Shaped by Dog with Susan Garrett

How To Shape Your Dog: The Ultimate Guide To Training Success #328

Mar 25, 2026
They dig into designing shaping sessions instead of just hoping behaviors appear. Topics include a three-phase framework for planning, splitting behaviors into tiny steps, and avoiding cheap behaviors. You’ll hear about reinforcement choices, handler position and environment setup, evaluation methods, and a Push-Stick-Drop decision process for knowing when to change course.
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ADVICE

Prevent Cheap Behaviors Early

  • Identify and prevent cheap behaviors before they become reinforced.
  • Susan gives examples: barking with a paw hit, digging, or pawing; increase response cost or change setup to deter them.
ANECDOTE

Raised Bowl Solved Pawing Problem

  • Susan raised the water bowl to prevent a dog from using its paw when teaching bubble-blowing.
  • Raising the bowl increased response cost so the dog stopped pawing and used the face instead.
ADVICE

Design Reinforcement With Four Factors

  • Plan reinforcers with rate, value, delivery, and placement in mind.
  • Consider treat color, rollability for backups, whether to throw or hand deliver, and where the dog receives reinforcement.
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