
Shaped by Dog with 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.
Latest episodes

Aug 7, 2020 • 21min
4 Puppy and Dog Training Games for Acquired Bite Inhibition #18
Visit us at shapedbydog.com There are four games you can play right now that will help expedite learning for your puppy or dog. I’m sharing each game plus why and how to play so you can start immediately. We’re also going over how toy selection can increase or decrease how often you get bitten and busting some myths about tugging with a pup. You’ll also learn what to do if your puppy or dog touches your skin or clothing with teeth when you are playing. We’ve also got a journal for you to download to record your puppy’s acquired bite inhibition progress. Follow all the tips from my two podcast episodes on puppy biting to fast track your pup’s learning and your success. In the episode you'll hear: • Why playing dog training games expedites learning and helps with bite inhibition. • Why most dogs never bite with the intention of hurting you. • What a dog’s fear means in relation to a bite. • What abnormal biting is and why it needs a Veterinary Behaviourist. • How toy selection can increase or decrease the bites you get from your puppy. • Puppy tugging myths busted. • How to play my “Search”, “Collar Grab”, “Intentional Tugging” and “How’s It Taste” games and the benefits for you and your puppy or dog. • The difference between intentional play and mindless play. • How to redirect a puppy bite to your skin or clothing. Resources: • Podcast Episode 17: Help! How do I STOP Puppy Biting?! - https://dogsthat.com/podcast/17/ • DogsThat YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/dogsthat • Podcast Episode 11: The Power of Permission in Dog Training- https://dogsthat.com/podcast/11/ • Podcast Episode 2: Reinforcement - https://dogsthat.com/podcast/2/ • Download Your “Acquired Puppy Biting Journal” - https://dogsthat.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/Susan-Garrett-Acquired-Bite-Inhibition-Journal.pdf

Aug 5, 2020 • 21min
Help! How Do I STOP Puppy Biting?! #17
Visit us at shapedbydog.com The number one question anyone with a puppy asks is “how do I STOP my puppy biting me, my feet, my hands, my kids, my clothes, my face”. It’s important to understand that it is necessary for puppies to bite. What you do in response is going to set your puppy up for life success. If you don’t have a youngster, there is still a lot of great dog training to be learned from puppies, and you might even discover that you could be the reason your friend’s puppy bites. In the episode you'll hear: • Why it is good that your puppy bites (stick with me on this). • What is an acquired inhibited bite. • How I learned about bite inhibition and what biting teaches puppies. • The 5 Levels of Puppy Biting and what is “CODE RED”. • 8 things people do that contribute to biting. • Susan Garrett’s Puppy Biting Protocol. • What is appropriate when greeting a puppy. • When the likelihood of biting will escalate. • How to set you and your puppy up for non-bitey success. Resources: • Watch this Podcast Episode on YouTube - https://youtu.be/6WpFeiJUxTQ • Podcast Episode 5: What is Shaping and How Can Dogs - https://dogsthat.com/podcast/5/ • Podcast Episode 6: The Art of Manipulation - https://dogsthat.com/podcast/6/

Jul 31, 2020 • 16min
The Thing Before Your Dog's Thing #16
Visit us at shapedbydog.com There is one question you can ask yourself to solve virtually any dog training problem. If your dog is jumping, digging, chewing, biting or doing something else you want to fix, you need to know “the thing before the thing”. In the episode you'll hear: The four most common naughty behaviors in dogs. How to use the ABC’s of dog training to fix anything. What the antecedent of a dog’s behavior could be. How the consequence could be contributing to the problem. Two ways to fix anything. What I learned from my dogs about the things before the things. Resources: Recallers - https://dogsthat.com/recallers/ Podcast Episode 6: The Art of Manipulation - https://dogsthat.com/podcast/6/ Vlog Post: The ABC's of Dog Training - https://susangarrettdogagility.com/2020/06/the-abcs-of-dog-training/ Podcast Episode 4: T.E.M.P. (Tail, Eyes/Ears, Mouth, Posture) - https://dogsthat.com/podcast/4/

Jul 29, 2020 • 18min
CSI Tips for Managing a Multi-Dog Household #15
Visit us at shapedbydog.com In a multi-dog household, it’s important that all dogs have confidence and be comfortable. I’m sharing my biggest tips for intentional household harmony. In the episode you'll hear: When I realized that comfort and confidence for all dogs is vital. How to be present to what your dogs are telling you. The CSI of a multi-dog home. How I prevent resource guarding before it starts. The guidelines and house rules that set everyone up for success. Resources: Podcast Episode 14: Creating Intentional Multi-Dog Household Harmony - https://dogsthat.com/podcast/14/ Podcast Episode 4: T.E.M.P. (Tail, Eyes/Ears, Mouth, Posture) - https://dogsthat.com/podcast/4/ Podcast Episode 2: Reinforcement - https://dogsthat.com/podcast/2/ ItsYerChoice Game (IYC) - https://recallers.com/iycsummit-thankyou/ Recallers - https://dogsthat.com/recallers/ Podcast Episode 6: The Art of Manipulation - https://dogsthat.com/podcast/6/

Jul 24, 2020 • 18min
Creating Intentional Multi-Dog Household Harmony #14
Visit us at shapedbydog.com If you live with more than one dog or want to live with more than one dog, this episode is for you. We need to be intentional about creating harmony for multi-dogs in our homes for everyone’s comfort and safety. In the episode you'll hear: The advantages of having one dog. What needs to change when your household becomes multi-dog. My “5 Stages of Togetherness”. What to do, and what not to do, when bringing in a new dog. How I intentionally set my dogs up for success. What disrupts multi-dog harmony. Resources: Blog Post: Second Dog Syndrome - https://susangarrettdogagility.com/2010/02/second-dog-syndrome/ Crate Games Online - https://get.crategames.com/ Blog Post: All About Dogs Sleeping in the Bedroom - https://susangarrettdogagility.com/2020/03/dogs-sleeping-in-the-bedroom/

Jul 22, 2020 • 13min
Naming Your Puppy or Dog #13
Visit us at shapedbydog.com Our dog’s name says a lot about our dog and a lot about us. There are many considerations to naming, and many ways to go about choosing a name. In the episode you'll hear: Ideas for picking a name for your puppy or dog. What to consider that might not be immediately obvious. What to avoid when choosing a name. About the energy attached to your dog’s name. If you should change the name of a rescue dog. How I choose names for my dogs. Resources: Shaped By Dog Podcast Episode 8: Get Your Dog in the Belief Loop of Awesome - https://dogsthat.com/podcast/8/ Blog Post: A GAME to Preserve Your Dog’s Recall Cue - https://susangarrettdogagility.com/2019/06/game-to-preserve-your-dogs-recall-cue/

Jul 17, 2020 • 15min
When Helping Your Dog is an Illusion #12
Visit us at shapedbydog.com We all love our dogs and want to help them, but sometimes that help has the opposite effect of what we intend! That’s what I’m covering in this episode, so you can get the behaviour you really want. Learn how letting go of control will have your dog buy-in to your training and create a relationship of mutual happiness. In the episode you'll hear: About triggers, opposition reflex and drive. What self control really is, and how our control is an illusion. How games are a win for everyone even if there’s a fail (yes … the F word!). Why your dog’s buy-in to your training results in a lifetime of joy. Resources: Shaped By Dog Podcast Episode 11: The Power of Permission in Dog Training - https://dogsthat.com/podcast/11/ Vlog Post: Understanding Your Dog’s Triggers - https://susangarrettdogagility.com/2019/01/understanding-your-dogs-triggers/ Blog Post: Identifying And Using Positive Triggers For Your Dog - https://susangarrettdogagility.com/2019/01/positive-triggers/

Jul 15, 2020 • 16min
The Power of Permission in Dog Training #11
Visit us at shapedbydog.com Harnessing the power of permission in dog training is the secret of my success. It’s how I can train dogs to the highest levels without the use of intimidation or physical punishment. Sometimes is anytime for a dog, and permissions make the anytime work for us. And it’s not just for training our dogs. We all want our relationships to have equity and trust. In the episode you'll hear: The where, why, and what of permission in dog training. What teenagers driving a Lamborghini around a racetrack as to do with your relationship with your dog. Why sometimes is anytime. How to start using permission with one easy and fun game. Resources: Blog Post: Why “Choice” is the Critical Key to a Great Dog (ItsYerChoice) - https://susangarrettdogagility.com/2018/06/why-choice-is-the-critical-key-to-a-great-dog/ Crate Games Online - https://get.crategames.com/sbd Blog Post: Retrieve Games - https://susangarrettdogagility.com/2009/08/retrieve-games/

Jul 10, 2020 • 17min
What to Know Before Getting a Puppy or Dog #10
This podcast discusses important factors to consider before getting a puppy or dog, such as researching the breed, choosing a reputable breeder or rescue association, and investing in training and proper nutrition. They emphasize the value of social engagement, caution against impulse buying or getting two dogs at once, and provide tips on saving money without compromising on quality. The benefits of feeding raw food to dogs and the importance of spending time with them are also discussed.

Jul 8, 2020 • 14min
How Long Does It Take to Train a Dog? #9
Visit us at shapedbydog.com When do you consider your dog trained? That’s what we’re talking about in this episode. We’re also looking at why I think “dog training” might be misnamed and what all great relationships have in common. Plus if you ever find yourself furious with your dog, I’ve got one big tip to help! In the episode you'll hear: My answers to the two most common dog training questions asked of me. What owning a car has to do with dog training. What all great relationships have in common. How to turn being puzzled, frustrated or furious with your dog around. Resources: Shaped By Dog Podcast Episode 2: Reinforcement - https://dogsthat.com/podcast/2/ Blog: What’s a Reward for Your Dog? List of Reinforcers - https://susangarrettdogagility.com/2018/10/reward-list-of-reinforcers/ Blog: Lurers Anonymous (Luring vs Shaping) - https://susangarrettdogagility.com/2018/11/lurers-anonymous/ Dr. Ellyn Bader (The Couples Institute) - https://www.couplesinstitute.com/about-us/