Behavior Is Communication: Decode Your Dog By Understanding Their 5 Core Needs #309
Visit us at shapedbydog.com What if every time your dog misbehaves, pulls on the leash, barks excessively, or completely ignores you, they're actually trying to communicate something important? Our dog's behavior is communication, and we can decode what they are telling us through understanding their 5 core needs. When we are able to truly listen to what our dogs are showing us, it opens the door to better understanding, stronger connection, and a well-behaved dog who can thrive. In this episode, you’ll hear: • The answer to ‘What is the biggest dog training challenge I've ever faced?’ • A list of 20 common struggles dog owners face and what they may really mean. • The five core needs of dogs: emotional, physical, social, mental, and daily thrive. • How unmet emotional needs can show up in ways we don’t expect. • Why psychological safety matters just as much as physical safety. • The impact of nutrition, sleep, exercise, and wellness on behavior. • How to recognize and support your dog’s social and mental needs. • What dogs need to truly flourish in daily life. • A simple way to shift from frustration to understanding with your dog. Resources: 1. Podcast Episode 62: 12 Keys to Helping My Dogs Live a Long and Happy Life - https://dogsthat.com/podcast/62/ 2. Podcast Episode 8: Get Your Dog in the Belief Loop of Awesome - https://dogsthat.com/podcast/8/ 3. YouTube Playlist: Emotional Regulation in Dogs: Dysregulation, Coping Strategies, Co-Regulation, Self-Regulation, and Habituation with Susan Garrett - https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLphRRSxcMHy0ZnXC_lczh942HhB0Vdo5v&si=lwTruZ9mxqccXDn6 4. YouTube Playlist: Feeding Dogs, Training Treats, Dog Food, Nutrition and Canine Behavior, Raw Diets with Susan Garrett - https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLphRRSxcMHy0ylVCv0BiSj27AeIdObb_q&si=QJ5eQTnQEvWlbf6w 5. Podcast Episode 26: Pro Dog Training Tips to Get Your Puppy to Sleep All Night - https://dogsthat.com/podcast/26/ 6. YouTube Video: Susan Garrett's 5 Games for Puppies - https://youtu.be/Hxd1sVEQp2Y?si=hAt3ZmUFhiv0c2Qo 7. YouTube Video: Puppy's First Training with Susan Garrett: Shaping, Targeting and Collar Conditioning - https://youtu.be/ticB_1Twx6E?si=JZnq1QQAaPg_zGcs 8. Podcast Episode 32: 20 Easy Ways to Exercise Your Dog at Home - https://dogsthat.com/podcast/32/ 9. Podcast Episode 246: Susan Garrett’s Puppy Socialization Strategies For Raising Confident, Happy Dogs - https://dogsthat.com/podcast/246/ 10. Podcast Episode 106: Consent In Dog Training: The Misuse, Misunderstanding And Misapplication - https://dogsthat.com/podcast/106/ 11. Podcast Episode 286: Frustrated Puppy, Frustrated Human! Strategies For Wins With Puppy Raising - https://dogsthat.com/podcast/286/ 12. Podcast Episode 147: Teach Your Dog To Listen Off Leash And Far Away - https://dogsthat.com/podcast/147/ 13. Watch this Episode of Shaped by Dog on YouTube - https://youtu.be/yKYNshk7Vng
25 Jul 17min
How To Train A Dog From Day One: Avoid Common Puppy Mistakes Through Games & Enrichment #308
Visit us at shapedbydog.com Wondering how to train a puppy or dog from day one or avoid the most common mistakes? It’s easy to hope things will just work out, but that approach often leads to frustration and unwanted behaviors. I’m sharing how games, enrichment, and simple structure can help you raise a confident, connected dog right from the start. The big thing to remember is that all behavior is communication, and whether you have a brand-new puppy, a rescue dog or even dealing with unwanted behavior from your current dog, you’ll get clear, actionable strategies to set them up for lifelong success. In this episode, you’ll hear: • Why “positive is not permissive” in dog training. • How all behavior is communication and how to understand what your puppy is telling you. • How to prevent rehearsals of unwanted behaviors. • What happens when you hope for “a good one” instead of planning for success. • How games turn curious puppies into eager learners. • The role of enrichment and why letting dogs choose their own can backfire. • What to do when your puppy rehearses something unwanted. • What being “the gatekeeper” is and how it helps with recall, greetings, and impulse control. • How small time investments now shape your puppy’s future. • Real-life examples of how access to reinforcement shapes behavior. • How small early investments in training lead to massive long-term results. Free Hand Target Masterclass Unlock the secret to better focus, more engagement, and faster training with your dog using one simple skill - Hand Targets! Join the free Masterclass now while it's available for a limited time https://dogsthat.com/together/ Crate Games Get Crate Games Online - https://get.crategames.com/ Resources: 1.Susan Garrett’s Shaped by Dog Podcast - https://dogsthat.com/podcasts/ 2. Podcast Episode 198: What Does “Positive Is Not Permissive” Really Mean In Dog Training? - https://dogsthat.com/podcast/198/ 3. Podcast Episode 286: Frustrated Puppy, Frustrated Human! Strategies For Wins With Puppy Raising - https://dogsthat.com/podcast/286/ 4. YouTube Playlist: Puppy Essentials with Susan Garrett Dog Training - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLphRRSxcMHy2hywpv3Md3HbWWPPbVF8W5 5. Podcast Episode 109: Project Calm Dog: Prevent Over Enthusiastic Greetings - https://dogsthat.com/podcast/109/ 6. Podcast Episode 246: Susan Garrett’s Puppy Socialization Strategies For Raising Confident, Happy Dogs - https://dogsthat.com/podcast/246/ 7. YouTube Video: DIY Puppy Bombs: Easy & Affordable Enrichment Toy for Puppies - https://youtu.be/UBveJe2C2dA 8. Nina Ottosson’s Puzzle Toys - https://www.nina-ottosson.com/products/all-products/ 9. Watch this Episode of Shaped by Dog on YouTube - https://youtu.be/QLnIqL5icFs
23 Jul 15min
Training Tips From Susan: How Barking Can Turn Into A Reinforced Habit Without You Even Realizing
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! How Barking Can Turn Into A Reinforced Habit Without You Even Realizing I'm sharing how barking can turn into a reinforced habit without you even realizing. It’s easy to miss the subtle ways reinforcement happens, but once you see it, you can start to shift the pattern and create lasting change. Watch the full video at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BfoFvBAue7c 🎁 Unlock the secret to better focus, more engagement, and faster training with your dog by teaching one simple skill - Hand Targets! Join the free Masterclass now https://dogsthat.com/together/
18 Jul 2min
Training Tips From Susan: Reinforcement Is Always Happening: How To Make Sure Its Building The Dog You Want
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! Reinforcement Is Always Happening: How to Make Sure It’s Building the Dog You Want Reinforcement is always happening, so I’m sharing how to be intentional with every interaction to make sure it's building the dog you want. It’s simple, powerful, and something you can start right now. Watch the full video at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zUFgD1yGO0w&t=563s
16 Jul 2min
Training Tips From Susan: Training Challenges Are Feedback: What to Do When Things Don't Go To Plan
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 Challenges Are Feedback: What To Do When Things Don’t Go To Plan Training challenges are feedback, and when things don’t go to plan, it’s often a sign there’s something new to discover. I’m sharing what to do when progress feels stuck and how to turn challenges into learning opportunities for you and your dog. Watch the full video at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ha2hXKZDuA4&t=785s
11 Jul 6min
Training Tips From Susan: Matching Law In Dog Training: Why Your Dog Chooses One Behavior Over Another
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! Matching Law in Dog Training: Why Your Dog Chooses One Behavior Over Another I’m sharing the science behind Matching Law and why your dog chooses one behavior over another. Understanding this can transform how you train and connect with your dog and help you grow the behaviors you do want so you can set your dog up for success. Watch the full video at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qZSCQFapIww&t=779s
9 Jul 6min
Training Tips From Susan: How To Tell If A Dog Trainer Is The Right Fit For You And Your Dog
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! How To Tell If A Dog Trainer Is The Right Fit For You And Your Dog I’m sharing how to tell if a dog trainer is the right fit for you and your dog by breaking down the five key things I believe every dog owner should consider. When you know what to look for, you can find a coach who supports your goals and helps your dog truly shine. Watch the full video at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cOgXwaysP7w
4 Jul 3min
Training Tips From Susan: Why Your Dog Might Be Barking Excessively And What You Can Do To Help
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! Why Your Dog Might Be Barking Excessively And What You Can Do To Help Ever feel like your dog’s barking is constant and you’re not quite sure what’s driving it? I’m sharing why your dog might be barking excessively and what you can do to help them feel more relaxed and confident. Watch the full video at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BfoFvBAue7c
2 Jul 9min
