Visit us at shapedbydog.com How long should it take to train my dog? That's a popular question I get, so I'm covering how to set realistic expectations for every age and stage of a dog's life. Dogs are lifelong learners and learn with all their senses, so we're looking at how to create success with intention rather than letting things around your dog train them, so you can avoid the frustration of needing to untrain anything. In this episode, you'll hear: • Why age and stage play such an importa...
Apr 23, 2025•17 min•Ep. 303
Visit us at shapedbydog.com Wondering why your off leash dog isn't coming when called and what you can do to fix it? I'm busting the recall myth and sharing how to teach your dog to head whip and run to you as fast as they can every time you call, without force or frustration. Learn my fun, easy, and effective recall training approach that builds confidence and enthusiasm, so your dog wants to run to you with joy, speed, and reliability, no matter where you are. In this episode, you'll hear: • H...
Apr 09, 2025•17 min•Ep. 302
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 some...
Mar 28, 2025•20 min•Ep. 301
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...
Mar 26, 2025•26 min•Ep. 300
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. •...
Mar 21, 2025•18 min•Ep. 299
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. ...
Mar 19, 2025•29 min•Ep. 298
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. ...
Mar 12, 2025•19 min•Ep. 297
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! Training Tips from Susan: Reactive Dog Training: Help Dogs Move from Dysregulation to Self-Regulation Case Study If you are training a reactive dog, there's so much you can do t...
Mar 06, 2025•6 min
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! Training Tips from Susan: Understanding Your Adolescent Dog: Teenage Hormones, Emotions, and Behavior Watch the full video at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BDmQBOA-bCA&t=0...
Mar 04, 2025•4 min
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! Training Tips from Susan: Catch Your Runaway Dog! Stop Chasing And Do This In An Emergency If your dog slips their collar or gets away from you, use this tip to get your dog bac...
Mar 03, 2025•4 min
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! Training Tips from Susan: How to Train Your Dog to Leave It with No Command: Susan Garrett's ItsYerChoice There are many reasons to train your dog to "leave it" on command. Your...
Feb 27, 2025•7 min
Visit us at shapedbydog.com Socially sensitive dogs can react to other dogs in many ways. Some shrink away, others get invigorated and overexcited, and some dogs are proactively reactive. When you know if your dog is in the green, yellow or red zone and the three phases to action, you can build their resilience and set them up for success so they can thrive in any environment. Understanding a dog's response to other dogs and having a Code Yellow Protocol is key to helping them feel safe and conf...
Feb 21, 2025•24 min•Ep. 296
Visit us at shapedbydog.com Together, we're overcoming emotional barriers so you can stop letting self-doubt and fear of criticism hold you back from becoming a better dog trainer. One of the most powerful tools I recommend for dog training is videoing your sessions, but it's a big block for many people. I'm sharing tips on overcoming negative emotions, getting unstuck, and how to watch your video while silencing your inner critic. It's time to give yourself grace and stop letting fear get in th...
Jan 17, 2025•18 min•Ep. 295
Visit us at shapedbydog.com We recently did a poll on social media channels, and I was taken aback when the survey showed that 63% of dog owners currently don't use a dog training tool that I consider essential! Not only will this tool help prevent dog training mistakes, it will help you get results faster and save you time. It's videoing your training sessions, and I'm here to help you get started with tips and real examples so you can embrace video as the most essential tool for training your ...
Jan 08, 2025•18 min•Ep. 294
Visit us at shapedbydog.com Counter Surfing and other naughty dog behavior problems can feel unsolvable, but they don't have to be! I'm sharing an easy 3-step formula every dog owner needs to know for what to do. The challenges any one of us could have with our dogs will vary with our dog's age and experiences. But no matter if we have a puppy, rescue dog, or a dog who has been in our family for years, the MRI approach can be applied to any problem that needs to be solved. And don't worry, I'm n...
Dec 20, 2024•18 min•Ep. 293
Visit us at shapedbydog.com Do over 99% of dogs really have behavior problems? For claims like this we should be unpacking the truth and looking behind the headlines! We all want our dogs to reach their full potential, so I'm doing a deep dive into the study that sparked the "99%" headline and exploring the dog behavior problems cited like aggression, separation anxiety, and fear. When we understand our dog's behavior we can help them live their best life and shine. In this episode, you'll hear:...
Dec 18, 2024•11 min•Ep. 292
Visit us at shapedbydog.com Do dogs really test us? It can sure seem that way when a dog's behavior is not what we expect and they show inconsistency and fluctuations in what they do. My stance on this topic has changed over the years, and I'm sharing why, along with perspectives on why dogs might seem to be testing us, and the first thing I usually do if my dog surprises me with an unexpected response. In this episode, you'll hear: • My answer to the question: "Do our dogs test us?" • About my ...
Dec 13, 2024•16 min•Ep. 291
Visit us at shapedbydog.com If you hear dog training advice based on the Dominance Theory, it's time to rethink that approach. I'm diving deep into what you need to know about dog trainer red flags and choosing a method to prevent harmful mistakes that lead to lasting success for you and your dog. I'm sharing why these outdated, force-based beliefs can damage your relationship with your dog. Plus, what everyone needs to know to choose dog training built on trust, empathy, and kindness, which cre...
Dec 06, 2024•16 min•Ep. 290
Visit us at shapedbydog.com "Just stop watching!" coming from Susan Garrett might surprise you, but I've got tips for mastering active learning when viewing dog training videos! Turn any training video into a powerful tool for success and discover how to get more out of dog training online with effective strategies to accelerate success for both you and your dog. In this episode you'll hear: • How to watch dog training videos with a clear purpose to boost your success. • The difference between r...
Nov 15, 2024•14 min•Ep. 289
Visit us at shapedbydog.com The science of Matching Law is vital for everyone with a dog to understand for dog training and daily life so you can get consistent behavior without needing to use punishment. It's something we can all use to our advantage as positive reinforcement based trainers! Knowing about Matching Law and its relationship to reinforcement value and your dog's natural drives will help you get great behaviors and give you a strategy to turn not-so-great behavior around. In this e...
Oct 23, 2024•15 min•Ep. 288
Visit us at shapedbydog.com If you've ever had a setback in dog training, you are not alone! Setbacks can lead to frustration, but there's a step-by-step process that harnesses the power of perception to reframe, reclaim, and revitalize our responses. I want to help you turn any setback you may have into an instant success for both you and your dog. When we are in control of our responses, it makes dog training so much easier and a far more positive experience for us, our dogs, and the people ar...
Oct 16, 2024•23 min•Ep. 287
Visit us at shapedbydog.com Puppy frustrations! Everyone will be frustrated with a pup occasionally, but it doesn't need to be a way of life. Here's the good news. You can turn the anarchy of puppy problems around to create calm, cooperation and confidence with simple solutions for success with easy wins. Get my top tips to end the chaos and say goodbye to puppy keep-away, running off, picking up stuff on walks, and behavior challenges that can be overwhelming. In this episode you'll hear: • Sim...
Oct 09, 2024•17 min•Ep. 286
Visit us at shapedbydog.com Is your puppy or dog stopping on walks? You're not alone! I'm sharing how to keep them moving with confidence and how to turn those hesitant moments into fun, forward motion. I've got practical solutions that will help you understand why your puppy or dog refuses to move on walks and what to do next. With easy-to-follow games and tips, you'll not only keep your pup happily walking but also strengthen your relationship along the way! In this episode you'll hear: • My t...
Oct 04, 2024•15 min•Ep. 285
Visit us at shapedbydog.com Harnessing excitement in dog training and understanding arousal lets you create better focus from your dog! Whether your dog gets over the top or seems super laid back, knowing their emotional pathway and what you can do to help them get in the optimal zone will make a world of difference to your training and life with your dog. In this episode you'll hear: • How understanding arousal levels can improve your dog's performance in training. • The impact of the Yerkes-Do...
Sep 27, 2024•22 min•Ep. 284
Visit us at shapedbydog.com Answering your top questions on reactivity, dog behavior, agility, frustration, sports dogs, neutering and more! You'll hear tips on training multiple dogs, strategies for improving focus, impulse control, and drive, and how to handle things like lunging, growling, nipping and jumping up. If you have any other questions I didn't cover, jump over to YouTube and let me know in the comments. Your questions are always so insightful! In this episode, I'm answering your gre...
Sep 13, 2024•19 min•Ep. 283
Visit us at shapedbydog.com "How do I walk multiple dogs?' is a popular question. I'm sharing my tips and step-by-step guide to walking more than one dog at once so walks are stress-free and enjoyable for everyone. The process I've got for you is how I teach my dogs to walk together calmly and happily, no matter what distraction is nearby. In this episode you'll hear: • The most important skill before walking multiple dogs. • All about the cues I use, such as "with me," "side," and "close",when ...
Sep 11, 2024•16 min•Ep. 282
Visit us at shapedbydog.com Want an easy, fun way to boost your dog's skills, strengthen your bond, and lay the foundation for advanced training while having fun? Look no further than Vito's Thinking Game! I'm sharing how to play and why it has so much power. Whether you're a seasoned dog trainer or a first-time puppy or rescue dog owner, this game is perfect for dogs of all ages and skill levels. In this episode you'll hear: • How Vito's Game builds your dog's focus and confidence. • A step-by-...
Aug 16, 2024•18 min•Ep. 281
Visit us at shapedbydog.com Imagine there's a secret booster button we could press, and our dog would suddenly turn into a superhero, and we'd have dog training superpowers. Guess what? I've got that booster button for you, and am sharing how to activate it. It all starts with being present to our presence, hacking for our self talk, and knowing a simple exercise to instantly shift our emotional state. Each of us has a mind capable of brilliance! And with a few little tweaks, we can all unleash ...
Aug 09, 2024•17 min•Ep. 280
Visit us at shapedbydog.com Why do dogs eat poop? It's known as coprophagia and how to stop it is a popular question. Poop eating in dogs is more common than you might think. When your dog eats their own poop or another dog's poop, it can be distressing, and if it's out in public, downright embarrassing! I'm walking you through the three main reasons behind coprophagia, what worked to stop my puppy Prophet from eating poop, and why I think my dog Encore started when she was six years old and the...
Aug 07, 2024•11 min•Ep. 279
Visit us at shapedbydog.com I love giving dogs food puzzles and have a step-by-step plan that I believe will build confidence, end frustration and grow resilience for puppies and dogs of all ages. Strategic use of food puzzles creates essential coping skills, provides enrichment, and helps dogs work through failure in training, which we all need because we are human and will make mistakes. I'm covering how to use food puzzles effectively with tips on what to do and what to avoid. In this episode...
Jul 24, 2024•21 min•Ep. 278
