Shaped by Dog with Susan Garrett

Latest Episodes:

Training Tips From Susan: Training Challenges Are Feedback: What to Do When Things Don't Go To Plan Jul 11, 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!

Training Challenges Are Feedback: What To Do When Things Don't Go To Plan

Training challenges are feedback, and when things don't go to plan, it's often a sign there's something new to discover. I'm sharing what to do when progress feels stuck and how to turn challenges into learning opportunities for you and your dog.

Watch the full video at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ha2hXKZDuA4&t=785s

Training Tips From Susan: Matching Law In Dog Training: Why Your Dog Chooses One Behavior Over Another Jul 09, 2025

Show notes

Message From Susan

Matching Law in Dog Training: Why Your Dog Chooses One Behavior Over Another

I'm sharing the science behind Matching Law and why your dog chooses one behavior over another. Understanding this can transform how you train and connect with your dog and help you grow the behaviors you do want so you can set your dog up for success.

Watch the full video at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qZSCQFapIww&t=779s

Training Tips From Susan: How To Tell If A Dog Trainer Is The Right Fit For You And Your Dog Jul 04, 2025

Show notes

Message From Susan

How To Tell If A Dog Trainer Is The Right Fit For You And Your Dog

I'm sharing how to tell if a dog trainer is the right fit for you and your dog by breaking down the five key things I believe every dog owner should consider. When you know what to look for, you can find a coach who supports your goals and helps your dog truly shine.

Watch the full video at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cOgXwaysP7w

Training Tips From Susan: Why Your Dog Might Be Barking Excessively And What You Can Do To Help Jul 02, 2025

Show notes

Message From Susan

Why Your Dog Might Be Barking Excessively And What You Can Do To Help

Ever feel like your dog's barking is constant and you're not quite sure what's driving it? I'm sharing why your dog might be barking excessively and what you can do to help them feel more relaxed and confident.

Watch the full video at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BfoFvBAue7c

Training Tips From Susan: The Hope Method Of Dog Training: What Your Dog Is Really Learning When You're Not Teaching Jun 27, 2025

Show notes

Message From Susan

The "Hope Method" Of Dog Training: What Your Dog Is Really Learning When You're Not Teaching

I'm sharing the 'hope method' of dog training and what your dog is really learning when you're not teaching. Dogs are incredible at picking up patterns from the world around them, often in ways we don't even realize. The more we understand how our dogs learn, the more intentional we can be.

Watch the full video at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mNnvP8QtMLA&t=2s

Training Tips From Susan: The Truth About Over Aroused Dogs And What Shapes Their Emotional Responses Jun 26, 2025

Show notes

Message From Susan

The Truth About Over-Aroused Dogs And What Shapes Their Emotional Responses

Ever had a moment when your dog's emotions felt bigger than everything else around them? I'm sharing the truth about over-aroused dogs and what shapes their emotional responses. When we understand what's behind those big reactions, we can better support our dogs and set them and ourselves up for success.

Watch the full video at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=06CyHsE-bEY

Training Tips From Susan: Want Your Dog To Listen From Far Away? Here's Where That Training Really Begins Jun 20, 2025

Show notes

Message From Susan

Want Your Dog to Listen From Far Away? Here's Where That Training Really Begins

Want your dog to listen from far away? I'm sharing where that training really begins so you can help your dog build clarity and confidence to respond reliably anywhere, whether you're standing right beside them or at a distance.

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

Training Tips From Susan: Why Recalls Fail And The Common Mistakes That Get In The Way Of A Reliable Response Jun 18, 2025

Show notes

Message From Susan

Why Recalls Fail And The Common Mistakes That Get In The Way Of A Reliable Response

I'm breaking down the two biggest reasons why recalls fail and the common mistakes that can get in the way of a reliable response. Recognizing what to avoid is the first step toward building the kind of recall we all want: one that works when it really counts.

Watch the full video at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H8PL2bxL-fk

Not Seeing Results In Dog Training? Why Layers Of Learning Lead To Real World Success #307 Jun 13, 2025

Show notes

Visit us at shapedbydog.com

Not seeing results in dog training? I'm breaking down why that happens and how layering your dog's learning is the key to creating real-world success. We often believe our dogs are "trained" when things look great in controlled settings but when connection disappears, distractions take over, or confidence fades in new environments, it's a sign that a layer of learning is missing. I'll walk you through how the layers of the 5C Pyramid build lasting reliability and focus, a personal story from my own training, and how shaping behavior through intentional layers leads to long-term success in agility, sports, and everyday life.

In this episode, you'll hear:

• Why your dog might be great in training games but struggle in real-world situations. • How building intentional layers in training leads to real-world success with your dog • The concept of "real world success" and how it evolves as your relationship with your dog grows. • A deep dive into the 5 Cs of dog training: Connection, Clarity, Confidence, Challenge, and Complexity. • The difference between a connected, driven, and detached dog and why that matters. • A powerful question to ask yourself in every training moment to stay aligned with your long-term goals. • How intentional layers build deep connection and lasting success. • A personal story about my own dog and how the layers of learning led us all the way to the world championships.

Crate Games: Get Crate Games Online - https://get.crategames.com/

Learn How To Play ItsYerChoice: Learn how to play the ItsYerChoice (IYC) Game - https://recallers.com/iycsummit-join/

Resources:

1. Podcast Episode 171: Dog Training With Layered Shaping: Why Classical Conditioning Must Come First - https://dogsthat.com/podcast/171/ 2. Podcast Episode 21: The 5 Critical Dog Training Layers for Confidence with Anything - https://dogsthat.com/podcast/21/ 3. Podcast Episode 202: Getting A Happy Well Behaved Dog With The ABCs Of Training - https://dogsthat.com/podcast/202/ 4. Podcast Episode 18: 4 Puppy and Dog Training Games for Acquired Bite Inhibition - https://dogsthat.com/podcast/18/ 5. Podcast Episode 68: 3 Easy Tricks Every Dog Should Know - https://dogsthat.com/podcast/68/ 6. Watch this Episode of Shaped by Dog on YouTube - https://youtu.be/FGu03YVsN1k

Training Tips From Susan: The Best Way To Talk To Your Dog Trainer When Things Aren't Working Jun 11, 2025

Show notes

Message From Susan

The Best Way To Talk To Your Dog Trainer When Things Aren't Working

I'm sharing the best way to talk to your dog trainer when things aren't working. This simple shift opens the door to better conversations, clearer feedback, and real progress in your training so you and your coach are working together to help your dog succeed.

Watch the full video at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Y8lomnqt7Y

Our TOPPODCAST Picks

Follow Us

Stay Connected

Shaped by Dog with Susan Garrett

Related Podcasts

Links

Stay Connected