Visit us at shapedbydog.com Do you have a dog who's really fussy about the treats that you give them? I'm going to show you how to get your dog grabbing treats no matter what you put in front of them. Previously, I shared games of chase that dogs love to play. Now we're amplifying the chase element for dogs by adding restraint, and I've got 6 new f…

Visit us at shapedbydog.com I'm sharing 10 fun and engaging games of chase to play with dogs to increase food drive for picky eaters. Now, you might have a dog who loves treats, but they will still have a great time playing the games with you, so give them a try! The games are quick to play and are a great way to connect with your dog. Playing will…

Visit us at shapedbydog.com If you are trying to train a dog who is fussy about food, or if you know someone who is in that situation, you may think, "this dog training is never going to work." And you know, you're probably right! Training will be a challenge unless you have something of great value for the dog. We’re continuing our focus on how to…

Visit us at shapedbydog.com This episode is all about my girl This! with reflections on this year's Canadian Dog Agility World Team Tryouts. You are all part of Team This! and I'm sharing my goals, challenges, and joys. These same things can relate to whatever you're going through with your own dog. Never give up. At 20 months of age This! didn't e…

Visit us at shapedbydog.com How can I train my dog if they're not interested in food? That's a question I'm often asked, and before we get to the how, we need to look at the why! A dog not really wanting to take food is something I've experienced from time to time. I'm covering the top ten reasons why a dog might have low food drive and not be moti…

Visit us at shapedbydog.com How many thresholds does your dog cross a day? It could be a physical or emotional threshold. Training thresholds are important to understand, and thresholds can explain why some dogs seem anxious and refuse to budge, and others get way overexcited. I’ve got tips to help dogs with balancing emotions to cross any type of …

Visit us at shapedbydog.com What if I told you that the secret to unlocking your dog's success lies within the walls of your own home? I've been using a training den for many years, and so have my students. I’m covering how to use a training den to fast track your dog’s success and confidence, what I keep in my training den, and why it creates a bo…

Visit us at shapedbydog.com Dog training by nature is quite nuanced. Now, there are behaviors that everyone can get at some level with their dogs, like sit and down and fetch, but to get really brilliant behaviors, we need to understand the nuances. The really good news is that even if you’ve never trained a dog before, you can get this dialed in, …

Visit us at shapedbydog.com 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 lovin…

Visit us at shapedbydog.com Have you tried shaping a timid, shy, softer or fearful dog and found your dog could not offer behaviors or engage in dog training sessions? The challenge is real! Recently, we looked at shaping high-drive dogs, but what about dogs on the other side of the spectrum who seem unmotivated? Help is at hand, and we’re covering…

Visit us at shapedbydog.com I recently asked ChatGPT to list the top 10 frustrations people experience with dogs and am covering how to break down dog behavior problems to help make things better for everyone. Making things better is the key no matter what challenge you have, and it will give you relief from frustration and allow you and your dog t…

Visit us at shapedbydog.com High drive, frantic, hyper dogs can be overwhelming! I’ve got shaping tips to help you end dog training frustration. High drive dogs can also be a lot of fun to train once you’ve made a few tweaks and the step by step I’m sharing I’ve learned from my very driven dogs. There are a lot of myths about dogs who seem to get f…

Visit us at shapedbydog.com Recently, I asked for your questions about using shaping in dog training, and wow, did you deliver! I’m covering misconceptions about shaping, where shaping went wrong for me in the 90s with my dogs and a wall, what you need to know about successive approximations, and how behavioral blocks set dogs up for success. Plus,…

Visit us at shapedbydog.com Ever wondered if your puppy's behavior is normal or cause for concern? From biting to lunging, fearing to growling, chasing, chewing and more, it can be hard to know what's normal and what's not. There’s a range of behaviors that people might consider problems, but many really are normal, and they can vary based on a pup…

Visit us at shapedbydog.com Are you ready to take your dog training to the next level? Whether you're just starting, have been at it a while, or are an experienced dog trainer, I've got hacks to fast track success and take you and your dog to a completely different level of understanding. I'm diving into shaping behavior and why it's the key to unl…

Visit us at shapedbydog.com Does your dog get hyper and lose focus the closer they get to something really exciting? You are not alone, and I have a training plan to help you create calm and focus for over-the-top dogs. I’m covering why dogs can get out of control near things they love and what to do about it when you want to be a positive reinforc…

Visit us at shapedbydog.com Have you ever wondered how to fix your dog’s unwanted behavior when you want to train with positive reinforcement? In episode 256, I covered the magic question, "What was that cookie for?" that helps us all understand how we may be contributing to the behaviors of our dogs that we want to change. So, I’m following up wit…

Visit us at shapedbydog.com With the growing popularity of positive reinforcement-based dog training, there's an increasing popularity of criticizing the use of positive reinforcement. And truthfully, it isn't all unfounded because there can be a huge variability in people's results when they choose not to use physical corrections or verbal intimid…

Visit us at shapedbydog.com There are a lot of rescue dogs out there. And bravo for those of you who are opening up your homes and adopting them. In this episode, I'm doing a deep dive into the emotions of rescue dogs, and the priorities I have when I bring a rescue dog into my home. This episode is for everybody, regardless of whether you have a r…

Visit us at shapedbydog.com Do you have or know a dog or older puppy who still isn't completely house trained? If this is you, don't worry, I've got you covered! I’m sharing the reasons a dog might not be fully house trained, what to do about it, a common mistake people make, and how to teach your dog to tell you when they want to go outside to pot…

Visit us at shapedbydog.com I was recently asked, "Do you think there's a way we could instantly make our dog's life better?" and I thought about it and decided it would be a great topic for an episode of Shaped by Dog. The way I narrowed down my list to 7 things might surprise you. The good news is that putting these proven tips into action will n…

Visit us at shapedbydog.com Feeding dogs raw food and how to train with raw fed dogs are topics I get asked to talk about a lot! I’m covering how I use raw food to my dog training advantage and how I plan what food I’m using when and where. Even if you don’t feed raw, the tips on type of treats for dogs and using treats for training is for everyone…

Visit us at shapedbydog.com Non-Reward Markers have long been used in dog training, but are they really necessary? And what drives our choice to use an NRM? An NRM, sometimes called a No Reward Marker, could be a word people use to freeze a dog from making a poor choice during training or even be something like, “ah”, “no”, “hey”, “stop”. I’m cover…

Visit us at shapedbydog.com Recently something happened in my own dog training that I’m sharing in this episode, and it’s all about our expectations of our dogs. Along with our expectations, our beliefs and biases play a role in our relationship with our dogs. We’re all bombarded with unrealistic expectations about dogs daily, so challenging what w…

Visit us at shapedbydog.com 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 dog…

Visit us at shapedbydog.com Ever set goals for your dog but struggled to make progress? I’m doing a deep dive on how to change that! Whether you're a new puppy owner, facing challenges with your dog or want to excel in dog sports, achieving your training goals is possible! Discover the power of setting goals and celebrating achievable milestones to…

Visit us at shapedbydog.com What's better than 30 years of dog training experience? It’s NOT 31! I’m covering why the duration someone spends training dogs does not create expertise, going against the commonly held belief that longevity in a profession guarantees proficiency. Now, 30 years of growing skills and being open to new ideas can create ma…

Visit us at shapedbydog.com For every puppy owner using a socialization strategy that grows confidence and connection, there’s a thousand who don’t do it at all or do it terribly wrong. I’m sharing exactly how I socialize my puppies, including my current five-month-old, Prophet, so that everyone can do the same thing to get the best start to a life…

Visit us at shapedbydog.com Recently, a professional dog trainer told me her favorite Shaped by Dog episode is 16, where I explain the simple concept of “antecedent arrangements” as one of the most effective, animal behavior science solutions to ANY dog training problem. Although it’s an all-time favorite of my students and dog training professiona…

Visit us at shapedbydog.com There are 14 canine myths commonly accepted as truths and I’m doing some serious debunking to separate fact from fiction. For example, have you heard the myth about “Doodles never shed”? It's a myth because it's genetics. If you breed a shedding breed to a non-shedding breed, we can't predict what we're going to get. Don…

Visit us at shapedbydog.com My puppy, Prophet, turned four months old this week! At this point, the Prophet knows nothing. What!? Now, my definition of ‘know’ is different. Although he doesn’t “know” much, Prophet recognizes many behaviors and several markers, and that’s the start of true understanding. I’m sharing exactly what my daily routine and…

Visit us at shapedbydog.com Help! How do I get my dog to focus on me and pay attention? Today I’m sharing the positive reinforcement “secrets” that make your dog prioritize you over environmental distractions. If you feel non-existent to your dog around other dogs, squirrels, cats, people, bicycles, etc. – but you’ve been taught to collar pop and s…

Visit us at shapedbydog.com Trick or Treat! It’s almost Halloween and although not every country celebrates it, I want to suggest a dog training plan-a-palooza to prep for holidays and celebrations no matter where you live. Halloween and similar events can be scary and dangerous for dogs! I’m sharing common but deadly candy ingredients your dog mus…

Visit us at shapedbydog.com Has your dog’s barking ever had you consider using an anti-bark collar? I did in the Nineties with my dog, Buzz, and I'm letting you know the results right up front. Lessons were learned and I developed an action plan to stop annoying barking that’s proven to work, so I’m sharing what to do step-by-step. Plus, if you wan…

Visit us at shapedbydog.com All the details on how to minimize excessive and annoying dog barking with seven fun and fast dog training games! Remember that canine vocalizing can be an expression of emotion, so the solution to nuisance barking begins with a dog’s physical and emotional needs being met. There are also times we DON’T want our dogs to …

Visit us at shapedbydog.com Help, how do I stop my dog barking! This topic gets requested so much I’m turning it into a series. Most people refer to a dog’s verbal communication as barking, but what if you reframed it as vocalizing – just as humans do with whispers, laughing, yelling, sobbing, squealing? It’s all communication. In part one of this …

Visit us at shapedbydog.com In episode 236 I detailed 10 reasons why dogs might show fear. In today’s part two, I’m giving you a strategic plan to help fearful, anxious dogs grow into calm, confident family pets. My uncommon approach is a game changer for dogs that are constantly afraid, anxious, over-reactive, or extremely excitable. Be sure you’v…

Visit us at shapedbydog.com How to help frightened and anxious dogs is a question I receive frequently, so I’m diving into identifying and overcoming canine fears and phobias that often lead to withdrawal or reactivity. Today’s focus is on overlooked reasons dogs become fearful and what you need to know about anxiety. It’s important to recognize a …

Visit us at shapedbydog.com How do you know if a breeder is truly reputable? How do I fit a new puppy into my daily routine? Why do some vets say raw food is dangerous for dogs? How do I calm a leash-lunging dog? What’s the best way to cure puppy separation anxiety? How do I help my hyper dog relax? These are just a few of your questions I’m answer…

Visit us at shapedbydog.com I’ve done several episodes on puppy biting, but my new Border Collie, Prophet, is one of the bitiest I’ve ever owned. Today I’m expanding on how to save your feet and hands from puppy teeth with the top ten reasons puppies bite, the biggest mistakes we make during puppy biting, and a preventative action plan for puppy bi…

Visit us at shapedbydog.com Since I recently had a friend fly my new puppy to Canada from Switzerland in-cabin, many of you asked how I prepare my dogs for airline travel. Even if you don’t have plans to fly a puppy anytime soon, you’ll benefit from hearing how I train them to be great travelers in two phases. Moreover, there’s a lot of red tape an…

Visit us at shapedbydog.com Why do Beagles, Border Collies, Belgian Malinois, Boston Terriers (and most breeds) present different dog training challenges? It’s because their Predatory Motor Sequence aka Predation Sequence creates a behavior pattern of eight events selected for some breeds but removed from others. Recognizing which of these eight ex…

Visit us at shapedbydog.com I love kids, especially those who are keen on training dogs, so when a 10th grader named Finya sent me some wonderful positive reinforcement dog training questions for a school assignment, I said, “Let’s go!” Today I’m answering her questions about shock collars, eCollars, other aversives in agility training, training do…

Visit us at shapedbydog.com In episode 229, I shared the story about finding joy with a “mighty dog” in my life, a Jack Russell Terrier mix named DeCaff. In Part 2, I admit a painful lesson around frustration, shame and struggle between two of my Terriers; as well as the last six lessons my agility champion taught me about conditioning positive emo…

Visit us at shapedbydog.com - https://shapedbydog.com Imagine a dog or puppy so overwhelmed by everything they see, hear or feel that it causes anxiety and crushes their confidence. Before transforming into a world agility champion, this was my Jack Russell Terrier mix, DeCaff. In part one of this two-part series I’m sharing six lessons DeCaff taug…

Visit us at shapedbydog.com Has there ever been a time when things didn’t go as planned in dog training or in life? Or, not only that, but the outcome was the opposite of what you intended? We’re going deep on how to handle these setbacks with resilience, grit, grace, and a solid Plan B in place. I’m also sharing my favorite books on boosting menta…

Visit us at shapedbydog.com Everyone with a dog, including professional trainers like me, encounters dog behavior problems. It might be a dog's non-existent recall, chasing things, counter surfing, being out of control, not paying attention, or, if you do sports, not listening to you in the ring. Or it could be a dog's naughty habits around home pe…

Visit us at shapedbydog.com All dogs deserve toys, and all people with dogs deserve to know as much as possible about toys. I’m covering my favorite dog toys, how I used them, and why to avoid the two most popular for dogs. My house is a treasure trove of toys, and I’m sharing who they are for and when. Plus, we’re looking at toy selection to prote…

Visit us at shapedbydog.com Dog training has its fads and one you might have heard is never feeding your dog from a bowl. This trend of feeding dogs exclusively by hand can get people into trouble. I believe that dogs should not have to earn the right to get fed. Today I’m explaining why at least part of your dog’s meals should come from a bowl, al…

Visit us at shapedbydog.com Before my recent episode on latency in dog training, we took a social media poll on cue response times. 62% of people thought their dogs responded too slow. So, to help, this episode covers all the elements that create fluent behavior and what’s truly behind a dog’s response time to a cue. One of the most significant ele…