What if the important thing to stopping behavioral issues and nurturing a peaceful, joyful canine wasn’t about extra train or limitless toys—however about understanding their pure instincts and feelings?
On this inspiring dialog, I sit down with world-renowned canine coach and educator Susan Garrett to discover the science and coronary heart behind canine enrichment. Susan, a multiple-time agility world champion and founding father of DogsThat.com, has spent a long time serving to folks construct extraordinary relationships with their canines by kindness, readability, and game-based coaching.
We uncover why true enrichment is a lot greater than holding your canine “busy”—and the way it can rework your canine’s wellbeing and the bond you will have.
Happier, More healthy Canines – with Susan Garrett
Early Influences
Dr. Peter Dobias:Susan, I’m so glad we lastly get to speak. I’ve admired your work for years. Earlier than we dive into canine coaching, might you share how you bought began—not simply as a coach, however as an individual? Who’re you behind all of the accolades and championships?
Susan Garrett:Thanks, Peter! It’s nice to lastly join; we use so a lot of your merchandise on all of our canines right here! That is an fascinating query that I’ve by no means been requested earlier than. And I believe they each have influenced one another tremendously. I imagine anybody who owns a canine is, in a roundabout way, a canine coach, and our canines affect us as a lot as we affect them. Science now confirms what I all the time sensed: dwelling with canines really shapes our neural pathways.
I grew up in a giant household—seven brothers and two sisters. My brothers had an enormous affect on me, and I used to be a tomboy, all the time into sports activities. I used to be impressed by folks like John Picket, Lou Holtz, and Zig Ziglar. Positivity was a giant theme in my life. I keep in mind listening to Norman Vincent Peale’s The Energy of Optimistic Pondering on repeat for months!
My sister, who was seven years older, confirmed canines in conformation. That’s after I fell in love with the world of canines. By my teenagers, I used to be serving to her, and after I wasn’t, I’d watch the obedience ring in awe. Again then, within the seventies, coaching was crammed with kindness. It appeared magical and out of attain, however it planted a seed.
I went on to review animal conduct on the College of Guelph. I turned fascinated with how conduct is influenced, not simply in canines however in all animals. I labored with horses and, imagine it or not, cows had been my old flame. Milking cows at 5 a.m. taught me a robust work ethic and deepened my love for animals—not simply canines.
The Philosophy of Canine Coaching
Dr. Peter Dobias:When you might distill your coaching philosophy into one sentence, what would it not be?
Susan Garrett:“Our canines are doing one of the best they’ll with the training we’ve given them within the setting we’ve put them in.” And that’s an affect of the late by Dr. Wayne Dyer, who used to say that about folks. One thing very related. All people you meet is doing one of the best they’ll.
The Science of Animal Habits
Dr. Peter Dobias:How has your understanding of animal science and conduct advanced over time?
Susan Garrett:We’re each scientists, and we each perceive that science is a glimpse of fact at this time. It isn’t fact endlessly. It’s an accumulation of what we all know. And so, I have a look at what we all know on the planet of reinforcement-based canine coaching—or force-free canine coaching, or no matter label you wish to name it—and it’s so way more than what we knew 25 years in the past, after I watched canines within the seventies.
Again then, canines weren’t educated with meals or toys. They had been educated with the concept the absence of punishment—should you did issues accurately—was the reinforcement you bought. That was my upbringing within the 60s.
I don’t suppose it’s a coincidence that, even in at this time’s world, there’s nonetheless an enormous aspect—I might say in all probability the bulk—of canine trainers, and undoubtedly the vast majority of the favored social media canine trainers, who imagine in opposition to me. They imagine that reinforcement has an enormous function in canine coaching, however canines must “comprehend it, rattling it.”
Whereas I actually imagine that canines are doing one of the best they’ll with the training they’ve been given. And should you imagine canines are testing you or testing boundaries, then when a canine does one thing that you just suppose you’ve taught they usually “ought to know higher,” instantly you’ll be able to’t assist however really feel wronged. Ego steps in, and also you would possibly grit your tooth once you’re coaching.
Now, it’d escalate from there. Some folks would possibly begin screaming or throwing issues or harshly correcting their canine. However even for probably the most excellent human being who trains this fashion, there’s nonetheless going to be a second of, “You’re doing that to me.” What sort of neurochemicals are being dumped into our system in that second? How does that cortisol have an effect on us?
The Human-Canine Connection
Susan Garrett:There was an amazing examine completed on the College of Naples, I imagine in Italy. I really went to go to the lab and talked to the scientist who did this examine, as a result of I used to be so fascinated by it. Giovanni—I can’t keep in mind his final identify—had a lab the place they collected sweat samples from folks.
In a single group, they confirmed contributors a extremely scary Stephen King film so the folks watching had been terrified, after which they collected sweat samples. Within the different group, that they had folks watch a humorous, heartwarming Disney film and picked up these sweat samples too.
What they did then was arrange an experiment. A stranger sat in a small cubicle studying a newspaper, and canine house owners from the neighborhood had been invited to take part. The house owners would stroll their canines into the cubicle, sit on a little bit chair, and let the canines settle. Then, the researchers introduced in a field containing both pattern A or pattern B—the sweat from the Stephen King group or the Disney group.
It was exceptional—over 90% of the time, the canines reacted to the emotional scent. If the field contained the “Disney odor,” the canines softened. They wiggled their approach over to the stranger and approached with free, pleasant physique language and wagging tails. But when the field had the “Stephen King odor,” about 90% of the canines turned suspicious. They could growl, retreat, and even cover behind their proprietor’s legs.
To me, this was proof: our feelings are instantly happening the leash—and even simply into the room—and affecting our canines.
The Vito Sport
Dr. Peter Dobias:Are you able to share a narrative the place a canine shocked you—when he realized one thing sudden or taught you one thing you didn’t anticipate?Susan Garrett:It occurs day by day—canines shock me on a regular basis. Particularly with puppies, I’m all the time searching for these mild bulb moments the place they suppose, “Ah, I get it. We will work collectively now.” I need them to have autonomy, to make selections. My job is to create an setting the place they wish to select what I need—after which I reinforce that selection.
One in every of my favourite examples is the Vito recreation, which I realized from a scholar in Italy. You sit with two targets (like paper plates) on both aspect and drop a deal with on whichever plate the pet strikes towards. Quickly, they’re going backwards and forwards between the plates.
Then you definitely add a cone within the center. At first, it touches you, so the pet has to go round it. Step by step, you progress the cone out to create a niche. When the pet tries to chop by, you give no deal with. Ultimately, they determine it out: “I solely get cookies after I go across the cone.” That’s the second they turn out to be drawback solvers—they usually adore it.
What’s Canine Enrichment?
Dr. Peter Dobias:What does enrichment actually imply for canines?
Susan Garrett:Enrichment feeds into the pure drives and feelings of the canine. There’s enrichment with socializing, there’s enrichment with engagement, there’s enrichment for health and for conditioning.
Good enrichment creates what we name a optimistic CER, a optimistic conditioned emotional response, which is what the canine feels when they’re engaged in an enrichment exercise. It has a stage of problem. For instance, if I simply give my canine a bone on daily basis and it is the identical bone on daily basis it won’t be very enriching. Which brings me to a different level about enrichment – there must be selection.
Feeding into Pure Drives
Dr. Peter Dobias:Pax likes to chase after I transfer issues shortly! And after I let him get one thing, whether or not it is a toy or perhaps a leash that we have now tied in a knot, he likes to shake it. Susan Garrett:That’s the cycle. It is stalk, chase, chunk. The shaking is the kill. You are giving nice demonstrations of that!
Dr. Peter Dobias:How do folks find out about what their canines’ preferences are and safely faucet into them?
Susan Garrett:Let’s say we have now a canine who likes to chase squirrels. That drive comes from what’s known as the canine predatory motor sequence—a hardwired program canines have carried for tons of of years. It begins with a sight, sound, or odor that triggers alertness, then strikes to finding, stalking, chasing, biting to seize, biting to kill, eviscerating, and eventually consuming.
In home canines, breeding has exaggerated or diluted components of this sequence. For instance, Border Collies typically stalk, whereas Jack Russells are pure hunters – typically used for ratting.
As a coach, I take note of which a part of the sequence stands out in every pet. Some love squeaky toys—this displays the bite-grab intuition. Others wish to rip them open, displaying a drive for evisceration. Many canines love to make use of their noses; for them, hide-and-seek video games that contain scenting and finding meals or toys are deeply satisfying.
I by no means let puppies destroy stuffed animals, as that may result in harmful habits and even surgical procedures from impactions. As a substitute, I redirect these instincts with secure options like pet bombs—bathroom paper rolls folded and crammed with treats that they’ll safely shred.
By understanding your canine’s pure drives you’ll be able to create enrichment actions that fulfill their deepest wants in a wholesome, secure approach.
What Enrichment Is (and Isn’t)
Enrichment is about feeding into your canine’s pure drives and feelings in a secure, wholesome approach. It helps them use their power constructively and prevents frustration or boredom.
What Enrichment IS:
Actions that match your canine’s pure drive.
Cover-and-seek.
Digging.
Meals puzzles.
Flirt poles.
Scent video games.
Rotating toys to make them really feel new, distinctive and enjoyable once more.
What Enrichment IS NOT:
Something that’s harmful to canines, or irritating (ex. if they’ll by no means “catch” the prey this could create extra anxiousness).
Chasing laser pointers.
Repetitive ball throwing.
Passive leisure (TV or radio).
Overwhelming environments (like canine parks or unstructured daycare).
A few of Susan’s Favourite Enrichment Concepts
Snuffle mats and scent video games.
Cardboard rolls filled with treats (“pet bombs”).
Flirt poles for canines that like to chase.
Meals puzzles — beneath supervision just for security.
Susan Garrett:Keep in mind, enrichment isn’t about holding your canine busy. It’s about fulfilling their wants and giving them company.
Widespread Enrichment Errors
Dr. Peter Dobias:What are some widespread errors folks make with enrichment?Susan Garrett:An enormous one is considering enrichment is nearly holding the canine busy. Enrichment ought to serve the canine’s bodily, emotional, psychological, and social wants—and ideally, it engages them with you. Take a easy recreation of hide-and-seek: you ask your canine to take a seat, go cover in one other room, after which name them. That’s enriching and partaking as a result of it strengthens your bond.
Dr. Peter Dobias:I’ve seen well-meaning house owners spend hours throwing the ball on daily basis, considering they’re fixing an issue. How do you right this type of conduct?Susan Garrett:Some folks have heard that in the event that they train their canine extra, they received’t be damaging or they will not bark as a lot. When in actuality, they’ll turn out to be much more match and have much more power to be damaging.
One of many biggest items we may give canines is instructing them learn how to settle. My present Border Collie pet is among the highest-drive canines I’ve ever had, but he’s been curled up asleep this entire time we’ve been speaking. That’s as a result of we’ve constructed relaxation into his coaching from day one.
OCD vs Enrichment
Dr. Peter Dobias:How do you acknowledge the distinction between OCD and enrichment?Susan Garrett:Any conduct that the canine begins to obsess about, they simply need it – it needs to be placed on cue. You get to do it after I invite you to, and also you ignore it at every other time. That is a part of a game-based coaching that that is. And I might say with most enrichment actions, there is a queue that goes on earlier than them. Definitely not all, however undoubtedly most of them.
Can Canine Endure From Despair?
Dr. Peter Dobias:As a vet and a canine lover, I really feel that canines can get depressed. What’s your tackle this?
Susan Garrett:I imagine canines completely grieve when one other canine in the home passes—relying on the connection, it may be an actual problem for them to beat. When it’s time for one in every of my canines to be euthanized, I invite all my different canines in, one after the other, to allow them to see that their companion has handed. That closure appears to assist.
Dr. Peter Dobias:I’ve additionally seen canines change dramatically after being neutered or spayed. My very own canine, an authorized service canine, was neutered at two years outdated, and he fully modified—he appeared older, slower, and even began limping for no clear cause. However once we tried hormone substitute remedy (HRT), I bought my canine again. I’ve seen the identical unimaginable leads to different canines too, together with a ten-year-old Pit Bull who was as soon as torpid and tired of walks however turned energetic and comfortable once more after beginning HRT.
Susan Garrett:I’m so interested by that! I don’t spay or neuter my canines except completely crucial, however at some age there’s a concern.
Dr. Peter Dobias:Sure, there’s a 25% likelihood of pyometra in females. Nonetheless, we regularly counsel eradicating simply the uterus whereas leaving the ovaries intact to protect their pure hormonal stability and eradicating this threat. And for males, vasectomies are an possibility to stop undesirable litters with out eradicating hormones.
Be taught extra about hormone substitute remedy and HRT right here
Key Takeaway: Enrichment and Coaching Go Hand in Hand
Susan Garrett:I wish to go away folks with this takeaway: enrichment doesn’t take the place of coaching. That’s the underside line. Enrichment can completely assist your coaching, however it’s strongest when it’s completed with engagement.
Enrichment ought to serve many functions—it ought to meet your canine’s bodily, emotional, psychological, and social wants. And once you use enrichment as a part of your coaching, that’s when all of it comes collectively.
The excellent news? You don’t must spend some huge cash. You can begin with easy issues like bathroom paper rolls and get inventive from there.
Dr. Peter Dobias:The world is best due to canines, however it’s additionally higher due to folks such as you—individuals who really love what they do. You make life a lot simpler for canine lovers, and also you assist us let go of the guilt that we’re not doing sufficient, whereas instructing us learn how to perceive our canines higher.
So, the place can folks discover you? The place can they watch your movies, take your programs, and learn to turn out to be the perfect canine lovers they are often?
Susan Garrett:Thanks for that, Peter—that was stunning.
First, I wish to give your listeners a free useful resource. Our web site is dogsthat.com/peter, you’ll discover entry to the ItsYerChoice recreation I discussed earlier, fully free.
Our YouTube channel additionally has over 400 canine coaching tutorials. If you wish to learn to lead with kindness in all of your interactions together with your canine, it’s an amazing place to start out. The channel is rather well organized, with playlists for the whole lot from new puppies to reactive or fearful canines. And it’s all fully free.
We’ve additionally been providing on-line lessons since 2009—properly earlier than it turned well-liked—and tons of of 1000’s of individuals have taken half in our free on-line lecture rooms. I by no means need cash to be a barrier for somebody to learn to deal with their canine with kindness.
FAQs
Q: What’s one easy enrichment exercise I can attempt at this time?
A: Place treats in a folded bathroom paper roll and let your canine safely shred it to search out the rewards.
Q: Is it secure to depart my canine with meals puzzles unsupervised?
A: Provided that they’re fabricated from sturdy, non-toxic materials. At all times supervise puppies.
Q: Why ought to I rotate my canine’s toys?
A: Rotating toys retains them novel and thrilling, which higher engages your canine.
