You, Your Dog, Maslow and Lizard Brain #7

It’s important to know what you and your dog need for learning success, and how “lizard brain” can take over if something is lacking. I’m sharing an extract of the book I am writing, and it’s about one of the life-shifting lessons I learned from a student.
🐾 Key Moments in This Episode:
00:00 Help for overwhelmed dogs (and humans).
01:13 Maslow’s Hierarchy of Human Needs applied to dogs.
07:15 An ‘empathy vs ego’ life lesson excerpt from my forthcoming book.
17:52 Animals can’t receive help when feeling judged.
19:24 Advice from Terry Orlick’s ‘Zone of Excellence.’
20:32 Evaluating your dog’s stress with T.E.M.P.
In the episode you'll hear:
- How Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs applies to you and your dog.
- The life-shifting lesson I was taught by a student.
- Recognizing when lizard brain takes over, and why.
Resources:
Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs (Wikipedia) - en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maslow'...
Shaped By Dog Podcast Episode 4: T.E.M.P. (Tail, Eyes/Ears, Mouth, Posture) - • T.E.M.P. (Tail, Eyes/E...
Vlog: Where Is Your Dog On The Circle Of Fun? - susangarrettdogagility.com/20...
“Outliers” by Malcolm Gladwell - www.gladwellbooks.com/titles/...
Terry Orlick’s Zone of Excellence - www.zoneofexcellence.ca/index....
Shaped by Dog Podcast Episode 7 - • You, Your Dog, Maslow ...
P.S. Subscribe to our KZbin Channel so you get notifications of new videos!
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Dogs That is brought to you by Susan Garrett and the Say Yes Dog Training Team.
Susan Garrett’s interest in animal behaviour started at the University of Guelph where she earned a Bachelor of Science majoring in Animal Science. Since then she has developed into a preeminent dog trainer and canine sports instructor and competitor. Susan is one of the most successful agility competitors of the last three 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 world renowned as a leading educator of dog trainers. Her understanding of how to apply science-based learning principles to both competitive and family pet dog training has been pivotal in changing how dogs are trained.
Susan is now helping many thousands of dog owners in 82 countries have the best relationship possible with their dogs. The real joy for her comes from bringing confidence to dogs and their owner through playful interactions and relationship building games that are grounded firmly in the science of how animals learn.
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Our Website: dogsthat.com
Our Podcast: shapedbydog.com
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Twitter: / susangarrett
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[@azogal53]

Wow, Susan's honesty...! Terrific life lessons, right here. Love you, love this podcast!

[@The1eviltemptress]

I really appreciate when you become vulnerable and share your "mistakes" with us. If you can make mistakes and learn from them then maybe we can too.

[@janegilbert9851]

Best one so far. We all make mistakes it’s learning from them that builds us up into better people.

[@karlawilson1032]

A story from the heart has the power of a tiny seed that produces a bountiful harvest. You sure can plant ‘em! ❤️

[@lesleybowen6590]

Love, love, love! This is why Susan Garrett’s Training resonates with me. She evolves and encourages us to do so with our dog training. So happy she is doing podcasts. What a great way to reach others who aren’t familiar with her training.

[@suemb3799]

I both laughed and cried during this video Susan. I laughed because I'm a version of Donna and her dog. I cried because I felt her pain. I simply love your authenticity, compassion and skill in training dogs and conveying how ignorant others can learn how to train dogs with understanding and love. You've taught me a great deal about dogs and supported me as a trainer too. I thank you!

[@erinhildahl6932]

5 stars+++! I haven't been a podcast listener, but I am now! So easy to do when playing with dogs, watching my older boy in the pool, doing their exercises & mine, doing housework (no longer a drag!), etc. Thanks Susan!

[@rebeccaburnell9319]

(Chris & Gladys, I love the intro music too - distinctive, upbeat, catchy... and short - for those of us who binge-watch!!! 😂)

[@christiannegirouxclark854]

Oh Susan, your chapter brought me to tears 😢 for both you and for "Donna"

[@katherinefulkerson2866]

Your honesty & humility & resilient learning shines through this podcast. And the impact on me is to shine a light on my own mistakes as a teacher and as a student. I still grimace when I recognize them but I know that I am not alone now-and that makes all the difference.

[@joellawhitely2183]

Very profound and so on point at all stages of life and dog training.

[@Marti1951]

I got a bonus lesson from you several years ago. You helped me motivate my dog to tug. I did an exercise with her with a friend and her dog. We were ‘supposed’ to give each other feedback. My friend is very soft spoken. I had to look at her to hear what she was saying. You saw the picture of me staring at my friend while my dog was still fantastically tugging and you said, “I hate to make people cry, BUT!” You marched up to us and I knew I was in for a dressing down. I looked at your approach and prepared in this way. My thinking: I did not spend all this money to be here pay Susan G to be my friend. Pay attention to what she is saying this lecture is probably worth the trip! The lecture was about all those people who have great Tug with their dogs and ignore the dogs while chitchatting after a run. I didn’t cry. I agreed with what you said. My friend never saw it that way. She went into Lizard brain and avoided you. You have given me so much and I love how deeply you analyze and share what you know about dog training. I was lucky to have strict instructors growing up and have a thicker skin. I’m sure Maslow had opinions for self actualization about giving yourself permission to listen to what is important.

[@tammysmith3753]

Thank you so much for sharing honestly your experience. Hearing this gives me confidence to continue my journey of dog trainer. I have made many mistakes but try to learn from all of them. I have behaved in a similar manner and felt like I was the only dog trainer in the world that yelled at an owner or made them cry. I am trying so hard to be better with each encounter. I appreciate your vulnerability and growth Susan! I am so glad I found the podcast and look forward to listening each morning! Makes my day to start out this way listening to you! Thanks again.

[@allisonweber3317]

I so love your humility in this episode. It is hard to be vulnerable but so appreciated!

[@carrieraupp757]

Wow Susan 😮what an authentic powerfully personal share. I didn’t know I could respect you any more than I did. Love how you’re teaching us how we too can be great students and sharing poignant life lessons from personal experiences. You truly are an inspiration. ❤

[@jocelynmoroney2861]

I am so moved by the story. That each participants viewpoint - their filter - was shown in the telling made it such a rich lesson. I felt everyone’s emotions: the teacher, the handler and even the dog. I have learned from this story both as a teacher and as a student. You’ve made a ripple of kindness and empathy through the world, Susan Garrett. Thank you.

[@lovinglullaby2832]

You don't need a dog to LOVE this podcast! I have done so many things wrong but I am taking the feedback and learning from it now on. So much of what Susan says is brilliant and can be applied to everyday life. I am a lifetime follower now.

[@AdrieneSays]

This is so movingly told. I hope that "Donna," if she's still alive (she'd be in her late 70s?), somehow hears this podcast.

[@janmurray5945]

WOW. Life lessons, not just dog education.

[@debm9060]

My favourite so far

[@iaia5501]

the way your team take care of us (students), it's one of the most importants thinks for us to learn. thank you for sharing the story

[@ladonnaking4222]

Food for thought for sure. It makes you realize how our actions and reactions not only affect our dogs but also affect the people around us.

[@sanjorose]

Great podcast. Having had terrible experiences with trainers it is also so important to walk away from certain people when necessary.

[@sarahneal1090]

Something you’ve told us to ask ourselves is “is the dog upset”. Well. Is the dog hungry??? 🤣 relationship building and open communication is so important!

[@LindsayHaven]

Thank you for sharing that story. In your telling I could feel the embarrassment Donna felt then and that you felt at some point coming to terms with the fact that there was more you needed to learn about people. I hope that Donna eventually found peace with the event.

[@EmergingU]

Love all our content. Even though I am doing Susan's Handling360 course I love watching this youtube channel and soaking up all Susan's insights.

[@DogsThat]

Thank you! ❤️ We're grateful to have you in our community!

[@islandhundeundislandpferde9101]

I'm myself was recognising it several times of being to harsh in training situations as a riding teacher... sometimes I was sorry for it, when I saw I was expecting too much and trying very hard to solve this with the person... sometimes not when I saw no engagement. Same happened in one case as a breeder of Iceland sheepdogs... when a puppy owner was too egoistic and selfish to learn herself... Thank you for let have an insight look in this situations. I'm always try to learn and soaking off, what other highly experienced people are telling. So thankfull for this Susan Garrett! ❤

[@vanipt]

Absolutely brilliant and important!!! I was surprised to find that i could personally relate so much to this. Thank you! Interaction with people, and also with animals in this aspect becomes so much clearer. 🙏❤👍

[@grannysouthafrica7540]

I would like to comment but I really not sure what to say...many emotions and thoughts went through my mind listening to you Susan. Lots of food for thought. ❤

[@goodboyvincenzo]

Great lesson. I had a "Donna" moment that made me resign from a job i really enjoyed. Now I understand why I felt so triggered.

[@janetgeier5187]

I wish I had seen you when I first got my puppies. Relate to what you have said. I’ve got a lot of work to do.

[@patricialawler9668]

One of the abiding things that I love about your talks and training is that you include your mistakes, but explain brilliantly how you go about fixing them. So many trainers in the higher echelons of our industry seem afraid to do this for fear they may have to step down from their pedestal. Where on earth you make the time to write a book is just amazing to me. You must never sleep. I am forever grateful that I can access you boundless knowledge. Thank you, thank you, thank you.💖 Hope that doesn't sound gushy.

[@dellamonroe8814]

oh my lizard brain has something to think about here.

[@carolemuenzer5490]

Thank you Susan another great video. I’m learning to enjoy the process more now, I was result driven at first, I want my dog to enjoy training more, and now she is. Also like the hair❤

[@kennethbooe3858]

Well. Brought me to tears. I know... But my mom yelled at me, that was her only tool. Just didn't work great on me. My daughter is like my mom and my granddaughter catches her verbal wrath but she comes to me and we connect better and i can't explain to my daughter because she is happy with a 1 tool toolbox. I am now 66 year old man that i have been taught or trained to cower down until....yep a volcano 🌋 eruption.

[@ralucaionescu2968]

Thank you for sharing this story and the outcome! ❤️

[@patriciadulaney2547]

This episode brings a flood of emotions for me because I was "Donna" in this story. I was attending a class at the invitation of the trainer, a lady I had met a few years ago. I made a piece of training equipment for her and she was letting me in on some of her classes. I had a very YOUNG puppy, all energy and drive--much different than the more mature dogs in the room. (She was all paws and legs wanting to play with the other dogs in the room and was repeating the same behavior as the week prior. I should have never brought her because of it but the meeting had been arranged at that time because we were training in a puppy class right after and the drive was 20 miles from my home.) I had to go get a piece of equipment from my car and the trainer told me she would take her. I handed my ball of energy to her--my mistake #2-- and left for all of maybe 7 minutes. When I returned to the room, my puppy was in a down on the floor next to her with a look on her face that would shock an owner. Her TEMP showed exactly what had happened--the trainer struck her, and admitted it. She had to because there were several witnesses. When I took her leash she went with me and retreated to a position under my chair. For the sake of the puppy, I remained calm; her strong temperament (and the forgiveness in her heart) allowed her to recover very quickly. I am fortunate she is like that. will insight to a better way of training. Now I have to prove it will work!

[@madelyntrotter3971]

I really enjoyed this episode, although I have yet to find an episode I do not enjoy. Thank you for sharing and being so open. It really created a healthy mindset that allowed me to reflect on myself in an objective way, without being defensive about past mistakes.

[@DogsThat]

💕💕💕

[@camillehatton]

I'm new to the pod and to your work, and all I can say is: wow! Thank you so very much for sharing that story. I'll have to find your book, I suppose, to find out whether the story stayed in the final cut. I surely hope so! Thank you :-)

[@wendydaniel6857]

Tony Robbins talks about 6 human needs: Certainty (safety) Uncertainty (Variety) Love and connection Significance Growth Contribution

[@equinn1768]

Great! Don’t have the puppy yet but am on a mission to gobble every single podcast. This is giving me the overall sense of training as well as how to build the foundation I will desperately need. Will be getting homeschool the dog when it arrives. Thank you for sharing your decades of expertise. There is no doubt you will change the life of many dogs and owners

[@kerensamckie8211]

This is the cast i keep reviewing. Its very powerful to change our actions.

[@Trust-Zone-Dog-Training]

Wow that was very powerful

[@kerrygray2726]

Thanks for the life lesson

[@ninaspinner8491]

Since you asked at the end of this podcast to leave comments concerning topics you might address in the future: I'd love an episode about how to help a leash reactive dog, whether the behavior be fear based or frustration that they can't go greet another dog. Btw, I'm binge listening to the podcast while at the same time working through the recallers games with my new rescue puppy. I love it!

[@christine-321]

Loved this!!! I am a Psychotherapist and it really hit home for me in so many ways. ❤️

[@ArtofRobinMitchell]

brilliant..

[@mandidittloff4500]

Just starting at the beginning of your KZbin channel - new subscriber 😊 I am Donna - I suffer anxiety and one day, I think due to my anxiety my usually well behaved 8 mth old was misbehaving and not listening. I was told “no, no, no!!!” In anger and tried to listen from then on with my lizard brain. I never went back next lesson and had panic attacks just thinking about it. I texted the instructor my issues and asked if I could get some private lessons to complete the course, also calling her with no answer 😢. I just didn’t want the judgement.

[@DogsThat]

Mandi, we are so glad you are here! Thank you for subscribing 💚

[@mandidittloff4500]

@@DogsThat Me too!

[@MPQueen11]

How did you over come empathy vs ego? I need help with this!

[@ammi_10]

What about the daredevils of the world?🤔 and the animal world?

[@elenac6034]

Thanks! As always really nice podcast, and i am happy that ypu do not address only training, but the broader topic of living and understanding a dog! Since you ask for queations we are interested in, i wanted to ask about use of treats, more specifically when should we stop using treats, or how is the transition done? Are well trained dogs still constantly rewarded with treats, or does the treating become more ocassional and random? Thanks

[@JennyYasi]

These are great! I recently just left a facebook group, because every time I posted something, I was really attacked. They didn't know me, I wasn't addressing anything to anyone personally, but I'd post a picture of my dog in a head halter (cue screaming) or I'd ask "why are we using the word "command" instead of "cue?" Shouldn't we ditch the word "command?" (cue screaming). I dunno. Honestly sometimes it feels like people need to scream. I'm socially awkward. I struggle to make my students feel safe, but I recently lost a student who was horrified when I wouldn't allow her dog (who she'd warned me, had a history) "meet" my dog, she was deeply offended and took it personally when I answered request with "no, I'm sorry, let's keep the dogs 6 feet apart!" And this is during a pandemic! I had to refund her! LOL! I mean, what can we do sometimes but just surrender to the fact that we are all connected, doing the best we can. You're such a great teacher.