RAT will be offered again in early Oct. 2021. Scroll down for complete information on curriculum, FAQs, CEUs & more.

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One powerful tool

If you are involved in helping people and dogs find their best relationship, RAT™ is a must-have tool that streamlines your training so that you can be as effective, humane and customized as possible. Course begins March 15, 2021.

  • The dynamics of relationship are your guide to effective training. RAT shows you what that dog and that handler need!

  • Identifying strengths and weaknesses in a relationship points the way to customized training plans.

  • The RAT scoresheet provides clear information for the client, and supports the rationale behind your training plans.

  • Make the match! Is this dog right for this handler? Is this handler or lifestyle right for this dog? RAT is an ideal suitability assessment.

  • Track progress through changes in the RAT scoresheet, provide excellent feedback for clients.

  • This self-paced course offers 6 months of coaching from Suzanne (via Zoom meetings), plus RAT discussion group. Access to materials for 1 full year.

  • Completion of the course offers the following CEUs: IAABC - 22.875 CEUs; KPA - 30 CEUs; PPAB - 19 CEUs.

What does RAT assess?

This rapid assessment provides a deep look

RAT looks at the patterns of interaction between a dog and handler. Both ends of the leash are considered, with an eye to what supports the relationship, what may be undermining it, or what may be creating training challenges.

RAT looks for the strengths that are present, and identifies areas for improvement. Specifically, RAT looks in detail at:

  • Pulling
  • Check-In
  • Equipment Use
  • Orchestration
  • Directability
  • Accommodation
  • Use of Space
  • Arousal and Resilience
  • Handler Communication and Feedback
  • Dog-to-Dog Interactions
  • Connection.
  • Risk Factors

The RAT scoresheet provides a clear reflection of the observed dynamics, and points the way to a Triage Training Plan (TTP).

The Dynamics of Interaction

Your guide to helping people & dogs find their best relationships

"Wherever you go, there you are!" 

In each relationship, the handler brings his or her habits, personalities, needs and style to interact with the dog, who also brings his own personality, patterns of response, needs and style.

RAT™ provides a clear structure for helping you see whether a dog and human are aligned, or if their individual patterns of behavior are creating challenges or even conflict. 

Put your training time, energy and resources into addressing the actual issues, not following a one-size-fits-all training plan.

RAT™ clearly identifies the strengths and weaknesses of any dog/handler team. Training Triage helps you prioritize and develop a sensible, targeted training plan for improving and strengthening the relationship.

RAT's rapid assessment provides clear, actionable information for you as trainer/instructor and provides talking points for discussion with clients.  

Grounded in detailed observation, RAT™ can be used for initial assessment as well as for monitoring progress over time or situations.

If you are involved in helping people and dogs find their best relationship, RAT™ is a must-have tool that streamlines your training so that you can be as effective, humane and customized as possible.

RAT™ is ideal for trainers, instructors, shelter workers, rescue groups, veterinarians, vet techs, breeders, service dog trainers, AAI/AAT and anyone interested in understanding and enhancing the dog/human relationship.

Course curriculum

    1. A message from your instructor

    2. How to use this course

    3. Your Starting Point

    4. Q&A Sessions - bi-weekly meetings

    1. Schedule for the Q&A

    2. March 31, 2021 - Q&A

    3. April 14, 2021 - Q&A

    4. April 28, 2021 - Q&A

    5. May 12, 2021 - Q&A

    6. May 26, 2021 - Q&A

    7. June 9, 2021 - Q&A

    8. June 23, 2021 Q&A

    9. July 14, 2021 - Q&A

    10. July 21, 2021 - Q&A

    1. Relationship Centered Training & RAT

    2. BONUS: Intro to RCT

    3. CONNECTION

    4. COMMUNICATION

    5. COMMITMENT

    6. RCT Principles in Action

    1. RAT Objectives & Possibilities

    2. PDF of INTRO to RAT webinar

    3. Intro to RAT: Webinar

    4. Here, There & Everywhere

    5. Learning to See

    1. Assess: Pulling

    2. Assess: Check-in

    3. Assess: Directability

    4. Assess: Use of Space

    5. Assess: Equipment Use

    6. TEST YOUR LEARNING

    1. Assess: Accommodation

    2. Assess: Communication & Feedback

    3. Assess: Orchestration

About this course

  • $495.00
  • 70 lessons
  • 0 hours of video content

FAQ

  • Who needs RAT?

    If you are involved in helping dogs and people find their way to the best possible relationship, you need RAT! Trainers, behaviorists, veterinarians, instructors, shelter, rescue, breeders, anyone involved in assessing dogs for specific purpose or lifestyle, or responsible for making dog/human matches.

  • How long does it take to learn RAT?

    The RAT course content will be dripped out in a way that lets you spend 2-4 hours per week. At that rate, you can complete the course in about 3-4 months. But you have access to the materials for a full year, and are free to work at your own pace.

  • I only teach private lessons. Is RAT useful for me?

    RAT is the ideal addition to your training toolkit. When RAT is your initial assessment of the client and dog, you are already shaping up the training plan and knowing what needs to be prioritized.

  • I only teach group classes. Will RAT help me as an instructor?

    RAT is an observation based assessment. This course sharpens your observation skills, helping you to see patterns of interaction, and recognizing how those patterns can help or hinder the relationship. Knowing what each end of the leash needs to improve the relationship is invaluable to group class teachers.

  • Is RAT helpul for shelters & rescues?

    As many have learned, the principles of RAT are powerful tools in making the right match. RAT can be used to assess a handler/dog match, evaluate a handler's skill, assess the dog only, and even help you undertand your staff & their specific skills.

  • I am involved in Animal Assisted Therapy, service dog work, therapy dog work, ESA or other AAI programs. Can RAT help me?

    "Goodness of fit" is a critical component of AAI/AAT programs. Evaluating teams is time consuming, and often organizations find that their current assessments do not provide accurate information. RAT's rapid assessment is ideal for effective and helpful evaluations that are easily administered and shared. Additionally, RAT identifies areas that can be improved, so would-be teams can get to work on those specifics.

  • Does RAT require a special set up or equipment for assessment?

    RAT is observation based, and can be done almost anywhere. No special set up or equipment required, though for organizations doing formal assessments, having a consistent set up makes apple-to-apple comparisons possible.

  • I'm not a professional - can I still learn RAT?

    While RAT is intended as a professional level course, we know that many dedicated folks work in a volunteer capacity for organizations, shelters, training clubs, etc. If you'd like to learn RAT, join us! We love helping dedicated folks learn more so they can do more for dogs and people.

  • Are CEUs available?

    Yes - CEUs are available for IAABC (23) and PPAB (pending). No CEUs for CCPDT (their policy)

What Others Say about RAT

“As a trainer, RAT gives me a better understanding of the specific aspects of the relationship of the owner with the dog in front of me so that I can tailor a training program to address those needs, especially from the dog's perspective.”

Cindy Benson, KPA CTP Benson Maremmas

“RAT has added some powerful skills to my professional trainer toolbox. RAT helps me identify what skills & support are needed for dog & handler The RAT score sheet provides each client with great clarity and the opportunity to dig into a specific, well though-out training plan that meets their needs.”

Cindy Knowlton, CPDT-KA, CNWI, CCA -- See Spot Grin, MD

“Using R.A.T. helps me as a psychotherapist examine and identify essential elements of relationship quickly and clearly with my clients. And relationships are at the heart of most human issues. R.A.T. helps me point out therapeutic issues in a fundamental way that is often easier for clients to absorb because their interactions with an animal seem removed from their “real life,” with all the emotional landmines real life contains. The information I get from R.A.T. then helps me structure interventions that have a greater likelihood of helping clients achieve their goals. It helps me work on the issue rather than the symptoms of the issue. ”

Ann Howie, LICSW, ACSW, CCFT, CCA

Course Fees

Full year's access to the course materials, 6 bi-weekly Q/A with Suzanne (starts March 31, noon ET) via Zoom. CEUs: IAABC-23, PPAB-19. Certificate of Achievement, plus opportunity to apply for testing to earn RAT Assessor designation. Next RAT course registration opens Aug. 1, 2021 for Oct start date.

Instructor & Creator of RAT

Suzanne Clothier

Senior Instructor

Suzanne Clothier has been working with animals professionally since 1977, with a deep, broadly varied background of experience including obedience training, agility, Search & Rescue, kennel management, and program development. She is well respected for her humane, effective Relationship Centered Training (RCT™) approach to dogs and the people that love them. She has taught on a broad range of topics throughout the world. Her tools and materials have been put to use in guide & service dog organizations, in animal assisted therapy, for every day pet owners, and by trainers, breeders, veterinarians, academics and in research. Her work has been presented in multiple international conferences. Her book, Bones Would Rain from the Sky: Deepening Our Relationships With Dogs (Warner, 2002) has received wide spread praise from every corner of the dog world. A German Shepherd breeder, her 11 generations of Hawks Hunt German Shepherds have been successful as competitive performance sports, as well as in Search & Rescue, herding, therapy work and of course as beloved companions. Suzanne lives on an upstate New York with her incredibly tolerant husband John Rice.