Today, Stacy, Robin, and Crystal are joined by animal behavior specialist and dog trainer Jo-Rosie Haffenden all the way from Spain.

With a university degree in psychology and a post-grad degree in animal behavior, Jo-Rosie spent her early career working at a rescue center before becoming an expert witness. Later on, she was on Channel 4’s Rescue Dog to Super Dog, ITV’s Teach My Pet to Do That, and finally, Channel 4’s controversial Train Your Baby Like a Dog.

Today, Jo-Rosie is an online and in-person lecturer with The School of Canine Science alongside co-founders Dean Nicholas and Nando Brown. They also offer a plethora of courses on the school’s website covering topics such as dog behavior, domestication and evolution, puppy development and socialization, nutrition, endocrinology, physiology, sociology, and much more.

Listen in as we discuss Jo-Rosie’s journey in the K9 science world, share curiosities regarding dog behavior, and why the self-paced online learning programs offered by The School of Canine Science can be very powerful learning tools for trainers and other dog behavior specialists!

Key Topics:

• An introduction to Jo-Rosie (00:59)
• How The School of Canine Science came to be (04:19)
• How Jo-Rosie, Dean, and Nando teach dog science (14:16)
• How we (and dogs) dream (18:36)
• Scent, imagination, and puppy development (26:09)
• Our hosts share their curiosities regarding dog behavior (29:09)
• The benefits of self-paced online learning (35:23)
• The dog is the learner (42:15)
• The power of a progression plan (46:23)

Resources:

• Learn more about The School of Canine Science at www.caninescience.online.

We want to hear from you:

• Check out the K9 Detection Collaborative FB page and comment on the episode post!
• K9Sensus Foundation can be found on Facebook and Instagram. We have a Trainer’s Group on Facebook!
• Scentsabilities Nosework is also on Facebook. Here is a Facebook group you should join!
• Crystal Wing K9 Coach can be found here!
• You can follow us for notifications of upcoming episodes, find us at k9detectioncollaborative.com to enjoy the freebies and tell your friends so you can keep the conversations going.

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Coming off three weeks of teaching, training, and certifications, Stacy, Robin, and Crystal discuss training your dog with a purpose, emphasizing the importance of advocating for your dog and knowing when to stop pushing. Crystal talks about how because different breeds work differently, some people have preconceived ideas about how a dog should work that won’t apply universally. 

They introduce the term ‘reactive’ dogs, which means a dog that is hyperaware of its surroundings and tends to act in an escalated fashion. This is interconnected to the concept of ‘stimulus thresholds,’ which measure how much of a trigger is required for a dog to alert to it. This leads to a conversation about the meaning of ‘drive,’ which Crystal notes is often perceived as motivation, or more specifically, internal impulses. They explain that it encompasses those which are biologically significant, circling back to the importance of acknowledging breed.

“No training is better than bad training,” Crystal explains, driving the point that bad repetition can have a significant negative impact. They talk about objective-based training, and how it increases adaptability and problem-solving in trainers. They deep dive into the benefits of it, sharing how it benefits training; for instance, it encourages breaking down behaviors, which produces more measurable targets.

Robin shares that most of the training, for her, happens without the dog present in the form of designing trainings. They then chat about the importance of play and engagement and letting the dog, and yourself, have fun. Also, they note, it’s important to remind yourself that it is ok, and actually good, to acknowledge when your dog isn’t ready for something and putting them through it wouldn’t be beneficial to them. Oftentimes when a dog isn’t achieving its goal, it’s not the dog’s fault, and it is important for a trainer to be able to adapt. They explain how the stress and pressure a trainer feels can negatively impact the dog, and so it is imperative that trainers coach themselves, and their peers, in that regard.

Key Topics:

• Preconceptions based on breed (3:16)
• Reactive dogs and stimulus thresholds (5:10)
• Drive & Identifying the goal (8:45)
• Knowing when you’re ready to trial (13:14)
• Single event learners (19:32)
• No training is better than bad training (23:59)
• Objective-based training (24:13)
• SMART goals (36:45)
• Training without the dog (39:19)
• Play and engagement & Advocating for your dog (41:17)
• Adapting to the dog (47:57)
• Dealing with pressure (50:34) 

Resources: 

• Danger Will Robinson
• Shade Whitesel
• Christi Raak K9 Coaching and Care
• K9 Detection Collaborative Episode 4: Let’s Talk Fluency
• Objective-Based Training for Detective Dogs

We want to hear from you:

• You can follow us for notifications of upcoming episodes, find us at k9detectioncollaborative.com to enjoy the freebies and tell your friends so you can keep the conversations going.
• Check out the K9 Detection Collaborative FB page and comment on the episode post!

Today, Stacy, Robin, and Crystal sit down to reflect on their five-day experience teaching at Distraction Camp 2022.

Describing the camp as an opportunity to learn how to train your dog, they break down the various lessons taught over the course of five days. These include the strategy of sculpting your dog’s behavior via odor and hide placement, and introducing new aspects of play to enhance how your dog works through distractions.

Our hosts emphasize the importance of trusting your training beyond trusting only your dog. They encourage handlers to get comfortable with simply giving their dog a job, because when they have a job, the dog makes better choices. Without expectations, a dog can only guess.

Further, they explain that the idea of using play to curb distractions is so powerful because it takes away from a task becoming another “job” for the dog and turns the entire experience into something they love. Creating reinforcing experiences is, ultimately, the best way to eliminate distractions.

Key Topics:

• Using odor placement to sculpt your dog (06:34)
• Keys to engagement (08:12)
• What was used to distract the dogs (15:05)
• The transformation from Day 1 to Day 5 (19:54)
• Using doodle notes to retain more information (23:19)
• How to train your dog (without tests) (28:59)
• Gaining different perspectives (34:33)
• Creating reinforcing experiences (37:25)
• The outs are expensive (43:08)
• Why you shouldn’t just “trust your dog” (45:19)
• Final takeaways (49:36)

Resources:

• K9 Detection Collaborative Episode 11: The D’s of Detection Work
• Nina Russell (Instructor for Inspire 2022)
• Doodle Notes
• SciK9
• Sexier than a Squirrel Challenge

We want to hear from you:

• Check out the K9 Detection Collaborative FB page and comment on the episode post!
• K9Sensus Foundation can be found on Facebook and Instagram. We have a Trainer’s Group on Facebook!
• Scentsabilities Nosework is also on Facebook. Here is a Facebook group you should join!
• Crystal Wing K9 Coach can be found here!
• You can follow us for notifications of upcoming episodes, find us at k9detectioncollaborative.com to enjoy the freebies and tell your friends so you can keep the conversations going.

Jingle by: www.mavericksings.com Instagram: @mavericktastic

Audio editing & other podcast services by: www.thepodcastman.com Instagram: @the_podcast_man

Today, Stacy, Robin, and Crystal continue to answer questions from their roundtable. They begin responding to the question, Does everybody have to say ‘alert’ in nosework? While there are some variations, Stacy explains, most do use the word. It becomes a conditioned reinforcer. With markers like this, trainers need to be careful not to train additional behaviors. This prompts a discussion around the next question about how to catch oneself cueing a dog when solo training. Crystal recommends recording trainings and watching videos to try to catch any potential cues. Robin advises trainers to stand suspiciously still.  

They then explore what the best approach is for addressing consistent duration of the TFR. Robin explains that trainers need to “be more than Uber,” or “more than just the thumbs that drive them around.” It’s important to participate. They discuss how to fix alerting on saliva or pheromones. Robin suggests setting up an opportunity for someone to run ahead of you or to have the dog come in to play with a toy. Stacy warns to be careful of residuals when working with essential oils. She also recommends varying who goes first with searches. 

The next question is about what situations would one need to ask their dogs to reindicate on a found hide at a scent trial. As a judge, Stacy explains, it needs to be when a handler doesn’t trust what the dog has given them. She suggests rather than asking the dog to reindicate, to ask the dog to rework the area. They then outline the differences between asking a dog to re-find and asking a dog to reindicate. 

They talk about what they look for when watching training videos. Robin watches the chain of behavior closely to understand how and what the dog is learning. Stacy tries to read the dog’s energy and intensity, watching for emotional shifts. She emphasizes the importance of not just watching your dog, but also yourself. Crystal recommends getting a GoPro and watching videos in slow motion. 

In closing, Robin advises listeners to “remember that you're training a detection dog, not a trick pony.” Stacy emphasizes the importance of watching your markers, both intentional and unintentional. And Crystal reminds the audience to watch for the canine shuffle.  

Key Topics:

• The roundtable (00:55)
• ‘Alert’ in nosework (01:59)
• Catching cueing (06:06)
• Consistent duration of the TFR (08:26)
• Training styles (14:06)
• Fixing alerting on saliva and pheromones (19:01)
• Asking a dog to reindicate & Re-finding versus reindicating  (23:15)
• Inaccessible hides (34:46)
• What to watch for in training videos (41:41)

Resources: 

• Steve White’s Scentwork and Tracking Assessment Guide

We want to hear from you:

• Check out the K9 Detection Collaborative FB page and comment on the episode post!
• K9Sensus Foundation can be found on Facebook and Instagram. We have a Trainer’s Group on Facebook!
• Scentsabilities Nosework is also on Facebook. Here is a Facebook group you should join!
• Crystal Wing K9 Coach can be found here!
• You can follow us for notifications of upcoming episodes, find us at k9detectioncollaborative.com

Today, Stacy, Robin, and Crystal discuss questions from their roundtable that they were unable to answer. They begin comparing their dogs’ workdays with their rest days, sharing anecdotes around what their dogs’ days off look like. This leads to a discussion around time management. Robin mentions that a dog’s training hours can be dependent on weather and climate. Search and rescue work, Crystal explains, will take all your time and all your money. They share the most effective ways in which they practice time management.

The next question is about training every day, multiple times a day, and how to make it work with the dogs’ needs. Stacy shares that the two often fit into each other well. For example, when the dog needs to be fed, it is an opportunity to work on something like impulse control. They emphasize the importance of building your relationship with dogs outside of training and setting aside time regularly to do so.

They then address a question from a listener about how to not get overwhelmed by all the training required for a new search dog. One thing Robin recommends is to train baby behaviors. Stacy advises to focus on keeping your dog engaged. Crystal suggests approaching training as teaching behaviors rather than fixing behaviors. They close in discussing the social pressures of training, and why they aren’t useful. “Those happy little accidents are those times that we get to teach. That's not a mistake,” Crystal explains. “That's an awesome thing we get to experience and do with our dogs and ourselves.”

Key Topics:

• The roundtable (00:41)
• Working days versus rest days & schedules in flux (01:12)
• The impact of weather on training (06:27)
• Balancing dog work with computer work (8:00)
• Training as an all-day affair & time management tips and tricks (11:39)
• Balancing a dog’s training with its needs (23:03)
• Building relationships with dogs (27:09)
• Giving a dog grace (31:26)
• Avoiding getting overwhelmed & mental attitude adjustments (35:14)
• Social pressures (45:40)

Resources:

• K9 Detection Collaborative Episode 19: Thoughts on Finding a K9 Training Tribe, Coach, or Instructor
• MacRae Sheep Dogs
• Imagineer Australian Shepherds: "What Really Matters" post
• Stacy Barnett Coaching | Robin Greubel Coaching | Crystal Wing Coaching

We want to hear from you:

• Check out the K9 Detection Collaborative FB page and comment on the episode post!
• K9Sensus Foundation can be found on Facebook and Instagram. We have a Trainer’s Group on Facebook!
• Scentsabilities Nosework is also on Facebook. Here is a Facebook group you should join!
• Crystal Wing K9 Coach can be found here!
• You can follow us for notifications of upcoming episodes, find us at k9detectioncollaborative.com

Today, Stacy, Robin, and Crystal sit down to share their personal stories about their dogs.

Sometimes, our dogs can surprise us with what they are capable of doing, sometimes even before we’ve trained them to do it! Our hosts kick off the conversation sharing the moment they felt most proud of their dogs, followed by those surprising moments where their dogs showed remarkable intelligence in the field!

They go on to tell stories of some of their most memorable assignments, including their very first deployments. They touch on some of the darker cases as well as some of the more lighthearted ones, as well as those assignments where their dogs showed a lot of heart.

Finally, our hosts talk about a time they felt overwhelmed as handlers, but pushed on anyway, reminding themselves that there is nothing more important than strengthening the relationship between you and your dog.

Key Topics:

• Our proudest moments with our dogs (01:25)
• The unexpected things our dogs sometimes do (15:00)
• Our first competition/deployment (20:42)
• A time we could read our dog’s body language in spite of exhaustion (31:11)
• How we pushed past an incredibly challenging moment as handler (44:02)
• Final takeaways (57:12)

Resources:

• Teen Helps Save Six Lives by Posting Uplifting Messages on UK Bridge (article)

We want to hear from you:

• Check out the K9 Detection Collaborative FB page and comment on the episode post!
• K9Sensus Foundation can be found on Facebook and Instagram. We have a Trainer’s Group on Facebook!
• Scentsabilities Nosework is also on Facebook. Here is a Facebook group you should join!
• Crystal Wing K9 Coach can be found here!
• You can follow us for notifications of upcoming episodes, find us at k9detectioncollaborative.com to enjoy the freebies and tell your friends so you can keep the conversations going.

Jingle by: www.mavericksings.com Instagram: @mavericktastic

Audio editing & other podcast services by: www.thepodcastman.com Instagram: @the_podcast_man

Today, Robin, Stacy and Crystal discuss how to use blank sessions to your advantage. Blank areas, while they can be anxiety-inducing, can be a way for handlers to evaluate their dog’s behavior, and in the process build their stamina, attention, and trust.

“We should really start redefining how we think of blank areas: Blank areas are an opportunity for us to work on nose time with the dog. We call when it’s finished. The dog doesn’t call when it’s finished.”

Our hosts discuss how blank areas allow handlers and dogs to forge a closer partnership through greater awareness and communication by giving the dog the skills they need to search an area with no scent/odor. They also encourage trainers to reframe blank areas as hunt setups. This way, it becomes more productive when taking on blanks to ask: “How do I build a dog that enjoys hunting?”

Key Topics:

• Finding opportunities in blank areas (03:35)
• Blank areas as nose time (10:58)
• Establishing your “working contract” with a dog early on (17:48)
• Going from a blind blank to a blind with a hide (18:28)
• How frequently to train blanks (24:43)
• Dealing with handler anxiety (32:52)
• Subtlety versus confidence in a dog (35:38)
• How blanks teach handlers how to push and pull their dog (42:03)
• When to start incorporating blank searches (45:30)
• Why blank sessions do not need to end with wins (51:08)
• Finding what motivates your dog (55:08)

Resources:

• Stacy's Webinars: http://movies.scentsabilitiesnw.com
• Distraction Camp > IA 2022
• K9 Detection Collaborative Episode 11: The D’s of Detection Work
• K9 Detection Collaborative Episode 12: From Narcotics K9 to Nosework K9 with Holly Bushard: Interview & Reflections Part 1
• K9 Detection Collaborative Episode 13: From Narcotics K9 to Nosework K9 with Holly Bushard: Interview & Reflections Part 2
• K9 Detection Collaborative Episode 22: Managing Your Adolescent Puppy or That K9 Teenage Tyrant

We want to hear from you:

• Check out the K9 Detection Collaborative FB page and comment on the episode post!
• K9Sensus Foundation can be found on Facebook and Instagram. We have a Trainer’s Group on Facebook!
• Scentsabilities Nosework is also on Facebook. Here is a Facebook group you should join!
• Crystal Wing K9 Coach can be found here!
• You can follow us for notifications of upcoming episodes, find us at k9detectioncollaborative.com to enjoy the freebies and tell your friends so you can keep the conversations going.

Jingle by: www.mavericksings.com

Today, Stacy, Robin, and Crystal discuss what changes to expect as your puppy enters adolescence.

Lasting between the ages of 18 months and two years, dogs in their “teenage” years will seem to forget everything they’ve been taught up to that point.

Listen in as our hosts share how to instill focus and impulse control in your puppy as early as possible in order to minimize the challenges trainers should expect in the “terror stage” of their growth.

They talk about becoming relevant to your dog and creating an environment around yourself that incentivizes them to make good choices, while at the same time avoiding so much manipulation and artificiality that your dog’s trained habits fail to translate well into the real world.

Finally, our hosts discuss the proper way to socialize your dog, explaining that socialization is less about interacting with other dogs and humans (which causes them to be reactive more often than not) and more about acclimating them to the appropriate environments.

“Socialization is about protecting the dog from bad experiences. It’s not about giving them lots of experiences that they’re going to be afraid of later on in life.”

Key Topics:

• Dealing with teething (05:25)
• Differences in the maturity time frame between different breeds (07:36)
• Establishing your “working contract” with a dog early on (12:53)
• Incentivizing behaviors through deprivation (18:28)
• Setting up an environment for your dog to make good choices (28:00)
• Paying your dog for their attention (33:07)
• Why you should not manipulate your environment just to force your dog to learn (39:37)
• The right way to socialize your growing puppy (42:39)
• Final takeaways (58:03)

Resources:

• American Kennel Club: Your Adolescent Puppy and Changes to Expect
• Jo-Rosie, Archie the Super Pit & Co.
•  Sniff Spot: Off leash dog parks for rent near you
•  Forrest Micke and Bart - Engagement
•  International Dog Trainer Tom Davis

We want to hear from you:

• Check out the K9 Detection Collaborative FB page and comment on the episode post!
• K9Sensus Foundation can be found on Facebook and Instagram. We have a Trainer’s Group on Facebook!
• Scentsabilities Nosework is also on Facebook. Here is a Facebook group you should join!
• Crystal Wing K9 Coach can be found here!
• You can follow us for notifications of upcoming episodes, find us at k9detectioncollaborative.com to enjoy the freebies and tell your friends so you can keep the conversations going.

Jingle by: www.mavericksings.com Instagram: @mavericktastic

Audio editing & other podcast services by: www.thepodcastman.com Instagram: @the_podcast_man

Today, Stacy, Robin, and Crystal reflect on the reality that, as K9 handlers, our expectations don’t often play out in the long term quite as we expect them to.

Listen in as our hosts talk about the awkwardness of receiving unsolicited advice for simply sharing their interesting training experiences with their neurodivergent dogs, and how to move forward regardless in your quest to hone your skills as a trainer.

They explain the vital differences between getting clear on what you as the handler can accomplish, what the dog can accomplish, and what your goal as a trainer is.

They also speak on the necessity of managing expectations when taking on a new dog, why being “gifted” with a difficult dog is an opportunity to become a more multidimensional trainer, and how to help your dog unlock their fullest potential.

“We are a compilation of the dogs we trained. They all teach us. Every dog gives us a special gift.”

Key Topics:

• Working with a neurodivergent dog (02:58)
• Networking at trials for sport professionals (10:20)
• Replicating “once-in-a-lifetime” dogs by building your training chops (18:20)
• Mourning your dog’s passing and learning from your experience training them (23:27)
• Becoming a better trainer with each dog (32:06)
• Living up to your dog’s expectations (38:27)
• Seeing yourself as being “gifted” with a difficult dog (45:20)
• Final takeaways (55:57)

Resources:

• Register here for the K9 DC Roundtable Discussion! (July 7, 2022)

We want to hear from you:

• Check out the K9 Detection Collaborative FB page and comment on the episode post!
• K9Sensus Foundation can be found on Facebook and Instagram. We have a Trainer’s Group on Facebook!
• Scentsabilities Nosework is also on Facebook. Here is a Facebook group you should join!
• Crystal Wing K9 Coach can be found here!
• You can follow us for notifications of upcoming episodes, find us at k9detectioncollaborative.com to enjoy the freebies and tell your friends so you can keep the conversations going.

Jingle by: www.mavericksings.com Instagram: @mavericktastic

Audio editing & other podcast services by: www.thepodcastman.com Instagram: @the_podcast_man

Today, Stacy, Robin, and Crystal discuss how to set your dog up for success by becoming their advocate.

Listen in as our hosts explain how to see consistent growth in your training—pushing your dog while ensuring that you only put them in situations that they can handle. To them, a key factor to building your dog’s confidence in this way is by assuring them that they always have a choice during your sessions. They remind us that we as handlers are here to train our dog, not test them.

With the belief that, “Every dog you have is going to help you grow as a handler,” Stacy, Robin, and Crystal encourage handlers to learn how to “ask the dog” instead of imposing a one-size-fits-all training framework for every dog they become responsible for.

They also talk about the importance of understanding dog behavior, body language, and even your dog’s level of engagement in order to understand how to develop them further.

“Don’t beg your dog to work. They should be the ones pushing you to work.”

Key Topics:

• Being an advocate for your dog (03:11)
• Embracing “the suck” when working with sensitive dogs (08:36)
• Overcoming frustration as a handler (11:32)
• Setting up a training approach that works for the specific dog (20:33)
• Understanding dog body language (25:50)
• Learning how to read your dog’s engagement (29:30)
• Engagement as a habit (36:04)
• Building situational awareness as a handler (43:37)
• Final takeaways (54:41)

We want to hear from you:

• Check out the K9 Detection Collaborative FB page and comment on the episode post!
• K9Sensus Foundation can be found on Facebook and Instagram. We have a Trainer’s Group on Facebook!
• Scentsabilities Nosework is also on Facebook. Here is a Facebook group you should join!
• Crystal Wing K9 Coach can be found here!
• You can follow us for notifications of upcoming episodes, find us at k9detectioncollaborative.com to enjoy the freebies and tell your friends so you can keep the conversations going.

Jingle by: www.mavericksings.com Instagram: @mavericktastic

Audio editing & other podcast services by: www.thepodcastman.com Instagram: @the_podcast_man