K9 Conservationists

Odor Discrimination Part 2: Training an "All Clear" for Detection Dogs with Paul Bunker

Listen Later

In the second episode of the odor discrimination mini series, we revisit an older episode of K9 Conservationists where Kayla speaks with Paul Bunker of Chiron K9 about all clear procedures.

Science Highlight: ⁠An assessment of the effects of habitat structure on the scat finding performance of a wildlife detection dog⁠

What is an all-clear response?

  • The dog’s formal response to let the handler know there is no odor to alert to

    • What is a go-no-go response?

    • The dog’s NON-formal response to let the handler know there is no odor to alert to

      • What’s a situation we may want to teach this for?

      • Odor recognition tests
      • Teaching them that they can still get rewarded for no odor, which reduces stress
      • Good to check for contamination
      • Teaches them to be confident in leaving a search area with no target present knowing they will still be rewarded

        • What components make for a successful all clear?

        • Ensure it is maintained and refreshed
        • Prepare your training session in advance. Progression plans are extremely important.
        • Variable reinforcement with your dog’s reward hierarchy
        • The dog must 100% understand target before learning all clear
        • Don’t use jackpot rewards for an all clear

          • What other options do we have for reducing stress and reducing false responses (go-no-go)?

          • Teach odor separately from systems of searching so they are not codependent
          • Train blank sessions
          • Train longer sessions (within the abilities of your dog) so that it is similar to long working days
          • Develop independence early

            • Links Mentioned in the Episode:

            Where to find Paul Bunker:  ⁠Website⁠ | ⁠Instagram⁠ | ⁠Facebook⁠

            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
            View all episodesView all episodes
            Download on the App Store
            K9 ConservationistsBy Kayla Fratt
            • 4.8
            • 4.8
            • 4.8
            • 4.8
            • 4.8

            4.8

            91 ratings

            More shows like K9 Conservationists

            View all
            Radiolab by WNYC Studios

            Radiolab

            43,835 Listeners

            Criminal by Vox Media Podcast Network

            Criminal

            37,529 Listeners

            The Moth by The Moth

            The Moth

            27,155 Listeners

            Savage Lovecast by Dan Savage

            Savage Lovecast

            6,167 Listeners

            Cog-Dog Radio by Sarah Stremming, The Cognitive Canine

            Cog-Dog Radio

            316 Listeners

            Fenzi Dog Sports Podcast by Melissa Breau

            Fenzi Dog Sports Podcast

            235 Listeners

            In Defense of Plants Podcast by In Defense of Plants

            In Defense of Plants Podcast

            1,248 Listeners

            Ologies with Alie Ward by Alie Ward

            Ologies with Alie Ward

            24,414 Listeners

            This Podcast Will Kill You by Exactly Right and iHeartPodcasts

            This Podcast Will Kill You

            16,909 Listeners

            K9s Talking Scents by Cameron Ford

            K9s Talking Scents

            116 Listeners

            Shaped by Dog with Susan Garrett by Susan Garrett

            Shaped by Dog with Susan Garrett

            678 Listeners

            Unexplainable by Vox

            Unexplainable

            2,307 Listeners

            Normal Gossip by Normal Gossip

            Normal Gossip

            5,829 Listeners

            K9 Detection Collaborative by Stacy Barnett, Robin Greubel

            K9 Detection Collaborative

            44 Listeners