Training Tips From Susan: From Overwhelm To Confidence: How To Create The Dog Of Your Dreams With Strategic Reinforcement

Visit us at shapedbydog.com     Today I’m sharing with you how I get brilliant behaviours with my dogs. No matter what you are training, the key to success is to build value for what you want your dog to do and avoid your dog rehearsing undesirable behaviours. I’ll walk you through it step by step using walking on a leash as an example, and for me, that starts with using a Head Halter. Now before you turn off, you need to know that how I use a Head Halter is very different to nearly everyone out there. I’m also covering how not to use a Head Halter and clearing up common misconceptions.   In the episode you'll hear:   • Why behaviours get inadvertently chained and how to avoid it. • How to set your dog up for success and keep your dog safe. • Why the use of a Head Halter is controversial. • What walking your dog has to do with driving a car. • About the importance of protective gear. • What you should never do with a Head Halter. • Why I have to earn the right to put a Head Halter on my dog. • How I condition my puppy or dog to a Head Halter. • Why you need to know what you want your dog to do. • The 3 things I train for the times my dog and I come across a distraction when walking. • Everything I do differently when conditioning and using a Head Halter. • How we can be fair to our dogs by rehearsing success. • Why I let my dogs have a choice. • Strategies to use in the face of distractions when you are out with your dog. • What my ultimate goal is when I use a Head Halter.   Resources:   • Blog Post: How Do I Train My Dog NOT to Jump Up?-https://susangarrettdogagility.com/2019/04/train-my-dog-not-to-jump-up/ • Podcast Episode 29: Understanding and Preventing Reactivity and Aggression in Your Dog-https://dogsthat.com/podcast/29/ • Podcast Episode 39: Is a Resistant Dog a Stubborn Dog?-https://dogsthat.com/podcast/39/ • Podcast Episode 4: T.E.M.P. (Tail, Eyes/Ears, Mouth, Posture)-https://dogsthat.com/podcast/4/ • Podcast Episode 24: Help for the Dog who Chases Chipmunks, Bicycles, and the Neighbor’s Cat-https://dogsthat.com/podcast/24/ • Video Blog Post: How do I Stop My Dog from Pulling on the Leash?-https://susangarrettdogagility.com/2020/01/stop-my-dog-pulling-on-leash/ • Video Blog Post: Quick Tip for Dog Walking and Distractions-https://susangarrettdogagility.com/2020/06/dog-walking-and-distractions/

23 Loka 202024min

Visit us at shapedbydog.com     What do we do when our dog shows resistance? What happens when your dog appears to be stubborn, and what does that tell you? You might even see resistance in toddlers, teenagers, your spouse, or a co-worker. We're looking at how you can overcome resistance and build a relationship of trust.   In the episode you'll hear:   • Why we want to move from resisting to a willingness to try. • What creates resistance in dogs, the sights, scents, sounds, feelings. • How the unknown and fear relate to resistance. • The importance of conditioning. • The signs your dog is resisting and what that tells you. • About resistance and lizard brain. • What happened with my puppy Shelby in the ’80s that hurt my heart. • Why our dogs might not just get over something and how it creates emotional walls. • The 5 elements that will melt resistance and create confidence. • The most important thing for me when I am conditioning a head halter and how I start. • What’s different from Ruff Love in what I do today in relation to head halters. • What seat belts have to do with dog training. • The importance of building trust rather than breaking trust with your dog.   Resources:   • Podcast Episode 7: You, Your Dog, Maslow and Lizard Brain-https://dogsthat.com/podcast/7/ • Podcast Episode 4: T.E.M.P. (Tail, Eyes/Ears, Mouth, Posture)-https://dogsthat.com/podcast/4/ • Podcast Episode 38: 3 Keys to a Confident Dog-https://dogsthat.com/podcast/38/ • Game: Learn how to play ItsYerChoice (IYC)-https://recallers.com/iycsummit-join/ • Crate Games Online-https://get.crategames.com/ • Book: “Ruff Love” by Susan Garrett-https://dogsthat.com/product/ruff-love/ • Hand Targets in the Video Blog: How to Train Your Dog to Stand on Cue-https://susangarrettdogagility.com/2020/10/train-your-dog-to-stand-on-cue/

21 Loka 202018min

Visit us at shapedbydog.com     What is confidence in a dog? Why do we need it? How do we grow it, and why should we even care? Confidence is a topic I’m very passionate about, and there are three things that are big contributors bringing out the best in a puppy or dog.   In the episode you'll hear:   • What my dog Decaff taught me about confidence. • How confidence replaces stress and anxiety. • About my once in a lifetime dogs. • How our beliefs control our thoughts about our dogs and how our thoughts control our actions. • Why today can be your starting point! • The strategy you can adopt to get to where you want to be with your dog. • My promise to Momentum’s four puppies about marbles. • About emotional states and our dogs. • Why to play small to play big. • How you can see lack of marble building behaviour in performance sports like agility. • About defining the behavior you see by what is real. • How much the language you use about your dog matters. • Why we want our bag of marbles overfull.   Resources:   • Blog Post: Is There a Difference? - https://susangarrettdogagility.com/2010/04/is-there-a-difference/ • Podcast Episode 8: Get Your Dog in the Belief Loop of Awesome - https://dogsthat.com/podcast/8/ • Susan Garrett’s Recallers Successes Facebook Page - https://www.facebook.com/pg/SusanGarrettsRecallers/photos/ • Podcast Episode 22: The Invisible Bubble of Pressure and Your Dog - https://dogsthat.com/podcast/22/ • Vlog Post: Where is Your Dog on the Circle of Fun? - https://susangarrettdogagility.com/2018/07/circle-of-fun/ • Blog Post: Improve Your Dog Training by Playing Like A Dog - https://susangarrettdogagility.com/2012/04/improve-your-dog-training-by-playing-like-a-dog/ • Home School the Dog - https://dogsthat.com/home-school/ • Recallers - https://recallers.com/ • DogsThat.Com - https://dogsthat.com/

16 Loka 202018min

Visit us at shapedbydog.com   Today’s episode comes from a suggestion by one of our listeners, and it’s on the topic of becoming a professional dog trainer. More specifically, the path that led me to dog training as a career.   In the episode you'll hear:   • What I wanted to be when I grew up. • Why it’s not just training dogs. • The things I had to learn. • My evolution to dog training. • Why to take care about where you learn. • How much your passion should matter. • The importance of the science of behaviour. • About not being afraid to say “I don’t know”. • My thoughts on why immersion is important. • Why I love cows and how working with other animals helps my career. • Why my love of dog sports like obedience, sheep herding, flyball and agility helps me understand the brain of dogs. • How excellence is a mastery of the fundamentals.   Resources:   • Blog Post: Dogs are Amazing and Will Do Everything You Want If You Have Cheese! - https://susangarrettdogagility.com/2012/03/dogs-are-amazing-and-will-do-everything-you-want-if-you-have-cheese/ • * Recallers - https://recallers.com/ • Blog Post: How To Embrace Videoing Your Dog Training -https://susangarrettdogagility.com/2019/03/embrace-videoing/ • The Academy for Dog Trainers (Jean Donaldson)-https://www.academyfordogtrainers.com/   *Recallers is CEU approved with CCPDT and IAABC

14 Loka 202018min

Visit us at shapedbydog.com   How do you pick a puppy? Even if you are not selecting a puppy, a lot of these concepts apply to a rescue dog. I’ve just raised a litter of puppies, and one will stay with me as my next dog, so I’m covering my tips, plus how my puppy chose me!   In the episode you'll hear:   • How our rescue dog Tater feels about living in a family of Border Collies. • The considerations about what sort of dog is best for you. • How Tina the Poodle came into our family when I was a kid. • Why to set an intention about your next dog. • The three areas I look at when picking my puppy. • What to consider about structure and temperament. • What you need to know about puppies and temperament tests. • About what your heart tells you and why I’m big on the woo. • Why to trust the breeder of your puppy if you have done your research. • The reason to not second guess yourself. • About the adventures that led me to my new puppy. • Who my next dog is and her name!   Spoiler Alert Puppy Names: Moira Rose - Say Yes to Inspired Moments - Dream Alexis - Say Yes to Playing for the Moment - Swish David - Say Yes to Making the Moments Count - Mission Stevie - Say Yes to Being in the Moment - This!   Resources:   • Podcast Episode 13: Naming Your Puppy or Dog - https://dogsthat.com/podcast/13/ • Book: What's Your Angle: Understanding Angulation and Structure for the Performance Dog by Helen Grinnell King - https://geni.us/whatsyourangle • Book: Picking your Performance Puppy by Helen Grinnell King - https://geni.us/performancepuppy • Avidog Website (Search for the word Temperament) - https://dogsthat.com/breeders • Book: The Resilience Project: Finding Happiness Through Gratitude, Empathy and Mindfulness by Hugh van Cuylenburg - https://theresilienceproject.com.au/shop/product/book-finding-happiness-through-gratitude-empathy-mindfulness/ • "This Is Me" by The Greatest Showman Cast from 'The Greatest Showman Soundtrack' (YouTube) - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wEJd2RyGm8Q   *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!

9 Loka 202023min

Visit us at shapedbydog.com   When I am training, my dog is engaged and excited and attentive. The connection with my dogs is vital in all we do together. You might think getting your dog focused entirely on you is ninja-level dog training, but it’s possible for everyone. Today I’m sharing with you one of the most important things you could be doing that will hurt engagement and connection with your dog, and how you can easily fix it.   In the episode you'll hear:   • What being at a party has to do with dog training. • The ways inadvertent time outs impact on your dog’s confidence. • How we can be present for our dogs. • Where I see inadvertent time outs in the sport of dog agility. • When I change tack to make things right in the world of my dog. • One of the secrets about what I’d rather be when I’m with my dog. • How to get focused attention from your dog. • About being intentional when you are with your dog. • Ways you can easily set your dog up for success. • What I learned from Buzz about high drive dogs. • How to be a Zen master when working with your dog.   Resources:   • Podcast Episode 34: Time Outs for Dogs: Does Your Dog Need One? - https://dogsthat.com/podcast/34/ • Crate Games Online - https://get.crategames.com/ • Book: Shaping Success - https://dogsthat.com/product/shaping-success-2/

7 Loka 202017min

Visit us at shapedbydog.com    Chances are you are familiar with the concept of “time outs”. A time out is something you will hear of being used for kids, puppies, and dogs. The bottom line about a time out is that it is punishment. Should a time out be part of life with our dog? Are we using a time out due to our inadequacies as a trainer for our dog?   In the episode you'll hear:   • Lessons I learned about using time outs. • The science of time outs. • About the three different forms of time outs. • The reality of what I’m saying to my dog if I give a time out. • How getting better at reinforcement will reduce punishment. • Why you need to see a change of behaviour if you use a time out. • The reasons you need to ensure your dog knows how to be right. • When a time out might actually be reinforcing for a dog. • The importance of being non-emotional. • Why you need to know the patterns of your use of time outs. • How to use a time out effectively. • Ways you can minimise using time outs.   Resources:   • Book: Shaping Success - https://dogsthat.com/product/shaping-success-2/ • Podcast Episode 33: How Do I Stop My Dog Counter Surfing?! - https://dogsthat.com/podcast/33/ • Podcast Episode 6: The Art of Manipulation - https://dogsthat.com/podcast/6/

2 Loka 202017min

Visit us at shapedbydog.com     If your dog is getting on the table or counter and stealing food, you are not alone. The topic of counter surfing is one that I get a lot of questions about, and it’s frequently requested for me to cover on my podcast. Your dog taking things from the counter is a big frustration, and we’re looking at how you can turn this around.   In the episode you'll hear:   • The three ways you could deal with a dog who surfs the counter. • Why dogs start stealing food, and the gradual climb to the crime. • Where the reinforcement is for your dog, and why it might not be what you think. • What you might be doing that rewards your dog’s counter surfing. • How to recognise a behaviour chain. • Games to fix counter surfing and the steps for food theft prevention.   Resources:   • Podcast Episode 11: The Power of Permission in Dog Training - https://dogsthat.com/podcast/11/ • Podcast Episode 16: The Thing Before Your Dog’s Thing - https://dogsthat.com/podcast/16/ • Podcast Episode 20: Bridging the Gap Between Blame and Kindness in Dog Training - https://dogsthat.com/podcast/20/ • Podcast Episode 27: Do Dogs Need Rules? - https://dogsthat.com/podcast/27/ • Podcast Episode 32: 20 Easy Ways to Exercise Your Dog at Home - https://dogsthat.com/podcast/32/ • Game: Learn how to play ItsYerChoice (IYC) - https://recallers.com/iycsummit-join/

30 Syys 202021min