In this episode of K9’s Talking Scents, host Cameron Ford sits down with veteran detection dog trainer and educator Jeff Meyer for a thought-provoking conversation about building clarity in K9 training.

Jeff shares insights from years in the field, including:

• Why “finding the hide” isn’t the goal — and how that mindset leads to confusion
• The power of clean repetitions and simple setups in shaping behavior
• Why trainers must let go of their ego to truly trust the dog
• Breaking down the concept of “Odor Pays” and reinforcing decision-making
• How to create strong, replicable behaviors that thrive in the real world

Whether you're a new handler or seasoned instructor, this episode is packed with honest reflections, tactical advice, and a no-BS approach to advancing your detection work.

🔗 Brought to you by our sponsor:
👉 DogBase.co
– The ultimate platform for managing detection dog training records and progress.

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Join the Ford K9 Members Program at https://www.fordk9.com
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CHAPTERS

00:00 – Intro: Cameron welcomes Jeff Meyer
03:52 – Jeff’s background & foundational training beliefs
11:41 – “Find the hide” mindset: why it fails
18:27 – Clean reps vs. over-challenging the dog
25:03 – Handler timing, pressure, and building confidence
30:44 – Ego vs. outcome: learning to let go
38:18 – Why 9/10 reps should be simple, not flashy
45:02 – The power of being still: handler restraint
49:35 – Real world performance vs. training theatrics
56:41 – Odor Pays: reinforcing decision-making
1:01:52 – Jeff’s advice to new handlers and instructors
1:05:20 – Outro & closing thoughts