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 sometimes doesn’t go as planned and what to do when your dog just isn’t getting it. • What should be included in your strategic protocol (Relationship, Recall, Retrieve and Reinforcement Zone) and how they impact training success. • About the key training games and exercises: ItsYerChoice, Crate Games, Relaxation Protocol, Tug Games, Hot Zone and Perch Work. • How to join the ItsYerChoice Summit, 100% free. • Why “Criteria is Joy.” • Why having a dedicated Training Den helps build confidence. • The importance of establishing and transferring value. • How to create clarity in training so your dog understands exactly what you want. • About recognizing signs of frustration in your dog and taking their feedback. • The key to adding distractions, duration, and distance without overwhelming your dog. • How to adjust your training plan so your dog succeeds. • My best tip: Take a Paws (pause!) when things aren’t going right - small changes can make a big difference!

Special Discounts To Join Or Gift Our Online Programs Check out our 300th Episode & 5th Anniversary Celebration Page - https://dogsthat.com/celebration-central/

ItsYerChoice Summit: Learn How to Play ItsYerChoice - https://recallers.com/iycsummit-join/

Crate Games Online: Get Crate Games Online - https://get.crategames.com/

Resources:

1. Podcast Episode 228: Navigating Failure In Dog Training: What’s Your Plan B? - https://dogsthat.com/podcast/228/ 2. Susan Garrett’s Shaped by Dog Podcast - https://dogsthat.com/podcasts/ 3. Podcast Episode 255: Rescue Dog Training: Priorities For Your First Week Together - https://dogsthat.com/podcast/255/ 4. YouTube Video: Understanding Your Dog's Reinforcement Zone (RZ) with Susan Garrett - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OaUAScgaFAg 5. Live Stream Replay: Celebrating 300 With A Week of Positivity & Learning - https://www.youtube.com/live/-qligctVSFw 6. YouTube Playlist: Target Training for Dogs with Susan Garrett - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLphRRSxcMHy3ylCyQ2bJQSCwo_ERiVHj3 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 107: Pedicure Please: 3 Steps To Dog Nail Trimming Or Grooming Success At Home! - https://dogsthat.com/podcast/107/ 9. YouTube Video: Susan Garrett’s Perch Work Dog Tricks (Pivots and Spins) - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O6sj6fTJnFc 10. Podcast Episode 267: How To Use A Training Den To Fast Track Your Dog’s Success: No Space? No Problem! - https://dogsthat.com/podcast/267/ 11. Podcast Episode 257: How To Use Your Dog’s Favorite Reinforcements To Fix Unwanted Inadvertent Behaviors - https://dogsthat.com/podcast/257/ 12. YouTube Playlist: Puppy Essentials with Susan Garrett Dog Training - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLphRRSxcMHy2hywpv3Md3HbWWPPbVF8W5 13. DogsThat YouTube Channel - https://www.youtube.com/@DogsThat/videos 14. YouTube Playlist: Dog Body Language, Communication Signals, and How to Read Dogs with Susan Garrett - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLphRRSxcMHy2IwzRwAWcG0yK8oez1nPU0 15. Podcast Episode 131: How Would Susan Garrett Plan Your Dog Training Sessions? - https://dogsthat.com/podcast/131/ 16. Podcast Episode 295: Fear Of Criticism? Why Facing The Camera Is The First Step To Becoming A Better Dog Trainer - https://dogsthat.com/podcast/295/ 17. Podcast Episode 256: What Was That Cookie For?! When Positive Reinforcement In Dog Training Goes Wrong - https://dogsthat.com/podcast/256/ 18. Watch this Episode of Shaped by Dog on YouTube - https://youtu.be/NoUkg8RDpms

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 the reasons I never went back. 

In this episode, you’ll hear:

• About my transition to becoming a crossover dog trainer. • The question from Zak George that inspired this episode. • When I decided to leave balanced training behind. • What I learned from my terrier puppy, Shelby. • The book that changed my thinking - Don’t Shoot the Dog! by Karen Pryor. • When I first saw true autonomy in dog training and how choice transformed my approach. • About my "Shaping Badly" era. • How learning from Bob and Marian Bailey helped me refine my training with clarity and intention. • The shift to shaping with success. • Why judgment holds trainers back. • That change is possible. • Reasons trainers resist crossing over to a positive reinforcement approach. • A special offer for podcast listeners who want to be coached by me and my team.

Special Discounts to Join or Gift our Online Programs Check out our 300TH Episode & 5th Anniversary Celebration Page - https://dogsthat.com/celebration-central/

Resources:

1. Zak George - https://www.youtube.com/@zakgeorge 2. Podcast Episode 146: Balanced Dog Training: Does It Really Exist? - https://dogsthat.com/podcast/146/ 3. Book: Don’t Shoot The Dog! By Karen Pryor - https://shop.clickertraining.com/en-ca/products/dont-shoot-the-dog-karen-pryor?srsltid=AfmBOoqkL4DLKYAPB1xQMDtJGYDwa1AR0r-AdPOhXo5LFMYe2REoECS7&variant=33778264965258 4. Podcast Episode 34: Time Outs for Dogs: Does Your Dog Need One? - https://dogsthat.com/podcast/34/ 5. Bob and Marian Bailey: Behavior by Bailey - http://www.behavior1.com/ 6. Podcast Episode 245: Make Dog Training Easy! Quick Guide To Antecedent Arrangements - https://dogsthat.com/podcast/245/ 7. Podcast Episode 71: Pro Dog Trainer’s Secret to Help Your Naughty Dog - https://dogsthat.com/podcast/71/ 8. Podcast Episode 295: Fear Of Criticism? Why Facing The Camera Is The First Step To Becoming A Better Dog Trainer - https://dogsthat.com/podcast/295/ 9. The American Veterinary Society of Animal Behavior - https://avsab.org/ 10. The International Association of Animal Behavior Consultants - https://iaabc.org/ 11. Podcast Episode 297: Why In 2025 We Still Have Dog Trainers Who Believe “Reinforcement Dog Training Doesn’t Work” - https://dogsthat.com/podcast/297/ 12. Podcast Episode 290: The Red Flag Of Dominance Based Training: Why It’s Hurting Your Dog And What To Do Instead - https://dogsthat.com/podcast/290/ 13. DogsThat YouTube Channel - https://www.youtube.com/@DogsThat 14. DogsThat YouTube Playlists - https://www.youtube.com/@DogsThat/playlists 15. Watch this Episode of Shaped by Dog on YouTube - https://youtu.be/rajGh9u8gkw

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. • How to bridge the training gap and set your dog up for success. • A special lesson from my father beyond dog training. • The difference between behavior challenges and emotional challenges. • The role of reinforcement and management in success.  • How reinforcement shapes your dog’s choices every day. • The power of management and why it’s the key to long-term success. • My approach to growing confidence before introducing big challenges. • Why finding the right trainer matters and how to know who to trust. • A special opportunity to join Wag Nation and Home School the Dog!

Resources:

1. Podcast Episode 20: Bridging the Gap Between Blame and Kindness in Dog Training - https://dogsthat.com/podcast/20/ 2. Podcast Episode 97: Overwhelm in Dog Training: How to Take Action on Challenges - https://dogsthat.com/podcast/97/ 3. Warwick Schiller Attuned Horsemanship - https://warwickschiller.com/ 4. Podcast Episode 298: The Dog Training Quadrants We Don’t Talk About: Are We Using Them More Than We Know? - https://dogsthat.com/podcast/298/ 5. Podcast Episode 297: Why In 2025 We Still Have Dog Trainers Who Believe “Reinforcement Dog Training Doesn’t Work” - https://dogsthat.com/podcast/297/ 6. YouTube Playlist: Puppy Essentials with Susan Garrett Dog Training - https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLphRRSxcMHy2hywpv3Md3HbWWPPbVF8W5&si=UdgWP3VEaFvURChz 7. Podcast Episode 131: How Would Susan Garrett Plan Your Dog Training Sessions? - https://dogsthat.com/podcast/131/ 8. Podcast Episode 267: How To Use A Training Den To Fast Track Your Dog’s Success: No Space? No Problem! - https://dogsthat.com/podcast/267/ 9. Podcast Episode 30: Why Dog Crates Are Not Dog Cages - https://dogsthat.com/podcast/30/ 10. Watch this Episode of Shaped by Dog on YouTube - https://youtu.be/zUFgD1yGO0w

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. 

In this episode, you’ll hear:

• How the four quadrants of operant conditioning apply to everyday dog training. • An explanation of Positive Reinforcement, Positive Punishment, Negative Punishment and Negative Reinforcement - +R, +P, -P, -R • How to recognize what quadrant you are training in and my experiences. • The importance of reinforcers and using what’s reinforcing for your dog. • How I built value for my dog Swagger to watch other dogs work. • Control and lessons from B.F. Skinner. • How negative reinforcement works. • The blurred lines between the quadrants. • Debunking the “we must be alpha” narrative in dog training.

Resources:

1. Podcast Episode 297: Why In 2025 We Still Have Dog Trainers Who Believe “Reinforcement Dog Training Doesn’t Work”- https://dogsthat.com/podcast/297/ 2. Podcast Episode 146: Balanced Dog Training: Does It Really Exist? - https://dogsthat.com/podcast/146/ 3. Podcast Episode 95:  How Playing with Your Dog Like a Puppy Can Reduce Fear - https://dogsthat.com/podcast/95/ 4. Podcast Episode 107: Pedicure Please: 3 Steps To Dog Nail Trimming Or Grooming Success At Home! - https://dogsthat.com/podcast/107/ 5. Podcast Episode 34: Time Outs for Dogs: Does Your Dog Need One? - https://dogsthat.com/podcast/34/ 6. Podcast Episode 251:  Should We All Stop Using Non-Reward Markers In Dog Training? - https://dogsthat.com/podcast/251/ 7. Podcast Episode 181: Training Multiple Dogs To Wait Turns And Relax - https://dogsthat.com/podcast/181/ 8. Paper: B.F. Skinner's Theory of Performance Excellence: A Radical Behavioral Perspective - https://digitalcommons.du.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1333&context=capstone_masters 9. YouTube Short: Do We Really Need All Of The Quadrants? - https://www.youtube.com/shorts/MTwuelH2sX4 10. Podcast Episode 40: Using A Head Halter On A Dog, Why My Approach Is So Different - https://dogsthat.com/podcast/40/ 11. Podcast Episode 153: Dog Muzzles: Everything You Need To Know And How To Muzzle Train Dogs - https://dogsthat.com/podcast/153/ 12. Shaping Success Book by Susan Garrett - https://dogsthat.com/product/shaping-success-2/ 13. Watch this Episode of Shaped by Dog on YouTube - https://youtu.be/k1wcwfeUBFc

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. 

In this episode, you’ll hear:

• Why some trainers claim positive reinforcement-based dog training doesn’t work (and why they’re wrong). • The biggest mistakes people make with dog training that lead to frustration. • The importance of Desentisation, Counterconditioning and Operant Conditioning to ensure positive reinforcement-based training works for any dog. • Real world examples of using positive reinforcement-based training to help dogs with motion sensitivity, reactivity, distractions, and engagement for working with you. • Why masking emotions with food or toys won’t work and what to do instead. • What Reverse Conditioning and why to avoid it. • About the downfall of cookie-stuffing and what to do instead.

Resources:

1. YouTube Playlist: Reactive or Aggressive Dogs: Key Insights with Susan Garrett - https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLphRRSxcMHy0Tbd6ZybIXgJk3mtpBLLk7&si=PdviN3sGRJ3DcU0P 2. Podcast Episode 232: Canine Predatory Motor Sequence: Understand Your Dog’s Prey Drive To Enrich Your Life Together - https://dogsthat.com/podcast/232/ 3. YouTube Playlist: The Emotional State of Dogs with Susan Garrett - https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLphRRSxcMHy29pv3_9b7DZdMFJL9ZJPMy&si=nPW9b53Hamc2hne0 4. Podcast Episode 165: Why Do Dogs Bark In Cars And How To Stop It - https://dogsthat.com/podcast/165/ 5. Podcast Episode 146: Balanced Dog Training: Does It Really Exist? - https://dogsthat.com/podcast/146/ 6. Podcast Episode 202: Getting A Happy Well Behaved Dog With The ABCs Of Training - https://dogsthat.com/podcast/202/ 7. Shaping Success Book by Susan Garrett - https://dogsthat.com/product/shaping-success-2/ 8. Podcast Episode 141: Average Or Better Dog Training Question: What Did You Just Reward? - https://dogsthat.com/podcast/141/ 9. Blog Post: 6 Keys to Shaping Behaviour - https://susangarrettdogagility.com/2018/12/6-keys-to-shaping-behaviour/ 10. YouTube Playlist: Dog Training Games with Susan Garrett - https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLphRRSxcMHy2TzttCtZVFwzwMGayAsaYe&si=EivXPja8RBbPxkgH 11. YouTube Video: Understanding Your Dog's Reinforcement Zone (RZ) with Susan Garrett - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OaUAScgaFAg 12. DogsThat YouTube Channel - https://www.youtube.com/c/DogsThat/ 13. YouTube Playlist: Puppy Essentials with Susan Garrett Dog Training - https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLphRRSxcMHy2hywpv3Md3HbWWPPbVF8W5&si=hSJefg4tMy5Cfirf 14. YouTube Video: 5 Tips for Dog Trick Training with Susan Garrett - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6hmLXI_qcC8 15. YouTube Playlist: Target Training for Dogs with Susan Garrett - https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLphRRSxcMHy3ylCyQ2bJQSCwo_ERiVHj3&si=SM44kBxl4q6C3nIn 16. Watch this Episode of Shaped by Dog on YouTube - https://youtu.be/WDZQjf0OyRg

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 to help them move from dysregulation in the face of triggers to self-regulation. I’ve got a case study of my previously reactive, dysregulated dog This!, covering the steps I took and how strategic co-regulation grew her confidence. Drawing from a game I created for my dog Buzz in the 1990s, a big help to This! was to have her look at what could trigger her and then for her to look back to me. The game is in my book, Shaping Success. For This!, I used a chin target so she was not taken by surprise. There’s more in the video!

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=0s 

And check out our playlist on emotional regulation in dogs for all the insights to help you help your dog no matter what their age - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLphRRSxcMHy0ZnXC_lczh942HhB0Vdo5v 

When your puppy enters adolescence, it's a new ballgame when it comes to their hormones, emotions and behavior. The teenage dog transformation begins at roughly six months through 18 months with environmental factors like vaccines and nutrition also influencing this phase. Managing expectations and prioritizing your dog's emotional well-being while educating yourself as a dog owner will help you navigate the transition from puppy to adulthood with your relationship intact.

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 back! 

Stop chasing. Pop off a whistle or noise to get your dog's attention. Roll in the other direction keeping an eye on your dog. Repeat. When you and your dog meet, take their collar.

If you want your dog to come when called every time, check out our Recallers program - https://recallers.com/ 

For more on the roll of body pressure, check out our podcast video "The Invisible Bubble of Pressure and Your Dog" -  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E8nSFiqTalM&t=0s 

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 puppy or dog might be grabbing scraps off the ground when you are out walking, raiding the garbage, stealing food off the table or counter. It’s not safe for your dog, and it is frustrating for you.

The downside of training “leave it” on command is that you’ll have to be there to say it to your dog for life. And perhaps one day your dog is off the lead, away from you, can’t hear your “leave it” and grabs something that is life-threatening. What I like to do is teach my dogs to leave things alone by making it their choice. It all starts with a game I call ItsYerChoice because it teaches dogs to make the choices we want them to make. It removes the need for us to always be micromanaging what our dogs are doing.

The ItsYerChoice game will even help your dog make great choices in the face of big distractions. You’ll be able to get your dog’s attention just by saying your dog’s name, or any word you want to use. I’ve got a demonstration of how it looks in the foundation stages here in this video with my dog Momentum.

ItsYerChoice has not only worked for me; it’s worked for tens of thousands of my students and their dogs of all ages, breeds, shapes and sizes and backgrounds. You can join us to learn one simple dog training game that will change your dog’s approach to distractions and release you from needing to say “leave it” and nagging your dog many times a day: https://recallers.com/iycsummit-join

When you join in, you and your puppy or dog will receive a free 20 minute training video and a step by step Play Book to help your dog get control over distractions. My foundation game teaches dogs HOW to make great choices to ‘leave’ food / toys / distractions. This is DIFFERENT! And because it’s a game, it’s fun, and we all learn best when we are having fun.

Looking forward to coaching you on how to get your dog to leave it because that is what your dog chooses to do. Join me to learn how IYC can change your life with your dog:

See you soon! 

https://recallers.com/y/iyc 

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 confident.

In this episode, you’ll hear:

• Why some dogs are socially sensitive and what that looks like. • The three phases to help your dog gain confidence. • How to grow confidence passively and actively. • Fun games to help your dog grow confidence in a safe way. • About the importance of the Relaxation Protocol. • The importance of a "Home Zone" for socially sensitive dogs. • Why dogs in a highly aroused state can’t learn. • About a dog’s Green, Yellow and Red Zones • How to use the Code Yellow Protocol to help your dog. • The role of reflection and recharging in your dog’s progress. • How to recognize when your dog is ready for the next step. • About turning everyday moments into confidence-building opportunities. • How Home School the Dog can give you the tools to support your dog’s progress.

Home School the Dog: Write to us at [email protected] with the subject line “Socially Sensitive” for a very special opportunity to join us in Home School The Dog.

Learn How To Play ItsYerChoice: ItsYerChoice Summit - https://recallers.com/iycsummit-join/

Resources:

1. Podcast Episode 236: Understanding Dog Fear (Part 1): Genetics, Trauma, And Your Dog’s Well-being - https://dogsthat.com/podcast/236/ 2. Shaped by Dog Podcast - http://shapedbydog.com/ 3. Podcast Episode Search for ‘Reactivity’ - https://dogsthat.com/?s=reactivity 4. YouTube Playlist: Reactive or Aggressive Dogs: Key Insights with Susan Garrett - https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLphRRSxcMHy0Tbd6ZybIXgJk3mtpBLLk7&si=l3sqeZ-ZdglQrbzf 5. Podcast Episode 81: Sudden Aggression and Your Dog’s Thyroid - https://dogsthat.com/podcast/81/ 6. Podcast Episode 204: Dog Behavior And Diet: Recovery For This! Beyond Dog Training Part 2 - https://dogsthat.com/podcast/204/ 7. Podcast Episode 191: Get Your Dog To Calm Down With This Common Sense Protocol For Relaxation - https://dogsthat.com/podcast/191/ 8. YouTube Video: Susan Garrett’s Hand Target: Dog Training Games Within Games - https://youtu.be/_WH3nm9FR4A?si=1W4dY-qutc1KhoOx 9. Podcast Episode 18: 4 Puppy and Dog Training Games for Acquired Bite Inhibition - https://dogsthat.com/podcast/18/ 10. YouTube Video: Susan Garrett’s Perch Work Dog Tricks (Pivots and Spins) - https://youtu.be/O6sj6fTJnFc?si=XqtLyRfoHpEBzF18 11. YouTube Video: Understanding You Dog’s Reinforcement Zone (RZ) with Susan Garrett - https://youtu.be/OaUAScgaFAg 12. YouTube Playlist: Target Training for Dogs with Susan Garrett - https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLphRRSxcMHy3ylCyQ2bJQSCwo_ERiVHj3&si=mHzTcBxTZ0AqY-gA 13. Podcast Episode 278: Food Puzzles: Key Mistakes To Avoid And Strategies To Help Your Dog Best Deal With Frustration - https://dogsthat.com/podcast/278/ 14. Podcast Episode 227: My Foolproof Strategy To Overcoming Dog Training Challenges - https://dogsthat.com/podcast/227/ 15. Watch this Episode of Shaped by Dog on YouTube - https://youtu.be/DgMZRuNm_q8