Dog Training: The Most Important Lesson I Can Share

[@rebbinghouse]

This episode is exactly why I continue to follow and learn from Susan. She has a continual personal growth mindset and is a constant learner.

[@Ladysmyth]

When I read Don't Shoot the Dog it changed my life. This podcast explains why. This should be required learning for everyone...the world would be a much better place! Thank you for this truly eloquent video.

[@DogsThat]

Hi Diana, we are so glad you enjoyed this podcast

[@huios100]

This was painfully eye opening, thank you Susan. 💞 😭 This was the best pep talk and exactly what I needed in order to keep moving forward. "Don't let anyone rent space in your head, especially if they're not paying for it" best quote! 😮👊 I've been wondering what I was getting wrong in dog training. I'm part of Homeschool the Dog and Wag Nation but realized lately that I wasn't fully present with Hondo, my 10 month old Bernedoodle as we played the games. I've been too focused on outcomes to be in the moment, enjoying our learning, something I do struggle with as a parent of 4 kids as well. 😞 Yes, we're in the second most difficult stage of a dogs life, the teenage stage, but I know my thinking has greatly contributed to our bumps and almost complete stops we've hit in training. I'm going to sit down and evaluate my beliefs and see about switching them out, because that's one thing I do know, I am in charge of what I believe ✨

[@mocarver]

Wow. I am a child of the 50’s and everything you said is true. I want to become who I was meant to be.

[@DogsThat]

[@juliefolkes-skinner5134]

My dog, a border terrier, is now six months old. She is the first dog I've owned and because of Susan, because of Home School the Dog, Crate games, and Susan's podcasts I not only love her more than I could ever have imagined but we have such fun. Before Susan, I had a few weeks of working with a trainer who only used fear. I told them that I wanted to work on walking on a loose leash and for the first lesson with my 12-week-old puppy she made me drag her along beside a very busy road and the lesson lasted for 45 minutes. There was no rationale, no evidence base but this person had been training working dogs for thirty years so I wanted to give her a chance. I cried after every lesson. Not because my puppy was not doing what I wanted but because I felt I was being forced to hurt her and that I let her down. this way of being with her did not fit the person I want to be let alone the type of dog owner I want to be. I came across Susan on youtube and to begin with I just loved the way she taught, she made me laugh but also bought me hope. I then came to realise that what she said was not just based on her experience but kindness and on research evidence and this completely sold this way of working to me. I did It's your choice with my puppy and it blew me away. There were lots of emails after that and I was a bit put off by the hard sell but I'm so glad I signed up to home-school your dog. Since then I have had so much fun with my dog, we love training and I love to take her for walks because it is something we do together we have a real relationship I don't walk the dog - WE go for a walk. There's a huge difference. Thank you Susan.

[@kat200214]

Back when I was using aversive methods (before I new better), I was always looking for my puppy to make a mistake for me to correct it. I had a choke collar, and also used other punishment's methods. I regret those times, but they allowed me to learn and reach force free experts. Aversive training can turn people into monsters: It makes the owner hyper aware for mistakes, and always ready for punishment. It makes the dog hyper aware of it's actions, and scared to make a mistake, and it often mistrusts it's owner. It's a vicious circle. Force free methods are sooo much better because they build strong relationships with dogs, they allow the dog to blossom and feel confident and safe. They also are so much safer physically and mentally.

[@azogal53]

Quite possibly the most profound podcast yet...I'm a child of the 50s and all that you say is true...dog training does change you! This is why we love you Susan ♥️ congrats on 100 meaningful, relevant podcasts 🍪🍪🍪🍪🍪

[@renaissancewomanfarm9175]

I feel like I've just had a therapy session. thanks, Susan!! I think my life is going to be easier now.

[@pubculture]

I started of with a very frustrated and agressive puppy. Now, 8 months on she is starting to be so lovely, so friendly I can't even comprehend the massive change. And in the times of despair I listened to your podcast. That was so uplifting and giving me the energy not to give up. For me explaining dogs cognitive abilities in a 'human way' was soooo helpful ❤️ thank you for making me believe that I am capable!

[@gladyssanchez6171]

Thanks a lot dear Susan.

[@vickydimitriou6156]

Thankyou Susan I’m going to try & be more patient with my puppy & do the positive reinforcement training.

[@lorenadenicolo7621]

Hi Susan, I'm a follower for almost 6 mo now and every single podcast you publish touches me in such a deep way. When I've got my puppy Bruce 6 mo ago I was broken, mentally and psychologically destructed and I didn't know how to move on... But now together with my therapist and also listening to all your lessons besides your dog training lessons, I feel like I'm becoming a different human being... I'm kinder and way more comprehensive than I was before... I'm a kid from the 90's so still received that mistake-driven education, so your insights on the belief loop confirmed to me that I was acting from someone else's beliefs and not mine. Thank you so much for all your work, I'm a big big fan and wish you all the success and love in the world!!!! You're an amazing person (and all the DT team of course)!!

[@lesmainsnoires3199]

This was much more profound than I imagined, thanks !!!

[@hildakozma9456]

Thank you so much for this episode, it came in the right time and created the right mindset for me. Lightbulb moments, welcome! 🥰❤

[@chick-a-bee-farm]

You are inspiring! I have so many questions about the unique pup I have now and am diving into your videos. Thank goodness you are here and have a voice and teaching gift that we can follow.

[@trishbech9082]

I have to say it again Susan… your podcasts and training programs are absolutely invaluable! This is one of my favourite talks. Well said! Love your quotes. I am relearning how to teach a dog… the right way, thanks to you! It is so true about choosing your belief loop. I never felt comfortable training the popular old school way years ago, and I hated how it made me feel inside. I was so grateful when I started watching you . I finally found someone who has the same desire for their dog and outlook, plus a proven track record…. Kindness works! Thank you! ❤🐾🐾

[@scottdebruyn7038]

I'm reminded of the quote from Richard Bach in his book 'Illusions, The Adventures of a Reluctant Messiah'. That quote being, "Argue for your limitations, and sure enough, they're yours." Belief is a subset of knowledge, your beliefs are formed in knowledge and beliefs inform our actions. But through conformation bias, belief instead of reason jumps into the driver's seat. 🤔😁

[@DogsThat]

I have always loved that quote.

[@dianemccurdy5312]

Very insightful. You must miss your John. It struck me that he is the one who noticed how one student changed how you behaved. I have taken the reins from my John, when I notice him getting short or angry with our Willow. She is just doing her best. My John was raised with old school ideas, and it is a constant struggle to keep us both going in the same direction…but I love it. I love to see our growth and Willow’s growth. Thank you.

[@Ocudavidimvideooo]

I grew up with stray dogs. I had a BC mix (found her on the street) for 15 years and everyone seeing her would compliment me on her training and our bond - she was my souldog. She and I helped a few dogs find a new home, and helped re-socialise a traumatised, fearfully aggressive staffordshire female I talked my friend into adopting. They ended up being heavily bonded - even drinking water from the same bowl at the same time.

[@DogsThat]

Hi Vesna, we're sorry to hear of all you have been through. You are not alone. Susan has a video to help everyone, that we'd love for you to watch to know for sure that you are not alone, and are doing the best you can. It's here on KZbin: kzbin.info/www/bejne/jpDJYpujlL2bgK8

[@lujesta]

Wow! This episode is profoundly mind-opening and so helpful in all sorts of ways. My Welshie dog companion and I are definitely getting better at training each other as a result of your sharing your knowledge and insights - we thank you 😊 🐾 xx

[@DogsThat]

Thank you ! ❤️❤️❤️

[@thelma-mimi-dulce-blue]

Thanks so much for this beautiful talk 💕

[@haventli]

Congratulations to all of you for getting to 100 episodes! We really appreciate your message and lessons.

[@MusingsFromTheDen]

Absolutely loved this episode, thank you. 😊

[@rosieleat6868]

When I hear this theme music, my heart does a happy dance because I know I'm about to learn something awesome and 'be' with someone really cool :) Xxx

[@DogsThat]

🍪🍪🍪❤️❤️❤️

[@elviamercuri7846]

Thank you Susan for continuing to inspire and educate on dog training and life in general.

[@darialois1]

Thank you Susan. I only found you recently and working my way through your pod cast and loving them xxx

[@westiienut]

What can I say, Susan! This is the best of all the learning about life. dogs and humans...Great teaching, thank you

[@earth2wendy]

You’ve changed my approach not only to dog training (thru this podcast and Recallers) but also to everyday tasks. I find I now break things down into easy steps, then act on them one at a time till I accomplish my goal. It’s funny how much less my “to do” list now stresses me. Less stress means better relationships. My dog is certainly happier, I’m happier and my partner is too. Must be your Do Land “woo” working its magic on us!

[@lyndagabriel6539]

I love this so much... I'm also very proud that my province produces such stellar trainers and leaders. Maybe it's all the time we have for circumspection, indoors, in the winter 😀

[@DogsThat]

💕💕💕💕

[@sweetlorraine6982]

Wow this podcast is a life lesson per say. 😊

[@sherrifelton1964]

Love this! Took our 4 month old wheaten to a puppy class. In the third class she used our girl to demonstrate a skill. When she put her knee in our pups chest when she jumped up she list me. That and how she woukd refer to some dogs as "jerks." Thats when we stopped going to her class and joined Recallers. Thank you Susan!! And Congrats on #100!!

[@Defender_messenger]

love your comparison with kids and dogs. I worked with kids and it definitely carries over to how I train the dogs i work with. If we come from a place of compassion and understanding we’re better equipped out helping our dogs become the best that they can be. Ask questions. Find solutions.

[@RaptorsGirl]

Amen!

[@emilygatti3227]

Spellbound…YOU embody all the elements of a perfect teacher. Thank you, thank you, thank you for sharing your wisdom with us ❤️👍🏻

[@Rosehips100]

Thanks for sharing your knowledge. My Bully girl also appreciates your approach. These games are some of our best time together and have given us both confidence and mutual trust. Please keep up the good work.

[@DogsThat]

Thank you, we're grateful to have you both in this community, keep having fun and creating an amazing bond! ❤️❤️❤️

[@ventoefuracao]

Deep wisdom. Só useful! Thank you ,Susan!

[@kat200214]

Thank you for this video. I would also like to thank you once again for responding to my questions about the It'sYerChoice game while being so polite and informative. I appreciate it.

[@suemb3799]

What wisdom. 🙏I thank you Susan for your generous humanitarian approach and for all components of "Dogs That". My puppy and I are growing with more joy thanks to all that you and your team have offered.

[@LisaDawsonmusic]

I found this podcast fairly recently so still working my way through it, but it’s by far been the most helpful guide in my dog training journey. This episode in particular has really struck a chord with me today. I’ve been trying my best to train my dog with positive methods but I have the mindset of “he’s doing that because he’s a bad dog” and it’s had a terrible impact on my mental health and has unfortunately led me to snap and lash out on several occasions. It’s so out of character for me and today this podcast has really hit home how dog training can change you as a person. I’ve only had my pup for about 4 months but I’m like a totally different person and NOT for the better. I realise now that I need to switch my mindset and focus on what my dog needs. I never realised how overwhelming this process would be but I’m committed to doing the best I can for my pup - with the help and guidance from you! Thank you 🐾

[@rebeccacallihan4170]

Congrats on #100! Hope this reaches the world, a most profound, compassionate lesson! I was a child of that era and it can be difficult to not fall back on what you know. However, I realize that my life has been reaching for those mentors that are more in alignment with a better way. Thank you and your team for being a guiding star on our journey.

[@sheilagilleland4312]

I watch this from time to time to get my pep talk and I think your absolutely right, This is the best advice for everyone in every situation! 🙌🏻🙌🏻🙌🏻🙌🏻❤️❤️❤️❤️when my boys, “I had four of them” were young and blowing things up and experimenting with different things, I thought wow how smart is that, he’s going to be someone important one day. He became my Marine, working special forces. His job was working with the explosives! If I would have punished him for making car size craters in my pastures, he wouldn’t have given it up because it’s something he truly loves. But if punished He could have gone another avenue. Now he’s also an inventor! Yes it’s still somewhat dangerous but he’s educated he know what and what not to put together for the best outcome. My Dobermans are the same way, they know what’s best when performing and they use their brains to make that judgement I just guide them in the direction I wanting.

[@annettefry9347]

I love, love, love this podcast. Thank you Susan. I have said this for the last year of being in recallers that I love how the program has shaped me. Having a happy, well trained dog is an extra bonus.

[@FrontlineNewsToday]

Excellent

[@dogsavvylosangeles]

You're the best!

[@haleyheffley2501]

Thank you so much Susan for your positive energy, inspiration, and tools to help me succeed with building the best bond possible with my Ellie girl!

[@crookedriverranchman]

Thankyou Susan for all you do.

[@phyllisweaver98]

Thanks I really need this not only for my dog and me They say the universe give you yhe dog you need. This street beagle has been a hand full. I kee saying what lesson am i to learn from you. The ggod thing people say when they meet Tom he has a big personality That make me happy, because he makes others happy. Keep at it .thanks

[@DogsThat]

💕💕💕💕💕

[@ladonnaking4222]

I have watched each of the 100 and have learned from all of them. Many I have watched more than once and learn something new each time. They have also been a wonderful resource to send people to when questions arise. Thank you and your team for making them happen.

[@fibihunter7105]

Congrats Susan and team! 100 incredibly helpful, insightful and motivating podcasts! This podcast was particularly emotional for me, I was raised by 1950’s parents... Yet, my life and thoughts have completely turned around since learning from you. You’ve changed the voices in my head! And you’ve helped me give Fibi the most wonderful life. Her personality is a testament to that. Thank you.

[@DogsThat]

🧡💛💚💙💜

[@cindyjohnson6656]

I really needed to listen to this

[@katherinecollmer1094]

As usual, your message came at just the right moment. Yesterday, Win and I had a major back step in our “barking and jumping at the windows” training. Of course, my frustration pegged and I reacted in a way that only added to both of our confusion levels. And so I needed to take another look at where we were in our training. I realized that I’d progressed too fast and expected him to offer behaviors that he wasn’t ready for right now. He was doing so brilliantly at this training that I figured I’d go from middle school to university in one day! This podcast helped to give me some reinforcement “cookies” for taking the correct attitude and reexamining our plan. Thank you and congratulations on your 100th episode and belated Happy Birthday from Win and me!

[@donnaashley8720]

Congratulations on 100! Woo-hoo! Great job, Susan and Team! LOVE the podcasts and the endless education to be gained when following you! 'Who you become when you train a dog..." What a great quote! I am a different person than I was last May - I am no doubt growing along with my dogs! THANK YOU!

[@sarahwoolrich4485]

Thank you Susan and Team for yet another informative, fun podcast. My fur baby and I are so grateful for all the free content you put out into the world. I understand so much more about my relationship with my dog. Which is improving daily. Thanks 🤗🤗🤗

[@limo6575]

I can say from my very short experience of being a puppy owner, that this is so true. My puppy is quite nippy (working on this) and at his first vet visit, his vet made a comment saying how dominant he was because he didn’t like being put on his back. That comment made me think back to watching a dog trainer on TV who spoke about dog dominance often. From then on, every nip and inconvenient thing my puppy did, I saw as him trying to dominate me. I would flick him in the muzzle when he tried to nip me, or I would try and put him in an “Alfa roll” to show him who was boss. Very shortly after this (only a couple of days) I noticed my puppy’s behaviour becoming more and more aggressive and the nipping was getting worse. I went to google to try and learn better techniques as to how to dominate my puppy because clearly he wasn’t about to let me be the Alfa. Luckily I found out how outdated this dominate theory is and I stopped that right away. At the same time I also came across many great trainers on KZbin who follow a positive reinforcement theory, Susan being my absolute favourite and the one who I consistently recommend to a couple of other friends who also have a puppy. The irony of all of this is that I am a parent to 2 young kids, and as a parent I don’t follow punishment based parenting theories either. I don’t know why my approach to dog training would be so opposite, but I’m happy to say that I feel so great in my dog training approach now because it aligns with who I am as a person and as a parent to my kids.

[@dianaosman7585]

Thank you, another inspiring podcast for me as a parent and dog owner!

[@abimamarie6327]

Yay! Congratulations on your 100th episode 👏🏻🥳❤ I am very lucky to find Susan when my pup was younger. I hope a lot more people will be inspired by you🤗💓

[@TeeyaMareeya]

Congratulations on 100 podcasts, these are my favourite podcasts to listen to and watch. Here's to 100 more :) xXx

[@juliehickey1518]

Love this pod cast,it made a lot of sense to me. I feel inspired. Xx thankyou Susan

[@kat200214]

A super great lesson you bring up: The state that the owner is in when they walk into the training session, often reflects the dog's success and the dog's state. I also agree that a lot of the dog training world is stuck in the old training methods! Science has shown that those old methods are now not needed, newer, better, and safer methods have been found: positive reinforcement based, force free, game based training. I totally agree that those methods allow dogs to be dogs, and to develop as confident canines who feel SAFE!

[@karlawilson1032]

🙌🏻🙌🏻 and ❤️ for you and your Team!

[@MaritHerheim]

Congrats with the first 100, have heard all

[@lindabarton5783]

100 is an impressive number, congratulations! You truly are making a difference to so many! Love this episode, love all of them!

[@ctremblay4423]

YEAH!!!!! 100

[@sharonhaines7423]

Congratulations on your 100th podcast. I have listened to most and find inspiration in listening to them. I am looking forward to the next podcasts. This was a great podcast cast on the belief cycle and the impact it can have on how you train both dogs and people.

[@lisarichmond1100]

Thank you Susan and team! I'm so thankful I found you! I've just started Recallers and I'm excited for the future! This video was a total mindblow! I want to be the best person I can be for my dogs. I love you guys 🥰🙏

[@sofyayanko9985]

Congratulations with first 100 pieces! I know that it is already near 300, but I can imagine how it was in the beginning. I started to listen from the 1-st episode, because I am preparing for my new Dobermann puppy next spring. And I wanted to ask you to do the episode with the list and explanation of cues that you use. I am Russian and will talk with my dog in Russian, butI live in Bulgaria and some words are better in Bulgarian. Also I like some German and English cues. And I think that when I start to train my puppy I need to have in mind a dictionary and meanings to use cues correctly. Because for sure I will not use all English words as you suggest in your videos or games programs. Thank you for all episodes and all thoughts that you are sharing. It 360 degrees changed my plans for training my Dobermann for beeing good friend and future Agility champion!

[@margitapickett492]

Thank you , Susan for your pearls of wisdom. This was inspiring and eye opening. I try to be the best person I can be for my reactive dog. Sometimes things aren’t going too great and I try have to remind myself to step back, take a break and try again later.

[@mariebutler6619]

I've adopted you as one of my mentors, hope that's OK with you. ❤

[@EdwardH]

I'm slowly beginning to see our dogs the way you describe, there are little leaps of understanding and I see the difference with the dogs - less frustration and anger for me, more curiosity for all of us. And I find myself asking 'How am I the history of my reinforcement? and how what would I lke to change about that?

[@DogsThat]

This is great, Edward! Thanks for sharing!

[@tatianafedorova926]

Thank you, Susan! I have been listening to your podcasts starting from the first one and to be honest some episodes I had to listen to multiple times to help me with my question. Theybare amazing and contain the real wealth of information! And happy belated birthday to you!

[@allisontraynor2870]

Yay 100 🍾🎉🐾❤️

[@rbjensen76]

Thank you so much Susan!! I really needed this podcast. You have just helped in so much today. I've got a lot of work to do on me! I have the most amazing puppy and have felt so inadequate in training him. As a matter of fact I've felt inadequate in most of the things I've done my whole life and I'm older than you are. You've inspired me to be more intentional in my life. I've got to change the voices in my head! You've put it in a way that helped me understand how to finally do to. Thanks again ♥️!

[@guylainedubois5096]

I love it

[@nancyhooper1742]

Congratulations on 100❤️❤️❤️❤️ Great podcast and why I Love your way of training and totally came from parents who had 50s way of parenting ❤️❤️. So glad got in your programs so my bosties have a better life. Thanks so very much ❤️❤️❤️❤️⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

[@kat200214]

Love the podcast intro!

[@reneemckinnon5731]

It’s funny how dogs are obsessed with socks, my Jack russel mix has been obsessed with socks since he was a young adolescent, and actually swallowed one whole multiple times before I got hold of it. I managed to train him to bring me any socks he can find and I’ll treat him every time, he ended up being a sock bounty hunter and has reunited odd pairs lol 😂 I couldn’t figure out why he was so obsessed though. Until one day I came home from shopping, I had bought some cool new socks, and went to show them to him, waving them in front of him. That’s when I realised that I’m a bit obsessed with nice socks and that transferred to him 😆 I’ve never told him off for it but did teach him the “catch and release” method which gets him a treat and praise for every sock 👌🏽💞

[@reneemckinnon5731]

I’ve been a follower for a while now and have watched many of your podcasts and am off to start at the beginning! 😊 You’re very inspiring and make me look at my relationship with my dog and what I want that to be. The changes I’ve made because of this have left people questioning my methods and I can see in their expressions and hear in their voices that they think I’m doing the wrong thing and that I’m going to fail. Just recently though I’ve had comments about how great my boy is doing lately, changing my behaviour even when we’re not “officially” training has changed the way both my dogs are acting for the better 👌🏽 Thank you ❤

[@ionicamermaid1141]

I really love the connection between dog training and life philosophy! You got mrme curious! Did you continue teaching the confrontational student or did you use your energies elsewhere? And I love that your husband really cared about you that much that he told you this! Thanks for a new great episode! And congratulations for 100!

[@robinrutherfordcost4748]

So what about a puppy that is in classes from the time they got the puppy - their first pup/dog ever and it's now a 9 month old Pit Bull, that launched up, bit the trainer on the flabby part of the arm - with intent (although didn't break the skin)? They want the dog to be a therapy dog. Have another student, also wanting a therapy dog, whose dog is really great most of the time, she does have amazing control and the dog is in tune to her, the dog growls occasionally at her and other people. The dog starts humping the back side of people when they turn their back for jumping. He's a 1.5 year old M/N 80 lb Pit/GSD mix and the owner is about 100lbs soaking wet. He's gotten better, no longer growling for people touching his back feet, but this is scary, a danger for the owners, and others. I believe it is possible they could one day be therapy dogs but where do you advise the people start if you can't even tell the dog No, that's unacceptable behavior? Am just at a loss. The first dog is also fearful of the husband who is not a dog person. The dog barks nonstop, won't eat when the husband is home, and it's starts all over again each time he comes back home from working on the road like days/weeks at a time. Nothing seems to be working. Removal of the dog from the room, removal of the people from the room, the owner tries to ignore but they can't even carry on a conversation. They even tried the husband feeding the dog, only special treats from the husband, etc. Dog will eat them even from his hand, goes right back to barking and she doesn't want to correct her because she is fearful. Please help....

[@wendywilson6470]

I can't find a video on teaching how to sit.

[@DogsThat]

Hi Wendy, here's a whole playlist on duration positions to help you: kzbin.info/aero/PLphRRSxcMHy2cY7Fg3MLUaobkSdnVx0jt