Shaped by Dog with Susan Garrett

Latest Episodes:

Training Tips From Susan: Mini Q&A With Susan: Cue Clarity And Start-Line Focus For Agility Success Sep 19, 2025

Show notes

Message From Susan

Hey everyone, it's Susan, and you're about to hear one of my training tips and tidbits. These are quick, actionable strategies to help you and your dog in everyday life or for dog sport. Often our short videos with tips are created from your most popular segments of podcast episodes. So, let's dive in!

Mini Q&A With Susan: Cue Clarity And Start-Line Focus For Agility Success

In this mini Q&A, I'm diving into cue clarity and start-line focus for agility success, sharing how I track and rehearse my cues so they become second nature, and how I help dogs bring calm, confident focus to the start line.

Watch the full video at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RITzOlo6uw8

Training Tips From Susan: Why Consent Matters: Building Trust And Choice In Dog Training Sep 17, 2025

Show notes

Message From Susan

Why Consent Matters: Building Trust And Choice In Dog Training

I'm sharing why consent matters and how giving our dogs choice builds deeper trust and transforms the way we train and care for them. When our dogs are heard, they show up with clarity, confidence, and joy.

Watch the full video at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mzoUUJT5eiQ

Training Tips From Susan: Mini Q&A With Susan: Body Awareness Exercises And My Warm-Up For Dog Agility Sep 12, 2025

Show notes

Message From Susan

Mini Q&A With Susan: Body Awareness Exercises And My Warm-Up For Dog Agility

In this mini Q&A, I'm sharing my top body awareness exercises for dogs and the warm-up routine you can use to prepare your dog for success on and off the agility field.

Watch the full video at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RITzOlo6uw8

Training Tips From Susan: How I Create A Relationship Where My Dog Wants To Work With Me (And How You Can Too) Sep 10, 2025

Show notes

Message From Susan

How I Create A Relationship Where My Dog Wants To Work With Me (And How You Can Too

Every great partnership with a dog is built on connection, not control. I'm sharing how I create a relationship where my dog wants to work with me and how you can too. By focusing on what matters most to your dog, training turns into teamwork instead of work.

Watch the full video at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SdCQuzXcm2M

Training Tips From Susan: Mini Q&A With Susan: How To Keep Connection Strong And Motivation High In Dog Agility Sep 05, 2025

Show notes

Message From Susan

Mini Q&A With Susan: How To Keep Connection Strong And Motivation High In Dog Agility

In this mini Q&A, I'm sharing how to keep connection strong and motivation high in dog agility with simple strategies every handler can use.

Watch the full video at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RITzOlo6uw8

Training Tips From Susan: The Step-by-Step Plan That Turns Hesitant Dogs Into Happy Swimmers Sep 03, 2025

Show notes

Message From Susan

The Step-by-Step Plan That Turns Hesitant Dogs Into Happy Swimmers

I'm sharing my step-by-step plan that turns hesitant dogs into happy swimmers by building confidence one stage at a time. You'll learn how to create positive associations with water, keep the process fun, and set your dog up for success every step of the way.

Watch the full video at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oexSF-V3ELg

Training Tips From Susan: How Dopamine Drives Your Dog's Motivation And Training Success Sep 03, 2025

Show notes

Message From Susan

How Dopamine Drives Your Dog's Motivation And Training Success

I'm sharing how dopamine drives your dog's motivation and training success, and why finding the right balance is the key to making training more rewarding and addictive for your dog in the best possible way.

Watch the full video at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FMzI6VzIU_w

Dog Agility Foundations: Train World Champion Skills Right In Your Living Room! #311 Aug 29, 2025

Show notes

Visit us at shapedbydog.com

Ever wonder how world champion agility dogs are made? I'm sharing how to build dog agility foundations and train skills right in your living room! From simple daily games to fun exercises, discover the secrets that helped all 11 of my dogs reach the top, while creating a confident and focused dog that makes brilliant choices. Whether you're new to agility or already competing, you'll discover practical ways to bring out the best in your dog while having fun together.

In this episode, you'll hear:

• How all 11 of my dogs achieved top-level success in agility. • My early beginnings in the sport and my experiences. • Why so-called "naughty" dogs can shine in agility. • The common myths about what makes a good agility dog. • How to build value for multiple reinforcers: food, toys, and most importantly, YOU. • Why "learning how to learn" is an important skill for dogs. • About the role of recall and Reinforcement Zone in developing focus. • How to build attention even in distracting environments. • Why "Spotlights" (location-specific reinforcement markers) create clarity and confidence. • How simple choice games like "This or That" accelerate learning.

Free ItsYerChoice Summit Learn How to Play ItsYerChoice - https://recallers.com/iycsummit-join/

Resources:

1. Podcast Episode 177: Dog Training Outside The Box: Transfer Of Value Case Study - https://dogsthat.com/podcast/177/ 2. Nina Ottosson's Puzzle Toys - https://www.nina-ottosson.com/products/all-products/ 3. Podcast Episode 302: The Recall Myth: Why Your Off Leash Dog Isn't Coming When Called And How To Fix It - https://dogsthat.com/podcast/302/ 4. Podcast Episode 242: Help! Why Won't My Dog Pay Attention? (Secrets Of Focus) - https://dogsthat.com/podcast/242/ 5. YouTube Video: Understanding Your Dog's Reinforcement Zone (RZ) with Susan Garrett - https://youtu.be/OaUAScgaFAg 6. Blog Post: How to Use the Distraction Intensity Index to Help Your Dog - https://susangarrettdogagility.com/2020/09/distraction-intensity-index/ 7. Podcast Episode 6: The Art of Manipulation - https://dogsthat.com/podcast/6/ 8. Podcast Episode 151: How Location Specific Reinforcement Markers Will Improve Your Dog Training! - https://dogsthat.com/podcast/151/ 9. Podcast Episode 32: 20 Easy Ways to Exercise Your Dog at Home - https://dogsthat.com/podcast/32/ 10. Watch this Episode of Shaped by Dog on YouTube - https://youtu.be/gLiRTY9iNrc

Training Tips From Susan: The Kind Of Relationship That Leads To Real Connection With Your Dog Aug 22, 2025

Show notes

Message From Susan

The Kind Of Relationship That Leads To Real Connection With Your Dog

I'm sharing how to build the kind of relationship that creates real connection with your dog, bringing out the best in both of you. This grows into a bond that strengthens over time, adding joy and clarity to everything you do together.

Watch the full video at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SdCQuzXcm2M

Training Tips From Susan: Inadvertent Time Outs In Dog Training: What They Are, Why They Matter, And How To Avoid Them Aug 20, 2025

Show notes

Message From Susan

Inadvertent Time Outs In Dog Training: What They Are, Why They Matter, And How To Avoid Them

In dog training, inadvertent time outs happen more often than many realize, so I'm sharing what they are, why they matter, and how to avoid them. Being aware of these moments can help you stay present with your dog and keep training and everyday time together more connected and engaging.

Watch the full video at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5TIcuLA_Z4U

Our TOPPODCAST Picks

Follow Us

Stay Connected

Shaped by Dog with Susan Garrett

Related Podcasts

Links

Stay Connected