WHO ARE YOU? The Elemental Questions Webinar Series

Description

So, Tell Me About Yourself . . .

With each animal that comes into our life, whether briefly or for much longer, we set off on a journey of discovery. “Who are you?” we wonder. We really want to know, and we need to know. Depending on our role in that animal’s life, what we will discover about them will shape all that we do with and for them.

Consider the many different reasons we need to know, “Who are you?”

• How do you perceive the world so I can understand how experiences may affect you?
• What delights you, and what worries, frightens or irritates you?
• How can I make your life as comfortable and stress-free as possible?
• How best can I support you?
• How can I help you be successful?
• How can I help relieve your distress or discomfort?

Key Concepts:

• Beyond Labels: When we remember that the S in dogS stands for statistics, we’re already moving away from stereotypes or assumptions about breeds or species. “Who are you?” keeps us squarely focused instead on the individual.
• Sensory Sensitivities: Welfare concerns guide us to trying to understand how this specific animal responds to sensory input (e.g., visual, auditory, kinesthetic, olfactory) When we understand how they process their environment, we are able to help create environments and activities that are enjoyable and supportive, and work to minimize unpleasant situations.
• Behavioral Traits: This question really zeros in on recognizing unique sensitivities, deficits, and personality traits in each animal. Using the CARAT framework, we can begin to understand the individual’s temperament.

6 Questions, Unlimited Answers

This part two of a 6-part webinar series from Suzanne Clothier, exploring each of the Elemental Questions.  There are six webinars in the series.

• 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!

CARAT: “Who are you?” asks about individual temperament, and CARAT provides the systematic framework for answering that question comprehensively. This assessment tool operationalizes the philosophy of understanding dogs as unique individuals.

Intro CARAT: This Elemental Question requires structured temperament assessment to answer accurately. The introduction to CARAT provides the foundation for moving beyond general impressions to specific understanding of individual traits.

Hello: “Who are you?” builds on “Hello?”—first you establish that someone’s home and paying attention, then you explore who that individual actually is. These two Elemental Questions work sequentially to build deep understanding.

How is This for You: Understanding who dogs are helps you evaluate how experiences affect them based on their individual traits. These two Elemental Questions work together to match dogs with appropriate environments and expectations.

Can You: “Who are you?” identifies inherent traits, while “Can you?” evaluates whether those traits allow specific abilities. These complementary questions help you distinguish between immutable characteristics and trainable capabilities.

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.