Description

Intro to CARAT: Ethology of the Individual

Transform How You See and Assess Every Dog You Meet

Next Course Starts: [Date]

What You’ll Master: A systematic framework for observing and scoring individual temperament traits that goes beyond breed generalizations and behavioral labels.

Developed by Suzanne Clothier in 2007, CARAT (Clothier Animal Response Assessment Tool) is a novel assessment system that categorizes behavior traits in multiple components that are intuitive and practical. CARAT looks at these main categories and specifics of temperament traits to build an assessment:

• CORE: Arousal, Resilience, Energy
• SOCIAL: Sociability, Social Tolerance, Social Use of Space
• SENSORY: Visual, Auditory, Kinesthetic, Olfactory
• PERSISTENCE: Visual, Auditory, Kinesthetic, Olfactory, Predatory/Chase
• INTERACTIVE: Patience, Biddability w/Familiar, Biddability w/Stranger
• COMPLEX TRAITS: Social Confidence, Environmental Confidence, Self Modulation

Your Investment: 8 comprehensive video sessions with live Q&A support and extensive video analysis

The Outcome: Professional understanding of CARAT methodology that transforms how you assess, place, and work with individual dogs

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Why CARAT Changes Everything

We love our labels. “Reactive.” “Stubborn.” “High drive.” “Shy.” But what do these actually tell us about the individual dog in front of us? When we rely on vague descriptions or breed generalizations, we miss the nuances that determine whether a dog will succeed or struggle in a given environment.

CARAT gives you the skills to move beyond assumptions and see each dog’s unique temperamental “recipe” – the specific constellation of traits that shapes how they experience and respond to the world.

In just 8 sessions, you’ll learn to:

• Understand temperament within the CARAT framework and language
• Recognize specific temperament traits expressed in patterns of observable behaviors
• Use precise language to describe what you’re seeing instead of interpreting
• Consider suitability for a lifestyle, task, home in new ways that respect the dog as an individual

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Your Professional Development Journey

Comprehensive 8-Session Program Theory, real assessment footage, case studies, and practical applications that build systematically from basic observation to professional assessment skills.

Timeline: Self-paced video sessions with structured weekly support

Learning Components:

• 8 Core Video Sessions: Foundation principles → trait categories → practical application (60-90 minutes each)
• 5 Live Q&A Sessions with Suzanne Clothier for discussion and skill development (60-120 minutes each)
• Extensive Video Analysis showing real dogs demonstrating different trait combinations
• Case Study Applications of successful and unsuccessful placements with CARAT analysis

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What Makes CARAT Different

Observe systematically: 18 specific traits scored on bidirectional scales with defined behavioral parameters

See individuals: Assess the dog in front of you, not breed expectations or population statistics

Predict accurately: Visual profiles that show how dogs will likely respond in new situations and what training approaches work best

Describe precisely: Built on Suzanne Clothier’s proven methodology using observable behaviors, not interpretations

Apply immediately: Framework works for any dog professional – trainers, shelters, breeders, service dog programs

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ALISSA HELP! Experience CARAT for Yourself

Free Preview Lesson: [Link/description] Sample Assessment Video: Watch how temperament traits are scored using real dog footage Course Introduction: Meet Suzanne and see inside the learning platform

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Your Assessment Transformation

Before CARAT:

• Relying on vague labels like “reactive” or breed generalizations to describe dogs
• Missing the nuances that determine success or failure in placements
• Struggling to explain why some training approaches work and others don’t
• Making placement decisions based on assumptions rather than systematic assessment

After CARAT:

• Recognizing specific temperament traits and patterns using observable behaviors
• Understanding how temperament traits help predict how individual dogs will respond
• Using precise language to communicate what you’re seeing to colleagues and clients
• Making informed decisions about training approaches and environmental matches based on individual needs

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Is CARAT Right for You?

This course is perfect for:

• Professional (or aspiring) dog trainers seeking systematic assessment skills beyond basic behavior observation
• Shelter professionals wishing to improve adoption matching and placement success rates
• Service dog organizations enhancing candidate selection and placement accuracy
• Breeders wanting to understand and document temperament traits in their breeding programs
• Any serious animal professional involved in assessing canine behavior and temperament

You’ll succeed if you:

• Have basic dog handling experience and understand fundamental canine behavior
• Work professionally with dogs or are a serious student of canine temperament
• Want to move beyond vague labels to a systematic framework and nuanced assessment
• Are committed to developing sophisticated observation skills that take time and practice to master

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Your Investment & Value

What’s Included:

• Complete 8-session video curriculum with real assessment footage and case studies
• 5 live Q&A sessions with Suzanne Clothier for discussion and skill development
• Extensive video analysis library showing dogs demonstrating different trait combinations
• Case study applications with successful and unsuccessful placement analysis
• Continuing Education Units (CEUs): IAABC (18), KPA (22), PPAB (16)
• One-year access to all course materials from enrollment date
• Foundation for continuing to CARAT certification pathway

Time Commitment:

• Video sessions: 8 sessions at your own pace (60-90 minutes each, approximately 25-30 hours total content)
• Live Q&A sessions: 5 sessions (60-120 minutes each), fully recorded if you can’t attend live
• Video analysis: Additional time reviewing assessment footage and practicing observation skills

Pricing Options:

• Course Tuition: $375  Early Bird Dog $325.00 (through August 1)
• CEUs included  IAABC (18), KPA (22), PPAB (16)

The Value: This comprehensive introduction transforms how you assess and understand individual dogs, building observation skills that enhance every aspect of your professional practice and create better outcomes for every dog you evaluate.

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What Students Say

“CARAT does change everything! Suzanne’s CARAT Assessment Tool is brilliant! Learn to observe and understand your dogs on a level you never dreamed possible!” — Mary K.

“CARAT has really changed the way I look at canine temperament and behavior–I would definitely recommend this course if you work with dogs or just love dogs and want to understand them better.” — Annika B.

“I am an occupational therapist for humans, a dog trainer, and an international educator in the areas of Animal Assisted Interventions and Service Dogs. Suzanne’s theories and processes have given me so many tools for my toolbox, and have made me a better human healthcare practitioner and dog trainer/instructor.” — Melissa W.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Do I need prior temperament assessment experience to succeed in this course?

A: No specific assessment experience required, but you should have basic dog handling experience and understand fundamental canine behavior.

Q: What if I can’t attend the live Q&A sessions?

A: All 5 Q&A sessions are fully recorded, so you won’t miss anything if you can’t attend live.

Q: How long do I have to complete the course?

A: You have one-year access to all materials from enrollment date, allowing you to progress at your own pace.

Q: Is this the same as CARAT certification?

A: This is Level I-Intro training that provides the foundation. CARAT certification requires additional courses and practical assessment requirements.

Q: Will this work with the dogs I currently work with?

A: CARAT applies to any dog regardless of breed, age, or background. The framework has been tested across thousands of assessments in real-world applications.

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Ready to Transform Your Assessment Skills?

Intro to CARAT isn’t just another temperament course – it’s a fundamental shift toward understanding the individual dog in front of you rather than relying on labels and assumptions.

With Suzanne Clothier’s guidance and systematic video analysis, you’ll develop the sophisticated observation skills that distinguish master assessors from those who rely on guesswork.

Your journey toward professional assessment mastery begins with seeing individuals.

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“Warning: once your eye has been trained to observe the elements of CARAT, you will not be able to unsee. But I think you’ll find this is a good thing, and one that takes your assessment skills to a new level.” – Suzanne Clothier

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