Have you ever been triggered by social media dramas about dog training methods? It's likely something we all experience. There was a recent incident at Crufts that flowed into the social channels this week that had a lot of thoughts flooding into my brain, including the question of how can we, as a community of dog loving reinforcement-based trainers, show up as our best selves when we get triggered by things out of our control? I'd love to open a dialogue on this topic and want to convey the compassion and empathy I have for everybody when sharing my experiences and observations in this episode. I understand that, for many, it might be a difficult conversation.
In this episode you’ll hear:
- About dog training, controversy and social media dramas.
- That we can all be triggered by differing dog training methods.
- Thoughts on the core values of reinforcement-based training.
- Why I’m not the same person or dog trainer I was 30 years ago.
- My experience with being a guest on a podcast with a balanced dog trainer.
- Insights into the evolution of dog training perspectives over time.
- Why I called Jean Donaldson and had an enlightening conversation.
- That we need grace and compassion for ourselves, and the big question.
Resources:
- Crufts International Dog Show
- Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show
- LickiMat Website
- Podcast Episode 253: 7 Ways To Instantly Make Your Dog’s Life Better
- *Book: The Forever Dog by Dr. Karen Becker and Rodney Habib
- Podcast Episode 175: Food Luring VS Shaping In Dog Training: How Science Changed How I Teach Dogs
- YouTube Playlist: Susan Garrett's Dog Training Philosophy and Training Processes
- YouTube Playlist: Mastery of Positive Reinforcement Based Dog Training
- Podcast Episode 196: Why Mastering Reinforcement Is The Linchpin To Reinforcement Based Dog Training
- YouTube Playlist: The Heart / Mind Connection Side of Dog Training with Susan Garrett
- Podcast: Unlocking Us with Brené Brown
- Podcast Episode 7: You, Your Dog, Maslow and Lizard Brain
- Podcast Episode 91: Why Judgement Does Not Help People Or Dogs: ItsYerChoice LWT
- Shaped by Dog Podcast Episodes Site Index
- Book: Shaping Success by Susan Garrett
- Podcast Episode 197: Outsmarting Distractions: How To Use Environmental Reinforcement in Dog Training
- Jean Donaldson Academy for Dog Trainers
- Podcast Episode 208: Brilliance, Resilience And Gratitude: Inspiration And Motivation With Elliott Connie
- Watch this Episode of Shaped by Dog on YouTube
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Susan only recommends products she uses herself, and all opinions expressed here are her own. The link above is an affiliate link that, at no additional cost to you, we may earn a small commission if you decide to buy from it. Thank you!
Hey Susan and Team, I’m new to the dog training world and feel lucky to have stumbled upon your resources and to have found a positive dog trainer in my area. This was an interesting discussion. In the few short months I have been working with my new puppy using positive methods I have experienced a shift in the way I approach parenting, my other relationships and giving more grace to myself and my puppy. I am really starting to feel shaped by this dog ! 🐶🥰. Thank you for all you do.
Hi Susan and team,
Thanks for a great discussion. I recently faced a challenge with my own dog training that’s made me think a lot about this topic. Something you said in this podcast just gave me a light bulb moment. It had to do with whether to ignore undesired behaviours, and commented specifically about not ignoring self-reinforcing behaviours. Could you talk more about this??
In the “positive” world, the concept of any restriction of a dog’s freedom or choices (except maybe with a crate or a leash…) is sometimes seen as negative. It seems so obvious to me now, but the challenge I’ve been having has been exacerbated by my dog self-reinforcing. Similar to how you ask yourself, “what was that cookie for?” in applying reinforcement, maybe we need to ask “is my dog giving himself a cookie, and what is it reinforcing?”
If you have a dog that’s been self-reinforcing (and you’ve been ignoring) a behaviour that you know you need to change, could you talk about how to change that pattern? Do you limit the choices the dog can make and if so, how? How do you address it in the moment if your timing is off and you find your dog doing the self reinforcing (undesired) thing? How do you gradually introduce more choice back to the dog?
Thanks!