Shaped by Dog with Susan Garrett

Visit us at shapedbydog.com     What is confidence in a dog? Why do we need it? How do we grow it, and why should we even care? Confidence is a topic I’m very passionate about, and there are three things that are big contributors bringing out the best in a puppy or dog.   In the episode you'll hear:   • What my dog Decaff taught me about confidence. • How confidence replaces stress and anxiety. • About my once in a lifetime dogs. • How our beliefs control our thoughts about our dogs and how our thoughts control our actions. • Why today can be your starting point! • The strategy you can adopt to get to where you want to be with your dog. • My promise to Momentum’s four puppies about marbles. • About emotional states and our dogs. • Why to play small to play big. • How you can see lack of marble building behaviour in performance sports like agility. • About defining the behavior you see by what is real. • How much the language you use about your dog matters. • Why we want our bag of marbles overfull.   Resources:   • Blog Post: Is There a Difference? - https://susangarrettdogagility.com/2010/04/is-there-a-difference/ • Podcast Episode 8: Get Your Dog in the Belief Loop of Awesome - https://dogsthat.com/podcast/8/ • Susan Garrett’s Recallers Successes Facebook Page - https://www.facebook.com/pg/SusanGarrettsRecallers/photos/ • Podcast Episode 22: The Invisible Bubble of Pressure and Your Dog - https://dogsthat.com/podcast/22/ • Vlog Post: Where is Your Dog on the Circle of Fun? - https://susangarrettdogagility.com/2018/07/circle-of-fun/ • Blog Post: Improve Your Dog Training by Playing Like A Dog - https://susangarrettdogagility.com/2012/04/improve-your-dog-training-by-playing-like-a-dog/ • Home School the Dog - https://dogsthat.com/home-school/ • Recallers - https://recallers.com/ • DogsThat.Com - https://dogsthat.com/

Visit us at shapedbydog.com   Today’s episode comes from a suggestion by one of our listeners, and it’s on the topic of becoming a professional dog trainer. More specifically, the path that led me to dog training as a career.   In the episode you'll hear:   • What I wanted to be when I grew up. • Why it’s not just training dogs. • The things I had to learn. • My evolution to dog training. • Why to take care about where you learn. • How much your passion should matter. • The importance of the science of behaviour. • About not being afraid to say “I don’t know”. • My thoughts on why immersion is important. • Why I love cows and how working with other animals helps my career. • Why my love of dog sports like obedience, sheep herding, flyball and agility helps me understand the brain of dogs. • How excellence is a mastery of the fundamentals.   Resources:   • Blog Post: Dogs are Amazing and Will Do Everything You Want If You Have Cheese! - https://susangarrettdogagility.com/2012/03/dogs-are-amazing-and-will-do-everything-you-want-if-you-have-cheese/ • * Recallers - https://recallers.com/ • Blog Post: How To Embrace Videoing Your Dog Training -https://susangarrettdogagility.com/2019/03/embrace-videoing/ • The Academy for Dog Trainers (Jean Donaldson)-https://www.academyfordogtrainers.com/   *Recallers is CEU approved with CCPDT and IAABC

Visit us at shapedbydog.com   How do you pick a puppy? Even if you are not selecting a puppy, a lot of these concepts apply to a rescue dog. I’ve just raised a litter of puppies, and one will stay with me as my next dog, so I’m covering my tips, plus how my puppy chose me!   In the episode you'll hear:   • How our rescue dog Tater feels about living in a family of Border Collies. • The considerations about what sort of dog is best for you. • How Tina the Poodle came into our family when I was a kid. • Why to set an intention about your next dog. • The three areas I look at when picking my puppy. • What to consider about structure and temperament. • What you need to know about puppies and temperament tests. • About what your heart tells you and why I’m big on the woo. • Why to trust the breeder of your puppy if you have done your research. • The reason to not second guess yourself. • About the adventures that led me to my new puppy. • Who my next dog is and her name!   Spoiler Alert Puppy Names: Moira Rose - Say Yes to Inspired Moments - Dream Alexis - Say Yes to Playing for the Moment - Swish David - Say Yes to Making the Moments Count - Mission Stevie - Say Yes to Being in the Moment - This!   Resources:   • Podcast Episode 13: Naming Your Puppy or Dog - https://dogsthat.com/podcast/13/ • Book: What's Your Angle: Understanding Angulation and Structure for the Performance Dog by Helen Grinnell King - https://geni.us/whatsyourangle • Book: Picking your Performance Puppy by Helen Grinnell King - https://geni.us/performancepuppy • Avidog Website (Search for the word Temperament) - https://dogsthat.com/breeders • Book: The Resilience Project: Finding Happiness Through Gratitude, Empathy and Mindfulness by Hugh van Cuylenburg - https://theresilienceproject.com.au/shop/product/book-finding-happiness-through-gratitude-empathy-mindfulness/ • "This Is Me" by The Greatest Showman Cast from 'The Greatest Showman Soundtrack' (YouTube) - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wEJd2RyGm8Q   *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!

The podcast discusses the importance of establishing a strong connection and focus between a dog and its owner during training. It highlights the impact of inadvertent time outs on dogs' behavior and provides insights on how to effectively use time outs for behavior modification. The chapters emphasize the significance of being present and engaged with your dog, prioritizing focused attention in training, celebrating with your dog in agility training, and training dogs to improve focus and motivation.

Visit us at shapedbydog.com    Chances are you are familiar with the concept of “time outs”. A time out is something you will hear of being used for kids, puppies, and dogs. The bottom line about a time out is that it is punishment. Should a time out be part of life with our dog? Are we using a time out due to our inadequacies as a trainer for our dog?   In the episode you'll hear:   • Lessons I learned about using time outs. • The science of time outs. • About the three different forms of time outs. • The reality of what I’m saying to my dog if I give a time out. • How getting better at reinforcement will reduce punishment. • Why you need to see a change of behaviour if you use a time out. • The reasons you need to ensure your dog knows how to be right. • When a time out might actually be reinforcing for a dog. • The importance of being non-emotional. • Why you need to know the patterns of your use of time outs. • How to use a time out effectively. • Ways you can minimise using time outs.   Resources:   • Book: Shaping Success - https://dogsthat.com/product/shaping-success-2/ • Podcast Episode 33: How Do I Stop My Dog Counter Surfing?! - https://dogsthat.com/podcast/33/ • Podcast Episode 6: The Art of Manipulation - https://dogsthat.com/podcast/6/

Visit us at shapedbydog.com     If your dog is getting on the table or counter and stealing food, you are not alone. The topic of counter surfing is one that I get a lot of questions about, and it’s frequently requested for me to cover on my podcast. Your dog taking things from the counter is a big frustration, and we’re looking at how you can turn this around.   In the episode you'll hear:   • The three ways you could deal with a dog who surfs the counter. • Why dogs start stealing food, and the gradual climb to the crime. • Where the reinforcement is for your dog, and why it might not be what you think. • What you might be doing that rewards your dog’s counter surfing. • How to recognise a behaviour chain. • Games to fix counter surfing and the steps for food theft prevention.   Resources:   • Podcast Episode 11: The Power of Permission in Dog Training - https://dogsthat.com/podcast/11/ • Podcast Episode 16: The Thing Before Your Dog’s Thing - https://dogsthat.com/podcast/16/ • Podcast Episode 20: Bridging the Gap Between Blame and Kindness in Dog Training - https://dogsthat.com/podcast/20/ • Podcast Episode 27: Do Dogs Need Rules? - https://dogsthat.com/podcast/27/ • Podcast Episode 32: 20 Easy Ways to Exercise Your Dog at Home - https://dogsthat.com/podcast/32/ • Game: Learn how to play ItsYerChoice (IYC) - https://recallers.com/iycsummit-join/

Visit us at shapedbydog.com    If someone comes to me with a behaviour problem, one of the first questions I ask is “how much exercise does your dog get?”. There is often a definite link between the mental and physical stimulation a dog receives and the amount of trouble the dog gets into. Exercising your dog or puppy can be easy and done within your home.   The games I’m sharing are great ways to engage your dog’s brain and body if you can’t get out, or you have an injury that means you can’t go for your usual walks or outings with your dog.   In the episode you'll hear:   • Why dogs need exercise and how you can include this in daily life. • 20 easy games to play with your puppy or dog. • How to use what you have at home to engage your dog’s mind and body.   Resources:   • How to Train Stand on Cue (YouTube) - https://youtu.be/YCD1PvaLmPI • Crate Games Online - https://get.crategames.com/ • Video Blog: 5 Games for Puppies - https://susangarrettdogagility.com/2020/04/5-games-for-puppies/ • Podcast Episode 31: 5 Simple Hacks to Help Your Dog Learn Faster - https://dogsthat.com/podcast/31/

Visit us at shapedbydog.com    You can make your dog training a lot more effective, and a lot more efficient with the effective use and placement of rewards. It does not matter if you are just starting or have been a dog trainer for years, using my pro tips about where and how to place reinforcement will see you get results faster, and supercharge your training sessions.   In the episode you'll hear:   • How every behaviour is a transfer of value. • What our mechanics have to do with dog training. • How Bob Bailey’s saying of “reinforcement is a process, not an event” relates to you and your dog. • Why your dog’s love of roast beef can create a love for any behaviour you train. • How to define your criteria for what you want your dog to do, using a down as an example. • What the thing before the thing has to do with Clever Hans. • The three vital steps of select, mark, and deliver for you as the dog trainer. • Why the placement of reinforcement is your secret sauce and how it relates to the proximity to you. • Why only our dog really knows for sure what we are training. • When and why to give a release cue to your dog to supercharge your training.   Resources:   Video Blog: Learning from Cats and Seagulls … Chat with Bob Bailey - https://susangarrettdogagility.com/2019/05/chat-with-bob-bailey/ Podcast Episode 16: The Thing Before Your Dog’s Thing - https://dogsthat.com/podcast/16/ Clever Hans (Wikipedia) - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clever_Hans Blog Post: The 3D Model for Dog Training: Duration, Distance, Distraction - https://susangarrettdogagility.com/2020/08/duration-distance-distraction/ Podcast Episode 11: The Power of Permission in Dog Training - https://dogsthat.com/podcast/11/

Visit us at shapedbydog.com   In this episode, I am talking about one of my favourite things to train. If you love your dog, I'm asking you to listen with an open mind, because we're talking about comfort with confinement, a topic inspired by a note from one of my online students.   In the episode you'll hear:   • Why should you care about crating your dog. • About the importance of safety for your puppy or dog. • The one thing that makes comfort with confinement essential for your dog’s well being. • How to help dogs with separation anxiety. • What type of crate to use for your dog and how I choose my crates. • Where you should put your puppy’s crate. • How I use a “gated community” that combines a crate and ex-pen. • Why to be intentional about crating. • How long your dog or puppy should be in a crate. • The time to invest in helping your dog be comfortable with confinement. • Why not to be in a hurry to close the crate door. • The progressions to ensure crate comfort and security for your dog.   Resources:   Rover Modular Pet Enclosures - http://dogsthat.com/roverpanels Crate Games Online - https://get.crategames.com/ Video Blog: Bult In Dog Crates for Home Decor - https://susangarrettdogagility.com/2020/02/built-in-dog-crates/ Gunner Crate Crash Test - https://gunner.com/pages/crash-tested Blog Post: All About Dogs Sleeping in the Bedroom - https://susangarrettdogagility.com/2020/03/dogs-sleeping-in-the-bedroom/ Podcast Episode 26: Pro Dog Training Tips to Get Your Puppy to Sleep All Night - https://dogsthat.com/podcast/26/ Blog Post: A Day in the Life of a Susan Garrett Puppy - https://susangarrettdogagility.com/2020/09/a-day-in-the-life-of-a-susan-garrett-puppy/

Visit us at shapedbydog.com   Today’s topic covers the serious issue of reactivity and aggression in dogs. If you have a challenge with your dog, I strongly advise that you seek out the help of a Certified Veterinary Behaviorist who is equipped to deal with these issues in a reinforcement-based program. Seek the help of a qualified professional who will, where needed, use pharmaceutical intervention to help create a different reality for your dog, so your dog does not go through life feeling the need to react. I’m sharing how what is “different” can lead to reactivity or aggression, and how a lot of aggression is learned. It’s not that there is something wrong with the dog. You can help your dog to catalogue experiences in a way that is appropriate for their well being and yours.   In the episode you'll hear:   • Insights into why aggression can be a learned behavior. • How you and your dog can have better outcomes. • What stimulus is, and what’s good, innocuous and not good for your dog. • Understanding stimuli from your dog’s perspective. • Why “different” creates a response in your dog. • How your dog’s curiosity could lead to reactivity. • What a dog’s cautious curiosity can look like. • The importance of what happens during and after our dog displaying curiosity for something that is different. • The two strategies you need for changing a trigger and minimizing the stress of an experience for your dog. • Why you should believe what your dog is telling you. • What you can do to help your dog.   Resources:   Podcast Episode 4: T.E.M.P. (Tail, Eyes/Ears, Mouth, Posture)-https://dogsthat.com/podcast/4/ Podcast Episode 27: Do Dogs Need Rules?-https://dogsthat.com/podcast/27/ Podcast Episode 24: Help for the Dog who Chases Chipmunks, Bicycles, and the Neighbor’s Cat-https://dogsthat.com/podcast/24/ Video Blog: Understanding Your Dog’s Triggers-https://susangarrettdogagility.com/2019/01/understanding-your-dogs-triggers/ Video Blog: Dog Body Language, Fear and Aggression-https://susangarrettdogagility.com/2018/06/body-language-fear-and-aggression/ Blog Post: Leash Aggression in Dogs: Are We Trying To Put Out A Fire With Gasoline?-https://susangarrettdogagility.com/2015/11/leash-aggression-in-dogs-are-we-trying-to-put-out-a-fire-with-gasoline/