Shaped by Dog with Susan Garrett

Visit us at shapedbydog.com   Does your dog sometimes seem to be out of control? Do you sometimes think your dog is untrainable? Does your dog not appear to listen to you? I believe that dog training is like having a conversation with a friend. The challenges with that conversation happen if we don’t like the answer our friend is giving us, and we end up trying to change the question.   In the episode you'll hear:   • The conversations we have with our dogs. • Why we might keep saying to our dog, “sit, sit, Sit, SIT!” and its origins. • About the four questions to ask when training your dog. • How our dogs show us the only things we can control are our choices. • Why we miss our dog’s responses to our questions. • The two reasons our dogs are not doing what we ask. • What brings out our dog’s confidence. • Why the use of reinforcement is something I have been studying for over 25 years. • What my EGTT acronym stands for and how we could use PLAY instead. • About establishing, growing, transferring and testing value in dog training. • Why jumping straight from knowing the value to testing the value does not work. • The conversations I’m having with my puppy, This!, about tugging near other dogs.   Resources:   • 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/ • Podcast Episode 2: Reinforcement - https://dogsthat.com/podcast/2/ • Tasty Treats Recipes eBook - https://dogsthat.com/tastytreats/ • Podcast Episode 59: Why Your Treats Aren’t Working for Your Dog - https://dogsthat.com/podcast/59/ • Blog Post: A GAME to Preserve Your Dog’s Recall Cue - https://susangarrettdogagility.com/2019/06/game-to-preserve-your-dogs-recall-cue/ • YouTube Video: Susan Garrett’s Perch Work Dog Tricks (Pivots and Spins) - https://youtu.be/O6sj6fTJnFc • Podcast Episode 73: Why Your Dog Is Still Pulling on Leash and How To Fix It - https://dogsthat.com/podcast/73/ • Watch this Episode of Shaped by Dog on YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g6eqPpm7JX8

Visit us at shapedbydog.com    I’m sharing games to help improve your dog’s loose leash walking that will help turn your dog’s focus to you when there are distractions ahead. It starts easily at home with Perch Work, and you can transition to walking in the real world using the simple tips. Remember to celebrate your progress with your dog!   In the episode you'll hear:   • How to grow the foundations of Perch Work for walks with your dog. • Games to improve your loose leash walking. • The importance of Reinforcement Zone (RZ) for your dog. • How to use pivots for walking on leash when there are distractions ahead. • Why to be aware of steak throwers in the city. • How to do turns toward your dog and turns away from your dog. • The easy way to have your dog change direction on walks. • How to transition from the perch to walking with your dog. • About transferring value to loose leash walking. • How you walking backwards builds value for your dog to stay with you. • Why I teach my puppies and dogs to tug on a leash. • The reason to play ItsYerChoice (IYC) with your lead. • Why not to be in a hurry and why to take on our one week walking challenge.   Resources:   • Podcast Episode 74: Yes, Susan Garrett’s Dogs Sniff On Walks - https://dogsthat.com/podcast/74/ • YouTube Video: Susan Garrett’s Perch Work Dog Tricks (Pivots and Spins) - https://youtu.be/O6sj6fTJnFc • Podcast Episode 73: Why Your Dog Is Still Pulling on Leash and How To Fix It - https://dogsthat.com/podcast/73/ • Podcast Episode 53: Stop Your Dog Pulling on Leash and Start Walking Together - https://dogsthat.com/podcast/53/ • 4MyMerles Leashes - https://www.4mymerles.com/product-category/eashes/standard-leashes/ • Blog Post: Improve Your Dog Training By Playing Like A Dog (Tugging) - https://susangarrettdogagility.com/2012/04/improve-your-dog-training-by-playing-like-a-dog/ • Game: Learn How to Play ItsYerChoice (IYC) - https://recallers.com/iycsummit-join/ • Watch this Episode of Shaped by Dog on YouTube -https://youtu.be/dE3tZbzNgPo

Visit us at shapedbydog.com    Car sickness in a dog or puppy can be heartbreaking. My puppy has been getting car sick, and I’ve been documenting what I’ve been doing to help her. If your puppy or dog is drooling in the car, refusing to get in the car, hates car rides, throwing up or foaming at the mouth when travelling, or showing any other sign of motion sickness, you are not alone.   In the episode you'll hear:   • The signs of car sickness in puppies and dogs. • How I helped my puppy This! initially and what happened after lockdown. • What motion sickness does to puppies and dogs. • Why some puppies outgrow car sickness, but others do not. • The importance of counter conditioning our dogs for travelling. • How the sight of a car can bring on sickness for a puppy. • About changing our dog’s emotional response to the car. • What I have been doing with my puppy to help her with car rides. • How I became a canine booster seat. • Why I didn’t turn on the car for a week and how games are helping. • About building up to longer drives in the car when there is motion sickness. • Why I borrowed the confidence Tater has in the car to help my puppy. • All the steps to creating a positive conditioned emotional response to the car for our dogs. • Why to write to us about Home School the Dog.   Resources:   • YouTube Video: Let’s Train Your Doodle with Susan Garrett - https://youtu.be/Ro_boHKLH5A • Gunner Crate Crash Test - https://gunner.com/pages/crash-tested • Podcast Episode 66: Resource Guarding: Dog vs Dog Aggression - https://dogsthat.com/podcast/66/ • Write to us at wag@dogsthat.com with the subject line “My Kids Are Going to Love This” for a special opportunity to join Home School the Dog. • Susan Garrett’s DogsThat YouTube Channel - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCC17PDLl8y1dP2BRV5vuseg • Watch this Episode of Shaped by Dog on YouTube - https://youtu.be/XXkPmR5am5U

Visit us at shapedbydog.com    If you are like most people, you take your dog for a walk for exercise or for a potty break. Surprisingly, one of the questions I get asked frequently is when and how I walk my dogs. There are five main reasons I walk my dogs, and the walking is always intentional. Those reasons are for elimination (toilet breaks), relationship building, to give my dogs a chance to sniff (read the pee mail), exercise, and sometimes to socialize.   In the episode you'll hear:   • The types of walks I take with my dogs. • How I walk my dogs, and when I choose off-leash or on a leash. • About Tater’s LOVE of people and what that means when walking him. • The reasons I am cautious and intentional when walking in new places. • Why I am always on alert when walking my dogs on leash in a city. • What I do to keep my dogs safe when walking in new places. • When and why I use a head halter, a harness or a flat collar. • About how I start when walking the dogs at home. • The games I play on walks with my puppy for relationship building. • About letting dogs scent on walks and sniffing to read the pee mail. • What I do when my dogs don’t come when called. • How Tater, Momentum and This! love to use their noses. • What I do to be intentional about my dogs sniffing on walks.   Resources:   • Podcast Episode 48: Potty Train Your Puppy in a Week (Easy 3 Step Process) - https://dogsthat.com/podcast/48/ • YouTube Video: Susan Garrett’s Perch Work Dog Tricks (Pivots and Spins) - https://youtu.be/O6sj6fTJnFc • Podcast Episode 40: Using a Head Halter on a Dog, Why My Approach is so Different - https://dogsthat.com/podcast/40/ • Podcast Episode 16: The Thing Before Your Dog’s Thing - https://dogsthat.com/podcast/16/ • Podcast Episode 11: The Power of Permission in Dog Training - https://dogsthat.com/podcast/11/ • Recallers - https://recallers.com/ • Podcast Episode 73: Why Your Dog Is Still Pulling on Leash and How To Fix It - https://dogsthat.com/podcast/73/ • Podcast Episode 53: Stop Your Dog Pulling on Leash and Start Walking Together - https://dogsthat.com/podcast/53/ • Podcast Episode 29: Understanding and Preventing Reactivity and Aggression in Your Dog - https://dogsthat.com/podcast/29/ • Watch this Episode of Shaped by Dog on YouTube - https://youtu.be/bxx5Rnk4tYs

Visit us at shapedbydog.com    If you’d like to train your dog to walk beside you on a leash without pulling, you are in the right place. There is one mistake that most people make when they are training walking on lead, and that is overwhelming their dog. In dog training lingo, we call it “lumping”. Once you understand how to split a behaviour down, you will have success and quickly stop your dog from pulling on leash.   In the episode you'll hear:   • What it would be like to learn how to juggle while on a pushbike. • Why new people are like seeing movie stars for a puppy. • About birds and bunnies and all the things that are distraction on your walks. • How to split walking on a leash down for your dog. • The easy way to start loose leash walking with perch work and pivots. • Why it will only take you 7 days if you commit. • How pivots help your dog to change sides on a walk. • The importance of building value for Reinforcement Zone (RZ) for your dog. • How to start fading your foot target. • Why training leash walking starts with you and your dog stationary. • How to know if you have gone too far, too fast and lumped. • What to do to exercise your dog while you are working on walking on a lead. • The layers needed for our dogs to succeed with loose leash walking.   Resources:   • YouTube Video: Susan Garrett’s Perch Work Dog Tricks (Pivots and Spins) - https://youtu.be/O6sj6fTJnFc • Podcast Episode 53: Stop Your Dog Pulling on Leash and Start Walking Together - https://dogsthat.com/podcast/53/ • Podcast Episode 32: 20 Easy Ways to Exercise Your Dog at Home - https://dogsthat.com/podcast/32/ • Podcast Episode 59: Why Your Treats Aren’t Working for Your Dog - https://dogsthat.com/podcast/59/ • Vlog Post: How do I Stop My Dog from Pulling on the Leash? - https://susangarrettdogagility.com/2020/01/stop-my-dog-pulling-on-leash/ • Watch this Episode of Shaped by Dog on YouTube - https://youtu.be/gPMkBT_GGTs

Visit us at shapedbydog.com    Safe, structured introductions for a new rescue dog or puppy will set everyone up for success. When you have two or more dogs, your wish as a dog owner is that they all get along. But sometimes, that just does not happen. Living with multiple dogs should be intentional. We can help by implementing “Project Togetherness” to condition dogs to like and look forward to seeing each other.   In the episode you'll hear:   • When to see a Veterinary Behaviourist. • The times to put your togetherness project plan into action. • About the signs your dog will give to show they are not comfortable with another dog. • Why to recognize your dog’s emotional state. • The importance of paying attention to your dog’s body language. • How dogs don’t need other dogs putting them in their place. • What happens when my dog Feature looks out the window. • About starting Project Togetherness. • When to use a muzzle and why to desensitize your dog to wearing one. • Why to use high value treats that are special. • About the importance of supervision and safety for all dogs. • How to use “Easter Biscuits” as part of Project Togetherness. • What a “Friendship Bed” is and why to use it. • How I use dog mealtimes for togetherness. • Why to record keep and why to know where your dog’s comfort level is with other dogs. • The reason you should celebrate your progress!   Resources:   • 4MyMerles Creations (Shaped by Dog Podcast Hoodie) - https://www.4mymerles.com/product-category/say-yes/ • Podcast Episode 71: Pro Dog Trainer’s Secret to Help Your Naughty Dog - https://dogsthat.com/podcast/71/ • Blog Video: Understanding Your Dog’s Triggers - https://susangarrettdogagility.com/2019/01/understanding-your-dogs-triggers/ • Podcast Episode 4: T.E.M.P. (Tail, Eyes/Ears, Mouth, Posture) - https://dogsthat.com/podcast/4/ • Podcast Episode 6: The Art of Manipulation - https://dogsthat.com/podcast/6/ • Podcast Episode 14: Creating Intentional Multi-Dog Household Harmony - https://dogsthat.com/podcast/14/ • Podcast Episode 15: CSI Tips for Managing a Multi-Dog Household - https://dogsthat.com/podcast/15/ • Podcast Episode 68: 3 Easy Tricks Every Dog Should Know - https://dogsthat.com/podcast/68/ • Video: Target Training for Dogs Part Two - Step by Step Training Plan - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TqsEEWCXze0 • DogsThat YouTube Channel (Watch Shaped by Dog Podcast Videos and More!) - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TqsEEWCXze0 Ex-Pen Information: • Ex-Pen: Rover Modular Pet Enclosures - http://dogsthat.com/roverpanels • *Ex-Pen: Plastic 8-Panel - https://geni.us/ex-pen-white • *Ex-Pen: Folding Metal - https://geni.us/ex-pen-metal • Watch this Episode of Shaped by Dog on YouTube - https://youtu.be/K17x8i_Qb9k   *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!

Visit us at shapedbydog.com    There is one thing that you can do easily to help overcome any dog training challenge you might have. That one thing is something I’ve been talking about and doing for 30 years. It’s record keeping! Keeping a journal for your dog is not as hard as you might think, and it will fast track your success.   In the episode you'll hear:   • What labels can do to our dogs. • How I journaled This!’s resource guarding and why it helped fast track success. • What to keep track of when you are record keeping. • Why to ask the question Jean Donaldson recommends: Is your dog upset? • When to focus on your dog’s emotional state. • What will create a ticking time bomb for your dog and how to avoid it. • About counter conditioning to help your dog. • The importance of eliminating rehearsals of behavior you want to change. • Why dog training alone is not always the answer. • About fear responses in dogs. • Why to include what your dog does well in your journaling. • What I learned about This! by record keeping and why she now has a middle of the day nap. • About the way record keeping showed me what happens at the top of the stairs. • How knowing patterns will help resolve your dog’s challenges. • The importance of celebrating progress. • Why to differentiate between dog training and emotional states. • When to get an evaluation from a reinforcement based dog trainer.   Resources:   • DogsThat YouTube Channel (Watch Shaped by Dog Podcast Videos and More!)-https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCC17PDLl8y1dP2BRV5vuseg • Podcast Episode 66: Resource Guarding: Dog vs Dog Aggression-https://dogsthat.com/podcast/66/ • Podcast Episode 4: T.E.M.P. (Tail, Eyes/Ears, Mouth, Posture)-https://dogsthat.com/podcast/4/ • Blog Video: Understanding Your Dog’s Triggers-https://susangarrettdogagility.com/2019/01/understanding-your-dogs-triggers/ • Podcast Episode 6: The Art of Manipulation-https://dogsthat.com/podcast/6/ • Podcast Episode 48: Potty Train Your Puppy in a Week (Easy 3 Step Process)-https://dogsthat.com/podcast/48/ • Podcast Episode 14: Creating Intentional Multi-Dog Household Harmony-https://dogsthat.com/podcast/14/ • Watch this Episode of Shaped by Dog on YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XUJksPoQNps

The first day with a new puppy is crucial for building your bond. Learn essential tips for a smooth transition, including what to do and avoid during those initial hours. Discover how to plan meals, potty training, and crate training experiences. Explore the significance of creating safe zones and a nurturing schedule. Socialization is key, so understand who your puppy can trust. Plus, find out the best games and toys for some early fun. Set your puppy up for comfort and confidence right from the start!

Visit us at shapedbydog.com    How do you decide when to use a clicker and what to use it for in dog training? That’s a question recently asked on my Instagram and what we’re covering in this episode. Is a clicker a good choice for your dog, or you as a trainer, or for the behavior you want to train?   In the episode you'll hear:   • About using clickers, markers and what conditioned reinforcers are. • The four things you can do when using reinforcement in your training. • The verbal markers I like to use and why I changed from “yes” to a short “good”. • Why we use a clicker and how it can reduce stress. • About the clicker's precision and how a precise tool helps our training. • Why a clicker is like a laser for training to isolate exact moments for your dog. • About knowing what your dog thinks you clicked, not what you think you clicked. • What I learned about getting what I click in the nineties when training a go out. • When I use a clicker. • The reasons to use reward throwing or food chucking in dog training. • What to do if you are luring to fade the lure as soon as you can. • How I inadvertently trained by dog Buzz to stop at the first weave pole. • The difference between gross behaviors, behaviors of motion, and precise moments in time. • Easy games to help improve your timing and skills with a clicker.   Resources:   • Video: 5 Games for Puppies - https://youtu.be/Hxd1sVEQp2Y • Susan’s Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/SusanGarrettdogsthat/ • Blog Post: Three Different Types of Verbal Markers in Dog Training - https://susangarrettdogagility.com/2018/09/three-verbal-markers-in-dog-training/ • Blog Post: To Click or Not to Click, that is the Question - https://susangarrettdogagility.com/2009/09/to-click-or-not-to-click-that-is-the-question/ • Blog Post: When Clicking Goes Wrong - https://susangarrettdogagility.com/2009/09/when-clicking-goes-wrong/ • Blog Post: Practical Videoing Tips - https://susangarrettdogagility.com/2019/03/practical-videoing-tips/ • Video: Target Training for Dogs Part Two - Step by Step Training Plan - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TqsEEWCXze0 • Watch this Episode of Shaped by Dog on YouTube - https://youtu.be/Hl2aB1TrE1E

Visit us at shapedbydog.com    We’re talking about trick training for dogs; it’s fun and easy! Can you remember the very first thing you trained a dog to do and how you went about training it? The first thing I trained a dog to do was to dance. It was when I was a kid with our family dog, Tina the Poodle. Training tricks with our dogs is something I consider important, and there are three favourite tricks that I think all dogs should learn.   In the episode you'll hear:   • About our feelings when we are training tricks. • What I noticed about my Border Collie, Stoni, in the Obedience Ring. • Why everything can be a trick to bring joy to us and our dogs. • My progression as a dog trainer and transitioning to shaping behaviors. • How trick training provides a model for clarity for our dogs. • Why trick training teaches our dogs never to give up. • About the elements of strength, flexibility and proprioception when choosing tricks. • How to train your dog to hand target. • About the ways to shape your dog to pivot on a perch. • The steps for training your dog to wave.   Resources:   • Recallers - https://recallers.com/ • Home School the Dog- https://dogsthat.com/home-school/ • Video: Target Training for Dogs Part One - All About Targets - https://youtu.be/MzePo7RSQu4 • Video: Target Training for Dogs Part Two - Step by Step Training Plan - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TqsEEWCXze0 • Podcast Episode 62: 12 Keys to Helping My Dogs Live a Long and Happy Life - https://dogsthat.com/podcast/62/ • Game: Learn How to Play ItsYerChoice (IYC) - https://recallers.com/iycsummit-join/ • Crate Games Online - https://get.crategames.com/ • Podcast Episode 59: Why Your Treats Aren’t Working for Your Dog - https://dogsthat.com/podcast/59/ • Podcast Episode 22: The Invisible Bubble of Pressure and Your Dog - https://dogsthat.com/podcast/22/ • *Cato Board: Receive 10% off with the use of this link - https://catooutdoors.com/discount/DOGSTHAT10 • Watch this Episode of Shaped by Dog on YouTube - https://youtu.be/UUrzaXmFO2g Links 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!