Explore every episode of the podcast Shaped by Dog with Susan Garrett
Dive into the complete episode list for Shaped by Dog with Susan Garrett. Each episode is cataloged with detailed descriptions, making it easy to find and explore specific topics. Keep track of all episodes from your favorite podcast and never miss a moment of insightful content.
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This Or That's: Your Dog's Decision-Making Blueprint #332
This or That games create a decision-making blueprint that helps your dog learn to make brilliant choices. In this episode, I share the five stages that grow simple choices into confident everyday decision-making. You'll also discover the common mistakes that can take choice away from your dog and how to know when they're ready to progress, so you can grow a confident decision-maker who knows how to choose well, even when life gets exciting.
🎉Join the free ItsYerChoice Summit and be added to the waitlist for the Recallers Archetype Series event coming in late August: https://dogsthat.com/y/332/iycsummit
In this episode, you'll hear:
• Why there can be a big gap between teaching behaviors and expecting good decisions around distractions. • How your dog's behavior gives you feedback about what they actually learned. • Why This or That games pair one well-understood response with another. • The five stages of This or That games: Spotlight Choices, Choice Pairs, Choice Challenges, Choice Chains, and Choice Living. • How Spotlights are used to create clarity, with examples of the ones I use ("cook," "search," "chow," "strike," and "bring"). • Why I make failure inexpensive for dogs. • How Buzz's love of swimming became a game of waiting for permission to enter the pond. • How to know when a dog is ready to progress in the 5 Stages. • The common mistakes that can remove clarity or sacrifice joy as the games progress. • How to join the free ItsYerChoice Summit and the waitlist for my Recallers Archetype Series event.
What if most dogs never become great decision-makers because decision-making is one of the most overlooked skills in dog training? In this episode, I introduce the philosophy behind my This Or That games and share why the choices dogs rehearse every day become the ones they rely on when it matters most. You'll discover what creates a "decision deficit" and how giving dogs opportunities to make choices builds the confidence, understanding, and reliability we all want in real life.
🎉 If you've been thinking about training with us, now's a wonderful time to get started. Save 35% to 85% on many of our online programs through midnight PT on July 16. Explore the Joy of Training Celebration here.
In this episode, you'll hear:
• Why teaching decision-making may be one of the biggest missing pieces in modern dog training. • What a "decision deficit" is and how it develops. • Why the choices dogs rehearse become the ones they rely on when it matters most. • The difference between controlling choices and teaching dogs how to choose. • Why inexpensive mistakes are essential for building confidence and better decision-making. • Two real-life stories that reveal what great decision-making looks like. • The philosophy behind This or That games and how they prepare dogs for real-life success. • Why everyday opportunities to choose can lead to more confidence, freedom, and reliability.
Is dog training about to change? In this episode, I'm sharing why a recent conversation about reinforcement-based dog training gave me something I haven't felt in a long time: hope. Looking back at an agility discussion from the mid-1990s, I reflect on how dog training shifts happen, why curiosity creates more clarity than blame or punishment, and why great results are not reserved for "special" trainers. We're talking about reinforcement, intrinsic motivation, meaningful change, and why dogs are always doing the best they can with the information we've given them in the environment we're asking them to work in
In this episode, you'll hear:
• About a conversation that gave me a glimmer of hope for dog training. • Why I've been feeling discouraged about the direction of dog training. • A mid-1990s agility story about weave poles, punishment, and clarity. • My thoughts on hearing "That might work for Susan Garrett, but not for the rest of us." • What I noticed listening to a balanced dog training podcast where my training was discussed. • The subtle shift happening in reinforcement-based dog training conversations. • Why ideas no longer being dismissed is a meaningful sign of change. • Karen Pryor's stages of change and how progress begins. • Why amazing results are possible for everyday dog owners. • Why great dog training is built through clear systems, not "special" trainers. • My reflections on asking myself: "Is it possible that I'm wrong?" as a dog trainer. • Why love in dog training means clarity, fairness, and understanding. • The difference between building understanding and building pressure. • Why clarity creates confidence while pressure creates compliance. • Why dogs are doing the best they can with what they understand. • How to replace blame with curiosity and better questions for our dogs.
Is Your "Once In A Lifetime Dog" Holding You Back? #329
29 Apr 2026
00:19:41
Visit us at shapedbydog.com
Is your "Once In A Lifetime Dog" holding you back? What you believe about your dog shapes what you notice, how you respond, and the results you create together. In this episode, I'm sharing how the stories and labels we attach to our dogs influence our focus, our training choices, and ultimately our dog's success. Through the lens of neuroscience and real-life examples, you'll see how belief drives behavior, how confirmation bias reinforces those beliefs, and why even positive labels can quietly limit what's possible. When you shift the story, you open the door to more possibilities and a dog who can truly become everything they're capable of.
In this episode, you'll hear:
• About the viral Facebook post and why it sparked such emotional reactions. • What I believe is the real limitation in dog training. • Why the story you tell about your dog can shape your training and results. • How belief influences what you notice and how you respond to your dog. • The story of my dog, Encore and how belief played a role in her success. • How your brain filters what matters through the Reticular Activation System (R.A.S.) • Why labels like "reactive" change what you notice about your dog. • How confirmation bias reinforces what you already believe about your dog. • Why labels can become self-fulfilling in your training. • How your expectations influence your dog's confidence and success. • Why dogs don't need words to feel what you believe about them. • The real cost of "heart dog" or "once in a lifetime dog" labels. • The difference between gratitude and limitation when describing your dog. • Why every dog has the potential to be extraordinary. • The question to ask yourself to help you shift your perspective and open new possibilities.
How to shape your dog for training success starts with understanding that shaping isn't about waiting and hoping, it's about designing success from the start. In this episode, I'm sharing the ultimate guide to shaping, including the three phases I use to design, execute, and reflect on shaping sessions so they're clear, efficient, and confidence-building for our dogs. We'll look at how to define clear criteria, split behaviors into achievable pieces, choose reinforcement with intention, and recognize "cheap behaviors" before they become habits. When you shift from hoping to intentional planning and data collection, shaping becomes predictable, your dog learns faster, and your sessions become more effective and enjoyable.
In this episode, you'll hear:
• Why shaping can feel frustrating when there's no clear plan. • The difference between shaping and simply hoping your dog figures it out. • The three phases I use to plan every shaping session: Designing the Learning, Game Day Execution, and Reflections. • Why splitting behaviors into smaller pieces creates clarity. • How your dog's emotional state impacts the learning process. • What "cheap behaviors" are and how to prevent them. • What to consider when choosing reinforcement, including value, delivery, and placement. • How your setup, environment, and body position influences your dog's responses. • How I use Push, Stick, Drop method to guide decisions during training. • How to use evaluation sessions to quickly adjust your plan and increase success. • Why you should only train one criterion at a time for clarity and speed. • When to add cues and why adding them too early creates confusion. • How reviewing your sessions helps improve your timing, mechanics, and decisions. • How to get my FREE shaping checklist to plan your next session with confidence.
Moving beyond general marker words like "yes" and "good" can bring much more clarity to your dog's training, and in this episode, I share why your dog needs what I call "Spotlights." Spotlights are Location Specific Reinforcement Markers that tell your dog what reward is coming and where it will be delivered. When dogs understand where success lives, they can make better choices and feel more confident in their training. I'll walk you through the Spotlights I use with my own dogs, how they function as both markers and cues, and how introducing just a few can help your dog stay in position when needed, make confident choices, and bring more understanding and joy to your training.
In this episode, you'll hear:
• Why general marker words like "yes" and "good" can lose their meaning over time. • About Spotlights (also known as Location Specific Reinforcement Markers) and how they bring greater clarity to your dog's training. • The three things a Spotlight tells your dog about reinforcement. • How dogs are such powerful predictors of reinforcement. • How Spotlights function as both markers and cues. • The three types of reinforcement you can use in training: food rewards, toy rewards, and activities your dog loves. • Examples of food Spotlights I use: "goooooood," "cook," "search," "chow," and "treat." • Examples of toy Spotlights I use: "strike," "bring," "chase," and "pit." • How activity cues like "swim" can also become Spotlights. • Why Spotlights help dogs stay in position instead of leaving early for a reward. • Why clarity about reinforcement helps reduce hesitation and frustration in training. • How the ItsYerChoice game helps dogs build the understanding needed to work around rewards with confidence. • How you can join our ItsYerChoice Summit, 100% free.
Sometimes what we need most in dog training is a simple 30-second reset, because our dogs know far more about our emotional state than we realize. In this episode, I'm sharing why your emotional resilience and nervous system can have a greater influence on your dog's behavior than any training plan, treat, or technique. Our dogs are incredibly sensitive to our emotional state, and when frustration, anxiety, or disappointment creeps in, they feel it long before we realize it. I also share a personal story about training through grief after losing my dog Twister and the simple three-step strategy I use to reset when strong emotions show up so we can move forward with clarity and connection.
In this episode, you'll hear:
• Why emotional resilience may be the most powerful antecedent in dog training. • How your nervous system influences your dog more than you might realize. • My personal story of training through grief after losing my dog, Twister. • A real example of anxiety showing up before competition and my 3-step strategy to regulate emotions in the moment. • Why behavior should be viewed as data rather than judgment and how to turn that data into a thoughtful training plan. • Why emotional resilience is a skill that strengthens with practice. • How giving yourself grace can transform both your training and your relationship with your dog.
If your dog has ever "known" a verbal cue but didn't respond the first time you asked, it may be that your cue has been poisoned. In this episode, you'll discover why that happens, the most common reasons cues lose their power, and how to set your dog up for success before you ever add a word. I'm sharing the system I use to build consistent, confident behavior first, so when you finally add the cue, it simply reflects a rich history of reinforcement. The result is powerful, clean, and effective verbal cues your dog responds to anywhere with clarity and confidence.
In this episode, you'll hear:
• Why a cue doesn't create the behavior but rather reveals the training that came before it. • The reasons cues lose their power and become "poisoned." • The ideal timing for adding a verbal cue (and when not to add one). • The four ways behavior is created. • How antecedent arrangements create success before a cue is ever added. • Why using cues as praise weakens their effectiveness. • The danger of repeating cues or pairing them with your dog's name. • How to rebrand a cue if you've added it too early. • How clean cues create confident dogs who listen anywhere.
The first two weeks with your puppy are when what you grow is what you get. In these early days, everyday choices shape how your puppy learns, rests, and stays engaged long before cues are added. In this episode, I share a real-life puppy story to show how well-intended decisions can accidentally grow behaviors you weren't aiming to teach, and why raising a puppy with the future in mind supports clarity, confidence, and the relationship you're building as your puppy develops.
In this episode, you'll hear:
• How small, everyday choices can accidentally grow puppy behaviors you don't want to see. • A real-life puppy story that highlights common early choices. • Two critical lessons for new puppy owners. • Why management is proactive, not restrictive. • What early crate, sleep, and management choices are really teaching. • Why positive training is not permissive training. • What good leadership looks like with a puppy. • How off-leash freedom too soon can lead to disengagement. • Why a puppy's name should be protected and meaningful. • Why naming behaviors too early can create confusion. • Why behaviors should be conditioned before cues are added. • How cues lose clarity when used as praise. • What it means to raise a puppy using a long-term lens. • How Recallers games support focus, engagement, and early learning.
Why dogs "ignore" commands has less to do with defiance and more to do with education. When a dog doesn't respond, it's easy to label it as disobedience, but what that moment actually offers is feedback on what the dog has learned. In this episode, I'm breaking down the difference between commands and cues, how Antecedent, Behavior, and Consequence shape understanding, and why dogs respond to pictures rather than words alone. When cues are taught with intention, reliability grows naturally, and responses become confident, joyful, and consistent, wherever you are.
In this episode, you'll hear:
• The difference between giving a command and cueing a behavior.
• Why a dog not responding isn't disobedience, but feedback on their education.
• How Antecedent, Behavior, and Consequence work together in training.
• Why dogs think in pictures and not in words.
• What causes cues to fall apart in new situations.
• How food can unintentionally become the focus instead of the behavior.
• A real-world "sit" example with Kim's dog, Belief.
• Why reinforcement isn't about eliminating rewards, but about evolving what is reinforcing for the dog.
• What well-taught cues have in common under distraction and distance.
Loose leash walking starts without a leash. I would like you to think for a moment about what kind of an emotional experience it is to take your dog for a leashed walk. For some people there is lunging, jumping, spinning, barking, or zig-zagging. Different behaviors, same outcome. What is meant to be exercise, connection, and calm ends up feeling frustrating instead. In this episode, I'm sharing why leash walking fails so often and why it's not because you or your dog have done something wrong. Leash walking breaks down when expectations severely outpace education, and once you understand where that breakdown happens, you'll never approach walking your dog on a leash the same way again.
In this episode, you'll hear:
• What leash walking feels like for both ends of the leash. • The difference between what we expect from our dogs and what they've actually been taught. • Why leash walking is one of the most unnatural behaviors we ask dogs to perform. • How teaching leash walking in reverse sets dogs up to fail. • Why behavior does not grow in isolation. • The role the 5C Pyramid plays in building real-world understanding. • Why distraction is rarely the real issue on leash. • What changes when education catches up to expectations. • How seeing where leash walking breaks down changes everything.
Join J-Walking: Write to us at wag@dogsthat.com with the subject line "Connected Walking" for a very special opportunity to join us in J-Walking.
When a new puppy arrives, the change in routine can create big feelings for an adult dog who has been part of every training session. Behaviors that look surprising are often signs of stress rather than spite or defiance. When we stay curious, it becomes easier to notice what our dogs may be trying to communicate. I'm sharing simple ways to support your adult dog so they can feel calm and confident while you focus on training your new puppy.
In this episode, you'll hear:
• Why dogs are not capable of spite the way we imagine.
• Two questions to ask ourselves that shift how we understand behavior.
• My student's story about an adult dog's unexpected behavior.
• The cognitive bias behind assuming dogs are 'spiteful.'
• Why curiosity strengthens connection and removes blame.
• How stress changes physiology, with 2 personal real life examples.
• The importance of ruling out medical conditions before assuming behavior issues.
• Other stressors that can affect behavior.
• How to support your adult dog during the puppy transition using the 3 E's (Exercise, Engagement, Enrichment).
• A step-by-step plan to create calm and confidence for your older dog while your puppy is being trained.
• How to use Hot Zones, Crate Games, and relaxation strategies to prevent stress in your adult dog.
• The power of choosing curiosity to understand what your dog is communicating.
6. Podcast Episode 266: Hot Zone And Stays – How One Dog Training Nuance Can Fix Anxiety And Duration - https://dogsthat.com/podcast/266/
7. Podcast Episode 191: Get Your Dog To Calm Down With This Common Sense Protocol For Relaxation - https://dogsthat.com/podcast/191/
8. Podcast Episode 314: Dog Enrichment Secrets Part 1: Using Your Dog's Natural Instincts To Build Variety And Engagement - https://dogsthat.com/podcast/314/
9. Podcast Episode 315: Dog Enrichment Secrets Part 2: 30 Day Enrichment Challenge + Free Planner PDF - https://dogsthat.com/podcast/315/
10. *West Paw Zogoflex Toppl Treat Dispensing Dog Toy Puzzle - https://geni.us/toppl
*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!
A lick mat can feel like magic when it brings instant peace to a whiny or restless puppy, but sometimes that calm comes after a buildup we don't even notice. I'm taking a closer look at what drives that rising anticipation and how small, thoughtful changes can shift the pattern toward calm, confidence, and comfort. With a bit of intention, lick mats can become tools that support your puppy's emotional well-being rather than fuel anxious routines or unwanted behaviors.
In this episode, you'll hear:
• Why puppies start whining, circling, pawing, bouncing, or barking before you deliver a lick mat.
• The "thing before the thing" and how anticipation becomes reinforcement.
• What to do first when your puppy is anxious, whiny, or restless.
• The different stages of using a lick mat to support wanted behavior.
• How to prepare lick mats without triggering excitement.
• How to create a new trigger so calm behavior predicts the lick mat.
• Ways to use lick mats for fear, visitors at the door, and environmental distractions.
• Why lick mats should not be a lifelong crutch and how to use them with intention.
2. Podcast Episode 314: Dog Enrichment Secrets Part 1: Using Your Dog's Natural Instincts To Build Variety And Engagement - https://dogsthat.com/podcast/314/
3. Podcast Episode 315: Dog Enrichment Secrets Part 2: 30 Day Enrichment Challenge + Free Planner PDF - https://dogsthat.com/podcast/315/
4. Watch this Episode of Shaped by Dog on YouTube - https://youtu.be/U5zFK_WkHpY
If you've ever had someone twist your training philosophy into something it's not, you've likely run into a Straw Man argument. In this episode, I'm breaking down ten of the most common ones aimed at positive reinforcement-based dog training, why they're not valid, and what you can do to create genuine conversations with people who hold a different view of dog training than you, all while staying centered and calm.
In this episode, you'll hear:
• What Straw Man arguments are and why they show up in dog training conversations.
• Why these arguments misrepresent decades of science and practical application.
• Ten common Straw Man claims made about positive reinforcement-based training and my response to each one
- Straw Man Argument #1 - "Reinforcement trainers are just cookie pushers"
- Straw Man Argument #2 - "Positive training won't work with high-drive dogs"
- Straw Man Argument #3 - "Reinforcement takes too long, punishment is faster"
- Straw Man Argument #4 - "Dogs need leaders, not more cookies"
- Straw Man Argument #5 - "Dogs need punishment to learn what's wrong"
- Straw Man Argument #6 - "Training only works if the dog can see the cookie"
- Straw Man Argument #7 - "Positive trainers care more about the dog's emotion than outcomes"
- Straw Man Argument #8 - "Your dog will never recall reliably without correction"
- Straw Man Argument #9 - "A head halter is just another punishment tool"
- Straw Man Argument #10 - "Positive trainers avoid punishment because they don't understand it"
• How to stay centered, respond constructively, and keep conversations productive.
Many dogs start spinning, barking, or rushing when the leash comes out or you head toward the door, but what if the hidden source of that on leash chaos actually begins earlier than you think? In this episode, I'm sharing how to uncover what is reinforcing your dog's unwanted behaviors and how to build calm, connected exits using simple conditioning strategies and games so every walk begins with confidence and connection rather than chaos and pulling.
In this episode, you'll hear:
• Why some dogs react long before the walk even starts. • What "follow the money" means and how it reveals the real reason your dog is getting overexcited. • A real-life example of reinforcement patterns we often miss. • How picking up the leash becomes a conditioned emotional trigger for many dogs. • Ways to create a positive C.E.R. around touching the leash. • Why the connected Collar Grab is valuable for creating calm focus. • How adding the cue "connect" helps dogs check-in reliably. • What connected exits look like at low distraction levels. • How toys, bowls, and movement create opportunities to strengthen connection. • Why creating small daily "moments of connection" builds great habits. • How a simple Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) can set every walk up for success.
Your dog's movement can reveal a lot about their long-term comfort and health. That's why I'm sharing more than 20 simple fitness exercises to help support your dog at every stage of their life, so they can move better, stay strong, and age with confidence. You'll discover the four key categories of canine fitness and how each one builds strength, balance, flexibility, and awareness in ways that support your dog's lifelong mobility.
In this episode, you'll hear:
• Why your dog's movement reveals so much about their long-term health. • The 20 simple exercises I use with all my dogs from puppyhood to senior years. • The prerequisites that make fitness exercises easier and safer (Nail Trims, ItsYerChoice, Crate Games). • The four key categories of canine fitness (Proprioception, Strength and Stability, Flexibility, and Conditioning) and why each one matters. • The importance of a vet check and establishing a baseline before starting any fitness plan. • A special opportunity to join Home School the Dog and Wag Nation for more step-by-step support.
Join Wag Nation + Home School the Dog: Write to us at wag@dogsthat.com with the subject line "Home School and Wag Bundle Please" for a very special opportunity to join us in Wag Nation and Home School the Dog.
Helping senior dogs live their best lives starts with simple, intentional choices that nurture their body, mind, and heart. In this episode, I'm sharing the four pillars that lead to longevity and how they can help your senior dog stay active, confident, and connected as the years go by. You'll discover how small daily habits can support lasting wellness and create a joyful, purpose-filled life for your dog, one where every stage of aging is celebrated and full of possibility.
In this episode, you'll hear:
• Why living with a senior dog is a privilege and how mindset shapes what's possible. • The truth about what defines a senior dog and why age is more than just a number. • How the four pillars (Physical Wellness, Nutrition, Emotional Connection and Joy, Cognitive Functioning) help senior dogs live longer, happier lives. • Why "motion is lotion" applies to senior dogs just as much as it does to us. • How maintaining a healthy weight can add years to your dog's life. • Simple ways to boost your senior dog's energy and cognition through nutrition. • How emotional connection and daily joy impact your dog's well-being. • The importance of consent and respecting your senior dog's deep rest. • Enrichment ideas to keep senior dogs mentally sharp and engaged. • An opportunity to join Home School The Dog & Wag Nation. • A special challenge to bring more purpose and fulfillment to your senior dog's life.
Join Wag Nation + Home School the Dog: Write to us at wag@dogsthat.com with the subject line "Connecting with my senior" for a very special opportunity to join us in Wag Nation and Home School the Dog.
Training Tips From Susan: Why I Don't Use The Word "No" With My Dogs And What I Teach Instead
07 Nov 2025
00:05:14
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 I Don't Use The Word "No" With My Dogs And What I Teach Instead
I'm sharing why I don't use the word "no" in dog training and what I teach instead to create understanding and connection. Through clear communication and thoughtful reinforcement, we can help our dogs feel confident and know exactly what we DO want.
Training Tips From Susan: Shaping Q&A: Non-Reward Markers, Reinforcement Strategies, And Making Training Work For Every Dog
31 Oct 2025
00:04:29
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!
Shaping Q&A: Non-Reward Markers, Reinforcement Strategies, And Making Training Work For Every Dog
In this mini Shaping Q&A, I'm diving into your top questions about non-reward markers, reinforcement strategies, how to make training work for every dog, and more! You'll discover how to set your sessions up for success, keep motivation high, and make shaping easier and more enjoyable for both you and your dog.
What might look like digging, chewing, or shredding is often a dog's way of saying, "I need more enrichment." In Part 2 of our enrichment series, I'm sharing how to build a 30-day plan that meets your dog's natural needs for curiosity, challenge, and balance. You'll get over 30 meaningful ideas to build confidence, support calm focus, and strengthen your connection so your dog feels happy, relaxed, and fulfilled.
In this episode, you'll hear:
• How digging, shredding, chewing, or turning everyday objects into games of their own are our dog's self-created enrichment. • A quick recap of Part 1 of the enrichment series and how using our dog's natural instincts builds engagement. • The main categories of enrichment and how each fulfills different needs. • How engagement-based enrichment helps dogs stay focused and joyful. • What social enrichment looks like in everyday life and how to make it positive. • Ways to safely meet your dog's instinctive drives through play and activities. • How fitness enrichment builds both confidence and physical balance. • The role of curiosity and challenge in keeping enrichment meaningful. • Simple sensory enrichment ideas that bring calm and relaxation. • How to use the free 30-Day Enrichment Planner to create balance, variety, and fun.
*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!
Dog Enrichment Secrets Part 1: Using Your Dog's Natural Instincts To Build Variety And Engagement #314
If you've ever thought a stuffed Kong was enough to keep your dog enriched, you might be in for a surprise. Enrichment is about more than keeping our dogs busy. It's about creating experiences that meet their emotional, mental, social, physical, and instinctive needs in ways that truly matter to them. In this episode, you'll discover how everyday activities can turn into meaningful experiences that build your dog's confidence and connection with you while giving them a happier, more enriched life.
In this episode, you'll hear:
• What enrichment really means and why it's essential for every dog. • How true enrichment goes beyond keeping dogs busy. • The difference between meaningful enrichment and passive distraction. • Why variety, choice, and balance matter for your dog's wellbeing. • Common misconceptions about enrichment, including TV, laser pointers, and dog parks. • How to recognize when enrichment becomes monotonous or overwhelming. • The eight stages of the canine predatory sequence and how each relates to enrichment. • Examples of enrichment activities for every stage, from orienting and locating to chasing and consuming. • Safety tips for enrichment toys, puzzles, and play. • How to meet your dog's instinctive needs through simple, creative ideas at home. • A simple homework exercise to help you create your dog's personal enrichment list.
*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!
Are You Learning Or Looping: What To Do When Training Your Dog Stops Being Fun #313
When training your dog stops being fun, it's often a sign that something in the process needs a reset. In this episode, I share how to recognize when you're looping instead of learning and how to shift your mindset to get back on track. With a few simple changes, you can bring clarity, confidence, and joy back into your training sessions for both you and your dog
In this episode, you'll hear:
• What to do when dog training no longer feels fun or rewarding. • How to redefine what "fun" really means for you and your dog. • The powerful question to ask yourself: Am I learning or looping? • What learning looks like and how to adjust your training for success. • What looping looks like and the four steps to move from looping to learning. • Why resetting yourself matters just as much as resetting your dog. • How mentors and guidance can help you find clarity when you're stuck. • Advice for coaches and instructors supporting students through challenges. • A special opportunity to keep learning with Home School The Dog and/or Recallers. • Why target training is a brilliant way to grow your dog's understanding. • How shifting your mindset brings the fun and connection back to training.
Join Home School the Dog: Write to us at wag@dogsthat.com with the subject line "Learning or Looping" for a very special opportunity to join us in Home School the Dog.
If your puppy's potty training isn't going as planned and you're finding puddles where you least expect them, it might be time for a reset. In this episode, I share the 10 most common reasons why puppies have accidents in the house and what you can do to help. You'll discover how to recognize your puppy's "tells," adjust routines, supervision, and expectations and bring clarity and confidence back to potty training for both you and your puppy.
In this episode, you'll hear:
• Why a "potty trained" puppy might still have accidents in the house. • How the H.O.T. Method helps set every puppy up for success. • How accidents could signal a possible health issue and how to rule them out. • Why some puppies avoid going outside in certain weather or on specific surfaces. • How setting realistic expectations helps both you and your puppy. • The connection between supervision, freedom, and potty training progress. • The difference between managing behavior and actually training it. • How to recognize your puppy's "tells" and teach them to communicate. • Examples of some of my own dog's "tells." • Simple routines that make potty training consistent and reliable. • Why proper clean-up prevents repeat accidents. • How emotions or scolding can create confusion. • What might be reinforcing your puppy's indoor accidents. • How to use a positive interrupter to redirect accidents before they happen. • Why celebrating small wins builds lasting success. • How to see every accident as feedback and keep progress moving forward.
Training Tips From Susan: Connected, Driven, Or Detached? How To Recognize And Grow The Right Kind Of Focus In Your Dog
15 Oct 2025
00:04:14
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!
Connected, Driven, Or Detached? How To Recognize And Grow The Right Kind Of Focus In Your Dog
I'm sharing what it really means for a dog to be connected, driven, or detached, and how to recognize and grow the right kind of focus in your dog. Understanding where your dog's focus truly lies is the first step to building stronger teamwork, better communication, and lasting connection.
Training Tips From Susan: How To Set Up A Successful Shaping Session With Your Dog
10 Oct 2025
00:08:29
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 Set Up A Successful Shaping Session With Your Dog
I'm sharing how to set up a successful shaping session that builds clarity, confidence, and success for you and your dog. When each piece fits together, learning becomes effortless, and your dog's understanding grows step by step into stronger focus and reliable behaviors.
Training Tips From Susan: Agility Foundations Before Equipment: What Puppies Really Need To Succeed
08 Oct 2025
00:06:25
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!
Agility Foundations Before Equipment: What Puppies Really Need To Succeed
When it comes to preparing your puppy for dog agility, success starts long before any equipment enters the picture. I'm sharing what puppies really need to succeed, including the key foundations that build confidence, connection, and joy in the sport from the very beginning.
Training Tips From Susan: Mini Q&A With Susan: When To Start Contacts, Build Foundations, And Stop Zoomies In Dog Agility
03 Oct 2025
00:03:19
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!
Mini Q&A With Susan: When To Start Contacts, Build Foundations, And Stop Zoomies In Dog Agility
When should you start dog agility contacts? What foundations do puppies need first? And how do you stop zoomies in the ring? I cover it all in this mini Q&A.
Training Tips From Susan: Using A Variety Of Dog Treats (And Some Of What I Use) To Keep Training Effective, Engaging, And Fun
01 Oct 2025
00:04:20
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!
Using A Variety Of Dog Treats (And Some Of What I Use) To Keep Training Effective, Engaging, And Fun
Keeping training effective, engaging, and fun starts with using a variety of dog treats, so I'm sharing some of what I use (and you might like to try) along with a link to my Tasty Treats Recipe Ebook.
Training Tips From Susan: Listening To Your Dog's "No" And Building A Better "Yes" Together
26 Sep 2025
00:05:59
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!
Listening To Your Dog's "No" And Building A Better "Yes" Together
Every time your dog says "no," they are giving you important information. I'm sharing how to listen to your dog's "no" and build a better "yes" together so you can turn those moments into opportunities for learning, growth, and connection.
Training Tips From Susan: How To Use Everyday Reinforcement To Grow Lasting Skills
24 Sep 2025
00:07:42
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 Use Everyday Reinforcement To Grow Lasting Skills
I'm sharing my step by step plan on how to use everyday reinforcement to grow lasting skills, helping you open the door to brilliant behaviors, stronger focus, and a deeper connection with your dog.
Training Tips From Susan: Mini Q&A With Susan: Cue Clarity And Start-Line Focus For Agility Success
19 Sep 2025
00:02:58
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!
Mini Q&A With Susan: Cue Clarity And Start-Line Focus For Agility Success
In this mini Q&A, I'm diving into cue clarity and start-line focus for agility success, sharing how I track and rehearse my cues so they become second nature, and how I help dogs bring calm, confident focus to the start line.
Training Tips From Susan: Why Consent Matters: Building Trust And Choice In Dog Training
17 Sep 2025
00:04:31
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 Consent Matters: Building Trust And Choice In Dog Training
I'm sharing why consent matters and how giving our dogs choice builds deeper trust and transforms the way we train and care for them. When our dogs are heard, they show up with clarity, confidence, and joy.
Training Tips From Susan: Mini Q&A With Susan: Body Awareness Exercises And My Warm-Up For Dog Agility
12 Sep 2025
00:03:25
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!
Mini Q&A With Susan: Body Awareness Exercises And My Warm-Up For Dog Agility
In this mini Q&A, I'm sharing my top body awareness exercises for dogs and the warm-up routine you can use to prepare your dog for success on and off the agility field.
Training Tips From Susan: How I Create A Relationship Where My Dog Wants To Work With Me (And How You Can Too)
10 Sep 2025
00:05:16
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 I Create A Relationship Where My Dog Wants To Work With Me (And How You Can Too
Every great partnership with a dog is built on connection, not control. I'm sharing how I create a relationship where my dog wants to work with me and how you can too. By focusing on what matters most to your dog, training turns into teamwork instead of work.
Training Tips From Susan: Mini Q&A With Susan: How To Keep Connection Strong And Motivation High In Dog Agility
05 Sep 2025
00:04:30
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!
Mini Q&A With Susan: How To Keep Connection Strong And Motivation High In Dog Agility
In this mini Q&A, I'm sharing how to keep connection strong and motivation high in dog agility with simple strategies every handler can use.
Training Tips From Susan: The Step-by-Step Plan That Turns Hesitant Dogs Into Happy Swimmers
03 Sep 2025
00:10:59
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 Step-by-Step Plan That Turns Hesitant Dogs Into Happy Swimmers
I'm sharing my step-by-step plan that turns hesitant dogs into happy swimmers by building confidence one stage at a time. You'll learn how to create positive associations with water, keep the process fun, and set your dog up for success every step of the way.
Training Tips From Susan: How Dopamine Drives Your Dog's Motivation And Training Success
03 Sep 2025
00:05:40
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 Dopamine Drives Your Dog's Motivation And Training Success
I'm sharing how dopamine drives your dog's motivation and training success, and why finding the right balance is the key to making training more rewarding and addictive for your dog in the best possible way.
Ever wonder how world champion agility dogs are made? I'm sharing how to build dog agility foundations and train skills right in your living room! From simple daily games to fun exercises, discover the secrets that helped all 11 of my dogs reach the top, while creating a confident and focused dog that makes brilliant choices. Whether you're new to agility or already competing, you'll discover practical ways to bring out the best in your dog while having fun together.
In this episode, you'll hear:
• How all 11 of my dogs achieved top-level success in agility. • My early beginnings in the sport and my experiences. • Why so-called "naughty" dogs can shine in agility. • The common myths about what makes a good agility dog. • How to build value for multiple reinforcers: food, toys, and most importantly, YOU. • Why "learning how to learn" is an important skill for dogs. • About the role of recall and Reinforcement Zone in developing focus. • How to build attention even in distracting environments. • Why "Spotlights" (location-specific reinforcement markers) create clarity and confidence. • How simple choice games like "This or That" accelerate learning.
Training Tips From Susan: The Kind Of Relationship That Leads To Real Connection With Your Dog
22 Aug 2025
00:04:46
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 Kind Of Relationship That Leads To Real Connection With Your Dog
I'm sharing how to build the kind of relationship that creates real connection with your dog, bringing out the best in both of you. This grows into a bond that strengthens over time, adding joy and clarity to everything you do together.
Training Tips From Susan: Inadvertent Time Outs In Dog Training: What They Are, Why They Matter, And How To Avoid Them
20 Aug 2025
00:05:58
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!
Inadvertent Time Outs In Dog Training: What They Are, Why They Matter, And How To Avoid Them
In dog training, inadvertent time outs happen more often than many realize, so I'm sharing what they are, why they matter, and how to avoid them. Being aware of these moments can help you stay present with your dog and keep training and everyday time together more connected and engaging.
Training Tips From Susan: Feeling Unmotivated? How To Regain Your Training Drive And Help Your Dog Thrive
15 Aug 2025
00:05:13
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!
Feeling Unmotivated? How To Regain Your Training Drive And Help Your Dog Thrive
Feeling unmotivated? We've all been there! I'm sharing how to regain your training drive and help your dog thrive with quick reset strategies to turn low-energy days into productive, purposeful sessions that leave you feeling focused and ready to train again.
Training Tips From Susan: Why Ranking Reinforcements Is The Key To More Motivated, Focused, & Successful Dog Training Sessions
13 Aug 2025
00:03:51
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 Ranking Reinforcements Is The Key To More Motivated, Focused, And Successful Dog Training Sessions
I'm sharing why understanding and ranking reinforcements is the key to more motivated, focused, and successful dog training sessions. Your dog's rewards act like motivational currency, and knowing how to use that currency can make a big difference in your training results.
Training Tips From Susan: Rehearsals Of Success: How Every Interaction With Your Puppy Shapes The Dog They'll Become
08 Aug 2025
00:05:18
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!
Rehearsals Of Success: How Every Interaction With Your Puppy Shapes The Dog They'll Become
I'm sharing how every interaction with your puppy shapes the dog they'll become, and why rehearsals of success (even outside of training sessions!) are key to creating lasting results.
Training Tips From Susan: From Overwhelm To Confidence: How To Create The Dog Of Your Dreams With Strategic Reinforcement
06 Aug 2025
00:07:43
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!
From Overwhelm To Confidence: How To Create The Dog Of Your Dreams With Strategic Reinforcement
I'm sharing how to create the dog of your dreams with strategic reinforcement that turns overwhelm into confidence. Whether you're starting with a new puppy or navigating some challenges with your current dog, small shifts in how you train can lead to big changes in behavior, connection, and clarity.
Hot Take: You don't need to say "stay" in dog training! I'm sharing how clear release cues give dogs greater clarity and confidence. I'll take you through how I introduce this concept early with my puppies, how Crate Games helps build a strong foundation, and what it all looks like in everyday training, including when working with more than one dog. When our dogs truly understand what's expected, they gain confidence and confident dogs make brilliant choices.
In this episode, you'll hear:
• Why I don't use the word "stay" and what inspired this episode. • How cues get eroded over time. • What "controlled behaviors" mean for dogs. • How I introduce the release word to my puppy. • What my dogs' cues are for leaving position (and why they don't need "stay"). • Why I never use "sit" to stop my dogs at the door. • Why I teach "go chill" separately from control positions. • Step-by-step training for clarity when working with two dogs. • The difference between outdated "stay" training and modern-day release cues. • Why Crate Games builds impulse control and clarity from the start. • How release cues help build reliability and understanding.
Training Tips From Susan: Understanding The Stages Of A Dog's Development
30 Jul 2025
00:06:19
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!
Understanding The Stages Of A Dog's Development
Understanding the stages of your dog's development is the key to lasting success in both training and your relationship. Every dog is a lifelong learner, and when your training aligns with their developmental needs, you create clarity, build confidence, and strengthen a connection that lasts a lifetime.
What if every time your dog misbehaves, pulls on the leash, barks excessively, or completely ignores you, they're actually trying to communicate something important? Our dog's behavior is communication, and we can decode what they are telling us through understanding their 5 core needs. When we are able to truly listen to what our dogs are showing us, it opens the door to better understanding, stronger connection, and a well-behaved dog who can thrive.
In this episode, you'll hear:
• The answer to 'What is the biggest dog training challenge I've ever faced?' • A list of 20 common struggles dog owners face and what they may really mean. • The five core needs of dogs: emotional, physical, social, mental, and daily thrive. • How unmet emotional needs can show up in ways we don't expect. • Why psychological safety matters just as much as physical safety. • The impact of nutrition, sleep, exercise, and wellness on behavior. • How to recognize and support your dog's social and mental needs. • What dogs need to truly flourish in daily life. • A simple way to shift from frustration to understanding with your dog.
Wondering how to train a puppy or dog from day one or avoid the most common mistakes? It's easy to hope things will just work out, but that approach often leads to frustration and unwanted behaviors. I'm sharing how games, enrichment, and simple structure can help you raise a confident, connected dog right from the start. The big thing to remember is that all behavior is communication, and whether you have a brand-new puppy, a rescue dog or even dealing with unwanted behavior from your current dog, you'll get clear, actionable strategies to set them up for lifelong success.
In this episode, you'll hear:
• Why "positive is not permissive" in dog training. • How all behavior is communication and how to understand what your puppy is telling you. • How to prevent rehearsals of unwanted behaviors. • What happens when you hope for "a good one" instead of planning for success. • How games turn curious puppies into eager learners. • The role of enrichment and why letting dogs choose their own can backfire. • What to do when your puppy rehearses something unwanted. • What being "the gatekeeper" is and how it helps with recall, greetings, and impulse control. • How small time investments now shape your puppy's future. • Real-life examples of how access to reinforcement shapes behavior. • How small early investments in training lead to massive long-term results.
Free Hand Target Masterclass Unlock the secret to better focus, more engagement, and faster training with your dog using one simple skill - Hand Targets! Join the free Masterclass now while it's available for a limited timehttps://dogsthat.com/together/
Training Tips From Susan: How Barking Can Turn Into A Reinforced Habit Without You Even Realizing
18 Jul 2025
00:02:42
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 the subtle ways reinforcement happens, but once you see it, you can start to shift the pattern and create lasting change.
🎁 Unlock the secret to better focus, more engagement, and faster training with your dog by teaching one simple skill - Hand Targets! Join the free Masterclass now https://dogsthat.com/together/
Training Tips From Susan: Reinforcement Is Always Happening: How To Make Sure Its Building The Dog You Want
16 Jul 2025
00:02:37
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 to make sure it's building the dog you want. It's simple, powerful, and something you can start right now.