
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

Jul 3, 2020 • 18min
Get Your Dog in the Belief Loop of Awesome #8
Visit us at shapedbydog.com In this episode, I’m sharing one simple and easy psychological trick so you and your dog can get in the belief loop of awesome. Tune in for how this one thing can make life for you and your dog dramatically better! I have been using this for years, and it works. In the episode you'll hear: How a child went from always being in detention and disruptive, to an engaged and cooperative student. It only took one change! How the belief loop can work for you easily. Understanding the cycle of thoughts, emotion, action, results, and belief, and how it applies to your dog. Why every dog I have ever lived with has become awesome. Resources: “Pygmalion in the Classroom” book by Robert Rosenthal and Lenore Jacobson (Wikipedia) - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pygmalion_in_the_Classroom Blog: Is There a Difference - https://susangarrettdogagility.com/2010/04/is-there-a-difference/ The Official Website of Tony Robbins - https://www.tonyrobbins.com/ “Shaping Success” by Susan Garrett - https://dogsthat.com/product/shaping-success-2/ Recallers - https://recallers.com/ Download: Get your downloadable “Dogs That Are Awesome Daily Journal” to start using the belief loop today! - https://dogsthat.com/podcast/8/

Jul 1, 2020 • 21min
You, Your Dog, Maslow and Lizard Brain #7
Visit us at shapedbydog.com It’s important to know what you and your dog need for learning success, and how “lizard brain” can take over if something is lacking. I’m sharing an extract of the book I am writing, and it’s about one of the life shifting lessons I learned from a student. In the episode you'll hear: How Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs applies to you and your dog. The life shifting lesson I was taught by a student. Recognizing when lizard brain takes over, and why. Resources: Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs (Wikipedia) - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maslow%27s_hierarchy_of_needs Shaped By Dog Podcast Episode 4: T.E.M.P. (Tail, Eyes/Ears, Mouth, Posture) - https://shapedbydog.com/4/ Vlog: Where Is Your Dog On The Circle Of Fun? - https://susangarrettdogagility.com/2018/07/circle-of-fun/ “Outliers” by Malcolm Gladwell - https://www.gladwellbooks.com/titles/malcolm-gladwell/outliers/9780316040341/ Terry Orlick’s Zone of Excellence - http://www.zoneofexcellence.ca/index.html Shaped by Dog Podcast Episode 7 - https://shapedbydog.com/7/

Jun 22, 2020 • 21min
The Art of Manipulation #6
Visit us at shapedbydog.com How good are you at manipulation? Stick with me, because after this episode, you’re going to embrace and love the idea of manipulation. When we hear the word “manipulation” we immediately think of deception, but in dog training, it’s a skill that is going to create a relationship of confidence and trust with your dog and set your dog up to have an amazing life with you. In the episode you'll hear: Where confidence fits into dog training. How to best manipulate your dog's environment. Where the bunny farm fits into distraction training. Setting dogs and trainers up for success. All about training in the bathroom. Resources: “Deep Work” by Cal Newport - https://www.calnewport.com/books/deep-work/ “Ruff Love” by Susan Garrett - https://dogsthat.com/product/ruff-love/ Vlog: Talking About Ruff Love (Tater and Chipmunks) - https://susangarrettdogagility.com/2020/05/ruff-love-tater/ Learn how to play the ItsYerChoice Game - https://recallers.com/iycsummit-join/ Shaped by Dog Podcast Episode 6 Post - https://shapedbydog.com/6/

Jun 22, 2020 • 21min
What Is Shaping and How Can Dogs Shape Us #5
Visit us at shapedbydog.com Did you know that there are four ways to train a dog? That's what we're talking about in this episode, and how science plays a part in successfully shaping behaviour. We'll also look at the best way to get your floor swept! It's got everything to do with behaviour. After this episode, you'll be able to tell if you are the shaper or shapee. Step outside the box and into learning about creating lasting behaviours. In the episode you'll hear: What is shaping and how you can use it. The four ways to train a dog. All about "hope" training. How you can easily alter behaviour. Where "outside the box" thinking fits into dog training. Resources: Positive Dog Training and the Difference in Shaping - https://susangarrettdogagility.com/2018/11/the-difference-in-shaping/ Who’s Shaping Who? - https://susangarrettdogagility.com/2009/09/whos-shaping-who/ Shaped by Dog Podcast Episode 5 Post - https://shapedbydog.com/5/

Jun 22, 2020 • 17min
TEMP (Tail, Eyes, Ears, Mouth, Posture) #4
Visit us at shapedbydog.com This episode could save your dog's life. It could save a child. It could prevent someone from getting a serious injury from a dog. A dog has many ways to communicate how he is feeling and what his intention is. The challenge is that we sometimes misread or misunderstand what a dog is telling us. In the episode you'll hear: How to identify what a dog is about to do. What your dog's T.E.M.P. is telling you. Vocalizing and why it's important. Children and dogs, the proper etiquette. Resources: Vlog: Dog Body Language, Fear and Aggression - https://susangarrettdogagility.com/2018/06/body-language-fear-and-aggression/ How Do I Train My Dog NOT To Jump Up - https://susangarrettdogagility.com/2019/04/train-my-dog-not-to-jump-up/ Where the Heck is Do-Land, Anyway? - https://susangarrettdogagility.com/2019/05/do-land/ Shaped by Dog Podcast Episode 4 Post - https://shapedbydog.com/4/

Jun 20, 2020 • 20min
How Hollywood Made Life Tough For Dogs #3
Visit us at shapedbydog.com In this episode, we’re looking at how Hollywood has made life incredibly difficult for dogs. Because life is not like the movies. The truth about dogs is if Timmy fell down that well, he’s very likely going to stay there. In the episode you'll hear: What would really happen if Timmy fell down the well. How movies create unrealistic expectations for dogs. Who our heart dogs are. How to create an environment of success for a dog. How a great relationship with a dog is made in real life. The importance for our dogs of living a life of clarity. Resources: Why “Choice” is the Critical Key to a Great Dog - https://susangarrettdogagility.com/2018/06/why-choice-is-the-critical-key-to-a-great-dog/ ItsYerChoice Game - https://recallers.com/iycsummit-join/ Crate Games Online - https://get.crategames.com/ Recallers - https://recallers.com/ Shaped by Dog Podcast Episode 3 Post - https://shapedbydog.com/3/

Jun 19, 2020 • 20min
Reinforcement in Dog Training #2
Visit us at shapedbydog.com We are talking about the number one most important thing in dog training. Actually, it's the one thing vital for all species. It is of course, reinforcement, and it is critical to understand for training all animals. In the episode you’ll hear: Why there are times your dog might find something more reinforcing than food. Activities that your dog will find reinforcing. Reinforcers to avoid. How to grow the value of a reinforcer Transfer of value. Reinforcement and dopamine release. How dogs predict patterns of reinforcement. Resources: What’s a Reward for Your Dog? List of Reinforcers - https://susangarrettdogagility.com/2018/10/reward-list-of-reinforcers/ How to Create a Motivating Toy - https://susangarrettdogagility.com/2018/09/how-to-create-a-motivating-toy/ Shaped by Dog Podcast Episode 2 Post - https://shapedbydog.com/2/

Jun 18, 2020 • 19min
Done Is Better Than Perfect #1
Visit us at shapedbydog.com Hey everybody! I've been wanting to do a podcast for a long time. There's a lot of planning, and lot of things to learn. But, I woke up one morning and decided that "done is better than perfect", and here we have it, our very first episode of my "Shaped By Dog" podcast. In the episode you'll hear: Why "done is better than perfect" in life and dog training. Putting your fear aside. Why I called this podcast "Shaped by Dog". What the podcast will be about. The 4 ways of training dogs. Resources: "The Journey" Video - https://shapedbydog.com/1/