Helping socially shy dogs feel comfortable around people.

Treat-Retreat was developed by Suzanne Clothier, and has been helping dogs around the world since the early 1990’s. This powerfully effective technique is used to help socially shy dogs master the intricacies of feeling comfortable interacting with and being around people, teaching them a skill set that promotes confidence.

As a Certified Treat/Retreat Instructor, Cindy Knowlton can help your dog find the greatest possible balance within himself, and to develop the dog's skill and confidence in dealing with people. How far can your dog go? Treat/Retreat helps dogs go as far as they possibly can. Goals and expectations are always based on the most reasonable, humane limits for each individual dog. For some dogs, interacting with people will always remain challenging. For these dogs, she will take them as far as they can go, helping them develop skills while also providing a structure for you and your dog to make interactions as pleasant as possible. For some dogs, Treat/Retreat opens a whole new world of confidence and enjoyable interactions with people.

What’s a Certified Treat/Retreat Instructor?

A Certified Treat/Retreat Instructor is a trainer who has completed an intensive certification course designed for working professionals looking to build their skills for working with shy, fearful and socially awkward dogs, including countless hours of observation and study, in person practicum with chosen case studies, and video submissions of their work to Suzanne Clothier, the creator of Treat/Retreat, for feedback and approval.

While other trainers may claim to be familiar with Treat/Retreat, they often provide inaccurate information, and lack an understanding of the nuances and layers involved in applying this technique correctly. Seek out a Certified Treat/Retreat Instructor to insure the best results for your dog.

How Does Treat/Retreat Work?

This is a dog-centric technique that is force-free, and one that does not use negative reinforcement. Instead, respect for the dog’s boundaries, arousal and abilities are combined with nuanced observation and engagement of SEEKING to help build the dog’s skills. Using thin slices, Treat/Retreat helps the dog develop skills in comfortable ways that are readily generalized.

Treat/Retreat works through multiple layers of a dog’s social interactions with people:

  • Approaching

  • Moving

  • Interactions

  • Groups

  • Postures & gestures

  • Humans as training equipment

  • Orchestrated greetings

Treat/Retreat Classes

Course Length:
Course Fee:  
Prerequisites: 

Six Weeks
$200
Your dog must be comfortable with being left unattended in a crate or vehicle.

Wednesdays
Fridays

7:00-8:30pm
10:30am-12:00pm

Begins 5/8/24
Begins 3/15/24