detection dog

What to listen for:

Today, Stacy, Robin, and Crystal take a moment to bring us up to speed on what they’ve been up to during this busy dog season. The Dames of Detection cover a wide range of topics related to dog training, competitions, and certifications.

Our hosts also delve a bit deeper into their personal experiences with their canine companions, including health updates, but also keep it light by comparing their dogs to different vehicles, highlighting their unique personalities and quirks.

Don’t miss Crystal’s upcoming Fenzi Dog Sports Academy webinar on FUNctional Obedience this Thursday and remember Muscatatuck Training is coming up!

Key Topics:

• Exploring Fun and Functional Obedience (13:44)
• The Power of Training and Friendship (21:41)
• Our Hosts’ Dogs’ Vehicle Equivalents (35:24)
• Checkmate's Recovery Journey (41:56)
• Dog Size, Build and Appetite (47:28)
• Upcoming events and happenings (51:32)

Resources:

• Register to attend Muscatatuck Training
• Crystal Wing - FUNctional Obedience: Where the RUBBER Meets the Road (FDSA Webinar)
• K9Sensus Training & Coaching
• United States Police Canine Association
• Ikonic Canine
• K9 Detection Collaborative Episode 60: Talking Dogs with Tazzie Winkler
• K9 Detection Collaborative Episode 35: Competitive Tracking with Emily Lawrence
• K9 Detection Collaborative Episode 15: Motivation and Editing Your Expectations

We want to hear from you:

• Check out the K9 Detection Collaborative FB page and comment on the episode post!
• K9Sensus Foundation can be found on Facebook and Instagram. We have a Trainer’s Group on Facebook!
• Scentsabilities Nosework is also on Facebook. Here is a Facebook group you should join!
• Crystal Wing K9 Coach can be found here!
• You can follow us for notifications of upcoming episodes, find us at k9detectioncollaborative.com to enjoy the freebies and tell your friends so you can keep the conversations going.

Jingle by: www.mavericksings.com Instagram: @mavericktastic

Audio editing & other podcast services by: www.thepodcastman.com Instagram: @the_podcast_man

What to listen for:

Living with a powerful, high-drive dog obviously has its set of challenges. That’s even more true when sharing a household with multiple working dogs. In today’s episode, Stacy, Robin, and Crystal open up about the realities of managing the day-to-day lives of dogs bred for work. They explain that drive expresses itself in dogs in a lot of ways owners don’t expect. But no matter how messy or even violent the expression, we must avoid judging our furry friends by the standards of human morality.

Our hosts share how they’ve been able to maintain a happy household where their dogs feel safe, and how they’ve navigated days in which almost everything seems to be going wrong. A lot of the work, they found, comes down to taking pressure off of yourself and refusing to slap a label on your dog (ex. “She’s an angry dog/He’s a nervous dog, etc.”).

They remind us that the human-dog dynamic is ever-changing by the day, and that we must be aware and adaptable as owners in order to stay in control. Finally, we have to be willing to commit to a regular schedule of care, play, and training, because “it’s not all happiness all the time. It's a daily crate and rotate. It’s a routine and a responsibility.”

Key Topics:

• Managing the day-to-day life of a dog bred for work (04:28)
• Caring for elderly dogs (09:31)
• Fulfilling your dog’s needs (15:42)
• Seeing fights between dogs as teachable moments (19:44)
• Training, not running, your dogs every day (35:27)
• Setting boundaries for yourself (37:31)
• The importance of rest and having a support system (41:20)
• Knowing which combination of dogs don’t work well (45:11)
• Acknowledging how a dog feels (49:05)
• Our takeaways (51:09)

Resources:

• Michael Shikashio
• Predatory drift in dogs
• K9 Detection Collaborative Episode 56: Talking K9 Fitness with Bobbie Lyons
• K9 Detection Collaborative Episode 54: Canine Handler Fitness with Liz Joyce

We want to hear from you:

• Check out the K9 Detection Collaborative FB page and comment on the episode post!
• K9Sensus Foundation can be found on Facebook and Instagram. We have a Trainer’s Group on Facebook!
• Scentsabilities Nosework is also on Facebook. Here is a Facebook group you should join!
• Crystal Wing K9 Coach can be found here!
• You can follow us for notifications of upcoming episodes, find us at k9detectioncollaborative.com to enjoy the freebies and tell your friends so you can keep the conversations going.

Jingle by: www.mavericksings.com Instagram: @mavericktastic

Audio editing & other podcast services by: www.thepodcastman.com Instagram: @the_podcast_man

What to listen for:

Carrying on along the same lines as last week’s discussion on gratefulness, Stacy, Robin, and Crystal sit down to talk about K9 Detection Collaborative’s greatest hits so far - this time in celebration of 50 episodes of the podcast!

Our hosts look back on previous episodes to single out those lasting “ah-ha” moments, both from each other and from guests. They also highlight the ideas and topics that have garnered the best feedback from listeners.

Finally, they give their thoughts on the future of the podcast, capping off with, “If we can continue to have productive training conversations, the dog world will be much better off!”

Key Topics:

• When our guest Tabitha emphasized the importance of having a relationship with your dog (03:29)
• Dr. Lauryn DeGreeff’s comments on odor soaks: molecules stick to cotton better than they do to polyester (06:17)
• Holly’s camera metaphor (09:27)
• Jo-Rosie’s greatest hits (11:02)
• Emily’s tracking lessons (12:27)
• Amy’s inspiration behind Nose Work (14:28)
• Our favorite moments from “The Ds of Detection” (17:09)
• Words matter: fluency and soft (power) skills (21:38)
• Celebrating our social media followers (24:40)
• Don’t trust your dog; trust your training (31:14)
• Our K9 gear episode (35:58)
• Having your own “board of directors” (37:35)
• How our “why”s have changed since starting the podcast (41:41)
• What’s next for the podcast? (46:26)

Resources:

• GoDog Furballz (affiliate link)
• Distraction Camp Level 1
• Distraction Camp Level 2
• NW330: Bulletproof Skills for Both Ends of the Leash
• See web post for list of previous episodes mentioned in this episode

We want to hear from you:

• Check out the K9 Detection Collaborative FB page and comment on the episode post!
• K9Sensus Foundation can be found on Facebook and Instagram. We have a Trainer’s Group on Facebook!
• Scentsabilities Nosework is also on Facebook. Here is a Facebook group you should join!
• Crystal Wing K9 Coach can be found here!
• You can follow us for notifications of upcoming episodes, find us at k9detectioncollaborative.com to enjoy the freebies and tell your friends so you can keep the conversations going.

Jingle by: www.mavericksings.com Instagram: @mavericktastic

Audio editing & other podcast services by: www.thepodcastman.com Instagram: @the_podcast_man

After two episodes of celebrating what they and their guests were most grateful for in the past year, Stacy, Robin, and Crystal dedicate today’s conversation to their personal and professional goals in 2023!

Listen in as our hosts talk about the importance of a growth mindset and open-mindedness to new possibilities. They share why setting big goals doesn’t need to be an overwhelming process as long as your goals stay true to why you got into the world of dog training to begin with.

Our hosts also discuss why “crafting the dog” is just as vital as developing your skill set as a handler. They tell us why, when all is said and done, making the world a better place should inspire every goal you set for you and your furry friend!

Key Topics:

• What goals mean (and don’t mean) to Stacy, Robin, and Crystal (01:58)
• Goals, change, and fear (11:49)
• Owning who we are (17:09)
• Why we set goals (22:49)
• What is your “why”? (26:35)
• There is no “top”, and that’s okay (32:04)
• How to set a goal (42:05)
• Does your goal make the world better? (55:30)

Resources:

• K9 Detection Collaborative Jan 2023 Roundtable Zoom Webinar
• The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck

We want to hear from you:

• Check out the K9 Detection Collaborative FB page and comment on the episode post!
• K9Sensus Foundation can be found on Facebook and Instagram. We have a Trainer’s Group on Facebook!
• Scentsabilities Nosework is also on Facebook. Here is a Facebook group you should join!
• Crystal Wing K9 Coach can be found here!
• You can follow us for notifications of upcoming episodes, find us at k9detectioncollaborative.com to enjoy the freebies and tell your friends so you can keep the conversations going.

Jingle by: www.mavericksings.com Instagram: @mavericktastic

Audio editing & other podcast services by: www.thepodcastman.com Instagram: @the_podcast_man

What to listen for:

On this very special year-end episode, Stacy, Robin, and Crystal bring back all six of the guests they’ve had on the podcast over the past nine months of K9 Detection Collaborative. They share what they’re most grateful for and what they’re most looking forward to in 2023 and beyond!

Police K9 officer Tabitha kicks things off by talking about the value of having a support team. She’s followed by Dr. Lauryn DeGreeff, analytical chemistry and forensic science expert, who passionately shares the real-world problems she’s excited to solve in the near future.

Next, Nose Work trainer Holly Bushard reflects on how she got to know her furry friend on a more intimate level just before his passing earlier this year. Behavioral specialist Jo-Rosie Haffenden then speaks on the importance of gaining feedback from someone you trust in the industry.

Emily Lawrence, competitive tracking extraordinaire, tells us how she’s mentored others in improving their own tracking game. Finally, Amy Herot, Founder of K9 Nose Work, lets us know why she’s most grateful for her supportive community.

Don’t miss the last 16 minutes of the episode, where our amazing guests tell us what they’re most excited for in 2023, rapid-fire-style!

“What I’m Most Grateful For in 2022”:

• Tabitha (02:26)
• Dr. Lauryn DeGreeff (06:35)
• Holly Bushard (08:29)
• Jo-Rosie Haffenden (15:37)
• Emily Lawrence (26:46)
• Amy Herot (33:10)

“What I’m Most Looking Forward To in 2023”:

• Tabitha (44:22)
• Dr. Lauryn DeGreeff (45:26)
• Holly Bushard (46:45)
• Jo-Rosie Haffenden (51:02)
• Emily Lawrence (54:24)
• Amy Herot (57:36)

Resources:

• Dr. Lauryn DeGreeff
• Jo-Rosie Haffenden
• Emily Lawrence
• Amy Herot

We want to hear from you:

• Check out the K9 Detection Collaborative FB page and comment on the episode post!
• K9Sensus Foundation can be found on Facebook and Instagram. We have a Trainer’s Group on Facebook!
• Scentsabilities Nosework is also on Facebook. Here is a Facebook group you should join!
• Crystal Wing K9 Coach can be found here!
• You can follow us for notifications of upcoming episodes, find us at k9detectioncollaborative.com to enjoy the freebies and tell your friends so you can keep the conversations going.

Jingle by: www.mavericksings.com Instagram: @mavericktastic

Audio editing & other podcast services by: www.thepodcastman.com Instagram: @the_podcast_man

What to listen for:

Today, Stacy, Robin, and Crystal explain how being intentional with your handling helps accelerate your dog’s understanding of your goals for them as a trainer!

By “intentional handling,” our hosts refer to putting together a routine that creates consistency and predictability in your dog training. To them, clarity is kindness, and having intent in every training session builds a sense of expectation in your dog that gets them to the goal more efficiently.

Ultimately, the two steps to intentional detection dog handling are to observe and adjust. “If you can observe and adjust before you do the thing,” say our hosts, “the thing will become more consistent.” Cycling through these steps helps trainers decide how, where, and when to use reinforcement, and how to correctly use cross-training to create a well-rounded dog.

Key Topics:

• Being intentional with your handling (01:52)
• Clarity as kindness (07:11)
• Finding the rhythm of your training (15:33)
• Observation first (22:44)
• The difference between a lifeline and a cadaver dog (30:47)
• How your posture influences shaping training (39:24)
• It’s not the excitement but the energy (44:04)
• Creating a well-rounded dog (48:17)

Resources:

• K9 Detection Collaborative Jan 2023 Roundtable
• K9 Detection Collaborative Episode 42: Words Matter in Dog Training
• K9 Detection Collaborative Episode 4: Let’s Talk Fluency
• K9 Detection Collaborative Episode 40: What Else We Do with Our Dogs
• Kees Seek
• How Canines Hearts are in Sync with Ours
• ‘Askers’ vs. ‘Guessers’
• Distraction camp 2023
• sniffspot.com

We want to hear from you:

• Check out the K9 Detection Collaborative FB page and comment on the episode post!
• K9Sensus Foundation can be found on Facebook and Instagram. We have a Trainer’s Group on Facebook!
• Scentsabilities Nosework is also on Facebook. Here is a Facebook group you should join!
• Crystal Wing K9 Coach can be found here!
• You can follow us for notifications of upcoming episodes, find us at k9detectioncollaborative.com to enjoy the freebies and tell your friends so you can keep the conversations going.

Jingle by: www.mavericksings.com

Today, Stacy, Robin, and Crystal reflect on their recent conversation with Amy Herot, co-founder of K9 Nose Work alongside Ron Gaunt and Jill-Marie O'Brien. Amy has over 20 years of experience under her belt as a trainer, handler, and educator. She has certified teams in Narcotics and Explosives and has logged over 1,500 instructional hours in detection dog training.

Our hosts touch on the differing standards between the professional handling world and that of the sports world. They agree that, to get the best out of both your dog and yourself, you as a trainer must be 1) commit to being fully present with your dog on the current task rather than treating the activity as a series of checklists to be rushed through; and 2) willing to embrace both our dog’s unique temperament as well as ours as trainers.

Stacy, Robin, and Crystal also highlight the importance of embracing wonder and curiosity to spark innovation and growth in our training, and how the Nose Work program encourages just that. “Having that level of curiosity to look at the whole picture and break things down is excellent dog training. Every time you can rehearse that—when you can build your imagination and your questioning and your curiosity bone—you’re going to become a better trainer.”

All-in-all, through the Nose Work program, Amy taught us the value of training the dog in front of us and of recognizing the dog that we have now, with all their quirks, strengths, and unique personality. “Nose Work has helped a whole lot of people recognize that the dog they have is pretty awesome!”

Key Topics:

• How being with your dog in the “now” can free you up (01:45)
• Differences in standards between the pro world and the sport world (08:31)
• Finding the right profession for your dog based on their temperament (13:00)
• Our thoughts on the Nose Work program (21:09)
• The importance of wonder and curiosity in dog training (27:15)
• Focusing on the handler’s needs and ensuring the dog has fun during training (33:22)
• How Nose Work creates many avenues to exhaust dogs (43:06)
• How Nose Work skills carry over into other activities (48:12)
• Our closing thoughts (56:50)

Resources:

• Find Amy here
• Learn how to host a trial
• Learn how to become an instructor
• K9 Detection Collaborative Episode 43: Getting to Know Amy Herot
• K9 Detection Collaborative Episode 35: Competitive Tracking with Emily Lawrence
• K9 Detection Collaborative Episode 12: From Narcotics K9 to Nosework K9 with Holly Bushard: Interview & Reflections Part 1
• K9 Detection Collaborative Episode 13: From Narcotics K9 to Nosework K9 with Holly Bushard: Interview & Reflections Part 2

We want to hear from you:

• Check out the K9 Detection Collaborative FB page and comment on the episode post!
• You can follow us for notifications of upcoming episodes, find us at k9detectioncollaborative.com to enjoy the freebies and tell your friends so you can keep the conversations going.

Today, Stacy, Robin, and Crystal sit down with special guest Amy Herot, co-founder of K9 Nose Work. Amy has over 20 years of experience under her belt as a trainer, handler, and educator. She has certified teams in Narcotics and Explosives and has logged over 1,500 instructional hours in detection dog training.

Amy kicks off the conversation by sharing what drew her to the world of detection and how initial experiments with essential oils eventually led to the development of K9 Nose Work’s methodology as it exists today.

“We didn’t say, ‘Let’s create a dog sport.’ We just said, ‘Let’s create an outlet for dogs to have fun and for people to learn about this side of their dog.’” For Amy and her team, the community they created was dedicated to building who the dog is and encouraging our furry friends to bring us into their world in order to better understand and work with them.

Listen in as Amy shares how to get the best out of Nose Work competitions by letting your dog be the star of the show, navigating competition nerves, knowing how best to work with a ‘reactive dog,’ and using nosework to improve yourself holistically as a K9 trainer.

Key Topics:

• Amy’s background in detection work (01:54)
• The goal of K9 Nose Work (09:21)
• Behind the glamor of detection work (15:40)
• What’s next for K9 Nose Work? (23:08)
• Letting the dog be the star of the show (30:20)
• What Amy would change or add to nosework competitions (35:16)
• Competition nerves (42:11)
• Working with a reactive dog (50:27)
• How nosework makes you a better trainer overall (50:21)
• How nosework practitioners pick their dogs (56:37)
• How Amy would explain her profession to her parents (58:47)

Resources:

• Find Amy here
• Learn how to host a trial
• Learn how to become an instructor

We want to hear from you:

• Check out the K9 Detection Collaborative FB page and comment on the episode post!
• K9Sensus Foundation can be found on Facebook and Instagram. We have a Trainer’s Group on Facebook!
• Scentsabilities Nosework is also on Facebook. Here is a Facebook group you should join!
• Crystal Wing K9 Coach can be found here!
• You can follow us for notifications of upcoming episodes, find us at k9detectioncollaborative.com to enjoy the freebies and tell your friends so you can keep the conversations going.

Jingle by: www.mavericksings.com Instagram: @mavericktastic

Audio editing & other podcast services by: www.thepodcastman.com Instagram: @the_podcast_man

(Check out the web post for links to all the gear mentioned in this episode!)


What to listen for:

Are you ready for Black Friday and Cyber Monday and Small Business Saturday?

We shared an extra-long episode with an extensive list of toys, clothing and detection supplies to check out!

From odors and poop bags, to training gear and car covers, all the way to baby monitors and dog Crocs, you won’t want to miss these go-to career hacks to make your life (and your dog’s) so much easier!

We're trying Amazon affiliate links to help us support the podcast so please consider checking out and buying through one of our links below.

Also, please consider supporting us by snagging your Dames of Detection merch and K9 Detection Collaboration shirts at www.k9detectioncollaborative.com

Key Topics:

• Where we get our training aid delivery devices for detection work (01:03)
• Shopping for our odors (09:03)
• Go-to tracking equipment (12:30)
• Where we store and transport our equipment (14:39)
• Our favorite dog toys (21:45)
• The benefits of using balls (35:20)
• How about jelly balls and soccer balls? (40:45)
• Human gear (47:09)
• Headgear for different seasons (58:45)
• Other small lifesaving must-buys (1:07:25)
• Convenient lighting tools (1:11:07)
• 8-meter flexi leash (1:16:03)
• Clothing and shoe brands for dogs (1:17:12)
• Harnesses that maximize freedom (1:21:21)
• The Noggle, baby monitors, and white noise machines (1:23:17)
• Convenient camping chairs (1:25:35)
• Recording and editing your training sessions, and dog apps (1:26:54)

(Check out the web post for links to all the gear mentioned in this episode!)


We want to hear from you:

• Check out the K9 Detection Collaborative FB page and comment on the episode post!
• K9Sensus Foundation can be found on Facebook and Instagram. We have a Trainer’s Group on Facebook!
• Scentsabilities Nosework is also on Facebook. Here is a Facebook group you should join!
• Crystal Wing K9 Coach can be found here!
• You can follow us for notifications of upcoming episodes, find us at k9detectioncollaborative.com to enjoy the freebies and tell your friends so you can keep the conversations going.

Jingle by: www.mavericksings.com Instagram: @mavericktastic

Audio editing & other podcast services by: www.thepodcastman.com Instagram: @the_podcast_man

Today, Stacy, Robin, and Crystal unpack another five listener questions and scenarios that were originally sent in on Ask A Stupid Question Day back in September.

Key Topics:

• “How do you work an area with residual odor?” (01:41)
• “My dog is a field-trained spaniel and is very good at nosework (lavender, eucalyptus, and anise) for Danish competition standards. Now we are following another program parallel to our nosework training to learn water search on cadaver scent. The search area is marked with markers (‘yellow balls’). They’re floating on the surface of the water. My dog is overexcited over these, and the stimulus for these markers seem to overrule all search drive. Could you elaborate on what goes on inside of my dog and what solutions can overcome such a distraction?” (13:04)
• “How do you keep your classes fresh and fun?” (24:01)
• “What is the best way to catch oneself queuing the dog when solo training?” (35:11)
• “Do you have any tips for training AKC Buried Hides?” (46:11)

Resources:

• K9 Detection Collaborative Episode 33: Stupid Question Day 2022
• K9 Detection Collaborative Episode 34: The Importance of Odor Hygiene
• Tiny Decisions App

We want to hear from you:

• Check out the K9 Detection Collaborative FB page and comment on the episode post!
• K9Sensus Foundation can be found on Facebook and Instagram. We have a Trainer’s Group on Facebook!
• Scentsabilities Nosework is also on Facebook. Here is a Facebook group you should join!
• Crystal Wing K9 Coach can be found here!
• You can follow us for notifications of upcoming episodes, find us at k9detectioncollaborative.com to enjoy the freebies and tell your friends so you can keep the conversations going.

Jingle by: www.mavericksings.com Instagram: @mavericktastic

Audio editing & other podcast services by: www.thepodcastman.com Instagram: @the_podcast_man

Today, we continue our conversation with competitive tracking extraordinaire Emily Lawrence!

When it comes down to it, “tracking is the great equalizer.” Emily teaches us that the key to building skill and confidence in our dog is going to be a slow, baby-step process for trackers of any level.

She reminds us that frustrating training sessions are all part of the package. It’s okay that our dog struggles because the point of training is to encourage them to push their boundaries. That said, we need to make sure we end all of our sessions on a good note, to make sure that our dog walks away happy about what they did.

Emily invites competitive trackers to enjoy the journey, to stop trying to micromanage your dog, and to try to have just a little more fun:

“Trust your training and let your dog use their superpowers.”

Key Topics:

• How to make IGP tracking work for you and your dog (01:00)
• Knowing exactly where your footprint is (06:19)
• Why Emily doesn’t care about wind direction (12:40)
• Introducing articles (16:29)
• Building your dog’s endurance (21:26)
• Being the only Border Collie at her last tracking competition (26:20)
• Training a Border Collie versus a Pitbull versus a German Shepherd (33:48)
• Teaching corners without using corrections (35:50)
• Episode takeaways (38:10)
• How to connect with Emily (42:00)

Resources:

• Emily on Instagram
• Emily on Facebook (to access BIGFOOT DOG TRAINING)
• Bigfoot Dog Training Website (currently under construction)

We want to hear from you:

• Check out the K9 Detection Collaborative FB page and comment on the episode post!
• K9Sensus Foundation can be found on Facebook and Instagram. We have a Trainer’s Group on Facebook!
• Scentsabilities Nosework is also on Facebook. Here is a Facebook group you should join!
• Crystal Wing K9 Coach can be found here!
• You can follow us for notifications of upcoming episodes, find us at k9detectioncollaborative.com to enjoy the freebies and tell your friends so you can keep the conversations going.

Jingle by: www.mavericksings.com Instagram: @mavericktastic

Audio editing & other podcast services by: www.thepodcastman.com Instagram: @the_podcast_man

Today, Stacy, Robin, and Crystal sit down with competitive tracking extraordinaire Emily Lawrence!

Having gotten her start in the sport in 1989 at the tender age of 11, Emily has had many years to hone her craft. Listen in as she shares her training strategies, with a particular focus on the unique challenges in training her Border Collie compared to your traditional German Shepherd.

She discusses the ins and outs of Schutzhund-style tracking, comparing it to other forms of tracking such as search-and-rescue.

“There are three basic phases to this sport: tracking, obedience, and bite work. In order to be successful in this sport, you have to be good at all three phases.”

Emily explains that we often don’t give enough credit to our dogs when it comes to conquering the challenges we set up for them. To her, one of our main responsibilities as trainers is to instill within our dogs the confidence to be able to solve problems.

Key Topics:

• How Emily got into the sport and her approach to tracking and agility (01:30)
• Training a Border Collie versus a German Shepherd (06:41)
• About Schutzhund-style tracking (10:14)
• Terrain changes (14:58)
• Giving your dog enough credit to find the track (18:03)
• Ensuring that you place food in footsteps instead of near footsteps (20:59)

Resources:

• Emily on Instagram
• Emily on Facebook (to access BIGFOOT DOG TRAINING)
• Bigfoot Dog Training Website (currently under construction)

We want to hear from you:

• Check out the K9 Detection Collaborative FB page and comment on the episode post!
• K9Sensus Foundation can be found on Facebook and Instagram. We have a Trainer’s Group on Facebook!
• Scentsabilities Nosework is also on Facebook. Here is a Facebook group you should join!
• Crystal Wing K9 Coach can be found here!
• You can follow us for notifications of upcoming episodes, find us at k9detectioncollaborative.com to enjoy the freebies and tell your friends so you can keep the conversations going.

Jingle by: www.mavericksings.com Instagram: @mavericktastic

Audio editing & other podcast services by: www.thepodcastman.com Instagram: @the_podcast_man

Today, Stacy, Robin, and Crystal talk all things odor hygiene. A critical factor in ensuring that your dog is well-trained, odor hygiene includes knowing where and how to store your odor and how to keep your training aids as pristine as possible. Our hosts give their best advice on avoiding cross-contamination between odors in your containers, as well as between odors external to your training aids.

They also talk about the importance of wearing gloves as a bomb dog or cadaver dog handler, and how often to change your gloves. According to our hosts, for even the most casual of trainers, such as those who do not participate in competitions, impeccable odor hygiene is still a foundational aspect of this work. To your dog, odor hygiene promotes clarity, which avoids confusion and, by extension, anxiety.

“If you are not willing to do some of the fundamental things to participate in your sport or your calling, including odor hygiene, then maybe this line of work is not for you.”

Key Topics:

• Why is odor hygiene important? (01:36)
• Odor hygiene for training versus for judging (04:47)
• Guarding against cross-contamination when using training aids (08:10)
• Giving your dog downtime and ensuring that odor stays as a motivation magnet (13:16)
• Transporting odor (14:26)
• Our hosts’ preferred training aids and how best to freeze odor (21:10)
• How often to change gloves (27:10)
• The importance of wearing gloves for bomb dog and cadaver dog handlers (30:50)
• Cleaning your training aids (33:30)
• Why thorough odor hygiene is important even for more “casual” trainers (40:14)
• Closing thoughts (51:14)

Resources:

• SciK9 
• Precision Explosives 
• K9 Detection Collaborative Episode 9: Canines as the Original Biosensor & Odor/Scent Chemistry with Dr. Lauryn DeGreeff
• Zero Odor spray, Cloud 10 case, Pelican, Harbor Freight Apache cases, Nitrile gloves

We want to hear from you:

• Check out the K9 Detection Collaborative FB page and comment on the episode post!
• You can follow us for notifications of upcoming episodes, find us at k9detectioncollaborative.com to enjoy the freebies and tell your friends so you can keep the conversations going.

Today’s episode is the last in a four-part series featuring animal behavior specialist and dog trainer Jo-Rosie Haffenden. While Jo-Rosie believes in having a “pyramid of learning” when it comes to working with any dog, and that it should all start with positive reinforcement, she warns against putting too much focus on one training method or philosophy at the expense of others.

She says that confining oneself to a label limits your potential as a handler, especially considering the reality that different dogs (including those of the same breed) require different tools and approaches. Jo-Rosie also discusses how to reconcile your ethical paradigm with your training methodology as well as her thoughts on punishment.

Our hosts give their thoughts on force-free training and why competence does not necessarily mean not using force. Instead, they believe that it is important to base your philosophy on a “continuum” that you navigate based on your particular dog’s personality and needs.

Key Topics:

• Why begin all training with positive reinforcement (01:23)
• Looking past your trainer labels and avoiding overemphasis on one tool or method (06:33)
• Ethical considerations around certain training approaches (18:12)
• Why using force isn’t a sign of incompetency (26:57)
• Regularly asking yourself why you adhere to a specific method or philosophy (34:52)
• Being fair with your animals, and being a force-free trainer (37:20)
• Punishing your dog (45:29)
• Training on a continuum (55:57)

Resources:

• Submit your question to be answered in our next episode!
• The Dog Training Spectrum (Pat Stuart)
• Version of Dog Training Spectrum Visual (Crystal and Jo-Rosie)
• Another Version of Dog Training Spectrum Visual (Crystal and Jo-Rosie)
• Sara Breuske Puppy Training Plan
• PosiDog
• Cultural Norms: The Limiting Factor (Scentsabilities Nosework)
• Chirag Patel
• Premack Principle
• Episode 1 of 4 in the series: Getting to Know Jo-Rosie Haffenden from the School of Canine Science --- Episode 2 of 4: Jo-Rosie and Incentive Salience Theory --- Episode 3 of 4 in the series: Jo-Rosie Introduces Selective Drive

We want to hear from you:

• Check out the K9 Detection Collaborative FB page and comment on the episode post!
• You can follow us for notifications of upcoming episodes, find us at k9detectioncollaborative.com to enjoy the freebies and can keep the conversations going.

Today’s episode is the third in a four-part series featuring animal behavior specialist and dog trainer Jo-Rosie Haffenden. She discusses selective drive, a concept that explores the modification of behaviors closely linked to the predatory action sequence, which itself is a group of behaviors with roots in food acquisition.

“The predatory action sequence is the house that dogs are built on,” says Jo-Rosie. Because of this, she says that it’s vital for any trainer to understand this sequence in order to create a strategy around the modification of natural behaviors. After hearing from Jo-Rosie, our hosts speak on how to train for selective drive depending on the breed and unique personality of your dog. They stress the importance of knowing your specific dog’s preferences, and tapping into their desires during play sequences to reinforce desired behaviors.

Key Topics:

• About selective drive (01:14)
• Understanding the predatory action sequence before retraining behavior (11:25)
• The relationship between dopamine and selective drive (14:18)
• Trusting your dog’s natural behaviors & predatory action sequence (18:21)
• Behavioral differences in various breeds and how your training style plays a role (23:42)
• Considerations around novelty mixed-breed (designer) dogs (31:57)
• Tailoring play around the predatory action sequence (37:40)
• Adding variety to your training (42:43)
• Getting toy-focused dogs to seek out food more often (50:06)

Resources:

• School of Canine Science website & Facebook
• Episode 1 of 4 in the series with Jo-Rosie: Getting to Know Jo-Rosie Haffenden from the School of Canine Science
• Episode 2 of 4 in the series with Jo-Rosie: Jo-Rosie and Incentive Salience Theory
• Premack Principle
• Hunting Together: Harnessing Predatory Chasing in Family Dogs through Motivation-Based Training (Predation Substitute Training)

We want to hear from you:

• Check out the K9 Detection Collaborative FB page and comment on the episode post!
• K9Sensus Foundation can be found on Facebook and Instagram. We have a Trainer’s Group on Facebook!
• Scentsabilities Nosework is also on Facebook. Here is a Facebook group you should join!
• Crystal Wing K9 Coach can be found here!
• You can follow us for notifications of upcoming episodes, find us at k9detectioncollaborative.com to enjoy the freebies and tell your friends so you can keep the conversations going.

Today, we continue our conversation with animal behavior specialist and dog trainer Jo-Rosie Haffenden.

She breaks down her current favorite area of research, incentive salience models, defining the concept simply as the theory that dopamine creates needs rather than likes. That is, it aims to explore what causes drive or arousal and, by extension, how incentives may best be crafted to stimulate that drive or arousal.

The key to training any high-drive dog, according to Jo-Rosie, is to always be thinking about what your dog has been bred to do and to master the use of that desire in order to incentivize it to perform desired behaviors.

Keeping in mind that the behavior is the high, our hosts spend the latter half of the episode discussing their biggest takeaways from Jo-Rosie’s explanation of incentive salience theory, illustrating their thoughts using their own previous training experiences.

Key Topics:

• About incentive salience models (01:26)
• Rewarding your dog appropriately (10:07)
• About the overjustification effect (18:42)
• Biggest takeaways (20:02)
• Incentive salience and addiction (25:17)
• Reinforcing sequences of behaviors (31:29)
• Being open to learning more about our dogs and what they want (42:34)
• Avoiding turning articles into consequences (49:02)

Resources:

• School of Canine Science
• Episode 1 of 4 in the series with Jo-Rosie: Getting to Know Jo-Rosie Haffenden from the School of Canine Science
• Wunderball

We want to hear from you:

• Check out the K9 Detection Collaborative FB page and comment on the episode post!
• K9Sensus Foundation can be found on Facebook and Instagram. We have a Trainer’s Group on Facebook!
• Scentsabilities Nosework is also on Facebook. Here is a Facebook group you should join!
• Crystal Wing K9 Coach can be found here!
• You can follow us for notifications of upcoming episodes, find us at k9detectioncollaborative.com to enjoy the freebies and tell your friends so you can keep the conversations going.

Jingle by: www.mavericksings.com Instagram: @mavericktastic

Audio editing & other podcast services by: www.thepodcastman.com Instagram: @the_podcast_man

Today, Stacy, Robin, and Crystal are joined by animal behavior specialist and dog trainer Jo-Rosie Haffenden all the way from Spain.

With a university degree in psychology and a post-grad degree in animal behavior, Jo-Rosie spent her early career working at a rescue center before becoming an expert witness. Later on, she was on Channel 4’s Rescue Dog to Super Dog, ITV’s Teach My Pet to Do That, and finally, Channel 4’s controversial Train Your Baby Like a Dog.

Today, Jo-Rosie is an online and in-person lecturer with The School of Canine Science alongside co-founders Dean Nicholas and Nando Brown. They also offer a plethora of courses on the school’s website covering topics such as dog behavior, domestication and evolution, puppy development and socialization, nutrition, endocrinology, physiology, sociology, and much more.

Listen in as we discuss Jo-Rosie’s journey in the K9 science world, share curiosities regarding dog behavior, and why the self-paced online learning programs offered by The School of Canine Science can be very powerful learning tools for trainers and other dog behavior specialists!

Key Topics:

• An introduction to Jo-Rosie (00:59)
• How The School of Canine Science came to be (04:19)
• How Jo-Rosie, Dean, and Nando teach dog science (14:16)
• How we (and dogs) dream (18:36)
• Scent, imagination, and puppy development (26:09)
• Our hosts share their curiosities regarding dog behavior (29:09)
• The benefits of self-paced online learning (35:23)
• The dog is the learner (42:15)
• The power of a progression plan (46:23)

Resources:

• Learn more about The School of Canine Science at www.caninescience.online.

We want to hear from you:

• Check out the K9 Detection Collaborative FB page and comment on the episode post!
• K9Sensus Foundation can be found on Facebook and Instagram. We have a Trainer’s Group on Facebook!
• Scentsabilities Nosework is also on Facebook. Here is a Facebook group you should join!
• Crystal Wing K9 Coach can be found here!
• You can follow us for notifications of upcoming episodes, find us at k9detectioncollaborative.com to enjoy the freebies and tell your friends so you can keep the conversations going.

Jingle by: www.mavericksings.com Instagram: @mavericktastic

Audio editing & other podcast services by: www.thepodcastman.com Instagram: @the_podcast_man

Today, Stacy, Robin, and Crystal sit down to reflect on their five-day experience teaching at Distraction Camp 2022.

Describing the camp as an opportunity to learn how to train your dog, they break down the various lessons taught over the course of five days. These include the strategy of sculpting your dog’s behavior via odor and hide placement, and introducing new aspects of play to enhance how your dog works through distractions.

Our hosts emphasize the importance of trusting your training beyond trusting only your dog. They encourage handlers to get comfortable with simply giving their dog a job, because when they have a job, the dog makes better choices. Without expectations, a dog can only guess.

Further, they explain that the idea of using play to curb distractions is so powerful because it takes away from a task becoming another “job” for the dog and turns the entire experience into something they love. Creating reinforcing experiences is, ultimately, the best way to eliminate distractions.

Key Topics:

• Using odor placement to sculpt your dog (06:34)
• Keys to engagement (08:12)
• What was used to distract the dogs (15:05)
• The transformation from Day 1 to Day 5 (19:54)
• Using doodle notes to retain more information (23:19)
• How to train your dog (without tests) (28:59)
• Gaining different perspectives (34:33)
• Creating reinforcing experiences (37:25)
• The outs are expensive (43:08)
• Why you shouldn’t just “trust your dog” (45:19)
• Final takeaways (49:36)

Resources:

• K9 Detection Collaborative Episode 11: The D’s of Detection Work
• Nina Russell (Instructor for Inspire 2022)
• Doodle Notes
• SciK9
• Sexier than a Squirrel Challenge

We want to hear from you:

• Check out the K9 Detection Collaborative FB page and comment on the episode post!
• K9Sensus Foundation can be found on Facebook and Instagram. We have a Trainer’s Group on Facebook!
• Scentsabilities Nosework is also on Facebook. Here is a Facebook group you should join!
• Crystal Wing K9 Coach can be found here!
• You can follow us for notifications of upcoming episodes, find us at k9detectioncollaborative.com to enjoy the freebies and tell your friends so you can keep the conversations going.

Jingle by: www.mavericksings.com Instagram: @mavericktastic

Audio editing & other podcast services by: www.thepodcastman.com Instagram: @the_podcast_man

Today, Stacy, Robin, and Crystal discuss questions from their roundtable that they were unable to answer. They begin comparing their dogs’ workdays with their rest days, sharing anecdotes around what their dogs’ days off look like. This leads to a discussion around time management. Robin mentions that a dog’s training hours can be dependent on weather and climate. Search and rescue work, Crystal explains, will take all your time and all your money. They share the most effective ways in which they practice time management.

The next question is about training every day, multiple times a day, and how to make it work with the dogs’ needs. Stacy shares that the two often fit into each other well. For example, when the dog needs to be fed, it is an opportunity to work on something like impulse control. They emphasize the importance of building your relationship with dogs outside of training and setting aside time regularly to do so.

They then address a question from a listener about how to not get overwhelmed by all the training required for a new search dog. One thing Robin recommends is to train baby behaviors. Stacy advises to focus on keeping your dog engaged. Crystal suggests approaching training as teaching behaviors rather than fixing behaviors. They close in discussing the social pressures of training, and why they aren’t useful. “Those happy little accidents are those times that we get to teach. That's not a mistake,” Crystal explains. “That's an awesome thing we get to experience and do with our dogs and ourselves.”

Key Topics:

• The roundtable (00:41)
• Working days versus rest days & schedules in flux (01:12)
• The impact of weather on training (06:27)
• Balancing dog work with computer work (8:00)
• Training as an all-day affair & time management tips and tricks (11:39)
• Balancing a dog’s training with its needs (23:03)
• Building relationships with dogs (27:09)
• Giving a dog grace (31:26)
• Avoiding getting overwhelmed & mental attitude adjustments (35:14)
• Social pressures (45:40)

Resources:

• K9 Detection Collaborative Episode 19: Thoughts on Finding a K9 Training Tribe, Coach, or Instructor
• MacRae Sheep Dogs
• Imagineer Australian Shepherds: "What Really Matters" post
• Stacy Barnett Coaching | Robin Greubel Coaching | Crystal Wing Coaching

We want to hear from you:

• Check out the K9 Detection Collaborative FB page and comment on the episode post!
• K9Sensus Foundation can be found on Facebook and Instagram. We have a Trainer’s Group on Facebook!
• Scentsabilities Nosework is also on Facebook. Here is a Facebook group you should join!
• Crystal Wing K9 Coach can be found here!
• You can follow us for notifications of upcoming episodes, find us at k9detectioncollaborative.com

Today, Stacy, Robin, and Crystal sit down to share their personal stories about their dogs.

Sometimes, our dogs can surprise us with what they are capable of doing, sometimes even before we’ve trained them to do it! Our hosts kick off the conversation sharing the moment they felt most proud of their dogs, followed by those surprising moments where their dogs showed remarkable intelligence in the field!

They go on to tell stories of some of their most memorable assignments, including their very first deployments. They touch on some of the darker cases as well as some of the more lighthearted ones, as well as those assignments where their dogs showed a lot of heart.

Finally, our hosts talk about a time they felt overwhelmed as handlers, but pushed on anyway, reminding themselves that there is nothing more important than strengthening the relationship between you and your dog.

Key Topics:

• Our proudest moments with our dogs (01:25)
• The unexpected things our dogs sometimes do (15:00)
• Our first competition/deployment (20:42)
• A time we could read our dog’s body language in spite of exhaustion (31:11)
• How we pushed past an incredibly challenging moment as handler (44:02)
• Final takeaways (57:12)

Resources:

• Teen Helps Save Six Lives by Posting Uplifting Messages on UK Bridge (article)

We want to hear from you:

• Check out the K9 Detection Collaborative FB page and comment on the episode post!
• K9Sensus Foundation can be found on Facebook and Instagram. We have a Trainer’s Group on Facebook!
• Scentsabilities Nosework is also on Facebook. Here is a Facebook group you should join!
• Crystal Wing K9 Coach can be found here!
• You can follow us for notifications of upcoming episodes, find us at k9detectioncollaborative.com to enjoy the freebies and tell your friends so you can keep the conversations going.

Jingle by: www.mavericksings.com Instagram: @mavericktastic

Audio editing & other podcast services by: www.thepodcastman.com Instagram: @the_podcast_man