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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FAQs about K9 Conservationists:

How many episodes does K9 Conservationists have?

The podcast currently has 222 episodes available.

K9 Conservationists episodes:

February 08, 2022Errors, 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.
K9 Conservationists Website | Merch | Support Our Work | Facebook | Instagram | TikTok
...more
28min
February 01, 2022What 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.
K9 Conservationists Website | Merch | Support Our Work | Facebook | Instagram | TikTok
...more
1h 21min
January 27, 2022 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.
...more
24min
January 25, 2022What 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
...more
1h 12min
January 18, 2022Fringe 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.
K9 Conservationists Website | Merch | Support Our Work | Facebook | Instagram | TikTok
...more
1h 6min
January 11, 2022 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
...more
41min
January 04, 2022Amphibians 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.
K9 Conservationists Website | Merch | Support Our Work | Facebook | Instagram | TikTok
...more
1h 3min
December 28, 2021 "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.
K9 Conservationists Website | Merch | Support Our Work | Facebook | Instagram | TikTok
...more
39min
December 21, 2021Give 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
...more
1h 19min
December 14, 2021 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.
...more
40min

FAQs about K9 Conservationists:

How many episodes does K9 Conservationists have?

The podcast currently has 222 episodes available.

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