Shaped by Dog with Susan Garrett

Visit us at shapedbydog.com
 
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.
 
Make Good Decisions Today With The Future In Mind, Start Playing The Recaller Games
Join Recallers - https://recallers.com/special-opportunity/
 
Get Crate Games Online:
Crate Games Online - https://get.crategames.com/
 

Resources:
 
1. Shaped by Dog Podcast - https://dogsthat.com/podcasts/
2. Podcast Episode 166: Puppy Freedom: How Much Is Too Much? - https://dogsthat.com/podcast/166/
3. Podcast Episode 30: Why Dog Crates Are Not Dog Cages - https://dogsthat.com/podcast/30/
4. Podcast Episode 98: Puppy Home Alone: Are You Creating Chaos or Calm? - https://dogsthat.com/podcast/98/
5. Podcast Episode 48: Potty Train Your Puppy in a Week (Easy 3 Step Process) - https://dogsthat.com/podcast/48/
6. YouTube Video: Understanding Your Dog's Reinforcement Zone (RZ) with Susan Garrett - https://youtu.be/OaUAScgaFAg
7. Podcast Episode 302: The Recall Myth: Why Your Off Leash Dog Isn't Coming When Called And How To Fix It - https://dogsthat.com/podcast/302/
8. Podcast Episode 58: How to Create Kid Friendly Dogs and Dog Friendly Kids - https://dogsthat.com/podcast/58/
9. Podcast Episode 113: Your Dog's Verbal Cues And Hand Signals: How To Effectively Train Both - https://dogsthat.com/podcast/113/
10. Podcast Episode 16: The Thing Before Your Dog's Thing - https://dogsthat.com/podcast/16/
11. Podcast Episode 155: 10 Ways To Teach A Sit WITHOUT A Food Lure! Unreal Results For Puppies And Dogs Of All Ages - https://dogsthat.com/podcast/155/
12. YouTube Playlist: Puppy Training with Susan Garrett - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLphRRSxcMHy2SggplHx3uEWAjXOL9hI21
13. Watch this Episode of Shaped by Dog on YouTube - https://youtu.be/j93tOUhvrrg

Visit us at shapedbydog.com
 
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.
 
Resources:
 
1. Podcast Episode 245: Make Dog Training Easy! Quick Guide To Antecedent Arrangements - https://dogsthat.com/podcast/245/
2. Podcast Episode 177: Dog Training Outside The Box: Transfer Of Value Case Study - https://dogsthat.com/podcast/177/
3. Podcast Episode 135: Test Your Dog's Sit Stay Training - https://dogsthat.com/podcast/135/
4. Podcast Episode 205: The Hidden World Of Reinforcement For Dogs And Why You Need To Know - https://dogsthat.com/podcast/205/
5. Podcast Episode 144: Teach Your Dog To Listen No Matter What… Even If You Think They Are Stubborn - https://dogsthat.com/podcast/144/
6. Watch this Episode of Shaped by Dog on YouTube - https://youtu.be/uI5YtGIriRg

Visit us at shapedbydog.com
 
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 [email protected] with the subject line "Connected Walking" for a very special opportunity to join us in J-Walking.
 
Resources:
 
1. Podcast Episode 21: The 5C Pyramid - https://dogsthat.com/podcast/21/ 
2. Podcast Episode 245: Make Dog Training Easy! Quick Guide To Antecedent Arrangements - https://dogsthat.com/podcast/245/
3. Podcast Episode 144: Teach Your Dog To Listen No Matter What… Even If You Think They Are Stubborn - https://dogsthat.com/podcast/144
4. YouTube Video: Understanding Your Dog's Reinforcement Zone (RZ) with Susan Garrett - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OaUAScgaFAg&feature=youtu.be
5. Podcast Episode 74: Yes, Susan Garrett's Dogs Sniff On Walks - https://dogsthat.com/podcast/74
6. Podcast Episode 24: Distraction Intensity Index: Help For Dogs Who Chase Chipmunks, Bicycles, And Neighbor's Cats - https://dogsthat.com/podcast/24/
7. YouTube Video: Susan Garrett's Perch Work Dog Tricks (Pivots and Spins) - https://www.youtube.com/watch?si=KvaVdO7pIZzFVCcc&v=O6sj6fTJnFc&feature=youtu.be
8. Fitness Planks from Galican - Coupon code SBD15 for 15% off - https://runitagilityequipment.ca/products/training-board
9. Podcast Episode 32: 20 Easy Ways to Exercise Your Dog at Home - https://dogsthat.com/podcast/32
10. Podcast Episode 317: 20 Exercises That Help Your Dog Live Longer: Start Today! - https://dogsthat.com/podcast/317
11. Podcast Episode 314: Dog Enrichment Secrets Part 1: Using Your Dog's Natural Instincts To Build Variety And Engagement - https://dogsthat.com/podcast/314
12. Podcast Episode 315: Dog Enrichment Secrets Part 2: 30 Day Enrichment Challenge + Free Planner PDF - https://dogsthat.com/podcast/315
13. Podcast Episode 176: Why Your Dog's Emotions Are A Critical Element Of Dog Training - https://dogsthat.com/podcast/176
14. YouTube Playlist: Loose Leash Walking with Susan Garrett - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLphRRSxcMHy1mGMfdVKXq_hiJ27Ej1shW
15. Watch this Episode of Shaped by Dog on YouTube - https://youtu.be/sXjX6CkzEVI

Visit us at shapedbydog.com
 
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.
 
Get Crate Games Online:
Crate Games Online - https://get.crategames.com/
 
Resources:
 
1. Podcast Episode 189: All The Things That Influence Your Dog's Behavior And What Behavior Tells You - https://dogsthat.com/podcast/189/
2. Podcast Episode 154: Car Vacations With Dogs: Tips To Make Holiday Road Trips Safe And Fun For All - https://dogsthat.com/podcast/154/
3. Podcast Episode 128: Reduce Stress For Dogs During Holiday Celebrations - https://dogsthat.com/podcast/128/
4. Podcast Episode 72: Preventing Dog Aggression: Introducing Dogs or Puppies with Project Togetherness - https://dogsthat.com/podcast/72/
5. Podcast Episode 181: Training Multiple Dogs To Wait Turns And Relax - https://dogsthat.com/podcast/181/
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
11. Podcast Episode 317: 20 Exercises That Help Your Dog Live Longer: Start Today! - https://dogsthat.com/podcast/317/
12. Podcast Episode 20: Bridging the Gap Between Blame and Kindness in Dog Training - https://dogsthat.com/podcast/20/
13. Watch this Episode of Shaped by Dog on YouTube - https://youtu.be/1mTcpGgSB4Y
 
*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
 
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.
 
Resources:
 
1. Podcast Episode 16: The Thing Before Your Dog's Thing - https://dogsthat.com/podcast/16/
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