Shaped by Dog with Susan Garrett

Visit us at shapedbydog.com 
 
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.
 
Resources:
 
1. Podcast Episode 313: Are You Learning Or Looping: What To Do When Training Your Dog Stops Being Fun - https://dogsthat.com/podcast/313/
2. Podcast Episode 146: Balanced Dog Training: Does It Really Exist? - https://dogsthat.com/podcast/146/
3. Podcast Episode 114: Dog Agility Training: 3 Big Mistakes All Dog Owners Should Avoid - https://dogsthat.com/podcast/114/
4. Podcast Episode 78: How to Train a Rescue Dog with Behavior Problems - https://dogsthat.com/podcast/78/
5. Podcast Episode 94: How the Best Professional Dog Trainers Use Reinforcement - https://dogsthat.com/podcast/94/
6. Watch this Episode of Shaped by Dog on YouTube - https://youtu.be/-YyJwfvyyhM

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.
 
Resources:
 
1. Podcast Episode 13: Naming Your Puppy or Dog - https://dogsthat.com/podcast/13/
2. Podcast Episode 168: Creating Confidence For Anxious, Stressed Or Reactive Dogs Part 1 - https://dogsthat.com/podcast/168/
3. Podcast Episode 189: All The Things That Influence Your Dog's Behavior And What Behavior Tells You - https://dogsthat.com/podcast/189/
4. Podcast Episode 224: Unleashing Fluency In Dog Training: Cracking The Canine Communication Code - https://dogsthat.com/podcast/224/
5. Podcast Episode 8: Get Your Dog in the Belief Loop of Awesome - https://dogsthat.com/podcast/8/
6. Podcast Episode 71: Pro Dog Trainer's Secret to Help Your Naughty Dog - https://dogsthat.com/podcast/71/
7. Podcast Episode 124: The Woo Side Of Dog Training: Power of Words - https://dogsthat.com/podcast/124/
8. Watch this Episode of Shaped by Dog on YouTube - https://youtu.be/bpbf_-U2-V0

Visit us at shapedbydog.com
 
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.
 
Download Your Free Shaping Checklist:
Click HERE to get your Complete Checklist to Shaping Behavior - https://dogsthat.com/shaping-checklist
 
Resources:
 
1. YouTube Playlist: Shaping Success in Dog Training with Susan Garrett - https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLphRRSxcMHy3O-_a1dHX3DDwsYKu9osB8 &si=kcsMUKfY7SZ1a39t
2. Podcast Episode 245: Make Dog Training Easy! Quick Guide To Antecedent Arrangements - https://dogsthat.com/podcast/245/
3. Shaped by Dog Podcast - https://dogsthat.com/podcasts/
4. Podcast Episode 327: Beyond "Yes" And "Good": Why Your Dog Needs "Spotlights" - https://dogsthat.com/podcast/327/
5. Podcast Episode 196: Why Mastering Reinforcement Is The Linchpin To Reinforcement Based Dog Training - https://dogsthat.com/podcast/196/
6. Podcast Episode 89: Why Dogs Should Not Tug: The Truth Revealed - https://dogsthat.com/podcast/89/
7. Podcast Episode 133: Become Your Own Dog Training Coach With This Video Strategy - https://dogsthat.com/podcast/133/
8. Podcast Episode 184: Proofing Vs Generalizing In Dog Training To Grow Skills And Confidence - https://dogsthat.com/podcast/184/
9. Podcast Episode 227: My Foolproof Strategy To Overcoming Dog Training Challenges - https://dogsthat.com/podcast/227/
10. Podcast Episode 266: Hot Zone And Stays – How One Dog Training Nuance Can Fix Anxiety And Duration - https://dogsthat.com/podcast/266/
11. Watch this Episode of Shaped by Dog on YouTube - https://youtu.be/XDuAWmlx9Fg

Visit us at shapedbydog.com
 
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.
 

ItsYerChoice Summit:
Learn How to Play ItsYerChoice - https://dogsthat.com/iycsummit-join/
 
Resources:
 
Podcast Episode 151: How Location Specific Reinforcement Markers Will Improve Your Dog Training! - https://dogsthat.com/podcast/151/
2. Podcast Episode 176: Why Your Dog's Emotions Are A Critical Element Of Dog Training - https://dogsthat.com/podcast/176/
3. Podcast Episode 107: Pedicure Please: 3 Steps To Dog Nail Trimming Or Grooming Success At Home! - https://dogsthat.com/podcast/107/
4. Podcast Episode 89: Why Dogs Should Not Tug: The Truth Revealed - https://dogsthat.com/podcast/89/
5. Podcast Episode 205: The Hidden World Of Reinforcement For Dogs And Why You Need To Know - https://dogsthat.com/podcast/205/
6. Podcast Episode 191: Get Your Dog To Calm Down With This Common Sense Protocol For Relaxation - https://dogsthat.com/podcast/191/
7. Podcast Episode 266: Hot Zone And Stays – How One Dog Training Nuance Can Fix Anxiety And Duration - https://dogsthat.com/podcast/266/
8. Watch this Episode of Shaped by Dog on YouTube - https://youtu.be/pWMf2hyIEBU

Visit us at shapedbydog.com
 
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.
 

Resources:
 
1. Podcast Episode 245: Make Dog Training Easy! Quick Guide To Antecedent Arrangements - https://dogsthat.com/podcast/245/
2. Podcast Episode 230: Finding Joy Amidst Frustration And Shame In Dog Training – DeCaff's Story Part 2 - https://dogsthat.com/podcast/230/
3. Podcast Episode 287: The Power Of Perception: Reframing Dog Training Setbacks Into Successes - https://dogsthat.com/podcast/287/
4. Podcast Episode 266: Hot Zone And Stays – How One Dog Training Nuance Can Fix Anxiety And Duration - https://dogsthat.com/podcast/266/
5. Watch this Episode of Shaped by Dog on YouTube - https://youtu.be/b0o2d-QLrQM