Training Tips From Susan: Agility Foundations Before Equipment: What Puppies Really Need To Succeed

Visit us at shapedbydog.com   If your puppy’s potty training isn’t going as planned and you’re finding puddles where you least expect them, it might be time for a reset. In this episode, I share the 10 most common reasons why puppies have accidents in the house and what you can do to help. You’ll discover how to recognize your puppy’s “tells,” adjust routines, supervision, and expectations and bring clarity and confidence back to potty training for both you and your puppy.   In this episode, you’ll hear:   • Why a “potty trained” puppy might still have accidents in the house. • How the H.O.T. Method helps set every puppy up for success. • How accidents could signal a possible health issue and how to rule them out. • Why some puppies avoid going outside in certain weather or on specific surfaces. • How setting realistic expectations helps both you and your puppy. • The connection between supervision, freedom, and potty training progress. • The difference between managing behavior and actually training it. • How to recognize your puppy’s “tells” and teach them to communicate. • Examples of some of my own dog’s “tells.”  • Simple routines that make potty training consistent and reliable. • Why proper clean-up prevents repeat accidents. • How emotions or scolding can create confusion. • What might be reinforcing your puppy’s indoor accidents. • How to use a positive interrupter to redirect accidents before they happen. • Why celebrating small wins builds lasting success. • How to see every accident as feedback and keep progress moving forward.   Resources:   1. Podcast Episode 48: Potty Train Your Puppy in a Week (Easy 3 Step Process) - https://dogsthat.com/podcast/48/ 2. Podcast Episode 250: Expectations Vs Reality: Navigating The Path To Dog Training Success - https://dogsthat.com/podcast/250/ 3. Podcast Episode 71: Pro Dog Trainer’s Secret to Help Your Naughty Dog - https://dogsthat.com/podcast/71/ 4. Podcast Episode 166: Puppy Freedom: How Much Is Too Much? - https://dogsthat.com/podcast/166/ 5. Podcast Episode 30: Why Dog Crates Are Not Dog Cages - https://dogsthat.com/podcast/30/ 6. YouTube Playlist: Target Training for Dogs with Susan Garrett - https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLphRRSxcMHy3ylCyQ2bJQSCwo_ERiVHj3&si=43hw1UJ7r7fV12Sf 7. Podcast Episode 275: How To Teach A Dog To Speak: From Parlor Trick To Working Dog Skill - https://dogsthat.com/podcast/275/ 8. Podcast Episode 115: Understanding Your Dog’s Language - https://dogsthat.com/podcast/115/ 9. Podcast Episode 254: Why Your Older Puppy Or Dog Is Not House Trained And What To Do About It - https://dogsthat.com/podcast/254/ 10. Podcast Episode 140: Stop Your Puppy’s Excited Peeing Or Submissive Urination - https://dogsthat.com/podcast/140/ 11. Podcast Episode 2: Reinforcement - https://dogsthat.com/podcast/2/ 12. Podcast Episode 158: Stop Your Dog’s Unwanted Behaviors With This Positive Interrupter - https://dogsthat.com/podcast/158/ 13. Podcast Episode 228: Navigating Failure In Dog Training: What’s Your Plan B? - https://dogsthat.com/podcast/228/ 14. Podcast Episode 234: How To Stop Puppy Biting: Avoid Mistakes With Susan Garrett’s Backup Plan - https://dogsthat.com/podcast/234/ 15. Watch this Episode of Shaped by Dog on YouTube - https://youtu.be/EQpRKDaq9mQ

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!   Connected, Driven, Or Detached? How To Recognize And Grow The Right Kind Of Focus In Your Dog I’m sharing what it really means for a dog to be connected, driven, or detached, and how to recognize and grow the right kind of focus in your dog. Understanding where your dog’s focus truly lies is the first step to building stronger teamwork, better communication, and lasting connection.   Watch the full video at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=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!   How To Set Up A Successful Shaping Session With Your Dog I’m sharing how to set up a successful shaping session that builds clarity, confidence, and success for you and your dog. When each piece fits together, learning becomes effortless, and your dog’s understanding grows step by step into stronger focus and reliable behaviors.   Watch the full video at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XOT8z4B81eg

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!   Agility Foundations Before Equipment: What Puppies Really Need To Succeed When it comes to preparing your puppy for dog agility, success starts long before any equipment enters the picture. I’m sharing what puppies really need to succeed, including the key foundations that build confidence, connection, and joy in the sport from the very beginning. Watch the full video at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kMJ0e7HYvPk  

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!   Mini Q&A With Susan: When To Start Contacts, Build Foundations, And Stop Zoomies In Dog Agility  When should you start dog agility contacts? What foundations do puppies need first? And how do you stop zoomies in the ring? I cover it all in this mini Q&A.   Watch the full video at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HVtH3LQR0Qs 

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!   Using A Variety Of Dog Treats (And Some Of What I Use) To Keep Training Effective, Engaging, And Fun Keeping training effective, engaging, and fun starts with using a variety of dog treats, so I'm sharing some of what I use (and you might like to try) along with a link to my Tasty Treats Recipe Ebook.   Watch the full video at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xjiaOy_iWyw Check out our Tasty Treats Recipe eBook for homemade tasty treats your dog will love! https://dogsthat.com/tastytreats/ 

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!   Listening To Your Dog’s “No” And Building A Better “Yes” Together  Every time your dog says “no,” they are giving you important information. I’m sharing how to listen to your dog’s “no” and build a better “yes” together so you can turn those moments into opportunities for learning, growth, and connection.   Watch the full video at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mzoUUJT5eiQ 

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 Use Everyday Reinforcement To Grow Lasting Skills  I’m sharing my step by step plan on how to use everyday reinforcement to grow lasting skills, helping you open the door to brilliant behaviors, stronger focus, and a deeper connection with your dog.    Watch the full video at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=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!   Mini Q&A With Susan: Cue Clarity And Start-Line Focus For Agility Success  In this mini Q&A, I'm diving into cue clarity and start-line focus for agility success, sharing how I track and rehearse my cues so they become second nature, and how I help dogs bring calm, confident focus to the start line.   Watch the full video at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RITzOlo6uw8

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 Consent Matters: Building Trust And Choice In Dog Training I’m sharing why consent matters and how giving our dogs choice builds deeper trust and transforms the way we train and care for them. When our dogs are heard, they show up with clarity, confidence, and joy.   Watch the full video at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mzoUUJT5eiQ