

Shaped by Dog with Susan Garrett
Susan Garrett
Susan Garrett, world-renowned dog trainer, multi-time champion of dog agility, and leading educator on all things canine shares everything related to dogs! Susan understands dog behaviour and wants you and your dog to have the best life together possible.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Aug 22, 2025 • 5min
Training Tips From Susan: The Kind Of Relationship That Leads To Real Connection With Your Dog
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! 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

Aug 20, 2025 • 6min
Training Tips From Susan: Inadvertent Time Outs In Dog Training: What They Are, Why They Matter, And How To Avoid Them
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! 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

Aug 15, 2025 • 5min
Training Tips From Susan: Feeling Unmotivated? How To Regain Your Training Drive And Help Your Dog Thrive
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! Feeling Unmotivated? How To Regain Your Training Drive And Help Your Dog Thrive Feeling unmotivated? We’ve all been there! I’m sharing how to regain your training drive and help your dog thrive with quick reset strategies to turn low-energy days into productive, purposeful sessions that leave you feeling focused and ready to train again. Watch the full video at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h6X6wzQyngk

Aug 13, 2025 • 4min
Training Tips From Susan: Why Ranking Reinforcements Is The Key To More Motivated, Focused, & Successful Dog Training Sessions
Discover how ranking different rewards transforms dog training sessions. Learn why your dog's motivation is like currency and how to use it effectively. Explore the impact of desensitization to common rewards and why varied motivators can boost engagement. This quick guide offers actionable strategies to make your training more focused and successful!

Aug 8, 2025 • 5min
Training Tips From Susan: Rehearsals Of Success: How Every Interaction With Your Puppy Shapes The Dog They'll Become
Discover the vital role of 'rehearsals of success' in shaping your puppy’s future behavior. Learn why every interaction counts, even outside formal training sessions. Hear practical tips on managing excitement during training and setting realistic expectations. This engaging discussion emphasizes how structured activities can foster positive behaviors, making your training efforts a pathway to long-lasting success.

Aug 6, 2025 • 8min
Training Tips From Susan: From Overwhelm To Confidence: How To Create The Dog Of Your Dreams With Strategic Reinforcement
Discover how to transform your relationship with your dog using strategic reinforcement techniques. The discussion emphasizes turning feelings of overwhelm into confidence for both new and experienced dog owners. Learn about effective training methods that foster desirable behaviors through environment management and interactive bonding. Small adjustments in training can lead to significant improvements in behavior and connection, helping you create the dog of your dreams!

Aug 1, 2025 • 18min
Hot Take: You Don’t Need To Say “Stay” In Dog Training: Here’s Why Release Cues Work Instead! #310
Visit us at shapedbydog.com Hot Take: You don’t need to say “stay” in dog training! I’m sharing how clear release cues give dogs greater clarity and confidence. I’ll take you through how I introduce this concept early with my puppies, how Crate Games helps build a strong foundation, and what it all looks like in everyday training, including when working with more than one dog. When our dogs truly understand what’s expected, they gain confidence and confident dogs make brilliant choices. In this episode, you’ll hear: • Why I don’t use the word “stay” and what inspired this episode. • How cues get eroded over time. • What “controlled behaviors” mean for dogs. • How I introduce the release word to my puppy. • What my dogs’ cues are for leaving position (and why they don’t need “stay”). • Why I never use “sit” to stop my dogs at the door. • Why I teach “go chill” separately from control positions. • Step-by-step training for clarity when working with two dogs. • The difference between outdated “stay” training and modern-day release cues. • Why Crate Games builds impulse control and clarity from the start. • How release cues help build reliability and understanding. Crate Games Get Crate Games Online - https://get.crategames.com/ Resources: 1. Podcast Episode 52: The Five Most Common Words in Dog Training and Which Ones I Never Use - https://dogsthat.com/podcast/52/ 2. Podcast Episode 155: 10 Ways To Teach A Sit WITHOUT A Food Lure! Unreal Results For Puppies And Dogs Of All Ages - https://dogsthat.com/podcast/155/ 3. Podcast Episode 151: How Location Specific Reinforcement Markers Will Improve Your Dog Training! - https://dogsthat.com/podcast/151/ 4. Podcast Episode 266: Hot Zone And Stays – How One Dog Training Nuance Can Fix Anxiety And Duration - https://dogsthat.com/podcast/266/ 5. YouTube Video: Target Training for Dogs with Susan Garrett - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLphRRSxcMHy3ylCyQ2bJQSCwo_ERiVHj3 6. Watch this Episode of Shaped by Dog on YouTube - https://youtu.be/C8BaOL7LB4Q

Jul 30, 2025 • 6min
Training Tips From Susan: Understanding The Stages Of A Dog’s Development
Discover the key developmental stages of your dog’s life and how they impact training. Learn about essential behaviors at each phase, especially during the energetic adolescent period. Find out how aligning training with your dog’s growth fosters clarity, builds confidence, and strengthens your bond. These actionable insights can transform your relationship with your furry friend into one that lasts a lifetime.

10 snips
Jul 25, 2025 • 18min
Behavior Is Communication: Decode Your Dog By Understanding Their 5 Core Needs #309
Discover how your dog's behavior reveals their unmet needs. The discussion dives into five core areas: emotional, physical, social, mental, and daily thrive. Misbehavior could be a cry for help! Learn about common struggles dog owners face and how they relate to these needs. Explore the significance of psychological safety alongside physical well-being. Nutrition, sleep, and exercise also play key roles in your dog's happiness. Shift from frustration to understanding and create a deeper bond for a well-behaved dog.

8 snips
Jul 23, 2025 • 16min
How To Train A Dog From Day One: Avoid Common Puppy Mistakes Through Games & Enrichment #308
Discover essential strategies for training puppies and rescue dogs right from day one. Uncover the importance of understanding canine communication and how every behavior sends a message. Learn why positive reinforcement doesn't mean permissiveness and how structured games can transform your puppy into an eager learner. Delve into the pitfalls of hoping for good behavior rather than planning for success. Explore the role of enrichment and how mindful training investments shape lifelong outcomes. Real-life examples illustrate the impact of reinforcement on behavior.