Susan Garrett, world-renowned dog trainer, multi-time champion of dog agility, and leading educator on all things canine shares everything related to dogs! Susa...
When Dog Training Doesn’t Go As Planned: How To Make Adjustments To Find Success #301
Visit us at shapedbydog.com 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 training sometimes doesn’t go as planned and what to do when your dog just isn’t getting it. • What should be included in your strategic protocol (Relationship, Recall, Retrieve and Reinforcement Zone) and how they impact training success. • About the key training games and exercises: ItsYerChoice, Crate Games, Relaxation Protocol, Tug Games, Hot Zone and Perch Work. • How to join the ItsYerChoice Summit, 100% free. • Why “Criteria is Joy.” • Why having a dedicated Training Den helps build confidence. • The importance of establishing and transferring value. • How to create clarity in training so your dog understands exactly what you want. • About recognizing signs of frustration in your dog and taking their feedback. • The key to adding distractions, duration, and distance without overwhelming your dog. • How to adjust your training plan so your dog succeeds. • My best tip: Take a Paws (pause!) when things aren’t going right - small changes can make a big difference! Special Discounts To Join Or Gift Our Online Programs Check out our 300th Episode & 5th Anniversary Celebration Page - https://dogsthat.com/celebration-central/ ItsYerChoice Summit: Learn How to Play ItsYerChoice - https://recallers.com/iycsummit-join/ Crate Games Online: Get Crate Games Online - https://get.crategames.com/ Resources: 1. Podcast Episode 228: Navigating Failure In Dog Training: What’s Your Plan B? - https://dogsthat.com/podcast/228/ 2. Susan Garrett’s Shaped by Dog Podcast - https://dogsthat.com/podcasts/ 3. Podcast Episode 255: Rescue Dog Training: Priorities For Your First Week Together - https://dogsthat.com/podcast/255/ 4. YouTube Video: Understanding Your Dog's Reinforcement Zone (RZ) with Susan Garrett - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OaUAScgaFAg 5. Live Stream Replay: Celebrating 300 With A Week of Positivity & Learning - https://www.youtube.com/live/-qligctVSFw 6. YouTube Playlist: Target Training for Dogs with Susan Garrett - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLphRRSxcMHy3ylCyQ2bJQSCwo_ERiVHj3 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 107: Pedicure Please: 3 Steps To Dog Nail Trimming Or Grooming Success At Home! - https://dogsthat.com/podcast/107/ 9. YouTube Video: Susan Garrett’s Perch Work Dog Tricks (Pivots and Spins) - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O6sj6fTJnFc 10. Podcast Episode 267: How To Use A Training Den To Fast Track Your Dog’s Success: No Space? No Problem! - https://dogsthat.com/podcast/267/ 11. Podcast Episode 257: How To Use Your Dog’s Favorite Reinforcements To Fix Unwanted Inadvertent Behaviors - https://dogsthat.com/podcast/257/ 12. YouTube Playlist: Puppy Essentials with Susan Garrett Dog Training - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLphRRSxcMHy2hywpv3Md3HbWWPPbVF8W5 13. DogsThat YouTube Channel - https://www.youtube.com/@DogsThat/videos 14. YouTube Playlist: Dog Body Language, Communication Signals, and How to Read Dogs with Susan Garrett - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLphRRSxcMHy2IwzRwAWcG0yK8oez1nPU0 15. Podcast Episode 131: How Would Susan Garrett Plan Your Dog Training Sessions? - https://dogsthat.com/podcast/131/ 16. Podcast Episode 295: Fear Of Criticism? Why Facing The Camera Is The First Step To Becoming A Better Dog Trainer - https://dogsthat.com/podcast/295/ 17. Podcast Episode 256: What Was That Cookie For?! When Positive Reinforcement In Dog Training Goes Wrong - https://dogsthat.com/podcast/256/ 18. Watch this Episode of Shaped by Dog on YouTube - https://youtu.be/NoUkg8RDpms
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Replying To Zak George About Crossover Dog Trainers #300
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 this episode, you’ll hear: • About my transition to becoming a crossover dog trainer. • The question from Zak George that inspired this episode. • When I decided to leave balanced training behind. • What I learned from my terrier puppy, Shelby. • The book that changed my thinking - Don’t Shoot the Dog! by Karen Pryor. • When I first saw true autonomy in dog training and how choice transformed my approach. • About my "Shaping Badly" era. • How learning from Bob and Marian Bailey helped me refine my training with clarity and intention. • The shift to shaping with success. • Why judgment holds trainers back. • That change is possible. • Reasons trainers resist crossing over to a positive reinforcement approach. • A special offer for podcast listeners who want to be coached by me and my team. Special Discounts to Join or Gift our Online Programs Check out our 300TH Episode & 5th Anniversary Celebration Page - https://dogsthat.com/celebration-central/ Resources: 1. Zak George - https://www.youtube.com/@zakgeorge 2. Podcast Episode 146: Balanced Dog Training: Does It Really Exist? - https://dogsthat.com/podcast/146/ 3. Book: Don’t Shoot The Dog! By Karen Pryor - https://shop.clickertraining.com/en-ca/products/dont-shoot-the-dog-karen-pryor?srsltid=AfmBOoqkL4DLKYAPB1xQMDtJGYDwa1AR0r-AdPOhXo5LFMYe2REoECS7&variant=33778264965258 4. Podcast Episode 34: Time Outs for Dogs: Does Your Dog Need One? - https://dogsthat.com/podcast/34/ 5. Bob and Marian Bailey: Behavior by Bailey - http://www.behavior1.com/ 6. Podcast Episode 245: Make Dog Training Easy! Quick Guide To Antecedent Arrangements - https://dogsthat.com/podcast/245/ 7. Podcast Episode 71: Pro Dog Trainer’s Secret to Help Your Naughty Dog - https://dogsthat.com/podcast/71/ 8. Podcast Episode 295: Fear Of Criticism? Why Facing The Camera Is The First Step To Becoming A Better Dog Trainer - https://dogsthat.com/podcast/295/ 9. The American Veterinary Society of Animal Behavior - https://avsab.org/ 10. The International Association of Animal Behavior Consultants - https://iaabc.org/ 11. Podcast Episode 297: Why In 2025 We Still Have Dog Trainers Who Believe “Reinforcement Dog Training Doesn’t Work” - https://dogsthat.com/podcast/297/ 12. Podcast Episode 290: The Red Flag Of Dominance Based Training: Why It’s Hurting Your Dog And What To Do Instead - https://dogsthat.com/podcast/290/ 13. DogsThat YouTube Channel - https://www.youtube.com/@DogsThat 14. DogsThat YouTube Playlists - https://www.youtube.com/@DogsThat/playlists 15. Watch this Episode of Shaped by Dog on YouTube - https://youtu.be/rajGh9u8gkw
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Fast And Easy Dog Training: Will A Quick Fix Get The Dog Behavior You Really Want? #299
Visit us at shapedbydog.com 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 actually works. • How to bridge the training gap and set your dog up for success. • A special lesson from my father beyond dog training. • The difference between behavior challenges and emotional challenges. • The role of reinforcement and management in success. • How reinforcement shapes your dog’s choices every day. • The power of management and why it’s the key to long-term success. • My approach to growing confidence before introducing big challenges. • Why finding the right trainer matters and how to know who to trust. • A special opportunity to join Wag Nation and Home School the Dog! Resources: 1. Podcast Episode 20: Bridging the Gap Between Blame and Kindness in Dog Training - https://dogsthat.com/podcast/20/ 2. Podcast Episode 97: Overwhelm in Dog Training: How to Take Action on Challenges - https://dogsthat.com/podcast/97/ 3. Warwick Schiller Attuned Horsemanship - https://warwickschiller.com/ 4. Podcast Episode 298: The Dog Training Quadrants We Don’t Talk About: Are We Using Them More Than We Know? - https://dogsthat.com/podcast/298/ 5. Podcast Episode 297: Why In 2025 We Still Have Dog Trainers Who Believe “Reinforcement Dog Training Doesn’t Work” - https://dogsthat.com/podcast/297/ 6. YouTube Playlist: Puppy Essentials with Susan Garrett Dog Training - https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLphRRSxcMHy2hywpv3Md3HbWWPPbVF8W5&si=UdgWP3VEaFvURChz 7. Podcast Episode 131: How Would Susan Garrett Plan Your Dog Training Sessions? - https://dogsthat.com/podcast/131/ 8. Podcast Episode 267: How To Use A Training Den To Fast Track Your Dog’s Success: No Space? No Problem! - https://dogsthat.com/podcast/267/ 9. Podcast Episode 30: Why Dog Crates Are Not Dog Cages - https://dogsthat.com/podcast/30/ 10. Watch this Episode of Shaped by Dog on YouTube - https://youtu.be/zUFgD1yGO0w
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The Dog Training Quadrants We Don’t Talk About: Are We Using Them More Than We Know? #298
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’ll hear: • How the four quadrants of operant conditioning apply to everyday dog training. • An explanation of Positive Reinforcement, Positive Punishment, Negative Punishment and Negative Reinforcement - +R, +P, -P, -R • How to recognize what quadrant you are training in and my experiences. • The importance of reinforcers and using what’s reinforcing for your dog. • How I built value for my dog Swagger to watch other dogs work. • Control and lessons from B.F. Skinner. • How negative reinforcement works. • The blurred lines between the quadrants. • Debunking the “we must be alpha” narrative in dog training. Resources: 1. Podcast Episode 297: Why In 2025 We Still Have Dog Trainers Who Believe “Reinforcement Dog Training Doesn’t Work”- https://dogsthat.com/podcast/297/ 2. Podcast Episode 146: Balanced Dog Training: Does It Really Exist? - https://dogsthat.com/podcast/146/ 3. Podcast Episode 95: How Playing with Your Dog Like a Puppy Can Reduce Fear - https://dogsthat.com/podcast/95/ 4. Podcast Episode 107: Pedicure Please: 3 Steps To Dog Nail Trimming Or Grooming Success At Home! - https://dogsthat.com/podcast/107/ 5. Podcast Episode 34: Time Outs for Dogs: Does Your Dog Need One? - https://dogsthat.com/podcast/34/ 6. Podcast Episode 251: Should We All Stop Using Non-Reward Markers In Dog Training? - https://dogsthat.com/podcast/251/ 7. Podcast Episode 181: Training Multiple Dogs To Wait Turns And Relax - https://dogsthat.com/podcast/181/ 8. Paper: B.F. Skinner's Theory of Performance Excellence: A Radical Behavioral Perspective - https://digitalcommons.du.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1333&context=capstone_masters 9. YouTube Short: Do We Really Need All Of The Quadrants? - https://www.youtube.com/shorts/MTwuelH2sX4 10. Podcast Episode 40: Using A Head Halter On A Dog, Why My Approach Is So Different - https://dogsthat.com/podcast/40/ 11. Podcast Episode 153: Dog Muzzles: Everything You Need To Know And How To Muzzle Train Dogs - https://dogsthat.com/podcast/153/ 12. Shaping Success Book by Susan Garrett - https://dogsthat.com/product/shaping-success-2/ 13. Watch this Episode of Shaped by Dog on YouTube - https://youtu.be/k1wcwfeUBFc
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29:23
Why In 2025 We Still Have Dog Trainers Who Believe “Reinforcement Dog Training Doesn’t Work“ #297
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 positive reinforcement-based dog training doesn’t work (and why they’re wrong). • The biggest mistakes people make with dog training that lead to frustration. • The importance of Desentisation, Counterconditioning and Operant Conditioning to ensure positive reinforcement-based training works for any dog. • Real world examples of using positive reinforcement-based training to help dogs with motion sensitivity, reactivity, distractions, and engagement for working with you. • Why masking emotions with food or toys won’t work and what to do instead. • What Reverse Conditioning and why to avoid it. • About the downfall of cookie-stuffing and what to do instead. Resources: 1. YouTube Playlist: Reactive or Aggressive Dogs: Key Insights with Susan Garrett - https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLphRRSxcMHy0Tbd6ZybIXgJk3mtpBLLk7&si=PdviN3sGRJ3DcU0P 2. Podcast Episode 232: Canine Predatory Motor Sequence: Understand Your Dog’s Prey Drive To Enrich Your Life Together - https://dogsthat.com/podcast/232/ 3. YouTube Playlist: The Emotional State of Dogs with Susan Garrett - https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLphRRSxcMHy29pv3_9b7DZdMFJL9ZJPMy&si=nPW9b53Hamc2hne0 4. Podcast Episode 165: Why Do Dogs Bark In Cars And How To Stop It - https://dogsthat.com/podcast/165/ 5. Podcast Episode 146: Balanced Dog Training: Does It Really Exist? - https://dogsthat.com/podcast/146/ 6. Podcast Episode 202: Getting A Happy Well Behaved Dog With The ABCs Of Training - https://dogsthat.com/podcast/202/ 7. Shaping Success Book by Susan Garrett - https://dogsthat.com/product/shaping-success-2/ 8. Podcast Episode 141: Average Or Better Dog Training Question: What Did You Just Reward? - https://dogsthat.com/podcast/141/ 9. Blog Post: 6 Keys to Shaping Behaviour - https://susangarrettdogagility.com/2018/12/6-keys-to-shaping-behaviour/ 10. YouTube Playlist: Dog Training Games with Susan Garrett - https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLphRRSxcMHy2TzttCtZVFwzwMGayAsaYe&si=EivXPja8RBbPxkgH 11. YouTube Video: Understanding Your Dog's Reinforcement Zone (RZ) with Susan Garrett - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OaUAScgaFAg 12. DogsThat YouTube Channel - https://www.youtube.com/c/DogsThat/ 13. YouTube Playlist: Puppy Essentials with Susan Garrett Dog Training - https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLphRRSxcMHy2hywpv3Md3HbWWPPbVF8W5&si=hSJefg4tMy5Cfirf 14. YouTube Video: 5 Tips for Dog Trick Training with Susan Garrett - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6hmLXI_qcC8 15. YouTube Playlist: Target Training for Dogs with Susan Garrett - https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLphRRSxcMHy3ylCyQ2bJQSCwo_ERiVHj3&si=SM44kBxl4q6C3nIn 16. Watch this Episode of Shaped by Dog on YouTube - https://youtu.be/WDZQjf0OyRg
Susan Garrett, world-renowned dog trainer, multi-time champion of dog agility, and leading educator on all things canine shares everything related to dogs! Susan understands dog behaviour and wants you and your dog to have the best life together possible.
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