Susan Garrett Dog Training Advice for Beginners

Susan Garrett's dog training approach is centered around building a strong relationship between dog and handler. Her method emphasizes clear communication and mutual understanding.

Clear communication is key to successful dog training. According to Garrett, dogs thrive on routine and clear boundaries. She recommends establishing a consistent daily schedule.

Consistency is crucial for young dogs in particular. Garrett advises training sessions should be short, around 5-10 minutes, to keep puppies engaged. This helps prevent overstimulation and mental fatigue.

By following these guidelines, you can lay the foundation for a strong and trusting relationship with your dog.

Dog training is a journey, not a destination. Susan Garrett's approach emphasizes building a strong foundation of communication and trust between you and your dog.

A reliable recall is the cornerstone of any dog training program. According to Susan Garrett, a solid recall is built on a foundation of clear communication, consistency, and positive reinforcement.

For more insights, see: How to Work on Recall with Dog

The key to a successful recall is to make it a fun and rewarding experience for your dog. Susan Garrett recommends using high-value rewards and praise to motivate your dog to return to you.

Consistency is crucial when training your dog. Susan Garrett stresses the importance of using the same commands and hand signals every time you give a command.

Clear communication is essential for effective dog training. Susan Garrett advises trainers to use clear, concise language and to avoid using complex sentences or long phrases.

Susan Garrett's dog training approach is built on the concept of choice-based training, which she contrasts with punishment-based and reinforcement-based training. Her ItsYerChoice game introduces the idea of choice-based training to dogs, allowing them to make decisions and learn from their actions.

The three big reinforcements for a dog are physical rewards, emotional rewards, and attention. Susan emphasizes the importance of identifying where the value lies for the dog, which is often misunderstood in traditional training methods.

The reinforcement zone is a crucial concept in Susan's training approach, where the dog learns to associate a specific behavior with a reward. She uses the analogy of a crowded bar where you need to tip with twenties to illustrate the importance of using high-value rewards.

Crate games are a fundamental part of Susan's training method, building the foundation for successful training by teaching dogs to think and problem-solve. She explains that crate games help dogs develop self-control and patience.

Susan also discusses the importance of restrained recalls, which are used to teach dogs to respond to their name and come when called. The collar grab game is another technique she uses to teach dogs to respond to their name and build trust.

In Susan's training approach, giving the dog a choice is just one way behaviors are shaped. She emphasizes that dogs are brilliant at figuring out patterns of reinforcement and that training should focus on what to do, not what not to do.

Here are some common mistakes people make in dog training:

By understanding and applying these principles, you can become a better dog trainer and build a stronger bond with your furry friend.