Shaped by Dog with Susan Garrett

Message From Susan

Hey everyone, it’s Susan, and you’re about to hear one of my training tips and tidbits. These are quick, actionable strategies to help you and your dog in everyday life or for dog sport. Often our short videos with tips are created from your most popular segments of podcast episodes. So, let’s dive in!

How Barking Can Turn Into A Reinforced Habit Without You Even Realizing 

I'm sharing how barking can turn into a reinforced habit without you even realizing. It’s easy to miss th...

Message From Susan

Hey everyone, it’s Susan, and you’re about to hear one of my training tips and tidbits. These are quick, actionable strategies to help you and your dog in everyday life or for dog sport. Often our short videos with tips are created from your most popular segments of podcast episodes. So, let’s dive in!

Reinforcement Is Always Happening: How to Make Sure It’s Building the Dog You Want 

Reinforcement is always happening, so I’m sharing how to be intentional with every interaction...

Message From Susan

Hey everyone, it’s Susan, and you’re about to hear one of my training tips and tidbits. These are quick, actionable strategies to help you and your dog in everyday life or for dog sport. Often our short videos with tips are created from your most popular segments of podcast episodes. So, let’s dive in!

Training Challenges Are Feedback: What To Do When Things Don’t Go To Plan

Training challenges are feedback, and when things don’t go to plan, it’s often a sign there’...

Message From Susan

Hey everyone, it’s Susan, and you’re about to hear one of my training tips and tidbits. These are quick, actionable strategies to help you and your dog in everyday life or for dog sport. Often our short videos with tips are created from your most popular segments of podcast episodes. So, let’s dive in!

Matching Law in Dog Training: Why Your Dog Chooses One Behavior Over Another

I’m sharing the science behind Matching Law and why your dog chooses one behavior over another...

Message From Susan

Hey everyone, it’s Susan, and you’re about to hear one of my training tips and tidbits. These are quick, actionable strategies to help you and your dog in everyday life or for dog sport. Often our short videos with tips are created from your most popular segments of podcast episodes. So, let’s dive in!

How To Tell If A Dog Trainer Is The Right Fit For You And Your Dog

I’m sharing how to tell if a dog trainer is the right fit for y...

Message From Susan

Hey everyone, it’s Susan, and you’re about to hear one of my training tips and tidbits. These are quick, actionable strategies to help you and your dog in everyday life or for dog sport. Often our short videos with tips are created from your most popular segments of podcast episodes. So, let’s dive in!

Why Your Dog Might Be Barking Excessively And What You Can Do To Help

Ever feel like your dog’s barking is constant and you’re not quite sure what’s driv...

Message From Susan

Hey everyone, it’s Susan, and you’re about to hear one of my training tips and tidbits. These are quick, actionable strategies to help you and your dog in everyday life or for dog sport. Often our short videos with tips are created from your most popular segments of podcast episodes. So, let’s dive in!

The “Hope Method” Of Dog Training: What Your Dog Is Really Learning When You’re Not Teaching

I'm sharing the 'hope method' of dog training and what your dog is really lea...

Message From Susan

Hey everyone, it’s Susan, and you’re about to hear one of my training tips and tidbits. These are quick, actionable strategies to help you and your dog in everyday life or for dog sport. Often our short videos with tips are created from your most popular segments of podcast episodes. So, let’s dive in!

The Truth About Over-Aroused Dogs And What Shapes Their Emotional Responses

Ever had a moment when your dog’s emotions felt bigger than everything else around them? I’m sharing the...

Message From Susan

Hey everyone, it’s Susan, and you’re about to hear one of my training tips and tidbits. These are quick, actionable strategies to help you and your dog in everyday life or for dog sport. Often our short videos with tips are created from your most popular segments of podcast episodes. So, let’s dive in!

Want Your Dog to Listen From Far Away? Here's Where That Training Really Begins

Want your dog to listen from far away? I'm sharing where that training really begins so you...

Message From Susan

Hey everyone, it’s Susan, and you’re about to hear one of my training tips and tidbits. These are quick, actionable strategies to help you and your dog in everyday life or for dog sport. Often our short videos with tips are created from your most popular segments of podcast episodes. So, let’s dive in!

Why Recalls Fail And The Common Mistakes That Get In The Way Of A Reliable Response

I’m breaking down the two biggest reasons why recalls fail and the common mi...

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Not seeing results in dog training? I’m breaking down why that happens and how layering your dog’s learning is the key to creating real-world success. We often believe our dogs are “trained” when things look great in controlled settings but when connection disappears, distractions take over, or confidence fades in new environments, it’s a sign that a layer of learning is missing. I’ll walk you through how the layers of the 5C Pyramid build lasting reliability and focus, a personal story from my own training, and how shaping be...

Message From Susan

Hey everyone, it’s Susan, and you’re about to hear one of my training tips and tidbits. These are quick, actionable strategies to help you and your dog in everyday life or for dog sport. Often our short videos with tips are created from your most popular segments of podcast episodes. So, let’s dive in!

The Best Way To Talk To Your Dog Trainer When Things Aren’t Working

I'm sharing the best way to talk to your dog trainer when things aren’t working. Th...

Message From Susan

Hey everyone, it’s Susan, and you’re about to hear one of my training tips and tidbits. These are quick, actionable strategies to help you and your dog in everyday life or for dog sport. Often our short videos with tips are created from your most popular segments of podcast episodes. So, let’s dive in!

Seamless Dog Training Sessions Start With This Simple Setup Plan

The key to seamless dog training sessions starts with this simple setup plan that keeps you organized and helps your do...

Message From Susan

Hey everyone, it’s Susan, and you’re about to hear one of my training tips and tidbits. These are quick, actionable strategies to help you and your dog in everyday life or for dog sport. Often our short videos with tips are created from your most popular segments of podcast episodes. So, let’s dive in!

30 Years Ago, They Laughed. Today, It’s How We Train Dogs.

30 years ago, they laughed. Today, it’s how we train dogs. I'm sharing the pivotal shift in dog training ov...

Message From Susan

Hey everyone, it’s Susan, and you’re about to hear one of my training tips and tidbits. These are quick, actionable strategies to help you and your dog in everyday life or for dog sport. Often our short videos with tips are created from your most popular segments of podcast episodes. So, let’s dive in!

Clarity Is Kind: What Your Dog Needs You to Understand

Ever wonder if your dog really gets what you’re asking them? I’m sharing why clarity is kind and what yo...

Message From Susan

Hey everyone, it’s Susan, and you’re about to hear one of my training tips and tidbits. These are quick, actionable strategies to help you and your dog in everyday life or for dog sport. Often our short videos with tips are created from your most popular segments of podcast episodes. So, let’s dive in!

How To Safely Introduce A Puppy To An Adult Dog: Tips & Strategies

I’m sharing my tips and strategies on how to safely introduce a puppy to an adult dog so th...

Visit us at shapedbydog.com 

Do you feel your dog only listens when you have treats? Or maybe you’ve been told dogs should work because you said so. No one needs to choose between insisting on their dog's compliance without rewards or getting stuck as a treat-dispensing machine, so I’m sharing my 5 step process to help you build better behaviors. This process is the solution for our dogs to listen anywhere, anytime, with joy and clarity!

In this episode, you’ll hear:

• Debunking the myth that “your d...

Message From Susan

Hey everyone, it’s Susan, and you’re about to hear one of my training tips and tidbits. These are quick, actionable strategies to help you and your dog in everyday life or for dog sport. Often our short videos with tips are created from your most popular segments of podcast episodes. So, let’s dive in!

The 5P Test: How To Tell If Your Dog REALLY Understands Their Cues!

Wondering how to tell if your dog really understands their cues? I’m sharing a simple evaluatio...

Visit us at shapedbydog.com 

Can you really stop a dog from chasing deer or anything else without an e-collar? Yes, and I’m sharing how. There’s an ongoing commentary that it's impossible to train certain dogs, especially those with high prey drive, to come when called using only reinforcement-based methods. Now, those of us who are reinforcement-based trainers know that it's absolutely possible. The secret lies in understanding the Canine Predatory Motor Sequence. Rather than trying to stop dogs at the end of the sequence when it's way too late, we focus on the ea...

Message From Susan

Hey everyone, it’s Susan, and you’re about to hear one of my training tips and tidbits. These are quick, actionable strategies to help you and your dog in everyday life or for dog sport. Often our short videos with tips are created from your most popular segments of podcast episodes. So, let’s dive in!

The Words You Use with Your Dog Matter More Than You Think

The words you use with and about your dog matter more than you think, not just in meaning...

Message From Susan

Hey everyone, it’s Susan, and you’re about to hear one of my training tips and tidbits. These are quick, actionable strategies to help you and your dog in everyday life or for dog sport. Often our short videos with tips are created from your most popular segments of podcast episodes. So, let’s dive in!

Training Tips From Susan: How Recording Your Dog Training Sessions Can Help You Grow as a Trainer

I'm sharing how recording your dog training sessions can help you grow as a tr...

Message From Susan

Hey everyone, it’s Susan, and you’re about to hear one of my training tips and tidbits. These are quick, actionable strategies to help you and your dog in everyday life or for dog sport. Often our short videos with tips are created from your most popular segments of podcast episodes. So, let’s dive in!

Training Tips from Susan: Susan Garrett's Tip for Training Frantic Dogs: Stimulus Control

Does your dog get frantic, throwing all sorts of behaviors at you one after another when you want to trai...

Visit us at shapedbydog.com 

I set out to do a podcast episode explaining why I choose not to use an electric collar with my dogs and with my students' dogs. It sent me down a spiral of research and careful consideration. So, after nearly 40 hours reviewing videos from trainers who use e-collars, I'm sharing observations about the wide spectrum of electric collar use in the training world. From excellent conditioning protocols to concerning misuse, what I discovered may surprise both those who use shock collars and those who don't.

In thi...

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How long should it take to train my dog? That’s a popular question I get, so I’m covering how to set realistic expectations for every age and stage of a dog’s life. Dogs are lifelong learners and learn with all their senses, so we’re looking at how to create success with intention rather than letting things around your dog train them, so you can avoid the frustration of needing to untrain anything.

In this episode, you’ll hear:

• Why age and stag...

Visit us at shapedbydog.com 

Wondering why your off leash dog isn’t coming when called and what you can do to fix it? I’m busting the recall myth and sharing how to teach your dog to head whip and run to you as fast as they can every time you call, without force or frustration. Learn my fun, easy, and effective recall training approach that builds confidence and enthusiasm, so your dog wants to run to you with joy, speed, and reliability, no matter where you are. 

In this episode...

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Have you ever felt stuck when you are training your dog? Or wondered what to do when things aren't working? I’m sharing how to troubleshoot, adjust, and turn things around with a fix for common mistakes. We’re looking at why training might not be working, what to do about it, essential foundations that make all training easier, and strategies to put on the brakes when things are going in a direction you don’t want.

In this episode, you’ll hear:

• Why dog...

Visit us at shapedbydog.com 

Recently, dog training advocate Zak George asked me about crossover dog trainers, and framed the question in such a different way that it inspired replying with a podcast episode. When I crossed over from balanced training to reinforcement based training in 1996, many people asked me why and told me it would not work. I'm sharing my start in dog training, pivotal moments, people and dogs that led me to change my approach, what I learned about myself along the way, and the reasons I never went back. 

In...

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Looking for fast and easy dog training solutions? A quick fix won’t get the dog behavior you really want long term, so I’m covering what to do instead! Whether you have a new puppy or are working through challenges with an older dog, reinforcement and management are key to creating a successful solution for a well-behaved dog in a way that aligns with your heart.

In this episode, you’ll hear:

• Why “fast and easy” in dog training often fails and what actuall...

Visit us at shapedbydog.com 

I sometimes receive comments that some dogs need all 4 quadrants of dog training. But what does that mean, why does it matter for your dog, and what does science tell us? We all need to be aware of the blurred lines between quadrants, so I'm discussing each. Plus, I'm sharing experiences and insights on what unintentional punishment can be for dogs and how to avoid it, what reinforcement really is, and how it's possible to reinforce a dog for behavior you don't want. 

In this episode, you’...

Visit us at shapedbydog.com 

Have you heard the news that positive reinforcement doesn't work? The truth about the dog training success enjoyed by positive reinforcement-based dog trainers comes down to application, and I'm sharing examples that will be familiar to everyone with a dog. Whether you're dealing with a reactive dog, struggling with agility training, or want to improve your training skills, I've got practical insights based on real-world scenarios to help everyone with a dog succeed. 

In this episode, you’ll hear:

• Why some trainers claim pos...

Message From Susan

Hey everyone, it’s Susan, and you’re about to hear one of my training tips and tidbits. These are quick, actionable strategies to help you and your dog in everyday life or for dog sport. Often our short videos with tips are created from your most popular segments of podcast episodes. So, let’s dive in!

Training Tips from Susan: Reactive Dog Training: Help Dogs Move from Dysregulation to Self-Regulation Case Study

If you are training a reactive dog, there’s so much you can do to help them...

Message From Susan

Hey everyone, it’s Susan, and you’re about to hear one of my training tips and tidbits. These are quick, actionable strategies to help you and your dog in everyday life or for dog sport. Often our short videos with tips are created from your most popular segments of podcast episodes. So, let’s dive in!

Training Tips from Susan: Understanding Your Adolescent Dog: Teenage Hormones, Emotions, and Behavior

Watch the full video at  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BDmQBOA-bCA&t=0s 

And check out...

Message From Susan

Hey everyone, it’s Susan, and you’re about to hear one of my training tips and tidbits. These are quick, actionable strategies to help you and your dog in everyday life or for dog sport. Often our short videos with tips are created from your most popular segments of podcast episodes. So, let’s dive in!

Training Tips from Susan: Catch Your Runaway Dog! Stop Chasing And Do This In An Emergency

If your dog slips their collar or gets away from you, use this tip to get you...

Message From Susan

Hey everyone, it’s Susan, and you’re about to hear one of my training tips and tidbits. These are quick, actionable strategies to help you and your dog in everyday life or for dog sport. Often our short videos with tips are created from your most popular segments of podcast episodes. So, let’s dive in!

Training Tips from Susan: How to Train Your Dog to Leave It with No Command: Susan Garrett's ItsYerChoice

There are many reasons to train your dog to “leave it” on command. Your puppy...

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Socially sensitive dogs can react to other dogs in many ways. Some shrink away, others get invigorated and overexcited, and some dogs are proactively reactive. When you know if your dog is in the green, yellow or red zone and the three phases to action, you can build their resilience and set them up for success so they can thrive in any environment. Understanding a dog’s response to other dogs and having a Code Yellow Protocol is key to helping them feel safe and confident.

In th...

Visit us at shapedbydog.com

Together, we’re overcoming emotional barriers so you can stop letting self-doubt and fear of criticism hold you back from becoming a better dog trainer. One of the most powerful tools I recommend for dog training is videoing your sessions, but it’s a big block for many people. I’m sharing tips on overcoming negative emotions, getting unstuck, and how to watch your video while silencing your inner critic. It’s time to give yourself grace and stop letting fear get in the way so you and your dog can start...

Visit us at shapedbydog.com 

We recently did a poll on social media channels, and I was taken aback when the survey showed that 63% of dog owners currently don't use a dog training tool that I consider essential! Not only will this tool help prevent dog training mistakes, it will help you get results faster and save you time. It's videoing your training sessions, and I'm here to help you get started with tips and real examples so you can embrace video as the most essential tool for training your dog.

In...

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Counter Surfing and other naughty dog behavior problems can feel unsolvable, but they don't have to be! I'm sharing an easy 3-step formula every dog owner needs to know for what to do. The challenges any one of us could have with our dogs will vary with our dog's age and experiences. But no matter if we have a puppy, rescue dog, or a dog who has been in our family for years, the MRI approach can be applied to any problem that needs to be solved. And don't worry, I...

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Do over 99% of dogs really have behavior problems? For claims like this we should be unpacking the truth and looking behind the headlines! We all want our dogs to reach their full potential, so I’m doing a deep dive into the study that sparked the “99%” headline and exploring the dog behavior problems cited like aggression, separation anxiety, and fear. When we understand our dog’s behavior we can help them live their best life and shine.

In this episode, you’ll hear:

• About the...

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Do dogs really test us? It can sure seem that way when a dog's behavior is not what we expect and they show inconsistency and fluctuations in what they do. My stance on this topic has changed over the years, and I’m sharing why, along with perspectives on why dogs might seem to be testing us, and the first thing I usually do if my dog surprises me with an unexpected response.

In this episode, you’ll hear:

• My answer to the questi...