Relationship Assessment Tool™

  • Are you frustrated with the current situation between you and your dog?

  • Do you wish the potential you see could come to fruition?

  • Are you looking to develop a training plan that will get you where you want to be?

Foundation is key in any dog/handler relationship. If the foundation has holes, sooner or later either the dog or handler will step into those holes, and problems result. The greater the pressure that the dog or handler or their relationship must sustain and/or the weaker the foundation, the more intense the problems.  Repair & strengthen the foundation, and the “symptoms” of those holes either disappear or become surprisingly easy to address.

 
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WHAT IS RAT?

Suzanne Clothier’s Relationship Assessment Tool (RAT) helps define what foundation elements are in need of being established, repaired or strengthened in order for the dog/human relationship to thrive. This formalized two-part assessment identifies the specific areas that need to be addressed and gives you written training plan to help get you where you want to be.

As a Certified RAT Instructor, Cindy Knowlton is skilled in identifying the strengths and weaknesses of you and your dog as a team, provide a Training Triage, and prioritize and develop a sensible, targeted training plan for improving and strengthening the relationship.

WHAT DOES RAT ASSESS?

The following key points stand alone regardless of age, breed, history, experience, genetics, instinct, socialization, etc., and can be assessed for any handler & dog.

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  • Connection:  Are you and your dog engaged in a mutually respectful and attentive conversation, “together”?

  • Check-in: Do you frequently check-in with the dog? Does the dog check-in with you without being prompted or lured?? Does mutual check-in exist?

  • Arousal & Reslience:  How excited or worried is the dog, and how quickly can he resolve to a normal relaxed state? How do you monitor arousal levels and assist in maintaining or restoring appropriate arousal levels.

  • Orchestration:  Are you a pro-active or reactive handler?

  • Directability:  Do you actively direct your dog in a meaningful way appropriate to the situation? Does your dog accept direction, or seek direction?

  • Accommodation:  Does your dog accommodate you, or do you accommodate the dog?

  • Use of Space: The use of space between social animals is always informative.

  • Pulling:  Is your dog pulling on lead?  Are you pulling?

  • Equipment Usage & Dependence:  The choice of and use of equipment can be telling.

HOW IT WORKS

A formal RAT assessment involves scheduling two sessions with you and your dog. During the first session we’ll evaluate you and your dog. A follow up session will be scheduled to discuss findings and our recommended training plan. $200*

*Should you opt to pursue additional training sessions, additional fees will apply.