Episode #107 with Shay Cook. 

In this episode, Cameron Ford interviews Shay Cook, a search and rescue dog handler, about her background and experiences in the field. They discuss the different disciplines within search and rescue, such as tracking, trailing, and area search, and the definitions and differences between them. They also talk about the importance of experience and learning from failures, as well as the need for ongoing handler education and support for volunteers in the search and rescue community. The conversation explores the importance of education and the ability to read the dog in search and rescue work. It emphasizes the need for handlers to have humility, learn from their mistakes, and trust their dogs. The use of control negatives and scent discrimination in training is discussed, as well as the challenges of collecting and storing scent articles. The conversation also touches on the need for training with diverse subjects, including those with medical conditions, and the importance of exposing handlers and dogs to realistic scenarios. In this final part of the conversation, Cameron and Shay discuss the importance of proper documentation and record-keeping in search and rescue work. They emphasize the need for handlers to accurately document their training and real searches, including the location, date, time, weather conditions, and a detailed narrative of what happened. They also discuss the importance of cross-pollination and collaboration among search and rescue teams, as well as the need for ongoing education and training. They highlight the significance of being professional in the field, including being physically and mentally fit for the job, having the necessary knowledge and skills, and being able to articulate and document their actions and observations. They also touch on the topic of training time and the importance of documenting the hours spent on training and proficiency.

For more information on shay cook go to http://www.k9shay.com

For more information on everything Detection dogs and to buy K9s Talking Scents gear go to http://www.fordk9.com

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to the Episode
05:12 Defining Tracking, Trailing, and Area Search
10:23 Lessons Learned from Experience
13:39 Applying Science to Search and Rescue
19:06 Balancing Standards and Individuality in Search and Rescue
26:18 Supporting and Educating Volunteer Search and Rescue Handlers
32:05 Handler Education and the Importance of Reading the Dog
35:26 Embracing Failures and Learning from Them
38:51 Humility, Learning from Mistakes, and Trusting Your Dog
41:45 The Use of Control Negatives and Scent Discrimination in Training
45:30 Collecting and Storing Scent Articles Properly
48:21 Training with Diverse Subjects, Including Those with Medical Conditions
54:31 Exposing Handlers and Dogs to Realistic Scenarios
01:50:26 The Importance of Documentation and Record-Keeping