The Handler End of the Leash: How Body Language Tells the Tale with Suzanne Clothier

The Handler End of the Leash: How Body Language Tells the Tale with Suzanne Clothier

CEUs: PPAB 1 & IAABC 1

Much of dog training is focused on the dog, or the mechanics of markers and rewards. Yet in many ways, handlers can and do affect their dog’s behavior and learning. Many training problems are rooted in communication issues, caused by a handler’s body language and unintended messages.

The dog’s understanding of the handler’s behavior is built in the details of how the handler typically moves, laughs, smiles, speaks, breathes, etc. in familiar and comfortable settings. But under stress, in unfamiliar or challenging situations, things can change. Shifts in the handler signals to the dog that the person he relies on is alarmed, angry, worried, or even afraid. Depending on the dog, this can have significant impact on behavior. We can be more effective in helping the dog when we understand the handler in new ways, and have practical approaches to help them say what they mean and mean what they say.

Learning Objectives

1. Meta-messages – seeing the whole picture
2. Breathing – how breathing impacts our ability to move, learn and think
3. Muscle tension & quality of movement
4. Flexion, balance & stance – warning, welcoming, worried or wild?
5. Blink rate and expression – what story does your face tell?
6. Core & gaze orientation – how we signal our awareness and focus

About Your Presenter

Suzanne Clothier has been working with animals professionally since 1977. Her positive and humane approach, Relationship Centered Training™ (RCT) promotes promote healthy, respectful and joyful dog/human connections.

The author of Bones Would Rain from the Sky: Deepening Our Relationships With Dogs (2002), her innovative programs include Treat/Retreat, the Enriched Puppy Protocol, CARAT™, RAT™, FAT™, as well as many RCT techniques, online courses and webinars. A trainer of trainers, she has taught on a broad range of topics throughout the US and internationally, and served as a consultant to major service dog schools.