Shaped by Dog with Susan Garrett Training Tips From Susan: How To Set Up A Successful Shaping Session With Your Dog
Oct 10, 2025
Discover how to shape your dog's behavior with effective training strategies. Learn about establishing a reinforcement hierarchy to tailor motivation, and use location-specific markers for better targeting. Susan emphasizes the importance of making training your dog's choice and the value of crate games. Find out how to commit to short sessions while reviewing your progress on video, and avoid chaotic reinforcement to prevent anxiety. Finally, learn to maintain neutrality during training and focus on building strong behavioral blocks for reliable results.
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Build A Reinforcement Hierarchy
- Create a hierarchy of reinforcements so you have high- and lower-value rewards for different training goals.
- Use lower-value treats for precision shaping and save high-value rewards for big successes.
Tater Salad Shows Tailor Rewards
- Susan shares that Tater Salad, a rescue, became overexcited with high-value treats so she uses lower-value rewards for precision work.
- That contrast illustrates tailoring reinforcement to each dog's arousal and focus level.
Use Location-Specific Markers
- Teach location-specific reinforcement markers like "search" and "chow" so the dog knows where to take food.
- Only allow food from a location when you use the matching marker to prevent confusion.