What if the important thing to stopping behavioral issues and nurturing a peaceful, joyful canine wasn’t about extra train or infinite 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 canine by way of kindness, readability, and game-based coaching.
We uncover why true enrichment is a lot greater than protecting your canine “busy”—and the way it can remodel your canine’s wellbeing and the bond you’ve gotten.
Happier, More healthy Canine – 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 canine right here! That is an fascinating query that I’ve by no means been requested earlier than. And I feel they each have influenced one another tremendously. I consider anybody who owns a canine is, in a roundabout way, a canine coach, and our canine affect us as a lot as we affect them. Science now confirms what I at all times sensed: residing with canine really shapes our neural pathways.
I grew up in an enormous household—seven brothers and two sisters. My brothers had an enormous affect on me, and I used to be a tomboy, at all times into sports activities. I used to be impressed by folks like John Wood, Lou Holtz, and Zig Ziglar. Positivity was an enormous theme in my life. I bear in mind listening to Norman Vincent Peale’s The Energy of Constructive Considering on repeat for months!
My sister, who was seven years older, confirmed canine in conformation. That’s once I fell in love with the world of canine. By my teenagers, I used to be serving to her, and once 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 habits on the College of Guelph. I grew to become fascinated with how habits is influenced, not simply in canine however in all animals. I labored with horses and, consider it or not, cows had been my past love. Milking cows at 5 a.m. taught me a robust work ethic and deepened my love for animals—not simply canine.
The Philosophy of Canine Coaching
Dr. Peter Dobias:
For those who might distill your coaching philosophy into one sentence, what would it not be?
Susan Garrett:
“Our canine are doing the most effective they will with the training we’ve given them within the atmosphere 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 comparable. Everyone you meet is doing the most effective they will.
The Science of Animal Habits
Dr. Peter Dobias:
How has your understanding of animal science and habits developed over time?
Susan Garrett:
We’re each scientists, and we each perceive that science is a glimpse of reality at this time. It isn’t reality perpetually. It’s an accumulation of what we all know. And so, I take a look at what we all know on the earth of reinforcement-based canine coaching—or force-free canine coaching, or no matter label you need to name it—and it’s so way more than what we knew 25 years in the past, once I watched canine within the seventies.
Again then, canine weren’t skilled with meals or toys. They had been skilled 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 side—I’d say in all probability the bulk—of canine trainers, and positively nearly all of the favored social media canine trainers, who consider in opposition to me. They consider that reinforcement has an enormous function in canine coaching, however canine have to “understand it, rattling it.”
Whereas I really consider that canine are doing the most effective they will with the training they’ve been given. And should you consider canine 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 may’t assist however really feel wronged. Ego steps in, and also you would possibly grit your enamel if you’re coaching.
Now, it would 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 important examine carried out on the College of Naples, I consider 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 bear in mind his final title—had a lab the place they collected sweat samples from folks.
In a single group, they confirmed contributors a very 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 homeowners from the neighborhood had been invited to take part. The homeowners would stroll their canine into the cubicle, sit on slightly chair, and let the canine 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 outstanding—over 90% of the time, the canine reacted to the emotional scent. If the field contained the “Disney odor,” the canine softened. They wiggled their approach over to the stranger and approached with unfastened, pleasant physique language and wagging tails. But when the field had the “Stephen King odor,” about 90% of the canine grew to become suspicious. They may growl, retreat, and even conceal behind their proprietor’s legs.
To me, this was proof: our feelings are instantly taking place the leash—and even simply into the room—and affecting our canine.
The Vito Sport
Dr. Peter Dobias:
Are you able to share a narrative the place a canine stunned you—when he realized one thing sudden or taught you one thing you didn’t anticipate?
Susan Garrett:
It occurs every day—canine shock me on a regular basis. Particularly with puppies, I’m at all times searching for these gentle bulb moments the place they suppose, “Ah, I get it. We are able to work collectively now.” I would like them to have autonomy, to make selections. My job is to create an atmosphere the place they need to select what I would like—after which I reinforce that alternative.
One in all my favourite examples is the Vito recreation, which I realized from a pupil 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 forwards and backwards between the plates.
You then add a cone within the center. At first, it touches you, so the pet has to go round it. Progressively, you progress the cone out to create a spot. When the pet tries to chop by way of, you give no deal with. Ultimately, they determine it out: “I solely get cookies once I go across the cone.” That’s the second they change into downside solvers—they usually like it.
What’s Canine Enrichment?
Dr. Peter Dobias:
What does enrichment actually imply for canine?
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 daily and it is the identical bone daily it is not going to 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 once I transfer issues shortly! And once I let him get one thing, whether or not it is a toy or perhaps a leash that now we have 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 study what their canine’ preferences are and safely faucet into them?
Susan Garrett:
Let’s say now we have a canine who likes to chase squirrels. That drive comes from what’s known as the canine predatory motor sequence—a hardwired program canine have carried for a whole lot 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 canine, breeding has exaggerated or diluted elements of this sequence. For instance, Border Collies usually stalk, whereas Jack Russells are pure hunters – usually 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 need to rip them open, exhibiting a drive for evisceration. Many canine 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 an alternative, I redirect these instincts with protected alternate options like pet bombs—rest room paper rolls folded and crammed with treats that they will safely shred.
By understanding your canine’s pure drives you may create enrichment actions that fulfill their deepest wants in a wholesome, protected approach.
What Enrichment Is (and Isn’t)
Enrichment is about feeding into your canine’s pure drives and feelings in a protected, wholesome approach. It helps them use their power constructively and prevents frustration or boredom.
What Enrichment IS:
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Actions that match your canine’s pure drive.
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Disguise-and-seek.
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Digging.
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Meals puzzles.
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Flirt poles.
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Scent video games.
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Rotating toys to make them really feel new, distinctive and enjoyable once more.
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What Enrichment IS NOT:
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Something that’s harmful to canine, or irritating (ex. if they will by no means “catch” the prey this will create extra nervousness).
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Chasing laser pointers.
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Repetitive ball throwing.
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Passive leisure (TV or radio).
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Overwhelming environments (like canine parks or unstructured daycare).
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A few of Susan’s Favourite Enrichment Concepts
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Snuffle mats and scent video games.
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Cardboard rolls filled with treats (“pet bombs”).
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Flirt poles for canine that like to chase.
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Meals puzzles — beneath supervision just for security.
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Susan Garrett:
Bear in mind, enrichment isn’t about protecting your canine busy. It’s about fulfilling their wants and giving them company.
Frequent Enrichment Errors
Dr. Peter Dobias:
What are some frequent errors folks make with enrichment?
Susan Garrett:
An enormous one is considering enrichment is nearly protecting 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 sit down, go conceal 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 homeowners spend hours throwing the ball daily, considering they’re fixing an issue. How do you right this sort of habits?
Susan Garrett:
Some folks have heard that in the event that they train their canine extra, they received’t be harmful or they will not bark as a lot. When in actuality, they are going to change into much more match and have much more power to be harmful.
One of many biggest items we may give canine is instructing them the way to settle. My present Border Collie pet is without doubt one of the highest-drive canine 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 habits that the canine begins to obsess about, they only need it – it must be placed on cue. You get to do it once 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’d say with most enrichment actions, there is a queue that goes on earlier than them. Definitely not all, however positively most of them.
Can Canine Endure From Despair?
Dr. Peter Dobias:
As a vet and a canine lover, I really feel that canine can get depressed. What’s your tackle this?
Susan Garrett:
I consider canine 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 among my canine to be euthanized, I invite all my different canine in, one by one, to allow them to see that their companion has handed. That closure appears to assist.
Dr. Peter Dobias:
I’ve additionally seen canine change dramatically after being neutered or spayed. My very own canine, a licensed service canine, was neutered at two years previous, and he fully modified—he appeared older, slower, and even began limping for no clear cause. However once we tried hormone alternative remedy (HRT), I bought my canine again. I’ve seen the identical unbelievable ends in different canine too, together with a ten-year-old Pit Bull who was as soon as torpid and bored with walks however grew to become full of life and glad once more after beginning HRT.
Susan Garrett:
I’m so interested by that! I don’t spay or neuter my canine until completely obligatory, however at some age there’s a concern.
Dr. Peter Dobias:
Sure, there’s a 25% probability of pyometra in females. Nonetheless, we frequently recommend eradicating simply the uterus whereas leaving the ovaries intact to protect their pure hormonal steadiness and eradicating this threat. And for males, vasectomies are an choice to forestall undesirable litters with out eradicating hormones.
Be taught extra about hormone alternative remedy and HRT right here
Key Takeaway: Enrichment and Coaching Go Hand in Hand
Susan Garrett:
I need 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 carried out with engagement.
Enrichment ought to serve many functions—it ought to meet your canine’s bodily, emotional, psychological, and social wants. And if you use enrichment as a part of your coaching, that’s when all of it comes collectively.
The excellent news? You don’t should spend some huge cash. You can begin with easy issues like rest room paper rolls and get artistic from there.
Dr. Peter Dobias:
The world is best due to canine, however it’s additionally higher due to folks such as you—individuals who actually 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 the way to perceive our canine higher.
So, the place can folks discover you? The place can they watch your movies, take your programs, and learn to change into the perfect canine lovers they are often?
Susan Garrett:
Thanks for that, Peter—that was lovely.
First, I need 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 important place to begin. The channel is rather well organized, with playlists for all the pieces from new puppies to reactive or fearful canine. And it’s all fully free.
We’ve additionally been providing on-line courses since 2009—nicely earlier than it grew to become common—and a whole lot of hundreds 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 rest room paper roll and let your canine safely shred it to search out the rewards.
Q: Is it protected to go away my canine with meals puzzles unsupervised?
A: Provided that they’re manufactured 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.
