K9 Conservationists

By Kayla Fratt

Welcome to the K9 Conservationists podcast, where we’re positively obsessed with conservation detection dogs! Join us every week as we discuss detection dogs, ecology, conservation, dog behavior, training, and much more.

K9 Conservationists is hosted by Kayla Fratt, CDBC and co-founder of K9 Conservationists. Along with her two co-founders, she trains dogs to detect data. Support the work we do at patreon.com/k9conservationists.

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Odor Discrimination Part 3: Mud Snails with Conservation Dogs Collective and Auburn University

K9 ConservationistsMay 23, 2023

00:00

52:38

Odor Discrimination Part 3: Mud Snails with Conservation Dogs Collective and Auburn University

For our third episode of our odor discrimination series, Kayla speaks with Laura, Morgan, and Jo from Conservation Dogs Collective and Emily from Auburn University about a fascinating project undertaken to detect New Zealand Mud Snails.

Science Highlight: None this week!

Links Mentioned in the Episode:

Discrimination learning with and without “errors”

Errorless learning

Where to find Conservation Dogs Collective: Website

Where to find Canine Performance Sciences: Facebook

You can support the K9 Conservationists Podcast by joining our Patreon at patreon.com/k9conservationists.

May 23, 202352:38

Odor Discrimination Part 2: Training an "All Clear" for Detection Dogs with Paul Bunker

In the second episode of the odor discrimination mini series, we revisit an older episode of K9 Conservationists where Kayla speaks with Paul Bunker of Chiron K9 about all clear procedures.

Science Highlight: ⁠An assessment of the effects of habitat structure on the scat finding performance of a wildlife detection dog⁠

What is an all-clear response?

The dog’s formal response to let the handler know there is no odor to alert to

What is a go-no-go response?

The dog’s NON-formal response to let the handler know there is no odor to alert to

What’s a situation we may want to teach this for?

Odor recognition tests Teaching them that they can still get rewarded for no odor, which reduces stress Good to check for contamination Teaches them to be confident in leaving a search area with no target present knowing they will still be rewarded

What components make for a successful all clear?

Ensure it is maintained and refreshed Prepare your training session in advance. Progression plans are extremely important. Variable reinforcement with your dog’s reward hierarchy The dog must 100% understand target before learning all clear Don’t use jackpot rewards for an all clear

What other options do we have for reducing stress and reducing false responses (go-no-go)?

Teach odor separately from systems of searching so they are not codependent Train blank sessions Train longer sessions (within the abilities of your dog) so that it is similar to long working days Develop independence early

Links Mentioned in the Episode:

Where to find Paul Bunker: ⁠Website⁠ | ⁠Instagram⁠ | ⁠Facebook⁠

You can support the K9 Conservationists Podcast by joining our Patreon at ⁠patreon.com/k9conservationists.⁠

May 16, 202301:02:15

Odor Discrimination Part 1: Signal Detection Theory with Simon Gadbois

In the first episode of the odor discrimination mini series, we revisit an older episode of K9 Conservationists where Kayla Fratt speaks with Dr. Simon Gadbois to talk about signal detection theory and his conservation work.

Discussed in this Podcast:

Dr. Gadbois work in Nova Scotia What is signal detection theory? What’s the potential problem with proportion or percentage correct data as performance? What’s the problem with our basic lineup for training and testing detection dogs as it relates to SDT? How can trainers at home put this to use with their dogs?

Links Mentioned in the Episode:

Signal Detection Theory

Where to find Dr. Gadbois: Website | Lab Facebook Page | Lab Facebook Group

You can support the K9 Conservationists Podcast by joining our Patreon at patreon.com/k9conservationists.

May 09, 202301:07:30

Canine Olfaction and Detection Science Conference with Lauren DeGreef

In this episode of K9 Conservationists, Kayla speaks with Lauren DeGreef about the upcoming Canine Olfaction and Detection Science Conference.

Science Highlight: None this week!

Where to find Lauren: Facebook | LinkedIn

Links Mentioned in the Episode:

Conference Registration

You can support the K9 Conservationists Podcast by joining our Patreon at patreon.com/k9conservationists.

May 02, 202328:56

Dogs Detecting Insects Carrying Diseases with Rachel Curtis-Robles and Devin Christopher

In this episode of K9 Conservationists, Kayla speaks with Rachel Curtis-Robles and Devin Christopher about dogs detecting insects carrying diseases.

Science Highlight: Dogs can sense weak thermal radiation

Where to find Rachel: Website

Where to find Devin: Linked in

Links Mentioned in the Episode:

None

You can support the K9 Conservationists Podcast by joining our Patreon at patreon.com/k9conservationists.

Apr 25, 202349:34

Imposter Syndrome with Jay Gurden

In this episode of K9 Conservationists, Kayla speaks with Jay Gurden about imposter syndrome!

Science Highlight: You Are Not My Handler! Impact of Changing Handlers on Dogs' Behaviours and Detection Performance

Why is imposter syndrome so common in the dog world?

We care about what we do

Extra pressure

Young industry

Success is related to our dog’s behavior

No path to success like law school

How do you combat imposter syndrome?

Make objective appraisals about what you do know, what you can do, what you’ve proven. If you compare those to your imposter syndrome thoughts, you can see that these are just fake thoughts trying to hold you back

Dunning-Krueger effect plays into it

What are the 5 types of imposter syndrome and how do we combat them?

Perfectionist: people make mistakes. Mistakes help us learn.

Superbeing: what does success actually mean? Can you find success in doing your best?

Natural genius: learning is normal and can take work. You bring things to the field even if you’re not a natural on day 1.

Soloist: we don’t have to do this alone. We can build community.

Expert: it’s about making boundaries with your learning.

Everyone: try to create objective appraisals of what you’ve already done and how far you’ve come. Journaling on the good stuff.

What can we do as mentors/colleagues/mentees to celebrate their worth?

Talk about having the same thoughts regarding imposter syndrome.

Where to find Jay: Website | Good Guardianship

Links Mentioned in the Episode:

Dunning-Kruger Effect

Four stages of learning

Valerie Young's 5 Types of Imposter Syndrome

Dr. Pauline’s Test

The Secret Thoughts of Successful Women

Conquering Confidence

Apr 18, 202353:46

Wood Turtles with Kristine Hoffman and Julia Sirois

In this episode of K9 Conservationists, Kayla speaks with Kristine Hoffman and Julia Sirois from St Lawrence University about their work with wood turtles, building on our conversation with Scott Buchanan.

Science Highlight: Training with varying odor concentrations: implications for odor detection thresholds in canines

Links Mentioned in the Episode:

None

Where to find Kristine: Website

Where to find Julia: Instagram | Facebook

Apr 11, 202356:24

Wood Turtles with Scott Buchanan

In this episode of K9 Conservationists, Kayla speaks with Scott Buchanan on his work with wood turtles.

Science Highlight: A Glimpse into the Use of Dogs to Address Global Poaching, Overharvesting, and Trafficking of Aquatic Species

Links Mentioned in the Episode:

None

You can support the K9 Conservationists Podcast by joining our Patreon at patreon.com/k9conservationists.

Apr 04, 202349:24

Patreon Q&A with Caisa Persson Werme

In this episode of K9 Conservationists, Kayla speaks with our patreon Caisa Persson Werme to answer questions about training and alerts.

Science Highlight: Back to the basics with conservation detection dogs: fundamentals for success

Questions asked:

During the search he might stop after a while and look at me. If I don't acknowledge it in any way he takes off to search again with the same intensity as before. Is that the right approach on my part? Is he looking for guidance or just to check in/ see where I am? When the search happens to be too long he comes back to me and sort of stares at me,or jumps at me and isn't as excited if I tell him to keep searching for the toy. What should I do in those situations? How much help can/should I give in the sense of walking closer to the toy, calling him to get closer or to stay at a closer distance to the toy, say if he's running in the opposite/wrong direction? But I feel like that might get him to think that I know where it is? How do you know/determine how long a search will be? How do you determine which way the wind blows? How do I know if something is too much for him? I should probably start working with a long line, but I'm afraid that it might interfere with his searching. How do I best introduce it without causing frustration or a drop in motivation? How do you know it’s time for a break? Is it on cue? I'm not confident that my rewards are good or exciting enough. Like he does seem to love it when I tell him to search and he has this look of anticipation when he hopes for it, but when he finds the toy he's more of like "yeah here it is..". We do play with it and he gets chicken or ham or similar and I mean we are improving when it comes to length of search and his enthusiasm is the same…but shouldn't he seem more excited to find the toy? How do you go about placing the hide without making your trail/footsteps part of it? When training an alert, how much should I care about the position like stand, sit or down? How do I know if/when it's the right time to start to ask for a propper alert? How do I go about incorporating the alert into the search? I have not yet trained Kenai on any blank searches, which maybe I should have started with much earlier? So how do i go about it now? Somewhat on the same topic, how would you handle the frustration that comes with ending a search session? Any advice for a current or future trainee?

Links Mentioned in the Episode:

Choice VS Structure

K9 Talking Scents Episode

You can support the K9 Conservationists Podcast by joining our Patreon at patreon.com/k9conservationists.

Mar 28, 202301:11:22

Using Dogs for Pest Eradication with Melissa Houghton

In this episode of K9 Conservationists, Kayla speaks with Melissa Houghton about using dogs for pest eradication on a remote world heritage island.

Science Highlight: Methodology and challenges of a complex multi-species eradication in the sub-Antarctic and immediate effects of invasive species removal

Links Mentioned in the Episode:

You can support the K9 Conservationists Podcast by joining our Patreon at patreon.com/k9conservationists.

Mar 21, 202348:35

Post Guatemala Fieldwork Discussions with PhD student Ellen Dymit

In this episode of K9 Conservationists, Kayla is back with Ellen Dymit to talk about their experience with the fieldwork in Guatemala.

Science Highlight: None

Links Mentioned in the Episode:

Where to find Ellen: Ellen’s Twitter | Taal’s Twitter

You can support the K9 Conservationists Podcast by joining our Patreon at patreon.com/k9conservationists.

Mar 14, 202328:31

Pre Guatemala Fieldwork Discussions with PhD student Ellen Dymit

In this episode of K9 Conservationists, Kayla speaks with Ellen Dymit before their fieldwork in Guatemala.

Science Highlight: None

Links Mentioned in the Episode:

Barley’s First Find

Where to find Ellen: Ellen’s Twitter | Taal’s Twitter

You can support the K9 Conservationists Podcast by joining our Patreon at patreon.com/k9conservationists.

Mar 07, 202334:45

Baw Baw Frogs with Chris Hartnett

In this episode of K9 Conservationists, Kayla speaks with Chris Hartnett to talk about Baw Baw frogs.

Science Highlight: Obedience training effects on search dog performance

Links Mentioned in the Episode:

Where to find Chris: Website

You can support the K9 Conservationists Podcast by joining our Patreon at patreon.com/k9conservationists.

Feb 28, 202338:02

Dogs Finding GPS Trackers with Sho Rapley

In this episode of K9 Conservationists, Kayla speaks with Sho Rapley about dogs finding GPS trackers.

Science Highlight: Diving in Nose First: The Influence of Unfamiliar Search Scale and Environmental Context on the Search Performance of Volunteer Conservation Detection Dog-Handler Teams

Where you can find Sho: Twitter |

You can support the K9 Conservationists Podcast by joining our Patreon at patreon.com/k9conservationists.

Feb 21, 202301:07:41

Field Work Preparation

In this episode of K9 Conservationists, Kayla talks about field work preparation for the upcoming project.

You can support the K9 Conservationists Podcast by joining our Patreon at patreon.com/k9conservationists.

Feb 14, 202318:57

Data Dogs Can't Detect with Toni Proescholdt

In this episode of K9 Conservationists, Kayla speaks to Toni Proescholdt from Utah State about the data that dogs can’t detect.

Science Highlight: Can volunteers train their pet dogs to detect a novel odor in a controlled environment in under 12 weeks?

Links Mentioned in the Episode:

You can support the K9 Conservationists Podcast by joining our Patreon at patreon.com/k9conservationists.

Feb 07, 202353:43

Updates from the Field and Patreon Q&A

In this episode of K9 Conservationists, Kayla provides an update on what K9 Conservationists has been up to and answers some Patreon questions.

Science Highlight: Detection distance and environmental factors in conservation detection dog surveys

Questions tackled in this episode include:

How do you take into consideration your dog team and their strengths/motivators/style when deciding on projects that you want to pursue? How do I reinforce the alert while helping my dog keep his nose off target? In a scenario where you see that detection dogs could be a huge asset to a study or project- but the leads have never considered their use before-, how would you pitch it as a possibility?

Links Mentioned in the Episode:

Flying with Dogs K9s Talking Scents Keep That Odor to Itself K9 Detection Collaborative The Importance of Odor Hygeine

You can support the K9 Conservationists Podcast by joining our Patreon at patreon.com/k9conservationists.

Jan 31, 202351:05

Antiracism and Detection Dogs with Kassidi Jones

In this episode of K9 Conservationists, Kayla speaks with Kassidi Jones to talk about antiracism and detection dogs.

Science Highlight: Handler beliefs affect scent detection dog outcomes

Links Mentioned in the Episode:

Reading list

Where to find Kassidi: Instagram

You can support the K9 Conservationists Podcast by joining our Patreon at patreon.com/k9conservationists.

Jan 24, 202358:59

Are We Trainers? with Kim Brophy and Mike Shikashio

In this episode of K9 Conservationists, Kayla speaks with Kim Brophy and Mike Shikashio to answer an important question: what is a dog trainer?

Science Highlight: Relationship between aggressive and avoidance behaviour by dogs and their experience in the first six months of life

Links Mentioned in the Episode:

Where to find Kim: Website | Facebook

Where to find Mike: Website | Bitey End of the Dog

You can support the K9 Conservationists Podcast by joining our Patreon at patreon.com/k9conservationists.

Jan 17, 202301:09:38

Building and Growing Companies with Andrew Ishimaru

In this episode of K9 Conservationists, Kayla speaks with Andrew Ishimaru from RyTech about building and growing companies.

Science Highlight: When the nose knows: ontogenetic changes in detection dogs' (Canis familiaris) responsiveness to social and olfactory cues

Links Mentioned in the Episode:

Growth Hackers

Demand curve

Inbound Marketing Certification

Where to find Andrew: Instagram | LinkedIn

You can support the K9 Conservationists Podcast by joining our Patreon at patreon.com/k9conservationists.

Jan 10, 202301:05:56

Early Career Conservationist Tips with Gael Sanchez

In this episode of K9 Conservationists, Kayla speaks with Gael Sanchez about joining the field of ecology and conservation.

Science Highlight: Curtailment as a successful method for reducing bat mortality at a southern Australian wind farm

Links Mentioned in the Episode:

REU

Where to find Gael: Website | Instagram

You can support the K9 Conservationists Podcast by joining our Patreon at patreon.com/k9conservationists.

Jan 03, 202301:08:07

First Season in the Field with Emma Lustig

In this episode of K9 Conservationists, Kayla speaks with Emma Lustig about her first season as a conservation detection dog handler.

Science Highlight: Effect of odorant pre-exposure on domestic dogs' sensitivity on an odorant detection task

Links Mentioned in the Episode:

Where to find Emma: Instagram

You can support the K9 Conservationists Podcast by joining our Patreon at patreon.com/k9conservationists.

Dec 29, 202248:09

Expertise, Accessibility, and Gatekeeping with Cate Roscoe

In this episode of K9 Conservationists, Kayla speaks with Cate Roscoe about Expertise, Accessibility, and Gatekeeping.

What does DEI stand for? Can we define each term?

Diversity - who is at the table Equity - diversity + inclusion = equity, what is needed to achieve equality Inclusion - who is involved/included

Links Mentioned in the Episode:

Why Diversity and Inclusion Are Good for Business

Where to find Cate: Website

You can support the K9 Conservationists Podcast by joining our Patreon at patreon.com/k9conservationists.

Dec 20, 202201:13:57

Demonstration Dogs with Tayllor Pittman

In this episode of K9 Conservationists, Kayla speaks with our long time patron Tayllor Pittman about selecting and preparing dogs to be demonstration dogs.

Science Highlight: Detection Distance and Environmental Factors in Conservation Detection Dog Surveys

Links Mentioned in the Episode:

Fill in the Blank Episode

All Clear with Paul Bunker

Where to find Tayllor: Instagram | Facebook

You can support the K9 Conservationists Podcast by joining our Patreon at patreon.com/k9conservationists.

Dec 13, 202201:16:57

Sourcing Shelter Dogs with Katie Brennan (Part 2 of 2)

In this episode of K9 Conservationists, Kayla is back with Katie Brennan for part two about sourcing shelter dogs for work.

Links Mentioned in the Episode:

Where to find Katie: Website | Instagram | Facebook | Recruitment

You can support the K9 Conservationists Podcast by joining our Patreon at patreon.com/k9conservationists.

Dec 06, 202201:04:19

Sourcing Shelter Dogs with Katie Brennan (Part 1 of 2)

In this episode of K9 Conservationists, Kayla speaks with Katie Brennan from Search Dog Foundation about sourcing shelter dogs for work.

How do shelters know to reach out? ie, what do they see in the dog?

Energy level Age Breed: lab, golden, aussie, border collie, mal/dutchie, gsd, + mixes Reaction to strange people and dogs What do they do with toys? Cleared by veterinarian team

How do you screen dogs?

6-10 foot pass between candidate dog and neutral dog or parallel walk. Remove dog from crate/kennel/car. Retrieves and possession. Field hunt Noise response/startle test. Rubble pile

Links Mentioned in the Episode: None

Where to find Katie: Website | Instagram | Facebook

You can support the K9 Conservationists Podcast by joining our Patreon at patreon.com/k9conservationists.

Nov 29, 202201:11:49

Patreon Questions with Meg Barnes

In this episode of K9 Conservationists, Kayla is back with our patron Meg Barnes to answer some of her questions!

Science Highlight: None

Links Mentioned in the Episode:

Where to find Meg: Instagram | Facebook

You can support the K9 Conservationists Podcast by joining our Patreon at patreon.com/k9conservationists.

Nov 22, 202201:27:16

Certifications with Robin Greubel

In this episode of K9 Conservationists, Kayla speaks with Robin Greubel from K9Sensus about certifying detection dogs.

Science Highlight: None

A certification is a snapshot of the skills that have proven to be predictors of success in the field Some skill sets to consider during testing are refocusing after distraction, independent dogs (handler not assisting in finding the hides), and successful clears There are different kinds of detection dogs (conservation, search and rescue, cadaver, etc.), so one type of certification will not necessarily fit all others, so it would be difficult to create one kind of certification for ALL detection dogs Being certified does not make you operational, being certified is like getting your learners permit

Links Mentioned in the Episode:

Where to find Robin: Website | Facebook | Instagram

You can support the K9 Conservationists Podcast by joining our Patreon at patreon.com/k9conservationists.

Nov 15, 202201:31:21

Training Expert Dogs to Hand-Off to Amateurs with Miranda Turenne

In this episode of K9 Conservationists, Kayla speaks with Miranda Turenne from Pacific Assistance Dogs Society about Assistance Dogs.

Science Highlight: Canine Olfaction: Scent, Sign, and Situation

How do you prep dogs for new/green handlers?

Selection of the dogs is important Dogs that are highly biddable and highly task oriented Building foundation skills to fluency Training system created with the transfer to the client in mind Clean cues, proofing, generalization

How do you prep handlers for dogs? Can any handler (any dog) do this transition?

Service dogs are not always the best choice, so the client must be prepared for a lifestyle change with a lot of work Proper matching helps with preparation Educational hours to ensure client is prepared with how to care for the dog In person hand off course to learn the tasks and behaviors as well as care Continuing education

What causes hiccups?

Training Incompatibility Reinforcement history Lack of training mechanics in clients

Do you offer brush-up training or support?

As much or as little as the client needs/wants Yearly recertification

Links Mentioned in the Episode:

Training Without Conflict

Where to find Miranda: Website | Advanced Dogs Instagram | PADS Instagram | Miranda’s Instagram

You can support the K9 Conservationists Podcast by joining our Patreon at patreon.com/k9conservationists.

Nov 08, 202201:30:46

Getting Published 101

In this episode of K9 Conservationists, Kayla speaks with Dr. Charles van Rees, our conservation correspondent, about getting research published.

Science Highlight: None

How is getting published in academia the same, or different from other publications?

There are two major misconceptions: 1) that it’s the same as other kinds of publishing, 2) that is different than other kinds of publishing (in being somehow infallible)

What’s next? How do you find partners to co-author a paper? How do you assemble your Avengers team?

How do you target a journal? How do you know who’s a good fit for your paper? Do you write to fit their style?

How long should it be? Like do you know ahead of time, or is it just ruthlessly edited later?

How do you submit? Can you just submit cold?

Can you do this without a master’s or will you just get rejected immediately?

How do you deal with peer review?

What happens after acceptance?

What’s normal for self-promotion and sharing?

Links Mentioned in the Episode:

Dogs, Personality, and Breeds Podcast

Data Carpentry

Where to find Charles: Website | Blog | Instagram | Twitter

You can support the K9 Conservationists Podcast by joining our Patreon at patreon.com/k9conservationists.

Nov 01, 202201:17:40

Preventing Wildlife Chasing with Alisa Healy

In this episode of K9 Conservationists, Kayla speaks with Alisa Healy from Dog Forward Training about wildlife chasing.

Science Highlight: Training methodology for canine scent detection of a critically endangered lagomorph: a conservation case study

Links Mentioned in the Episode:

Episode with Esther Mathews

Where to find Alisa: Website | Facebook | Instagram

You can support the K9 Conservationists Podcast by joining our Patreon at patreon.com/k9conservationists.

Oct 25, 202201:00:44

Invasive Species with Dr. Charles van Rees

In this episode of K9 Conservationists, Kayla speaks with Dr. Charles van Rees, our Conservation Correspondent, about invasive species. Science Highlight: None What makes a species invasive? Generalists Fast-reproducing Behavioral flexibility Lack predators/pressures Harmful to the ecosystem in general Why do they matter? Conservation implications Economic losses (statistics) How do they work? Arrival Propagules Establishment Secondary spread How do people deal with them? EDRR & related surveying Tier system from PRISM Tier 1 – Early Detection/Prevention – Highest level of survey efforts. Should conduct delineation surveys and assign to appropriate Tier if detected. (a) inside buffer but not in PRISM, (b) outside PRISM and buffer, but close (eastern North America), (c) Far outside PRISM and buffer (not in east NA) but introduction pathway exists. Tier 2 – Eradication – Highest level of response efforts. High impact species with low enough abundance to make eradication feasible within the PRISM. Need delineation surveys to determine extent. Tier 3 – Containment – Target strategic management to slow the spread, as likely too widespread for eradication, but many surrounding regions could be at risk if left unattended. Tier 4- Local Control – Eradication from given area not feasible; focus on localized management over time to contain, exclude, or suppress to protect high-priority resources like rare species or recreation assets. Be strategic when deciding if/where to control Tier 5 (Monitor) – Species that need more research, mapping, and monitoring to understand their invasiveness. This includes naturalized species and cultivated-only species that are known to be invasive in other regions but are not yet invasive here Links Mentioned in the Episode: Why are invasive species bad? Ted Talk Where to find Charles: Website | Blog | Instagram | Twitter You can support the K9 Conservationists Podcast by joining our Patreon at patreon.com/k9conservationists. K9 Conservationists Website | Merch | Support Our Work | Facebook | Instagram | TikTok

Oct 18, 202201:19:54

Stimulus Control with Sarah Owings

In this episode of K9 Conservationists, Kayla speaks with Sarah Owings about Stimulus Control.
Science Highlight: "Reactivity to Stimuli” Is a Temperamental Factor Contributing to Canine Aggression
What is stimulus control?

Understanding that the environment has an influence on behavior
Ex: if you’re really tired, the presence of the bed (stimulus), it’s going to be reinforcing to go lay down on it.Therefore the bed is the stimulus controlling the behavior to lay down, and the reinforcement is feeling good from laying down.
It is happening all the time, every day
Stimulus control is more than impulse control
Fluency goes hand in hand with stimulus control as well. A behavior is not fluent if its not under stimulus control
Clear rules, routine, and consistency can help with stimulus control as well

Cue THEN move

Similar to click then treat. Cue then present a toy, cue then throw, etc.
A trick to help put a behavior on stimulus control
Cue first, then move your body or present the item

Links Mentioned in the Episode: None
Where to find Sarah Owings: Tromplo Courses | Facebook | Cyber Dog Online
You can support the K9 Conservationists Podcast by joining our Patreon at patreon.com/k9conservationists.
K9 Conservationists Website | Merch | Support Our Work | Facebook | Instagram | TikTok

Oct 11, 202201:09:35

Mid Season Musings

In this episode of K9 Conservationists, Kayla talks candidly about some mid-season musings.

Links Mentioned in the Episode: None

You can support the K9 Conservationists Podcast by joining our Patreon at patreon.com/k9conservationists.

Oct 04, 202250:30

Predation Substitute with Simone Mueller

In this episode of K9 Conservationists, Kayla speaks with Simone Mueller about Predation Substitute Training.

Science Highlight: Performance of Pugs, German Shepherds, and Greyhounds (Canis lupus familiaris) on an odor-discrimination task

What is predation substitute training?

A force free protocol to stop predatory chasing.

What are the steps?

Management/prevention: stay in contact with the dog while out, keep the dog on-path, perimeter training Tools: calmness around wildlife, so the dog can still think and perform alternative behavior (stand and watch). The deal is you can stand/watch but not chase. All parts of predatory sequence are inherently reinforcing, so we can allow them to eye/stalk without chase/bite Alternative reinforcement, outlet through predation games Interrupter (recall)

What are the first signs of predation?

Observing - there is no trigger yet, but they are looking for one. This is the time to get involved. Stalking - they are focused on the prey, tense and arrow shaped body language, creeping forward Chase - high level of arousal, hard to train anything here Capture & consume - ideally you will never get to this point

Links Mentioned in the Episode: None

Where to find Simone Mueller: Website | Facebook | Instagram

You can support the K9 Conservationists Podcast by joining our Patreon at patreon.com/k9conservationists.

Sep 27, 202201:03:07

Breeding Functional Working Dogs with Dr. Jessica Heckman

In this episode of K9 Conservationists, Kayla speaks with Dr. Jessica Heckman from Dog Zombie about Breeding Functional Dogs.

Science Highlight: Advancing Genetic Selection and Behavioral Genomics of Working Dogs Through Collaborative Science

What is functional breeding?

The population is no more at risk of X disease than the dog population as a whole. Also prioritizing behavioral wellness over looks or closed stud books. No elevated risk of separation anxiety, etc.

What are common pitfalls breeding programs can run into?

Not bringing in dogs from outside of the population You aren’t going to get to the goal and sit there - you have to keep working at it while you have it “It's not about the first generation, it’s about the population and the direction you are moving the population towards” - Dr. Jessica Heckman

What tests are mission critical?

It depends on the breed/mix The very first step would go to the breed club and see what tests they recommends Then start talking to other breeders in the breed and learn about what issues the breed has For mixed breeds, you should test for everything each purebred parent should be tested for, but it’s hard to say

Links Mentioned in the Episode:

Pet genomics medicine runs wild

Where Do Good Dogs Come From

Where to find Dr. Jessica Heckman: Website | Functional Dog Collaborative

You can support the K9 Conservationists Podcast by joining our Patreon at patreon.com/k9conservationists.

Sep 20, 202201:11:53

Airports to Moors: Invasive Species Mitigation with Grant Blackley

In this episode of K9 Conservationists, Kayla speaks with Grant Blackley from Orkney Native Wildlife Project about transitioning from airport screening detection dogs to working with conservation detection dogs.

Science Highlight: Olfaction-based Detection Distance: A Quantitative Analysis of How Far Away Dogs Recognize Tortoise Odor and Follow It to Source

What is similar between airport detection and conservation detection?

Dog care is the same; health checks, etc. Training foundations are similar Educating the public is the same for both

What things are different?

Quick controlled rewards in the airport vs toy rewards for conservation Dogs on leash at all times in the airport, can be off leash for conservation Taught to speak a lot to airport detection dogs, but not for conservation Overall search styles are different Small differences in training elements All airport dogs are trained the same, conservation dogs trained individually Different hours of work, different work environment More human sided work with airport detection vs conservation There is more work and funding for airport detection

Links Mentioned in the Episode: None

Where to find Grant Blackley: Website | Facebook

You can support the K9 Conservationists Podcast by joining our Patreon at patreon.com/k9conservationists.

Sep 13, 202253:56

What are Getxent Tubes? Gregory Herin

In this episode of K9 Conservationists, Kayla speaks with Gregory Herin from Getxent to discuss Getxent tubes.

Science Highlight: Noninvasive Identification of Herpetofauna: Pairing Conservation Dogs and Genetic Analysis

Links Mentioned in the Episode:

University of Otago Graduate Thesis Getxent Product Sheet

Where to find Getxent: Website | Facebook | Instagram | LinkedIn | Twitter

You can support the K9 Conservationists Podcast by joining our Patreon at patreon.com/k9conservationists.

Sep 06, 202247:08

Thinking Bigger with Meg Parker

In this episode of K9 Conservationists, Kayla speaks with Meg Parker from the Center for Large Landscape Conservation to discuss thinking bigger in the world of conservation detection dogs.

Science Highlight: Factors That May Affect the Success of Scent Detection Dogs: Exploring Nonconventional Models of Preparation and Deployment

What does it mean to be “thinking bigger” in the field of conservation detection?

Work with academics more; ask more questions Get more precise and better sampling Look into better study designs Continue expanding the field Improve relationships with study designers, scientists, veterinarians, etc. Improve welfare and training Think beyond what is easiest and the way things have always been done Where are you in the world and what are the issues there? What can you do to help? Think with a direction in mind and not just always going in and counting.

Where to find Meg Parker: Website

You can support the K9 Conservationists Podcast by joining our Patreon at patreon.com/k9conservationists.

Aug 30, 202221:43

Top 2 Questions Part 2: How Did You Select Your Conservation Detection Dog?

Roundtable: How Did You Get into the World of Conservation Detection?

In this episode of K9 Conservationists, Kayla hosts multiple guests as they answer one of the top questions conservation dog handlers get: how do you get into the world of conservation detection?

Jo Lock's reply begins at 4:27 Lindsay Ware's reply begins at 10:48 Laura Holder starts at 18:19 Rachel Hamre's reply begins at 26:55 Arden Blumenthal starts at 29:55

You can find our guests online here:

You can support the K9 Conservationists Podcast by joining our Patreon at patreon.com/k9conservationists.

Aug 16, 202233:05

Growing as Consultants for Scat Dog Teams: A Co-Founder Conversation

In this episode, we sit down with Heather Nootbaar and Rachel Hamre, cofounders of K9 Conservationists. We dive into the work we did in Kenya, especially what Heather and Rachel worked on after Kayla went home. We also discuss what we found surprising, inspiring, challenging, and fun about working with Action for Cheetahs in Kenya. We talk about our future hopes for the team with Action for Cheetahs and what we're hoping to do better next time we're hired as outside consultants for a scat dog program.

You can support the K9 Conservationists Podcast by joining our Patreon at patreon.com/k9conservationists.

Aug 09, 202243:37

Combining a Love of Dogs with Conservation with Co-Founder Heather Nootbaar

In this episode of K9 Conservationists, Kayla interviews co-founder Heather. They discuss how Heather got into the world of conservation detection dogs, her experience before K9 Conservationists, and how she met Kayla.

Science Highlight: Using Scent Detection Dogs in Conservation Settings: A Review of Scientific Literature Regarding Their Selection

We Discuss:

Heather's dad, who showed bearded collies when she was a kid Heather's history as a zoology major in college, then working in zoos and wolf sanctuaries How diving way into animal behavior and dog training landed Heather a job with conservation dogs K9 Ellie's temperament and how that challenged Heather to grow How Heather made money and survived financially through unpaid internships How Heather selected Ellie for work - and what she'll do differently next time The pros and cons of working with a dog who's more food-driven than toy-driven What Heather learned in a K9 Nosework class that helped (and didn't help) as a working dog handler The hiccups Ellie and Heather experienced during their first wind farm job How Kayla and Heather met and joined forces Where Heather is excited to see the field progress in the future

Links Mentioned in the Episode:
Ep. 15: Puppy Temperament Tests Aren’t That Predictive With Dr. James Ha

You can support the K9 Conservationists Podcast by joining our Patreon at patreon.com/k9conservationists.

Aug 02, 202253:18

Get to Know K9 Conservationists Co-Founder Rachel Hamre

In this episode of K9 Conservationists, Kayla interviews co-founder Rachel Hamre. They discuss how Rachel first got into dog training, her many jobs as a field tech, how she and Kayla met, Rachel’s season handling Barley, and her journey with her new dog Suki. Science Highlight: Why Sniff Fast? The Relationship Between Sniff Frequency, Odor Discrimination, and Receptor Neuron Activation in the Rat (https://journals.physiology.org/doi/full/10.1152/jn.90981.2008)

Links Mentioned in the Episode:

You can support the K9 Conservationists Podcast by joining our Patreon at patreon.com/k9conservationists.

Jul 26, 202241:14

Detection Puppy Raising Questions with Meg Barnes from Detection for Good

In this episode of K9 Conservationists, Kayla answers some questions from Patron Meg! We discuss when and how to introduce alerts, target odors, and a variety of life skills. We also talk about whether or not sports and other "hobbies" may harm your detection K9's performance and much more.

Science Highlight: Search strategies for conservation detection dogs

Links Mentioned in the Episode:

Playlist of all of Niffler's training sessions

@detectionforgood on Instagram

You can support the K9 Conservationists Podcast by joining our Patreon at patreon.com/k9conservationists.

Jul 19, 202258:20

Safe Animal Interactions with Skylos Ecology Team

In this bonus episode of K9 Conservationists, Kayla speaks with the Skylos Ecology Team, Tracey Lyten and Fiona Jackson, to discuss how to work safely around wildlife and livestock.

What are your expectations/goals around detection dogs and wildlife? Safety is top priority! Teaching the dog that the animal is there, they can acknowledge them, but not disturb them We don’t just want the dogs to bother wildlife, but we want them to be able to work around them as well It’s important for the handlers to be prepared for any and all hazards that you may come across

Why is appropriate behavior around wildlife important? Safety for the dogs and wildlife. Ensuring the job can get done and proper data can be collected. To give clients confidence in the method and remain professional and ethical in the business.

How do you select a dog that would be able to learn these skills? Testing dogs natural instinct around other animals; it takes a lot of work to teach a dog to not chase if they have the drive for it, but it is possible. Their life at home will have an impact on work.

What are skills taught to dogs to work in the conservation detection line of work? Emergency stops and recalls. Wait, out of sight stays. All skills from a distance. Car/road safety. Good manners around other domesticated animals. General wildlife interaction training, aka just existing with them and not chasing, etc.

Links Mentioned in the Episode:

Where to find Sylos Ecology Team: Website | Facebook | Instagram | ACDN Conference

You can support the K9 Conservationists Podcast by joining our Patreon at patreon.com/k9conservationists.

Jul 12, 202201:12:41

Growing as a Handler with Edwin Kimutai from Action for Cheetahs in Kenya

In this episode of K9 Conservationists, Kayla speaks with Edwin, a conservation dog handler at Actions for Cheetahs in Kenya. Kayla spent 6 weeks with Edwin and Naomi helping move the program forward before Heather and Rachel (also from K9 Conservationists) arrived to spend about a month each with the program. Stay tuned for more updates!

Links Mentioned in the Episode:

Where to find ACK: Website | Facebook | Vaccination Facebook Page | Go Fund Me

You can support the K9 Conservationists Podcast by joining our Patreon at patreon.com/k9conservationists.

Jul 05, 202222:46

Learning and Laughing with Naomi Kung'u from Action for Cheetahs in Kenya

In this bonus episode of K9 Conservationists, Kayla speaks with Naomi, one of the conservation dog handlers at Actions for Cheetahs in Kenya that she spent 6 weeks with before Heather and Rachel arrived in Kenya..

Links Mentioned in the Episode:

Where to find ACK: Website | Facebook | Vaccination Facebook Page | Go Fund Me

You can support the K9 Conservationists Podcast by joining our Patreon at patreon.com/k9conservationists.

Jun 28, 202248:46

Leveraging Terrier Instincts with Miriam Ritchie

In this episode of K9 Conservationists, Kayla speaks with Miriam Ritchie from the New Zealand Department of Conservation about leveraging your dog’s instincts to conduct a job.

Science Highlight: Impact of weather conditions on cheetah monitoring with scat detection dogs

Patreon Questions:

Taylor: Are they hunting the rodents? Does that affect her selection?

Taylor: How has the welcome been with this project?

Megan: How do you introduce the rodents in training? Do you use wild caught, captive bred, or domestic animals in training?

Links Mentioned in the Episode:

The success of using trained dogs to locate sparse rodents in pest-free sanctuaries

Where to find Miriam Ritchie: Instagram

You can support the K9 Conservationists Podcast by joining our Patreon at patreon.com/k9conservationists.

Jun 21, 202201:08:07

Hide Placements for Training Success with SAR Handler Ann McGloon

In this episode of K9 Conservationists, Kayla speaks with Ann McGloon from Seeking Scent about precision tracking and using hide placement to get the most learning application for your dogs.

Science Highlight: Wildlife detection dog training: A case study on achieving generalization between target odor variations while retaining specificity

All dogs know how to sniff. Do they all know how to problem-solve?

A lot of dogs, especially pet dogs, have forgotten how to use their nose and their olfactory abilities Depends on the dog, but sometimes they need to be encouraged to problem solve.

What concepts can we teach our detection dogs by using hide placement? Why would we want to use placement to teach these skills?

Olfaction isn’t the only cue dogs are using to solve the problem. Location, location, location. Train the environment they are going to be searching. This will help create more efficient searches because you are giving them exposure to what they are going to be experiencing on the field.

Patreon Questions:

Janna: How do we incorporate handler movement and hide placement for training? Especially with the goal of accurate but effectively progressing through searches in wilderness?

Megan: How do you teach the dog to differentiate between visual aids and odor? For instance, I came across a company selling scent work hides, but they're in fun shapes and bright colors, which may make the hide more noticeable. If you use things like that in training, how do you guarantee that the dog is searching for the odor and not searching for the hide itself?

Megan: Odor contamination is a big issue in the competition scent work world. Is this a concern in conservation detection? Can odor contamination in the search environment be used to teach the dog to differentiate between residual odor and the actual source of odor?

You can support the K9 Conservationists Podcast by joining our Patreon at patreon.com/k9conservationists.

Jun 14, 202201:12:49

Collaboration, Invasive Plants, and Insects with Arden from New York New Jersey Trail Conference

In this episode of K9 Conservationists, Kayla speaks with Arden from the New York New Jersey Trail Conference about her work helping build coalitions and use detection dogs to mitigate invasive insect and plant infestations.

Science Highlight: Detection dogs in nature conservation: A database on their world-wide deployment with a review on breeds used and their performance compared to other methods

Patreon Questions:

Megan - How did you get land managers on board?

Bronwen - What’s the best way to collect and store insect samples? Are there special considerations about decay?

Megan - What unique challenges are there to working with insect targets for detection dogs?

Ashley - Aside from identifying and removing invasives, what is NYNJTC doing to prevent their spread?

Links Mentioned in the Episode:

Insert the Doug video

Where to find Arden: Website | Instagram

You can support the K9 Conservationists Podcast by joining our Patreon at patreon.com/k9conservationists.

Jun 07, 202201:08:18

Clean Training for High Drive Dogs with Sarah Owings

In this episode of K9 Conservationists, Kayla speaks with Sarah Owings from Cyber Dog Online Training about clean mechanics for training and working with high drive dogs.

Science Highlight: Detecting small and cryptic animals by combining thermography and a wildlife detection dog

Why do mechanics matter?

Clarity shapes all learning. The clearer you are with your dog, the more successful they will be. Before you blame the dog, be sure your mechanics are clean and communication is consistent and clear.

What problems can poor mechanics cause?

Dogs may steal food or toys from you, bark, whine, zoomie, etc. This is all from a lack of communication

What are some human-end behaviors that can cause miscommunication?

Lumping criteria (ie. jumping too many steps at once) Having no criteria/winging it Sessions that are too long Lack of reinforcement strategies

What are some mechanics or exercises to improve handler to dog communication?

Make sure the criteria is doable and raise the criteria slowly over time Reinforcement pattern games; can you give a dog a reward and they will know exactly where it’s going to be (in the mouth, tossed, on the ground, etc.)? If your dog is sniffing around a lot for the rewards, treat in a dish on the ground to clean up the loop

Are there situations where switching up the type of food or toy is a good idea?

Switching to a lower value reward may just be a crutch. It is important to find what was causing the frustration, because chances are it wasn’t that the reward was too high value. If you are having issues, you may be holding out longer than the dog can handle. The dog needs to know how to earn the reward, no matter what. Choice of reinforcement can make your delivery mechanics better or worse.

Links Mentioned in the Episode:

Where to find Sarah Ownings: Website | Tromplo | Facebook

You can support the K9 Conservationists Podcast by joining our Patreon at patreon.com/k9conservationists.

May 31, 202201:22:01

Intelligent Disobedience and Cue Hierarchies with Tony Harvey

In this episode of K9 Conservationists, Kayla speaks with Tony Harvey about intelligent disobedience.
Review Highlight: JPinCB says “Kayla’s authentic, enthusiastic interest in all of her guests and topics, paired with her knowledge in a variety of scientific fields makes this podcast fun, interesting, and informative. If you have any interest in dogs, nature, travel, science, even pursuing your dreams, you will love this podcast.”
What is intelligent disobedience?

When the dog goes directly against the handler's cue in an effort to make the better or safer decision (ie. A guide dog not crossing the road when asked when there is a vehicle coming).

How do you teach this?

This is taught by training dogs different behaviors for different contingencies
A high level of reinforcement is given for these behaviors

How do you teach handlers to respond to this?

Many sessions with and without the dog
The handlers need to learn what each behavior feels like

Patreon Questions:

Are there specific dog traits that make this training easier/more successful? - From Taylor
Do you factor in the need for intelligent disobedience when choosing a prospect? - From Megan
For different types of dog personalities, how does he approach this kind of training, and some problem solving examples? - From Jana

Links Mentioned in the Episode:
Red/Green Light Paper
Where to find Tony Harvey: Guide Dogs UK | Youtube | Facebook
You can support the K9 Conservationists Podcast by joining our Patreon at patreon.com/k9conservationists.
K9 Conservationists Website | Merch | Support Our Work | Facebook | Instagram | TikTok

May 24, 202248:17

Poop is Brown Gold with Misa Winters & Tara Wilson

In this episode of K9 Conservationists, Kayla speaks with Misa Winters and Tara Wilson about laboratory analysis of scat after field collection.
Science Highlight: Duration of urination does not change with body size
What can we learn from our scat samples?

Genetic analysis (what species, what individual, what did it eat, sex typing)
Morphological diet analysis (fur, bones, teeth, plants, insects)
Microbiome (bacteria and immune system interaction)
Parasites, pathogen analysis (bacteria and viral disease)
Hormonal analysis (stress, pregnancy, nutrition, relative age)
Age (isotope data)
Hormones in particular are great from scat because it is more representative of an animal over time, versus a blood sample which is a smaller snapshot in time and could be skewed by the stress of capturing or darting an animal.

What questions from samples are harder/easier to answer?
Easier:

Species ID from mitochondrial DNA (if you have good reference data)
Prey analysis (if you have a targeted strategy - e.g. it’s hard to use a single genetic marker to analyze ALL prey but it depends on if you’re looking for mammals, birds, fish, etc.)
Pregnancy (but actually need three assays estrogen, testosterone, and progesterone which can also point to a juvenile or adult).
Stress - is it nutritional or environmental (T3 or cortisol)

Harder:

Individual capture-mark-recapture since it uses nuclear DNA and relies on a good resampling scheme.
How many animals are on the landscape? Especially when using prey data, you have to make a lot of assumptions about how many predators can eat from the same prey species. We also know that DNA from prey is not equally represented after digestion, it will depend on the tissue ingested too.

Where to find Misa Winters: Website | Instagram | Lab Instagram
Where to find Tara Wilson: Instagram
You can support the K9 Conservationists Podcast by joining our Patreon at patreon.com/k9conservationists.
K9 Conservationists Website | Merch | Support Our Work | Facebook | Instagram | TikTok

May 17, 202201:34:08

Kenya & K9 Conservationists Update

In this episode of K9 Conservationists, Kayla provides an update on what she has been doing in Kenya, announces the new K9 Conservationist course, and answers some questions from patrons.
Links Mentioned in the Episode:
K9 Conservationists Course
You can support the K9 Conservationists Podcast by joining our Patreon at patreon.com/k9conservationists.
K9 Conservationists Website | Merch | Support Our Work | Facebook | Instagram | TikTok

May 10, 202249:59

Breeding Detection Dogs Part 2 with Kate Graham

In this episode of K9 Conservationists, Kayla is back for part two with Kate Graham from Katalyst Kennels about breeding detection dogs.

Science Highlight: Effects of maternal investment, temperament, and cognition on guide dog success

What is important to consider for pregnant broods?

Appropriate exercise for pregnant broods to keep them fit, which is better and safer for whelping and recovery Gestational appropriate diet Puzzles and enrichment post birth can help dogs meet their enrichment needs while still looking after the puppies

What is important to consider for puppy raising?

Avidog or Puppy Culture are great to follow for puppies, or a mix of both

Links Mentioned in the Episode:

Avidog

Puppy Culture

Maybe link Pandemic Puppy episodes?

Where to find Kate Graham: Website | Instagram | Facebook

You can support the K9 Conservationists Podcast by joining our Patreon at patreon.com/k9conservationists.

May 03, 202201:12:17

Breeding Detection Dogs Part 1 with Kate Graham

In this episode of K9 Conservationists, Kayla speaks with Kate Graham from Katalyst Kennels about breeding detection dogs.

Science Highlight: Effects of maternal investment, temperament, and cognition on guide dog success

What health testing is important in the field?

Pay attention to health conditions in the breed, like orthopedics (OFA hips and elbows), echocardiograms, and eyes Look at the breadth of pedigree, not just the dog itself General genetic testing to find carriers

What about successful sporting dogs with less-solid pedigrees?

Looking for dogs that work independently, highly motivated, and handler resilient in terms of performance Then see if the health related issues can be bred with a complimentary pedigree Behavioral issues are not worth the risk Sometimes this won’t be successful, but other times it will be

Links Mentioned in the Episode:

Where to find Kate Graham: Website | Instagram | Facebook

You can support the K9 Conservationists Podcast by joining our Patreon at patreon.com/k9conservationists.

Apr 26, 202201:02:13

A Possible Solution for the Bat and Wind Farm Crisis with Jo Lock

In this episode of K9 Conservationists, Kayla speaks with Jo Lock of Nose No Limit and Conservation Dogs Collective regarding her paper about using antecedent arrangement to help reduce bat fatalities on wind farms.

Science Highlight: The relationship between number of training sessions per week and learning in dogs

**Link the Jo Lock paper

Links Mentioned in the Episode:

Where to find Jo Lock: Website | Instagram | Facebook | Conservation Dogs Collective

You can support the K9 Conservationists Podcast by joining our Patreon at patreon.com/k9conservationists.

Apr 19, 202251:59

Action for Cheetahs in Kenya - BONUS Episode

In this bonus episode of K9 Conservationists, Kayla speaks with Mary Wykstra from Carnivores, Livelihoods and Landscapes, about the work they are doing with Actions for Cheetahs in Kenya.
Links Mentioned in the Episode:
Where to find Mary Wykstra: Website | Facebook | Vaccination Facebook Page | Go Fund Me
You can support the K9 Conservationists Podcast by joining our Patreon at patreon.com/k9conservationists.
K9 Conservationists Website | Merch | Support Our Work | Facebook | Instagram | TikTok

Apr 14, 202253:01

Unusual Sniffer Dogs and Blood Tracking with Lindsay Ware

In this episode of K9 Conservationists, Kayla speaks with Lindsay Ware of Science Dogs of New England about breed selection for unique uses, big game tracking, and more!

Science Highlight: Effects of learning an increasing number of odors on olfactory learning, memory and generalization in detection dogs

Different dogs place different priorities that we really have to be on top of

How do you start training a dog for tracking?

Similar to the conservation world with hides, but instead they are mock trails using animal blood or animal hooves The goal is to not be 100% realistic, but to be able to gradually increase the difficulty Train alongside an experienced dog

Links Mentioned in the Episode:

Last Track: Trailer - YouTube

United Blood Trackers

Tracking Dogs for Finding Wounded Deer

Where to find Lindsay Ware: Website | Instagram | Facebook | Tracking Facebook

You can support the K9 Conservationists Podcast by joining our Patreon at patreon.com/k9conservationists.

Apr 12, 202201:08:51

Conservation Canines: How Dogs work for the Environment

In this episode of K9 Conservationists, Kayla speaks with Isabelle Groc about her book Conservation Canines: How Dogs Work for the Environment.

Science Highlight: Performance of detection dogs and visual searches for scat detection and discrimination amongst related species with identical diets

Have you read Conservation Canines: How Dogs Help the Environment yet? Isabelle Groc put together this lovely book to highlight many of the working dogs around the world, from conservation detection dogs to livestock guardian dogs. I had a blast learning about her book-writing process. If you don't have the book yet, order it! It's gorgeous and a great read.

Links Mentioned in the Episode:

Isabelle Groc Book list

Where to find Isabelle Groc: Website

You can support the K9 Conservationists Podcast by joining our Patreon at patreon.com/k9conservationists.

Apr 05, 202244:36

Panel Discussion with Ken Ramirez, Kim Brophy, Laura Holder, Dr. Erim Gomez, Ursa Acree, and Dr. Charles van Rees

In this episode of K9 Conservationists, Kayla hosts a panel of conservationists, dog behavior consultants and trainers, and ecologists. Our panel guests this episode are Dr. Charles van Rees, Ken Ramirez, Ursa Acree, Kim Brophy, Laura Holder, and Dr. Erim Gomez.

Questions asked:

What kinds of applications are currently practiced in conservation dogs work that might surprise those of us who don’t know about them? What are your top 2 or 3 professional ethics you feel are the most important in the work you do with animals (including humans)? What are the top things that you most wish your ecologist colleagues knew about dogs and dog training, that would make your collaborations easier or more productive? Where do you see this profession going in the future? Do you see an opportunity for pet dogs to become involved in conservation work on a large scale as a way to “give dogs jobs”? From your current knowledge of the “working dog world,” where do you see the biggest opportunities to provide these incredible creatures with a healthier body, mind, and life? How can dogs be involved in the growing ecology world? What advice would you give to yourself 10 years ago? Where do you see yourself in your career 10 years from now?

Links Mentioned in the Episode:

Detection dogs in nature conservation: A database on their world-wide deployment with a review on breeds used and their performance compared to other methods

Mar 29, 202201:21:10

Training an "All Clear" for Detection Dogs with Paul Bunker of Chiron K9

In this episode of K9 Conservationists, Kayla speaks with Paul Bunker about all clear procedures.

Science Highlight: An assessment of the effects of habitat structure on the scat finding performance of a wildlife detection dog

What is an all-clear response?

The dog’s formal response to let the handler know there is no odor to alert to

What is a go-no-go response?

The dog’s NON-formal response to let the handler know there is no odor to alert to

What’s a situation we may want to teach this for?

What components make for a successful all clear?

What other options do we have for reducing stress and reducing false responses (go-no-go)?

Links Mentioned in the Episode:

Where to find Paul Bunker: Website | Instagram | Facebook

You can support the K9 Conservationists Podcast by joining our Patreon at patreon.com/k9conservationists.

Mar 22, 202201:02:05

James Davis on Field Safety, Mentorship, and Dealing with Charismatic Invasive Species

In this episode of K9 Conservationists, Kayla speaks with James Davis about his work with Padfoot

Science Highlight: Detecting Small and Cryptic Animals By Combining Thermography and a Wildlife Detection Dog

What is some advice for someone hoping to jump into the industry?

Be realistic about your expectations Don’t rely on this line of work to hold a steady income or to sustain you financially

How do you keep your dogs safe in the field?

Use snake avoidance training - teach the dog to avoid snakes by rewarding the behavior of them stepping away from the snake

Links Mentioned in the Episode:

Paul Bunker Book Cadaver Dog Handbook

Where to find James Davis: Website | Facebook | Instagram

You can support the K9 Conservationists Podcast by joining our Patreon at patreon.com/k9conservationists.

Mar 15, 202238:50

Do Our Working Dogs Owe Us Work?

In this episode of K9 Conservationists, Kayla speaks with Sarah Stremming and Erin Jones regarding what we owe our working dogs, and what they owe us.

Science Highlight: Buzzing with possibilities: Training and olfactory generalization in conservation detection dogs for an endangered stonefly species

Where to find Sarah Stremming: Website | Facebook | Instagram | Podcast | TikTok

Where to find Erin Jones: Website | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram

You can support the K9 Conservationists Podcast by joining our Patreon at patreon.com/k9conservationists.

Mar 08, 202201:16:28

Conservation Dogs of Hawaii with Kyoko Johnson and Dr. Charles van Rees

In this episode of K9 Conservationists, Kayla and Charles speak with Kyoko Johnson about her work at Conservation Dogs Hawaii.

What are some threats that Hawaii is facing?

Hawaii is in the middle of the pacific ocean. One of the major principles of conservation is island biology, which is how species and organisms are not able to easily get there from other places It cannot be “fixed” by just allowing other species to arrive, as they would be considered invasive species and the island is much more sensitive to those

Is there anything unique about Hawaii’s wetlands?

There are some unique wetlands due to orographic rainfall from the volcanic activity Because there is a lot of water and a lot of sun, it’s so quick for invasive plants to take over 80% of the coastal wetlands were lost due to development

Why are invasive species so dangerous to Hawaii?

The island struggles more than other places with invasive species On the plus side, it can be easier to square off invasive species and make safe zones

Where to find Charles: Website | Twitter | Instagram | Nature Guys

Where to find Kyoko: Website | Instagram | Facebook

You can support the K9 Conservationists Podcast by joining our Patreon at patreon.com/k9conservationists.

Mar 01, 202201:05:42

Difficult Dogs Part 2, Shelter Stress, and More with Ursa Acree

In this episode of K9 Conservationists, Kayla is back with a bonus part two episode about difficult dogs in conservation work. She is joined by Ursa Acree, previous co-host on the retired podcast Canine Conversations!

What are some environmental factors in the shelter or in the home that can make behavior problems worse?Change in environment is stressful, especially when going to a shelter
Shelters are usually loud, stinky, and have a lack of enrichment
The same can happen in the home if there is a lot of overstimulation but no adequate outlets for the dog
Lack of exercise can be a factor, but adding exercise is not a magic fix. Generally speaking, exercise is not enough to fix behavior issues.
Some dogs may have a future in detection work but no other working field. This is because depending on the behavioral issue and the context in which it appears, conservation work may be completely suitable Some conservation dogs may have behavioral difficulties such as:Noise phobia
Handling sensitivities
Dog-dog reactivity or aggression
Car reactivity
Stranger danger
Separation anxiety
Many organizations look for dogs with drive and simply manage the rest Some Conservation Detection Dog organization do behavior modification training for those kinds of behaviors, but many do not Many, but not all, behavior issues stem from unmet exercise/enrichment needs that may be satiated by this job. It is also difficult to “fix” these behavior issues if the dog’s needs aren’t being met Fears, phobias, anxieties, and aggression may also reduce due to increased behavioral wellness, management, and a change in environment Why are these behavioral difficulties improved?Reduction in triggers (reduce stress, lowers ability to “practice,” fewer opportunities for mistakes)
Out of the shelter/stressful home environment
Often away from city life
Careful management from skilled handlers: crate-and-rotate, leash skills, even fully kenneling dogs
Increased exercise and enrichment
Many arousal/frustration behaviors improve with this alone
Other troublesome behaviors, like dumpster diving, pulling on leash, jumping on guests, barking, etc, might simply not be an issue for your average conservation detection dog Some minor behavior problems do not need to be addressed, but if they do, it’s important to modify the issues in a way that will be beneficial to the dog using modern science-based methods. Often times, older out-dated punishment based methods lead to worsening the behavior or creating new problem behaviors Sometimes management isn’t enough; both for the welfare of the dog and the risk of your business

Feb 22, 202201:20:54

Difficult Dogs and Conservation with Rogue Detection Teams

In this episode of K9 Conservationists, Kayla talks to Jennifer Hartman and Heath Smith from Rogue Detection Teams about working with behaviorally “challenging” dogs for conservation dog work.

Episode suggestion: Pay attention to your bedtime routine.

Call to action: Go for a walk somewhere new.

Once dogs are able to work at a job, a lot of the behavior problems melt away. Making sure their needs are met can change the behavior.

Links Mentioned in the Episode:

None

Where to find Rogue Detection Teams: Website | Instagram | Facebook | YouTube

You can support the K9 Conservationists Podcast by joining our Patreon at patreon.com/k9conservationists.

Feb 15, 202201:01:52

Errors, Mistakes, and Failure in Conservation Dog Training

In this episode of K9 Conservationists, Kayla talks about mistakes, failure, and errors.

This week’s science highlight: You Are Not My Handler! Impact of Changing Handlers on Dogs’ Behaviours and Detection Performance.

Everything is just data; it’s just information Now we have all sorts of interesting questions to dig into - was it search conditions? Target odor? Study design? Time of year? Training sample quality? Dog-project fit? Criteria? Splitting? Timing? Stress or exhaustion? Handler interference? While applied behavior analysis isn’t always the answer to all training issues, it’s a great place to start. Remember the ABCs of applied behavior analysis: antecedent, behavior, consequence. If you’re seeing behavior in your dog that you consider an error, there’s likely an antecedent or a consequence that’s cueing or reinforcing the behavior somehow. There are so many ways to frame the concept of failure, errors, mistakes. As much as possible, strive to set your dogs up in training for low-frustration-learning. Rather than teaching my dogs to deal with failure, build up their resilience, enthusiasm, endurance, and problem-solving skills consciously through training. When you select ultra-high-drive dogs for a job, frustration is never far away. These dogs are desperate for their reinforcer, and that can be problematic by creating aggressive behaviors towards the target or handler, difficulties in toy play, off-target alerts, and more. Clean training is SO important. Of course we can’t completely cut frustration and errors from real life: but our training plans don’t intentionally introduce adversity. Instead they focus on building the dog’s skills so the dog has the tools and the confidence to deal with long, hard, difficult searches. In training, sometimes the dog doesn’t find the target. Video is really helpful with this, but the next question is whether or not the dog actually caught the odor at all. In other words, is the problem that the dog completely missed the odor, or that the dog couldn’t source the odor completely? Challenging searches often scare people because they’re worried about failure. Blind searches, blank searches, or long searches can make handlers’ palms sweat. That’s ok! Getting used to a search that’s more like an “operational” search is an imperative part of training and field prep. While we never want to demotivate the dog or the handler, embrace challenge in a safe and progressive way. Most of these minor mistakes can be addressed through teaching the dog specific cues to help direct them in the field and returning to foundational search skills. Safety is always the first concern. Whether it’s a dog investigating a snake, a handler getting lost, or a predator getting too close for comfort, now is not the time to think about training. Act to keep or get you and your dog safe. If you’re really stressed out, angry, afraid, or otherwise really shaken, take a break from surveying or even consider ending the survey early.

You can support the K9 Conservationists Podcast by joining our Patreon at patreon.com/k9conservationists.

Feb 08, 202227:43

What to Know Before Hiring a Conservation Detection Dog Team, Part 2

In this episode of K9 Conservationists, Kayla is back for part two with Kyoko Johnson from Conservation Dog Hawaii and Jennifer Hartman from Rogue Detection Teams to continue their talk about things to know before hiring a conservation detection dog team.

This week’s science highlight: How Behavior of Nontarget Species Affects Perceived Accuracy of Scat Detection Dog Surveys.

Covered in this episode:

What hazards might the dog-handler team be facing in the field? How can these be mitigated or avoided? What levels or types of risk are unacceptable? How does the use of CDDs compare to other methods in its level of acceptability to the local community, esp. Indigenous cultures? Where are samples going to be sent/analyzed? What ancillary data, in addition to detections, should be collected by the handler (e.g., time, weather conditions, related field samples of vegetation or soil)? Can the dog teams access the study area to train and/or do risk assessments prior to project start? Is there funding secured for the project? Are the teams you're hiring experienced enough for this job? Consider cross-training dogs on multiple target species What is the timeline for this project? Have you found the dog team that's the best match for your project? Do you need input from the team on project design? Have you considered weather/ terrain/ climate/ schedule through the lens of a dog team? Will the dog teams work alone or accompanied by a researcher? Are dog teams the right choice for your project goals?

You can support the K9 Conservationists Podcast by joining our Patreon at patreon.com/k9conservationists.

Feb 01, 202201:20:25

BONUS: Called to the Wild: Kayla and Barley on National Geographic and Disney+

In October 2020, Kayla and Barley flew to Maine to compete in a dog human survival challenge now published on National Geographic and Disney+. The show is called Called to the Wild and depicts dog human teams competing to thrive in the wilderness. In this episode Kayla talks about her experience on the show and tells you where to find the show online.

Jan 27, 202223:50

What to Know Before Hiring a Conservation Dog Team with Conservation Dogs of Hawaii and Rogue Detection Teams

In this episode of K9 Conservationists, Kayla talks with Kyoko Johnson from Conservation Dog Hawaii and Jennifer Hartman from Rogue Detection Teams about things to know before hiring a conservation detection dog team.

What are some things scientists should consider before hiring a conservation detection dog team?

Lower density finds are easier for dogs Dogs are often used near the end of a project vs the beginning or brought in to target a more specific area It is important they have their question ready and prepared in order to figure out if dogs will be useful to the project or not Conservation detection teams are understaffed, so sometimes it’s best to consider other options that are more feasible

Pros of detection dogs?

They can be used in tandem with other methods, which can be very successful Detection dogs are non-invasive They are not biased Dogs can narrow down species easier

How to know if the dog will be able to successfully collect data?

It’s not possible to guarantee that it will work Known target types in which dogs have been successfully used in other projects Go with an experienced team to ensure best accuracy if it is something new

What is the importance of training samples beforehand?

Reliable training samples is important for the dog to be able to detect for your project It is important to have a sample from the location you are working in Variety in samples is important (sexes, different individuals, etc.) The fresher the sample the better, but sometimes it's not possible It is important to note samples will always differ from live odors when on the job

Why is it important to let teams know about past difficulties with projects?

Some previous difficulties may not be relevant to a dog’s work, but it is good to know to ensure that the teams are able to help with the project

Why are realistic timelines so important for researchers to understand?

It takes time to train a dog on a new odor Projects may have various limitations There are travel considerations - vaccines, etc.

Why do some scientists think detection dogs dont work?

Study design may limit teams Expecting the method to perform the same way other methods do Patience is needed as it takes time to get the dogs ready on a scent Limited funding for teams

What are the risks of the dogs being invasive?

The standards the dogs have when working are high Dogs could not do their job if they were a risk for chasing wildlife

What are some preventative measures to take for both the dogs health and the wildlife’s health?

Vaccinations Ensuring your dogs have everything they need - fresh water, proper food, etc. Daily checks to ensure they are healthy Be prepared to stop work if they are sick or injured

Jan 25, 202201:11:31

Fringe Alerts with Stacy Barnett

In this episode of K9 Conservationists, Kayla talks to Stacy Barnett about fringe alerts in detection dogs.

What is fringing?

When a dog alerts to odor outside of the preferred range of where the indication should be, aka too far away The final response begins where sourcing ends, so with fringing, the sourcing ends prematurely, making the alert farther away from the scent than is preferred

Why does it happen?

The behavior chain of sourcing and alerting is off balance Over-enthusiastic for the search Over emphasising the alert/not enough emphasis on sourcing the odor Different kind of setting with work/trial vs training For a trial or working a job, you are under different stressors and you aren’t able to control the environment and set up When under pressure, your behavior may be different which can be difficult for your dog to work with Differentiation of odor concentration If working in a situation with different odor concentrations, they may start to conclude a certain concentration of odor and start alerting to only that strength of scent It may be too easy or too hard Genetics is a big deal, but training is a bigger deal

What are ways we can fix it?

More balanced training sessions - both sourcing and alerting “Show me” cue Ignoring fringe alerts and encouraging them to keep working/”keep going” cue Working to get the “show me” cue or the “keep going” cue out of the behavior chain

What are the downfalls of the “show me” cue?

Can cause your dog to rely on the handler to source Can become a prompted cue to alert It is important to make sure it doesn’t become part of the behavior chain

How do we build sourcing into our training?

Set up for success Smaller and shorter puzzles easy for them to source More complicated puzzles to get them back into the sourcing mindset Increase the challenge level for the dogs skill level to keep the flow going Too easy may be boring, too challenging may be too frustrating Hide placement is important in training sessions The training doesn't come from the human, the training comes from the hide

Links Mentioned in the Episode:

Sourcing Odor with Stacy Barrett Signal Detection Theory with Dr. Simon Gadbois

Where to find Stacy Barrett: Website | Podcast | Facebook | Instagram

You can support the K9 Conservationists Podcast by joining our Patreon at patreon.com/k9conservationists.

Jan 18, 202201:05:22

Bats and Wind Farms with Dr. Merlin Tuttle

In this episode of K9 Conservationists, Kayla talks to Dr. Merlin Tuttle about bats and wind farms.
Episode suggestion: Come to conversations ready to learn and ready to be curious.
Call to action: Research your utility company and ask about green energy options in your area.

More than 3 million bats a year are being killed by wind farms, none of which are labelled as endangered

What can listeners do to get more involved?

Be more knowledgeable about who you support. Ask them questions!
Reduce the power you use!

“Why run animals to environmental irrelevance before doing anything?”
Links Mentioned in the Episode:

Win Friends Not Battles
Female bats harmed disproprotionately by turbines
Where to find Dr. Tuttle: Video Library | Photo Library | Website

You can support the K9 Conservationists Podcast by joining our Patreon at patreon.com/k9conservationists.
K9 Conservationists Website | Merch | Support Our Work | Facebook | Instagram | TikTok

Jan 11, 202240:56

Amphibians and Charismatic MiniFauna with Dr. Erim Gomez

In this episode of K9 Conservationists, Kayla talks to Dr. Erim Gomez. They nerd out about amphibians, diversity, and academia!

Episode suggestion: Try something new, even if it’s small!

Call to action: Update your amazon smile to benefit K9 Conservationist!

How could dogs help with amphibian research?

Humans can’t see as well as dogs can smell, so dogs would be more accurate Dogs would also be able to help pinpoint the location in a safer way, vs humans having to dig around to find one

Links Mentioned in the Episode:

Spadefoot Toad
Roguefungus

Where to find Erim: Instagram | Twitter

You can support the K9 Conservationists Podcast by joining our Patreon at patreon.com/k9conservationists.

Jan 04, 202201:02:20

"Making It" as a Conservation Detection Dog Handler

In this episode of K9 Conservationists, Kayla talks about her experience and advice on how to “make it” as a K9 Conservationists handler.

Call to action: Join us on Patreon or make a monthly donation.

Links Mentioned in the Episode:

Lonely Conservationists Essay

You can support the K9 Conservationists Podcast by joining our Patreon at patreon.com/k9conservationists.

Dec 28, 202138:42

Give Bats a Break with Nate Marshall

In this episode of K9 Conservationists, Kayla and Charles speak with Nate Marshall. They talk about bats, wind farms, and why you should care about the conservation of bats!

Episode suggestion: Win friends, not battles.

Call to action: Build a bat box.

What should we like about bats?

They are around everywhere in multiple types of ecosystems They eat insects, fruits, fish, crustaceans, and blood The variation and diversity in bats is truly astonishing 1 in 5 mammals in the world is a species of bat

How many different species?

There are over 1400 species, the number still increasing due to discoveries

Are they nocturnal?

Not all species are! Some are, others are day-dwelling Same with echolocation; not all of them do it

What do they eat?

Mosquitos and other mosquito sized insects, which helps our ecosystem They also eat other pests, like moths Fruit; they help disperse seeds Nectar; they help pollinate Blood; only 3 species consume blood Fish

Bats and Wind Farms

While wind farms are good for pollution, they are decimating migratory species, such as bats Some farms are trying ways to get bats to avoid the area, or to shut down during peak migration periods Various farms are working on new mitigation techniques that work better

What other threats do bats face?

White nose syndrome, which is a fungal infection that wakes hibernating bats They are hunted in some places for meat General misinformation and fear

What can we do to help?

Bat boxes. However, they aren’t a long term solution It is important to follow the research when building and placing a bat box Plant trees Less pesticides the better Grow a garden Keep water clean Artificial lighting can be detrimental to bats Find a local bat working group Bat walks

Dec 21, 202101:18:58

Introducing Our New Conservation Correspondent: Dr. Charles van Rees

In this episode of K9 Conservationists, Kayla introduces Dr. Charles van Rees. Charles has been on the show before, but will now make a more regular appearance as K9 Conservationists new Conservation Correspondent.

Dec 14, 202139:11

Selecting and Raising a Conservation Detection Dog Puppy with Laura Holder

In this episode of K9 Conservationists, Kayla talks to Laura Holder of Conservation Dogs Collective. They chat all about puppies!

Episode suggestion: Stay curious by being more “dog”! For 90 seconds a day, find joy in little things and slow down!

Call to action: Update your Amazon Smile to benefit K9 Conservationists.

What are the pros and cons of getting a conservation dog as a puppy?

Pros: Having a dog from a puppy gives you more control over their learning and getting them started on detection-related development early

Cons: It is a huge time and monetary investment. There is also no guarantee they will end up working as a conversation dog.

What are you looking for when looking for a breeder?

It is a good idea to interview breeders Look for physical health, how the dogs are kept, titles, bred for related work (service work, police dogs, hunting, etc.)

How to pick a puppy from a litter?

If the breeder doesn’t pick for you, it would be best to see some video of the litters, see if the breeder knows about Puppy Culture, etc. You can do an obstacle course, puzzles, etc. If your breeder is selecting, ensure they know what they are looking for. Be cautious about shelter puppies, as there are so many perks to working with a reputable breeder

What are some games would you play with puppies to get them started on the conservation detection line of work?

Basic puppy socialization is important! Sprinkle in a little bit of nosework such as food scatters and snuffle mats! Keep things easy to start, they are just puppies!

What about games for a pre-teen puppy?

They have a higher attention span, so you can increase the difficulty of your nose games Barrier challenges are good to start at this age

What games can we play with teenage detection dogs?

They are still young, so it’s important to know they will still have “difficult” days You can increase the difficulty even more and introduce physical aspects to the challenges

How do you manage your goals and expectations for your puppy?

Your puppy will never be perfect, neither will you. Mistakes will happen and that’s okay! Working with a professional will help set you up for success Be your puppy’s advocate Be humble, don’t wear rose coloured glasses “Everything is a phase; whether it’s good, whether it’s bad, whether you’re thrilled with what you’re seeing or devastated.” Know when to really dig into something or when to just let them ride it out It is absolutely okay if raising a puppy is not your thing.

Patreon Question: How can I be productive in developing a conservation or good scent detection puppy while dealing with puppy brain and waiting for maturity to hit? Are there certain signs that you can see early on a potential conservation prospect puppy? Try as best as possible to expose and positively influence the puppies experience out in the world.

You’ve got time! Signs to look for are dogs that are motivated to engage with the environment with and without human-induced reinforcers

Dec 07, 202101:03:13

How to be a K9 Conservationist

In this episode of K9 Conservationists, Kayla discusses the ins and outs of becoming a K9 Conservationist!

Episode suggestion: It’s okay to not finish a book if you aren’t liking it.

Call to action: Check out our new merch!!

Suggested by Dr. Ayana Elizabeth Johnson, create a 3-way Venn diagram of how to get involved.

Top circle is “what you love.” Circle off to the left of what you’re good at Lastly, a circle to the right of what the world needs. In the center could be some ways you can help save the planet, save some dogs, or be a k9 conservationist.

Smaller ways to help

Be a more eco friendly dog owner by supporting local, reducing your carbon footprint during travel, etc. Volunteer with organizations that protect the land or start your own

Getting in the field of conservation detection:

Your first 2 steps no matter what are similar if you want to be a handler: learn scentwork/handling/dog behavior and familiarize yourself with field biology and survey techniques Volunteer to start to see if its something you’d be interested in Education Grad school is one option Getting hired with a bigger organization is another Working Dogs for Conservation Rogue Detection Teams Science Dogs of New England Conservation Dogs Collective WEST Inc Summer gigs for wind and solar farms You get hired with your dog Other abroad organizations Taking courses in person and online, such as Fenzi Dog Sport Academy for Nosework, Rogue Detection Teams, Conservation K9 Consultancy in Australia K9 Conservationist podcast and patreon

Being a handler isn’t your only option, and it’s not for everyone. Other ways to get involved:

Volunteer with us: course creation, social media, website maintenance - you probably have a skill we need! Work in another role like fundraising at another organization Biologists can hire us Shelter workers can help us find other dogs Donations, of course Get involved in your local community with the shelter, trail building, PlayCleanGo, wildlife rehab, or just pick up some extra dog poo bags.

You can support the K9 Conservationists Podcast by joining our Patreon at patreon.com/k9conservationists.

Nov 30, 202121:38

Inspiring the Next Generation of Conservationists with Jeff Rennicke

In this episode of K9 Conservationists, Kayla speaks with Jeff Rennickle. They talk about inspiring others to care about the land and Jeff’s experiences with photographing the world and teaching at the Conserve School.

Episode suggestion: Give yourself grace for what you’re capable of right now.

Call to action: Find a place that speaks to you, visit it often, and find out what you can do to get involved in its protection.

What is wilderness?

The wildness of our planet and the existence of everything in it The preservation of the world There's always two people in a photograph: photographer and viewer

Words and photos have the power to inspire people. Why does it matter?

“Knowledge without love will not stick, but teach someone to love something first, then knowledge will follow.” - John Burroughs

What are some of the lessons you’ve learned from working with adults vs children?

There are a lot of similarities There are subtle difference in pacing, assumption of understanding, etc., but you are still telling stories about a cause you want them to fall in love with “Facts and figures don’t stick, it’s love” - Jeff

Links Mentioned in the Episode:

Wilderness and the American Mind
Jeff’s bog and conservation photos
Hannah Stonehouse Hudson Photography

Where to find Jeff: Website | Instagram | Facebook | Friends of the Apostle Islands

You can support the K9 Conservationists Podcast by joining our Patreon at patreon.com/k9conservationists.

Nov 23, 202159:54

Communications, Travel, and Conservation with Brooke Mitchell-Norman

In this episode of K9 Conservationists, Kayla speaks with Brooke Mitchell-Norman. They talk about tourism, communication, education, and how all of that relates to conservation!

Episode suggestion: Don't sacrifice what you want now for what you want most of all.

Call to action: Support a local small business that donates or shares some of its profits with a cause you care about.

How does travel benefit conservation?

When it is done right, it puts an exact value dollar on a live and thriving wildlifeWhen your favourite species is a top predator, it is in your genes to want to kill it to protect yourself
There are very few things in conservation that places monetary value on wildlife, nature, and intact ecosystems
A significant number of people are directly and indirectly supported through tourism

Can you tell us about some of the ways that travelers can not just support local communities and put value on live animals but also directly contribute to community science?

Do your research Check the websites; can you tell if the business is locally owned or not?If so, your money will be for the local community
How are they interacting with wildlife?If there are advertisements of people directly touching and interacting with wildlife, such as cubs, that is a red flag
If something makes you uncomfortable, you do not have to do it

Are there any countries with regulations on these things?

The Galapagos Africa Be wary of Asia, research elephant tourism

Why is communication and education so important for conservation?

Connection We have to change the message from doom and gloom to storytelling and showing what we are fighting for If you connect with someone on a deeper level, they are more likely to listen to what you have to say and support you

What are some misunderstandings?

That it is “bothering” wildlife, but there are always many layers to the reason for it. If it wasn’t for tourism, a lot of ecosystems would not have continued to thrive There are a lot of tourism places that give a bad reputation to the reputable ones

Links Mentioned in the Episode:

Lekker Coffee in Rino, Colorado Rhino Film: The Last Horns of Africa

Where to find Brooke: Website | Instagram | Facebook | Twitter | Youtube

You can support the K9 Conservationists Podcast by joining our Patreon at patreon.com/k9conservationists.

Nov 16, 202101:22:20

The Great Big Data Nerdfest with Dr. Charles van Rees (Part 2)

In this episode of K9 Conservationists, Kayla speaks with Dr. Charles Van Rees about data. They discuss the ins and outs of working with data and how to turn data into information scientists can use.Episode suggestion: Take the time to see, smell, and notice things outside!

Call to action: Check out ebird, inaturalist or seek!

What is/are data?

Information that we can use for inference and for learning things Data doesn’t necessarily “teach you things” but it helps you learn an answer to something you’re looking for

Examples of data for conservation science

Occurrence data: evidence of the occurrence of a species in a specific area Abundance data: identifying and counting every individual of every species in a given sector Time series data: a series of data points indexed in time order Monitoring: the process of watching the changes and patterns in the species

Challenges in data collection

Biases in both humans vs dogs Dogs have less of a visual bias than humans as they rely on olfactory vs sight to find data Important to consider if the questions you are asking from the data are going to be worth it to have dogs involved. Sample size: you have to have enough data in order to be able to work with the data Trying to collect data in a cost effective way You can’t control the data you collect

What happens to the life-cycle of data?

Analysis Publishing FAIR principles Meta-analyses and reviews Policy! Or if not, advocacy! Action! Management!

What are ways to collect data?

Conservation detection dogs Radio collars Camera traps eDNA Drones Audio surveys Netting

Links Mentioned in the Episode:

Mirror test (Kayla got this slightly wrong - dolphins spent extra time head circling, which may indicate recognition) Dogs self-recognition with scent Wolverine Way book

Where to find Charles: Website | Twitter | Instagram | Nature Guys

Nov 09, 202149:06

Data Nerdfest with Dr. Charles van Rees (Part 1)

In this episode of K9 Conservationists, Kayla speaks with Dr. Charles Van Rees about data. They discuss the ins and outs of working with data and how to turn data into information scientists can use.

Episode suggestion: Take the time to see, smell, and notice things outside!

Call to action: Check out ebird, inaturalist or seek!

What is/are data?

Information that we can use for inference and for learning things Data doesn’t necessarily “teach you things” but it helps you learn an answer to something you’re looking for

Examples of data for conservation science

Challenges in data collection

What happens to the life-cycle of data?

Analysis Publishing FAIR principles Meta-analyses and reviews Policy! Or if not, advocacy! Action! Management!

What are ways to collect data?

Conservation detection dogs Radio collars Camera traps eDNA Drones Audio surveys Netting

Links Mentioned in the Episode:

- Mirror test (Kayla got this slightly wrong - dolphins spent extra time head circling, which may indicate recognition)

- Dogs self-recognition with scent

- Wolverine Way

Whatever thing you were talking about at 22 minutes, gulo?

Where to find Charles: Website | Twitter | Instagram | Nature Guys

You can support the K9 Conservationists Podcast by joining our Patreon at patreon.com/k9conservationists.

Nov 02, 202144:11

When Your Dogs are Your Coworkers - And Work is Hard

In this episode of K9 Conservationists, Kayla and Marissa Martino get personal discussing the woes of conservation work when handling your emotions while working! They discuss ways to balance how you’re feeling while trying to make the job as positive as possible for your K9 partner!

Episode suggestion: Just train the dog!

Call to action: Follow us on social media! Reach out to Kayla if you’d like to volunteer with helping put together a scentwork course!

Links Mentioned in the Episode:

None

You can support the K9 Conservationists Podcast by joining our Patreon at patreon.com/k9conservationists.

Oct 26, 202101:00:47

Selecting a Conservation Detection Dog

In this episode of K9 Conservationists, Kayla Fratt talks about considerations when choosing a conservation detection dog, sourcing a dog, and screening a dog.

Episode suggestion: “Don't sacrifice clarity at the altar of generosity”

Call to action: Join pateron!

Discussed in this Podcast:

Considerations:

Make a list of your must-haves from a lifestyle perspective to help which type of dog works best for you. This can be anything from breed type, grooming requirements, size, etc. You should also make a list of “nice to have” and “bonus points”. These are types of things that aren’t a must have, but are still of some importance to you. These are usually aesthetic type desires. You also need to consider your work lifestyle, whether your dog can handle being off leash around wildlife, water, other dogs, people, etc. Consider if you’d want to do outreach work at events with your dog. Would a social dog be more ideal, etc. Travel is something to consider. A dog that thrives on routine may not be best for conservation work. Most trainers in this field prefer dogs that have a high drive for toys Consider what kind of dog you like to work with; high drive, low drive, preference for food reinforcement, preference for toy reinforcement, low energy or high energy personality, etc. Consider the detail level of the work you want to do It’s very important to consider your skill set and experience with dog handling

Links Mentioned in the Episode:

Pandemic Puppy - Where to Get a Puppy Pandemic Puppy - Picking a Breeder Pandemic Puppy - Picking a Puppy from a Breeder Pandemic Puppy - Picking a Shelter Puppy Test for Detection Dogs

You can support the K9 Conservationists Podcast by joining our Patreon at patreon.com/k9conservationists.

K9 Conservationists Website

Go Fund Me

Oct 19, 202137:09

Off-Leash Etiquette and Ethics

In this episode of K9 Conservationists, Kayla Fratt talks about off-leash etiquette in order to keep your dogs, yourself, others, and the environment safe.

Discussed in this Podcast:

Off-leash is a privilege and owners carry a responsibility when utilizing that privilege Ensure your dog has solid recall, especially around distractions Look for signage; follow the law - if the trail or area is on leash, there’s a reason for it When you arrive at a trail, observe your surroundings Are there lots of cars indicating lots of people? Do the cars have bike racks? If so, is your dog reliable around bikes? When in doubt, use a long line Not only do you have to think about the safety of other people and dogs, you also have to think about the environment Your dog should not chase any wildlife; even if they don’t catch it, that is undue stress on wildlife Do research on what animals live in the environment you’re in to ensure yours and the wildlife’s safety

Links Mentioned in the Episode:
None

You can support the K9 Conservationists Podcast by joining our Patreon at patreon.com/k9conservationists.

K9 Conservationists Website

Go Fund Me

Oct 12, 202125:56

Too Much "Structure" Compromises Your Working Dog's Welfare

In this episode of K9 Conservationists, Kayla discusses the structure and welfare of a conservation detection dog! This episode is heavily inspired by Sarah Stremming’s Cog Dog Radio Podcast Episode titled “Drive, Deprivation, and Desperation”.

Be careful to not label desperation or deprivation as drive Limited your dogs access to toys or other fun in order to “build drive" is a welfare issue Try not to build up an obsession with the reinforcers to best avoid desperation and deprivation Welfare is appropriate food, enrichment, exercise, and anything that would meet the dog's needs. Just because your dog is working doesnèt mean they shouldn’t get these needs met. They still need to “just be a dog”. “If your dog doesn’t want to work anymore just because you’re giving them a good life off duty, you need to reassess both your training plans and your welfare plans for your dog.” Modifying incentives isn’t bad, structure can be important to your dog’s health and safety

Links Mentioned in the Episode:

Cog Dog Radio - Drive, Deprivation, and Desperation

Dr. Susan Freidman Episode

You can support the K9 Conservationists Podcast by joining our Patreon at patreon.com/k9conservationists.

A HUGE thank you to an anonymous donor who donated enough to cover the remainder of the van repairs! Thank you to ALL of our supporters who donated, shared, and supported K9 Conservationists through this time!

Sep 28, 202120:39

Working with a Teenage Detection Dog

In this episode of K9 Conservationists, Kayla discusses what it is like working with a teenage dog and gives tips and tricks to get your young dog in the world of conservation work!

Start small. Niffler searches in small plots, each search only commencing around 15 minutes at a time. While conservation detection can be unpredictable, it’s best to find work that will be highly rewarding. If there aren’t as many finds as expected, make sure you are prepared to look after your dog’s welfare to make it a good and rewarding experience for them. Keep it extra fun! Don’t be afraid to call it off! Whether it’s cutting a search or day short, or just deciding it’s time to go back to training and start work at another date, it’s okay to call it off and take steps back or take breaks when needed. “Don’t prioritize success today at the expense of your dog’s long term career” Watch for changes over time, and expect them to happen Not all teenagers are going to be ready to work Use “gimme’s” as needed if there aren’t a lot of finds Watch your dog’s enthusiasm levels Don’t ruin your dog’s career for the stake of starting it early

Links Mentioned in the Episode:

None

You can support the K9 Conservationists Podcast by joining our Patreon at patreon.com/k9conservationists.

Sep 14, 202121:60

A Day in the Life of a Conservation Detection Dog Handler

In this episode, we discuss a day in the life of a conservation detection dog handler on a variety of projects that Kayla has worked on.

Aug 31, 202147:33

Signal Detection Theory with Dr. Simon Gadbois

In this episode of K9 Conservationists, Kayla Fratt speaks with Dr. Simon Gadbois to talk about signal detection theory and his conservation work!

Discussed in this Podcast:

Dr. Gadbois work in Nova Scotia What is signal detection theory? Signal detection theory is a means to measure the ability to differentiate between information-bearing patterns and random patterns that distract from the information. It has been around for a long time Mostly used for physical stimuli vs olfactory stimuli It wouldn’t be useful for clear distinctions or errorless data However, signal detection theory needs a clear yes or a clear no What’s the potential problem with proportion or percentage correct data as performance? What’s the problem with our basic lineup for training and testing detection dogs as it relates to SDT? How can trainers at home put this to use with their dogs?

Links Mentioned in the Episode:
Signal Detection Theory Paper
Memorial University d’Prime Calculator

Where to find Dr. Gadbois:
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Aug 17, 202101:05:05

Lengthy Searches with Dr. Nathan Hall

In this episode of K9 Conservationists, Kayla Fratt speaks with Dr. Nathaniel Hall to talk about lengthy searches for conservation dogs!

Discussed in this Podcast:

How d

K9 Conservationists

By Kayla Fratt

Available on

Odor Discrimination Part 3: Mud Snails with Conservation Dogs Collective and Auburn University

K9 ConservationistsMay 23, 2023

Odor Discrimination Part 3: Mud Snails with Conservation Dogs Collective and Auburn University

Odor Discrimination Part 2: Training an "All Clear" for Detection Dogs with Paul Bunker

Odor Discrimination Part 1: Signal Detection Theory with Simon Gadbois

Canine Olfaction and Detection Science Conference with Lauren DeGreef

Dogs Detecting Insects Carrying Diseases with Rachel Curtis-Robles and Devin Christopher

Imposter Syndrome with Jay Gurden

Wood Turtles with Kristine Hoffman and Julia Sirois

Wood Turtles with Scott Buchanan

Patreon Q&A with Caisa Persson Werme

Using Dogs for Pest Eradication with Melissa Houghton

Post Guatemala Fieldwork Discussions with PhD student Ellen Dymit

Pre Guatemala Fieldwork Discussions with PhD student Ellen Dymit

Baw Baw Frogs with Chris Hartnett

Dogs Finding GPS Trackers with Sho Rapley

Field Work Preparation

Data Dogs Can't Detect with Toni Proescholdt

Updates from the Field and Patreon Q&A

Antiracism and Detection Dogs with Kassidi Jones

Are We Trainers? with Kim Brophy and Mike Shikashio

Building and Growing Companies with Andrew Ishimaru

Early Career Conservationist Tips with Gael Sanchez

First Season in the Field with Emma Lustig

Expertise, Accessibility, and Gatekeeping with Cate Roscoe

Demonstration Dogs with Tayllor Pittman

Sourcing Shelter Dogs with Katie Brennan (Part 2 of 2)

Sourcing Shelter Dogs with Katie Brennan (Part 1 of 2)

Patreon Questions with Meg Barnes

Certifications with Robin Greubel

Training Expert Dogs to Hand-Off to Amateurs with Miranda Turenne

Getting Published 101

Preventing Wildlife Chasing with Alisa Healy

Invasive Species with Dr. Charles van Rees

Stimulus Control with Sarah Owings

Mid Season Musings

Predation Substitute with Simone Mueller

Breeding Functional Working Dogs with Dr. Jessica Heckman

Airports to Moors: Invasive Species Mitigation with Grant Blackley

What are Getxent Tubes? Gregory Herin

Thinking Bigger with Meg Parker

Top 2 Questions Part 2: How Did You Select Your Conservation Detection Dog?

Roundtable: How Did You Get into the World of Conservation Detection?

Growing as Consultants for Scat Dog Teams: A Co-Founder Conversation

Combining a Love of Dogs with Conservation with Co-Founder Heather Nootbaar

Get to Know K9 Conservationists Co-Founder Rachel Hamre

Detection Puppy Raising Questions with Meg Barnes from Detection for Good

Safe Animal Interactions with Skylos Ecology Team

Growing as a Handler with Edwin Kimutai from Action for Cheetahs in Kenya

Learning and Laughing with Naomi Kung'u from Action for Cheetahs in Kenya

Leveraging Terrier Instincts with Miriam Ritchie

Hide Placements for Training Success with SAR Handler Ann McGloon

Collaboration, Invasive Plants, and Insects with Arden from New York New Jersey Trail Conference

Clean Training for High Drive Dogs with Sarah Owings

Intelligent Disobedience and Cue Hierarchies with Tony Harvey

Poop is Brown Gold with Misa Winters & Tara Wilson

Kenya & K9 Conservationists Update

Breeding Detection Dogs Part 2 with Kate Graham

Breeding Detection Dogs Part 1 with Kate Graham

A Possible Solution for the Bat and Wind Farm Crisis with Jo Lock

Action for Cheetahs in Kenya - BONUS Episode

Unusual Sniffer Dogs and Blood Tracking with Lindsay Ware

Conservation Canines: How Dogs work for the Environment

Panel Discussion with Ken Ramirez, Kim Brophy, Laura Holder, Dr. Erim Gomez, Ursa Acree, and Dr. Charles van Rees

Training an "All Clear" for Detection Dogs with Paul Bunker of Chiron K9

James Davis on Field Safety, Mentorship, and Dealing with Charismatic Invasive Species

Do Our Working Dogs Owe Us Work?

Conservation Dogs of Hawaii with Kyoko Johnson and Dr. Charles van Rees

Difficult Dogs Part 2, Shelter Stress, and More with Ursa Acree

Difficult Dogs and Conservation with Rogue Detection Teams

Errors, Mistakes, and Failure in Conservation Dog Training

What to Know Before Hiring a Conservation Detection Dog Team, Part 2

BONUS: Called to the Wild: Kayla and Barley on National Geographic and Disney+

What to Know Before Hiring a Conservation Dog Team with Conservation Dogs of Hawaii and Rogue Detection Teams

Fringe Alerts with Stacy Barnett

Bats and Wind Farms with Dr. Merlin Tuttle

Amphibians and Charismatic MiniFauna with Dr. Erim Gomez