What to listen for:

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!

Key Topics:

• Crystal’s Top Ten Tips (02:32)
• Connecting With Other Handlers and Online Coaches (9:30)
• Vetting Your Nosework Instructor (14:50)
• Thoughts on Certifications (21:50)
• Problem-Solving With Your Dog: Troubleshooting as a Handler (25:10)
• Prioritization in Your Training (31:49)
• Breaking Down Your Goals (33:09)
• Varying Environments and Simulating Real-World Scenarios (43:49)
• Planning For Consistency and Adjusting as Needed (49:08)

Resources:

• Steve White ProActive K9
• Academy Standards Board
• Organization of Scientific Area Committees For Forensic Science
• K9 Detection Collaborative Ep 72 and 73 with Jens Frank
• FDSA FENZI Training Camp and Webinars
• Crystal in Wisconsin
• Reach out to Robin about her workshop in Tulsa in October

We want to hear from you:

• Check out the K9 Detection Collaborative FB page and comment on the episode post!
• You can follow us for notifications of upcoming episodes, find us at k9detectioncollaborative.com

What to listen for:

Odor detection handling mastery comes down to hitting that delicate balance between doing too much and too little for your dog–the ability to offer intimate guidance while nurturing confidence.

Our hosts Robin Greubel, Stacy Barnett, and Crystal Wing offer their best tips and strategies for using your presence as a handler to nudge your dog towards their goals without smothering their autonomy. They draw lessons from a variety of training scenarios and odors, whether essential oils or narcotics. They also touch on the difference between distraction and diversion, and the use of discriminative stimuli in a training environment.

Our hosts stress the need to identify your dog's unique personality, experience level, and skill mastery, and how to incorporate that context into your training strategy by providing challenges that encourage independent problem-solving.

The Dames of Detection unpack the concept of "dog time.” It’s a concept that our hosts have applied in Distraction Camp and Intentional Handling classes in which you’re encouraged to allow your dog to work at their own pace without excessive handler interference. They also talk handling errors typical of handlers at different levels of proficiency, and provide exercises to help remedy those errors.

Key Topics:

• Training as the Setting Up of a Problem (04:38)
• Using Your Presence to Increase Your Dog’s Understanding (11:03)
• The Right Way to Gain More Experience as a Handler (18:05)
• Two Buckets of Distraction Drills (21:50)
• Troubleshooting Your Training Strategy (29:56)
• What Makes a Good Handling Official? (39:17)
• Using Discriminative Stimuli (48:00)
• Key Takeaways (59:08)

Resources:

• Give us ideas to talk about here
• Distraction Camp/Intentional Handling 2024 Hot Wash
• Distraction Camp 2023 Download
• Distraction Camp 2022 Download
• Fenzi Webinars
• Stacy's NW101 in February
• Crystal in Kansas
• Fenzi Camp in Ohio
• Crystal in Wisconsin

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.
• Crystal Wing K9 Coach can be found here at CB K9 and here at Evolution Working Dog Club.
• You can follow us for notifications of upcoming episodes, find us at k9detectioncollaborative.com

What to listen for:

Today our hosts Robin Greubel, Stacy Barnett, and Crystal Wing walk us through essential strategies for fostering independence and courage in dogs (and trainers!). They share their insights on avoiding the pitfalls of being an overprotective "helicopter handler" and how to allow your canine companion the freedom to explore their world and build self-assurance.

The Dames of Detection explain stress inoculation and how providing dogs with coping mechanisms can build resilience. Discover the importance of consistent and clear training, and how the thoughtful introduction of stressors can prepare your dog for future training and work. From the strategic use of play to enhance problem-solving skills to real-life anecdotes like the unforgettable encounter with Prize and the pack of coyotes, they cover it all to ensure you're equipped with practical tips for building your dog's bravery.

Our hosts also explore the value of scent work in boosting canine confidence and share heartwarming stories of dogs overcoming their fears through gradual exposure and positive reinforcement. Learn how to read and support your dog's confidence with subtle cues and create safe yet challenging scenarios. No matter the discipline, this episode is packed with actionable advice to help you and your dog thrive together.

Key Topics:

• Building Dog Confidence and Bravery through Play and Training (01:15)
• Building Confidence through Distance and Independence (04:38)
• Using Play to Help Dogs Cope with Stress and Build Positive Associations (09:17)
• Stress Inoculation for Dogs (and Trainers) and its Importance in Training (13:22)
• Building Dog Resilience through Training and Odor Inoculation (19:33)
• Engaging Dogs through Play and Body Awareness (23:11)
• Using Play and Confidence-Building Exercises to Help Dogs Overcome Fear and Anxiety (27:01)
• Confidence and Handling Distractions (35:13)
• Practical Tips to Confidence Building (41:13)
• Takeaways (46:59)

Resources:

• Crystal’s Class in Kansas: Focus with CB Wing

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 at CB K9 and here at Evolution Working Dog Club. Also, check out her Functional Obedience Class 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.