K9 Detection Collaborative

03/11/2024

What do you do on a rainy Sunday afternoon? You take a SEAT and work on a webinar! Being caught flat footed when your training goes sideways is always frustrating and sometimes embarrassing. (I've lived this, so I know.)

I outline the framework I use while training detection dogs not only for their detection task, but also for functional obedience.
I'm offering this webinar through the FDSA, so make sure to swing on over there and sign up!

https://www.fenzidogsportsacademy.com/self-study/webinars
Date: Thursday, November 14th, 2024
Time: 3pm Pacific Time

See you there!

03/11/2024

Stacy here!! I did a rather lengthy writeup of a search I did with Powder today... and handling a High Arousal High Drive dog in Nosework.... I wanted to share this with you all! And.... in case you thought Nosework was boring 🤣....

ADDED: Also keep in mind that the speed and arousal state that works in Nosework is different than other searching applications... In Nosework, our search times are short and we are using odors that create large scent cones. When I was deciding which of my dogs to pick for SAR Area work, how they work naturally was a very big factor in my selection. Prize has incredible Nosework skills but works very differently than Powder (this video is Powder... Prize is my Area Search K9).

Send a message to learn more

01/11/2024

GUESS WHAT!!!!

We have gear for sale! Just in time for holiday shopping! Yes, you can support us and get some really nice, high quality t shirts, sweatshirts and decals!

https://k9sensuswinter24.itemorder.com/shop/category/563640/

30/10/2024

Sometimes we get on the phone and one of us (this time it was Crystal) brings something really interesting up....and here we go!

This one tickled our brains! What about this tickles your brain and share with some friends to listen along and discuss!

“Don’t rush the training. Don’t trial too early. Because you’re short-changing that important part where you’re thoughtfully adding the right stress to the picture.”

What’s the difference between “good” and “bad” stress in dog handling, and how do you incorporate the former into your training while minimizing the latter?

Drawing from a groundbreaking study in Nature, our hosts Robin Greubel, Stacy Barnett, and Crystal Wing discuss how stress impacts our dog’s learning and behavior. You’ll get a treasure trove of tips for masterfully adding artificial stressors into your handler training, all while learning to keep burnout at bay and your skills razor-sharp.

Getting the balance right between good and bad stress is like walking a tightrope in the world of K9 detection. Our hosts explore how the right amount of stress can boost your dog’s memory and performance. Through real-life scenarios, they dissect common handling pitfalls and tips for fine-tuning your teaching, training, and testing methodology.

The Dames of Detection also break down the impact of emotional states–of both handler and dog–on training outcomes. They unpack little-known facts such as how your dog reacts differently to odors depending on which side it’s coming from, and how best to engage your dog’s olfactory system to supercharge their optimism and overall well-being!

STUDY: The odour of an unfamiliar stressed or relaxed person affects dogs’ responses to a cognitive bias test: www.nature.com/articles/s41598-024-66147-1

26/10/2024

My favorite charger is on sale for $17.99. It charges my Google Pixel 6 almost twice on one charge, and I like that I can use the C port to charge as well. Sharing in case you need a good charger too. I feel like every time I get to training and want to record, my phone is out of juice. I'm thankful for this thing-Crystal

This is an affiliate link that supports the podcast:

Why This Portable Charger? Unlike most power banks featuring a USB C input only, INIU the Thinnest battery pack has an In & Out USB C port to perfectly fit your new iPhones and all upcoming USB C devices. INIU’s exclusive UPower+ technology enables the optimized charge to all your USB devices, ev....

24/10/2024

A HUGE congratulations to our very own Stacy Barnett on achieving her Area Search Certification with K9 Prize! They had three different search areas, including a night search, they had to successfully complete. This is the culmination of 100's of hours of training, and includes a lot of human training too!

We are so proud of you!

-- Robin & Crystal

We are thrilled to announce our newest operational PSARC certified Air Scent team - Stacy Barnett and K9 Prize! ⛑️ They have been focusing tremendously hard this past year, putting in many hundreds of miles and hours training to achieve readiness as a certified team. Stacy joined the team with an extensive background in the sport of Nosework - and her experience handling and training for scent detection has certainly served her well. We look forward to seeing this dedicated pair in the field!

We would also like to thank Lisa Borden Rice for her time evaluating. 🐾

19/10/2024

Home.

We arrived home late yesterday afternoon. Niko's foot is healing well, pad injuries are just a pain. I'm pretty sure he was excited to have his back yard to run around in a bit and he was barking at shadows until I rewrapped his foot and made him stop.

Rehab has started. Laundry, chores, and time with the donkeys, the floppy ears, and Joe. (Not necessarily in that order).

A huge thanks to Joe and Elizabeth Brown for holding down the fort. For all my tribe for reaching out with texts, messages, and phone calls. I felt the love and greatly appreciate you all.

Thank you to all of my clients, students, and the crew at the USPCA for being so understanding about rescheduling coaching calls and classes.

Keep western NC in your thoughts.

15/10/2024

Episode 122: "Recognizing and Dealing with Displacement Behavior"

"If we're a really confusing trainer, then our dogs have to be really damn confident because they’ve got to put up with a lot of our crap."

In this episode of K9 Detection Collaborative our hosts Robin Greubel, Stacy Barnett and Crystal Wing explore the intricate world of displacement behaviors in dogs. They kick off by discussing recognizing these behaviors, which often arise from stress, frustration, or internal conflict in our canine companions. Our hosts share practical insights and anecdotes to help you identify and address these signals, ensuring a more harmonious training environment for both you and your dog.

The Dames of Detection also draw parallels between displacement behaviors in humans and dogs, revealing how stress and overwhelming situations can lead to unexpected coping mechanisms. By sharing personal experiences and relating them to similar behaviors in dogs, like scavenging, lip licking, pacing, and grass snatching, they highlight the importance of recognizing these signs as indicators of stress or pressure. Listen in as they discuss the impact of handler expectations and share valuable tips for managing stress in training scenarios, especially when working with high-energy dogs in demanding environments.

Our hosts also tackle the complexities of trigger stacking and the importance of understanding canine arousal levels. They emphasize the significance of balancing a dog's stress and arousal to foster effective teamwork. Through discussions on trigger stacking, displacement behaviors, and the need for flexible training strategies, they provide guidance on creating positive associations and respecting individual canine needs.

Check out our episode here or on all major Podcast platforms: https://www.k9detectioncollaborative.com/post/recognizing-and-dealing-with-displacement-behavior

15/10/2024

Get those abstracts in!!

Our abstract deadline has been extended by two weeks to OCTOBER 29.
Many of our colleagues have been deployed for disaster recovery efforts and/or have been directly impacted by the recent natural disasters. We have extended the deadline to accommodate them and anyone else that would like to submit an abstract. Thank you to the incredible handlers and their brave dogs for their tireless efforts to help people - your work is truly appreciated.

14/10/2024

To all of the companies and individual sanitation workers who are keeping the porta potties clean for us in North Carolina, you guys are amazing!

14/10/2024

Robin, we are so proud of you and all of the other appropriately deployed teams working tirelessly for the victims of Helene and Milton. Stay safe, friend... you and all of the others. We love and miss you.

14/10/2024

Crystal is selling her limited edition custom embroidered Reinforcer hats for $30 free shipping. You have until Thursday, Oct. 17 9am CST. The Google form is in the comments. The colors are in the video.

13/10/2024

Crystal Cb Wing here! 2 spots left Nov. 1 in Wisconsin! Snag 'em up ❤️ lemme know if you have questions about day 1.

I'll be there day 2 for location specific markers to add clarity to your training and address individual training needs and how reinforcement impacts arousal and training loops. There are a couple working spots open.

Day 3 is sold out for working spots, but we have lots of audit spots left for working in various levels of arousal with a great mix of dogs that need more energy and others that bring a little more than we can use.

There are audit spots available all 3 days ❤️

Day 1: Sport Dog Foundations
Description: Kickstart your dog sport training journey with our comprehensive Sport Dog Foundation seminar. This session covers the top 3-5 foundational skills every trainer should instill in their dog, regardless of the sport. We'll delve into essential behaviors like position/stay, send away, and recall while building focus/engagement, and impulse control. Through hands-on training with 2-4 dogs on the floor, you'll learn to teach these skills to fluency, troubleshoot common issues, and handle slow or failed responses effectively. Whether you're a novice or an experienced trainer, this seminar provides invaluable tools to enhance your dog's performance.

03/10/2024

Our hearts go out to all the individuals and families impacted by the storms. HRD canines join the response effort. Stay safe, do good work, and know we are all proud of you.

01/10/2024

Check out the latest episode!!! We are talking about behavior chains and if you have someone who needs to hear it, please share!

"I found that the things I taught in higher arousal have held up better in higher arousal environments. The things done very slowly in lower arousal haven’t held up as well."

Ever wondered why some detection dogs excel under pressure while others not so much? Join in exploring the dynamic world of canine detection training, guided by the unique experiences of our hosts Robin Greubel, Stacy Barnett, and Crystal Wing. They share their journeys through the challenges of maintaining behavioral fluency in high-arousal situations, breaking down the complexities of foundational training and behavior chains. They emphasize the unpredictable nature of well-trained dogs when faced with new stimuli and the critical balance between fluency and arousal.

The next segment offers a deep dive into high-arousal training methods, where practical advice meets real-world scenarios. Discover the transformative power of teaching commands during high-energy moments and how these techniques can solidify behaviors in unexpected environments. They also discuss the importance of introducing dogs to varied conditions early on, ensuring their training is resilient and adaptable. This chapter challenges conventional wisdom, highlighting our evolving understanding of canine behavior.

The Dames of Detection also tackle the intricacies of tracking training, managing arousal, and setting boundaries. Learn about maintaining a steady training pace and fostering intrinsic motivation in dogs. From the balance required in reinforcement to the importance of clear boundaries, this discussion provides a comprehensive look at creating effective training routines.

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26/09/2024

TONIGHT!!! Stacy is presenting a webinar on the D's of Detection!! Yep... ALL SIX of them! (sorry Crystal 😆). Don't miss it!!

Sign up at: https://www.fenzidogsportsacademy.com/self-study/webinars

18/09/2024

This topic came from one of the suggestions on our page! Make sure you give us ideas in the pinned post on the page!

What is your biggest 'a-ha' from this episode?

“It takes a dutiful trainer to show up and train in those sorts of situations all of the time. For search and rescue, don't be fair weather trainers.”

Our hosts Robin Greubel, Stacy Barnett, and Crystal Wing offer their best tips for creating a training plan and measuring your progress without the help of an in-person mentor.

Crystal sets the stage with a top ten list that includes strategies such as assessing your current skill level, setting long and short-term goals, varying your training environment, incorporating feedback loops, maintaining a balance of fun and stress, and networking with other handlers.

As they kick things off, our hosts shine a light on that critical first step: getting clear on your skill level as a handler, as well as that of your dog. From cataloging strengths and weaknesses, to understanding the detection chain, to assessing your dog’s current trained final response, you’ll get actionable tips on how to elevate your training sessions by varying complexity and environmental conditions.

The Dames of Detection remind us that professional coaching and community support can make or break your training journey. They talk about seeking (and vetting) experts and what to know about certifications in detection work. Drawing from real-life examples, they illustrate how to effectively set up training scenarios, and explain how to craft challenging scenarios to hone your dog’s problem-solving aptitude.

Keeping training engaging and effective is no small feat. In the latter half of the conversation, you’ll learn methods to keep high-energy dogs focused and ensure fluency in critical behaviors, especially during certifications!
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Make sure you check out all the old episodes! You can search them using the tool on the website!

https://www.k9detectioncollaborative.com/post/developing-training-plans-without-in-person-mentors