Shaped by Dog with Susan Garrett

Visit us at shapedbydog.com    Does balanced dog training really exist? Being a balanced trainer is part of my background in dog training. In many discussions about dog training methods, you will frequently hear about the four quadrants, so I’m going over what those quadrants are and how our experiences can tip the balance. We’re covering the science of operant conditioning and how dogs actively learn.   In the episode you'll hear:   • How I started to learn about dog training from a book called “How to Raise and Train a Chow Chow”. • About the four quadrants and the meaning of +R, +P, -P and -R. • An explanation of the terms Positive Reinforcement, Positive Punishment, Negative Punishment and Negative Reinforcement. • The importance of understanding that punishment suppresses behavior. • How the key with positive reinforcement is that only the dog knows what is reinforcing. • Examples of using the four quadrants in dog training, and how we really want to optimize positive reinforcement. • The reason why no dog trainer is truly balanced. • The decision I made in 1993 only to use positive reinforcement and what I learned. • How our core values, education, curiosity, mentorship, and peer group impact our dog training. • About what pressure and frustration can do to our dog training decisions. • The most valuable lesson I learned from Feature when she was a puppy, and when I realized I’d come the full circle in my dog training.   Resources:   1. Podcast Episode 94: How the Best Professional Dog Trainers Use Reinforcement - https://dogsthat.com/podcast/94/ 2. Podcast Episode 88: Barrier Frustration: Help for Fence Fighting, Leash Reactivity and Window Guarding - https://dogsthat.com/podcast/88/ 3. Podcast Episode 34: Time Outs for Dogs: Does Your Dog Need One? - https://dogsthat.com/podcast/34/ 4. YouTube Video: Susan Garrett Riffs on Transfer of Value in Dog Training (and water loving Labradors) - https://youtu.be/clFlutZ0mls 5. Podcast Episode 40: Using A Head Halter On A Dog, Why My Approach Is So Different - https://dogsthat.com/podcast/40/ 6. Podcast Episode 16: The Thing Before Your Dog’s Thing - https://dogsthat.com/podcast/16/ 7. YouTube Playlist: Crate Games and Crate Training for Puppies and Dogs with Susan Garrett - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLphRRSxcMHy2cs1uKBQTpAY-LUARQhzT7 8. Book: Shaping Success by Susan Garrett - https://dogsthat.com/product/shaping-success-2/ 9. TikTok presentation with Sara Richter, CDBC on the 4 Quadrants - https://www.tiktok.com/@sara.richter.cdbc/video/7092504742357781806 10. Podcast Episode 11: The Power of Permission in Dog Training - https://dogsthat.com/podcast/11/ 11. Podcast Episode 102: Transitioning Your Dog Training: From All That Is Wrong To That Which Is Right - https://dogsthat.com/podcast/102/ 12. Watch this Episode of Shaped by Dog on YouTube - https://youtu.be/WtGjhPRQWoo

Visit us at shapedbydog.com    Teaching your dog to lay down on cue is a great life skill for many situations. There are 10 different ways to train your dog to drop. Having a dog who downs immediately when you ask will happen if your dog is engaged and having fun. Your dog obeying you does not need to involve submitting, and we’re looking at how you can create a joyful instant drop on cue for your dog.   In the episode you'll hear:   • That being told to train a dog to down using physical force is a red flag. • About the most common way of teaching a down with luring. • How you could capture a down in daily life, use free shaping, or a target stick. • How I train dogs to down using paw or body targets to get a fast, reliable drop. • The pre-requisites you will need before training your dog to down. • Why you will need a release word to tell your dog when the down is over. • That I use "search", "break", or "get it" as release words and what each means. • The reason to think very carefully about the cue you will use for your dog to down. • How I train down in three different positions and why I start with the sphinx position. • How I train my dogs to down on cue with DASH and fun shaping games. • That we can teach our dogs to LOVE the game of giving us fast, reliable downs on cue.   ItsYerChoice Game: Learn how to play ItsYerChoice as a foundation for your down training: https://recallers.com/iycsummit-join/   Resources:   1. YouTube Video: Target Stick Training Part One - https://youtu.be/MzePo7RSQu4 2. YouTube Video: Target Stick Training Part Two - https://youtu.be/TqsEEWCXze0 3. Podcast Episode 134: How To Teach A Dog Stay WITHOUT Luring, Collar Pops Or Using The Word “Stay” - https://dogsthat.com/podcast/134/ 4. Get Crate Games Online - https://get.crategames.com/ 5. Podcast Episode 33: How Do I Stop My Dog Counter Surfing?! - https://dogsthat.com/podcast/33/ 6. Podcast Episode 107: Pedicure Please: 3 Steps To Dog Nail Trimming Or Grooming Success At Home! - https://dogsthat.com/podcast/107/ 7. Blog Post: Got D.A.S.H. (Desire, Accuracy, Speed and Habitat)? - https://susangarrettdogagility.com/2017/01/dash/ 8. YouTube Video: Perch Work (Pivots and Spins) - https://youtu.be/O6sj6fTJnFc 9. Blog Post: Dog Training Question ~ When Do I Add a Cue? - https://susangarrettdogagility.com/2018/09/when-do-i-add-a-cue/ 10. YouTube Playlist: Sit, Down, Stand, Stay! Dog training duration behaviors with Susan Garrett - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLphRRSxcMHy2cY7Fg3MLUaobkSdnVx0jt *11. Cato Board: Receive 10% off with the use of this link. Coupon Code: DOGSTHAT10 - https://catooutdoors.com/discount/DOGSTHAT10 12. Watch this Episode of Shaped by Dog on YouTube - https://youtu.be/E9IXKuewJDE *Link Disclosure: 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!

Visit us at shapedbydog.com    If you’ve ever said, “why won’t my dog just listen,” or “he does this at home,” or “he’s being stubborn,” or wondered why your dog just does not listen, this episode is for you. It applies to all dogs, from puppies to rescues, to older dogs, to sports dogs performing in obedience, agility, flyball, protection or any sport. We’re covering why dogs may or may not listen and the layers to help your dog respond to a cue the first time you ask anywhere.   In the episode you'll hear:   • That the cues we use to prompt a behavior in our dogs are little evaluations. • How you can think of your dog’s response like a bank statement. • About knowing if you have hundred-thousand-dollar responses to your cues. • Why to be aware of competing reinforcement values. • That consistency and reinforcement are vital for our dogs to understand cues. • What overshadowing your dog is and how that relates to your body language. • How to evaluate your sit cue with a 5P test in many locations. • Why a relationship comes before training your dog to do anything. • About DASH and how Desire, Accuracy, Speed and Habitat will help your dog training. • The reason that bribing your dog will not create strong behaviors and how shaping works. • About creating a plan and record keeping. • How to start today so your dog will listen to your cues anywhere.   IYC Summit: Learn how to play ItsYerChoice to get rid of bribes and create choice for your dog: https://recallers.com/iycsummit-join/   Resources:   1. Podcast Episode 51: Is Your Stubborn Dog Frustrating You? - https://dogsthat.com/podcast/51/ 2. Podcast Episode 2: Reinforcement - https://dogsthat.com/podcast/2/ 3. Podcast Episode 134: How To Teach A Dog Stay WITHOUT Luring, Collar Pops Or Using The Word “Stay” - https://dogsthat.com/podcast/134/ 4. Podcast Episode 135: Test Your Dog’s Sit Stay Training - https://dogsthat.com/podcast/135/ 5. Podcast Episode 5: What is Shaping And How Can Dogs Shape Us - https://dogsthat.com/podcast/5/ 6. Podcast Episode 21: The 5 Critical Dog Training Layers for Confidence with Anything - https://dogsthat.com/podcast/21/ 7. Blog Post: Got D.A.S.H. (Desire, Accuracy, Speed and Habitat)? - https://susangarrettdogagility.com/2017/01/dash/ 8. Podcast Episode 131: How Would Susan Garrett Plan Your Dog Training Sessions? - https://dogsthat.com/podcast/131/ 9. Podcast Episode 71: Pro Dog Trainer’s Secret to Help Your Naughty Dog - https://dogsthat.com/podcast/71/ 10. Recallers - https://recallers.com/ 11. Watch this Episode of Shaped by Dog on YouTube - https://youtu.be/_AeiSv4KVo4

Visit us at shapedbydog.com    Have you ever felt behind in your dog training? Have you ever wondered if you will ever catch up? Have you ever wondered if it was just too late to train your dog, or if your puppy was just too much, and they would never be able to learn? You are not alone! All of us have challenges with our dogs, including me. The more experience we have, the more our confidence grows. And I want you to know it’s never too late to take action, and you are never behind.   In the episode you'll hear:   • How it does not matter what you have now; you can make changes. • That people and dogs of any age can learn. • The strategies that I use to take daily measured action towards a goal. • How the little steps grow to make a difference for you and your dog. • Why it might seem like you have a big gap between what you have and what you want. • The four categories of emotional challenges, behavioural challenges, functional training and fun training. • Why to not put limits on your dog or let anyone else to put limits on your dog. • About having a good proven plan that aligns with the relationship you want to have with your dog. • How you need to create a framework so you and puppy or dog have success. • That you can make the ending better than you ever expected by starting today. Home School the Dog: Join Home School the Dog on Susan's special opportunity ItsYerChoice Summit: Learn one simple game that has changed the lives of dogs and their people the world over   Resources:   1. Podcast Episode 93: Fix Dog Training and Behavior Problems Before They Happen - https://dogsthat.com/podcast/93/ 2. Podcast Episode 71: Pro Dog Trainer’s Secret to Help Your Naughty Dog - https://dogsthat.com/podcast/71/ 3. Podcast Episode 131: How Would Susan Garrett Plan Your Dog Training Sessions? - https://dogsthat.com/podcast/131/ 4. Podcast Episode 133: Become Your Own Dog Training Coach With This Video Strategy - https://dogsthat.com/podcast/133/ 5. Podcast Episode 78: How to Train a Rescue Dog with Behavior Problems - https://dogsthat.com/podcast/78/ 6. Watch this Episode of Shaped by Dog on YouTube https://youtu.be/p4uHKPX9hWw   YouTube Playlists: 1. See ALL DogsThat YouTube Channel Playlists - https://www.youtube.com/c/DogsThat/playlists 2. Loose Leash Walking - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLphRRSxcMHy1mGMfdVKXq_hiJ27Ej1shW 3. The Emotional State of Dogs - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLphRRSxcMHy29pv3_9b7DZdMFJL9ZJPMy 4. Reactive or Aggressive Dogs - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLphRRSxcMHy0Tbd6ZybIXgJk3mtpBLLk7 5. Over-Aroused, Over Excited, Hyper, Frantic, High Drive or Out of Control Dogs - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLphRRSxcMHy3tN5Z336OeZkYoF2dJ7gNY 6. Sit, Down, Stand, Stay! Dog Training Duration Behaviors - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLphRRSxcMHy2cY7Fg3MLUaobkSdnVx0jt 7. Puppy Training - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLphRRSxcMHy2SggplHx3uEWAjXOL9hI21 

Visit us at shapedbydog.com    The only way we can make the world a better place for all the dogs is to inspire everyone with a dog to want to train. But to want to train your dog, you need to receive good feedback and take action on that feedback. It’s a topic dear to my heart as I’ve been coaching in dog training and dog agility for over 30 years and have learned many lessons about teaching.   In the episode you'll hear:   • How to choose a dog training class, including how it might make you feel. • Why core values are important in your dog training decisions. • The top considerations when selecting coaching for your dog training. • How students are a reflection of our ability to teach. • About the way I used to teach dog training. • How to use the 5C Pyramid for teaching. • Where connection, clarity, confidence, challenges and choice fit into coaching and learning. • How my students helped me become a better coach.   Resources:   1. Podcast Episode 100: Dog Training: The Most Important Lesson I Can Share - https://dogsthat.com/podcast/100/ 2. Podcast Episode 37: Dog Training as a Career - https://dogsthat.com/podcast/37/ 3. Download the 5C Pyramid PDF at Podcast Episode 21: The 5 Critical Dog Training Layers for Confidence with Anything - https://dogsthat.com/podcast/21/ 4. Podcast Episode 103: Excited Or Suspicious Dog? Dealing With Your Dog’s Emotions - https://dogsthat.com/podcast/103/ 5. Watch this Episode of Shaped by Dog on YouTube - https://youtu.be/cOgXwaysP7w

Visit us at shapedbydog.com    Imagine if you and your best friend both got puppies who are littermates. And you both train your puppies the same about of time every week, use the same training rewards and follow the same training plan. Then after six months, your friend’s puppy is amazingly well trained, but your puppy does not seem to know much at all. You might think that you got the puppy who was not too bright, but that is not the case. It could all come down to what you are rewarding! We’re talking about why rewarding dogs for “average or better” will fast-track your training success and grow your dog’s skills.   In the episode you'll hear:   • How reinforcement builds behaviour and how the responses we reward will grow. • Why we need to have clear criteria to help our dogs understand what we want. • The reason to ask yourself, “what did that cookie, toy or permission just reinforce?”. • About knowing what average is for your dog’s behaviors. • How your dog is aware of your criteria even if you are not. • About using “average or better” when training a sit. • What a good sit looks like and what you’d not want to see your dog do. • Why to be aware of cheap behaviors that might get built into what you are training. • How average or better will change depending on where you are. • A little test you can do so that you can know your dog’s average or better for sit. • How our dogs can only perform as consistently as our criterion dictates. • That your dog will tell you exactly what your criteria is for what you are training. • About removing Pez dispensing from your training. • What to do for responses by your dog that are below average. • How to set your dog up for success so you can reward average or better.   Resources:   1. Podcast Episode 2: Reinforcement - https://dogsthat.com/podcast/2/ 2. Podcast Episode 11: The Power of Permission in Dog Training - https://dogsthat.com/podcast/11/ 3. Podcast Episode 135: Test Your Dog’s Sit Stay Training - https://dogsthat.com/podcast/135/ 4. Podcast Episode 21: The 5 Critical Dog Training Layers for Confidence with Anything - https://dogsthat.com/podcast/21/ 5. Podcast Episode 27: Do Dogs Need Rules? - https://dogsthat.com/podcast/27/ 6. Podcast Episode 133: Become Your Own Dog Training Coach With This Video Strategy - https://dogsthat.com/podcast/133/ 7. Watch this Episode of Shaped by Dog on YouTube - https://youtu.be/5i6DYIsK4OI

Visit us at shapedbydog.com     Puppies pee for one of three reasons; they might have a bladder infection, their bladder is full and they need to relieve themselves, or they pee because they are excited or a little bit afraid and don’t even realize they are doing it! Often puppies pee when they greet people, and it’s not a conscious choice on their part. It’s not a housebreaking issue and has nothing to do with potty training. We’re talking about overexcited peeing and submissive urination and what you can do to help your puppy or dog.   In the episode you'll hear:   • That excited or submissive urination comes from emotions and your puppy is not aware they are peeing. • Why your dog peeing in excitement or fear has nothing to do with house training. • How helping your puppy starts with building their confidence. • The factors contributing to submissive urination including tone of voice, eye contact and body movement. • How it could happen when you force your puppy to do something when they are not ready. • The seven ways you can prepare for excited or submissive urination and what not to do. • Why to practice calm greetings with your puppy or dog. • About the two different approaches to take to fix your puppy’s unconscious elimination. • How to change your puppy’s focus with a quick fix and toys or treats at your door. • About the empowering fix to grow your puppy’s confidence. • Why to create a new trigger for your puppy and how your visitors can help with calm greetings. • The reason to practice my greet and re-greet protocol to rehearse success.   Resources:   1. Podcast Episode 48: Potty Train Your Puppy in a Week (Easy 3 Step Process) - https://dogsthat.com/podcast/48/ 2. Podcast Episode 103: Excited Or Suspicious Dog? Dealing With Your Dog’s Emotions - https://dogsthat.com/podcast/103/ 3. Podcast Episode 112: Stressed Dog? How Trigger Stacking Might Be Putting Your Dog Over Threshold - https://dogsthat.com/podcast/112/ 4. Get Crate Games Online - https://get.crategames.com/ 5. Podcast Episode 109: Project Calm Dog: Prevent Over Enthusiastic Greetings - https://dogsthat.com/podcast/109/ 6. Learn to Play ItsYerChoice (IYC) - https://recallers.com/iycsummit-join/ 7. Podcast Episode 68: 3 Easy Tricks Every Dog Should Know - https://dogsthat.com/podcast/68/ 8. YouTube Video: 5 Games for Puppies - https://youtu.be/Hxd1sVEQp2Y 9. YouTube Playlist: Puppy Training with Susan Garrett - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLphRRSxcMHy2SggplHx3uEWAjXOL9hI21 10. PDF Download: Project Calm Dog Poster - https://dogsthat.com/project-calm-dog/ 11. Podcast Episode 121: How To Stop Dogs Jumping Up On People - https://dogsthat.com/podcast/121/ **12. Nature's Miracle Stain Remover Eliminator - https://geni.us/natures-miracle 13. Watch this Episode of Shaped by Dog on YouTube - https://youtu.be/9iIYL64byV8 **Disclosure: Susan only recommends products she uses herself, and all opinions expressed here are her own. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. You can check out our full Affiliate Disclosure here . Thank you!

Visit us at shapedbydog.com    I use a simple dog training rule with all my dogs and teach that same rule to my students. The rule is easy to implement and will exponentially improve your dog training success, help your dog learn faster and grow your dog’s confidence. It has everything to do with the rate of reinforcement and how to reward your dog to build good behavior. Only 2 in 30 people follow this rule, but we can get that number much higher after this episode!   In the episode you'll hear:   • About the data I collected around success habits in dog training. • How dogs respond if the dog training is confusing for them. • The ratio of 2 of 30 people who create success with mindfulness. • Why to reduce the use of non-reward markers in dog training. • The reason to interrupt your dog when they get something right! • Why to believe your dog when they answer your dog training questions. • How to reward your dog in a behavior chain using fetch as an example. • An example of being 2 of 30 when you are training in dog agility. • Why a high rate of reinforcement increases your dog’s success and confidence. • How to ask your dog training questions and take action on the answers. • About Screw Up Cookies for dog training and why to use them. • How and when to reward your dog for what you love.   Resources:   1. Podcast Episode 64: Help! How Can I Tell My Dog He’s Wrong? - https://dogsthat.com/podcast/64/ 2. Blog Post: Distraction Work in Dog Training: A Conversation Between Friends - https://susangarrettdogagility.com/2012/02/distraction-work-in-dog-training-a-conversation-between-friends/ 3. Podcast Episode 126: How Dog Training Goes Better When You Begin With The End In Mind - https://dogsthat.com/podcast/126/ 4. Blog Post: Screw Up Cookies (Your Dog’s Plan B) - https://susangarrettdogagility.com/2019/05/screw-up-cookies/ 5. Podcast Episode 2: Reinforcement - https://dogsthat.com/podcast/2/ 6. Watch this Episode of Shaped by Dog on YouTube - https://youtu.be/CB0Y9acdvbY

Visit us at shapedbydog.com    Is your puppy or dog so overexcited, frantic, frenzied, or over-aroused they can't seem to listen or think? You can help by training your dog to both hold and do one behavior. Your dog understanding one behavior will ensure they can respond around triggers and distractions. We're covering the training steps for your dog to be able to listen to you even when overexcited.   In the episode you'll hear:   • Why to never let anyone limit or label you or your dog. • How overexcited dogs are working from their back brain. • Why we need to train our dogs to both hold and do behaviors. • The steps to get one behaviour great using a sit as the example. • Why to add tiny layers of excitement for your dog when training. • How to easily train your dog in at least 10 different locations. • Why to note down all of your dog's triggers. • The reason your dog will benefit from desensitization around the house. • About the layers that will help your dog think and listen anywhere.   Resources:   1. Podcast Episode 136: Help Your Excited Dog Calm Down And Stop Barking, Lunging, Spinning, Nipping - https://dogsthat.com/podcast/136/ 2. Podcast Episode 112: Stressed Dog? How Trigger Stacking Might Be Putting Your Dog Over Threshold - https://dogsthat.com/podcast/112/ 3. Podcast Episode 135: Test Your Dog’s Sit Stay Training - https://dogsthat.com/podcast/135/ 4. Book: Shaping Success by Susan Garrett - https://dogsthat.com/product/shaping-success-2/ 5. Podcast Episode 76: Leash Walking: Distracted, or Reactive Dog? These Games Will Help! - https://dogsthat.com/podcast/76/ 6. YouTube Video: Perch Work (Pivots and Spins) - https://youtu.be/O6sj6fTJnFc 7. Watch this Episode of Shaped by Dog on YouTube - https://youtu.be/c6dWgRafNVQ

Visit us at shapedbydog.com    Teaching a dog to calm down when you are out with them amidst exciting events can seem difficult, especially if your dog can’t seem to chill at home when nothing is going on! It might be that your dog seems always to want to be doing something or continually demand your attention. We’re covering why your dog expects you to interact with them constantly and what you can do about it so they can learn how to relax and settle down.   In the episode you'll hear:   • What creates a dog who expects to be entertained by you every minute. • How your dog expecting to be entertained creates problems with relaxing. • Why it’s important for our puppies and dogs to learn how to chill out. • About using the foundations of Crate Games for your dog to relax. • Why having dog beds will help your dog learn to settle down. • What I do with puppies or dogs who chew their beds. • The types of chew toys I use, including raw marrowbones, and the risks. • Why you should never give your dog rawhide chews and what else to avoid. • The steps to help your dog relax in a bed in daily life with you. • How to help your dog or puppy get used to you leaving the room. • The reason that your dog chilling starts small for the behavior to grow.   Resources:   1. Get Crate Games Online - https://get.crategames.com/ 2. Podcast Episode 134: How To Teach A Dog Stay WITHOUT Luring, Collar Pops Or Using The Word “Stay” - https://dogsthat.com/podcast/134/ 3. Podcast Episode 98: Puppy Home Alone: Are You Creating Chaos or Calm? - https://dogsthat.com/podcast/98/ 4. Podcast Episode 55: Pro Dog Trainer’s Guide to Toy Selection - https://dogsthat.com/podcast/55/ 5. Podcast Episode 83: The Dog Training You Do When You’re Not Dog Training - https://dogsthat.com/podcast/83/ 6. Watch this Episode of Shaped by Dog on YouTube - https://youtu.be/t1fVPaWlc3w