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K9 Conservationists

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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Currently playing episode

Safari Science & Fieldwork Experience with Dr. Stotra Chakrabarti

K9 ConservationistsAug 15, 2023

00:00
01:00:38
Human-Wildlife Conflict with Gabi Fleury

Human-Wildlife Conflict with Gabi Fleury

Nov 21, 202301:02:20
Foxtail Safety with Dr. Joe Spoo

Foxtail Safety with Dr. Joe Spoo

Nov 07, 202346:56
Podcast Schedule Changes

Podcast Schedule Changes

Oct 24, 202304:05
Heat Injuries in Dogs with Emily Hall & Anne Carter

Heat Injuries in Dogs with Emily Hall & Anne Carter

Oct 17, 202301:04:47
Search & Rescue Needs in Indigenous Communities with Shelby Homer

Search & Rescue Needs in Indigenous Communities with Shelby Homer

Oct 10, 202341:16
Multiple Alerts to Discriminate Between Targets with Jens Frank

Multiple Alerts to Discriminate Between Targets with Jens Frank

Oct 03, 202345:33
A Day in the Life of a Conservation Detection Dog Handler

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.

Sep 26, 202349:38
Dangermond Preserve Wrap Up

Dangermond Preserve Wrap Up

Sep 19, 202359:03
Snake Bites with Nick Brandehoff

Snake Bites with Nick Brandehoff

Sep 12, 202301:01:52
Snake Avoidance with Ken Ramirez

Snake Avoidance with Ken Ramirez

Sep 05, 202301:21:57
Heat Safety & Working Dogs with Dr. Janice Baker

Heat Safety & Working Dogs with Dr. Janice Baker

Aug 29, 202301:29:54
Field Safety Prep with Pine Irwin

Field Safety Prep with Pine Irwin

In this episode of K9 Conservationists, Kayla speaks with Pine Irwin about field safety prep.

Science Highlight: None this week 

Classes to Consider:

Wilderness First Responder, WFR

Trap Release Workshop

Canine CPR

Before You Go:

  • Check weather

  • Check terrain for water access, gullies, cliffs, other hazards

  • Learn about wildlife - snakes, predators, big herbivores, cattle, loose dogs. What are the risks with them? What can be done to mitigate these risks?

  • Check where property lines are in case of private property crossings.

  • Nearest emergency vet

  • Nearest emergency room

  • Permethrin clothes as needed

  • Add Seresto collar as needed (we use in addition to Bravecto)

  • Spray dog with Show Sheen to reduce burr/foxtail collection as needed

  • Double-check medications and gear to ensure nothing is expired, damaged, or missing

On The Dog:

In The Hip Pack/Fanny Pack:

In The Backpack:

First Aid Kit:

In Pack:

Links Mentioned in the Episode: 

Snake Bite Support Group

Where to find Pine: Facebook | Instagram | 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

Aug 22, 202301:27:08
Safari Science & Fieldwork Experience with Dr. Stotra Chakrabarti

Safari Science & Fieldwork Experience with Dr. Stotra Chakrabarti

Aug 15, 202301:00:38
Urban Ecology with Cesar Estien

Urban Ecology with Cesar Estien

Aug 08, 202357:08
Odor Discrimination Wrapup and Personal Updates

Odor Discrimination Wrapup and Personal Updates

For this episode of K9 Conservationists, Kayla wraps up our discrimination series with a Q&A and provides some updates.

Science Highlight: None this week 

Questions asked:

From Megan:

  • How to “mix” discriminants/control things into your one sample without containing it?

  • Any good ideas for avoiding over discrimination/specification with limited samples?

  • Should we swab the storage rooms?

  • Any ideas for promoting generalisation across individuals, stages, phases with very few samples?

  • Testing for generalisation vs. specification before imprinting on target /deploying?

From Janna

  • Is discrimination training something they always do as a training step before fieldwork? Why? Or is it something they do if there is a challenge in fieldwork? And especially: what is their preferred method to do the training? Line-ups or go - no-go or search type scenarios? Why? 

Links Mentioned in the Episode: 

None 

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

Jul 25, 202301:03:30
Medical Alert Service Dogs with Rayanne Craven

Medical Alert Service Dogs with Rayanne Craven

Jul 18, 202342:50
Canine Sports Medicine with Dr. Leslie Eide

Canine Sports Medicine with Dr. Leslie Eide

Jul 11, 202301:08:19
Progressing Your Detection Training Like a PRO with Lily Strassberg

Progressing Your Detection Training Like a PRO with Lily Strassberg

For this episode of K9 Conservationists, Kayla speaks with Lily Strassberg about organizing training based on target behavior. 

Science Highlight: A Review of the Types of Training Aids Used for Canine Detection Training

Questions discussed:

Why does it matter to think about target behavior when training?

Can you give a few examples of training scenarios that you may use based on their target?

How does the odor behavior itself affect this?

Why is it important to plan to train (not test) our dogs as we prepare to be deployment-ready? 

What other factors may come into play when planning your progression/training plan?

Links Mentioned in the Episode: 

None 

Where you can find Lily: Facebook | 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

Jun 27, 202301:07:18
Safety and Inclusion for Queer Ecologists with Jamie Coon and Nathan Alexander

Safety and Inclusion for Queer Ecologists with Jamie Coon and Nathan Alexander

For this episode of K9 Conservationists, Kayla speaks with Jamie Coon and Nathan Alexander about a paper they published about safety and inclusion for queer ecologists. 


Science Highlight: None this week


What unique barriers do LGBTQ+ folks face when it comes to ecology, and fieldwork in particular?

  • Strain of identity disclosure

  • Negative fieldwork experiences and career trajectories

  • Cis/heteronormativity

Links Mentioned in the Episode: 

Best practices for LGBTQ+ inclusion during ecological fieldwork

 American Ornithological Society 


Where you can find Nathan: Twitter

Where you can find Jamie: Twitter | ResearchGate 

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

Jun 20, 202359:16
Odor Discrimination Part 6: Generalization with Paul Bunker from Chiron K9

Odor Discrimination Part 6: Generalization with Paul Bunker from Chiron K9

Jun 13, 202301:04:31
Odor Discrimination Part 5: When Odor Discrimination Has Hone Wrong - A Case Study

Odor Discrimination Part 5: When Odor Discrimination Has Hone Wrong - A Case Study

Jun 06, 202349:28
Odor Discrimination Part 4: Moss Discrimination with Caroline Finlay

Odor Discrimination Part 4: Moss Discrimination with Caroline Finlay

May 30, 202343:47
Odor Discrimination Part 3: Mud Snails with Conservation Dogs Collective and Auburn University

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

May 23, 202352:38
Odor Discrimination Part 2: Training an "All Clear" for Detection Dogs with Paul Bunker

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.⁠

⁠K9 Conservationists Website⁠ | ⁠Merch⁠ | ⁠Support Our Work⁠ | ⁠Facebook⁠ | ⁠Instagram⁠ | ⁠TikTok

May 16, 202301:02:15
Odor Discrimination Part 1: Signal Detection Theory with Simon Gadbois

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.

K9 Conservationists Website | Merch | Support Our Work | Facebook | Instagram | TikTok

May 09, 202301:07:30
Canine Olfaction and Detection Science Conference with Lauren DeGreef

Canine Olfaction and Detection Science Conference with Lauren DeGreef

May 02, 202328:56
Dogs Detecting Insects Carrying Diseases with Rachel Curtis-Robles and Devin Christopher

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

Apr 25, 202349:34
Imposter Syndrome with Jay Gurden

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 


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 18, 202353:46
Wood Turtles with Kristine Hoffman and Julia Sirois

Wood Turtles with Kristine Hoffman and Julia Sirois

Apr 11, 202356:24
Wood Turtles with Scott Buchanan

Wood Turtles with Scott Buchanan

Apr 04, 202349:24
Patreon Q&A with Caisa Persson Werme

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: 

  1. 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? 
  2. 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?
  3. 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? 
  4. How do you know/determine how long a search will be?
  5. How do you determine which way the wind blows?
  6. How do I know if something is too much for him?
  7. 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? 
  8. How do you know it’s time for a break? Is it on cue?
  9. 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?
  10. How do you go about placing the hide without making your trail/footsteps part of it?
  11. When training an alert, how much should I care about the position like stand, sit or down?
  12. How do I know if/when it's the right time to start to ask for a propper alert?
  13. How do I go about incorporating the alert into the search?
  14. 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?
  15. Somewhat on the same topic, how would you handle the frustration that comes with ending a search session?
  16. 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.

K9 Conservationists Website | Merch | Support Our Work | Facebook | Instagram | TikTok

Mar 28, 202301:11:22
Using Dogs for Pest Eradication with Melissa Houghton

Using Dogs for Pest Eradication with Melissa Houghton

Mar 21, 202348:35
Post Guatemala Fieldwork Discussions with PhD student Ellen Dymit

Post Guatemala Fieldwork Discussions with PhD student Ellen Dymit

Mar 14, 202328:31
Pre Guatemala Fieldwork Discussions with PhD student Ellen Dymit

Pre Guatemala Fieldwork Discussions with PhD student Ellen Dymit

Mar 07, 202334:45
Baw Baw Frogs with Chris Hartnett

Baw Baw Frogs with Chris Hartnett

Feb 28, 202338:02
Dogs Finding GPS Trackers with Sho Rapley

Dogs Finding GPS Trackers with Sho Rapley

Feb 21, 202301:07:41
Field Work Preparation

Field Work Preparation

Feb 14, 202318:57
Data Dogs Can't Detect with Toni Proescholdt

Data Dogs Can't Detect with Toni Proescholdt

Feb 07, 202353:43
Updates from the Field and Patreon Q&A

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:

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 31, 202351:05
Antiracism and Detection Dogs with Kassidi Jones

Antiracism and Detection Dogs with Kassidi Jones

Jan 24, 202358:59
Are We Trainers? with Kim Brophy and Mike Shikashio

Are We Trainers? with Kim Brophy and Mike Shikashio

Jan 17, 202301:09:38
Building and Growing Companies with Andrew Ishimaru

Building and Growing Companies with Andrew Ishimaru

Jan 10, 202301:05:56
Early Career Conservationist Tips with Gael Sanchez

Early Career Conservationist Tips with Gael Sanchez

Jan 03, 202301:08:07
First Season in the Field with Emma Lustig

First Season in the Field with Emma Lustig

Dec 29, 202248:09
Expertise, Accessibility, and Gatekeeping with Cate Roscoe

Expertise, Accessibility, and Gatekeeping with Cate Roscoe

Dec 20, 202201:13:57
Demonstration Dogs with Tayllor Pittman

Demonstration Dogs with Tayllor Pittman

Dec 13, 202201:16:57
Sourcing Shelter Dogs with Katie Brennan (Part 2 of 2)

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

Dec 06, 202201:04:19
Sourcing Shelter Dogs with Katie Brennan (Part 1 of 2)

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?

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

How do you screen dogs?

  1. 6-10 foot pass between candidate dog and neutral dog or parallel walk.
  2. Remove dog from crate/kennel/car.
  3. Retrieves and possession.
  4. Field hunt
  5. Noise response/startle test.
  6. 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.

K9 Conservationists Website | Merch | Support Our Work | Facebook | Instagram | TikTok

Nov 29, 202201:11:49
Patreon Questions with Meg Barnes

Patreon Questions with Meg Barnes

Nov 22, 202201:27:16
Certifications with Robin Greubel

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.

K9 Conservationists Website | Merch | Support Our Work | Facebook | Instagram | TikTok

Nov 15, 202201:31:21