Shaped by Dog with Susan Garrett – Details, episodes & analysis

Visit us at shapedbydog.com 

Want an easy, fun way to boost your dog's skills, strengthen your bond, and lay the foundation for advanced training while having fun? Look no further than Vito's Thinking Game! I'm sharing how to play and why it has so much power. Whether you're a seasoned dog trainer or a first-time puppy or rescue dog owner, this game is perfect for dogs of all ages and skill levels. 

In this episode you’ll hear:

• How Vito’s Game builds your dog’s focus and confidence.
• A step-by-step guide to playing Vito’s Game with your dog.
• The benefits of letting your dog make training decisions.
• Tips to adapt Vito’s Game to any dog’s personality.
• How Vito’s Game reduces the need for your constant intervention.
• Why Vito’s Game is perfect for every dog and trainer.
• How one easy game gives your dog multiple skills.

Resources:

1. Podcast Episode 151: How Location Specific Reinforcement Markers Will Improve Your Dog Training! - https://dogsthat.com/podcast/151/
2. Podcast Episode 174: Dopamine In Dog Training: Anticipation, Rewards, And The Transfer Of Value - https://dogsthat.com/podcast/174/
3. YouTube Playlist: Dog Training Games with Susan Garrett - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLphRRSxcMHy2TzttCtZVFwzwMGayAsaYe
4. Podcast Episode 276: What No One Tells You About The Best Place To Train Your Puppy Or Rescue Dog - https://dogsthat.com/podcast/276/
5. Podcast Episode 191: Get Your Dog To Calm Down With This Common Sense Protocol For Relaxation - https://dogsthat.com/podcast/191/
6. Watch this Episode of Shaped by Dog on YouTube - https://youtu.be/tIEhIhQOWyI

Visit us at shapedbydog.com 

Imagine there's a secret booster button we could press, and our dog would suddenly turn into a superhero, and we'd have dog training superpowers. Guess what? I've got that booster button for you, and am sharing how to activate it. It all starts with being present to our presence, hacking for our self talk, and knowing a simple exercise to instantly shift our emotional state. Each of us has a mind capable of brilliance! And with a few little tweaks, we can all unleash that mindset power to make dog training better.

In this episode you’ll hear:

• How to activate your inner booster button.
• What my friend, Simon Bowen means by “Being present to your presence.” 
• The importance of understanding belief loops.
• An easy exercise for mindset shifts leading to better results.
• How Self Talk and Pup Talk influence your dog training.
• Why words elevate your training sessions and strengthen your bond with your dog.
• The connection between emotional regulation and successful training.
• How following mentors and role models can grow your skills.
• Techniques to overcome self-doubt and maintain confidence in your training.
• The three biggest gifts you can give your dog.
• Steps to take action to get what you want with your dog.
• “Do the Thing” with inspiration from a poem.

Resources:

1. The Wisdom of… Show with Simon Bowen - https://thesimonbowen.com/show/
2. Podcast Episode 8: Get Your Dog in the Belief Loop of Awesome - https://dogsthat.com/podcast/8/
3. Poem at Strangest Loop: “Things That Aren't Doing the Thing” - https://strangestloop.io/essays/things-that-arent-doing-the-thing
4. YouTube Playlist: The Heart / Mind Connection Side of Dog Training with Susan Garrett - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLphRRSxcMHy1ruLW0CujlHgzCiTLK2Rfh
5. Watch this Episode of Shaped by Dog on YouTube - https://youtu.be/QiTAa1WkQ6w

Visit us at shapedbydog.com

If you are trying to train a dog who is fussy about food, or if you know someone who is in that situation, you may think, "this dog training is never going to work." And you know, you're probably right! Training will be a challenge unless you have something of great value for the dog. We’re continuing our focus on how to create food drive with a look at how to structure your dog training to get a transfer of value from things your dog loves to any treat.

In this episode you’ll hear:

• Essential strategies for boosting your dog's food drive.
• The importance of exercise beyond a simple walk for your dog's overall well-being.
• How restraint recalls can change your dog's physiology and attitude towards nutrition.
• Tips for identifying high-value treats that will excite your dog's taste buds and enhance training.
• Strategies for experimenting with various types of treats for your dog.
• That patience and playing the long game are assets to boost your dog's food drive.
• An introduction to the Premack Principle and how it can be applied to training treats.
• Why to celebrate success and avoid cheerleading your dog.
• The reason to borrow from the way rabbits behave around a dog.

Resources:

1. Podcast Episode 269: Why Do Some Dogs Seem to Have Less Food Drive Than Others – 10 Reasons to Consider - https://dogsthat.com/podcast/269/
2. YouTube Video: 15 Ways To Exercise Your Dog - https://youtu.be/SsQY6nm6E30
3. Podcast Episode 147: Teach Your Dog To Listen Off Leash And Far Away - https://dogsthat.com/podcast/147/
4. Sniffspot.com - https://www.sniffspot.com/
5. Podcast Episode 191: Get Your Dog To Calm Down With This Common Sense Protocol For Relaxation - https://dogsthat.com/podcast/191/
6. Podcast Episode 59: Why Your Treats Aren’t Working for Your Dog - https://dogsthat.com/podcast/59/
7. Podcast Episode 179: Help For Dogs Refusing Treats: Case Study With Training Plan - https://dogsthat.com/podcast/179/
8. Podcast Episode 177: Dog Training Outside The Box: Transfer Of Value Case Study - https://dogsthat.com/podcast/177/
9. Podcast Episode 90: Premack, Dog Training and Transfer of Value - https://dogsthat.com/podcast/90/
10. Watch this Episode of Shaped by Dog on YouTube - https://youtu.be/dQJlmWpCrYM

Visit us at shapedbydog.com 

Trying to work with multiple dogs at once can be a struggle, especially when one dog consistently interferes. Even if you only have one dog, the information offered in this episode is important as you want your dog to be able to relax when there are other dogs or distractions around. I’m covering the criteria and strategy for training in a multi-dog household or when things in the environment are exciting for dogs.

In the episode you'll hear:

• That learning to ignore distractions and relax is important for dogs of all ages.
• Why dogs really want in on the action when you are training with fun.
• That dogs give us a critique of how we’ve taught them to wait turns.
• All the training steps starting with Crate Games then growing to Hot Zone.
• Why to listen to your dog’s feedback about their understanding.
• What makes a great Hot Zone when your dog is learning to wait their turn.
• Why dogs need a brilliant understanding of their release cue.
• That it’s up to you to decide your criteria for your waiting dog.
• A test you can do with multiple dogs so they can show you what they understand.
• How to add other dogs to training when your waiting dog has strong foundations.

Resources:

1. Crate Games Online - https://get.crategames.com/
2. Podcast Episode 134: How To Teach A Dog Stay WITHOUT Luring, Collar Pops Or Using The Word “Stay” - https://dogsthat.com/podcast/134/
3. YouTube Video: Susan Garrett’s Perch Work Dog Tricks (Pivots and Spins) - https://youtu.be/O6sj6fTJnFc
4. Learn ItsYerChoice - https://recallers.com/iycsummit-join/
5. Podcast Episode 137: Is Your Dog Hyper At Home? How To Teach Relaxation - https://dogsthat.com/podcast/137/
6. Podcast Episode 172: How To Teach Your Dog Anything With My Training Plan - https://dogsthat.com/podcast/172/
7. Watch this Episode of Shaped by Dog on YouTube - https://youtu.be/u4L-ra0fwc8

Visit us at shapedbydog.com 

When you have a new puppy, safe socializing is important. Something to consider is taking a pup to outdoor cafes or restaurants. When you do it right, there are many benefits. But if done badly, your puppy could end up overwhelmed or having a bad experience and becoming fearful. I’m covering all the steps to grow your puppy’s confidence when dining out at a pet-friendly venue so you can enjoy a coffee or meal with family and friends.

In the episode you'll hear:

• All the benefits of taking your puppy to an outdoor café, restaurant, or similar.
• That planning and preparing starts with knowing your puppy.
• How growing confidence in new environments is crucial.
• Why to have a backup plan and what that could be.
• The three games that prepare puppies to relax in new spaces.
• What to bring (and not bring) to the restaurant.
• Tips on what to practice at home before going to new locations.
• How to be intentional about picking the right table in the right location.
• The training plan I use when I have my puppies out at cafes or restaurants.
• All the steps to making dining out with you a positive experience for your puppy.

ItsYerChoice Summit:
Learn how to play ItsYerChoice:
https://recallers.com/iycsummit-join/

Resources:

1. Blog Post: Have You Tried A “Puppy Adventure Trip?” - https://susangarrettdogagility.com/2015/05/have-you-tried-a-puppy-adventure-trip/
2. Podcast Episode 130: Conditioned Responses: The Magic Every New Puppy (And Dog) Owner Must Know About - https://dogsthat.com/podcast/130/
3. Crate Games Online - https://get.crategames.com/
4. Podcast Episode 32: 20 Easy Ways to Exercise Your Dog at Home (Hot Zone) - https://dogsthat.com/podcast/32/
5. Podcast Episode 134: How To Teach A Dog Stay WITHOUT Luring, Collar Pops Or Using The Word “Stay” - https://dogsthat.com/podcast/134/
6. Watch this Episode of Shaped by Dog on YouTube - https://youtu.be/hJnyW7mROxI

Visit us at shapedbydog.com 

My dog won’t take treats outside! Is that something you’ve ever said or heard? We’re looking at the challenge of a dog refusing treats as a case study, as training will be so much easier if your dog loves food, especially if you are working on things like loose leash walking or helping your dog with reactivity. I’ve got an outside the box training plan for you to get your dog loving treats no matter where you are.

In the episode you'll hear:

• The physical reasons a dog might be refusing to take food treats and why to rule them out.
• How not taking food could be a habit for a dog and related to their emotional state.
• Why reinforcers lose or gain value in different environments.
• That getting a bigger meatball is not always the answer.
• Why feeding dogs should be an event and what to notice about your dog’s weight.
• About rating all of the treats that you can give your dog and different foods to try.
• The steps for testing treat values in different rooms and times of the day.
• About creating positive triggers for your dog that are exciting.
• How to transition using treats from indoors to the outdoors incrementally.
• What your dog’s physiology has to do with treats and how you can change it.
• What you need to do before you can start counterconditioning anything.
• Why training isn’t about work but building deeper bonds with dogs.

Resources:

1. YouTube Playlist: Reactive or Aggressive Dogs: Key Insights with Susan Garrett - https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLphRRSxcMHy0Tbd6ZybIXgJk3mtpBLLk7
2. Podcast Episode 59: Why Your Treats Aren’t Working for Your Dog - https://dogsthat.com/podcast/59/
3. Podcast Episode 92: Avoid This Big Mistake When Feeding Your Dog - https://dogsthat.com/podcast/92/
4. Tasty Treats eBook - https://dogsthat.com/tastytreats/
5. Podcast Episode 107: Pedicure Please: 3 Steps To Dog Nail Trimming Or Grooming Success At Home! - https://dogsthat.com/podcast/107/
6. Blog Post: Identifying And Using Positive Triggers For Your Dog - https://susangarrettdogagility.com/2019/01/positive-triggers/
7. YouTube Playlist: Loose Leash Walking with Susan Garrett - https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLphRRSxcMHy1mGMfdVKXq_hiJ27Ej1shW
8. Podcast Episode 68: 3 Easy Tricks Every Dog Should Know - https://dogsthat.com/podcast/68/
9. Podcast Episode 112: Stressed Dog? How Trigger Stacking Might Be Putting Your Dog Over Threshold - https://dogsthat.com/podcast/112/
10. Watch this Episode of Shaped by Dog on YouTube - https://youtu.be/lSoSuz2hV3g

Visit us at shapedbydog.com 

Why is it important to walk your dog daily? Besides the obvious health benefits of exercise, we’re looking at the advantages of daily dog walking that many people don’t realize. Sometimes people can give a list of reasons not to walk their dog, so we’re covering why to start and what defines appropriate exercise for dogs.

In the episode you'll hear:

• That our dog Tater Salad does not particularly like walking at certain times.
• About the health benefits of walking for dogs.
• What my friends Dr. Karen Becker and Rodney Habib say about canine exercise.
• Why leaving your dog out in the backyard is not exercise.
• That dogs benefit from a change of scenery and it can reduce stress and behavior issues.
• How taking your dog for a walk presents great training opportunities.
• The reason to find opportunities for your dog to go for a run off leash.
• About walks being relationship building and special adventure time for you and your dog.
• That walks have benefits for us and how I make a habit of gratitude when walking.
• What types of dogs should not be walked and what you can do instead.
• The common denominator in dogs with long life spans.

Resources:

1.*Book: Forever Dog by Rodney Habib and Dr Karen Becker - https://geni.us/forever-dog
2. YouTube Playlist: Loose Leash Walking with Susan Garrett - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLphRRSxcMHy1mGMfdVKXq_hiJ27Ej1shW
3. Sniff Spot - https://www.sniffspot.com/
4. Podcast Episode 174: Dopamine In Dog Training: Anticipation, Rewards, And The Transfer Of Value - https://dogsthat.com/podcast/174/
5. YouTube Video: Puppy's First Training with Susan Garrett: Shaping, Targeting and Collar Conditioning - https://youtu.be/ticB_1Twx6E
6. YouTube Playlist: Exercising Your Dog's Body and Mind: Tips and Games with Susan Garrett - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLphRRSxcMHy1ISzbaoCNh0NyLg3qgDG58
7. YouTube Playlist: Reactive or Aggressive Dogs: Key Insights with Susan Garrett - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLphRRSxcMHy0Tbd6ZybIXgJk3mtpBLLk7
8. Watch this Episode of Shaped by Dog on YouTube - https://youtu.be/GtGKc2CGWw0

*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 

When we train dogs with layered shaping, we train with out of the box thinking. In this episode, I’m giving a glimpse of what that looks like and how it relates to the transfer of value. It starts with knowing what a dog loves most of all. I’m also covering a case study on how we used the transfer of reinforcement value for a German Shepherd so that they could learn to retrieve without a force fetch.

In the episode you'll hear:

• What we need our dog to understand about reinforcement and what we need to understand.
• A review of the reinforcement process in our dog training.
• Why your dog's age, the location you are training, and what you are training matter.
• The importance of your placement and delivery of reinforcement.
• How we found something that a German Shepherd loved and used it for training.
• The process of transferring the value from bubbles to food with a target stick.
• Why we need to change a dog’s physiology for training.
• How ping-ponging reinforcements help with the transfer of value.
• That there’s not a linear path for all dogs, so we think outside the box.
• About our brand new free DoggyFlix video streaming adventure for dog people.

DoggyFlix Waiting List:
Click here to get on our DoggyFlix Waiting List 

Resources:

1. YouTube Playlist: Susan Garrett's Dog Training Philosophy and Training Processes - https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLphRRSxcMHy2An5_3KqDPqFVV6J6dYsYx
2. Podcast Episode 175: Food Luring VS Shaping In Dog Training: How Science Changed How I Teach Dogs - https://dogsthat.com/podcast/175/
3. Podcast Episode 174: Dopamine In Dog Training: Anticipation, Rewards, And The Transfer Of Value - https://dogsthat.com/podcast/174/
4. Podcast Episode 151: How Location Specific Reinforcement Markers Will Improve Your Dog Training! - https://dogsthat.com/podcast/151/
5. Podcast Episode 31: 5 Simple Hacks to Help Your Dog Learn Faster (Reinforcement Process) - https://dogsthat.com/podcast/31/
6. Podcast Episode 176: Why Your Dog’s Emotions Are A Critical Element Of Dog Training - https://dogsthat.com/podcast/176/
7. YouTube Playlist: Target Training for Dogs with Susan Garrett - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLphRRSxcMHy3ylCyQ2bJQSCwo_ERiVHj3
8. Watch this Episode of Shaped by Dog on YouTube - https://youtu.be/MRohT2ioMUE

Visit us at shapedbydog.com 

Having coached thousands of people in dog training, I’ve observed that their dogs seem to fall into three categories. The dogs who seem to hate training sessions, the dogs who are so over the top about the training they are frantic, and the dogs who are driven and focused and absolutely love it. It’s not the
breed of dog or their personality that determines the category, and it’s not the trainer or trainer’s experience; it’s about understanding you’re not only training a behavior but also an emotion.

In the episode you'll hear:

• That your dog’s emotions get built into what you are training.
• What “Pavlov is Always on Your Shoulder” means.
• What compulsion trainers get wrong about a dog's emotions.
• How to gauge your dog's emotional state for training.
• My top 7 tips to help your dog love training with you.
• Observations on why dogs leave work or get distracted easily.
• The reason to know competing reinforcements in your dog's environment.
• Why not to keep going at half speed because half speed is an emotion.
• About keeping dog training sessions very short and using balance breaks.
• About getting “buy in” from your dog before training begins.
• That your dog is also teaching you, so believe them.

Resources:

1. YouTube Playlist: The Emotional State of Dogs with Susan Garrett - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLphRRSxcMHy29pv3_9b7DZdMFJL9ZJPMy
2. Podcast Episode 146: Balanced Dog Training: Does It Really Exist? - https://dogsthat.com/podcast/146/
3. Podcast Episode 106: Consent In Dog Training: The Misuse, Misunderstanding And Misapplication - https://dogsthat.com/podcast/106/
4. Podcast Episode 107: Pedicure Please: 3 Steps To Dog Nail Trimming Or Grooming Success At Home! - https://dogsthat.com/podcast/107/
5. YouTube Video: Vet Visits For Dogs: How To Create A Positive Experience For Everyone - https://youtu.be/VJc42BfNre4
6. Podcast Episode 132: All The Things Your Dog Hates And How To Fix Them - https://dogsthat.com/podcast/132/
7. Podcast Episode 174: Dopamine In Dog Training: Anticipation, Rewards, And The Transfer Of Value - https://dogsthat.com/podcast/174/
8. Podcast Episode 167: Reduce Your Dog’s Stress And Anxiety In Training - https://dogsthat.com/podcast/167/
9. Podcast Episode 175: Food Luring VS Shaping In Dog Training: How Science Changed How I Teach Dogs - https://dogsthat.com/podcast/175/
10. YouTube Playlist: Loose Leash Walking with Susan Garrett - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLphRRSxcMHy1mGMfdVKXq_hiJ27Ej1shW
11. Recallers - https://recallers.com/
12. Podcast Episode 57: Why Balance Breaks Fast Track Your Dog Training - https://dogsthat.com/podcast/57/
13. Crate Games - https://get.crategames.com/
14. Podcast Episode 86: How to Train Unmotivated or Overexcited Dogs - https://dogsthat.com/podcast/86/
15. Watch this Episode of Shaped by Dog on YouTube - https://youtu.be/zT1mzPhmGdo

Visit us at shapedbydog.com  

I use shaping rather than luring with food or toys in my dog training. In the 80s, I was taught to food lure and correct, learned to do it well, and luring brought me a lot of success in obedience and agility. Luring can have benefits, but I decided to change. When I say I don't lure, it always gets a lot of comments and questions on social media, so in this episode, I'm covering the top ten reasons I prefer shaping.

In the episode you'll hear:

• The advantages of luring, how it can be easy to teach people, and its popularity.
• What I heard from my mentors Bob and Marian Bailey about luring.
• How my dog Shelby gave me my first “ah ha” about luring.
• About a class I took at University and what I learned about backwards conditioning.
• A review of Pavlov’s experiment with bells, food, and dogs.
• What happens in dog agility and other sports with luring and dogs who love to chase.
• How luring can turn into bribing the dog, and that dopamine kicks in at choice points.
• What I noticed about motivation and treat bags when I was teaching dog trainers in Japan.
• About pattern training and its relation to luring dogs.
• How the value dogs have for the food can override everything.
• The reason to know what you are reinforcing when your dog sees the cookie.
• That shaping gives us layers to create complex behaviors.
• Why I think shaping can become part of our whole life.

Resources:

1. Podcast Episode 171: Dog Training With Layered Shaping: Why Classical Conditioning Must Come First - https://dogsthat.com/podcast/171/
2. Podcast Episode 174: Dopamine In Dog Training: Anticipation, Rewards, And The Transfer Of Value - https://dogsthat.com/podcast/174/
3. Podcast Episode 145: 10 Ways To Teach A Dog To Lay Down And How To Shape It Without Luring - https://dogsthat.com/podcast/145/
4. Podcast Episode 173: Target Training For Dogs: How, Why, And When To Fade Targets - https://dogsthat.com/podcast/173/
5. Podcast Episode 172: How To Teach Your Dog Anything With My Training Plan - https://dogsthat.com/podcast/172/
6. Watch this Episode of Shaped by Dog on YouTube - https://youtu.be/FxAeS2BNvKY