FINALLY!

Thanks for your patience - here are the details of the April 18 & 19, 2009 seminar at Hawks Hunt Farm, St. Johnsville NY.  Strictly limited to 40, so please register early.  Click here for registration form

This two day workshop is for anyone interested in learning more about RCT, Suzanne Clothier's unique Relationship Centered Approach to living with, understanding, loving & training dogs. 

SATURDAY:  TWO by FOUR: People and Dogs Behaving (Badly? Well?) 

Dogs get a canine filter through which they view their life.  We have a human filter.  For both people and dogs, how we absorb information, respond to our world, interact with others, and experience life depends heavily on what we know & understand.  This workshop focuses on helping participants find multiple "AHA!" moments of insight through an exploration of:

• Tune In! Reading Canine Body Language - tuning in to the ongoing broadcast from your dog's mind

• The Human Factor - using space, awareness, intent, orientation, posture, even our very breath affects the outcome of our relationships with dogs 

• Stand Where I Stand, See What I see - umwelt, empathy, perspective, objective anthropomorphism

• The Magic Microphone & the Elemental Questions - Learning to ask the dog the important questions that ultimately shape the answers in a way that is true for the dog

SUNDAY:  PRACTICAL BONES FOR REAL DOGS

Using pre-selected case history dogs, this day will focus on the practical application of RCT to address and help resolve the problems presented.  Is your dog fearful? shy? dislikes being handled? growls at you? gets too excited? Wish you understood how to assess and help a shelter or rescue dog?

With each dog, we will be looking at how to do a Training Triage, including an introduction to RAT (Suzanne's Relationship Assessment Tool), and asking the Elemental Questions.  A training plan will be developed (with the group's help) for each dog/owner team.

Techniques that may be put to good use include:

• Treat/Retreat - Simply the best skill builder for shy/unsure dogs when it comes to meeting & greeting people. An absolute must have in any serious trainer's toolbox.

• ACI - Suzanne's Auto-Check-In - a powerful tool for teaching the dog to maintain connection with the handler while learning how to voluntarily disengage from a wide variety of stimuli

• Ghost Handling - A relationship building exercise that highlights weak areas while also providing opportunities for shifting responsibility, providing autonomy, and finding true connection

• Go Hunt, Loose Lead Walking, and more

This 2 day workshop will leave you with a deeper understanding of your dogs, new tools for working with, living with and training dogs, and an appreciation of all that dogs can teach us when we put our relationship with them at the center of all we do.

FEE:  $240 for both days (includes handouts, breakfast/lunch & snacks).  $125 for one day.  Cancellation policy: Refund of registration fee minus $50 cancellation fee prior to April 5.  After April 5, no refunds.

Shelter/Rescue CARETAKERS SCHOLARSHIP:  $100 for both days for 1st person from an animal shelter or rescue group; $125 per person for both days for all others from that group.  Registration must be paid with a check from the organization.

WANT YOUR DOG WORKED WITH?  Please submit a case history by April 5, 2009.  There is a case history submission outline on the registration form. You will be notified by April 10th whether your dog is selected or not.  You must attend both days to have your dog worked with!

REGISTRATION FORM:  Click here (requires PDF reader)