Recently I came across an envelope containing all my report cards from kindergarten through university. Reading over my teachers' comments was an enlightening study of behavior and how I adapted in the face of challenges. I'm sharing what I noticed with you as there's a parallel with dog behavior and why they do the things they do. Behavior can fall into seven distinct categories, and understanding the influence of each category is massively beneficial for us to know what dogs are communicating.
In the episode you'll hear:
- An overview of my school report cards and what they show about my behavior changing.
- How my teachers’ observations reflected the adaptations I made due to dyslexia.
- Why labels, absolutes and assumptions about a dog can limit their learning.
- That dog training is never a linear path, and we are always relationship building.
- About the 7 categories of Genetics, Health, Education, Exercise, Sleep, Environment and Nutrition and how each can influence a dog’s behavior.
- That our dog’s behavior is information and gives us great feedback to help them.
- Why the question “what else might be true” is vital to ask yourself.
- That unconditional love means allowing your dog to communicate through behavior.
Resources:
- Podcast Episode 50: Can Your Worst Challenge Make You a Better Dog Trainer?
- Podcast Episode 71: Pro Dog Trainer’s Secret to Help Your Naughty Dog
- Podcast Episode 186: 2 Types Of Connection With Dogs: Dog Agility And Daily Life Case Studies
- YouTube Video: Normalizing Imperfection in Dog Training
- Podcast Episode 188: Why You Should Change Your Strategy Rather Than Your Criteria When Dog Training
- Podcast Episode 74: Yes, Susan Garrett’s Dogs Sniff On Walks
- YouTube Playlist: Puppy Essentials with Susan Garrett Dog Training
- YouTube Playlist: Fearful Dogs Help with Susan Garrett
- YouTube Playlist: Exercising Your Dog's Body and Mind: Tips and Games with Susan Garrett
- Podcast Episode 120: The Rhythm Of Life With Puppies And Dogs
- Podcast Episode 62: 12 Keys to Helping My Dogs Live a Long and Happy Life
- YouTube Playlist: Susan Garrett's Dog Training Philosophy and Training Processes
- Podcast Episode 46: Is Your Dog Trying to Dominate You and What You Can Do About It
- Podcast Episode 150: Adding Mindset To Your Dog Training Tools: Who Do You Become?
- Watch this Episode of Shaped by Dog on YouTube
Susan, I love your podcasts. Here you touch on health and behavior and I was wondering if you could do a podcast episode on flea/tick/heartworm medication. The link between health, behavior and training is well understood. I am becoming more interested in this connection as my dog has recently developed adverse neurological reactions to oral flea/tick meds and/or heartworm meds, and I have noticed this also has had a negative effect on his behavior and responses to training. Living in a high density flea and tick area with a lot of deer ticks -Middle Tennessee- makes me feel like I am in a conundrum, as natural options are not strong enough to keep away these pests and prevent the devastating diseases they can cause. So it seems like I have no choice but poisoning my dog one way or the other with flea collars or topical meds.
My goodness I have just come across this (been following you for a while)I am dyslexic and you have given me more confidence about training my dog(we were attacked during lockdown so can be reactive)he is loving wonderful clever dog.marvin and I ate getting better your podcast on not feeling guilty was wonderful you are amazing thank you
(Please delete/ignore the 2 bottom posts- I didn’t realize that my edit had taken)
This podcast is a favorite among many favorites from Susan Garrett. And I especially love this.:
“our dogs deserve the best from us and that’s us giving them unconditional love, recognizing that they are doing the best they can with the education we’ve given them in the environment and those other five things that I mentioned.”
I always cringe a little when people talk about dogs and unconditional love, because it seems to be interpreted that the dog will love you no matter what you do to them 🙁
While this may be true, it doesn’t give anyone license to mistreat, neglect, or otherwise abuse their dog.
Yes the truth is WE humans need to give our dogs unconditional love.
They deserve it.
Oops, I didn’t know the site would pick up HTML formatting, here is the quote from Susan I am referencing.
“our dogs deserve the best from us and that’s us giving them unconditional love, recognizing that they are doing the best they can with the education we’ve given them in the environment and those other five things that I mentioned.”
This podcast is a favorite among many favorites from Susan Garrett. And I especially love this.:
<>
I always cringe a little when people talk about dogs and unconditional love, because it seems to be interpreted that the dog will love you no matter what you do to them 🙁
While this may be true, it doesn’t give anyone license to mistreat, neglect, or otherwise abuse their dog.
Yes the truth is WE humans need to give our dogs unconditional love.
They deserve it.
Following Susan Garrett’s DogsThat podcasts is like attending free University. It inspires deeper learning and understanding of our dogs and of our relationship with our dogs. Thank you Susan!