We’ve got another ask me anything episode, because your questions are so good! I’m sharing answers on topics like training contacts in dog agility, daily training routines for puppies, overcoming fears in dogs, training in multiple sports, feeding schedules for dogs, exercise for dogs, dealing with reactivity between dogs, zoomies in the agility ring and more. Have a question I’ve not covered? Jump over to YouTube and let me know what it is in the comments.
In this episode, I’m answering your great questions:
- What age do you start training contacts in dog agility? When do you do full courses, and what foundations do the puppies need to have?
- I'm curious how many hours you spend training Prophet each day?
- Can you share the exact protocol you used for This! to get her out of her fear? Are there any disadvantages or severe downside to having a dog trained in multiple sports?
- What's on your secret Santa wish list?
- Do you plan on competing in the UKI US Open in 2024?
- What would you identify as three to five natural abilities or qualities of any agility dog?
- How to teach my dog not to destroy toys? My dog, when left alone with a mascot, turns it inside out.
- If a dog is not actively training or lounging with you, do you always have them in a crate or a pen?
- When to add the verbal cue? Is it right before they do the desired action or right when they do it? Will you ever do public training again?
- Can you tell us a fun fact about Swagger?
- How does one get into the agility world?
- Do you use crates when traveling in a car? If so, what kind?
- Do you feel equally connected to all of your dogs, past and present, or are some extra special?
- How do you stop the zoomies in the agility ring?
- How do you train your pups to bring toys to your hand?
- Dealing with reactivity between dogs in the same household, usually after potty.
- What was the science or motivation to switch to once a day feeding?
- I love your agility programs. Do you plan on doing any flyball programs?
- How can I exercise my dog while we are still learning loose leash walking and recalls.
- How do you make sure your elderly dogs still feel valued and loved?
- How do you decide where to start? There's so many behaviors I'd like to improve. I'm feeling really overwhelmed.
- Who do you think you will mate This! with? Prophet when it's the right time?
- How do you know when it's time to let go of a dog? either age or sickness.
- How do you deal with discouragement? If you had a previous job before, how did you make the big jump to the dog world job only?
Our Online Programs Referenced :
Resources :
- Podcast Episode 243: Training My New Puppy, What He Knows So Far: Susan Garrett’s Plan and Puppy Schedule
- Podcast Episode 190: Using Daily Quickies To Fast Track Your Dog Training And Grow Your Dog’s Skills
- Podcast Episode 203: Reactive, Unmotivated and Fearful: Finding Resiliency For This! Beyond Dog Training Part 1
- Podcast Episode 204: Dog Behavior And Diet: Recovery For This! Beyond Dog Training Part 2
- YouTube Video: DIY Puppy Bombs: Easy & Affordable Enrichment Toy for Puppies
- Podcast Episode 232: Canine Predatory Motor Sequence: Understand Your Dog’s Prey Drive To Enrich Your Life Together
- Podcast Episode 166: Puppy Freedom: How Much Is Too Much?
- Podcast Episode 113: Your Dog’s Verbal Cues And Hand Signals: How To Effectively Train Both
- 2024 APDT/CAPDT Educational Conference and Trade Show
- Gunner Crates
- Ruff Land Crates
- Podcast Episode 164: The Danger Of Car Travel For Dogs: Evaluating Your Risk
- Shaping Success by Susan Garrett
- ‘Bring Me’ Training Program
- Podcast Episode 72: Preventing Dog Aggression: Introducing Dogs or Puppies with Project Togetherness
- The Dog Aging Project
- Aaron Robbins Online Flyball Training Courses
- Podcast Episode 32: 20 Easy Ways to Exercise Your Dog at Home
- YouTube Video: 15 Ways To Exercise Your Dog
- Blog Post: Rolling out a Big Adventure
- Podcast Episode 248: Milestones That Transform Your Dog’s Life! Goals To Achieve Dog Training Success
- Podcast Episode 62: 12 Keys to Helping My Dogs Live a Long and Happy Life
- Podcast Episode 208: Brilliance, Resilience And Gratitude: Inspiration And Motivation with Elliott Connie
- Watch this Episode of Shaped by Dog on YouTube
I devour these wonderful podcasts as I drive to work. My job is not fun at the moment so the podcasts bring more joy to my journey! I also drive slower to listen more and am in no danger of getting a speeding ticket! Thank you Susan for these things and more importantly for helping me to want to be a better person for my dog and all the people in my life. Thank you also for your sense of humour and your kindness which both ooze out of your podcasts. I have started at the beginning of the podcasts so I don’t miss anything, and am up to No 141. Is it relevant to post a comment on these older ones? Obviously not while I’m driving!
I have another question 🙂
Susan, you’ve competed with multiple dogs over the years and have had to deal with the inevitable losses over this time. How do you suggest moving forward with new /young dogs after such a loss?
Background is that last summer I lost my first agility dog. He got me to the top and it hit me hard, I’m still coping with the grief and I think I will for a long time. I have a friend’s young dog that I’m competing with and my puppy is a couple of weeks younger than Prophet. I’m having a lot of fun with them both, but I feel like I’ve lost some of the excitement and anticipation I felt about agility when I lost my Epic.
How do you ask a question? I have on about the FRIDA protocol for Separation anxiety. I’m going to be proactive about protocol for relaxation and use the FRIDA method for my new puppy, but what adjustments to you make where there are other dogs in the household (who don’t have issues)?