Training Tuesday: The Rhythm of Dog Training

How the structure of a session can help your dog succeed.

This podcast and video are shared with permission from Susan Garrett's Shaped by Dog podcast series.

Have you ever wondered how to end a dog training session so that your dog knows it’s over? We’re looking at the rhythm of training and how a session’s beginning, middle, and end can bring your dog success. Having a clear finish to training time will help you avoid giving your dog a time out and help your dog understand what’s “dog time” and what is not.

In the episode you'll hear:

• How training always starts with a plan.
• Why a session begins with engagement.
• The structure of a training session and what to include.
• About keeping flow in your training time.
• Why I practice without my dog for new skills.
• How long a training session should be for your dog.
• About listening to your dog’s feedback.
• How to end a session and the rhythm that helps your dog.
• Why we don’t want our dogs initiating the training.
• The reason to change locations, even in a small space.
• About the importance of what happens outside of training.

Visit the website for the complete transcript of this podcast.

About Susan Garrett

Susan Garrett’s interest in animal behavior started at the University of Guelph where she earned a Bachelor of Science majoring in animal science. Since then she has developed into a pre-eminent canine sports instructor and competitor. Susan is one of the most successful agility competitors of the last two decades. She has won multiple Gold Medals at National or World Championship events with every dog she has ever owned over the past 30 years.

A natural teacher and an entertaining speaker, Susan is a leading educator of dog trainers. Her understanding of how to apply learning principles to practical and competitive dog training has made her a much sought-after speaker throughout North America and as far away as Europe, Japan, Australia and New Zealand. The Dog Writers Association of America named Susan’s book “Shaping Success” the 2005 "Dog Training and Behaviour Book of the Year." 

Read more about Susan and her training philosophy.