Training Tips From Susan: Matching Law In Dog Training: Why Your Dog Chooses One Behavior Over Another

Visit us at shapedbydog.com    Hot Take: You don’t need to say “stay” in dog training! I’m sharing how clear release cues give dogs greater clarity and confidence. I’ll take you through how I introduce this concept early with my puppies, how Crate Games helps build a strong foundation, and what it all looks like in everyday training, including when working with more than one dog. When our dogs truly understand what’s expected, they gain confidence and confident dogs make brilliant choices.   In this episode, you’ll hear:   • Why I don’t use the word “stay” and what inspired this episode. • How cues get eroded over time. • What “controlled behaviors” mean for dogs. • How I introduce the release word to my puppy. • What my dogs’ cues are for leaving position (and why they don’t need “stay”). • Why I never use “sit” to stop my dogs at the door. • Why I teach “go chill” separately from control positions. • Step-by-step training for clarity when working with two dogs. • The difference between outdated “stay” training and modern-day release cues. • Why Crate Games builds impulse control and clarity from the start. • How release cues help build reliability and understanding. Crate Games Get Crate Games Online - https://get.crategames.com/ Resources:   1. Podcast Episode 52: The Five Most Common Words in Dog Training and Which Ones I Never Use - https://dogsthat.com/podcast/52/ 2. Podcast Episode 155: 10 Ways To Teach A Sit WITHOUT A Food Lure! Unreal Results For Puppies And Dogs Of All Ages - https://dogsthat.com/podcast/155/ 3. Podcast Episode 151: How Location Specific Reinforcement Markers Will Improve Your Dog Training! - https://dogsthat.com/podcast/151/ 4. Podcast Episode 266: Hot Zone And Stays – How One Dog Training Nuance Can Fix Anxiety And Duration - https://dogsthat.com/podcast/266/ 5. YouTube Video: Target Training for Dogs with Susan Garrett - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLphRRSxcMHy3ylCyQ2bJQSCwo_ERiVHj3 6. Watch this Episode of Shaped by Dog on YouTube - https://youtu.be/C8BaOL7LB4Q

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!   Understanding The Stages Of A Dog’s Development Understanding the stages of your dog’s development is the key to lasting success in both training and your relationship. Every dog is a lifelong learner, and when your training aligns with their developmental needs, you create clarity, build confidence, and strengthen a connection that lasts a lifetime.   Watch the full video at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mNnvP8QtMLA&t=2s

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

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

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/ 

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

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

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

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 

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