

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

Mar 1, 2023 • 22min
What Does "Positive Is Not Permissive" Really Mean In Dog Training? #198
Visit us at shapedbydog.com The way we train with positive reinforcement might seem a little out there as we put our dog's emotions first, and if our dog does not do what we want them to do, we don't punish or correct. It might even make you wonder what sort of anarchy we have in our lives with our dogs! But it's not like that at all because one of the guiding principles I've been talking about since the 90s is that positive is not permissive. In the episode you'll hear: • What "positive not permissive" really means. • Why the relationship we have with our dog weaves into everything. • How expectations and consistency create clarity for dogs. • The reasons a dog might not be meeting your expectations. • That dog training can be part of everything you do. • What a day might look like in your life with your dog. • The hierarchy of behaviors to consider. • Why recall, retrieve and relax are my top priorities. • Games you can play with your dog for life skills. • The reason loose leash walking begins at home. • Tips to fit dog training into everyday life with daily quickies. Shaped by Dog Episode 200 Online Celebration Event: Register to get the news to join us for an online party for Episode 200! - https://dogsthat.com/sbd-celebrate-episode-200/ Learn to Play ItsYerChoice: https://recallers.com/iycsummit-join Resources: 1. Crate Games Online - https://get.crategames.com/ 2. Podcast Episode 171: Dog Training With Layered Shaping: Why Classical Conditioning Must Come First - https://dogsthat.com/podcast/171/ 3. Podcast Episode 107: Pedicure Please: 3 Steps To Dog Nail Trimming Or Grooming Success At Home! - https://dogsthat.com/podcast/107/ 4. Podcast Episode 20: Bridging the Gap Between Blame and Kindness in Dog Training - https://dogsthat.com/podcast/20/ 5. Podcast Episode 27: Do Dogs Need Rules? - https://dogsthat.com/podcast/27/ 6. Podcast Episode 99: When Reinforcement Based Dog Training Doesn't Work - https://dogsthat.com/podcast/99/ 7. YouTube Playlist: Dog Won't Listen or Ignores You? Susan Garrett's Training Tips to Get Your Dog Listening Anywhere - https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLphRRSxcMHy0HiauCoyVrDAWr1VeAWPES 8. Podcast Episode 26: Pro Dog Training Tips to Get Your Puppy to Sleep All Night - https://dogsthat.com/podcast/26/ 9. Podcast Episode 150: Adding Mindset To Your Dog Training Tools: Who Do You Become? - https://dogsthat.com/podcast/150/ 10. YouTube Playlist: Puppy Essentials with Susan Garrett - https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLphRRSxcMHy2hywpv3Md3HbWWPPbVF8W5 11. Podcast Episode 190: Using Daily Quickies To Fast Track Your Dog Training And Grow Your Dog's Skills - https://dogsthat.com/podcast/190/ 12. Podcast Episode 178: Dog Walking: Why To Start, How Often, And Where - https://dogsthat.com/podcast/178/ 13. Podcast Episode 191: Get Your Dog To Calm Down With This Common Sense Protocol For Relaxation - https://dogsthat.com/podcast/191/ 14. Podcast Episode 158: Stop Your Dog's Unwanted Behaviors With This Positive Interrupter - https://dogsthat.com/podcast/158/ 15. YouTube Playlist: Loose Leash Walking with Susan Garrett - https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLphRRSxcMHy1mGMfdVKXq_hiJ27Ej1shW 16. YouTube Playlist: Dog Training Games with Susan Garrett - https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLphRRSxcMHy2TzttCtZVFwzwMGayAsaYe 17. YouTube Video: Susan Garrett's Perch Work Dog Tricks (Pivots and Spins) - https://youtu.be/O6sj6fTJnFc 18. Podcast Episode 153: Dog Muzzles: Everything You Need To Know And How To Muzzle Train Dogs - https://dogsthat.com/podcast/153/ 19. Watch this Episode of Shaped by Dog on YouTube - https://youtu.be/e26e7BfX2j4

Feb 24, 2023 • 20min
Outsmarting Distractions: How To Use Environmental Reinforcement in Dog Training #197
Visit us at shapedbydog.com The expression about Vegas casinos that "the house always wins" is like the one about dog training: The environment always wins. But it doesn't have to be true when you learn to use the environment to your advantage. Mastering reinforcement means understanding what your dog values most, and there are many things dogs value. Once you know where the reinforcement is for your dog, you can build yourself into that reinforcement so that it is you, not the environment, winning your dog's focus. In the episode you'll hear: • The role environments play in your dog's reinforcers. • How "jackpot" dopamine creates value for dogs. • How a negative prediction error encourages dogs to repeat and escalate behavior. • Where counter surfing really starts (and it's not at the counter). • Why you need to be aware of the thing before the thing. • How to neutralize distracting environments to win your dog's focus. • Why training puppies and dogs in the bathroom is ideal in the beginning. • How to grow the environment in your dog training. • What to do when you know your dog will ignore you, with the example of playing with other dogs. • Why and when to give your dog surprise high value rewards. • Tips for building yourself into all the reinforcement your dog receives. Shaped by Dog Episode 200 Online Celebration Event Register to get the news to join us for an online party for Episode 200! https://dogsthat.com/sbd-celebrate-episode-200/ Resources: 1. Podcast Episode 196: Why Mastering Reinforcement Is The Linchpin To Reinforcement Based Dog Training - https://dogsthat.com/podcast/196/ 2. Podcast Episode 174: Dopamine In Dog Training: Anticipation, Rewards, And The Transfer Of Value - https://dogsthat.com/podcast/174/ 3. Podcast Episode 172: How To Teach Your Dog Anything With My Training Plan - https://dogsthat.com/podcast/172/ 4. Podcast Episode 33: How Do I Stop My Dog Counter Surfing?! - https://dogsthat.com/podcast/33/ 5. Podcast Episode 162: Dogs Swimming: 5 Must Do Steps For Dogs Who Hate Or Love The Water - https://dogsthat.com/podcast/162/ 6. Podcast Episode 16: The Thing Before Your Dog's Thing - https://dogsthat.com/podcast/16/ 7. YouTube Video: Understanding Your Dog's Reinforcement Zone (RZ) with Susan Garrett - https://youtu.be/OaUAScgaFAg 8. ItsYerChoice Game - https://recallers.com/iycsummit-join/ 9. Crate Games Online - https://get.crategames.com/ 10. Podcast Episode 191: Get Your Dog To Calm Down With This Common Sense Protocol For Relaxation - https://dogsthat.com/podcast/191/ 11. Podcast Episode 166: Puppy Freedom: How Much Is Too Much? - https://dogsthat.com/podcast/166/ 12. YouTube Playlist: Dog Training Games with Susan Garrett - https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLphRRSxcMHy2TzttCtZVFwzwMGayAsaYe 13. YouTube Video: Training Your Dog In New Places: Create Success With Environmental Manipulation - https://youtu.be/MPmOnTSOUJ0 14. Watch this Episode of Shaped by Dog on YouTube - https://youtu.be/u5Mi_DwU35A

Feb 22, 2023 • 21min
Why Mastering Reinforcement Is The Linchpin To Reinforcement Based Dog Training #196
Visit us at shapedbydog.com There's a very good chance that you, like me, want to train your dog with reinforcement. It aligns with the kind of person you want to be both for your dog and for the world. To get really good behaviors with dogs as a positive reinforcement trainer, you have to get masterful at all that is reinforcing. That's the topic of this episode, and I'm including case studies of two of my dogs, Buzz and Belief and the layers of learning with reinforcement that create amazing skills. In the episode you'll hear: • A video review and breakdown of retrieve training with my dog, Buzz, from the 90's. • How you troubleshoot dog sports competition training using positive reinforcement. • Examples of popular, but bad, training advice I received that's still taught today. • How my puppy recalls from play brilliantly because of incremental layers of learning. • Why positive reinforcement is new and revolutionizing centuries of dog training. • How I pioneered positive reinforcement in dog agility training, even when told it would not work. • Why dog training using positive reinforcement is more reliable for recalls and more. • Why consent and cooperation create trust for nail trimming, etc. • The importance of knowing and growing what your dog values in different environments. • How dogs learn to earn reinforcement and how the value transfers to you. • Why teaching dogs "do" works better than teaching "don't." • The truth that you're one good strategy away from a better life with your dog. Shaped by Dog Episode 200 Online Celebration Event Register to get the news to join us for an online party for Episode 200! https://dogsthat.com/sbd-celebrate-episode-200/ Resources: 1. YouTube Playlist: Target Training for Dogs with Susan Garrett - https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLphRRSxcMHy3ylCyQ2bJQSCwo_ERiVHj3 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 145: 10 Ways To Teach A Dog To Lay Down And How To Shape It Without Luring - https://dogsthat.com/podcast/145/ 4. YouTube Video: Puppy Belief's Training Progress Update: 9 Months Old - https://youtu.be/b6HBZKx7jNs 5. Podcast Episode 146: Balanced Dog Training: Does It Really Exist? - https://dogsthat.com/podcast/146/ 6. YouTube Video: Understanding Your Dog's Reinforcement Zone (RZ) with Susan Garrett - https://youtu.be/OaUAScgaFAg 7. Podcast Episode 107: Pedicure Please: 3 Steps To Dog Nail Trimming Or Grooming Success At Home! - https://dogsthat.com/podcast/107/ 8. YouTube Playlist: Susan Garrett's Dog Training Philosophy and Training Processes - https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLphRRSxcMHy2An5_3KqDPqFVV6J6dYsYx 9. Tasty Treats Recipe eBook - https://dogsthat.com/tastytreats/ 10. YouTube Playlist: Reinforcement, Permissions and Transfer of Value in Dog Training with Susan Garrett - https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLphRRSxcMHy1IUj_4P54q2PIuLNtnXjFO 11. Blog Post with Video: The Transfer of Value in Dog Training - https://susangarrettdogagility.com/2018/02/transfer-of-value-in-dog-training/ 12. Podcast Episode 190: Using Daily Quickies To Fast Track Your Dog Training And Grow Your Dog's Skills - https://dogsthat.com/podcast/190/ 13. Learn to Play ItsYerChoice - https://recallers.com/iycsummit-join/ 14. Crate Games Online - https://get.crategames.com/ 15. Podcast Episode 191: Get Your Dog To Calm Down With This Common Sense Protocol For Relaxation - https://dogsthat.com/podcast/191/ 16. Watch this Episode of Shaped by Dog on YouTube - https://youtu.be/aDe3GiJRXVg

Feb 15, 2023 • 19min
Making Your Mind Your Most Powerful Dog Training Tool #195
Explore the impact of mindset on dog training success, including the importance of curiosity and intentional mindset. Learn about the power of growth mindset, embracing failure, and accountability. Discover the benefits of progressive games and a Valentine bundle offer for Homeschool the Dog and WAG Nation programs.

Feb 3, 2023 • 13min
The Invisible Reason Your Dog Is Ignoring You #194
Visit us at shapedbydog.com Have you ever watched those of us who have dogs on the same wavelength as us, and we ask them to do something, and they do it immediately? The dogs are excited and engaged, keen to listen, and can't wait for the next thing we ask them to do. Now, you might look at your dog's behavior and think, "that's not possible for me!" but I believe it is possible for you, and I believe the possibility is closer than you may think. In the episode you'll hear: • How having a dog enthused to work with you is easier than you think. • The three possible relationships we have with dogs and why I want harmony. • Why being curious about outcomes creates success. • A reminder that progress is not linear but a journey of peaks and valleys that teach us. • How to create value for yourself in your dog's eyes • Tips for transfer of value with a puppy or rescue dog. • Why playing games creates confidence and joy in your dog. • How the layers of learning stack so your dog can be brilliant and engaged. • That behavior is information about what a dog needs and their communication. • Why giving dogs a choice makes them enthusiastic about engaging with us. • About considering ego or soul in your relationship with your dog. Crate Games and ItsYerChoice Get Crate Games Online: https://get.crategames.com/ Learn how to play ItsYerChoice: https://recallers.com/iycsummit-join/ Resources: 1. Podcast Episode 189: All The Things That Influence Your Dog's Behavior And What Behavior Tells You - https://dogsthat.com/podcast/189/ 2. Podcast Episode 177: Dog Training Outside The Box: Transfer Of Value Case Study - https://dogsthat.com/podcast/177/ 3. YouTube Playlist: Puppy Essentials with Susan Garrett Dog Training - https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLphRRSxcMHy2hywpv3Md3HbWWPPbVF8W5 4. Podcast Episode 78: How to Train a Rescue Dog with Behavior Problems - https://dogsthat.com/podcast/78/ 5. YouTube Playlist: How to Train a Dog to Sit and Stay: Step-by-Step Guide with Susan Garrett - https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLphRRSxcMHy2Hq4zfUmUf5VKNGAn3gwsD 6. Podcast Episode 145: 10 Ways To Teach A Dog To Lay Down And How To Shape It Without Luring - https://dogsthat.com/podcast/145/ 7. YouTube Playlist: Reinforcement, Permissions and Transfer of Value in Dog Training with Susan Garrett - https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLphRRSxcMHy1IUj_4P54q2PIuLNtnXjFO 8. YouTube Video: Puppy's First Training with Susan Garrett: Shaping, Targeting and Collar Conditioning - https://youtu.be/ticB_1Twx6E 9. Podcast Episode 40: Using A Head Halter On A Dog, Why My Approach Is So Different - https://dogsthat.com/podcast/40/ 10. Podcast Episode 153: Dog Muzzles: Everything You Need To Know And How To Muzzle Train Dogs - https://dogsthat.com/podcast/153/ 11. YouTube Playlist: Dog Training Games with Susan Garrett - https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLphRRSxcMHy2TzttCtZVFwzwMGayAsaYe 12. Home School the Dog - https://dogsthat.com/hstd-joinnow/ 13. Recallers - https://recallers.com/ 14. Watch this Episode of Shaped by Dog on YouTube - https://youtu.be/SdCQuzXcm2M

Feb 1, 2023 • 17min
Do Different Dogs Really Need Different Dog Training Methods? #193
Visit us at shapedbydog.com Somebody has likely told you that not all dogs can be trained the same way and that different methods are needed for different dogs. Is there truth behind this? I'm covering how different dogs might need different training approaches, but the word philosophy should replace method. Plus, I'm sharing why the dog training philosophy I choose aligns with my heart and an invitation to everyone to consider trying something different. In the episode you'll hear: • How any dog can be trained using kindness, clarity and choice-based games. • Why my philosophy doesn't involve the use of positive punishment. • That the expectations of ourselves should be higher than those we put on our dogs. • The difference between dog training philosophies and dog training techniques. • How my training approach will differ for dogs as individuals. • About the dark history of dog training and its slow evolution. • How my training method was mocked decades ago but is now widely adopted. • My invitation to open-minded dog trainers who use positive punishment. • How confirmation bias subtly influences our worldviews. • Why I choose to train with kindness, choice, clarity, and positive reinforcement. • Different ways I change my training technique based on what a dog needs. Resources 1. Podcast Episode 150: Adding Mindset To Your Dog Training Tools: Who Do You Become? - https://dogsthat.com/podcast/150/ 2. Podcast Episode 146: Balanced Dog Training: Does It Really Exist? - https://dogsthat.com/podcast/146/ 3. Podcast Episode 33: How Do I Stop My Dog Counter Surfing?! - https://dogsthat.com/podcast/33/ 4. Podcast Episode 189: All The Things That Influence Your Dog's Behavior And What Behavior Tells You - https://dogsthat.com/podcast/189/ 5. Podcast Episode 176: Why Your Dog's Emotions Are A Critical Element Of Dog Training - https://dogsthat.com/podcast/176/ 6. Podcast Episode 46: Is Your Dog Trying to Dominate You and What You Can Do About It - https://dogsthat.com/podcast/46/ 7. Podcast Episode 187: When To Listen To Your Heart In Dog Training - https://dogsthat.com/podcast/187/ 8. Podcast Episode 175: Food Luring VS Shaping In Dog Training: How Science Changed How I Teach Dogs - https://dogsthat.com/podcast/175/ 9. Podcast Episode 8: Get Your Dog in the Belief Loop of Awesome - https://dogsthat.com/podcast/8/ 10. YouTube Playlist: Susan Garrett's Dog Training Philosophy and Training Processes - https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLphRRSxcMHy2An5_3KqDPqFVV6J6dYsYx 11. Watch this Episode of Shaped by Dog on YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xH1JqN34Sr0&feature=youtu.be

Jan 27, 2023 • 19min
Barking, Broken Recalls, Wildlife, Dog Trainer Personality And More Questions Answered #192
Visit us at shapedbydog.com This episode is brought to you by YOU! I'm answering questions submitted on the DogsThat socials on wide ranging aspects of life with dogs – including how human personality types impact training and dog choice, perseverance when progress stalls, fixing broken recall words, over-aroused dogs, barking in hounds, my fitness regimen, living with littermates, ignoring wildlife, weave poles, handling the unexpected, and so much more. In the episode you'll hear: • Answers to your popular questions about dogs. • Does an owner's personality influence their dog training? • How to persevere in the midst of a dog training struggle. • How to fix a broken recall word and when to replace it. • What are dog instincts and over-arousal, and can they be inhibited or leveraged? • How do you get hounds to stop barking? • How do you physically train yourself? • Advice for training littermates - multiple dogs that are siblings with separation anxiety. • How to become an accredited reinforcement-based dog trainer in an unregulated industry. • When to start weave poles for agility dogs? • Thoughts on office dog behavior and training requirements? • Best car travel safety tips and products for dogs of all sizes? • What to do when another dog attacks yours? • How to react during sudden scares on walks and loud noises. • Is there any breed unfit for first-time dog owners? • Coping with cliques in dog sports. • How do you train a dog to ignore wildlife? Recallers Discover more and join our waitlist: https://recallers.com/ Resources 1. DogsThat on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/susangarrettdogsthat/ 2. DogsThat on Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/susangarrettdogagility 3. YouTube Playlist: Dog Won't Listen or Ignores You? - https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLphRRSxcMHy0HiauCoyVrDAWr1VeAWPES 4. Podcast Episode 191: Get Your Dog To Calm Down With This Common Sense Protocol For Relaxation - https://dogsthat.com/podcast/191/ 5. Functional Patterns - https://functionalpatterns.com/pages/find-a-practitioner 6. Podcast Episode 181: Training Multiple Dogs to Wait Turns and Relax - https://dogsthat.com/podcast/181/ 7. Podcast Episode 37: Dog Training As a Career - https://dogsthat.com/podcast/37/ 8. The Academy for Dog Trainers (Jean Donaldson) - https://www.academyfordogtrainers.com/ 9. IAABC - https://m.iaabc.org/ 10. Karen Pryor Academy - https://karenpryoracademy.com/ 11. Susan Garrett's Playlists on our DogsThat YouTube Channel - https://www.youtube.com/@DogsThat/playlists 12. Podcast Episode 164: The Danger Of Car Travel For Dogs: Evaluating Your Risk - https://dogsthat.com/podcast/164/ 13. Podcast Episode 45: My Dog Just Got Jumped, Now What? - https://dogsthat.com/podcast/45/ 14. YouTube Video: Should My Dog Be Off Leash Right Now? - https://youtu.be/CiygnLThS6Y 15. Podcast Episode 24: Help for Dogs who Chase Chipmunks, Bicycles, and Neighbor's Cats (Distraction IntensityIndex) - https://dogsthat.com/podcast/24/ 16. Watch this Episode of Shaped by Dog on YouTube - https://youtu.be/12oI1_gKwMs

Jan 25, 2023 • 20min
Get Your Dog To Calm Down With This Common Sense Protocol For Relaxation #191
Discover how to create a calming protocol for your dog that can be beneficial in high-stress situations like vet visits and travel. Learn about effective triggers for relaxation and intentional techniques to help anxious pups settle down. Uncover the power of breathing exercises to reduce stress and the importance of positive conditioning for relaxation cues. Embrace fun games like ItsYerChoice to encourage a chill state, and explore tips on assessing your dog's emotional well-being for a happier, calmer companion.

Jan 13, 2023 • 14min
Using Daily Quickies To Fast Track Your Dog Training And Grow Your Dog's Skills #190
Discover the effectiveness of daily quickies in dog training, growing and maintaining behaviors, acclimating dogs to grooming, teaching manners and skills, training techniques like targeting and loose leash walking, building a comfortable relationship with your dog, and creating a positive reinforcement environment.

Jan 11, 2023 • 19min
All The Things That Influence Your Dog's Behavior And What Behavior Tells You #189
Visit us at shapedbydog.com Recently I came across an envelope containing all my report cards from kindergarten through university. Reading over my teachers' comments was an enlightening study of behavior and how I adapted in the face of challenges. I'm sharing what I noticed with you as there's a parallel with dog behavior and why they do the things they do. Behavior can fall into seven distinct categories, and understanding the influence of each category is massively beneficial for us to know what dogs are communicating. In the episode you'll hear: • An overview of my school report cards and what they show about my behavior changing. • How my teachers' observations reflected the adaptations I made due to dyslexia. • Why labels, absolutes and assumptions about a dog can limit their learning. • That dog training is never a linear path, and we are always relationship building. • About the 7 categories of Genetics, Health, Education, Exercise, Sleep, Environment and Nutrition and how each can influence a dog's behavior. • That our dog's behavior is information and gives us great feedback to help them. • Why the question "what else might be true" is vital to ask yourself. • That unconditional love means allowing your dog to communicate through behavior. Resources: 1. Podcast Episode 50: Can Your Worst Challenge Make You a Better Dog Trainer? - https://dogsthat.com/podcast/50/ 2. Podcast Episode 71: Pro Dog Trainer's Secret to Help Your Naughty Dog - https://dogsthat.com/podcast/71/ 3. Podcast Episode 186: 2 Types Of Connection With Dogs: Dog Agility And Daily Life Case Studies - https://dogsthat.com/podcast/186/ 4. YouTube Video: Normalizing Imperfection in Dog Training - https://youtu.be/X_f1hm_XhJM 5. Podcast Episode 188: Why You Should Change Your Strategy Rather Than Your Criteria When Dog Training - https://dogsthat.com/podcast/188/ 6. Podcast Episode 74: Yes, Susan Garrett's Dogs Sniff On Walks - https://dogsthat.com/podcast/74/ 7. YouTube Playlist: Puppy Essentials with Susan Garrett Dog Training - https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLphRRSxcMHy2hywpv3Md3HbWWPPbVF8W5 8. YouTube Playlist: Fearful Dogs Help with Susan Garrett - https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLphRRSxcMHy0KAsqgnkMWv0v-5JGjNQG_ 9. YouTube Playlist: Exercising Your Dog's Body and Mind: Tips and Games with Susan Garrett - https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLphRRSxcMHy1ISzbaoCNh0NyLg3qgDG58 10. Podcast Episode 120: The Rhythm Of Life With Puppies And Dogs - https://dogsthat.com/podcast/120/ 11. Podcast Episode 62: 12 Keys to Helping My Dogs Live a Long and Happy Life - https://dogsthat.com/podcast/62/ 12. YouTube Playlist: Susan Garrett's Dog Training Philosophy and Training Processes - https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLphRRSxcMHy2An5_3KqDPqFVV6J6dYsYx 13. Podcast Episode 46: Is Your Dog Trying to Dominate You and What You Can Do About It - https://dogsthat.com/podcast/46/ 14. Podcast Episode 150: Adding Mindset To Your Dog Training Tools: Who Do You Become? - https://dogsthat.com/podcast/150/ 15. Watch this Episode of Shaped by Dog on YouTube - https://youtu.be/Tce597xfqA4


