/podcast/11/ • Podcast Episode 68: 3 Easy Tricks Every Dog Should Know - https://dogsthat.com/podcast/68/ • YouTube #shorts Video The Thing Before The Thing (Walking with This!) - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oYYdccCXNsM • Watch this Episode of Shaped by Dog on YouTube - https://youtu.be/WeTfM6G-7AA

Why Dogs Should Not Tug: The Truth Revealed #89 May 28, 2021

Show notes

Visit us at shapedbydog.com

Tug of War, which is tugging with a dog using a toy, is one of the most basic and fun games we can play. Yet, some authorities will give a list of reasons why dogs should not tug. We're looking at those reasons, what dogs should not tug, and the five most common mistakes people make with tugging. For most dogs, not only is it okay to play tug, but it's also critically important.

In the episode you'll hear:

• Why some dogs should not be tugging. • How tugging can help you avoid behavior problems with a puppy. • The reasons given about why dogs should not play tug. • How sporting dogs with a soft mouth can enjoy tugging and still retrieve. • The connection made between growling and a dog being dominant. • How to help dogs who are resource guarding. • What you need to know about arousal, redirection, and boundaries. • How tugging improves your relationship with your dog. • Why dogs need to let go of the toy when you ask. • About my number one rule when playing tug. • The emergency stop to use if a dog makes contact with skin or clothing. • How tugging creates clear communication between you and your dog. • Why the arousal state of a dog when tugging helps with distractions. • The reasons to make safety a priority. • How to play tug so that you and your dog can have fun.

Resources:

• Learn how to play ItsYerChoice - https://recallers.com/iycsummit-join/ • Podcast Episode 46: Is Your Dog Trying to Dominate You and What You Can Do About It - https://dogsthat.com/podcast/46/ • Podcast Episode 88: Barrier Frustration: Help for Fence Fighting, Leash Reactivity and Window Guarding - https://dogsthat.com/podcast/88/ • Podcast Episode 18: 4 Puppy and Dog Training Games for Acquired Bite Inhibition - https://dogsthat.com/podcast/18/ • Podcast Episode 66: Resource Guarding: Dog vs Dog Aggression - https://dogsthat.com/podcast/66/ • Podcast Episode 82: Aggressive Puppy Biting Solved - https://dogsthat.com/podcast/82/ • Podcast Episode 55: Pro Dog Trainer's Guide to Toy Selection - https://dogsthat.com/podcast/55/ • Watch this Episode of Shaped by Dog on YouTube - https://youtu.be/zBH2lKVxj58

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