HELLO? The Elemental Questions Webinar Series
HELLO?
Exploring Social Interactions, Part One of the Six Part Series
The Elemental Questions distill Suzanne’s decades of experience into simple yet profound inquiries that provide the answers we need to do our best by the animals in our care. While easily listed, each question can be asked in more nuanced ways with the answers understood at ever deeper levels as your experience grows.
“HELLO?” – takes a look at what being a social species means and doesn’t mean, and how social interactions can vary. How can we ask this question in ways that are fair and respectful? How might the dog answer when we say, “Are you interested in interacting with me?”
NOTE: This product is available through the RCT Reference Collection – a $39.95 monthly or $399.95 annual subscription that gives you access to ALL of Suzanne’s webinars. To purchase a new window will open for that site, where you will need to create an account or log-in to your existing Thinkific account to complete the purchase.
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Description
Dogs are social species. Humans are a social species. Let’s have some social interactions!
Wait. . . Does being a social species mean you’re automatically up for any and all social interactions? Should we expect that our dogs should be friendly with everyone? (Are you?) When we say friendly, what do we actually mean?
The Elemental Question – “HELLO?” – takes a look at what being a social species means and doesn’t mean, and how social interactions can vary. How can we ask this question in ways that are fair and respectful? How might the dog answer when we say, “Are you interested in interacting with me?”
Key Concepts:
- Greeting vs. Investigation: Exploring the wide spectrum between polite interactions and intrusive behaviors from both humans and canines.
- Natural or Learned Behavior? Suzanne’s temperament assessment tool, CARAT, takes a unique approach to social behavior, breaking it down into Sociability, Social Use of Space, and Social Tolerance.
- Agency & Choice: When we allow dogs to choose whether or not they wish to engage, we can avoid forced interactions that can undermine trust or deepen a shy or fearful dog’s concerns.
- I Have To: Negotiating interactions that the dog may not choose, or lacks the skills to provide consent or agreement.
- In A World Full of People: Tips for helping dogs navigate social interactions with people, and helping people understand what dogs need from us in order to feel safe.
Social interactions are nuanced, challenging, and sometimes difficult. Like us, our dogs have many ways to respond to the seemingly simple question “Hello?”
6 Questions, Unlimited Answers
This part one of a 6-part webinar series from Suzanne Clothier, exploring each of the Elemental Questions, all included in the RCT Reference Collection.
- Hello?
- Who are you?
- How is this for you?
- Can you . . . ?
- May I . . . ?
- Can we . . . ?
The Elemental Questions are an extraordinary foundation for any relationship with dogs – or with any species. They are as valuable to the person with their first dog as they are to experienced professionals.
Looking to dive deeper? These webinars on similar topics are also included in the RCT Reference Collection!
Four-Legged Families: Truly listening to what each dog communicates becomes essential in multidog households where individual needs can get lost in group dynamics. This household management webinar applies the “Hello?” principle to complex social situations.
Be the Dog, Caring for your Most Important Training Tool: The first Elemental Question asks you to listen—to dogs, but also to yourself. This self-care webinar extends the practice of awareness and attention inward, protecting your ability to remain present for the dogs you work with.
Who Are You?: “Hello?” asks if anyone’s home and paying attention, while “Who are you?” explores what you discover when you truly listen. These two Elemental Questions work together to build understanding of dogs as individuals rather than generic animals.
NOTE: This product is available through the RCT Reference Collection – a $39.95 monthly or $399.95 annual subscription that gives you access to ALL of Suzanne’s webinars. To purchase a new window will open for that site, where you will need to create an account or log-in to your existing Thinkific account to complete the purchase.
2 reviews for HELLO? The Elemental Questions Webinar Series
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Jeanine –
Hello – a simple word which holds so much information in the human to human works. For Suzanne to bring it into the human/dog world is amazing. Suzanne’s ability to break it down gives me the understanding to look at how the dog is reacting, make my own adjustments to start the bonding/trust process on that particular dogs terms. The fundamental concept and the how she breaks it down so it is clear to all is brilliant! I recommend Suzanne’s teachings to shelter co-volunteers, classes and dog owners. Her training is easily understandable to anyone!
Shelley –
Even though I have seen A LOT of Suzanne’s Webinar, including various versions of this, I am always seeing or reminded of why you need to be curious and ask questions! Thanks