Shaped by Dog with Susan Garrett

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! Shaping Q&A: Non-Reward Markers, Reinforcement Strategies, And Making Training Work For Every Dog In this mini Shaping Q&A, I'm diving into your top questions about non-reward markers, reinforcement strategies, how to make training work for every dog, and more! You'll discover how to set your sessions up for success, keep motivation high, and make shaping easier and more enjoyable for both you and your dog. Watch the full video at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XOT8z4B81eg

Visit us at shapedbydog.com What might look like digging, chewing, or shredding is often a dog's way of saying, "I need more enrichment." In Part 2 of our enrichment series, I'm sharing how to build a 30-day plan that meets your dog's natural needs for curiosity, challenge, and balance. You'll get over 30 meaningful ideas to build confidence, support calm focus, and strengthen your connection so your dog feels happy, relaxed, and fulfilled. In this episode, you'll hear: • How digging, shredding, chewing, or turning everyday objects into games of their own are our dog's self-created enrichment. • A quick recap of Part 1 of the enrichment series and how using our dog's natural instincts builds engagement. • The main categories of enrichment and how each fulfills different needs. • How engagement-based enrichment helps dogs stay focused and joyful. • What social enrichment looks like in everyday life and how to make it positive. • Ways to safely meet your dog's instinctive drives through play and activities. • How fitness enrichment builds both confidence and physical balance. • The role of curiosity and challenge in keeping enrichment meaningful. • Simple sensory enrichment ideas that bring calm and relaxation. • How to use the free 30-Day Enrichment Planner to create balance, variety, and fun. Resources: 1. Download Your Dog's Enrichment Blueprint - https://dogsthat.com/enrichment-blueprint/ 2. Podcast Episode 314: Dog Enrichment Secrets Part 1: Using Your Dog's Natural Instincts To Build Variety And Engagement - https://dogsthat.com/podcast/314/ 3. YouTube Playlist: Dog Training Games with Susan Garrett - https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLphRRSxcMHy2TzttCtZVFwzwMGayAsaYe&si=dL01iM0YSBLEWUWV 4. YouTube Playlist: Target Training for Dogs with Susan Garrett - https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLphRRSxcMHy3ylCyQ2bJQSCwo_ERiVHj3&si=p7xGeNlYA0xg-2hm 5. Podcast Episode 68: 3 Easy Tricks Every Dog Should Know - https://dogsthat.com/podcast/68/ 6. YouTube Video: Susan Garrett's Perch Work Dog Tricks (Pivots and Spins) - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O6sj6fTJnFc 7. Podcast Episode 281: How Vito's Thinking Games Will Transform Your Dog Training - https://dogsthat.com/podcast/281/ 8. YouTube Video: How to Train Your Dog to Leave It with No Command: Susan Garrett's ItsYerChoice - https://youtu.be/GGJkfrMje2k?si=ktVPU8o4UP1jTfa0 9. YouTube Playlist: Crate Games and Crate Training for Puppies and Dogs with Susan Garrett - https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLphRRSxcMHy2cs1uKBQTpAY-LUARQhzT7&si=LRcMwJuXJ19qq6mb 10. 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/ 11. Podcast Episode 89: Why Dogs Should Not Tug: The Truth Revealed - https://dogsthat.com/podcast/89/ 12. Podcast Episode 180: Taking Your Puppy To A Café Or Restaurant: Socialization Success - https://dogsthat.com/podcast/180/ 13. Podcast Episode 121: How To Stop Dogs Jumping Up On People - https://dogsthat.com/podcast/121/ 14. Podcast Episode 145: 10 Ways To Teach A Dog To Lay Down And How To Shape It Without Luring - https://dogsthat.com/podcast/145/ 15. YouTube Video: DIY Puppy Bombs: Easy & Affordable Enrichment Toy for Puppies - https://youtu.be/UBveJe2C2dA 16. *Flirt Pole - https://geni.us/flirt-pole 17. *Snuffle Mat - https://geni.us/snuffle_mat 18. Nina Ottosson Food Puzzles - https://www.nina-ottosson.com/products/all-products/ 19. *West Paw Zogoflex Toppl Treat Dispensing Dog Toy Puzzle - https://geni.us/toppl 20. *KONG Classic Stuffable Dog Toy - https://geni.us/kong-toy 21. Podcast Episode 74: Yes, Susan Garrett's Dogs Sniff On Walks - https://dogsthat.com/podcast/74/ 22. YouTube Playlist: Exercising Your Dog's Body and Mind: Tips and Games with Susan Garrett - https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLphRRSxcMHy1ISzbaoCNh0NyLg3qgDG58&si=iV1H-X-QNyxd04zj 23. *PETGEEK Treat Dispenser - https://geni.us/petgeek-dispenser 24. *KONG Wobblers - https://geni.us/kong-wobbler 25. Podcast Episode 191: Get Your Dog To Calm Down With This Common Sense Protocol For Relaxation - https://dogsthat.com/podcast/191/ 26. YouTube Channel: DogsThat - https://www.youtube.com/@DogsThat 27. *If your dog loves wood, Susan's dogs love this chew: SPOT Coffee Wood Dog Chew Toy - https://geni.us/wood-chew 28. Watch this Episode of Shaped by Dog on YouTube - https://youtu.be/aBuG1z2oLos *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!

Discover the true essence of dog enrichment beyond just toys like Kongs. Learn how to create meaningful experiences that cater to your dog's emotional, mental, and instinctual needs. Explore the importance of variety and choice while avoiding monotonous routines. Delve into the eight stages of the predatory sequence and how to design activities for each stage, from snuffle mats to chase games. This episode is packed with practical tips for enhancing your dog's life and fostering a deeper connection between you both.

When dog training stops being enjoyable, it's time for a reset. Discover how to distinguish between learning and looping with simple questions and mindset shifts. Susan emphasizes redefining what fun means for both you and your dog. Learn to recognize signs of being stuck and explore four steps to regain momentum. Target training is highlighted as a helpful tool to enhance understanding. Seeking guidance can also provide clarity. Ultimately, shifting your perspective can bring joy back to training sessions.

Potty training can be tricky, but understanding your puppy is key! Accidents may signal health issues or weather sensitivities. Learn to recognize your puppy's unique signals and adjust routines for better training success. Supervision and realistic expectations play vital roles in progress. Celebrate small wins and use effective cleaning methods to prevent repeat accidents. Emotional responses can confuse your pup, so staying calm is crucial. Discover practical tips to create consistent potty habits and communicate effectively with your furry friend.

Explore the fascinating world of dog focus as the host breaks down the meanings of connected, driven, and detached behaviors. Discover how connected dogs check in with their owners, while driven dogs maintain focus on sports cues. Learn to reframe detached behaviors without blame, understanding the link to training choices. The discussion emphasizes responsible training, reminding listeners that dogs often mirror their environment and training principles. Enhance your teamwork and communication with your furry friend!

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.

Preparing your puppy for agility goes beyond just equipment. The focus should be on building confidence and joy first. Susan argues that soft-tissue strength matters more than growth plate closure when starting out. She emphasizes waiting until 14–16 months for high-impact skills to protect developing bodies. A strong handler-dog relationship, reliable recall, and teaching retrieves are essential foundations. Finally, effective handling relies on teaching dogs to follow motion and cues, ensuring agility success.

Dive into essential training strategies for dog agility! Discover when to start contact training and the importance of laying solid foundations for puppies. Learn about the natural traits that make dogs excel in agility, plus tips on entering the agility world. Struggling with zoomies? Susan uncovers how to identify the cause and stop them with clear handling and path-training. Tune in for actionable insights that will enhance your dog’s performance and your training experience!

This episode dives into the importance of using a variety of dog treats to keep training fun and effective. Susan highlights unique options like fruits, vegetables, and high-value meats, discussing different forms such as freeze-dried and raw. She explores the hierarchy of treat value, shares her top choices for irresistible training rewards, and emphasizes the benefits of rotating treats. With tips on storing different treats around the house, this conversation is packed with actionable advice for any dog owner!