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.

Before focusing on training specific behaviors, you need to understand  the dynamics of the relationship. RAT's simple but effective framework helps you create a customized approach that meets the needs of dog and handler to minimize or eliminate points of conflict, and to support and build the "fireflies" of mutual connection and joy.

Suzanne Clothier created RAT to help trainers, behaviorists, veterinarians, instructors, shelter, rescue, breeders, anyone involved in assessing dogs for specific purpose or lifestyle, or responsible for making dog/human matches.

Though it only takes a few minutes, a RAT assessment gives you a wealth of information that will shape your approach to that specific handler/dog team. Humane and effective training begins with understanding the relationship.

Why do you need RAT?

  • The dynamics of relationship are your guide to effective training. RAT shows you what that dog and that handler need!
  • The RAT scoresheet provides clear information for the client, and supports the rationale behind your training plans.
  • Track progress through changes in the RAT scoresheet, provide excellent feedback for clients.
  • Identifying strengths and weaknesses in a relationship points the way to customized 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.

TWO ways to Pay!

Course starts February 9, 2025.

Act by January 12th to save $170 with Early Bird Dog Pricing!

BEST VALUE

$595 USD
 
OR

MOST FLEXIBLE

3 monthly payments of
$205 USD
 

What does RAT assess?

This rapid assessment provides a new framework for understanding the dog/handler relationship.

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

What Others Have To Say About RAT

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.

RAT™ comes with six months of instructor support, and a year access to the course.  

Q&As are tentatively scheduled for:

  • February 19th at Noon EST
  • March 5th at Noon EST
  • March 19th at Noon EST
  • April 2nd at Noon EST
  • April 16th at Noon EST
  • April 30th at Noon EST
  • May 28th at Noon EST
  • June 25th at Noon EST
  • July 30th at Noon EST

Course curriculum

    1. A message from your instructor

    2. How to use this course

    3. Your Starting Point

    1. Schedule of Q & A Sessions

    2. February 19th Q&A - Recorded

    3. March 5th Q&A - Recorded

    4. March 19th Q&A - Recorded

    5. Q&A - April 2nd at Noon EST

    6. Q&A - April 16th at Noon EST

    7. Q&A - April 30th at Noon EST

    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

      FREE PREVIEW
    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

  • $595.00
  • 105 lessons

FAQ

  • 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 one year, and are free to work at your own pace.

  • 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 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.

  • 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'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.

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • What is required to become certified in RAT?

    To become a RAT assessor, you must successfully complete all coursework, provide two recommendations from professional colleagues, and submit four case history videos showing application of your RAT setups, and provide completed RAT scoresheets and a Triage & Training Plan (TTP) for each dog/handler team. You will need the ability to videotape and do modest editing on your video, plus download and read PDFs, and work in Word or equivalent for various assignments.

  • Are CEUs available?

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

What Students are Saying

Course Fees

Starts February 9, 2025. Includes one year access to the course materials, 6 months of instructor support, 3 months of bi-weekly Q/A with Suzanne via Zoom, followed by 3 months of monthly meetings. CEUs: IAABC-23, PPAB-19. Includes the RAT Assessor Test.

What Others Say about RAT

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.