Shaped by Dog with Susan Garrett

23:21

This Or That's: Your Dog's Decision-Making Blueprint...

Shaped by Dog with Susan Garrett ·

2026/07/24

Visit us at shapedbydog.com This or That games create a decision-making blueprint that helps your dog learn to make brilliant choices. In this episode, I share the five stages that grow simple choices into confident everyday decision-making. You'll also discover the common mistakes that can take choice away from your dog and how to know when they're ready to progress, so you can grow a confident decision-maker who knows how to choose well, even when life gets exciting. 🎉Join the free

en

15:15

This Or That's: Why Most Dogs Never Become...

Shaped by Dog with Susan Garrett ·

2026/07/15

Visit us at shapedbydog.com What if most dogs never become great decision-makers because decision-making is one of the most overlooked skills in dog training? In this episode, I introduce the philosophy behind my This Or That games and share why the choices dogs rehearse every day become the ones they rely on when it matters most. You'll discover what creates a "decision deficit" and how giving dogs opportunities to make choices builds the confidence, understanding, and reliability we all want in

en

17:02

Is Dog Training About To Change? #330

Shaped by Dog with Susan Garrett ·

2026/05/08

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,

en

19:41

Is Your "Once In A Lifetime Dog" Holding You Back? #329

Shaped by Dog with Susan Garrett ·

2026/04/29

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

en

29:31

How To Shape Your Dog: The Ultimate Guide To Training...

Shaped by Dog with Susan Garrett ·

2026/03/25

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

en

21:18

Beyond "Yes" And "Good": Why Your Dog Needs...

Shaped by Dog with Susan Garrett ·

2026/03/13

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

en

21:03

The 30 Second Reset - Because Your Dog Knows #326

Shaped by Dog with Susan Garrett ·

2026/03/06

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

en

17:51

When To Add A Verbal Cue... Don't Make These Mistakes...

Shaped by Dog with Susan Garrett ·

2026/02/13

Visit us at shapedbydog.com If your dog has ever "known" a verbal cue but didn't respond the first time you asked, it may be that your cue has been poisoned. In this episode, you'll discover why that happens, the most common reasons cues lose their power, and how to set your dog up for success before you ever add a word. I'm sharing the system I use to build consistent, confident behavior first, so when you finally add the cue, it simply reflects a rich history of reinforcement. The result is

en

17:48

The First Two Weeks With Your Puppy: What You Grow Is...

Shaped by Dog with Susan Garrett ·

2026/02/06

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

en

12:07

Why Dogs "Ignore" Commands #323

Shaped by Dog with Susan Garrett ·

2026/01/16

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,

en

22:32

Loose Leash Walking Starts Without A Leash #322

Shaped by Dog with Susan Garrett ·

2025/12/19

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

en

16:29

Is Your Dog Really Being Spiteful? #321

Shaped by Dog with Susan Garrett ·

2025/12/12

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

en

10:45

The Thing You THINK Calms Your Puppy... #320

Shaped by Dog with Susan Garrett ·

2025/12/10

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

en

12:56

10 Misleading Dog Training Arguments #319

Shaped by Dog with Susan Garrett ·

2025/12/03

Visit us at shapedbydog.com If you've ever had someone twist your training philosophy into something it's not, you've likely run into a Straw Man argument. In this episode, I'm breaking down ten of the most common ones aimed at positive reinforcement-based dog training, why they're not valid, and what you can do to create genuine conversations with people who hold a different view of dog training than you, all while staying centered and calm. In this episode, you'll hear: • What Straw Man

en

14:36

What If The Hidden Source Of Your Dog's On Leash...

Shaped by Dog with Susan Garrett ·

2025/11/26

Visit us at shapedbydog.com Many dogs start spinning, barking, or rushing when the leash comes out or you head toward the door, but what if the hidden source of that on leash chaos actually begins earlier than you think? In this episode, I'm sharing how to uncover what is reinforcing your dog's unwanted behaviors and how to build calm, connected exits using simple conditioning strategies and games so every walk begins with confidence and connection rather than chaos and pulling. In this episode,

en

16:06

20 Exercises That Help Your Dog Live Longer: Start...

Shaped by Dog with Susan Garrett ·

2025/11/19

Visit us at shapedbydog.com Your dog's movement can reveal a lot about their long-term comfort and health. That's why I'm sharing more than 20 simple fitness exercises to help support your dog at every stage of their life, so they can move better, stay strong, and age with confidence. You'll discover the four key categories of canine fitness and how each one builds strength, balance, flexibility, and awareness in ways that support your dog's lifelong mobility. In this episode, you'll hear: •

en

16:26

Senior Dogs, Best Lives: The Four Pillars To...

Shaped by Dog with Susan Garrett ·

2025/11/12

Visit us at shapedbydog.com Helping senior dogs live their best lives starts with simple, intentional choices that nurture their body, mind, and heart. In this episode, I'm sharing the four pillars that lead to longevity and how they can help your senior dog stay active, confident, and connected as the years go by. You'll discover how small daily habits can support lasting wellness and create a joyful, purpose-filled life for your dog, one where every stage of aging is celebrated and full of

en

05:14

Training Tips From Susan: Why I Don't Use The Word...

Shaped by Dog with Susan Garrett ·

2025/11/07

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 I Don't Use The Word "No" With My Dogs And What I Teach Instead I'm sharing why I don't use the word "no" in dog training and what I teach instead to create understanding

en

04:29

Training Tips From Susan: Shaping Q&A: Non-Reward...

Shaped by Dog with Susan Garrett ·

2025/10/31

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! Shaping Q&A: Non-Reward Markers, Reinforcement Strategies, And Making Training Work For Every Dog In this mini Shaping Q&A, I'm diving into your top questions about non-reward

en

19:48

Dog Enrichment Secrets Part 2: 30 Day Enrichment...

Shaped by Dog with Susan Garrett ·

2025/10/29

Visit us at shapedbydog.com What might look like digging, chewing, or shredding is often a dog's way of saying, "I need more enrichment." In Part 2 of our enrichment series, I'm sharing how to build a 30-day plan that meets your dog's natural needs for curiosity, challenge, and balance. You'll get over 30 meaningful ideas to build confidence, support calm focus, and strengthen your connection so your dog feels happy, relaxed, and fulfilled. In this episode, you'll hear: • How digging, shredding,

en

All Episodes

Similar Podcasts

Kids Learning Lab - Science, History, and Technology for Kids and Family

Eshaan Buddhisagar, young podcaster

Teenager Someone Does Care

Dr. Fletcher A Brothers

Pregnancy Podcast

Vanessa Merten

Experiencia KidZania Cuicuilco

ACIR - Kidzania

Ab ins Bett - Die tägliche Gute-Nacht-Geschichte

Marco König