Inadvertent stress is something we want to minimize when training our dogs, as excessive stress has the same impact on dogs as it does on us. Now, stress is everywhere, but we don’t want to create it unintentionally and don’t want our dogs to endure anxiety if we can avoid it. We’re looking at how we can set up our training to prevent our dogs from stressing out.
In the episode you'll hear:
- How dogs can stress low or high and what that stress looks like.
- That our human mechanics can reduce anxiety for dogs.
- About practicing without your dog and how that will help minimize stress.
- Why videoing will improve your training sessions and help your dog.
- How I set up my training area and include stations.
- That transitions are the gaps between the training, and we want them seamless.
- What an efficient training session is and how to minimize your dog's repetitions.
- About the importance of using Balance Breaks in your training sessions.
- An answer to a listener's question about using food when training heeling.
Resources:
- Podcast Episode 86: How to Train Unmotivated or Overexcited Dogs
- Podcast Episode 4: T.E.M.P. (Tail, Eyes/Ears, Mouth, Posture)
- Podcast Episode 157: Dog Body Language: Understanding Canine Communication Signals And Emotions
- Podcast Episode 110: Is Your Over-Aroused Dog Just Over-Faced In Training?
- Podcast Episode 131: How Would Susan Garrett Plan Your Dog Training Sessions?
- Podcast Episode 125: Why Isn’t My Dog Learning What I’m Training?
- Podcast Episode 31: 5 Simple Hacks to Help Your Dog Learn Faster (Reinforcement Process)
- Susan's Favorite Tripods and Video Accessories
- Podcast Episode 133: Become Your Own Dog Training Coach With This Video Strategy
- Podcast Episode 57: Why Balance Breaks Fast Track Your Dog Training
- Crate Games
- YouTube Video: Perch Work (Pivots and Spins)
- Recallers
- Podcast Episode 53: Stop Your Dog Pulling on Leash and Start Walking Together
- YouTube Video: Understanding Your Dog's Reinforcement Zone (RZ) with Susan Garrett
- YouTube Video: Susan Garrett's Target Stick Training for Dogs Part One
- YouTube Video: Susan Garrett's Target Stick Training for Dogs Part Two
- Watch this Episode of Shaped by Dog on YouTube
Susan, I have been taking our girl, Mattie to agility classes for 4 months. We started in our backyard. With winter, I found an indoor facility that has good training and signed her up for weekly classes. Mattie stresses just going into the building, in fact, she starts whining when we turn off of the main road. I work to calm her down before class, but once we are in the ‘ring’ with the other dogs, she starts to run back to the gate. If I can get her started, she runs beautifully. A few weeks ago, I asked the instructor for some guidance, she said to give Mattie some time. It is a class of 6 dogs (all sizes). Any suggestions? I thought of rewarding her as we walk in the building, but the way she acts (lunging and pulling), I don’t think rewarding for that behavior is right. Some weeks are better than others. Should I discontinue the class?
Great podcast! This also addresses the need for me to be less stressed. Preparation is everything. I also practice without Faith in order to get my mechanics improved. That has helped us decrease stress in both of us. It has also made playing treat diving more fun.
I’m interested in more information regarding shaping. I’ve begun to work on heeling with Faith. It is not going well Faith is is not looking at me AT ALL! So getting her to look at me is important.
You mentioned you have 5 stations that you put your puppy through. I am in HS the Dog and Wag Nation. I’ve only been working on treat diving. and some heeling, Should I be working on one game only until Faith and I have it ‘down’, or add more games to our day.
Thank you for your enthusiasm!
This was another great podcast! I feel so lucky that my adult dog and 7 month old puppy are always so eager to train. I often forget about inserting balance breaks as a result. So note to self to include these more regularly during the training rather than at the end.
Yes, I would love to hear more on various ways for shaping behaviors! I do a lot of obedience work and I am always looking for ways to shape behaviors. I would love hearing more about shaping. The shaping of the head position would be cool as puppy is learning to heel plus there are so many other behaviors that I would prefer to shape but stop myself during to a lack of certainty. We do a lot of reinforcement zone type of games but it is so helpful to have some specific tips in general when shaping new behaviors.
Yes to a podcast on targeting and shaping head position for heeling. Thanks for all you do and share so generously!
Yes, please do a video on target work. My pup thinks all targets are toys and runs off with them!
Just starting out shaping and agility with a 2yr old Aussie Kelpie . Swallows often bombard the training ground at our weekly classes and my dogs attention is so fully on them that we miss out on doing jumps or any off lead activity in the class . The instructor follows your methods and advises I be more dynamic and more interesting than the swallows with tug play but I don’t have the energy to do that for long enough to be effective . We have just invested in a soft crate and we have done a few days shaping but not able to zip up the door yet.
Are there any videos of how you would shape head position for competition heeling?