K9 Conservationists

Latest Episodes:

Odor Discrimination Part 3: Mud Snails with Conservation Dogs Collective and Auburn University May 23, 2023

Show notes

For our third episode of our odor discrimination series, Kayla speaks with Laura, Morgan, and Jo from Conservation Dogs Collective and Emily from Auburn University about a fascinating project undertaken to detect New Zealand Mud Snails.

Science Highlight: None this week!

Links Mentioned in the Episode:

Discrimination learning with and without “errors”

Errorless learning

Where to find Conservation Dogs Collective: Website

Where to find Canine Performance Sciences: Facebook

You can support the K9 Conservationists Podcast by joining our Patreon at patreon.com/k9conservationists.

Odor Discrimination Part 2: Training an "All Clear" for Detection Dogs with Paul Bunker May 16, 2023

Show notes

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.⁠

Odor Discrimination Part 1: Signal Detection Theory with Simon Gadbois May 09, 2023

Show notes

In the first episode of the odor discrimination mini series, we revisit an older episode of K9 Conservationists where Kayla Fratt speaks with Dr. Simon Gadbois to talk about signal detection theory and his conservation work.

Discussed in this Podcast:

Dr. Gadbois work in Nova Scotia
What is signal detection theory?
What’s the potential problem with proportion or percentage correct data as performance?
What’s the problem with our basic lineup for training and testing detection dogs as it relates to SDT?
How can trainers at home put this to use with their dogs?

Links Mentioned in the Episode:

Signal Detection Theory

Where to find Dr. Gadbois: Website | Lab Facebook Page | Lab Facebook Group

You can support the K9 Conservationists Podcast by joining our Patreon at patreon.com/k9conservationists.

Canine Olfaction and Detection Science Conference with Lauren DeGreef May 02, 2023

Show notes

In this episode of K9 Conservationists, Kayla speaks with Lauren DeGreef about the upcoming Canine Olfaction and Detection Science Conference.

Science Highlight: None this week!

Where to find Lauren: Facebook | LinkedIn

Links Mentioned in the Episode:

Conference Registration

You can support the K9 Conservationists Podcast by joining our Patreon at patreon.com/k9conservationists.

Dogs Detecting Insects Carrying Diseases with Rachel Curtis-Robles and Devin Christopher Apr 25, 2023

Show notes

In this episode of K9 Conservationists, Kayla speaks with Rachel Curtis-Robles and Devin Christopher about dogs detecting insects carrying diseases.

Science Highlight: Dogs can sense weak thermal radiation

Where to find Rachel: Website

Where to find Devin: Linked in

Links Mentioned in the Episode:

None

You can support the K9 Conservationists Podcast by joining our Patreon at patreon.com/k9conservationists.

Imposter Syndrome with Jay Gurden Apr 18, 2023

Show notes

In this episode of K9 Conservationists, Kayla speaks with Jay Gurden about imposter syndrome!

Science Highlight: You Are Not My Handler! Impact of Changing Handlers on Dogs' Behaviours and Detection Performance

Why is imposter syndrome so common in the dog world?

We care about what we do
Extra pressure
Young industry
Success is related to our dog’s behavior
No path to success like law school

How do you combat imposter syndrome?

Make objective appraisals about what you do know, what you can do, what you’ve proven. If you compare those to your imposter syndrome thoughts, you can see that these are just fake thoughts trying to hold you back
Dunning-Krueger effect plays into it

What are the 5 types of imposter syndrome and how do we combat them?

Perfectionist: people make mistakes. Mistakes help us learn.
Superbeing: what does success actually mean? Can you find success in doing your best?
Natural genius: learning is normal and can take work. You bring things to the field even if you’re not a natural on day 1.
Soloist: we don’t have to do this alone. We can build community.
Expert: it’s about making boundaries with your learning.
Everyone: try to create objective appraisals of what you’ve already done and how far you’ve come. Journaling on the good stuff.

What can we do as mentors/colleagues/mentees to celebrate their worth?

Talk about having the same thoughts regarding imposter syndrome.

Where to find Jay: Website | Good Guardianship

Links Mentioned in the Episode:

Dunning-Kruger Effect

Four stages of learning

Valerie Young's 5 Types of Imposter Syndrome

Dr. Pauline’s Test

The Secret Thoughts of Successful Women

Conquering Confidence

Wood Turtles with Kristine Hoffman and Julia Sirois Apr 11, 2023

Show notes

In this episode of K9 Conservationists, Kayla speaks with Kristine Hoffman and Julia Sirois from St Lawrence University about their work with wood turtles, building on our conversation with Scott Buchanan.

Science Highlight: Training with varying odor concentrations: implications for odor detection thresholds in canines

Links Mentioned in the Episode:

None

Where to find Kristine: Website

Where to find Julia: Instagram | Facebook

Wood Turtles with Scott Buchanan Apr 04, 2023

Show notes

In this episode of K9 Conservationists, Kayla speaks with Scott Buchanan on his work with wood turtles.

Science Highlight: A Glimpse into the Use of Dogs to Address Global Poaching, Overharvesting, and Trafficking of Aquatic Species

Links Mentioned in the Episode:

None

You can support the K9 Conservationists Podcast by joining our Patreon at patreon.com/k9conservationists.

Patreon Q&A with Caisa Persson Werme Mar 28, 2023

Show notes

In this episode of K9 Conservationists, Kayla speaks with our patreon Caisa Persson Werme to answer questions about training and alerts.

Science Highlight: Back to the basics with conservation detection dogs: fundamentals for success

Questions asked:

During the search he might stop after a while and look at me. If I don't acknowledge it in any way he takes off to search again with the same intensity as before. Is that the right approach on my part? Is he looking for guidance or just to check in/ see where I am?
When the search happens to be too long he comes back to me and sort of stares at me,or jumps at me and isn't as excited if I tell him to keep searching for the toy. What should I do in those situations?
How much help can/should I give in the sense of walking closer to the toy, calling him to get closer or to stay at a closer distance to the toy, say if he's running in the opposite/wrong direction? But I feel like that might get him to think that I know where it is?
How do you know/determine how long a search will be?
How do you determine which way the wind blows?
How do I know if something is too much for him?
I should probably start working with a long line, but I'm afraid that it might interfere with his searching. How do I best introduce it without causing frustration or a drop in motivation?
How do you know it’s time for a break? Is it on cue?
I'm not confident that my rewards are good or exciting enough. Like he does seem to love it when I tell him to search and he has this look of anticipation when he hopes for it, but when he finds the toy he's more of like "yeah here it is..". We do play with it and he gets chicken or ham or similar and I mean we are improving when it comes to length of search and his enthusiasm is the same…but shouldn't he seem more excited to find the toy?
How do you go about placing the hide without making your trail/footsteps part of it?
When training an alert, how much should I care about the position like stand, sit or down?
How do I know if/when it's the right time to start to ask for a propper alert?
How do I go about incorporating the alert into the search?
I have not yet trained Kenai on any blank searches, which maybe I should have started with much earlier? So how do i go about it now?
Somewhat on the same topic, how would you handle the frustration that comes with ending a search session?
Any advice for a current or future trainee?