Visit us at shapedbydog.com

Not seeing results in dog training? I’m breaking down why that happens and how layering your dog’s learning is the key to creating real-world success. We often believe our dogs are “trained” when things look great in controlled settings but when connection disappears, distractions take over, or confidence fades in new environments, it’s a sign that a layer of learning is missing. I’ll walk you through how the layers of the 5C Pyramid build lasting reliability and focus, a personal story from my own training, and how shaping behavior through intentional layers leads to long-term success in agility, sports, and everyday life.

In this episode, you’ll hear:

• Why your dog might be great in training games but struggle in real-world situations.
• How building intentional layers in training leads to real-world success with your dog
• The concept of “real world success” and how it evolves as your relationship with your dog grows.
• A deep dive into the 5 Cs of dog training: Connection, Clarity, Confidence, Challenge, and Complexity.
• The difference between a connected, driven, and detached dog and why that matters.
• A powerful question to ask yourself in every training moment to stay aligned with your long-term goals.
• How intentional layers build deep connection and lasting success.
• A personal story about my own dog and how the layers of learning led us all the way to the world championships.

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

Learn How To Play ItsYerChoice:
Learn how to play the ItsYerChoice (IYC) Game - https://recallers.com/iycsummit-join/

Resources:

1. Podcast Episode 171: Dog Training With Layered Shaping: Why Classical Conditioning Must Come First - https://dogsthat.com/podcast/171/
2. Podcast Episode 21: The 5 Critical Dog Training Layers for Confidence with Anything - https://dogsthat.com/podcast/21/
3. Podcast Episode 202: Getting A Happy Well Behaved Dog With The ABCs Of Training - https://dogsthat.com/podcast/202/
4. Podcast Episode 18: 4 Puppy and Dog Training Games for Acquired Bite Inhibition - https://dogsthat.com/podcast/18/
5. Podcast Episode 68: 3 Easy Tricks Every Dog Should Know - https://dogsthat.com/podcast/68/
6. Watch this Episode of Shaped by Dog on YouTube - https://youtu.be/FGu03YVsN1k

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!

The Best Way To Talk To Your Dog Trainer When Things Aren’t Working

I'm sharing the best way to talk to your dog trainer when things aren’t working. This simple shift opens the door to better conversations, clearer feedback, and real progress in your training so you and your coach are working together to help your dog succeed.

Watch the full video at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Y8lomnqt7Y

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!

Seamless Dog Training Sessions Start With This Simple Setup Plan

The key to seamless dog training sessions starts with this simple setup plan that keeps you organized and helps your dog stay focused and engaged. With a little planning, your sessions will be set up for success and your dog will love the clarity and confidence that brings.

Watch the full video at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tcae85wYXBE

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!

30 Years Ago, They Laughed. Today, It’s How We Train Dogs.

30 years ago, they laughed. Today, it’s how we train dogs. I'm sharing the pivotal shift in dog training over the past three decades and what’s possible when we stay open, curious, and committed to doing what’s best for our dogs.

Watch the full video at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xH1JqN34Sr0

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!

Clarity Is Kind: What Your Dog Needs You to Understand

Ever wonder if your dog really gets what you’re asking them? I’m sharing why clarity is kind and what your dog needs you to understand to build trust and confidence, both in training and in life.

Watch the full video at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yFpQ8i9YHUo

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 Safely Introduce A Puppy To An Adult Dog: Tips & Strategies

I’m sharing my tips and strategies on how to safely introduce a puppy to an adult dog so they both feel comfortable and protected. You’ll hear about what to avoid, what to watch for, and how to know when your puppy just isn’t reading the room.

Watch the full video at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0kbDlNIxtn4

Visit us at shapedbydog.com

Do you feel your dog only listens when you have treats? Or maybe you’ve been told dogs should work because you said so. No one needs to choose between insisting on their dog's compliance without rewards or getting stuck as a treat-dispensing machine, so I’m sharing my 5 step process to help you build better behaviors. This process is the solution for our dogs to listen anywhere, anytime, with joy and clarity!

In this episode, you’ll hear:

• Debunking the myth that “your dog should work because you said so”.
• How to use your relationship bank with your dog effectively.
• A real-life example with my dogs, treats, and my husband, John.
• The 5 Step Process to build better behaviors and use food to your training advantage.
• How to transfer value from food into other reinforcers like toys, games, and activities.
• The power of surprise reinforcement deposits - dog bed example.
• What to do when your dog becomes a bit of a “demand-ica.”
• A training example with a target stick and my dog, This! on eroding great behavior.
• An invitation to join Home School the Dog or Recallers.

To know more about our online programs:
Write to us at wag@dogsthat.com with the subject line: I want to know more about rewarding

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

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

Hand Target and More Functional Games
Get the Hand Target Game and more foundational training games in our free Connected Dog Season of Nuance Video Series running for a limited time - https://learn.doggyflix.com/interactive/

Resources:

1. Podcast Episode 272: 10 Engaging Chase Games To Increase Your Picky Eater Dog’s Food Drive - https://dogsthat.com/podcast/272/
2. Podcast Episode 151: How Location Specific Reinforcement Markers Will Improve Your Dog Training! - https://dogsthat.com/podcast/151/
3. Podcast Episode 172: How To Teach Your Dog Anything With My Training Plan - https://dogsthat.com/podcast/172/
4. Podcast Episode 89: Why Dogs Should Not Tug: The Truth Revealed - https://dogsthat.com/podcast/89/
5. Podcast Episode 68: 3 Easy Tricks Every Dog Should Know - https://dogsthat.com/podcast/68/
6. YouTube Video: Understanding Your Dog's Reinforcement Zone (RZ) with Susan Garrett - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OaUAScgaFAg
7. Podcast Episode 266: Hot Zone And Stays – How One Dog Training Nuance Can Fix Anxiety And Duration - https://dogsthat.com/podcast/266/
8. Episode 126: How Dog Training Goes Better When You Begin With The End In Mind (Backchaining) - https://dogsthat.com/podcast/126/
9. YouTube Playlist: Sit, Down, Stand, Stay! Dog Training Duration with Susan Garrett - https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLphRRSxcMHy2cY7Fg3MLUaobkSdnVx0jt&si=DNIYIVzhai67AfYf
10. YouTube Playlist: Target Training for Dogs with Susan Garrett - https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLphRRSxcMHy3ylCyQ2bJQSCwo_ERiVHj3&si=FSv06pl_2ffxfEDN
11. Podcast Episode 289: Stop Just Watching Dog Training Videos: Mastering Active Learning Instead! - https://dogsthat.com/podcast/289/
12. Watch this Episode of Shaped by Dog on YouTube - https://youtu.be/0MIAwmx1450

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!

The 5P Test: How To Tell If Your Dog REALLY Understands Their Cues!

Wondering how to tell if your dog really understands their cues? I’m sharing a simple evaluation I call the “5P Test” to help you determine if your dog truly understands what you’re asking, no matter the environment, your position, or level of distractions around them.

Watch the full video at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_AeiSv4KVo4