Reactive, Unmotivated and Fearful: Finding Resiliency For This! Beyond Dog Training Part 1

Over the past couple of years, I’ve documented many challenges my dog This! and I have overcome, like reactivity, fear, resource guarding, and car sickness, to name a few behavior issues. And then, at an agility seminar here at my facility, This! fell apart. Now it’s time to put everything together. I have a two-part series outlining a timeline of This!’s struggles and what I’ve discovered to help her and many other dogs.
00:00 This!’s story.
02:15 Handling my dog’s agility seminar meltdown.
03:29 A dog’s behavior is information and communication.
04:29 You can’t dog train a non-dog-training problem.
05:00 Diagnosing my dog’s nutrition, hormones and gut health.
05:47 Envisioning This! as my puppy before she was born.
05:58 The Resilience Project by Hugh Van Cutlenberg.
07:44 Problems with my puppy’s body mechanics doing grids.
08:47 The challenge of a sloppy puppy sit.
10:30 The only instances my Border Collie showed drive.
11:11 Activities of adrenaline vs. dopamine spikes in dog training.
11:47 Resource guarding, reactivity, car sickness, and low failure resiliency.
12:55 Examples of my dog’s lack of joy for training.
14:01 Theories on why some dogs become more reactive at certain ages.
16:16 Fatigue after dog training sessions.
17:12 Why I stopped agility training my 1-year-old Border Collie.
19:54 People told me that my Border Collie’s body mechanics signaled dysplasia.
20:35 What a world renowned canine orthopedist discovered.
22:03 How a naturopath helped me overcome my agility dog’s lethargy.
22:27 My Border Collie stopped growing at 7 months.
22:57 Agility dog jump grids and what they showed for This!.
25:49 Why you shouldn’t ignore signs in otherwise healthy dogs.
26:19 Performance results from changing my agility dog’s diet.
In the episode you'll hear:
• How This! falling apart at an agility seminar was a symptom of a larger problem.
• Why you can’t dog train something that isn’t a dog training problem.
• The origins of This!’s name and that there are no coincidences.
• What I began noticing about This!’s body mechanics early in puppyhood.
• That This! only showed true drive for activities of adrenaline like chasing.
• About the reactivity, resource guarding, car sickness, stunted growth, and joylessness experienced by This!.
• How anything involving thinking for This! led to her decompressing for hours.
• Why my only focus for This! became her joy.
• How a naturopath came into my life to help me help This!.
• About This!’s growth stall relative to her littermates.
• What agility jump grids help us notice in our agility dogs.
• This!’s immediate performance improvement after nutritional changes.
Resources:
1. KZbin Video: Normalizing Imperfection in Dog Training - • Normalizing Imperfecti...
2. Podcast Episode 189: All The Things That Influence Your Dog’s Behavior And What Behavior Tells You - • All The Things That In...
3. Podcast Episode 36: Puppy Selection: How I Do It and Why I Didn’t This! Time - • Puppy Selection: How I...
*4. Book: The Resilience Project: Finding Happiness Through Gratitude, Empathy and Mindfulness by Hugh van Cuylenburg - geni.us/resilience-project
5. Instagram Video: Fixing Sloppy Puppy Sits -
6. Podcast Episode 155: 10 Ways To Teach A Sit WITHOUT A Food Lure! Unreal Results For Puppies And Dogs Of All Ages - • 10 Ways To Teach A Sit...
7. KZbin Video: Understanding Your Dog's Reinforcement Zone (RZ) with Susan Garrett - • Understanding Your Dog...
8. Podcast Episode 174: Dopamine In Dog Training: Anticipation, Rewards, And The Transfer Of Value - • Dopamine In Dog Traini...
9. Podcast Episode 66: Resource Guarding: Dog vs Dog Aggression - • Resource Guarding: Dog...
10. Podcast Episode 75: Stop Motion Sickness: Helping Your Puppy or Dog Love the Car - • Stop Motion Sickness: ...
11. Podcast Episode 111: How An Anchor Dog Can Help Overcome Your Dog’s Anxiety Or Reactivity - • How An Anchor Dog Can ...
12. Podcast Episode 171: Dog Training With Layered Shaping: Why Classical Conditioning Must Come First - • Dog Training With Laye...
13. Carolyn McIntyre Website - www.mcrehabilitation.com/
14. Kim Collins Website - www.pawsitivesteps.ca/index.html
15. Podcast Episode 162: Dogs Swimming: 5 Must Do Steps For Dogs Who Hate Or Love The Water - • Dogs Swimming: 5 Must ...
16. VOSM: Dr Sherman Canapp and Dr Debra Canapp - vetsportsmedicine.com/
*Amazon Links Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
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!
P.S. Subscribe to our KZbin Channel so you get notifications of new videos!
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[@DogsThat]

Don't miss Part 2 - kzbin.info/www/bejne/hZnPh2uDZpWCaLc And check out our video All The Things That Influence Your Dog’s Behavior And What Behavior Tells You - kzbin.info/www/bejne/ipTIZmxtrcukd5Y

[@violadyer4374]

Susan, I can never say thank you enough for all of your openness, honesty and sharing. You truly help so many of us and the animals we share our lives with❣️

[@ecupcakes2735]

I am so happy you are finally talking about this. You have a HUGE following and you have no idea how much this will change people's minds about reactive dogs. You have NO IDEA how many people needed to hear this. Bless you Susan. You are a gift!

[@DogsThat]

❤❤❤❤❤

[@michellekeyes4837]

Nutrition can play such a big role on behavior in dogs. Leaky Gut alone can cause brain fog. We know how nutrition can affect our kids and their behavior, but I think it is often overlooked with our dogs. And yet I think it is one of the top things that plays a role. This is such a great example of why record keeping and recording all of your training sessions is so important! This is also a great example of how naturopathic and holistic dog care can also help with their understanding of how diet and nutrition can play a role. Food is truly medicine!! And every dog is truly an individual!! Looking forward to part two!!👍🏻👍🏻

[@chaoskings296]

I'm dealing with healing what I think is leaky gut right now with my 19 mo old mini poodle and I can already see that his anxiety is decreasing. We haven't done a lot of training because of his gut issues. He very easily could get bloody diarrhea just from stress like a visit to the groomer (same one ever since he came home to me at 5 months old). His stools are so much better now that I used NutriScan by HemoPet to check for food allergies and eliminated them (Salmon, Whitefish, Venison, Rabbit, Lentils & Turkey) from his diet as well as giving only raw and freeze dried or air dried raw to him. Also took him off of prescribed Prozac and added a broad spectrum CBD oil. For supplements he gets melatonin 2x daily and Gussys Gut which is made of fermented fruits and veg. His stool has never been more consistently normal than now and he is a happier dog. Now we will start formal training at home as I've been a member of Home School the Dog since before he came home to us.

[@quinngonzalez2856]

I’m very skeptical of naturopaths and alternative medicine. I feel most people get results through coincidence to be honest. Susan is maybe the one person who I would believe about this because she has so much documentation, plus access/willingness to pursue the highest level of traditional medicine. I’ll be waiting on the edge of my seat for part 2!

[@kandrisa]

I am pumped for part 2. My dog also had early gastric problems, sits strangely, startles easily, has placed-based fears, is far smaller than his breed, needs to decompress for +1hr, feels suspicious of new dogs, won’t fully activate except for tug games and eats veterinary science food (and table scraps). Very hopeful that the protocol you’ll share will help him be more emotionally balanced.

[@aidenberzins]

We are also experiencing similar issues. Would love to hear the insights in Part 2.

[@christinen1400]

Saaaame with my Cav. Really interested for the follow-up

[@bhaskaral784]

My dog is dog reactive but he has different symptoms… he is sickly obsessed with other animals’ pee, I tried to train it out of him… I did something but when he finds the perfect pee( probably from a female) he won’t listen to his recall, he won’t come when I pull on the leash (I trained him to loosen the leash when he feels that it’s pulling on him from any direction) he hates training, it’s like he only thinks about the pee… He will only look at me or listen to any command with a lot of engagement if I let him smell/lick it as a reward, he won’t play tug, fetch, he won’t let me pet him (he likes being petted but won’t let me pet him when he’s focused on getting what he wants) I told the vet about it and he gave me a weird look and basically said that it could be a lot of things but could also be nothing… waiting for my wage so I can take him to do a full check up

[@kerrygray2726]

Oh WOW. .thanks SOOO much for sharing. ..my heart is racing...got my poor little rescue cattle dog at 4 weeks...had major feeding problems ...reactive problems. ..some/mixed motivation problems. .. thats why i started like.. surfing you tube...thinking a different way... granny owned by a cattle dog.

[@Doktracy]

You are describing my 3 year old Doberman. I haven’t been able to figure her out,make her happy and finish her conformation championship. This gives me a lot to think about. Thank you so much!

[@yuminagaoka515]

If this is not love, I don't know what is. If all the parents could love and educate their children like this, the world would be a much better place. I am so proud that Susan Garrett is my teacher.

[@nicoleledrewmay6404]

This makes me think of when I used to work with kids with autism. Some kids had issues with visual-auditory-vestibular system integration that showed up as not meeting certain developmental milestones with movement/reading/etc. I don’t know if there’s anyone who looks at this with dogs. We would look at things like ability to track movements of an object and eye movements post-spinning/rotation or swinging in a linear fashion to assess. All pretty complicated and we had age norms to compare to. Not sure that exists for dogs. We would oftentimes prescribe activities that integrated all three senses (often using “astronaut protocol “ training to activate all three semicircular canals. Different canals are activated by motion in different planes (eg linear movement, rotary, angular). This is just me thinking out loud 🙂. But perhaps something for us all to consider. I’d be really interested to know if anyone does that sort of thing with dogs. It would be great if norms existed. Otherwise am looking forward to part 2!

[@user-wt8vo1bb5k]

Following this intently. My English Shepherd ticks so many of the boxes you listed. I have long suspected a gastrointestinal problem but I can't pinpoint it. Before her spay she would reluctantly eat maybe 2 days out of 3. Post spay she is eating much better but her "mind fog" and need for decompression remains. Will NOT tug. I also see adrenalin-fueled energy but the lack of it in agility or any other venue that requires much thinking - including herding. Can't wait for part 2

[@mariebutler6619]

Oh my gosh, so so interesting. My dog had very very early diarrhoea, nothing on analysis! Has had it on and throughout his life. Startles to lots of 'non scary things' fine with thunder, bird scare shots etc. Really detests dogs but only in (now) a very specific environment. Doesn't disengage, though. Still loves to 'work' with me. He's fed raw....can't wait to see your next episode!

[@workingdog_duke]

If I would see this symptoms in a horse, my first tip would be a magnesium deficiency. Am very curious what you found out and looking very forward to the second part!

[@ammi_10]

An excellent example of the value of documentation. Because of Susan I have begun to video and I have learned so much!

[@DogsThat]

Glad it was helpful, and YES to videoing your training! Thank you for watching and commenting ❣

[@milissaellan6805]

Lol learned to video in Homeschool the Dog and it became habit to always do it... joined a zoom class for AKC FitDog and people were amazed... yes, you really DO get better results when you video, review, and adjust! 😊

[@pascaleburnet7583]

Love, Love it! Thank you Susan for sharing your journey with gorgeous This! Cannot wait for part 2 💌🐶

[@heathervenkat1414]

Thank you so much for your openness, vulnerability, and being so real. Each and every dog comes with their own struggles and we know there is so much more to dog behavior than what looks on the surface. Can't wait for Part 2!

[@nanobaby]

🎉 This! ❤

[@azogal53]

Wow! Such a detective story, possible only owing to your videos, notes and sharp observational skills. Can't wait for Part 2 and hoping for a happy outcome for This!🍪🍪🍪🍪🍪

[@patsydoherty837]

This sounds like my little tea I through you were talking about him 🐾

[@rebeccaamans5237]

I have a red heeler and she is a nightmare around everyone. She barks nonstop at strangers that walk by and in the yard. It’s like everything is a threat dogs and cats included. She drives me crazy. We play frisbee and soccer together but I worry all the jumping is bad on her wrists. We give her trazadone at night to calm her down some. She is a ball of energy and go go go! The barking is what really makes me crazy. It is so hard to stop. She is extremely territorial

[@judyives1832]

I just wanted to comment that I also had some difficult issues with one of my dogs not really engaging with his work in the way I expected. At the age of two he began having grand mal seizures. I am mentioning this because I want to strongly second Ms Garrits comment that some problems are not training problems, they are health problems. Even though my dog LOOKED pretty good and certainly his vets saw no issues, (until he began massive seizures), I always knew something was off. The response was just not what I had experienced before with my other dogs. He had the “brain fog” kind of issues that Susan mentions here and the long recovery from mental activity. I wish I’d known more because I assumed we just had to work harder and be more diligent. I wish I’d just had more fun with him during his short life. Because he was a goofy clown and so fun to be with when he was healthy. Why did I waste time on the wrong things? We are conditioned by society to believe that dogs like to be disobedient and that you can’t allow that. In fact the opposite is true. Dogs are honest and they tell you when something is wrong. I just didn’t know enough to know what he was telling me. I love the way Susan does not blame the dog for what is never their fault. That she isn’t embarrassed to say her dog was reactive or didn’t do great every time. That honesty will help many people give their dogs space, and consideration and do some detective work when an issue occurs. Thank you Susan!! Your voice is so important for our dogs.

[@belladora8328]

So many things you said resonate with me. Attitudes and behaviours that are steeped in me based on my upbringing and understanding (using the term extremely loosely) of dog training. Wasting time on things that don't matter, wow that's hits home and makes me sad. Glad I saw your response when I still have time to reset my course and priorities. Thanks my friend.

[@judyives1832]

You are welcome! I’m grateful if that helped you in any way. Good luck with your dog buddy!

[@marilynmani]

YOU are the BEST DOG TRAINER !!❤ Thank you so very much!

[@ruthhunt1858]

Incredible podcast! I remember that seminar well. Your dedication and thoroughness in your search to help This is extraordinary and will help countless other dogs and their owners. Can't wait for part two.

[@inoahnewf]

I can’t wait for part two! I love the work you put in to helping This! find joy. So very interesting. Our greatest lessons come from life’s greatest challenges. She was meant to be with you for so many reasons. 💕

[@ellenkingrice3997]

“This” sounds like a gifted, cross-brained student (which is not the same as ambidextrous). In humans, these students do tire quickly with mental focus, and can have inconsistent drive and high anxiety. Many are treated for ADHD with stimulants and many improve focus with a gluten-free diet. A hallmark of the gifted/cross-brain is having parents and teachers who are staring at the ceiling at 2 a.m., thinking “what do I try next???”

[@kimberlyspillers461]

Okay, I’M ready for the new dog food!!!! O my gosh, where have you been? Dogs maybe your passion, but humans can definitely benefit from what you’re teaching and talking about. How about a class called: teach old humans new life skills using agility training and GEM. Sign me up!

[@bash3681]

Thank you for this awesome podcast! I am enrolled in wags nation, home school the dog and recallers … yes my dog is 100% better than when he started and I owe it to the games in the program but yet I felt something was missing. He is a border collie… he Loves to run and make really tight turns in our vineyard but yet he still struggles to do a sit pretty! He is a great dog but I feel I am missing something bcos when I do stuff with him he is very minimal in efforts but when let loose to do what he loves he shines!! So he has the capacity but not where we want . Eagerly waiting for part 2

[@watchmoivies123]

This is so amazing and thank you very much for sharing I also have been having some issues and I just change my 2 1/2 year olds food to a pure raw diet which he was not on and he’s doing wonderful Please be kind enough to tell us what she’s on right now and thank you very much

[@LJnBodhi]

❤❤❤Life lessons here❤❤❤ Thank You for your Generosity in continuing to share so much with so many. I am a Recaller for Life.

[@evaa.4303]

Can’t wait to watch part 2!!! My 19 month old BC stopped growing when she was 8 month old, people still think she is a puppy… and there are so many other similarities to what you describe with This! The early gut problems, tilted pelvis when sitting, ferocious tugging, resource guarding, reactivity, lack of fun/response to dopamine but adrenalin highs and a tendency the become obsessed… she also has this funny way of pressing her head against the palm of my hand/my shoulder/my leg an leaning in when being pet and often keeps her tongue out against my hand or arm in the middle of a lick and just holds it there for a few seconds. When doing it she slightly pants and squints her eyes, almost like enjoying the effect of some hormones/brain chemicals. Now I wonder if This! or any other dogs show that kind of behavior too? I just can’t wait to try if dietary changes can help her to be more balanced and have more fun in life ❤

[@luanndavis-jindela3223]

❤

[@coor0kun]

I have a sweetheart rescue Lab who is scared of so many things and easily over-aroused, either happy or negatively. She is SUPER food motivated, so obsessed with training, but has extreme difficulty with new experiences, even with food. The first 2 years of her life she was overfed on Costco kibble and under-exercised and under-socialized. Today she's a healthy weight, but she is somewhat petite for her breed at 58-60lb. We're going through the long process of an elimination diet for allergies, which has also been complicated since she has other health issues that require oral medication. Looking forward to learning how you found the right diet for This! and hoping I can translate that into my work with my amazing pup as we start to incorporate foods back into her diet (and hopefully get off the prescription kibble)!

[@caitandmoshi6510]

Susan, I have been waiting not so patiently for this and as usual, you did not disappoint. Thank you for your incredible generosity! I have experienced such similar issues with Moshi - who was also on antibiotics as a very young pup and has always had gut issues. I recently noticed something unusual in his hind movement as well. Can’t wait to hear about your nutrition changes in part 2! Thank you!

[@allaboutcanines]

What a poignant episode. Never giving up! Can't wait for part 2.

[@primarychic1087]

Susan, thank you for being so brave and truthful. I needed to hear this.

[@trishbech9082]

I’m so interested and cant wait for Part 2! All of it coming together makes so much sense. Thank You for giving us more valuable info to ensure our dog’s best life! ❤❤❤❤❤. The difference in This! is amazing! Love the meaning behind her name as well ❤😊

[@nicoledesgagne2662]

Thank you so much for sharing your experience with This! I am sure it will help people to, may be, find the problem their dog is experiencing. I find you give so much to people. Thank you.❤

[@sophiesmith5922]

oh, Susan! NOW I get why you say "keep records!"

[@Zak226]

So very interesting, this is describing the many challenges I am seeing in my current dog. This gives me hope, as I have been blaming myself for the lack in joy I see in my dog. He can do the recaller games but shuts down exactly like This does in these clips.

[@jozeepare9616]

Can't wait to hear the rest ! Thank you for sharing This! evolution so interesting !

[@aubernmasonartist182]

My Bully is extremely difficult to motivate. He is very joyful when playing, but not when working. It hasn't mattered how the work or the gear is structured or what the payout. I'm also really looking forward to part 2!

[@helenottewill394]

Love this open and honest account of the journey with This! We have just made dietary changes for both our dogs and have blown away by the positive impact it's had on them. 😊💖

[@SmartyPawz]

Thanks so much Susan for your generosity in sharing your journey with This! I have no doubt it will help others with their own dogs, regardless if the solutions for This! is the right solution for them or not. As you said repeatedly through this podcast, you can’t dog train a non-dog-training problem… the solution is elsewhere. I can’t wait for the 2nd half of the story… especially as a person who deals with ME/CFS I totally related to This!’s struggles you described! I know for myself that diet is one factor that increases overall inflammation, and that means increased brain fog, lower energy and motivation PLUS just overall decreased ability to function. So yes, I am VERY interest in Part 2 and appreciate your sharing all of this with us!!❤

[@mobilecaninecare7101]

I am very, very grateful for these two videos, and these insights! It has also been my experience not only with many of the dogs I work with, but most keenly with my own dog. I am grateful for your deep awareness and willingness to really dig to get to the root of the issue and find the answers that worked. I am especially appreciative of the observations you detail that provide objective and indisputable measures, which can help neutralize much of what I have found to be the politics involved in the feeding of our dogs.🙏

[@DogsThat]

Thank you! 💕💕💕

[@joannewall3616]

Very interesting podcast. So looking forward to part 2 ❤

[@lollypop2413]

A gorgeous sharing thank you. ... to understand training for the dog and the trainier! And for life. Im going to buy your books because you train for intrinsic motivation

[@007brasso700]

Wow...waiting for part 2

[@rachell4307]

This is so interesting! Thanks for sharing this story and I can’t wait for the next segment ❤

[@catchtyphoon]

Wow, that is like describing my little Sheppie girl. Can't wait for part 2.

[@wadewilson3728]

Beautiful! ❤🫶❤🫶❤🫶 thank you for sharing This’s and your story with us All! 🎉🎉🎉🎉

[@lynnespack]

You could be talking about my boy (a cousin of This!)! Hits so close to home! Looking forward to part 2. At 17 months he has been my biggest training challenge to date and he is my 5th BC.

[@Jenily111]

Oh this is so interesting! Can't wait for part 2. I've recently been trying to "up" my nutrition game for my dogs lately.

[@michaelquaglietta7383]

Wow, you just described exactly my Lacey to a T! I also changed her food about a month or so ago and just started seeing more confident results in practice and in her last trial runs. We are trialing this weekend and hoping to see her confidence improve. Great video, looking forward to part 2!

[@season.appreciation8102]

Thank you so much for sharing your journey with This! ❤️

[@annettefry9347]

She has described my 4 year old bc to a tee. I just pulled her from agility class because there is reactivity and no joy. I have been so frustrated with not knowing how to help her. Can't wait to listen to the next podcast.

[@DogsThat]

Hi Annete, part 2 is already available, here's the link for you: kzbin.info/www/bejne/hZnPh2uDZpWCaLc

[@christinen1400]

Very interested in the follow-up for this. I see a lot of my Cavalier in this story especially with the disinterest in training and super easily startled.

[@rogehnimunoz4327]

Very interesting podcast. Love your video. I'll be following This story.

[@Emma-fe6yt]

Yay! Just what we have been waiting for :) I am so excited for the next episode!

[@barmuckitymutts999]

Can't wait for part two. Susan you have really got me thinking about my own dogs issues with working with me. I've never had lack of desire before with a dog before.

[@TheDlmom2000]

WOW !!!! What a tease !!! Now I can't wait to see how it all turns out !!! Great podcast !!!! ❤

[@DE-ss5ks]

This is fabulous retrospective, Susan. Thank you.

[@PamelaDalmatian]

Can’t wait for part 2! ❤

[@gailfogarty6213]

I’ve been following This!’s journey from Day 1. She is the same age as my Mabel and they have similar issues. Mabel’s fear and reactivity reappeared aged 2 along with our new puppy Rudi who she adores. Following your challenges have given me strength. ‘Grow the joy’ is my new mantra! Cannot wait for part 2. Don’t make us wait too long! 🙏

[@dessertthingy]

This was so interesting. Can't wait for part 2.

[@suzanadesousa3317]

Very interesting. Thank you so much for sharing.

[@AnneEmauz]

Amazing podcast, thank you for sharing 🙏. I can relate in so many things. Can't wait for the 2nd part❤

[@9195nicky]

Great podcast! Can't wait for part 2!

[@nellreid4360]

Thank you so much for sharing your journey with This. I can’t wait to hear part 2!

[@rosieleat6868]

This is so interesting. What brought tears to my eyes was the investigation into 'This's' lack of joy. Xxx Love that Susan is vegan too - love for all animals, not just our pets.

[@DogMaxInc]

What a journey! The lessons you're sharing I'm sure will help many out there who are at their wits end. Looking forward to part two!

[@Lilithliin]

Susan thank you so many people only show what goes right not the things that go wrong and you are so positive in your dedication to This and all dogs. I hope the next part of the story is soon.

[@bordercolliesdownunder7245]

Diet change...that's amazing:) That was a wonderful story, thank you. I'm at present reading the follow-up book to The Resilence Project, 'Let Go'. Small world, isn't it😊

[@RaptorsGirl]

Cool, I didn’t know he had written a follow up, thanks for that. Will have to get it!

[@joellecollette5843]

Amen sister

[@sandralewis3377]

Like many other comments, . . . . so very grateful for your sharing. Many of us struggle with dogs that fit This!’s characteristics. The diarrhea, the sensitivity to noise such as a tissue dropping, the few-and-far-between joys (yes, I used her joy for time with my boi Baloo as a reward). The smaller size - my girl is a “pocket pyr.” The need for a couple hours decompression after an interaction. I am just a dog lovin’ pet person and would never have been able to amass the skillful eyes, the knowledge base, the experts to begin to unravel things. Based upon these two podcasts, I think we may be able to improve Portia’s life. And, I am sending links to the videos to my beloved vet Jo, who has been in step with us throughout Portia’s journey. I think she will find it as interesting as we all do!

[@brittanysarty1990]

when will we be able to see part 2, you have me intrigued.

[@hannahcresswell7859]

Incredible! Need part 2 asap !! Amazing documentation and investigative skills. This! Was destined to be your pup 🐶

[@LorellaGJ]

Thank you - so good. Looking forward to part two!

[@DogsThat]

Coming very soon, Lorella, thank you!

[@wonderingbit]

THANK YOU SO MUCH SUSAN!! It is so incredibly invaluable to hear about your experience with This! Thank you thank you thank you!

[@paigegrillo8430]

Super interesting information!! Can't wait to watch Part 2!!

[@DogsThat]

Hi Paige, Part 2 is now available, here's the link for you: kzbin.info/www/bejne/hZnPh2uDZpWCaLc

[@goodboyvincenzo]

Wow! I got so many insights from this video! My border collie had urinary crystals by 3 months old and later we found out he`s had chronic GI inflammation. Thank you for sharing it with us, I cant wait for part 2 !

[@pwdpw991]

Can´t wait for next episode, so interesting especially since I also have i dog with similar behaviours a lot of counter condition for the smallest things that grew to be big issues often from a sound that grew to fear for a whole area. Love you Susan and your never ever decreasing commitment to dogs and your ability to make us understand our dogs, training mechanisms and to play happily with our dogs . I am so glad I found you and your wonderful team. Keep it up

[@jodyfarrand8885]

Again with my weeping. You are giving a huge lesson on not giving up, digging deep the find the answers, and your vulnerability. Thank you so much. After you changed her diet would she still need a couple hours of decompression on your bed after training?

[@jeantemplemeyer366]

Thank you for the great video!

[@DogsThat]

Thank you, Jean!

[@debbiestrang7774]

Thank you for sharing ❤ And it sounds like you found what helped her!! I think watching you work with This helps me see how to better work with my dog. And where does a person find videos of you doing agility competitions?

[@kineticcanine9245]

very interesting episode! cant wait for part 2 🤓 susan, just wondering what “splitting” the front feet on jump grids might suggest 🤔 i have noticed my young dog does that and i know my other dogs didnt.

[@sandybassett7112]

my louie was fine and amazing until 18-19 mos old. then everything changed! he was a guide dog puppy and had been confident and on timing with the guide dog goals. I will never know what happened, at 21 months he had an 8-hour grand mal seizure and was never the same dog again. i got lucky because the school offered him back to me and he is now my pet. he has been diagnosed with auto-immune disease. Just before his seizures he was fixed and given rabies vaccine. 18 months after that he had major surgery to remove a 4"x5" patch of "snake" skin and the injection site never recovered fully. it has been so frustrating to try to diagnose what is happening for my boy. He CANNOT tolerate any pesticides. If they are administered, he has a seizure within 12 hours. I carry CBD oil for anxious shaking sessions caused by children rushing him (children attacked him 3 times during his guide dog training). He is an amazing dog, and now simply has limiting conditions that prevent him from fully participating in the training of other guide and harness dogs I work with. thank you for talking about the intangibles!

[@hal7ter]

What a story. Bless you for sharing with us. I cannot imagine CHILDREN attacking a dog! I hope the future holds many blessings and joys for him.

[@wendyk806]

So many trainers would have just given up, and said to themselves, she’s not agility material. You are so beautiful and loving, and you thought so much of your dog that you took her on as a learning from dog experience. In the long run, you were given a wonderful learning from God through dog experience. I’m so grateful you took This challenge on so you can share it with us! Thank You! Btw, I’m still wiping my eyes about her Grandma dog passing, she reminded me of the dog that made me love Border Collies.

[@DogsThat]

❤❤❤❤❤

[@juliecox4543]

Thank you so much for sharing your journey with This!. I also am excited about part 2. My dog also startles easily, has fears of sounds, places, people and things. Am so excited to hear what helped This! Hope I can find what helps him. He is also gets huge adreneline boost from chase games, although he loves all the recaller games, I never see as much excitement as I do for chase games. He eats Victor healthy weight kibble with a topper of lean hamburg, green beans , spinach, and carrot. He also gets 2 tablespoons of pumpkin daily per our vet. He does not like Tug at all no matter what I have tried. Very interested in learning more about the naturopathic approach. If a change of diet would help that would be wonderful.

[@bellmannkerstin6437]

OMG - I want part 2 right now. Guessing: microbiota and short chain fatty acids??? ;-)

[@nancyhooper1742]

Can't Thank God enough for you and how Wonderful he made you, 🫠❤❤. You are the Best especially for letting us know what you are going through and how you changing things for the Better. This! Has the Best Mommy ever ❤️❤️ Can't wait to see 2nd episode and curious what you are now feeding her, might help with my Trex who does eat well and give him more energy to play too. God bless you always and you should know your my ultimate Hero and God bless you ❤️❤️❤️❤️🍪🍪🍪🍪🍪( ps. In one week and 2 days can have chocolate again and God help the solid bunny when I get to eat him on Easter) 🤣🐇❤️❤️

[@DogsThat]

❤❤❤❤❤❤

[@ula_la0806]

👍

[@baylamakarov8701]

My 1.5 yr old Australian labradoodle also trots lol

[@margielaughlin6056]

Maybe This would love a herding performance sport?

[@onesassyzebra]

Both of my Golden Retrievers are hard to motivate, gastrointestinal since birth, reactive, startle easily, tire quickly,very destacted and not food or toy motivated, and has very little joy in play or training with me. I have done every work up and have come up with nothing.

[@DogsThat]

Hi, if you're interested in hearing what Susan did to help This!, part 2 is already available for you: kzbin.info/www/bejne/hZnPh2uDZpWCaLc

[@katekate8586]

Nooooooo, it's a cliffhanger. Susan that's cruel.

[@TiltTV1]

We are all about 70 years into over-vaccinating, over-medicating with western drugs, using pesticides (flea and tick control) on our dog as well as feeding dry kibble … we know that these illnesses are handed down generations … some puppies are hit harder. I notice these issues (leaky gut, yeasty ears, skin issues ..) are becoming very common in puppies 😞 it’s still overlooked and people continue to medicate but it’s not a solution

[@RaptorsGirl]

Great observation however this is a third generation of puppy I’ve raised that has not had any flea or tick prevention, never fed kibble, and I did nomographs with her litter so I didn’t need to vaccinate them until they were 9 weeks old and they old needed 2 DAPP vaccines plus I didn’t give her rabies until she was almost a year old.

[@TiltTV1]

@@RaptorsGirl I know you’re a responsible breeder. And I know you’re doing all you can. We have so many factors that influence our health and theirs. Autism rising and more puppies having massive health issues. I follow Dr. Cooney’s vax protocol. Also some great info in Dr. Marty’s book. You might want to check it out. While one puppy has no reaction to multiple vaccines another will be destroyed by one shot. Same with antibiotics, pesticides and so on. However, when we are granted to take care of a special puppy like This it’s for a higher good. To research more and change and reconsider. In your position with so much public influence and credibility these discoveries will make epic changes for thousand of dogs and parents (animal or child). I know how painful the journey can be having a special puppy but I also know only these challenges make us step out of our comfort zone and investigate more. Thank you for all you do and every podcast you put out there. I’m your biggest fan and I know the discoveries never end. Much love ❤️

[@kimberlyspillers461]

@@RaptorsGirl just think, if you lived in America, specifically in Maryland, and you applied to adopt a rescue dog in the Washington DC/VA/MD area, you would be turned down because of your vet record. No matter your experience with dogs, the number of years, the number of pets you’ve had for life. Or you could be judged “too old” for a puppy. Here, evidently we don’t have enough stray dogs, so these organizations fly dogs in from the Middle East, the Korean meat market (although I suspect many are family pets that are being sold to these rescue groups because it’s an easy way to make money and it’s simple to get another dog), Puerto Rico and TEXAS to “adopt” out to people they deem worthy of pet ownership. Just thought I’d give you something to be happy about, you get to live your life and share your love and knowledge to better animals and people. Thank you!

[@jessicaferreira7228]

Hi Susan! I would love for you to touch on a particular subject regarder reinforcers. What do you do when a reinforcer becomes an obsession ? My dog is obsessed with his ball, so much so that when we put it away he becomes anxious, on high-alert and ultimately resorts to reactivity (lunging and barking at other dogs). If he has his ball in his mouth his fine though, but constantly asks us to throw it for me. Note that we only play fetch at a specific time in a specific location, and always combine it with training. However, he has associated every beach and park to fetch. Thus, we can’t have a quiet picnic without him constantly looking for a “job”. His reinforcer has made him obsessive. How can we help him? Thank you!!

[@DogsThat]

Note taken, Jessica, thanks for the suggestion 💕

[@yurakovalec7292]

I feel like I'm getting one-on-one coaching from a professional trainer, despite being in the comfort of my own home.

[@DogsThat]

Thank you for this comment, Yura! ❤

[@vickydimitriou6156]

Very interesting about your dogs diet not much unlike humans. I feed my girl raw mix with veg and keep her meals in smaller portion.

[@DogsThat]

Hi Vicky, if you're interested in hearing what Susan did to help This!, part 2 is already available: kzbin.info/www/bejne/hZnPh2uDZpWCaLc

[@Aaalllyyysssaaaaa]

She sounds like me with ADHD. I wonder if dogs get that. ADHD brains are chronically low on dopamine. Quite often, in order to get enough dopamine in my brain to be able to cross the threshold of being able to do something that I want to do, I have to create a crisis where adrenaline helps me lol. Like for example, in university I wouldn't be able to force myself to start writing a paper until the day it was due. So I would create fake deadlines by making appointments with my profs to talk about papers ahead of time so I had to start the paper, then I wouldn't stop writing until it was done, even if it took me like 20 hours. It was exhausting and very unhealthy haha. Now that I'm on meds I just write the paper whenever I want, it is glorious. Three major things that are integral to ADHD brains are motivational dysfunction, sensory issues, and emotional dysregulation. If your dog had something like ADHD as well as a tummy ache, it would have made motivation just impossible. And the reactivity and anxiety sounds like emotional dysregulation for sure. She would have been totally absorbed by how she felt in her tummy, then more stimulus and attempts at learning new things would have just overloaded her. Maybe there are more insights into how to work with dogs like that from looking at ADHD. I know with humans, just understanding that your overstimulated kid who is on the floor melting down is actually chronically understimulated can help turn on a lot of lightbulbs when it comes to helping them.

[@hal7ter]

Do you mean overstimulated by, say, dumb garishly colored cartoons rather than wholesome adventure stories?

[@Aaalllyyysssaaaaa]

No, I mean more like overstimulated by like anything you can't process. So if the kid is watching something dumb and obnoxious but it makes sense to them and is predictable and helps them feel like they are regulated, then sometimes that can help them avoid being overstimulated. Whereas if you are craving calm wholesome stories and you're subjected to dumb obnoxious cartoons and it makes you feel crazy, then the same cartoon could overstimulate you. Everyone's neurology is different and different things help and hurt at different times.@@hal7ter