Train Your Brain to Really See

Your Brain is Playing Tricks on You!

Right now, as you read this, your mind is filtering, editing, and completely missing information that's right in front of you. The famous "invisible gorilla" research proves it: we can stare directly at something and not see it. We can focus so intently on one thing that we become blind to everything else happening around us.

For anyone working with animals—or wanting to understand the world with greater clarity—these limitations of human perception aren't just fascinating. They're dangerous.

The late great R.K. Anderson DVM called Suzanne Clothier "one of the best observers of dogs that I have ever seen." But Suzanne's legendary observation skills didn't happen by accident. They're the result of systematic practice in how to see, not just what to look for.

Course opens Sunday, November 2nd

Register now for Early Bird Dog Pricing!

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WHAT IS OBSERVATION SKILLS PART 1?

This course trains your brain to override its natural limitations and develop the foundational skill that underlies everything else you do with animals: accurate observation in real time.

You'll learn to be a scientist in the field—not the controlled laboratory kind, but the ethologist studying honey bees for decades until patterns emerge. You'll practice with dogs, bees, people, and everyday situations, building observation abilities that extend far beyond any single species or context.

Think of yourself as a scientist. Every interaction becomes research. Every moment offers data. Your curiosity becomes your most powerful tool.

WHY YOUR OBSERVATION SKILLS MATTER

If you're a professional, inaccurate observations lead to wrong assessments, failed training plans, and potentially dangerous situations. The difference between a dog showing friendly excitement and anxious arousal might be subtle, but the consequences of missing it aren't.

If you're a dog owner, imagine actually seeing the stress signals before your dog bites, or recognizing the learning moments that happen dozens of times each day. These skills transform relationships because you're finally responding to what's actually happening, not what you assume is happening.

If you work in any animal field, these observation skills transfer everywhere. The principles work whether you're watching dogs, horses, cats, or wildlife. You're not learning species-specific behavior—you're developing your capacity to see.

BEYOND THE INVISIBLE GORILLA

This course confronts the uncomfortable truth about human perception: we're not nearly as good at seeing as we think we are. Through systematic practice with specific exercises, you'll learn to:

Develop pattern recognition - like Karl von Frisch spending decades observing honey bees until he decoded their "waggle dance" communication system.

Create effective field notes - capturing complex, fast-moving behavior in ways that remain meaningful months later.

Practice scientific inquiry - approaching each interaction with curiosity, working hypotheses, and real-world research skills.

Register now! Course starts November 2nd!

Find the pricing option that's best for you, and grab your spot now!

What are people saying?

5 star rating

Observation - Foundation of Understanding & Training Dogs

Shlomit Harrosh

Behaviour is constantly in flux. The ability to accurately see the dog and handler in front of us in real time lies at the heart of excellent dog training. Without right observation, we cannot make correct assessments or respond appropriately and...

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Behaviour is constantly in flux. The ability to accurately see the dog and handler in front of us in real time lies at the heart of excellent dog training. Without right observation, we cannot make correct assessments or respond appropriately and quickly enough to changes in the dog's behaviour. Suzanne Clothier has created a course that teaches us to do just this. Observation Skills - Part 1 is a step-by-step course that creates the foundations for truly seeing the dog/handler in front of us through a blend of theory and hands-on exercises that improve observation skills in just a few weeks. Just as importantly, this course has given me the tools to continue honing these skills in everyday life. The weekly Q&A sessions and the opportunity to learn directly from Suzanne Clothier through her responses to students' questions have been an invaluable addition that has further expanded my understanding of dog behaviour. This has been one of the most valuable courses I've taken as a dog trainer, and also one of the most enjoyable. For through observation we learn to be curious and open to reality, and this is one path towards greater joy. I highly recommend this excellent course to any animal lover and trainer. - Dr. Shlomit Harrosh

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5 star rating

Eye Opening

Gwen Grimm

I initially signed up thinking this course would be a skills learning course on observing dogs and maybe some interpretation of what we observed. I was pleasantly surprised when I discovered it was more about learning how to observe and what is i...

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I initially signed up thinking this course would be a skills learning course on observing dogs and maybe some interpretation of what we observed. I was pleasantly surprised when I discovered it was more about learning how to observe and what is involved in the process of observation, which is way more than I ever really thought about. The skill of observation is much more complicated and this course brought that to light and then some. Very interesting and I learned a lot about the skill of observation, relating it to the why and what, regardless of what I am observing at the moment. Looking forward to Observation Skills - Part 2!

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5 star rating

So much information!

lynda costello

I am not a trainer. But I want to learn how better to be a good dog owner. Am 82 in May and grateful to be able to take this course and expand my knowledge. Thank you!!!

I am not a trainer. But I want to learn how better to be a good dog owner. Am 82 in May and grateful to be able to take this course and expand my knowledge. Thank you!!!

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5 star rating

Great Introductory Course on Observation

Jacqueline Moreno

The ability to perceive details in interactions of individuals in their environment and between each other is the most important for a student of behaviour. This introductory course with Suzanne is a great gateway with the initial steps to develop...

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The ability to perceive details in interactions of individuals in their environment and between each other is the most important for a student of behaviour. This introductory course with Suzanne is a great gateway with the initial steps to develop that ability. Highly recommended!

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5 star rating

Appropriate title - implies there will be other parts

Margaret Legg

Extremely well done and useful course

Extremely well done and useful course

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5 star rating

It's not a checklist, it's a way to train your brain and use your senses to "see the dog"

Jody Greifenberger

Suzanne takes you through Observation Skills Part 1 course to lay the foundation you need to become a great observer. She is very generous with her time and this was invaluable to my learning. I'm looking forward to Part 2!

Suzanne takes you through Observation Skills Part 1 course to lay the foundation you need to become a great observer. She is very generous with her time and this was invaluable to my learning. I'm looking forward to Part 2!

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5 star rating

Observation Skills - Part 1

Patricia Rapaport

Suzanne is an awesome instructor and the course was fantastic. It improved my observational skills in a fun and practical way. The Q&As were thoughtful and helpful and Suzanne will stay in the session until all questions and comments have be...

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Suzanne is an awesome instructor and the course was fantastic. It improved my observational skills in a fun and practical way. The Q&As were thoughtful and helpful and Suzanne will stay in the session until all questions and comments have been completed. I can't wait to start Part 2. I have never been disappointed by any of the courses. I just keep learning more and more.

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What the Course Includes:

  • 8 Modules building observation skills step-by-step
  • 5 live Q&A sessions with Suzanne (Tuesdays at 10am EST)
  • Opportunity for daily practice using the custom Observation Deck
  • Real-world applications from honey bee communication to human behavior patterns
  • Field note techniques for capturing complex information quickly
  • Hands-on video analysis including the famous "10 seconds to 100%" exercise
  • CEUs pending for PPAB, IAABC

Course curriculum

    1. How to use this course

    2. Observation Skills Part 1 From Your Instructor.pdf

    1. Schedule for the Q&A sessions

    1. Week One Q&A - Recorded

    2. Week Two Q&A - Recorded

    3. Week Three Q&A - Recorded

    4. Week Four Q&A - Recorded

    5. Week One - Q&A - Recorded Version

    6. Week Two - Q&A - Recorded Version

    7. Week Three - Q&A - Recorded Version

    8. Week Four Q&A - Recorded Version

    9. Week Five Q&A - Recorded Version

    10. Recorded Q&A from March 17th, 2022

    11. Recorded Q&A from March 24th, 2022

    12. Recorded Q&A from March 31st, 2022

    13. Recorded Q&A from April 7th, 2022

    14. Recorded Q&A from April 14th, 2022

    1. See the Dog: Improving Observation Skills Webinar

    2. DOWNLOAD Observation Deck

    3. EXERCISE Week One - Practical Practice

    1. Dog Trainer/Scientist?

    2. EXERCISE: Name That Behavior

    3. Seeing with Fresh Eyes: Be the Bee

    4. Week 1 Test your learning

    1. The Invisible Gorilla

    2. Field Notes & Creating Your Own Shorthand

    3. DOWNLOAD: Expert Feedback 10 Seconds to 100% Border Collie

    4. 10 seconds to 100% Border Collie Evaluation

    5. EXERCISE Week Two - Practical Practice

About this course

  • $325.00
  • 66 lessons

Register now!

Find the pricing option that's best for you, and grab your spot now!

FAQ

  • How will this course help me be a better trainer?

    Really seeing the dog in front of you is critical to the training decisions you will make with and for that dog. If you work with shy, fearful or aggressive dogs, missing important information can create inhumane or dangerous situations. All dogs need your best observations at work for them.

  • I'm not a professional trainer, but I want to understand dogs better! Is this course suitable for me?

    This course is ideal for anyone who wants to add new ways to observe and understand dogs. Join us!

  • Do I have to take Intro to CARAT before I can take this observation skills course?

    No - while this course is the next step after Intro to CARAT, it and Observation Skills Part 2 are a stand alone series of courses. You do have to complete Observation Skills Part 1 before moving on to Part 2. They are open to anyone interested in learning how to really SEE THE DOG in new ways.

  • Is this course part of the CARAT Certification path?

    Yes, this is the next step after Intro to CARAT. Both Observation Skills Part 1 and Observation Skills Part 2 are requirements for CARAT Certification.

  • What's involved?

    We will release two sessions per week (each about an hour+) plus practice work, plus a live Q&A session with Suzanne (recorded of course for viewing at your convenience) plus a 5th wrap-up Q& A session. The Q&A Sessions are tentatively scheduled for Tuesdays at 10 AM EST starting week two. You have access to the course for a full year.

  • How much time do I have to invest in this course?

    Plan on spending 2-4 hours per week watching Suzanne's presentations, plus an hour or so with the Q&A sessions. Multiple observation practice sessions are done in short bursts of time throughout your day, ranging from 30 seconds to 5-10 minutes to complete.

  • Are CEUs available?

    Yes, CEUs are available for IAABC, KPA and PPAB. We are sorry we cannot offer CEUs for CCPDT, they do not approve them.