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, trai... more

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9191 ratings

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FAQs about K9 Conservationists:

How many episodes does K9 Conservationists have?

The podcast currently has 233 episodes available.

K9 Conservationists episodes:

October 09, 2025 Alaska Storytime 02: When Dog Preparation Goes Sideways
In this episode K9 Conservationist co-founder, Kayla Fratt, continues her story about her PhD research and Alaskan field season with a raw and honest look at what “ugly training” really means and why it matters. Kayla shares the realities of working detection dogs in unpredictable weather, adapting when field plans fall apart, and facing the heartbreak of realizing that not every talented dog is a fit for every project. From rough and rain-soaked boat rides to joyful breakthroughs in the field, this episode dives into the art of balancing research, intuition, and compassion in conservation detection dog work.
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29min
September 25, 2025 Alaska Storytime 01: Preparing for Fieldwork
In this episode of K9 Conservationists, co-founder Kayla Fratt speaks about her PhD research. This episode covers background on the Alexander Archipelago wolf, some past research done by other biologists, and how dogs fit into the picture. She then discusses dog selection, onboarding, and training for this project. This episode ends with Kayla and her field technician Grace missing the ferry to Alaska.
Links mentioned in this episode:
Genetic Gobeldygook with Ellen Dymit https://open.spotify.com/episode/5oIRUv2sGmVXUYifn7vKee?si=b1b871f994534492
Detection dogs afraid of wolf scat (Vervaecke et al., 2021): https://journals.usamvcluj.ro/index.php/zootehnie/article/view/14092

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51min
September 11, 2025 Incursion Dogs with Ruan & Tina De Flamingh
In this episode of K9 Conservationists, Kayla speaks with Ruan and Tina De Flamingh form Green Trax about incursion dogs.
Links Mentioned in the Episode:
Science Highlight: Domestic Dog Scent Marks Trigger a Behavioural Response in Wild Wolves
Where to find Ruan and Tina: Website
You can support the K9 Conservationists Podcast by joining our Patreon at patreon.com/k9conservationists.
K9 Conservationists Website | Course Waitlist | Merch | Support Our Work | Facebook | Instagram | TikTok
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1h 17min
August 28, 2025 Toy Play to Modulate Arousal with Crystal Wing
In this episode of K9 Conservationists, Kayla speaks with Crystal Wing about toy play to modulate arousal.
Links Mentioned in the Episode:
Previous Crystal Wing podcast
The Moving Canine
Science Highlight: Wildlife detection dogs effectively survey a terrestrial amphibian, but differ among individuals, weather and habitat
Where to find Crystal: Linktree | FDSA
You can support the K9 Conservationists Podcast by joining our Patreon at patreon.com/k9conservationists.
K9 Conservationists Website | Course Waitlist | Merch | Support Our Work | Facebook | Instagram | TikTok
...more
1h 22min
July 31, 2025 Phytophthora and Pigeons with Ryan Tate
In this episode of K9 Conservationists, Kayla speaks with Ryan Tate about Phytophthora and pigeons.
Links Mentioned in the Episode: Evaluating scent detection dogs as a tool to detect pathogenic Phytophthora species
Science Highlight: Should the cocktail training method cause a stir? Training frog generalist detection dogs with combined species samples
Where to find Ryan: Website | Facebook | Instagram
You can support the K9 Conservationists Podcast by joining our Patreon at patreon.com/k9conservationists.
K9 Conservationists Website | Course Waitlist | Merch | Support Our Work | Facebook | Instagram | TikTok
...more
1h 14min
July 17, 2025 In the Weeds: Sticky Sage with Sarah Jackson
In this episode of K9 Conservationists, Kayla speaks with Sarah Jackson from New York-New Jersey Trail Conference about sticky sage.
Links Mentioned in the Episode: None
Science Highlight: Impact of variations in training schedules on dogs’ acquisition and retention of an odor detection task
Where to find Sarah: Website
You can support the K9 Conservationists Podcast by joining our Patreon at patreon.com/k9conservationists.
K9 Conservationists Website | Course Waitlist | Merch | Support Our Work | Facebook | Instagram | TikTok
...more
1h 12min
June 26, 2025 Gundogs and Conservation with Jo Laurens
In this episode of K9 Conservationists, Kayla speaks with Jo Laurens from The Force Free Gun Dogs about gundogs.
Links Mentioned in the Episode: None
Science Highlight: Switching to marine prey leads to unprecedented mercury concentrations in a population of coastal Alaska wolves
Where to find Jo: Website | Force Free Gundog Group
You can support the K9 Conservationists Podcast by joining our Patreon at patreon.com/k9conservationists.
K9 Conservationists Website | Course Waitlist | Merch | Support Our Work | Facebook | Instagram | TikTok
...more
1h 35min
June 12, 2025 Large Search Area Strategy with Lauren Wendt
In this episode of K9 Conservationists, Kayla speaks with Lauren Wendt from Momentum K9 about large search area strategy.
Links Mentioned in the Episode: None
Science Highlight: Comparison of mechanical sorting and DNA metabarcoding for diet analysis with fresh and degraded wolf scats
Where to find Lauren: Website
You can support the K9 Conservationists Podcast by joining our Patreon at patreon.com/k9conservationists.
K9 Conservationists Website | Course Waitlist | Merch | Support Our Work | Facebook | Instagram | TikTok
...more
1h 26min
May 27, 2025 Part Two: When Your Dog's Body Can't Keep Up with their Brain with Tiff Shao and Sage Gustafson
In this episode of K9 Conservationists, Kayla is back for part two with Sage Gustafson and Tiff Shao about the challenging topic of life with high-energy, high-drive, and/or high-arousal dogs who are injured or sick or otherwise cannot physically perform the behaviors that their brains want without causing pain.
Links Mentioned in the Episode: None
Where to find Tiff: Website | Instagram | Facebook
Where to find Sage: Facebook
You can support the K9 Conservationists Podcast by joining our Patreon at patreon.com/k9conservationists.
K9 Conservationists Website | Course Waitlist | Merch | Support Our Work | Facebook | Instagram | TikTok
...more
1h 1min
May 13, 2025 Part One: When Your Dog's Body Can't Keep Up with their Brain with Tiff Shao and Sage Gustafson
In this episode of K9 Conservationists, Kayla talks with Sage Gustafson and Tiff Shao about the challenging topic of life with high-energy, high-drive, and/or high-arousal dogs who are injured or sick or otherwise cannot physically perform the behaviors that their brains want without causing pain.
Links Mentioned in the Episode:
Science Highlight: Benefits and limitations of using innovative tools like detection dogs, thermal imaging and drones to increase wildlife carcass finds during health surveillance and management efforts

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

...more
1h 8min

FAQs about K9 Conservationists:

How many episodes does K9 Conservationists have?

The podcast currently has 233 episodes available.

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